Be Still, Gifts and Faith

As I promised....
In response to a blog on From the Silence. ( Sara's Blog) I just finished this afternoon a book by Don Piper and this blog brought something out that I read in this book about silence or being still as we know it to be.
It is true many of us have issues of learning to be still, Don Piper did as well even though he was bedridden for nearly a year. You would think someone like that would know how to be still but ... being still isnt just laying down and resting.. it is stilling your every fiber of your being.. that nothing rages in your mind and you have allowed yourself to enter into HIS rest not our own. Don was in crutiating pain daily and to be still was far from his mind yet two people in his life brought in a plague that said Be Still and Know that I am God. Don was like yeah right... how when I am so miserable... I am here in the silence most days.. He didnt understand what the truth of that scripture was... it took him a long while to grasp the revelation of that scripture which in turn began a new turning point in his life regards to his healing progress. It wasnt until he let go and let God enter in that he was able to enter into rest in Father God's arms and that he could put his full trust in God that he would make it through this long and painful journey which to this day is not over.. it won't be over until God summons him home.
2ndly this post spoke about faith and gifts.... how in faith we use the gifts given us but here is another perspective...
Don is a pastor and pastors more often do things for many people but do not allow others to do things for them. This was Don's problems when he was healthy and active he was able to do many things but when he was incapacitated.... he felt helpless even to himself. It was so hard for him to let people do things for him. When he finally came home to finish his recovery in his home.. many people would stop by and ask if they would do something, he always said no. then one day a close friend of his stopped by, Jay watched Don as he had visitors and obsevered him saying no and finally when they left.. Jay said to him you have to stop that... Don said stop what and he said stop not letting people help you and Don said well I dont need any... he said yes you do ( Im paraphrasing here) basically Jay went on to explain that these people went out of their way because they want to , to come and help him and that Don was keeping them from excercising their giftings... he said they want to minister to you, you ministered to many of them in return now they want to do the same for you. Don balked and said I cant let them help me.. he was strong willed yet ashamed .... Finally Jay said , Don, I want you to say yes to the next person that asks, of course Don whines lol he said no I cant do it... Yes you can Don... so the first few times he said no when people asked but then the third time he remembered Jay's words and one day this man came in asked do you need anything Don? He was about to say no thank you but stopped short and said i wish I had some magazines... the mans eyes brightened up and said really? He took off so fast before Don told him what kind and brought back a stack of them for him to read. Next day a lady asked and he said I really would like a strawberry milkshake... she smiled big and took off and got the milkshake... they were sooooo delighted that they could help him. do something for him... and they were able to excercise their gift! These people never quit asking even though Don kept refusing and it stopped them from doing what they were called to do....it is still hard for him to fully recieve help but he does recieve it more so than before the accident. I think that when we use our gifts people need to welcome it instead of reject it.... it isnt always our faith but others faith to believe that it is ok! This is just another perspective on this particular issue. In the area of prophecy.. when others reject the gifts others have they prevent the flow of God in their own lives!
Just my thoughts .....

There are NO sad songs in Heaven!!!!

I am reading Don Piper's book on 90 minutes in Heaven and so far it has made me cry. However one thing he said is the most thing he was aware of was music everywhere in Heaven and he said it was all praise there were no sad songs in Heaven.... that concept penetrated me and has me thinking... wow if their are no sad songs in Heaven then why are there sad songs being written here. Does that mean that those sad songs are not from God? I believe so because He wants us to praise Him in all things and He wants us to live in Kingdom Principles and walk the Heavenly walk instead of the flesh walk. He is JOY and HOPE and FULL of Praise and Glory! So when we go through the trials of life we are to Praise Him.... Sing Songs of Praise to His Holy Name.... I knew this in mind but it’s penetrating my heart even more and after hearing there are no sad songs in Heaven. I thought what on earth am I doing writing sad stuff from time to time.... sure its a release but we are still supposed to offer up sacrifices of Praise! Even in the wilderness!! Oh yes even there ... Wow!

Praise

I just want to give to you

Sacrifices of Praise

Oh to your most Holy Name

Singing to you

Amazing praise

You ordain upon this earth

Songs of praise

Songs of rebirth

We will stand singing praise

On this holy land

In the wilderness we are

Songs of praise will come from afar

His desire
To hear praise
From hearts
On fire
Give Him praise
As you give your
Heart to Him
And be set free
Eternally from sin
Oh, Glorious Praise
Glorious praise
To the King of Kings
We will forever sing.

© Jennifer Shannon October 29th 2007

Growth, Change & Challenges In Life!

