Thoughts and Prayers

Amen to Amen

2011-09-20T07:54:00.000-04:00

When I'm pray'in,

It's good,

Peace abounds,

Tears flow,

I want to stay at this place,

Don't want to say Amen.

From Amen to Amen,

That is where the liv'in begins,

It starts on your knees,

Then you stand,

And allow him to give birth to the journey.

No one said it would be easy,

Heartbreaks do come,

But I must walk through,

In this life with You,

Until the next hello God

And Amen too.

From Amen to Amen,

That is where the liv'in begins,

It starts on your knees,

Then you stand,

And allow Him to give birth to the journey.

Get up from my knees,

Go into the world,

I want your dream for me,

I need to do to be,

I want to live,

I want to be free.

From Amen to Amen,

That is where the liv'in begins,

It starts on your knees,

Then you stand,

And allow Him to give birth to the journey.

New Beginnings

2011-01-12T18:20:00.000-05:00

Well it is the start of a new year and a new beginning...a fresh start...erase the old and in with change. Oh my, there is that dreaded word most of us would rather have declared not a word by Webster Dictionary...change! I just think we have to look at this word, change, a bit differently. Maybe instead of saying,

"I need to change!"

I should say...

"I need a new beginning!"

Last year I made many new resolutions for 2010. Some I stuck with and other items on my list, well, not so good. I decided I would not make any resolutions this year and instead think about the "new beginnings" I want for my life. Actually, if you think about it, every day is a new beginning...a gift from God.

Did you notice I have a new beginning on my blog header? One of my first new beginnings!

That's What Faith Can Do!

2010-12-13T19:28:00.002-05:00

“Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

~Hebrews 11:1

This verse in Hebrews defines my entire childhood. What other eyes saw on the outside was not what went on inside the pristine Victorian home. It was a residence of prestige, but one that brought great sorrow to my heart. It was a home of ashes, but ashes that God gave magnificent beauty too and an unending hope. God always helped me to find the silver lining despite the dark clouds of fear and turmoil.

I would stare out the large window of my bedroom to the park and river which flowed in the valley below as only the lace curtains hid the tears from others to see. I remember vividly asking God why. I wished beyond hope I would open my eyes and be reborn into the Morford family. They lived around the block from me and I adored Susan and Amy.

I worked endlessly…tirelessly to gain my mother’s love and my father’s accolades. I was quiet most of the time. I would be truthful in saying, not many knew me well my childhood years. Some might have seen a glimpse of fun spirit and maybe Betsy knew me the best, but I hid much from her as well. I never cried much for anyone to see, but my bedroom was my refuge. I would close the door and have long tearful conversations with my Abba; my best friend then…my best friend now. He would always seem to make my broken heart new again and more able to face the next day with hope and assurance to confidently tread the path of life.

Even though it was great heartache growing up in that old house on River Road, I wouldn’t change a thing. It made me who I am today. I’ve seen dreams that move mountains, hope that never ends, and silent prayers answered….that’s what faith can do! I learned that even in the dark there is still light and I am never alone!

“He gave me beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”

~Isaiah 61:3

Thank you Jesus, Susan and Amy, Betsy, Amy, Toni, Mr. and Mrs. Morford, Mr. and Mrs. Henwood, Mr. and Mrs. David Howells, Joyce Dinsmore, Mr. Cumo, Coach Sue, Mrs. Pilarski, my beloved Grandma Bowser, Joy, Shane, Shawn, Scott and Penny, Grandma and Pap-Pap Romigh, Uncle Jack, Megan and Kelly Romigh, and Aunt Carol, for helping me shelter the weather of the storms of childhood. You may never know how much you meant to a young girl so many years ago!

2010-10-19T07:06:00.000-04:00

Dear Heavenly Father, this is your beloved daughter Shannon.

I praise you for all the blessings you have bestowed upon my family.

You always take care of us no matter where we have lived.

I thank you for my children, which are your children first.

Please help me to guide them in your ways.

