In Emptying, We Receive More

Screen Shot 2020-10-09 at 12.05.16 PM.png

“You can’t have more unless you pour out.” - @annvoskamp

More. It seems to be a word associated with happiness and contentment in our culture. Yet what if our perspective around more is skewed.

If this cup of water sits here remaining full, it cannot receive more and the water is never used for its purpose; to nourish our bodies.

Yet when it is emptied, it serves its purpose and will be able to be filled again; being able to serve it purpose again, and again.

The more the cup is emptied the more purpose it can serve, to nourish those who drink from it.

The same is true in our lives.

We can seek to fill our cups and let them sit there. Or we can be like the second option, and when we have a fullness, we can choose to empty ourselves as an expression of love to others; serving our purpose.

In emptying, we are able to receive more.

I share this with you today as a reminder to you, and to me, to...

pause. breathe. pray.

May we be like the second option, and be willing to empty ourselves to serve our purpose in life, to love God through loving others. We can’t give if we are empty, so we need to be sure we are taking time to pour into ourselves so we have a fullness to give from. This doesn’t mean to accumulate more things, but to have a fullness of God’s love in our hearts in which we can give from. When we choose to use our fullness for its purpose, to share it with others, we will experience a true joy and contentment within; as we are living more aligned with who we were made to be💕🙏💕

With love and hope,
Shawn


“but emptied himself”
- Philippians 2:7

Tuesday Night Lights

Screen Shot 2020-10-09 at 12.05.45 PM.png

Tuesday night lights⚾️

Enjoying the moments when the world seems right💝

Live Out Love

Screen Shot 2020-10-09 at 12.04.52 PM.png

May we take a moment to...

pause. breathe. pray.

May we not just talk about being the change we want to see in the world, but may we put love into action. Even the smallest act of love, like Matt’s towards me yesterday, can make a big change in someone’s heart, including our own💕🙏💕

With love and hope,
Shawn

Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
- 1 John 3:18

Tell Someone You're Grateful for Them

Screen Shot 2020-10-09 at 12.04.52 PM.png

Matt: I am grateful you are my Mom.

Me: 😳 Wow, Matt! I am grateful to be your Mom. Where did that come from?!

Matt: My Sun Chips bag told me I needed to tell someone I am grateful for them. You are the only one here, so I had to say it to you.

Me: 😂 🤗

Well, he didn’t have to say anything at all, so I’ll take it!

I invite you all to join me to...

pause. breathe. pray.

Let’s follow Matt’s lead and tell someone today we are grateful for them, even if they aren’t our top choice😉

With love and hope,
Shawn


Thanks @sunchips for encouraging my son to live out love today💝

Give thanks in all circumstances
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Prayer is the Bridge

Screen Shot 2020-10-09 at 12.04.38 PM.png

“Prayer is the bridge between panic and peace” - Unknown

May we...

pause. breathe. pray.

And let the peace of God rule our hearts and minds today.

With love and hope,
Shawn


Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:5-8

Seek the Beauty

Screen Shot 2020-10-09 at 12.04.16 PM.png

May we remember to...

pause. breathe. pray.

And seek the beauty in our day; in our surroundings and in one another.

With love and hope,
Shawn

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. - Psalm 19:1

Our Brokenness is a door to God

Screen Shot 2020-10-09 at 12.04.16 PM.png

I wouldn’t share this if I hadn’t experienced the truth in these words myself. I share this today in case one of you needed to hear them, or be reminded. If so, I invite you to join me to...

pause. breathe. pray.

May we tear down the walls of perfection we have subconsciously built, and humbly admit where we are broken. The aim for perfection creates walls that are a cage for our souls, where there is freedom in the broken, in imperfection, in being the real you, and the real me.

God already knows the real us, and he loves us, in our brokenness. Maybe today is the day we let go of fear, admit our brokenness and take a step towards God.

With love and hope,
Shawn


The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:18

Thy Will Be Done

Screen Shot 2020-10-09 at 12.03.13 PM.png

Do you need to calm your soul this morning? Me too.

Rather than watching the news or scrolling through social media, I am purposefully choosing to fix my eyes on Jesus.

Why?

He is able to calm the storm in our soul.

I invite you to join me to...

pause. breathe. pray.

May we look to Jesus and see how he leads with wisdom, knowledge, humility, courage, truth, integrity, and unwavering character. He was an effective communicator, just, he sits beside those considered outcasts, he walked the walk and was as selfless as they come, to the point of dying for others, including you and me.

Jesus, lead us today. Give us knowledge on how to best reflect your light and love in this messy world, and wisdom to choose a leader who will best reflect your character, and do your will.

With love and hope,
Shawn



Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. - Matthew 6:9-13

Love Each Other Deeply

Screen Shot 2020-10-09 at 12.03.13 PM.png

“May we agree to disagree yet still love one another unconditionally.” - @andy_stanley @northpointcommunitychurch

With love and hope,
Shawn



“Above all, love each other deeply...” - 1 Peter 4:8

Change Can Be A Beautiful Thing

Screen Shot 2020-10-09 at 12.03.13 PM.png

In this season, may we not forget to...

pause. breathe. pray.

And see that change can be a beautiful thing.

With love and hope,
Shawn


“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
- Isaiah 43:18-19