So I after a five year lay off.....

After a five year lay off I have decided I am going to start blogging again.  Maybe it is just because I now have more time.  Maybe it is because I just want to write. Maybe I just want an avenue to let things out or to just share.  I am hoping this will be a benefit to others as well as myself.  Blessings and Peace!

Because Jesus is LORD!
Shannon

Work, Blogger mess ups, Stitches and George Foreman!

It is hard to believe it has been over a month since my last post. I know some of you are probably getting use to waiting, sorry! So much has happened in the last month that I am not sure where to start. My ministry here in Van Alstyne continues to go well. We are working on some upgrades to our facility and cannot wait to have that completed. It is a little slow right now but hopefully will pick up steam. We blacktopped the front half of the parking area to make a designated parking lot and it looks good. I think it makes the building look better! Anyway, last Sunday I started preaching through the book of James on Sunday mornings. James is such a powerful book about practical Christianity. I hope the congregation will be blessed the way I have in preparing for the lessons. We are slowly making our way through Matthew in Bible class on Sunday and the life of Moses on Wednesday. Going slow is not bad, I enjoy going through studies slowly to make sure we really understand what the author is saying.

Right now my life is so hectic with work, kids, family and school. I think I passed myself three times last week !
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Some of you may have noticed that Danna is posting as Shannon these days. That's because we both updated to the new blogger and the system tied us together because of our email address. We only have one email. So until I figure out how to get it fixed, we will post together. Hey, a couple who blogs together stays together!!
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"Crash" aka Brennen received his first set of stitches last Wednesday. He fell on his "Bob the Builder" figure and the brim of Bob's hat punctured his right eyebrow. I couldn't believe how sharp the hat was. I ran my thumb across it and it cut my thumb! He got two stitches and is doing fine now. They never slowed him down. When Danna brought him over to the building after his doctor visit he took off running through the building like nothing happened.
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Last night I got to meet George Foreman. He was at Mardel in Plano. He is such a nice guy! He is exactly like he is on his television commercials: fun loving and always smiling. We had our picture taken with him and then he told me"You are going to have your hands full with the boys when Bonnie gets older because she was a cutie!" He is right. Man I cannot tell you how awesome it was to meet him.

Danna's Dad is having surgery Friday. He has a cancerous mass on his colon and they will remove the mass Friday morning at 9:30 am. Please keep E.W. in your prayers and pray for Sue as well. I know God is watching out for him.
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I think that's about it for now. I am behind on my blogs and everything else! Blog you next month!!! (I say that laughing because we all know it is probably true, but I really will try to blog before June 30th.) I love you guys!

Busy, Busy, Busy

The last few weeks have been extremely busy for me. After attending the Tulsa workshop, I put all my focus toward school, the two retreats I was asked to speak at, and finishing my CSI sermon series. I am so looking forward to the end of this month as school will be out for a couple of weeks and I will be finished with my speaking engagements.

Last weekend I spoke in Pottsboro at the Meadow View Church's youth retreat! The topic I was given was "Can you hear me know?" Hearing and listening to God's voice. What a great weekend it was. The Youth deacon told me Sunday afternoon the group said it was the best retreat they had been on. I told him it wasn't me. It was God allowing me to be His instrument. However, I am a little wiped out right now! But there is no time to rest I will leave a week from Friday for Idaho to speak over the weekend at the Idaho Falls Church. They do a youth rally every year and I have been blessed with the opportunity to speak that weekend. I would ask that you keep me in your prayers and ask God to keep me out of the way and just use me as His instrument!

I have to say I am just speechless in regard to the events that took place yesterday at Virgina Tech. I just have no words. How anyone could wake up one morning and decide to take lives is beyond me. At the same time though as I listen to how the shooter is described my heart breaks for him. He is described as a loner and they are struggling to find information about him. My heart breaks because no one should be alone in this life. I wonder how different yesterdays events would have been different if he had someone to talk with. Someone to help him. My heart breaks because I know my Jesus would have been there for him. He would have helped! My heart goes out to the families and students. May God grant them the peace and comfort that only He can provide.

