tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10852423488454434982024-03-12T23:17:48.701-05:00Is That You, Lord?Hearing His Voice Above All The NoiseShellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.comBlogger275125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-77697535743498909532013-08-06T10:42:00.001-05:002013-08-06T10:42:48.554-05:00Come See My New Place
It's official! I've moved!
Come see my new place! :)
Click here to visit my new home!
Shellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-52433232335456241852013-07-31T14:16:00.001-05:002013-07-31T14:19:14.777-05:00Jumping Up & Down
I am jumping up and down with excitement over some new things happening! But until I can share, can I ask for your patience? This non-techie girl who sometimes spends more hours per day in her pjs than she should is attempting to start a new website where eventually this space will find a new home. And while you're being so generous with your patience might you also offer up some Shellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-90086233847884076852013-07-01T19:15:00.001-05:002013-07-01T19:15:34.994-05:00A Lifetime of Discovering God
As I approached the big 4-0 last year I found myself once again pondering questions such as:
Who am I? Am I enough? Am I doing enough? What have I done with my life that has made a difference? Where do I go from here?
We should ponder these types of questions, I think. But our answer to any of them is not found in the pursuit of titles and positions or college degrees and careers. And Shellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-59950124714572955392013-06-28T11:08:00.001-05:002013-06-28T11:08:34.686-05:00One Thing
I sit on the floor of a bookstore and I am overwhelmed as I pour over titles and covers and table of contents and skim chapters and pages of so many books I lose count. Thousands of souls lay bare in front of me. Bare and exposed and powerless to withdrawal their words, authors stare at me from back covers.
To imagine my own book on these shelves one day is terrifying. I picture my words hereShellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-11922446792624353592013-06-20T15:25:00.000-05:002013-06-20T15:34:24.907-05:00Blessed
We are in our last two weeks of our current Online Bible Study. What a great few months it has been! I was blessed to join the Proverbs 31 team and Melissa Taylor's Online Bible Studies small groups as a leader this year and it has been amazing. What a blessing the ladies in Group 32 are! And the whole community of OBS is truly incredible, loving, supportive, and challenging! If you haven't Shellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-42566334640223327082013-05-30T16:41:00.001-05:002013-05-30T21:07:25.891-05:00Trust In & Cry Out To The One Who Saves
While studying this morning, I found an old, dried flower tucked safely within the pages of my mom's Strong's Concordance. The petals, delicate and yellowed from age, secretly hold the story of a special moment in time. I wonder, "How long has it been here?" And "Who was the thoughtful giver of this once, vibrant flower?"
I smile as I consider the possibilities.
Perhaps my own daughter, who Shellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-77048566559484092332013-05-16T00:14:00.000-05:002013-05-16T00:23:07.272-05:00Seek First
In the middle of chaos, in the depths of heartbreak, and in the darkness of anxiety, we find an anchor in the Word of God. When I focus on His Word, His promises, His reality vs. my earthly circumstances, my heart beats in unison with His plan for me (and His plans for me are good, to give me a future and a hope Jer. 29:11). He promises that when we seek Him we shall surely find Him (Luke 11:Shellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-54722889461289615282013-05-14T19:41:00.000-05:002013-05-14T19:41:29.302-05:00Golden Girls LuncheonToday I had the privilege and honor once again of being with the "Golden Girls" of Cornerstone Church (my home church). Last month we learned how to dig into God's word deeper and hear Him speak to us personally through scripture. This month we tapped into our creativity and painted His Word.
We began by seeking God and asking what He wanted each of us to paint. We worshipedShellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-79001048238795966212013-05-09T11:23:00.000-05:002013-05-09T11:23:34.818-05:00Never Alone
Lay it down.
Release it all to me.
Step away and step into my presence.
A time of separation and a time of connection.
A time of tearing down and a time of building.
These were some of the things God spoke to me years ago when He asked me to walk away from a large part of what had become my identity and comfortable place.
Sometimes He asks us to do hard Shellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-71706607228097957942013-05-05T15:44:00.000-05:002013-05-05T15:44:07.562-05:00Transformed
Though my doctor delivered a bad report and breathed out uncertainty, my God breathed life and spoke promises that couldn't be broken. I heard His voice that day on the floor of my bedroom. "I have already taken care of it," He said. And with those words my spirit rejoiced and my heart believed.
Those few months at the end of my third and last pregnancy marked the beginning of a Shellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-5410109371763840292013-04-25T21:28:00.000-05:002013-04-25T21:28:12.550-05:00Blessings in Strange Places
I'm finding blessings in the strangest of places. With my eyes focused on my Savior, what could burden instead fills my heart with gratitude. I'm learning that "in quietness and trust is my strength." And my safe place is called surrender.
In trust, I can be thankful for His plans even when mine don't succeed.
In quietness, I can hear Him whisper truth to my soul.
And in surrender and restShellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-14567793714269330482013-04-22T13:32:00.000-05:002013-04-22T22:57:38.640-05:00And We Draw to Others With Jesus
God created us for fellowship, first with Him and then with others. His
desire and intention have never been that we do this life alone.
