What If You're Wrong Part 2 by Shalene

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him" (Psalm 103:11).

I posted a video from YouTube yesterday, by one of my favorite artists, Nichole Nordeman. The video was for the song What If, and in the dedication on her CD jacket, she states the song is "for a friend who thinks this Jesus stuff is nuts". For all you friends, neighbors, loved ones and every one else, What if you're wrong? I have a relative by marriage that asked us this question before we were believers, and I never really thought about it. (Once again, I chose not to hear the Truth in her words.)

Do you think that the He's "just another nice guy", that He was a dreamer, that He was certainly a special person, but not the Son of God? Do you think the crown of thorns is "no more than folklore"? And what about the Bible, do you choose not to believe that it is the Word of God? What if you're wrong???

If you're right, then NOTHING. Nothing as in, this life means nothing, there is no point to any of it. Does that make you feel good? If you're right, then there is NOTHING to look forward to, and no one will know that all the believers out there, myself included, were just foolish to believe in Him. Because there is NOTHING after this life.

But what if you're wrong? What if there is "hope you've never dreamed of hoping for"? What if the moment you pass from this earth, you learn that you were wrong? You will spend eternity wishing you had listened and believed. Because at that moment, you will believe, but you won't be able to do ANYTHING about it. I urge you, read the book of John. It tells all about who Jesus was, and why He came. I don't want you to be wrong. Because what if you are???? What if He is love??????

Lord, today I pray for all the unbelievers that choose to remain thinking that belief in You is foolishness, I pray for their eternal souls. I pray that you give me the words to minister to these lost souls. I pray that they see the Love that You are. Lord I know that you are Truth and Light and Love like I could never imagine. It is beyond my comprehension and beyond any explanation. But Lord, I want to try. I pray that You help me to reach those that would be saved by Your message of salvation. I pray this in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.


What If by Nichole Nordeman

Simply Talking to God by Shalene

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

In my experience as a Christ follower, I have had to learn what it means to pray continuously. This seems like such an impossible feat, when you first contemplate the thought. I mean, how can you really pray continuously? Well, I've learned that praying continuously is exactly what it seems.

To pray continuously is to have an ongoing conversation with God. For me this ended up being a lot easier than I thought it would be. You see, I'm a talk to myself type of person. Only now, instead of talking to myself, I talk to God. When something is making me happy, I automatically thank God for it. When something is making me sad or upset, I tell God about it. I thank Him for everything, good or bad, because I know He has a divine plan for it all. I think of those around me that are unbelievers, and instead of day dreaming about what I could do to witness to them, I ask God to show me. When I see a homeless person, on the corner, I ask God for protection over them, and ask if there is some way that I can help.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8 NKJV

I am not for one moment suggesting that I am perfect in my prayer life. But, I did want to share my methods for praying continuously. Perhaps you have a better way. There are also other ways to communicate with the Lord. I also like to memorize scripture that is particularly relevant to my life at the moment. (It's all relevant, all the time, but some Scripture speaks to me especially "loudly".) How do I do this? Well for me, I use the concordance in the back of my bible, find the scripture verses that correspond to that particular topic, and write in on my bathroom mirror in dry erase marker (it comes off much easier than lipstick or eyeliner, trust me, I've tried both.) In that way, I have to see it every time I'm in there. As an added benefit, so does everyone else that visits that room. Surprisingly enough, I've had the chance to witness to others because of the writings on my mirror. :) My husband and I also use this method to minister to our children on occasion. Speaking aloud scripture is a wonderful way to speak to God in prayer.

Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life
Proverbs 4:23 NKJV

I am also a strong proponent of guarding your heart by what you see, watch, and listen to. Some would not agree with me, but I truly feel that watching or listening to things that are not of God is not "guarding your heart." That leads me to my next method for praying: I pray through the songs that I sing. This is also one way in which I worship Him. When I am singing a song, it's usually one that is stuck in my head, and I only listen to Christian music. Therefore, the only thing stuck in my head is words to my Lord. You may not like this method, or it may not work for you. Of course, you may find that none of these methods work for you and you must find your own. There is no wrong way to pray to the Lord, so long as your heart is earnest, and your prayers are too. I pray that these ideas will help you in your daily endeavors to pray continuously, and that your life will be blessed by this practice.

--Lord, today I thank you for the opportunity to share the ways that I talk to you. I thank You that You want to be in constant contact with me and with all of Your creation. I pray that I and the others that read these words will find joy in their daily communion with You. I pray these things in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.