~Amen

Prayer Bracelet

2010-09-13T18:53:00.000-04:00

Today I made a prayer bracelet for myself to be reminded to pray for my children while at their different activities and sporting events.

Satan's consummated effort to assault my mind with worry for my children while they practice, play in a game, run in a meet, or march for the band has overwhelmed me and created an anxious heart. If I wasn't worrying about my kids, then it was the coach, other players, parents, and the list seems to never stop. I realized all of these things are out of my control. I can not choose how others act and I must remember God loves my children more than I! After all, they are his children first. So I will wear this bracelet as a constant reminder to pray for my kiddos, their coaches, other players/runners, and parents. But I will also pray for myself to know God has all things under His control and all I need to do is seek His peace and comfort!

2010-08-13T18:01:00.001-04:00

Dear Lord,

I thank you for your friendship and faithfulness to me. I could not have lived my life so blessed thus far without your love, grace, and mercy. I am holy because you are holy! And even though I don't deserve it...thank you for loving this holy mess of a child!

Lord, I again reach my heart and hands to you! I give my life...my very being to you.Oh Lord, let me shine for you and be willing to heed your call! When you knock on my door let me open the door and say,

"Here I am Lord...send me!"

Love,

Shannon

Light of Christ

2010-08-06T20:40:00.005-04:00

Lord, let your flame burn strong within me and remind me continually of your holy presence deep in my soul. Let your light in me shine before the world for all to see that my hope rests in you alone. When conflicts arise and my flesh wants to scream, let me breath deeply the air you made and exhale your love which you have given so freely. Help me to stand for your truth always, but in such a way that I am not a resounding gong. Let me sow in peace my Lord to reap a harvest of righteousness for your Kingdom. I thank you. I praise you. In Jesus name I pray...Amen.

The Frantic Red Bird

2010-08-04T08:14:00.001-04:00

The red bird chirpped frantically from the lamp post...but why???

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Klarabell causes the red birds to go crazy!

I thank God for all his little critters!

2010-06-22T08:20:00.002-04:00

Thank you Lord for this new day. I don't feel like praising this morning, but I'm gonna do it anyway. I know praise can return my joy which has gone missing.

I'm tired Lord. I've grown weary of arrogant fools, negative people, lying mouths who destroy the character of those who are innocent. I despise those who lack integrity.

So I pray Lord that you would help my hurt to heal and release me from my angered soul. Let me remember your justice will always prevail.

~Amen

"The Lord is close to the broken hearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Psalm 34:18

The One Whom Jesus Loves

2010-06-02T23:05:00.002-04:00

“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 37:4

I moved my silver bracelet around my wrist with a slight push of my pointer finger as I read to myself this verse inscribed on the precious metal. I wore it on purpose tonight as a constant reminder to find delight in all things no matter what the circumstance or attitude of others. I donned this piece of jewelry to prompt my mind to not forget who is most important and why I do the things I do.

You see, my life is not my own. My life belongs to the One who gave me breath. I am the one whom Jesus loves. And because of this great love which He lavishes upon me daily, I must give love as freely as it has been given to me. I cannot do this as easily as I have eloquently stated. It is hard to love when the flesh rages. But in the time of battle when I want so much to do it my way and not His, this is when I must sit in silence and reconnect with Him through the mighty Holy Spirit. I need to hush my soul to sweet tranquility in a quiet moment with Him and hear the Counselor’s soft whispers prod me toward love and peace.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank you so much for the Holy Spirit. Please help me to take the time every day to dance awhile with you. Please, hold me close and let my ear be attentive to your soft whisper which speaks love and life to my God chaser heart. All I want is to live for you in step with the Spirit. Help me God to choose life and please you so I might hear, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

~Amen

Redeemed

2010-05-07T20:59:00.001-04:00

I miss him.

Yet he is only one breath away,

One blink of an eye,

One heart beat from me.

He never leaves me.

I leave Him.

I chase,

I run,

And find my soul restless,

Aching for a quiet moment with my best friend,

My face in my hands,

I sob,

Tears drop,

I say His name.

