Diet!

So I think my body is actually in line with my head about getting on a diet! I haven't been on one in a few weeks because sickness and other things. Although I didn't ever really want to do it I just knew I needed to. This time around my body is telling me to diet! I am craving water, fruits, and veggies! So since my body is telling me to do it I am going to do it! Starting Monday I will start the diet and exercise! I will take a before picture but not sure if I will post it till I start seeing results! Anyway I am going to try to start keeping this up again! I saw that a lot of people have started reading my stuff and that makes me feel good!

God Bless,
   Shannon

You are beautiful in God's eyes!

So last Sunday at church I cried for the first time in a service. The only time I usually cry in a church is if I'm at a funeral. We were talking about what God loves. They played this video at the end of it and it just made me think a lot.

I am getting teared eyed thinking about it again. I'll post the video at the end of this blog. It just made me think that no matter how we look at ourselves that God thinks we are beautiful! I wish I would have known that more when I was in high school! I think if a lot of people knew this there would be less of low self-esteem in the world. God wants us to know that no matter what we have done that if we want to change that He can help us. He can mold you into what He wants you to be if you will let Him!!! I guess just watching that video it just hit me more that if you are willing to let Him change your life He will. You don't have to do it by yourself! Tell God that you let go and are letting Him run your life now and just see how much better your life will be! I know mine is so much better when I let Him lead! It is my one wish in life that people know how much God loves them! If only they knew. It would change their life forever! Once I get all my stuff together that God wants me to do with my life I won't be stopped! God put me on this earth to do His work and I will!

My mom and I were supposed to die when she had me. My mom has always told me that that's why I survived! God has a big plan for me! I just can't wait to see what it is! I know it's to help people. Just not sure what field of it He wants me to do! So pray with me when I ask Him to show me where and what He wants me to do it! If anyone needs a shoulder to lean on or just needs someone to listen, I am here for you! Don't hesitate to contact me! If you have questions about Jesus ask me! If I'm not sure of the answer I will ask someone I know that can lead me in the right direction! Just because we are Christians it doesn't mean we know everything! I love you all!

God Bless!!!
 Shannon 

Spiritually healthy!

So not only do we have to be physically healthy we have to be spiritually healthy! A healthy relationship with God is the most important relationship to have! You can always depend on Him to always be there. Reading your bible, talking to God in prayer, worshipping Him, and going to church! He wants you to gather together to worship Him. I used to think it didn't matter if I went to church because I loved Him! But I know now that isn't all that it takes. Having a good church to go to is key in your relationship with God. That way if you have questions you don't feel weird about asking. Also so you might see that you aren't the only one going through trials that come along with being a christian! Manny and I have finally found our church home! We are excited about going to church again! Manny is reading every day and I am reading every day! I also keep a prayer journal! I love that God has helped us to make Him first in our marriage!

For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.
                            Matthew 18:20

God Bless all of you!

Bullying!

 So today a young man killed himself at school. I know the superintendent of stillwater schools is saying she doesn't know if it was from bullying because it wasn't reported. That it would be in there system. Most kids think that if they tell on the person that is doing the bullying things will get worse for them. I know when I was bullied I never told any adults. My friends knew but my parents and or teachers didn't know. It's easy to act like nothing is happening at school at home because your parents aren't there. It really breaks my heart that kids this young are committing suicide. People are just so cruel. It's crazy to think kids that young are so cruel. I wonder where they get it from!!!! Maybe their parents or stuff they watch on tv! There is so much hate in this world that it is unbelievable! These kids feel like they are alone and the only way to make the bullying stop is to commit suicide and thats not the case! If everyone would just show a little bit of love to everyone they met I think the world would be a better place! I just can't get over how many kids have killed themselves because of bullying! It just breaks my heart!

