Beware of cheap imitations...

A few weeks ago, I purchased some store brand dishwashwer detergent. I buy a lot of store brands and thought that it would work the same as the "good stuff" but at a smaller cost. Well...I was wrong. After using the cheap stuff for a week, I noticed that my dishes were getting as strange film on them; their surface texture was rough and dull instead of smooth and shiny. So, I bought the good dishwasher detergent, rewashed all my dishes by hand and then put them in the dishwasher and washed them with the good detergent. They came out clean and shiny. Lesson learned--not all store brands make a good substitue for the original.

So why am I writing this in my blog; well, it got me to thinking (something that my family thinks I do too much of...), how often do we as Christians try to live our lives the quick and cheap way. Instead of taking the time to be still with God, we go for the one-minute devotional or we rattle off a prayer while driving the kids to school. Not that praying while driving is bad, but if that is all the time and effort we put into our relationship with Christ, we are suffering. Our Christian witness to the world around us will become dull. People will not be able to see Christ in us because we are not spending enought time IN THE SON to be able to reflect his holiness. I am reminded of the Old Testament story about when Moses spent time with God and afterward his face shone brightly. We should be shining like the SON so that those around us can see Him reflected in us. We cannot do this by ourselves, we need to spend quality time in God's presence. Go to God and get the good stuff. Cheap imitations will not do!!

Temporary Troubles??

For the past week or so, I have been mulling over a few verses for 2 Corinthians 4. The last three verses: 16-18. God has simply not allowed me to put these verses behind me so there must be a reason I keep being reminded of them.

"Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed every day. " (lets stop here a moment... outwardly, the part the the worlds sees, we are wasting away; yet, inwardly, the part that only God sees, we are being renewed EVERY DAY, even on those days that we may not feel it on the outside or maybe even on the inside. God has promised that he is indeed renewing us.)

OK, lets go on..."For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." (just a minute I am thinking: Who says that my troubles are light?? Who says that they are momentary?? They have been going on for weeks or even years...BUT here is the good news. These temporary troubles that are weighing us down are getting us ready for the Eternal Glory. This is a promise with hope. The Eternal Glory will FAR outweigh any of these temporary troubles...and this is what makes them light. The will not last forever, they are temporary, they are light when compared with the Light of Eternal Glory.)

So how do we get our focus off our temporary troubles? "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal." (We just need to change the location of our focus. We need to fix our eyes on the eternal, the big picture, on Jesus the light of Eternal Glory. Get you eyes off of your temporary troubles, and focus on Jesus, he can handle all your troubles.)

when all you can do is pray

I came to a revelation today. I know this is probably not news to a lot of you, but when your child goes off to college, and she is a thousand miles away, all you can do is pray...

To me this thought was both a reason for panic and a comfort. Let me explain. Every mom and dad throughout history will understand. After 18+ years of watching over and taking care of a child, suddenly, that child is no longer within our reach. We cannot rush to their side and "help" them. All we can do is pray...

But this initial feeling of panic is actually replaced by a feeling of comfort. Because really since the beginning, all we could do was pray. Our child has been in the palm of God's hand since day one. We were just under the illusion that we were there protecting them from the "bad things" that might happen to them. But really it has been God all along watching over them, protecting them, helping them.

So I am reassured that even though all I can do is pray, that will be sufficient because God can do so much more than that, in fact, He has been doing the parent thing for us all along, we just were not as aware of it as we are now that our child does not sleep in our house and eat at our table.

So, I challenge you (and myself) to become more aware of God's presence in our lives and in our children's lives. Lamentations 2:19 says: "Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children." Claim this verse with me; pour out your hearts, lift your hands, and TRUST GOD to take care of your child, family, friend, etc. Change the title of my post to "YOU CAN PRAY"

Bits of news

We attended a block party in Dalhart tonight. Music, food, and people.

Dave's installation as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Dalhart will be next Sunday, Sept. 27. My parents will be here visiting for the weekend. It will be great to show them around.

Vicki spent last weekend in DeMotte with my parents. She was glad for some good home cooked food and some time with family.

We are still getting to know people here and trying to figure out where and how God wants us to serve this community.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers and support. Keep in touch

Shannon

Back to school week

Well both kids are back to school. Vicki and I flew back to Illinois last weekend. She moved into her dorm at Olivet Nazarene Univ. in Kanakaee, IL on Saturday. Craig started school here in Dalhart on Monday. Both seem to be doing well. God is faithful. He always gives us the strength we need for each new day and each new experience that he places in our lives.

Dave is getting settled into the church and getting to know people. We are settled into our house and are so thankful that God has provided for our family in so many wonderful ways.

May God bless you and yours

Shannon

Cake without eggs is dead...

This could also be called REST, part 2. Yesterday, I made a cake, a chocolate cake. To those who know our family. That is the best cake that there is. However, there seemed to be a problem, it didn't rise as much as usual. And when I went to cut and serve it, it fell apart. I wondered what could be wrong, so I checked the egg carton to see if I put in three eggs or if I accidently just put in two. Well, I found out that I didn't put in any eggs at all. And believe me I learned the hard way that you need to put eggs in you cake.

So back to yesterday's post, REST. I obviously need to slow down, take it easy and rest. Because just as my hurrying and scurrying ruined my cake. So will my hurrying and neglecting myself and my time with God cause my life to fall into ruin.

