Anything But Ordinary

Renew My Mind...Even when I don't feel it.

2011-01-06T21:50:00.002-06:00

Why is it that we have moments in our lives we can feel like we are on top of the world spiritual. We feel the very presense of God at every turn and can find Him with the simplist prayers.
And then....
a nice dose of reality seems to happen. I can't shake what seems like hopelessness without end. Like life taking off and leaving me because I can't seem to pull off the things required of me. I'm beyond perfection and boy does it show sometimes. It's the administrative side of me that turns harsh in words and I don't seem to know how to change it. It's the debt that hangs over my head and feels like I will never get out from under unless I keep adding jobs. Jobs will only take me further away from ministry as I watch my husband live out my dream and I continue to wane in the desire to even minister at times. I feel like Ive lost the real reason I even started in ministry. It feels like burn out, when we haven't even really started yet, so for me to admit that I'm feeling that way gives voice to the loser inside me: The one who gives up and is no help to her struggling husband. Which leads to how I'm a terrible wife, even though I'm cautiously trying to make sure the kitchen is clean, there are meals cooked, I've picked up the mounds of hair that falls from my head daily (very thick hair) and pick up the house. I've even done laundry, which if you know me, that hasn't happened in years on a consistant bases. It's a job Ronnie picked up when I started working full time.
Yes, I believe it's the girl mind in my head that will let all this and more role over and over. But...
The Word says to put on the Mind of Christ. When I feel like this, it is so hard to do. However, one thing I know to be true: The Word is alive and powerful ...to the pulling down of strongholds! I know that even when I don't feel like it, I HAVE to speak the Word. As Creflo Dollor preached at Zion, it's the renewing of my mind! My FLESH DOES NOT WANT TO! It wants to roll around in the self inflicted sorrow of how terrible I am...why is that? But the Spirit man MUST rise up! I choose to renew my mind...even when i don't feel like it!

2010-10-30T21:13:00.001-05:00

Finally back to blogging. Trying it from the mobile. I can't wait until tomorrow morning! I'm remembering that today is the day to worship, to build the church, to pray!

Sunday Set List

2009-07-05T18:12:00.005-05:00

Sunday, July 5th, 2009.

Services were geared toward celebrating our freedom in American.

We started with a video "Proud to be an American" created by Tish Hadley.
It was then followed by Kim Copeland singing "America the Beautiful" medly. We don't typically do canned music but this was a great set of patriotic songs.
Next I lead the congregation in the pledge.
Pastor came up and prayed for the country. (Played piano/pads - nothing specifc)
Announcements/ offering

Worship Set - geared toward communion.

My Savior Lives - New Life Worship
Jesus Messiah - Chris Tomlin
Lead me to the Cross - Hillsong

Communion - softly played Jesus Paid it Allpiano/pads

finished with Jesus Paid it all- Kristian Stanfill. We started with just the chorus /piano and pads...built into adding drums, guitars. It ends with "Oh praise the one who paid my debt.... This turned into such a sweet time of worship using an old hymn. The presence of the Lord came down.

2009-07-02T09:54:00.001-05:00

I'm reading "It'" by Craig Groshel. It's sad when you want to have it but know you don't. I think our church has elements if "it" but we have not fully arrived. We've been given the vision of it, but getting there is another thing. It's time to look again at what we are doing.

Just a thought

2009-07-01T13:03:00.002-05:00

The girls and I were watching tv and a commercial came on about a guy looking a Tostito chips that are shaped like bowls. He started this whole conversation to himself (in his head) while starring at the chips until someone came up and grabbed some chips next to him. I ask the girls how funny it would be to be able to hear what people were thinking while they are shopping. Are they running down the list in their head, interupted by the thought to call somebody, back to "Oh, I forgot the milk." Of course that would be a woman's mind because everything we think connects. What would the man's mind be like since the have "boxes" that they have to take out and put back up boxes in their minds (ask my husband. He got it from this guy that teaches on marriage and the way men and women think.) Anyway.....I got to thinking about random thoughts that come to my mind...."I need a haircut, or should I just grow it back out.... What are we going to eat tonight?.....I really have to go walk....gotta meet my goal.....I wonder if we started small groups if it would work....who would we get.....are we ever going to get to the place we call "it".....why can't we find a youth pastor.....are we a "us four and no more" club and don't even realize it?.... Then the thought comes to mind..."Be still and KNOW that I am GOD! Okay then.

ReEvaluate

2009-06-30T10:16:00.000-05:00

I don't know why we seem to think the only time we can take a good long look at who we are is New Years. Today is a day that I am reevaluating and through my pray time and thought processes, pouring myself out at the feet of Jesus so that he may lift me up and again mold me to what he has designed me to be. With out him I am nothing yet there are times I find that I have tried doing things with out consulting the Word or followed the leading of the Holy Spirit....why do we do that especially when we know better. I loved the way the Margeret Feinberg defined it. She said it was like having Dory moments in her spiritual walk (you know, Dory from Finding Nemo) We tend to forget the things we have learned, the promises given us, the love God has for us, the sacrifices Christ made for us and more so, the purposes He has placed in us. Lord, keep your word at the forefront of my mind. Holy Spirit be my guide today. Help me recognize the works of the Enemy and know my place in your kingdom and the calling placed on my life that I may walk victoriously! I know that you have plans and you are working. May I be the help you created me to be, not a hinderence as I check my attitude and motivation for the actions I take.

Shannon's Sunday Set List

2009-06-29T18:37:00.000-05:00

Sunday was an interesting day. I missed the text from our bass player that he was not coming so we had our back up guy fill in. Mind you, he is our only male vocal at this point. He struggles with singing at playing at the same time so I lost the male vocals.

Opening song: Open up the Gates (done in B, really too high for females :)
Worship set: Savior of the World
All
The Stand - Chorus only
Worshipping You
Here in Your Presence

This was a good set. Kept first 3 songs in the same key and made it easy for transitions. Used Here in Your Presense as the transition song for prayer time. We went through song and turned it over to prayer before we reached the bridge. After prayer we went into the bridge and finished up our set.

The sermon was titled "HD - Living life in High Definition." It is a great series talking about the changes that God calls us to like he did Abraham and Sarah. He told them to move, gave them a new name and then gave them the promise of being the Father of many Nations. What you want to be tomorow is how much you trust God today!

We ended with "The more I seek You.

Anything but Ordinary

2009-06-29T18:08:00.000-05:00

This comes from a song "Open up the Sky" by Deluge that states..."We won't be Satisfied with anything ordinary...we won't be satisfied at all." I find that while this song moves me and sends me worshiping and making this strong declaration before the Lord...it is harder to do. Even now while I am blogging for the first time I find that I have just had an ordinary day. I need everyday do be extraordinary for the Lord....whether in my actions, attitude or devotion to my Lord and Savior Jesus. I want to be anything but ordinary.