I hope you can find encouragement in this post to keep your eyes on God and find delight in Him always!
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Monday, July 13, 2015
Music is A Powerful Tool: One Thing
Hola Amigos! smile emoticon Here I am again! I just wanted to speak a little truth to you all and share a bit. As I have been raising support for my Stint to the Dominican Republic, it has definitely been a roller coaster. Some days I am super encouraged by someone blessing me, whether a gift or in prayer, and other times I find myself devastated because someone questioned my desires and calling or says "No". Oh it is so hard to hear that. I am far from being a girl who gets everything society tells me I deserve, especially without hard work, but "No" is still a hard pill to swallow. God has been working in me and tearing back these layers. Growing up with my background I have learned to put up barriers for protection, ones that hide my hurt, anxiousness, worry, and weakness. This summer, and really this past year, though a slow process God has been pulling these layers back and allowing his Love to pour in. 1 Peter 5:6-7 says, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." This summer has been a very humbling experience, but God is continuing to cover me in His love and he is the "one thing that I need". I am able to stand strong and hold on to the fact that he is Sovereign, he will reveal His plan to me in time. My part is prayer, reading His word, and listening to His voice. So as I (we) push through to that next level that God has for us, I will cast my burdens on Him because in Him will I truly find rest.
I hope you can find encouragement in this post to keep your eyes on God and find delight in Him always!
-SH
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I hope you can find encouragement in this post to keep your eyes on God and find delight in Him always!
smile emotic
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Music Is A Powerful Tool: Death Has Lost Its Sting
As I have been seeking to encourage my fellow band mates in Driven Praise, God has continued to bring songs to mind and little truths to share!
Death Has Lost Its Sting- Sojourn Records
smile emoticonThis song has been quite comforting to me as I am continuously reminded of the worlds brokenness. News sources never shy away from all of the destruction, death, and injustices happening across the world an our country. As I have been reflecting on this it as been overwhelming that so much evil is in the world. It seems that most are in search of there own happiness and justice in regards to the safety and well being of others. Our sins of selfishness reveal the fault of hope and goodness in the human condition. here is hope in one only, Jesus Christ, and through Him we can have peace that as this world passes on we will live in eternal Glory with God. 1 John 2:15-17 reminds us that the only thing in the world is desires of the flesh, but in Christ we can rise above this and abide with Him forever. Oh what a Glorious day that will be! So pray for the lost, that they will know God and experience true hope, love, and freedom! Love you all and I hope you enjoy it!
Death Has Lost Its Sting- Sojourn Records
smile emoticonThis song has been quite comforting to me as I am continuously reminded of the worlds brokenness. News sources never shy away from all of the destruction, death, and injustices happening across the world an our country. As I have been reflecting on this it as been overwhelming that so much evil is in the world. It seems that most are in search of there own happiness and justice in regards to the safety and well being of others. Our sins of selfishness reveal the fault of hope and goodness in the human condition. here is hope in one only, Jesus Christ, and through Him we can have peace that as this world passes on we will live in eternal Glory with God. 1 John 2:15-17 reminds us that the only thing in the world is desires of the flesh, but in Christ we can rise above this and abide with Him forever. Oh what a Glorious day that will be! So pray for the lost, that they will know God and experience true hope, love, and freedom! Love you all and I hope you enjoy it!
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Anger Eruption in 3..2...1...
Anger, can it be a good thing or is it completely bad?
Recently I was asked this in a bible study and it got me thinking about my actions while angry and if I could say that they are good. Did I truly have a right to be angry in that moment, or was I just being a hot head.
There are plenty of things that provokes an angry response from me lately, like stubbing my toe or spilling my food. But most recently something that has risen a lot of anger in me are the Hate Crime that claimed the life of Nine African American Believers in Charleston, SC. I was completely disgusted at the fact that someone took the lives of others just because of skin color.
Though this horrible event took place it is the response of some individuals that really raised up alarm and anger within me.
So with all of this anger qhat will I do: write a long facebook post, retweet something, choose to repress it....? There a multitude of options...but are any of them right. Do I have the right to this anger.
My answer is: Yes! We are a reflection of our creator, He is a Righteous God, both loving and wrathful. Romans 1: 18 says, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth."
This selfish act of man that was committed out of hate, it was in deed unrighteous.
He has put our emotions with in us to bring Him Glory and satisfaction. So we are rightfully angry to see things that do not bring Glory and diminish his name. In fact I know of one Man in the Bible who turned some tables when he saw Gods place of worship being desecrated, one Jesus Christ.
So I am angry, now what.....my action is to First Pray. I pray for he families of those lost and my nation that is grieving. i also lift up the man who did these horrid acts because I know that he is in need of the truth of the Gospel. Then I pray for those who will live in fear because of this incident. Lastly i will take action in helping others heal from this, pointing them to the cross and revealing clarity on this!
The world is a dark desolate place, but there is Hope in our Father!
