Shannon's Corner

  We all long to be known.    Peter's story is that he was one of the Twelve disciples and he was one of the three in the closer circle of Jesus Christ. Peter was seen and understood in this close relationship with Jesus and the disciples as they lived, worked, and experienced life together for three years. He was accepted and felt connected. Yet, part of Peter's story is that he couldn't stay awake for his close friend who expressed his distress and sorrow and hours later Peter ended up denying knowing his beloved friend.  Jesus knew where to find Peter. He knew the empty net to full net would echo to Peter his first encounter with Jesus. Jesus knew Peter would be hungry after fishing all night. He knew Peter. You can see the beautiful restoration of Peter in John 21. Jesus is continuing to invite Peter into relationship, being accepted, connected, and known. What would be your special meeting place for a significant conversation to be invited into relationship...

    SHANNON’S CORNER Winter Blast… Brr. It’s cold outside.  Winter is not a favorite season for many people, but I love winter. There is a beauty in the dormant, snow covered, and coldness of winter that embraces and permeates us to the depths of our bones.  It reminds me of the Lord’s love that embraces and permeates us to the depths of our heart and soul.  The snow brings a smile to my face as I delight in the quietness, calming, beautifying, and a slower pace.  Recently, I was talking with someone in Louisiana who was going to be making a snowman and snow angel with his granddaughter.  What playfulness and awe to experience the Lord’s beauty. Community is so important to our lives that even the Lord noticed how alone Adam was in the garden that He made Eve.  It is where you are seen, known, and find belonging.  It has been something I have prayed for, asked you all to be praying for, have sought after in ...

Being known is something that all human beings long for and are in search of. It is woven into our DNA wiring to be known by our Creator. Being known brings connection, intimacy (in-to-me-you-see), safety, and security. It is being face-to-face. This is what we crave and desire yet instead we are misunderstood. An awful misunderstanding for me was when I was talking with a doctor regarding one of the kid’s need for Intravenous (IV) therapy for cellulitis caused by an infected spider bite. The doctor was telling us, the home director, house parent, and myself (nurse) the importance of the child to stay in the hospital to receive the treatment. The house director and house parent asked me if I could talk to the doctor. After more discussion, I told the doctor that I would be responsible for the IV therapy treatment and care for the child back in the comfort of the child’s home. The doctor looked blankly at me like I was talking gibberish to him. I was not yet fluent in Spanish and my pro...

  Known. It is defined by Collins Dictionary, “is to describe someone that is clearly recognized by or familiar to all people or to a particular group of people.” Being recognized. Being familiar. Known. In my childhood, I wanted to be recognized one day as a worship leader. Being in front of a group of people, playing the piano or guitar and leading them in song. I thought it would be cool and awesome since I loved music, many genres of music. And music was my highest intelligence score on the eight multiple intelligence assessment. Perfect. Needless to say, my piano playing was very basic, mostly hymns, I never could master the guitar, and my singing voice had a particular range – not exactly soprano and not exactly alto. I am not known as a musician nor recognized as a worship leader. Thankfully, the Lord had other plans for me even though music is still a part of my life, and He has gifted me in other ways. The Lord has provided me with opportunities to use my giftings to care ...

  With new beginnings our slate is clean, we get to start afresh and new. Maybe this is why we are so drawn to setting new resolutions or goals for our lives each new year. What we want to do and accomplish for the year. I want to challenge to think about setting a resolution or goal in your being.     Who do you want to be in 2025? Who do you want to be in this season of life you currently find yourself?   How do you want to be known for this year? This season?   Being known is woven into our DNA wiring by our Creator. It brings connection, intimacy (in-to-me-you-see), safety, and security. It is being face-to-face, which is presence that creates a secure attachment.     Psalm 139: 1-18 speaks beautifully of how intimately known we are by God our Creator.  How God was gazing on us, delighting in us. He has examined and searched us until He knows us completely. He knows everything about us our thoughts and our movements. He is famil...