Willing and ready.

What do you have planned for your life? What do you want to do? When someone asks "what do you want to be when you grow up?" what is it that comes to your mind? Some of us have no idea, while many of us say, "I want to be a lawyer," or "Oh yeah. Brain surgeon." and a lot of people I meet have really moving stories as to why. Good things. But here is a question I want to ask you. Think of that thing in your mind. Maybe you don't have it figured out. But think of when you do. That thing. That you have decided is for you. What if Jesus asked you to do something totally different. How would you react? Nurse, doctor, teacher, chemist, rock star. What if he asked you to throw that away. The plans you've been thinking of. In a prayer time with God, He hit me with a question. I was thinking of my plans for life. Then he asked me. "Shannon, what would you do if I didn't want that? How would you respond? Would you obey?" 

It's hard to think of our lives not turning out like we had planned. I don't know for sure what God wants totally. One thing I do think that He really just wants to see if we are willing. He may not be calling you to be a missionary to Zimbabwe. But what if he is? How would you respond?  
"Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. (1 John 2:3-6 NKJV) 

He wants you to be willing. He was willing to die for you. Are you willing to give him all of your life? 

Summer

(1/6) I was out in my garden today. Enjoying the sunshine and warmth. God made himself real today. I sat on my litte porch marveling at the beauty of the world.I was breathtaken. Why is it that we sit inside all day when God created the most amazing things ever? Green grass and blue skies. This is the kind of thing most of the time you dont realize. We get in our cars and drive on paved roads to get to cold buildings. And that is what excites us? What about colorful flowers and refreshing rain? Go knew that I would be writing these words before there was time. Yet we are momentarily filled by a new outfit or a boyfriend? Jesus is something that will never fail us, or leave us empty in the end. The psalmist says "My cup overflows." which means that He will continually fill us to the brim- and then some with joy and peace. True fufillment. When you look at the beauty of the world, you see how much God really knows. So don't you think thathe knows enough to take care of your life? So let God move in you and realize that you are his creation. Of even more worth than you think.
Shannon

Insomnia

Summer is just starting and the school year is finally coming to a close. It's the season for flowers and butterfies, swimsuits and golden tanlines. Real 24 hour days that we live to the fullest, instead of the 12 lived in insomnia. Sweet teas and juicy watermelon. Oh yes, these are the things that I hold dear. But then as spring welcomes its close friend summer to the scene, I am reminded of winter. Yes it has been long, but it truly has been beautiful. Waking up to a world filled with white. The glimmer of a Christmas tree in a window on your way home from church. I love how the street lights magically are lit up with holiday cheer filling you with a joy that you just dont get in June. The trees have a lonely gorgeous look about them saying that it is the time to relax. Drink a cup of hot cocoa with your family and friends and listen to the carolers songs. Winter is truly beautiful my friends. Summer is full of excitement and memories, but something about the way that peaceful sleep wraps is warm arms around you like a warm blanket and ushers you into calm bliss is something not so easily achieved in the sticky warmth of August. I find myself fighting a war with slumber and conciousness the further we get into the year. Oh so enjoy the popsicles on a warm summer night at the pool with your friends, but do not forget the excitement of holiday secrecy and snowflakes kissing your face. I beg you dear one do not let go of the foggy laughter echoing through the air at the frozen pond. Remember hot soup. Warm hugs and colorful sweaters. But enjoy swimming pools and triple sleepovers.Cause you never know it it might be your last Christmas eve. :)
~ Shannon

Change.

We all say that we hate change. True, it's not fun, but it's good. At least that's what people tell me. Recently I moved 600 miles away from my previous home. When the possibility came up, I said, "Heck no. I'm not going there." Well, God said "Ha. Try that with me." Well guess where I moved a month later? Right where I said I would never go. God has shown me that even though I saw it as something that was taking me away from everything I've ever known, he has a plan. Sometimes its hard to see that. How many times in our life do we say that? We need to learn to let go. It's been a long time coming, and still coming, but I think that God is showing me how to trust him. He's teaching me to say, "Alright, tell me what YOU want, Jesus."