Jesus.

And then He is there,

Yet he always was,

He beckoned,

He knocked,

Until I heard,

And opened the door.

Joy is redeemed once more.

Choose Jesus

2010-04-28T06:48:00.002-04:00

Is Jesus your life or is Jesus just in your life?
Read the first sentence again….think about your day…ponder what is important…who is valued by calculating the time you spend in these areas of your life.

Spiritual
Work
Financial
Family
Emotions
Personal

Does your spiritual life touch all other parts of your daily living or do you leave Christ sitting in the pew every Sunday waiting for your return the next week? We want Jesus to be with us just as we carry our wallet and purse everywhere we go, but why do we leave our true identity at the door step waving good bye?

We are like the captain of our kickball team. We pick and choose the players that will give us a winning edge. Why do we choose Jesus last at times? We make him sit on the bench and wait when we forget to greet him as the sunlight warms our face awakening us to start the day. We leave the Prince of Peace in the dust when we rush with our own agenda and neglect to read His word and pray. We sadden Immanuel when we choose the couch and television instead of a quiet moment sitting in His lap. We tell him not in words, but by our actions that he’s not good enough to play in our game.

We can’t choose how we die, but we can choose how we live. Jesus sits patiently with sweaty palms and a rapid heart beat waiting for you to call his name to go into the game. Will you call upon the Lord today?

2010-02-17T19:26:00.002-05:00

They tell me I should not...

God tells me I should...

Yet my own heart...

Still feels hurt...

Still feels pain...

And understands nothing.

Some say I should...

God agrees...

Yet my flesh...

Still fights...

Still struggles...

Why should the wrong doer go free?

Admission of lies, betrayal, and mistrust obsolete...

Never say never...

The still small voice speaks...

Break the chains and grant freedom...

So you and the theif may be set free...

Free to love and shine like stars for Jesus again!

Thankful

2010-01-25T07:15:00.002-05:00

I'm overwhelmed to gigantic proportions by the love my Savior has for me...a wretched soul so undeserving of such wonderful love, grace, and mercy! Oh how I love Jesus for giving his life for me that I might have a hope of everlasting life! His glory eclipses any trial this life offers as I see beyond my circumstance and view the cross upon which He won the final victory forever more!

Victory Again

2010-01-20T16:46:00.005-05:00

I keep try'in to be perfect,

Think I'm go'in to loose my mind,

As Satan beats me down,

I hear him speak his lies,

Tell'in me I'm no good,

I'm useless,

I'll never be...

Who are you I ask,

To speak to me so unkind,

Do you not know who I am,

I am a child of the Most High!

I'm good...

because He said I'm good!

I'm useful...

because He gifted me to be so!

I'll be...

Because He created me!

For He is my Sustainer,

Lifter of my head,

My Healer,

My Strong Arm,

He is on my side!

For if Jesus is for me...

Who can be against me!

At the name of Jesus,

I heard his voice no more,

and peace arose,

like the sun at dawn,

on Easter morn,

and victory prevailed once more!

The Thunder...My Daughter and Autism

2009-11-04T07:07:00.003-05:00

Visit me today at http://www.titus2atthewell.com/ and read my guest post about my little girl Ruthie and our ongoing fight over the challenges of Autism.

Rest O My Soul

2009-10-13T10:19:00.002-04:00

I sit at my kitchen table with my hands clasped around my warm mug full of fresh brewed blueberry coffee. The steam billows beneath my nose as I gaze out the bay windows of my kitchen to the gorgeous trees whose leaves have changed to golden hues. My Bible lays open in front of me to Psalm 116:7…

“Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.”

Thank you Lord for,

the peace you bring,

the love you give,

the mercy you bestow.

Through the good,

through the bad,

life lessons learned,

as you guided,

this sometimes wayward soul.

You fill my cup,

with an everlasting joy,

of heavenly proportions.

No matter what circumstance

I may face,

on any given day,

I know I am loved,

by my Abba!