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:15-17
-S.H
My answer is: Yes! We are a reflection of our creator, He is a Righteous God, both loving and wrathful. Romans 1: 18 says, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth."
This selfish act of man that was committed out of hate, it was in deed unrighteous.
He has put our emotions with in us to bring Him Glory and satisfaction. So we are rightfully angry to see things that do not bring Glory and diminish his name. In fact I know of one Man in the Bible who turned some tables when he saw Gods place of worship being desecrated, one Jesus Christ.
So I am angry, now what.....my action is to First Pray. I pray for he families of those lost and my nation that is grieving. i also lift up the man who did these horrid acts because I know that he is in need of the truth of the Gospel. Then I pray for those who will live in fear because of this incident. Lastly i will take action in helping others heal from this, pointing them to the cross and revealing clarity on this!
The world is a dark desolate place, but there is Hope in our Father!
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:15-17
-S.H
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
One Step At A Time
You know the feeling after you have reached 1/3rd of the way through your run. Your at the point where you have just started to make it past the "Running isn't so bad, I could do this in my sleep," part and have moved into actual effort on your part to continue.
As you are trying to breathe steadily you think, "The end seems so far away, feels like I will never reach it." Overall feeling like you should just throw in the towel.....(I could be completely alone here HaHa)
Though this is the reality of how one (cough cough ME) might feel while facing a challenge this is not a positive mind set to have. Though the finish line might be distant, it is important to remember there always is one. God is sovereign and he has the ultimate plan.
Sure he may not put you were you want to be, in your bed or on your couch marathoning Netflix (Lets be real, cause that's what we want!) He will lead you to finish where you need to be. Which makes the work and effort all the more better!
Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
These words have been so imperative to me as I have started my Support Journey! Just over the past few weeks there has been time of doubt, frustration and dismay with myself as I have been seeking out the Ministry Partners the lord has for me. But scriptures like Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 16:9, Romans 8:28, and Proverbs 3:5-6 that have been encouraging me through it.
It is important that we cast our eyes up to the hill and pull our hope from the Lord. Acknowledging areas and words of discouragement in our lives and lifting them up in prayer to our Lord.Only in Him and the community of believers he as given us will we find the encouragement to push forward.
In reality with God in the forefront, though those first few minutes of a run may be tough, the finish line is closer than it was a moment before!
As you are trying to breathe steadily you think, "The end seems so far away, feels like I will never reach it." Overall feeling like you should just throw in the towel.....(I could be completely alone here HaHa)
Though this is the reality of how one (cough cough ME) might feel while facing a challenge this is not a positive mind set to have. Though the finish line might be distant, it is important to remember there always is one. God is sovereign and he has the ultimate plan.
Sure he may not put you were you want to be, in your bed or on your couch marathoning Netflix (Lets be real, cause that's what we want!) He will lead you to finish where you need to be. Which makes the work and effort all the more better!
Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
These words have been so imperative to me as I have started my Support Journey! Just over the past few weeks there has been time of doubt, frustration and dismay with myself as I have been seeking out the Ministry Partners the lord has for me. But scriptures like Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 16:9, Romans 8:28, and Proverbs 3:5-6 that have been encouraging me through it.
It is important that we cast our eyes up to the hill and pull our hope from the Lord. Acknowledging areas and words of discouragement in our lives and lifting them up in prayer to our Lord.Only in Him and the community of believers he as given us will we find the encouragement to push forward.
In reality with God in the forefront, though those first few minutes of a run may be tough, the finish line is closer than it was a moment before!
Graduation, Now What......Gulp!
Graduation is a few days around the corner. After May 10th my life as an offical adult will be full speed ahead. Gulp....
Many people have already or will soon ask "So you majored in English, what are you going to do with that?" To that I say, Double Gulp......
The weight of this question is frighting, how could I possibly know what I want to do with my life, it is hard enough figuring out what I want to eat on a day to day basis. Haha
I have managed to come to a decision though...I am going to try my best to live one year/commitment at a time. It is just to much to handle when I expand past this. Which leads me to my plans......
As a Spring Graduate of 2015 from the University of Louisville , I will be taking my English Degree and become an International intern with Cru. That's right! I, Shanee Howard, am a commissioned missionary, and I could not be happier!
Two summers ago I went on my first Mission trip to Lebanon and have felt this calling on my life confirmed since then. The Lord has blessed me in opening my eyes to the need in the World, less than 2% of Christians GO to the mission field. That is a scary statistic in knowing of all of the unreached people in the world. My heart grew heavy knowing this!
Though I am only one women, God has used me in mighty ways through my Springbreak trips, Summer Missions, and Relationships with others. Living my life on mission, it just Clicks! This is why I must go!
2015-2016 I will be spending my year serving with Cru in the Dominican Republic! A place and a people my heart is overjoyed to know personally and serve!
So thus begins my journey.......but first comes Support Raising....TRIPLE GULP!!!
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