Let Him say what he want you to do.

You Really Are What You Eat.

You've heard the expression, you've probably said it yourself. "You are what you eat." Many don't realize how true that statement really is. I'm not just talking about food here either. What about what we listen to, what we watch, what we look at? If we are continually filling our minds with garbage of tv shows that curse and have sexual innuendos or scenes, why do we think that we don't become a victim of Satan's lies? If Psych lets loose a string of explicit words and jokes, why do we somehow convince ourselves that we won't be temped to say them, and you know, well, THINK THEM!?!?!?!?! It's bound to happen. Or if we don't condone it, but give the excuse that, "Mom, everything has curse words in it." It is possible to be filling our minds with much more wholesome things than that! I love USA shows, but more and more I feel myself thinking things that are not God honoring. Oh be careful little ears what you hear! If we listen to music with words about sex, partying, etc. I understand, it's hard when pretty much EVERYONE is listening to it. But, that really is no excuse! We SAY that we "want to be different", but when we give into what everyone else is doing we end up being people so focused on being different, that we end up being the same. There are many different options of things to listen to besides Lady Gaga and Ke$ha. And if you disagree, I would be more than happy to show you some great artists! God wants us to answer the question on whether or not what we say, think, listen to, watch, etc.... are more important than Him.

Have you noticed it? You really are what you eat.

Still Unhindered?

Ok. It's hard to stay on fire for Christ. We youth group-goers, church people, go on trips and realize that our walk with Christ isn't where it could be. So we surrender these hindrances, tell our group that we feel "changed" and maybe witness to someone at the Taco Bell on the way home from our trip. :D Then, we wake up the next day with a fire and a purpose, perfectly energized for the long day ahead, and we grab our Bibles, dive into His word and after a time spent with Him, we feel great. Living for Christ, not going back to that sin.
Fast forward 2 weeks. How do you feel? Do you still get excited in the morning to read God's Word? Are you still active in your faith? Do you share His love with others? It's hard. Many times we forget that most of the world is dying and going to Hell. We don't think about that most of the time. These people are searching! They need Jesus whether they realize it yet or not. Don't let the doubts like, "What if they don't want to listen?; What if our relationship is awkward after it?; I don't even know them!; They probably will have questions I don't know how to answer!" I could go on and on and on. Jesus never said that sharing His salvation would be easy, or fun, He just said, "I will never leave you or forsake you." Think of the martyrs in the Bible, do you think it was easy to share His name knowing they would die for it? Of course not. Yet they did it willingly. Do we realize that Jesus DIED a humiliating and painful death so we could see Him in heaven? He loved us that much. Now how bad is it? A slightly awkward or nervous conversation. That's not as bad as loosing our life. Not everyone is called to be a missionary. Maybe you are just called to share His love and stand up for what is right in your school. Jesus gave his LIFE! Can't we give our time? Give Jesus your FULL attention. He wants to be your best friend. Don't let trips, revival services, or a good Sunday, just be a "holy high." Let is be a true change. True growth. Are you still Unhindered?
Shannon

Here I am.

Well hello everyone. Yes, I started a blog, as you can tell. :D Many of you that are listening, if you are listening, don't know something about me. I am a writer. It's a sort of secret passion of mine that few know about. I have aspirations to be a magazine journalist in a Christian teen girls magazine. I've always loved to write, and would write things about God, struggles, and many different issues that we teens face. I didn't want anyone to really know about it because I was afraid that what I wrote wasn't good enough for the public eye. What I have to say may not be very entertaining, or interesting, but I feel that writing professionally is what God wants me to do as a way to make a difference for Him. But nevertheless, I write and write. And I feel as if I'm pouring out my soul to someone. Though the only someone to have ever seen all of my work is well, the big man himself. So here I am writing to you, writing my opening "letter" to no one. At least no one yet.
Shannon