Ever sit and think and have a million things from all different directions invading your brain?
I have so many thoughts and feelings, I sometimes just do not know where it starts and where it ends.....
Ill start with this thought....
I had a friend ask me today if I thought I had grown or changed in regards to a test I took online. People say I have but I don't always agree. Ok well I partially agree and this is why... parts of me have grown but parts of me still struggles to grow.... Its like Im this lopsided tree, one part is tall and the other part isnt. The part that is tall is healthy, strong and nourished but the other isnt. Aren't many of us like that.. the imperfect tree? Perhaps we wiggle and squirm too much and stunt the growth of parts of us... I just got an image of a pot on a potters wheel and part of that pot was lopsided.... I have done pottery without the wheel and well lol my creation was indeed lopsided... my grandmother was a potter... well she made many things out of clay including a model of me as a little girl, I remember her showing me some of her work and teaching me how to mold and how it all works.... it was fun and I wanted to do the same thing but never got to do so. Her creations never moved but sat still before her ( well of course they werent alive lol) but think about it we need to die to ourselves when we are in that death state... that is when He works on us the most because we are the most willing and the most submitted. As she created ... every facet was just so, she took time to do the hair, the eyes the nose the mouth, the hands....every piece had detail and almost perfect. How much more does our Father do that... if we submit and be most willing for Him to work on our hearts to make it just so....
I am reminded of a part in Hinds Feet in High Places when the girl ended up laying down and being put to sleep so to speak and waking up with a new heart...with the seed that had grown into a flower.. called LOVE ..... she died to herself that day and came out a new creation. This is how we are to be! Wow we NEED LOVE to grow in our hearts and in order for love to come alive we need to grow and allow every part of our journey shape us into who we are to become in HIS eyes! Yes it does hurt as it hurt much for that girl.. she thought she was going to lose everything but what she didnt know was that she gained much.... the LOVE if the shepherd, how glorious is that. I was that little girl... I traveled a journey much like she did and I hurt much like she did and fell and listened to things along the way that I shouldnt have yet she has peace and joy as her guide along the journey.. to things I want most .... oh myyyy all along I have struggled with thinking I do not have peace and joy in my life but sorrow and suffering.. for those that have read the book will know exactly what I am talking about... Much Afraid alwas thought she was walking with Peace and Joy but at the end she found out they thought they were sorrow and suffering... interesting how God points out that what we think we are is not how others see us or God sees us... I struggle with this immensly. My view of myself is most likely warped but its not as warped as it used to be! It used to be ... " How could anyone love me, I cant even love myself, How can anyone care for me, I am not worthy, Why do you love me, I am a mess " Now I see myself much different but I am not all the way there in this view of myself.
Many of us have warped views of ourselves but if we lay ourselves before Him and listen to HIS words we will grasp hold of the amazing love He has for us and that He loves us in spite of ourselves!
This is just one of many thoughts ... I have swimming inside of me. I often wonder what it is that people like about me and not like about me and this is always a biggy.. am I making an impact in a persons life as the Lord uses me or am I getting in the way? Yeah thoughts like these invade my brain from time to time... it isnt necessarly thoughts from satan as much as its just thoughts to see how I can improve in my walk with HIM!
And on that note, Good night , Im falling asleep writing this haha
God bless

Belief, Compromise & Promise

I have been pondering on belief... How is it that we all read the same bible but read it so differently? I understand God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, so why do people interpret things today that they believe applies now but not then or visa versa? It makes no sense to me.
In the old testament, God judged cities, nations, generations, kings and queens, how is any of that different today?
Judgement came in many different forms, famine, storms, disease, and natural disasters. How is that different today.
It boggles my mind that people do not want to believe that what God did then He can choose to do so today. Jesus came to fulfill the law , not abolish it as some people thing.
Another word I ponder on often is COMPROMISE hmmm I just noticed in that word is the word PROMISE.. how interesting. God is the God of PROMISE not COMPROMISE.. SWEEEEET! When we come into a relationship with Him we make a Promise to Him to follow Him always but many of us start out that way and end up compromising instead. How that must hurt Father God...
So lets compromise and abort babies ( KILL BABIES) just so we do not have to take on the responsiblity of our actions because of SIN...
So letscomprimnise and let our children be exposed to the opposite sex in restrooms because the parents who chose homosexual lifestyles do not take on the responsibilty for their own SIN.
Lets comprimise and let same sex marriages happen , Lets compromise and let greed enter the city and help the upper classman but leave our poor on the streets , oh oh here is a biggy... Lets compromise and take God out of our schools and out of the court rooms and government buildings ....
What happens when we compromise????? Consequences happen when we compromise the WORD OF GOD! JUDGEMENT happens and WE ALL suffer for someone elses compromise!
Why does it have to affect everyone, because we live in the world and as long as we are here on earth we will drink in sufferings, fortunately those who have a relationship with Christ, lean on HIS strength to make it through, those that don't have that relationship suffer greatly but it is really nothing compared to the suffering they will endure in hell after judgement day when they take account for their SINS and lifestyles they chose.
I am so sadden that the majority of the christians have taken the path of compromise and unless we break free of this spirit in our lives, we will not see true freedom in Christ. We must RENEW and RESTORE our PROMISE to HIM and stay with it ALWAYS.
DO you REALLY believe HE is LORD and SAVIOR? DO you REALLY?
You might want to think hard about where you are really at with Him and get back to Him on that one! You may be suprised to hear what HE has to say to YOUR HEART! Cinviction is a very good thing, what is even better is responding to it in PRAYER and REPENTENCE!