Amen.

Wisdom not Folly

2009-08-17T08:38:00.003-04:00

Dear Lord

Help me not live my life in folly,

but let my entire life and everything I do,

revolve around you,

just as the earth revolves around the sun.

I don't want to live my life my way,

but your way,

following the plan you designed for me,

when you formed me in my mother's womb.

I don't want just a "spiritual" catagory

in my everday walk,

but I desire my entire self,

and all I do to be centered on You!

Let me always ask the question,

"What pleases You!"

I want to always "check with you"

with every decision I make

every word of utterance from my lips.

Please make my life a living sacrafice...

holy and acceptable to you!"

Love,

Your child

2009-08-13T07:24:00.002-04:00

I cling to my Lord,
Not understanding His plan,
Why not the truth?
Not a word spoken,
I sit quietly,
Knowing the battle is not mine,
Heart beats sadness,
Heat beats disappointment,
Heat beats pain.
I want to run,
Run into my Abba’s arms,
I want to hide forever,
Between the hems of His robe.
His arms are the safest place,
As I seek His face and not His hand,
Hold me up in the honesty I have spoken,
So the truth would be revealed.

2009-06-04T19:34:00.006-04:00

The stature of my body is low with my shoulders hunched down. I find myself day dreaming away into sadness where joy goes missing. I think, to be busy, is the best solution...if I don't have time to think I won't be sad. But why sad? I ask myself. I have a good life.

I sit on the patio and thoroughly enjoy the beautiful colors in the newly planted flowers. I listen to the birds chirp and sing from the tress. I feel the cool crisp air against my cheeks. But my annoying friend, sadness, will not release it's grip from my mind. I miss friends from Iowa and Indiana. I long for my mother's love. I wish the Lord would just come back sooner rather than later to put sadness in its place forevermore!

And then I'm reminded of a verse, Philippians 4:8,

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things."

Tears flooded my eyes and streamed down my cheeks. I cried out to my Lord in prayer as David did so many times...

O Father rid me of my own wretched downcast spirit. Lift my eyes up to where the Son is found and not below to the pits of hell. Fill my cup with unspeakable joy that only the sound of laughter would be heard from my lips. Let the afflictions of my heart be tossed to sea. Those who have hurt me with idle talk, not knowing my past or present circumstance, forgive them my Lord and show them the hurt they have caused so healing may begin. Help me Lord not to sin against myself, your creation made in the image of You, in slandering myself to unworthiness. Help to always know and realize I am loved by the great I Am because the one who is in me is greater than the one who is in the world (I John 4:4). Do not let my heart be troubled, but let me rest in the peace of thy mighty hand for I am the one whom Jesus loves!

~Amen

Bleating Lamb

2009-04-22T11:23:00.002-04:00

The bleating Lamb,
Doth call me in the night,
His white wool hair warms me and I talk awhile with Him.

Rescue me this day my Lord,
Just as all other days,
Since your hand print embedded itself upon my heart.

You the Lamb,
Return innocence to my sin sick soul,
Restore calm to me amidst the trials of this lost world.

Tranquility

2009-04-02T10:36:00.003-04:00

I hushed my mind to sweet deliverance,
In a quiet moment with Him.

The peace which came brought solitude,
To a mind cluttered in shame.

I plead not to leave this secret place,
Where no one is but Him.

The wind of His breath catches my hair,
As He sings these sweet words to me….

Rest now and be free,
Cried my Abba within me.

I’ve taken the weight from limb and heart,
I’ve paid the price at Calvary.

You are in me and I in you,
A blood bond that shall not divide.

Just rest your soul within my hands,
For the victory is already won.

I’ve risen from behind the stone
And sit by my Father’s side.

Hush now and listen,
For the sound of the trumpet.

I am coming soon to carry my bride,
Over the threshold of glory!

Lover of My Soul

2009-03-23T12:44:00.010-04:00

He is my...
sweet adoration,
joy in the morning,
peace amidst the storm,
the hand that guides,
pain chaser,

heart cleanser.
He is the lover of my soul!