There have certainly been times I have felt alone. Seasons I have walked
through that were more lonely than others. Times I was required to pull away from
distractions and even relationships to get alone with Him. This, too, was for my good.
ButShellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-36964918487002377132013-04-17T23:57:00.000-05:002013-04-22T13:41:16.474-05:00And He Saved Them
My heart is heavy for so many families tonight. All week tragedy has filled my news feed and blasted from my television. I lay down in surrender, trusting that whatever happens around me, Jesus remains the same. In tragedy and loss, in heartache and sadness, in brokenness and grief, He offers comfort and peace the world cannot give.
When circumstances threaten to squeeze and strangle and Shellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-40415363270655281972013-04-16T17:30:00.000-05:002013-04-16T17:30:03.436-05:00Scriptures - Peace
Some scriptures from our current Online Bible Study.Shellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-2753118960397277292013-04-13T11:01:00.001-05:002013-04-13T13:41:20.820-05:00My Letter From God
Our assignment yesterday for our OBS (Online Bible Study) with Melissa Taylor was to write a letter to ourselves from God using our scriptures from this week. It is perfect timing for me. My heart is overwhelmed at God's love for me this morning. I am sharing my letter and praying that it will speak to you, as well. Please feel free to insert your name and read it as a letter to you Shellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-59357275277159516092013-04-11T10:29:00.000-05:002013-04-11T13:19:52.481-05:00The Great I Am
When the laundry room spills over into the dining room and the dining room spills over into the living room and the living room runs out of room.
When schedules are stretched and pressure builds and test results knock the breath out of us.
When my heart is overwhelmed and God feels distant.
When scriptures on grace and provision read like a fairytale.
It's in these times Shellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-23926827650961852532013-04-06T17:59:00.002-05:002013-04-06T18:40:20.902-05:00Sometimes Life Can Be Overwhelming
Some days are harder than others.
Sometimes life can be overwhelming.
I find comfort and refreshing in quiet times with my Savior.
"Truly my soul silently waits for God;
From Him comes my salvation."
Psalm 62:1
***
Are you overwhelmed, stressed, or without peace? Do you desire to surrender all to Jesus and accept His peace and joy even in the middle of Shellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-51995895509952539812013-03-25T22:20:00.000-05:002013-03-25T22:20:08.374-05:00There Are Days I Want To Quit
There are days I want to quit.
Days I want to turn off the computer, lay down my pen, and submit an application to a sophisticated boutique where my employee discount would get me twenty percent off of cute shoes and pretty dresses.
I have thought about it, you know.
I wonder, is this thing I'm doing making a difference?
Should I venture from this place and look Shellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-6999265450514801262013-03-19T21:25:00.000-05:002013-03-20T07:32:23.322-05:00The Boys Bathed in the Mud That Morning(My little blog has been severely neglected lately, as I am working (again) on my book that will one day (by faith) be published. I miss this space, and all of you. :) Thought I would take a break to post tonight and say hello.)
It was Spring Break and the boys bathed in the mud that morning. They also peppered the living room and hallway with forgotten toys and left-over crumbs from their Shellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-13283076913232408522013-03-04T16:58:00.000-06:002013-03-04T16:58:05.443-06:00The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
"We must lay before Him what is in us, not what ought to be in us." ~ CS Lewis
It is so tempting to want to hold back part of ourselves (or all of ourselves), giving God only the "good" parts of us or what we feel is acceptable. When in reality, Jesus is what makes us worthy, not anything we can do on our own or any super feats we have accomplished.
God asks that we lay our lives before HimShellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-38987929672051601112013-03-03T18:12:00.000-06:002013-03-03T18:12:01.092-06:00Shellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-85198844723310674382013-02-28T13:05:00.002-06:002013-02-28T13:05:55.219-06:00Because He Said So
"Why, mom?!"
"Because I said so!" I replied. "I don't have to give you a reason. The answer is just NO."
As I walked away the words echoeing in my ear sounded strangely familiar.
Suddenly transported back to a time of curfews and acid washed denim I remembered how often I had asked the same question and was met with the same answer. "No."
"Why not?"
"Because I said so," my mother Shellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-51184038729972686662013-02-25T10:30:00.000-06:002013-02-25T10:36:30.702-06:00Nineteen and Pregnant: Twenty-One Years Later
White walls, hard chairs, forms to fill out, questions to answer, and a small fee if you could afford it. Our state-run health clinic wasn't very busy that day.
I remember sitting, my hands covering my face. A few months ago I graduated third in my high school class. I was in my first semester of college. I was 19. And I was pregnant.
Last week my husband and I celebrated Shellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-85787786644485533372013-02-13T12:42:00.001-06:002013-02-13T12:42:28.664-06:00Come to the Well
My friend, Shanda, shared this beautiful song and video by Casting Crowns on her blog today. I pray that God waters your soul as you listen to these words. Allow Him to speak to your heart and show you what YOU need to leave behind. When you're finished, click over and read Shanda's story of "Leaving it All Behind." Shellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1085242348845443498.post-75734136977045080342013-01-30T19:23:00.000-06:002013-01-30T19:23:57.887-06:00Psalm 143:8Shellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11672003996136914533noreply@blogger.com0