My Interview with Hannah. (One last interview just for fun.)

At the risk of boring you all to tears, I am posting one last interview. My MAS sisters and I all agreed that we should all interview each other just for fun. I will post the rules, in case you do want me to interview you, but for this blog, I think this will be the last one for awhile. Though I thoroughly enjoy these, I'm not so sure you do, so first the rules and then the interview.

1. Leave me a comment saying "Interview me."
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with a post containing your answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

And now on to the interview:

Hannah: You mentioned to me that you had a cat. What is your cat’s name and how long have you had him/her?

Shalene: Our cat's name is Molly. She is a Tiffany, which means she is a very small, very skittish cat. (The term "scaredy cat" fits her perfectly!) My husband had her for about a year and a half before he met me, so she's been a part of this family for about 9 years now.

Hannah: You have shared with us your testimony of how you came to Christ. You also mentioned prior to receiving Christ, you considered Christianity hypocritical. What specific examples led you to that conclusion then?

Shalene: Well, it wasn't so much Christianity that I viewed as hypocritical, as Christians. When I was a child and went to church, there were many families that had more money than we did. It was very clique-ish and I felt left out, often. Later, when I looked back on the fact that other than one bible study teacher, no one even bothered to care that we were gone, I just didn't feel the love that Christians are supposed to show. There is also another big church in our area that has been around since I was a small child. That church was always known for being the church that all the wealthy people went to, and just didn't seem to reach out. Now, I don't know if any of that is true, but at the time it seemed believable. Add to that the fact that I just didn't want to believe that Christianity and God were true, and it was easier to say they were hypocrites. That way, I didn't have to look at my own behavior.

Hannah: How do you view Christianity now?

Shalene: Well, unfortunately, there are still a number of people out there that call themselves Christians that just don't seem to epitomize what Christianity is all about. Especially now that I know that being a Christian means being a Christ follower. Not just following a bunch of commandments. It's not my place to judge any of them, and I am by far, not perfect in this regard either. However, now I can say that I believe the foundations of Christianity with all my heart. I believe in God, and I believe in His Divine Son as my Lord and Savior. I believe 100% in loving my neighbor as myself, regardless of their financial, social or any other status. And I believe in the Holy Word of God, as being true and infallible.

Hannah: After your trip to Spirit West Coast, your posts have had a purposeful, direct message. What was the catalyst for this change? How has your writing changed prior to the trip to now?

Shalene: I really don't think that Spirit West Coast had anything to do with it. I think my prayers prior to and since have had everything to do with my writing. I also don't agree completely that my writing has really changed as far as being direct and purposeful. I still have days when I don't seem to have a purpose. I think that perhaps it only seems that way, because I had a few hard hitters right after returning. I pray each day and with each post that a message that glorifies God is shared with my readers. One change I think that HAS taken place is that I now try to place accurate, relevant scripture within each post and I've lost my fear of offending. I couldn't say exactly when I lost that fear, but if it was after Spirit West Coast, maybe it was just the break from writing for almost a week and the Spirit moving in me while I was gone.

Hannah: If you had a chance to meet and counsel with one of the biblical characters: Sarah, Ruth or Esther, who would you meet with and why?

Shalene: Well, I think it would have to be Ruth. She places herself in a strange new place, where she was an outsider. She dug in and did what she had to do and she won the man she was going after in a very uncommon way. (Well maybe not so uncommon, but certainly not the acceptable way.) I can relate to that. If I said any more, I would be revealing confidences that are just not necessary to reveal about other people, so I'm not going to explain any deeper. I hope you can understand. :)


That concludes this interview. I hope you have been enlightened by my sharing of myself. And as I said before, this will be the last of the requested interviews for quite some time. :) Blessings to you and yours. Thank you Hannah for those great questions!

There is no "MORE" to this post.

Changing the World by Shalene

Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:5 KJV

I've been reading a lot of Christian blogs and visiting a lot of Christian websites lately. In doing so, I've had a thought. That is: What would happen if we all had a purpose in our blogs and our sites? Could we change the world? The answer is a resounding YES! Everyone of us that is a Christ follower, can change our world by using our sites and blogs to glorify the Lord. Whether that be by teaching the Holy Word of God to others or by sharing our own faith in our daily lives.