  This is something really strong to me because like I said I was bullied. I got bullied at school and on the bus. All because I was a little over weight. I almost got in trouble one time in 1st grade because someone was making fun of me and I hit him for it. I really did act like it didn't bother me hoping that it would make it stop but it didn't really. It just made them do it more. I'm surprised how much love I have for everyone even though they did that to me. It's all because of Jesus I can tell you that much. If it weren't for having Jesus in my life maybe I would have thought about doing something like that. But I knew that I was never alone because I had Jesus!!! I never thought about killing myself so don't think I did! Never even crossed my mind. I don't even think I knew what that meant when I was teased. Jesus got me through it with His unfailing love! Even though they made fun of me I knew that Jesus loved me for who I was!!! Thank you God for loving each and everyone of us!!!!

So before you start to say something mean to someone stop and think if someone was saying that to you! How would you feel? Look out for each other!!!

Todays events!

So today wasn't the best for Manny and I! We had a big bill pop up today that we can't really afford. We got some help with it. Not proud of letting someone help us. So instead of getting upset about everything what happened I stopped and prayed. Recently Manny and I have recommitted our lives to God. We have been reading the bible everyday. So today's events made me realize how bad satan is going to try and attack us right now. So I told Manny put your whole faith into God that He will help us with this. As soon as I prayed I felt a since of peace come over me. I know God helped not sure how He did but He did! I just kept telling Manny this is satan, this is satan. Satan can stuff it. He ain't getting us. God has us completely!!!

Anyways that is my rant for today lol

God Bless you guys!!!!

Faith and loving!

Faith: is essentially trust and faithfulness is dependability or trustworthiness.

Throughout the Scriptures faith is the trustful human response to God's self-relevation via His words and His actions. God initiates the relationship between Himself and human beings. He expects people to trust Him; failure to trust Him in essence the first sin.
                   (got that from the Holman illustrated dictionary)

What does faith mean to you? To me it's putting everything I believe and trust into God. It is very hard sometimes to have faith but if you take that leap God is there to catch you cause you have faith in Him.
 In my daily bible reading I am in Deuteronomy and Matthew. Doing OT and NT at the same time. Anyway it was talking about our God being a jealous God.( In deuteronomy 4,5,6 all talk about God being a jealous God) He doesn't want you to have other god's than Him. He shows us so much love even for all the stupid things we do He still loves us like crazy! Why wouldn't you want to put your faith in Him. God hates the sin not the sinner. He doesn't like what you do but God is still crazy in love with you. God wants you to choose Him. It's like when you love someone so much that you can't live without them and them saying I don't love you or even care about you. I'm sure how you would feel in that moment God feels that every day when people turn from Him! He wants you to turn and say, "God I want you and I need you!" I can't stress enough how badly God wants you. I mean He did send His only Son to die for our sins so we could have a relationship with Him. How many of you would let your kid die to have a relationship with someone? No one would. That is why God did that to show you how much He LOVES YOU AND HOW BAD HE WANTS TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU!!!!!! Just think about it!!!!!

I was gonna write this whole thing about faith but God had other reasons when I started typing. I think what I wrote about could be faith. I felt so convicted to write this that I was tearing up while typing it.

    So I will leave you with a few bible verses about faith:

      But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.
                               Romans 4:5

      But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.
                             2 Corinthians 1:24

      5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.
                             Ephesians 4:5-6

      Don't let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don't help people live a life of faith in God.
                            1 Timothy 1:4

God's Plans

Hey guys! I know I haven't posted in awhile and I'm sorry! I know not many people of anyone reads my blog but I'm going to keep doing it because it helps me get some feelings out!

 Lately I have been feeling like God wants me to do something big with my life but I just don't know what that is yet. I pray about it all the time that He will show me what it is He wants me to do. I have been getting up everyday and going directly to reading my bible. I am trying to read through the whole thing. Something I have noticed with doing this each day is that no matter how my day is I feel wonderful inside. Even if it's the worst day I feel peace inside me. I knoe it's because God is with me! I think I am just now feeling that He is with me with every step I take! I always knew that but now I feel it. So if you don't feel like I would strongly encourage you to start reading His word every day! As I am writing this blog I'm listening to Klove and the perfect song came on that kinda goes along with what I'm talking about! The song is Call on Jesus by Nicole C. Mullen! If you have never heard that song go listen to it.
 