God is a JUST and MERCIFUL GOD.....He is there for us.. HIS children, to protect and to cover us! HE loves us so much yet HE cries out WHERE ARE MY CHILDREN.... MY CHILDREN OF PROMISE?
Are you truly His??? Do you truly believe, Why do you believe what you believe and will you change from compromise to promise? The CHOICE is YOURS!
I am sooooo passionate about this its on my heart alot for my own life but for everyone elses as well! I want to spend enternity with Him, don't you????

Ok I got what I could off my chest... I just wish people would open their eyes to see what they are truly blind to.... God is not into grey area, it is or it isnt ... there is no other choice! We cannot continue to turn things around to satisfy our sinful life styles but we can turn ourselves around to line up with what HE wants our lifestyle to be!
It frustrates me that many do not want to do that but be satisfied with their alternative lifestyles and life of sin, it is their sin that affects the birth pangs of this earth! I am not talking about just the world but "christians" as well!
He wants to pour out His spirit on this land but we as Christians need to make a stand for our nation! He is calling us to STAND and BE A VOICE in this land!
Ok I'll stop here... Im going on a roll again! lol
Remember, We WILL make account for what we didnt do with the calling on our lives!

Blessings!

Trials and Tribulations....

Ever been rafting on a river and get caught in bushes or branches along the way? I have and I nearly drowned however I hung to the tree branches until someone could pull me out.
This is what life was like this past week. I was going along the river of life when wham I hit what I call trials and tribulations. The emotions were high strung, the frustrations were wound tight and I wanted to take flight ! We have had so many choices to make in one weeks time.
I had to pull my older son out of public school and put him into a homeschool environment so that he doesnt fail 8th grade. He will be homeschooled through an online private school they does the teaching and everything. He will start Monday and we will be doing this for a year. This is a huge change for me who loves her space and time alone during the day and now its all being yanked away. Maybe I am being selfish but I know I function better when I have that space. So in all this I felt I was sinking. I finally have had to come to a point where I will have to give more of myself and deal with me less for a season.
It won't be easy for sure but I know with Father by my side I can do it... I wouldnt be able to without him.
Its nerve wracking going through these sudden changes.. seems everything is changing in my life. We have been working on our house making it look better, Bill has a new job that keeps him busy far too much and Justin will be preparing himself to go to Europe next summer with People to People Student Ambassador. So yeah it's craziness for me.
I just am thankful that no matter what I do Holy Spirit Guides me and Jesus walks besides me and Father watches over me and there are angels all around ministering to me as needed. Jesus is my raft, Holy Spirit are/is the oars and the River of Life is what flows from my Father's throne..... I praise Him for His lovingkindness leads me on this path that will carry me through to the very end.
He is the One that I need, He is the One that sets me free. As I soar He takes me newer heights and newer places ! To be steadfast in His precense is a comforting place to be! Safe and Secure in His amazing arms of love. When I'm tired, He is my strength, when I feel alone, He is my friend, when I cry, He is my comfort, when I laugh, He is my joy, when I hide, He is my refuge, when I soar, He is the wings takes me from shore to shore. Daughter am I , the apple of His eye...the one He loves and adores. I am grateful to be forever HIS!!! Is He yours???

Abba Father.. I Cry!

I stand, I kneel attempting to keep a hold of the strength He gives, threats I endure, wondering why, I am being demeaned and belittled instead of respected for who I am. I despise the roller coaster ride, I wish for an on fire for God family that is so hungry for Him and not desiring of the evil this world presents.
I hunger, I thirst attempting to drink of Him to stay close and not wander away. Time spent with my Beloved is precious few. Falling apart, yearning to remain whole and safe in His arms once again. Words fly not meaning to be said. Demons all around are being fed. Yet I pray His grace to be found in this place. Forgiveness sound, I rise again, learning to stand up to the enemy trying to tear me apart. Ridicule, accusations deep hurt and lack of trust, what else do I do except to lean into my Jesus’ arms of love that carries me through the storm raging above.
Unappreciated, unloved by family, yet Abba Father loves me deeply, it is there I can survive the evils outside. Fighting to not take flight but to stand, to stand in His perfect sight. Wings I hide, I find it is a covering from the raging storms I desperately want to leave behind. Longing to be loved and find that incredible peace found from above, longing to be recognized and validated instead of brutally criticized. I just want to be me that He sees and to be treated fair and lovely as the white waves upon the shores tell my story.
I wait, I rest till the storm passes by and His best is poured inside this tenderized heart of mine. The rains come; I look for the rainbow, His promise of joy and freedom once again to flow.
To dance, to sing in His glorious presence, His holy name is given reverence forever and ever…. Longing to see the glorious place where tears are no more and pain subsides. To dwell in the heavenly place where songs of healing are sung and waves of joy abound....
To my Abba Father... I cry!!!
©October 15th 2007 Jennifer Shannon