Finding Hope in Difficult Times

In times of uncertainty, I invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

If there is anything that is ours to say and do, let’s do it. And for all that isn’t ours, may we trust God with it and pray for those who are in positions to say or do something. May they be willing, and have the courage, to do what’s right, even when it’s hard.

With care and hope,
Shawn

Be still, and know that I am God. - Psalm 46:10

Easter Morning Message

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Thank you, Jesus🙏

Why Following Jesus Changes Everything: Hope, Purpose, and Truth

In this world, there are many people we could follow, but will everyone we follow lead us well?

No.

But there is One who will lead us best, Jesus.

Why?

He truly has our best interest in mind.

He is a leader, not one who stands above the crowd, but one who sits beside His people.

He has all the power of God, yet never uses it for self-gain, only to serve others.

He lived with purpose and gives us our purpose, to love God and love others well.

He didn’t just preach, He walked the talk, all the way to death on a cross.

He is strong, courageous, humble, full of grace, compassion, and care.

He is not concerned with what is seen, but what is unseen, our minds, hearts, and souls.

He speaks truth with love.

He builds others up and leads them well.

He heals, comforts, and redeems, He is our living hope.

He sat with those society cast aside.

He is the bridge to a new way, the way, God’s way.

I could go on and on.

Saying yes to following Jesus is the best decision I have ever made.

Life is not easy, but following Him helps us see life differently, not through our own lens, but through His, through His Word.

His way is upside-down and inside-out. Yet when we choose to walk with Him, we will experience love, peace, joy and life like never before.

If you have not yet chosen to follow Jesus, take a step of faith toward Him. Listen. Learn. Open the Bible. Go to church, especially this Easter weekend, which is the cornerstone of our faith.

Don’t just listen to people, even me. Get to know Jesus for yourself.

And I wholeheartedly trust that, in time, you will choose to follow Him, and His love will transform your heart, mind, and life, just as it has mine.

With love and hope, Shawn

“He is not here; He has risen!”
- Luke 24:6–7

“In His great mercy, He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
- 1 Peter 1:3

The Power of Mentors

I was so excited to run into this great guy yesterday. Don is someone who made a lasting, positive impact on me, and on so many others growing up.

He worked for our town’s Parks and Rec Department as a referee for our basketball games and also ran clinics. His presence, time, and energy were a blessing in my life, and so many others.

Don was a staple in our lives.

Every Saturday morning, our middle school gym was packed with games from 8 a.m. to noon, and Don’s voice filled the space. He wasn’t just making calls, he was correcting us, guiding us. He wasn’t there simply to referee, he was there to help us become better players, and better people.

Don is known for his rough edges. He’s not always polished with his words, and he’s not shy about his tone. But those of us who had the privilege of being coached by him knew his heart, he always had our best interests in mind.

Today, people like Don are still needed, on and off the court.

People who care enough to speak hard truths. People who love us enough to redirect us when we’re heading in the wrong direction. People who are more concerned with who we’re becoming than how comfortable we feel in the moment.

Don didn’t just invest in us on those Saturday mornings. When we reached high school, he showed up at our games. Many of us even became referees ourselves under his guidance on those Saturday mornings.

He was committed to us as players, but more importantly, to us as people.

And he’s still showing up today, now cheering on some of our kids at their games.

I share this with you today to invite you to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

Let’s give thanks for the people in our lives, like Don, who have had the courage to speak the truth in love to us. May we learn from their example, and care about one another enough to speak the truth in love to each other, seeking to build each other up, from the inside out.

Also, may we remain humble enough, no matter our age, to listen when truth is spoken into our lives, trusting that when it comes from someone who cares about us, it is worth leaning in to.

With gratitude and hope,

Shawn

From Cancer Survivor to Wounded Healer: 9 Years of Faith, Healing, and Hope

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Click picture to view video…

9 years ago today I had much of my palate removed to remove the cancerous tumor. I now use an artificial, removable device called an obturator that helps me speak, drink and eat.

One of the blessings from having this invisible wound is the reminder that I am not alone. Everyone has some form of wound they are walking around with, some are visible and some are invisible. Whatever the wound, every person is worthy to be seen, heard and loved.

I share this today as a reminder that it’s okay to have our wounds, our stories. Yet may those stories never define us, but refine us. And may we not have shame about our wounds and may we even consider that the comfort we received from God in our healing is now something we get to pass along to comfort others who are wounded. As Henri Nouwen so beautifully said,

“When our wounds cease to be a source of shame, and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers.”

I share this on this cancersary to invite anyone with visible or invisible wounds to join me to…

pause. breathe. pray.

May we remember we don’t know everyone’s real story on the inside. Yet rather than meeting people on the surface, may we look to bridge hearts with others, with love. Whether we know each other’s story or not, it doesn’t change the fact that we can meet one another in love.

And for those in the healing process, give yourself the grace and space to heal. And for those who are healed and live with the visible or invisible wounds, may we allow God to use our stories to be a source of comfort, hope and healing to others.

With love and hope,
Shawn

the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4