So with me talking about doing what God wants me to do with my life I have looked up a few versus to kinda go along with this here are a few:

            I know a lot of people probably already know this one!
                  11  For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord."They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen.
                                                             Jeremiah 29:11-12

                     For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was His plan from before the beginning of time-to show us His grace through Christ Jesus.
                                                             2 Timothy 1:9
 
                   You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail.
                                                               Proverbs 19:21

                    24 Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prizethat will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
                                                             1 Corinthians 9:24-27

I know that was a lot of verses but there were many more I found but those were just a few of my favorites. So I won't stop praying that God will show me what my purpose is and what His plans are for me. Till that day comes I will study His word and talk to Him every day!

I will talk tomorrow about something else that is on my mind. God bless you guys!

 

Pray! Pray! Pray!

So I have been worried about what my hospital bill was gonna be. I got it in the mail today I opened it while I was walking my dog back to the house and I almost fell to my knees. Next to the amount that I owe says $0.00! I started crying and thanking God. My mom thinks it's just cause it hasn't really gone through the insurance yet but I am gonna believe that it was God. I still get teary thinking about it. I am just amazed! 

 God Thank you so much for helping me. You have taken away what was wrong with me and now you have helped me with the hospital bill. You are the all mighty God! You are in control Lord. I love you and thank you again for everything you do for me.
  In Jesus Name,
      Amen!

So I have to tell you guys! Just pray pray pray!!!!!

  God bless!
      Shannon

Power of prayer!

I just want to talk about the power of prayer! If you guys don't know I have had some health issues. My heart was beating to fast, having trouble breathing, and chest pains. Well the doctor thought I had a pulmonary embolism. I did a CT scan and it came back normal. I had all the symptoms of pulmonary embolism except for one. So I though for sure that was going to be what was wrong with me. When the doctor called me to give me the results everything came back normal! I think because there were so many people praying for me that I think God made it go away! I am feeling a bunch time better! I have been taking a pill everyday to lower my heart rate. So for now we are gonna try diet and exercise to see if that will lower my heart rate. I have to take the pill for a year but if it comes down I won't have to take it anymore! So lets pray that that happens. I know prayer changes things. If you have any prayer requests you can ask me to pray and I will!

       God Bless,
        Shannon

 

I am second

I have recently started a 22 day challenge with a group called I am second! If you don't know what it is about go to their website, www.iamsecond.com It's celebrities talking about how they came to know God. I was gonna buy the book but our pocket book can't afford a $20 book right now. Watching todays video made me think I need to write down my testimony. I know a few people have heard it but that was the recent part of it. I am going to start at the beginning. Which means it might take me awhile to type that up. I want to challenge you to tell someone or everyone your testimony. You never know it might help someone out. On todays video it was Brian Welch from Korn. His realestate agent felt he needed to tell him a bible verse and it changed his life forever. So when you feel like God is trying to tell you to do something you might want to just do it. I know it's hard. But you will feel better in the end and you brought someone closer to Him. I would also like to know if I start a small group on facebook who all would join? message me if you would like me to start one!

     God Bless!
       Shannon

Bible studies

I am going to start a 22 day challenge with the group I am second but have yet to get my email. I would also like some ideas of some good bible studies. I also would like some suggestions on some good christian books. I'm still reading through the bible all the way. I have never done that before and being a christian I would think that would be a good idea. So I will get to reading. I might write some more later!

     God Bless,
        Shannon

Church

It felt good to go to church today. Last night I wasn't feeling well and didn't know if I was gonna make it to church. I woke up this morning and felt better but not great. If you guys don't know I am having health issues. I have chest pains and shortness of breath. My test has come back normal. So we still don't know what is wrong. I go back to the doc on Wednesday. So please pray that everything is ok. I am already on a diet and I've lost 10lbs so far. So I will be posting more cause I am at home for now. 

