Shannon's Corner

  SHANNON’S CORNER God created me to know Him intimately by delighting in Him as my Source of Life so that the streams of Living Water flowing within me will draw others to Him – Shannon’s biblical purpose statement.    This 20-day Focused Leader class was intense and so very rewarding in the end as it brought me focus through the various exercises to help bring insight and clarity in forming a biblical purpose statement, life-ministry values, vision statements, personal and ministry roles I have that leads to action steps.  Does what I do fit into how I was created (being)?  These are some foundational pieces for me in staying on course according to God’s purpose of my life. A client was sharing with me about contemplating the idea of stepping out of ministry which to her seems like such a foreign concept.  She was raised up in ministry – parents being pastors and doing camp ministry and as a young adult to now has been in full-time min...

  SHANNON’S CORNER Happy New Year! Starting off this new year I am taking a 20-day member care class called,  Focused Leader . The instructor is having us develop a biblical purpose statement that reflects our being in why God created us versus our doing.  The DOING can end at any time, but the BEING will not end.  In Jeremiah 1:5 God already had a plan for Jeremiah’s life before Jeremiah was in his mother’s womb and set him apart before he was even born.  In Psalm 139, we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and God has ordained all our days before one came to be.  God uses all things – people and experiences, to form and shape us towards His purposes which He continues to develop and transform us over our lifetime (Rom. 8:28). Looking at the photo to the right, which direction does he row towards?   He looks into his past to find orientation and direction for his future.  Many of us make goals for the new year. ...

  SHANNON’S CORNER Merry Christmas! As I have been preparing my heart, mind, and body for this advent season I have been studying two hymns, “ Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus ” and “ O Come, O Come Emmanuel . ” How interesting that our prayers today often sound just like that of Israel’s in wait of a savior, ‘ How long O’ Lord? ’  The paradox of this prayer is that it seems a cry of despair, and it is an age-old prayer of hope.  In the paradox of waiting for His birth, Jesus meets us in the wonder, silence, traditions, service, and grief of the season.  How is Jesus meeting you in this Christmas/Advent season?   I enjoyed the road trip I made with Bethann as we traveled to New Castle, PA to do a three-hour training for those folks who serve at City Rescue Mission.  Connecting with these folks, hearing some of their stories, and even meeting some who know my family, a cousin and my aunt was wonderful.  Plus getting to spend time ...