Surprise!

I managed to pull yet another surprise off last night. I walked through the door of the folks' house last night without four lovely ladies knowing. Needless to day, there was a bit of 'noise'.



Today is parade day in Cowtown, the official start of The Stampede. I'll be experiencing it from a bit of a different perspective this year. I may be 'in town' but the best I'll be able to do is take a peek at it on the tele! I'm already planning to plan better for next year ... But that's another 365 days away, I'll try not to worry about that just yet.
I'll be heading down to 'the grounds' this afternoon (when I'm done work) with family & friends!
Tomorrow I'll be checkin' out GT and catching up with a few folk there. Rumor has it I've also got to squeeze a tutoring session in at some point as I'll be singin' with da choir.
Well, off to work I go ...

Here I Am

Another great few days have gone by. That's the good news! The bad news is that it's back to work in just a few short days. Most would say that that would also mean it's back to reality. But I would like to think that the last few days have also been reality ... for me, at least.
I'm basically at a lost for words ... So the best thing for me to say is simply this: God is good!

Happy Canada Day!!

Going against the flow ...

I spent a bit of time watching this little dude attempting to swim upstream today. It was taking quite a bit of effort. This little swimmer wasn't giving up, nor doing it alone!
There's comfort in knowing that you are not alone ... even while trying to endure the hardship of 'swimming upstream'.

sdg

I've known for some time that my name, Shawna, carries the meaning 'God is gracious'. A nice reminder. Definitely a good thing to recall during those not-so-good days.
What I'd like to do is spill the beans the little, to share with those of you whom I haven't already rambled on with. To let you see a glimpse of what my heart and soul is thinking, feeling, praying whenever I simply sign any correspondence of mine with: sdg.
The easy part of the story is the fact that those three letters carry the initials of my first, middle and last name (and in that order nonetheless). The rest of the story I'll provide for you in short form. But for me, has been a gentle reminder of whose I am from the time I learnt of this back in Bible College days.
I had been taking a Music History course of some sort. It was during that time that I read of J S Bach. Bach appended these initials at the end of his compositions. SDG stood for the Latin words "Soli Deo Gloria" which means: to the Glory of God alone. It represented his desire to serve God through his music.
I don't take it to be a coincidence that I've carried these initials with me all my life. It isn't something I take lightly. I'm sure that you have gentle reminders that remind you of your purpose in life, mine just happens to be each time I write my initials. Perhaps now, that you know a bit of the story, you too will be challenged by my initials and it will not only represent me longing to live for the Glory of God but it will also encourage you to do the same.
Blessings sent your way,
<sdg><

Sanctuary, Sabbath and Rest

What does it look like?

I'm not extremely sure, but it seems that there's been a few 'things' pointing in such a direction to find out the answer. I'm pretty sure I won't come up with a steadfast rule, but my hope is that I'll find out what the answer looks like for me.

I've been 48 hrs into what I would like to call vacation ... albeit a few days away from my full-time job that allows me to pay my mortgage! So far this journey of rest is proving to be much needed and most assuredly enjoyed.

I don't think I'm at much of a point to share or 'tell all' - but any of you that know me, even in the slightest, would know that this would not be my chosen forum to do just that.

I guess what I do want to say is that this challenge I've put on myself to find full balance in all that God has to offer me is long over-due. Better late than never!!

I'm rather ecstatic ...

Blessings to you all!

I think ... just to wet your appetite, my next little blog will be a brief explanation on what my initials (sdg) has come to mean to me, in my heart and soul ...

'til then,

<sdg><

don't worry

If we follow in Jesus' footsteps we'll quickly learn that worrying will get us nowhere. We ought to be concerned about the moment that we're in and the joy that can be found there. Be joyful!! You're His!!

all or nothing

A lesson that the disciples had to be taught/reminded of a few times, and I dare say we too need a few gentle nudges to remind us, is that being sent out to do kingdom work may have meant leaving all behind but it didn't mean going with nothing. Going with the gifts of faith, hope and love we are well equiped go out into the world! We should never fear - God will (and does) provide.
If we put ALL our trust in God we'll be sure to have ALL we need!

simple faith

We might think it's easier said than done. But Christ is our leader ... the disciples eventually showed us how - they suppressed their fear and followed - no matter the cost.
It's simple ... we need faith ... that faith will then spur us on to follow.

^"So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:
   They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.
   We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.
None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us." (Romans 8:38-39 MSG)

followers that lead

In order for there to be leaders, we need to have followers.
The best example of a leader is Jesus.
So, in your going today - follow Jesus' lead so that you can in turn lead others to do the same!

transformers

No, I didn't go out and buy a 'new toy' ... that's actually an 'old toy'.
The challenge for us to day is to BE a transformer.
It's not about doing things in the manner that society suggests (gaining POWER & 'stuff') but instead, build each other up (emPOWER & share).
With humility, be transformed to transform!

surface talk?

Throw away the surface talk. Quit pretending your perfect - you can try and convince yourself that you are - but others can see you for who you really are - so stop hiding behind the 'junk of wood' in your eye.
Take a good look at yourself - and if need be, laugh at who you are - the laughter will probably give you a good start to your day!
Accepting yourself for who you are just might encourage someone else to do the same (accept themselves for who they are)!
Blessings and laughter for your day ...

I'm so glad I'm a part ...