God Bless!
  Shannon

Update

So I know it's been awhile since the last time I've posted. I got a job and didn't really have time to do a lot of stuff. Recently I've had to quit my job for health reasons. I didn't want to but decided I better find a job that is less physical for now. But anyway now that I'm out of work again I've been thinking about a lot of things in my life. How when I work I don't find time to have time with God. I never realize this till it's too late. So I'm gonna start making time. I hate that I didn't find time for Him. He has done so much for me yet I can't find time for Him. I am ashamed of my behavior. I am reading a book called not a fan by Kyle Idleman. It has made me think deeply about if I'm a follower or a fan. It scares me that I am not sure what I am. I go back and forth between being a fan and a follower. I have to find how to make myself a full blooded follower instead of here and there. I never stop believing in God but I just don't find the time for Him. Like I get on these kicks that all I want to do is study His word then it's like I get burned out because I jumped in with both feet. I need to get off the line and jump in again and stay there this time. I want to start keeping this blog up with how I am doing with this journey. I want you guys to hold me accountable. But for now I'm going to bed. I'll write more tomorrow!

        God Bless!
            Shannon

 

workout

Today I was catching up on this season of biggest loser! I got so inspired that I'm gonna use their motto of NO EXCUSES! Not just for working out but for everything in life. I'm so excited to be starting this adventure and to bring you guys along with me. 

So my workout is gonna be 3 days weights or workout dvds and 2 days cardio. Of course I'll probably do cardio everyday because since I don't have a job right now I am going to try to be more active everyday. Like cleaning or playing the wii. I am bound and determined to lose this weight. I'm tired of being out of breathe and I get embarrassed when I have to buy a size 4x shirt. I'm tired of feeling this way. So bring on the sweat!!!!!!! 

God Bless!!!!

It's been too long!

Hey everyone! I'm sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I need to ask you guys a favor, if you guys will hold me accountable for some stuff I need to work on that would be great. I have started this free bible college classes online. I have slacked a bit lately. Just like I have with everything else. That is one of my biggest problems. I will be good for awhile about doing something and then that fire burns out. I hate that I do that. I hate that I don't finish things. So if you would keep me accountable for my school, going to church, reading my bible, and blogging! I wish I had more friends that I were close to closer to me. I only have a handful of friends I tell stuff to. This is gonna be my new thing. I'm gonna lay everything out on the line. This is going to be like a journal for me. So if you don't like what I have to say sometimes then I'm sorry but it's about my life. I need to grow up and finish stuff. Stop saying I'm going to and do it. It's always easy to say you are going to do something and difficult to actually do it.

I love you all and please help me!!!!!! 

God Bless!

Passion of the Christ!

You know every time I watch the passion of the Christ at the end of it I have a million things running through my head. My heart hurts every time I watch it. I always watch it when I think I need to work on my walk with Him. It makes me realize how much we take God from granted. We only have talks with Him or read the bible when we need something from Him. I will admit I do that sometimes. It hurts me to think I do that to Him. My sins drove the nails in His hands and feet. He loved us so much to send Jesus to patch our relationship up with Him. Don't you think that should merit to change things in our lives? I know it makes me want to change everything about my life. It's hard and it's not going to happen over night. It takes time. I still try to live my life for Him every day. If Jesus can die for us so that we can be saved living for Him is the least we can do. We should praise Him in good times and in bad. I know lately I keep telling God that He is in control and I will be ok with whatever He wants to do in my life. That takes some major faith. I'm not saying I'm perfect by any means cause I'm far from it. I just don't know how they could beat Jesus up as bad as they did. It makes me mad. I know it had to happen but why so bad. I guess to show us how bad we are messing up. So that shows us that even though we mess up and sin that God will forgive you if you repent and truly mean it. You can't just say Father please forgive me. You have to put heart and soul into it for Him to know you are telling the truth. I know my thoughts are all over the place but I'm just writing them down as they pop into my head. My favorite bible verse is Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Meaning He never changes. We are the ones that change. You might be walking with Him for awhile then decide to stop for awhile. Though that isn't a good choice He is there waiting for you to come back. He wants to have a relationship with Him so bad that He will stand there and wait for you to come back. He always loves you. He loves everyone. He hates the sin but loves the sinner. What is hard for me to grasp is that to God no sin is greater than another. So when we are telling people that because you are gay that you are going to hell. Well if you lie then you might go to hell. The one thing that drives me insane about christians today is they think they have the right to judge people. God is the only one that has the authority to judge everybody. I know I'm afraid to see what all sins I have committed while I have been alive. I will have my head hung in shame when I stand infront of Him. Even though I live my life for Him I still mess up a bunch. Like I said changing your life doesn't happen overnight.