I wonder, how many of you that have a blog or site really understand that you have a responsibility, given to you- by God- to minister to others with the gifts that God has given you? Do you even see it as a ministry? If you're teaching the Word of God, surely you do. If you are "just" sharing your life, you may not see it as such. Let me impress upon you, it is! Your life may touch someone in a way that makes them want what you have. And that is the Holy Spirit guiding your every day, and a love of God that surpasses all understanding. Do you see it people?

We as a society have gotten complacent about sharing our faith. We have become closet Christians. That is not what Jesus instructed us to do!

And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:15,16 NKJV

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV

These two scriptures are known as the Great Commission and it was Jesus' last instruction to us before He ascended into Heaven. This instruction does not change simply because we live in a time when sharing our faith is inconvenient or might be an embarassment. How sad that you could be embarassed by the One that loves you unconditionally and died for you??? Perhaps some of us have forgotten that it was certainly not easy or convenient for the first disciples to share their faith. They were beaten, imprisoned and killed for it, for goodness sake!

So I say this, take your love of God and turn it into PASSION! Love your God and show the world that you love Him. I will endeavor to do the same. I too fall into times when I'm not comfortable sharing my faith, though I thank the Lord it doesn't happen often. Perhaps my way is not your way of doing things. That's ok. Just do it in way you can, so long as it glorifies Him, and you will be obeying Him that commissioned you.

--Lord, today I pray that You continue to move in me, so that I obey Your holy instruction to make disciples of nations. I pray that you give me the wisdom in my methods and the discernment to know when. I pray that You allow me to move others so that they want what I have: the eternal salvation that You bought at so high a price, I cannot fathom, a Peace that surpasses all understanding, and a glorious love that none can replace. I pray that you move others to want these same things. I pray for all my brothers and sisters in Christ that you would move them to want to move mountains for you. I pray all these things in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.

Saved From Judgement?? by Shalene Kearney

I read my post to my husband yesterday, and afterward, a lively discussion on whether or not we are saved from Judgement ensued. I will not say which of us took which side, but I will say that we did not seem to be in agreement. So I have studied this subject in particular, so that I might keep you from having the same discussion. (Though it was lively, and it was loving, and it is always enjoyable to discuss scripture with my wonderful husband.)

Now on to the post: There are some that believe that because we have accepted Christ that we are now somehow saved from Judgement by God. This is not what the bible tells us. Let me say that again. This is not what the bible tells us.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10 NKJV (emphasis mine)

Did you catch that? We must all appear before the judgement seat. This is the reason that a true believer must endeavor to do good, as much as his earthly body will allow. Our salvation is not dependent upon our works, but you better believe you will be judged by what you did or didn't do. Can you imagine the scene?

You're standing before God, and he's asking you about all that you didn't do. Can you think of anything that will justify it? And what about the things you did do? For the good, He may say "Good work my good and faithful servant" or He may say, "Why didn't you do it with a grateful heart, a servant's heart?" Though the thought of judgement is not something I look forward to, I know that my name is written in the Book of Life and that God is just and merciful. That is why He sent His Son for me, and for you. Because we cannot do it alone, and He must judge us all. Without the blood of Jesus Christ covering our sins, we would have no hope. So today I thank God that "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:19 NKJV

I urge everyone of you, please, please do not just take my word for it, but dive into His Holy Word, and learn these truths for yourself as well. I am only a servant of the Lord. I can share these truths, but I cannot make you know them.

---Lord, today I pray again, that You are pleased with my words, and that I might reach someone that is in need of You. I thank you Lord for giving me these words and this knowledge to "put to paper." I ask that all who read these words will be moved to learn more and read Your Holy Word for themselves and that if answers are needed that they are able to find them. I thank you again for working through me Lord, and for growing my faith as well. I pray these things in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen

Try Not To Cry. Beautiful Story.

I started out posting about something completely different today, but felt moved to share this wonderful email I got today, as I was trying to draft my other post. I hope you like it. This is beautiful. Try not to cry.

Try Not to Cry. Beautiful Story.
She jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said: "How is my little boy ? Is he going to be all right? When can I see him ?"

The surgeon said, "I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it." Sally said, "Why do little children get cancer ? Doesn't God care any more? Where were you, God, when my son needed you?" The surgeon asked, "Would you like some time alone with your son? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the university." Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good bye to son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair. "Would you like a lock of his hair ?" the nurse asked. Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally.