He loves me...
for me,
despite my sin,
in view of my ugliness,
forever and always,
thin or fat,
more than I can fathom.
He is the lover of my soul!

He is my big Daddy who...

cries with me,

for me,

sings over me,

never leaves,

never forsakes,

comforts me at all times.

He is the lover of my soul!

May you know the...

King of Kings,

Lord of Lords,

Prince of Peace,

Immanuel,

Son of God,

Jesus,

He longs to be the lover of your soul too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1IIRlB6NZ8

He Makes a Way

2009-02-08T17:36:00.004-05:00

Sleep eludes the restless soul,

By the clever deciever of lies,

Who taunts with thoughts of unbelief,

With a well laid plan of deception.

The head jukes left and then quickly to the right,

To outmaneuver the fiery arrows,

Out of breath and weary from the fight,

The brow singed from the heat of the flame.

A cry out to the lover of all souls,

no turning back nor walking away,

From the One who carries sin proclaims ,

Walk through the fire and reach for the nail pierced hand.

As a knight in armor,

donned with helmet and breastplate,

The sword is raised above the head,

The command given, "Get thee behind me Satan".

I am a child of the Most High,

And at the name of Jesus you must leave,

A roaring wind followed by tranquil calm,

Restores joy and peace abounds once again.

Where is Jesus?

2009-01-22T07:42:00.001-05:00

2009-01-13T09:03:00.004-05:00

Sometimes all I have is you Lord,

When others hurt and wound,

my doormat soul.

All I have is you!

So I look to the hills,

From whence cometh my help.

All I have is you Lord!

All I have is you!

Let my eyes see your brilliance

And shed thy grace upon me

that I might love despite the pain...

So all they see is you Lord!

So all they see is you!

2009-01-08T17:14:00.002-05:00

In desperate need,

upon my knees,

I beg of my Father,

in prayer.

It's for my family,

for my church,

for my nation,

please bless these.

Though the shadow,

of the crooked branches,

try desperately,

to reach my heart.

And the silver lined clouds,

cause me to doubt,

The wind whips,

And reminds me of your power.

The air which pushes,

the hair from mine eyes,

whispers sweetly,

keep your focus on Me!

He Renews Me

2008-12-28T21:27:00.002-05:00

I climb into His lap,
Between the hems of His robe,
Enfolded in His arms of grace.

I curl tightly,
Holding my knees to my chest,
As a child afraid of the dark.

It is a safe haven,
Where love does abound,
To renew a broken spirit.

Please stop the vicious cycle,
Where hurt is followed by anger,
And anger chases pain.

You created her,
You created him,
Which in turn created me.

He wipes my tears,
I feel His breath,
Upon the crown of my head.

Is it wrong my friend,
For my desire to be home,
Where joy abounds forevermore.

He whispers sweetly,
Let my strength be yours,
For the story is not finished.

Klara the Cat's Prayer

2008-12-07T08:25:00.003-05:00

Dear Father in Heaven,

Please don't let mommy dress me again in an outfit like this one!

Amen

A Prayer for Today

2008-12-01T06:41:00.004-05:00

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank you for my life,
.
.
.
for the person you made me to be,
.
.
.
even though at times I don't understand,
.
.
.
why you made me the way you did.
.
.
.
You are my bright and morning star giving me hope beyond the despair this world often hands out. Help me my Friend to look beyond my circumstance and see clearly the cross. The cross upon which you gave your life, shed your blood, and declared, "It is finished!"

Take me to the tomb and relive what Mary saw...a body which no longer rested in death, but a body that rose just as you said it would! For which I will declare with shouts of joy, "He lives! He lives!"

Take me to the shore where Peter carried the net loaded with fish and let me be the one who gleams into the eyes of my Savior. Let me be the one to whom you ask, "Do you truly love me more than these?" For the answer will be a resounding, "YES!"

I have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb! Praise God!

Amen