My Latest Scribble

It has been a while since my last update but I have been extremely busy. Since my last update I have been to Lubbock and back for a great class on 1 and 2 Kings, to Mesquite on a couple of occasions to check on family, Idabel, Oklahoma for a camp board meeting and am now preparing for my trip to Tulsa next week. All this driving, not to mention my normal stuff, is driving me crazy and wearing me out! I am looking forward to Tulsa next week and cannot wait for the workshop. I am looking forward to seeing all my friends and hearing some great speakers. However, I am disappointed that the Wiginton’s will not be there! Melanie, even though it is not on my diet, I will eat a funnel cake and Philly Cheese steak for you! Love you guys!

My ministry here in Van Alstyne is going great! God continues to bless us with visitors and opportunities to bless this community. This week we have been reaching out to a family who lost their two-year-old son on Sunday. We have been visiting with them, taking them food and lifting them up in prayer. Please remember the family of Michael Church this week. My heart goes out to them during this tremendous loss.

On Sunday I am starting a new Easter series entitled “C.S.I: Cross Scene Investigation.” My plan is to investigate the cross like a crime scene, exploring different aspects surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus. I am really excited about this series, I love preaching about the cross, and pray that it will bless and touch live. We have placed an announcement in the local papers and I am praying that God will bless us with several visitors for the series.

Bonnie and Brennen continue to grow like weeds. Buying clothes is expensive!! Something funny happened this morning as Danna was fixing breakfast. She asked the kids what they wanted for breakfast and Bonnie told her, “I want cereal!” Danna told her, “I’ll get it for you in a second.” Bonnie responded, “That’s okay Mommy, I’m eating your eggs!” I look over and she had moved a chair over to the counter and was standing there eating Danna’s eggs. It was hilarious!! My baby-girl I see myself in her more and more everyday! Maybe she will grow out of it! Please Lord, let her grow out of it!!

"What about these people?"

This is not your typical post. This is my bulletin article for Sunday, but I felt compelled to share it here. I have had a pretty rough day because all I could think about was this article and what it describes. I pray with all my heart that it will stir something inside of you today. No matter where you live, I pray that you will do what I ask at the end. I love you all!

A funny thing happened to me Friday morning as we were driving into Mesquite. I started noticing people, all these people driving the same direction. I didn’t notice the cars, I noticed the people. The young business professional who no doubt was thinking about the stack of papers on her desk that her boss wanted finished yesterday. There was the business executive thinking about his meeting where he will lay out the company’s new proposal. There is the young college student who is hoping not to be late to his class again. Then it hit me and I started thinking much deeper about their lives. She is struggling with her relationship with her family, she hurts and because she is new to the area doesn’t really have anyone to turn to. His marriage is on the rocks, thought about leaving, but there is the kids and he really does love his wife. He searches for meaning, some one to make him feel like he is something. He has struggled in college, he was a straight “A” student but he doesn’t fit in here. They all live in their own little world. They hurt, they need relief, and they are just three of millions of people. I cried right there in the front seat. I couldn’t help it and couldn’t stop. I noticed all these people as we passed and all I could think was “With everything they have on their mind, everything going on in their life. I wonder how many of them know Jesus?” All I could say was," God what about all these people? What will happen to them? Do they know you? Jesus? God, what about these people? Who will reach out to them? Who will save these people?”

Can I tell you again that I have settled for comfortable far to long? I am determined to make this church a life-saving church. We are going to be know for our outreach efforts and commitment to spreading the Gospel. I know I do not want another day like I had on Friday. Invite someone, just one person to come with you next Sunday morning! Brothers and Sisters, let’s go to work! Because Jesus is LORD!