The mother said, "It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the University for Study. He said it might help somebody else. "I said no at first, but Jimmy said, 'Mom, I won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom." She went on, "My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could." Sally walked out of Children's Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car. The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room.

She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She laid down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep. It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Laying beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The letter said :

"Dear Mom, I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not around to say "I Love You". I will always love you, Mom, even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know. Don't be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to see GOD ! And guess what, Mom? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important. That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you good bye and everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well, you know what Mom? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter. I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you. God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him 'Where was He when I needed him?' "God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children. Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what I've written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool? I have to give God His pen back now. He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm sure the food will be great. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore. The cancer is all gone. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How about that?

Signed with Love from God, Jesus & Me.

(Let's see Satan stop this one.) Take 60 seconds and repost this,
within the hour, you will have caused a multitude of believers to pray to God for each other. Then sit back and feel the Holy Spirit work in your life for doing what you know God loves. "When you're down to nothing, God is up to something."

Come All Ye Who Are Weary

Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear and the burden I give you is light. Matthew 11:28-29 (NLT)

Do you carry a heavy load? One that just bears down on you? I'm not talking a physical load, and neither was Jesus, when he spoke these words. He was talking about emotional loads. Those day to day worries, and oppressive thoughts that just seem to wear you down.

Jesus was talking about any number of things. It could mean the heaviness of the sin in your life, excessive demands, oppression and persecution, or even weariness in your search for God. In my life, my burden is excessive "busyness". The excessive demands I've placed upon myself. I've become "addicted" to the hustle and bustle that I've created for myself. I look back at the end of the day though, and think "Just what have I truly accomplished? Are my kids secure in their knowledge of my love and the Lord's? Is my husband secure in his knowledge of my love?" When do we say, enough is enough, and start living life simplistically?

I began reading a book last night, that I can't wait to finish, not because I want to hurry up and get it done, but because I'm really enjoying what I've read so far. The book is titled 'Breathe' by Keri Wyatt Kent. I've only read the introduction and already there have been some profound truths echoing from within the pages. She compares herself to Wile E Coyote grasping at the air as he falls to the canyon floor. What a description! Now this post is not intended to be a book review, but the book is the reason for this post.

I told a friend recently that I wasn't doing all that much in my life, and then began listing what I was doing. Writing the list made me tired! I need to get back in tune with the Lord, and take time to rest and seek out what Keri calls in the book "Sabbath Simplicity." And that is to take time every day in solitude with my Lord, seek out His plan for my life, and really listen to what He wants for me. I cannot expect to hear the "still, quiet voice" from within the din surrounding me.

If you find yourself in this same situation often, if not daily and hourly, I urge you, take time out to be with God, I mean really be with him. Turn off your cell phones and your pagers; go somewhere quiet; take your bible, a notebook,(and I don't mean your laptop) and a pen, and really listen to what He is telling you! It may take awhile before the din quiets within your mind. But don't give up. God in His infinite wisdom, speaks to us with a "still small voice" for a reason. He wants to be your intimate friend, and He has sent a Counselor to live within us. Won't you stop and listen to what He's saying today?

---Lord, I pray that today, you give me the strength and the wisdom to know when to say yes and when to say no. I ask that you show me the time that I can sit and be with you, Lord. Show me how to put You first, my marriage second, and my children third. Help me to see that everything else comes after- Not before. I want to hear Your still quiet voice, directing my life, and I want to glorify Your Name in all I do. I ask these things in Jesus' Holy Name.
Amen

Grace by Suzanne Benner

"We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are" (Acts 15:11).

Grace. It is a radical claim, an implausible idea.Yet it is the central tenet of Christianity and the element that sets our faith apart from every other world religion."For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8, 9).
The Bible teaches that there is absolutely nothing we can do to earn God's approval. Because of His holiness, He requires perfection. Yet, "There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins" (Ecclesiastes 7:20). If we hope that when our good deeds outweigh our bad deeds it will satisfy God, we are mistaken because Isaiah says, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away" (Isaiah 64:6).

Our good deeds are worthless when compared to God's goodness. How then do we access grace - the undeserved favor of God?" That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). We are asked to believe. In some ways it seems harder than working diligently to change and be good, because it requires utter humility and reliance on God. Yet when we cry, "Save me God, for I cannot save myself," we join the ranks of thousands, who for generations have relied on God's grace alone.

~God, Your offer of grace is beyond comprehension. Help me to believe.