... of the Family of God!
Sounds a bit corny - but hey - the truth can be like that sometimes.
As corny as it is ... it's one of the best things - if our 'family' is grounded in God (and His teachings) ... that'll be one firm foundation to build your life on!
Anyways, treat your family well - encourage them where you can today!

decisions, decisions

In the last few months, I've been faced with the challenge of having to make decisions I'd never imagined having to do. Some decisions come about as an outcome of our surroundings, other as a result of decisions that other people make. Either way, day-in and day-out we make decisions. Perhaps more than we realize.
Have you included God in your decision making lately? I can say that I have and it's making a world of difference, to say the least. Give it a try?! I can guarantee you won't be disappointed!!

are you active?

Are you a good neighbor?
Being a neighbor requires action. Going, doing, being ... and so much more!
We can discover what our true purpose is for our lives when we are active ... actively sharing God's love.

Will YOU be active today?

give and take

Or should I say, TAKE and GIVE. We're all equal in God's eyes - no one deserves His love more than anyone else. But what we DO with that love is important as well - we need to share that same Love with those we meet.
Let Jesus be your guest and invite others along to the party!

who is 'thug ray test'?

Who is the greatest?

A reminder today: to be like Jesus ... serve rather than be served.

The first shall be last and the last shall be first ... but even aside from all that - the blessings we receive from serving is simply HUGE!

Go serve ...

what do you know?

It’s not really about what you know – it’s what you do with what you know. It’s also about where you look for answers to what you don’t know.

Are you confused yet? All I’m trying to say is that you need to keep God’s Word as your number one answer book!

Go find some answers today!

What good is a church?

Well, if I were to answer the question above I'd have to say that the church is only as good as you are. After all, you are the church. As I was reminded today, I'll do my best to remind you as well, we need to treasure all that we can gain from the church. Such things as: meaning, challenge, dialogue, a sense of belonging ...
Let's be the church!

Who am I?

What is it that makes you who you are? Is it your education; is it your career; your family; your hobbies ... and the list can go on. Do we depend too much on what others think of us?

Our true identity ought to be found in our relationship with Christ. I encourage you to be who (and all) you were called to be - follow Him.

Do you believe He is the 'I Am' ... your Messiah??

looking for earthly glory?

I guess it's the 'human' thing to do ...
As I was reminded in my reading this morning - James and John, labeled as 'bookends of the faithful', were looking for earthly glory but what they ended up finding was 'heavenly joy'.
Christ had the power to change their lives ... and that power exists for us today.
There's nothing stopping us (except ourselves) from being changed for His glory.

Use me Lord, use me for Your glory ...

'yes' and 'no'

He must increase, I must decrease!

When it comes to this 'God stuff' I'm not sure that you'll ever come across anybody in this world that will ever fully understand it. I know I have lots to learn and I know I have lots of questions. Questions that will remain unanswered, I often wonder about 'the day' when my answers will come ... will I get all the answers I've been looking for - or at that point will it no longer matter ... after all, I'll be IN the Kingdom of God ... and that's my goal!
For the days that lead me to my eternal goal I need to focus on saying 'no' to things of this world, to the things I desire and to say 'yes' instead to Christ's teaching and promptings.

decide for yourself

So, when the rubber meets the road - this is what it all boils down to ... we all have to decide for ourselves what it means for us to follow Jesus. It's not about what your neighbor is doing, it's not even about doing what your parents did (or didn't). While some people may be great examples in our lives. We've got to grab a hold of the freedom we've been given and use it for all it's worth. And, as I was reminded today: true freedom comes when we bind ourselves to Christ's authority.
Give your world a shake (if needed) and surrender ... to Him.

‘cut the mustard’

So, faith like a mustard seed can move mountains. I’ve heard that once or twice – have you? Did you know that it would take 20,000 mustard seeds to weigh an ounce!

Think about that for a bit …

That’s pretty small faith!

And apparently such a seed that 1 mm in diameter can produce a plant up to ten feet high.

Big things do come in small packages!

None-the-less, with a wee-bit of faith we are empowered by the Holy One to change the world for good.

Are you up to the challenge??

an encounter

So, three for three and we’re still tickin’. Have you had any encounters with Christ today? I sure hope so – otherwise, I just might argue that it has been a waste of a day for you! Well,maybe I won’t ‘confront’ you on it – but none-the-less it’s something for you to think about … and if you’re reading this before the day is out you’ve still got time to meet with Him! Go do it right now …. I dare ya!

to be salt

So, there’s a few things I learned about salt today! I didn’t realize – or at least I don’t remember hearing this before – that salt was used as a form of ‘salary’ back in the day. I’m not sure that I’d be too keen on being paid by the salt-load. But I guess the real question for me and you is this: are you adding flavor to this world as you should be? Are you a flavor of “Jesus'” to those you meet?

Not only because it’s Lent … but since it is … let’s draw closer to Him so we can become more like Him.

ash wednesday

Well, I’m most definitely not all-knowing when it comes to the in’s and out’s of Lent and the meaning of it. And whether the ‘scholars’ say this is right or not … I’m not sure that I’ll be ‘giving up’ much of anything during this Lent season. I guess for me – my aim in the next few weeks is to look for ways that I can draw closer to doing the will of God. I’m a bit weary in making this ‘public’ but at the same time perhaps it will be my ‘accountability partner’ in one sense. So, here goes – blogging and drawing closer to God … I suspect the latter will be an amazing ride for me!

pancake Tuesday

Well, I bet if you’ve stumbled upon this blog – yet again, you’re probably more than surprised to find a writing that isn’t nearly six months old.

Even though it’s ‘pancake Tuesday’ … I totally enjoy having pancakes for supper – don’t get me wrong … but with the next forty days being 'Lent’ I’ll try my best to sit a bit each day and share a few thoughts. Now, don’t hold your breath … I made a similar promise back in September but I didn’t follow through so well.

Anyways, go ahead and have yourself some pancakes today!