I Love Tuesdays

Tuesday is quickly becoming my favorite day of the week. Danna has class on Tuesday nights and I get the whole evening alone with the kids!!! I love being able to play with them, watch a movie or running after each other through the house. Did I say running? I meant we walk fast through the house, so I don't get in trouble with Danna. I love watching my babies grow and I love getting those precious few hours alone. Danna get to stay with them during the day and it is rare I get that chance. So I LOVE Tuesdays!!!

I thought this picture of Bonnie was cute and wanted to share it. My Mom bought her this chair for Christmas a couple of years ago and she loves to sit in it and read. However, she found something new to do in it. She takes after her Daddy!! (No wise cracks you two and you know who you are!!!!)

Last week President Bush gave the annual "State of the Union" address. I didn't watch it, I never do. I either do not know that it is coming on or I am involved in something else or I might watch it. It did get me to thinking though. The President always gives this address about the state of our country. I wonder how often we consider the state of our union with God.

Considering the President just gave the State of the Union, why don’t we ask ourselves some questions about our lives, our spiritual lives and consider our union with Jesus Christ. How is your relationship with the one you call Master? Have you given every aspect of your life to Him? Are there areas maybe you need to strengthen? I know we are twenty-eight days into the New Year, but take some and examine the relationship you have with Jesus? Resolve to make this year a year of growth and intimacy with the One who loves you more than any other!

It's Official "I'm Goofy!"

I'm sure many of you have wondered for some time or possibly even known it. (Go ahead Liz and Melanie take your shots!) I have often denied it but Bonnie has finally set me straight. Last week as we were coming back from Sherman I was singing the Mickey Mouse clubhouse song with Bonnie and Brennen. When we got to the roll call part Bonnie said, "I'm Minnie." I said "I'm Mickey," and Bonnie said "No, daddy!" Right as I looked at Danna and said, "If she calls me Goofy...," Bonnie says, "Daddy, you're Goofy!" So there you go its official: I'm Goofy!
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We had the opportunity to see a great High School theater production of Beauty and the Beast last Friday night. Jeremy Moore had the lead as the Beast and did a fantastic job. I was very impressed with the whole show with one exception. Jeremy needs to work on that kiss with Belle! I really enjoyed the evening.
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Have you ever wondered why or how God can love you? I wonder about that often! I have often tried so hard to be the man God wants me to be but sometimes I fail. No matter how hard I try or how bad I want to be that man I fall short. I beat myself up over that and ask God "How can you possibly love this?" "How can I possibly be of worth to You?" Then I remember that I am not perfect on my own but through the grace of my Lord Jesus. God does not expect me to be perfect. He does not expect me to always get it right. He expects me to be like His Son! God loves me for me but cannot and will not let me stay that way. He wants me to be like His Son. His love for me does not depend on always getting it right. Its not dependent on my love for Him. The God who needs nothing constantly pursues me in love because that is who He is. His love is not like ours because ours is imperfect, incomplete. God's love is total, perfect and complete. How blessed we are that God can love us like we are but will not let us stay that way. Goofy or not God loves me!
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As for the Jackson household. We are doing great! Danna starts school at Dallas Christian College on the 26th to work on her education degree. I started back yesterday. I am real excited about my current class, "Trends in worship". Then in February I will travel to Lubbock for "Preaching Biblical Genres: 1 and 2 Kings". Bonnie and Brennen continue to grow fast. Brennen is talking a lot more, which is good and bad. We love to hear him talk but hate hearing him tell us "no or leave me alone!" Bonnie continues to remind us that she is a princess. However, she is three. Do I need to say more? Last week she went into the kitchen, grabbed the grapes and brought the to Danna. When Danna told her she could not have any until dinner, Bonnie replied, "But Momma I'm three!" I'm trying something new this year with my Dad. We are both keeping journals. I have heard so many people talk about how it is a blessing to look back through their journal and see how God has worked in their life. I don't want to miss out on that blessing. God has already richly blessed me this year. I look forward to this year and sharing it with you. "Let go and let God!"