Anyways I have rambled for awhile so I will stop for now.

God Bless!!!!!!

On fire for God!

I wanna talk about how on fire for God I used to be. I used to be at the church ever time the doors were open. Then I went off to college and all that changed. I'm not saying I didn't worship Him cause I did. I just wasn't at church much and weren't doing bible studies like I used to. I loved making bible studies for the youth girls in my church. I loved running them. I want to do that again but our church doesn't have a lot of youth at all. I used to get so much out of reading the bible when I did read it. I was looking through some of my old notebooks and I can't believe how smart I was. It amazes me that I used to be like that. I want to get back to that. Which means I need to read my bible more. I'm already started on the going back to church thing. Next week I'm fasting from a few things. I'm gonna replace that stuff with reading my bible more, praying, and listening to christian music. I think it will get me back into the swing of things. Manny and I also need to get back into our devo. I want to do more with my walk with Christ. I had such hopes for me. I really want that back. I remember my youth pastor saying he has never seen anyone so on fire for God. I will admit I fizzled out. But I long for that again. I'm the only one that can change that. I'm going to because that is what God wants and that is what I want. I can't wait for this journey and I hope you guys will come along for the ride. Maybe by me being honest about stuff will help more people want to follow Him. That is what this blog is gonna be more about when I get back from my fast. I do have one more day before the fast begins so I will write again tomorrow. But till then....

Goodnight and God Bless!!!!

My Meme!!!!

My Meme is the most loving person alive! She would do anything for anyone. I want to have the faith she has. She goes to church whenever the doors are open. The only time she doesn't go is if she is sick. I look up to her so much she doesn't even know it. She has been there for me through everything. I used to go to her house during the summers so I didn't have to stay alone with my sister. lol When my sister and I got into a fight one time I went to Meme's house to cool off. I talk to her about everything. She supports me no matter what happens. I wish everyone had someone like her in their lives. I hope to be like that to other people. I want people to know that I will support them no matter what happens. Unless you kill someone lol then we will have issues. I love having family get togethers at her house. She is the most loving person in the world. So when it's her time to go I'm gonna be heartbroken. You won't hear from me for weeks or maybe months. She is like my bestfriend. I'm not gonna think about that right now because that is sad. So on a brighter note Manny is home so I'm gonna go.
 God Bless!!!!!

My workout!

So it is kinda hard to type right now lol My hands hurt from holding that medicine ball to workout with. I wanted to do more but I could feel my heart beating through my chest. Best to take it slow with the medicine ball I think. I always feel better after I workout even if it isn't for very long. I can see results. The thing I'm looking for is if I'm sore the next day. If I am I know it's working pretty good. I'm so tired now though. I'm just waiting for manny to get home from work. He is a big inspiration for working out. I wish I had the stamina he has. He can push through the pain. I can't. I know I will get there though. Anyway I need to go write in my prayer journal so I will chat with you guys tomorrow!!

     God Bless!!!!

A little bit of this and a little bit of that!

So today I don't really have a topic that I'm going to write about. I might do 2 blogs today. This one though is just the jumbles of my mind. lol 

I really need to get back into working out like I was. I was working out at least twice a day. Now I hardly do 1. I'm still eating healthy and trying to drink more water than pop. I'm still losing weight and inches. So that is still good. I'm not gonna tell you how much I weigh but I will tell you that I've lost almost 20lbs!!! I'm proud of myself. It could be more but it's still a loss! 

I hope I get this job. We could really use this money. I'm also tired of being home all the time. It gets very boring and very lonely. It was ok when my friend Tricia was around cause I had someone to hang out with. She went on the road with her hubby for his work. I don't blame her. They are going to be gone for a month. Which sucks. 

I made some bible verse signs today to hang up in our living room. This is what happens when you don't have the money to buy stuff with bible verses at the christian store. It looks kinda cheap but God knows what is in my heart. Manny and I picked out a lot of verses. I only chose 4 though because I didn't have enough paper. lol We also put up 3 paper signs of some funny church signs. Church signs crack me up. I wish I could be that clever. Someone in my old church used to say that God made me stupid for a reason because if it wouldn't have been for failing trig I wouldn't have found that church. I got baptized for the second time in that church.  I kinda miss that church and then I kinda don't. The way I left was bad but people didn't have to treat me like they did. I still love everyone from that church. I might visit again soon. If they will let me. lol I love my new church though. I'm going to church with my meme and she is a big inspiration to me. I want to be like her in so many ways. Maybe that is what I will write about in my second blog today....my meme!

Anyway thanks for reading the jumbles of my mind!!!!
                      God Bless!!!!

In other news!

So I have a job interview on Saturday and I'm way excited!!! Pray that I get it. Manny and I need the money!!! I think it would be cool to work in a video store! I also hope that I get full time instead of part time. But I'm not gonna turn the job done if it's part time. It's still money coming in. I'll take what I can get!

One thing I need to do is finish college. I don't want to work retail for the rest of my life. All I have to say is rose state college screwed me over lol 


In other news I'm trying to lose weight. It's a hard process but it will be worth it in the end. I will be healthier and just happier!

I'm super excited that I'm fasting next week. I will get closer to God and Manny. My wonderful husband has decided that he is going to fast with me! He is even thinking about starting a blog. That would be awesome. Although I wish more people would read mine. lol Oh well. 

Talk to everyone later!
    God Bless!!!!!

Just some thoughts

As I sit here writing in my prayer journal I realize that God forgives so much. Yet we can't seem to forgive for the small stuff. We all need to learn that if we would just forgive our lives would be so much better. I know that God has forgiven me for so much stuff its crazy. If people knew how much I have messed up then I know a lot of people wouldn't have given me so many chances to change. I'm not going to go into detail but I am far far far away from being perfect. 

God is awesome! I wish more people would let Him in. They don't even know how much better their lives would be. 

Anyways enough ranting for tonight. It's late. lol 
    
  God Bless!!!!

The Fast!!!

So I know I haven't really written anything but for the rest of the week I'm gonna try to write everyday. I say this because next week I'm giving up the internet and tv so that I can pray more, read my bible more, and listen to Christian music! I need to get closer to God! Manny and I are doing the love dare together. I'm excited about it! I also can't wait till Feb. 25th!!!!! We are going to winter jam in Tulsa. I'm so excited because Skillet is the main group and I've always wanted to see them live!!!!!! I'm also taking prayer requests so if you guys need them let me know!!!

  Gotta go finish dinner.
      God Bless!!!!
Listening to Klove online!!!!!

Anything and Everything!

I'm going to try to either write every day or every week. Haven't decided yet! lol I want to use this blog to talk about anything and everything! I'm going to write about what's going on in my life and about God. My husband and I are fixing to start a devo so I will probably write how that is going! But this is all for my first post. 

Don't expect a million dollar answer to a ten cent prayer! I saw that on a church board. 

 God Bless!
   Shannon