So I am going to try with God's help to get back to focusing on God and his desires for me. I am going to BE STILL...and know that He is God.

Rest

I am sitting here looking at our cat, Sunny, who is sleeping peacefully, and it occurred to me that I need to learn to relax and rest like a cat.

It has been a very busy month with all the packing and moving and unpacking and now all the work of getting all the paperwork and such done. Vicki leaves for college on Wednesday, Craig starts school on Aug 24. My table is buried in a mountain of paperwork. I go to bed at night and lay there thinking of all the things that need to be done. Yet lying in bed thinking does not get things done, it just gets me more anxious.

I need to remember Phil 4:6. Do not be anxious about anythings but in everything with prayer and thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. I need to stop and rest. I need to pray and let go. God has it all under control. So I don't have to worry. Right? I'm still working on that. I know it is true; but is harder to live it out day to day.

Tomorrow is Sunday, a day of rest. I plan to take the day off from my busyness and I pray that you will too.

Come to me all you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest...Matt 11:28

New phone number

Friends, we have a new home phone number 806-884-4102. We may be getting new cell phone numbers in the future. Also, our address is 1818 Chestnut AVE (not Street). But basically the mail will get here either way. Keep in touch.

Shannon

We have arrived

Just wanted to let everyone know that we have arrived safe and sound in Texas. We are in our new house and worshipped at our new church this morning. Our furniture does not arrive until Tuesday. So we are camping out... It's okay though. I will write more later when we have settled in.

Shannon

Sorting and packing

We are busy packing and cleaning and sorting. I think we will be ready by moving day, which is going to be the last week of July. We, once again, want to say thanks to all of our family and friends for all their support and encouragement during this time of transition in our lives. Everything is going well with the house purchase and all that. We are so thankful, God is working it all out.

For those friends who live here, there is going to be a Farewell Cookout on Sunday July 19 at the big park in Fairview at 5 pm. Bring your own meat to cook, grills are provided. We hope to see you there.

Our new address, as of August 1, is 1818 Chestnut, Dalhart, TX 79022
Keep in touch.

Shannon

Another step complete

We now have a house to live in when we move to Texas. We are excited. Just wanted to share the Good News with all of you. Many of you have asked when we are moving. The plan is around the 20th of July.

Love to all,

Shannon

Step by Step

Step By Step
By Rich Mullins

Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You

I will seek You in the morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You'll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days

God brought this song to mind yesterday. That has been the process that God has been leading us through since last fall. Step by step he leads...our job is to learn to walk in HIS ways. Not to run ahead, not to lag behind, not to drag our heels. My prayer for you and for me is that we will learn to follow God's plan for our lives...step by step.

God Bless You,

Shannon

Pack your bags, ya'll, we're headed to Texas!

God has made his plan known to us. The First Presbyterian Church in Dalhart, Texas has offered Dave a call to be their new minister and Dave has accepted. We are currently house shopping and we will probably be moving in late July.

We had a wonderful time with the people from the church this past weekend. We praise God for leading us on this next step in our ministry. We will miss all of our friends here in Illinois but we are confident that God also has a special plan for each of you; a new way or a new place to serve God. Keep seeking, you will find God's path for you.

Will all our love,

Pastor Dave and Shannon

Rainbow

"I will put a rainbow in the sky, and it shall be the sign of my covenant with you." Genesis 9:13

Last night we got into Dalhart about 6 pm and stopped for dinner. It rained while we were in the restaurant. When Dave and I came out of the restaurant, there was a huge rainbow in the sky. Those of you who know us well, know about the way God has sent us a rainbow in every transitional time in our lives, this is really incredible. It is even more amazing because they only get about 15 inches of rain a year here. (I know he have had that in Illinois in the last three months) So for it to be raining, for it to be then sunny and for us to leave the restaurant at the right time to see the rainbow, it just had to be a God thing. God has definitely led us here to Dalhart Texas. Thanks for all your prayers and support. We will keep you posted.

God is so Amazing!!

Shannon

Texas bound, again...

Dave and I are leaving for Texas tomorrow. Dave will be preaching Sunday morning at the First Presbyterian Church in Dalhart, Texas. The church is in a town of approx. 7000 in the northwest corner of the Texas panhandle. Thank you to everyone who is following our blog and who are praying for us. If the church votes to accept Dave as their pastor, we will be searching for a house and moving in the next 8-10 weeks. Please pray for our kids as this transition will be difficult for them as well.

God will never take away something without giving you something better in its place.
"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits and in his Word, I put my HOPE" Psalm 130:5

Blessings, Shannon

On the road again...

It has been a couple of weeks since I have posted. We are now ready to announce the big news. We are going back to Texas on June 7 for Dave to preach in the church in Dalhart. They will take a congregational vote the same day and we will know if this is where God wants us to serve him next. We have already given our affirmative decision so the next step is up to the church memebers and ultimately to God. We are excited and of course, a little nervous but we continue to place it all in God's capable hands.

On another note, Vicki graduates from High School this Friday night. All of her grandparents will be here for the big event. We are excited and happy for her. She plans to go to college at Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, IL this fall.

Trusting God's Timing

"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be Patient! They will not be overdue a single day." Habakkuk 2:3

Why is waiting so hard? Why is it so hard to trust God and believe that he really does have a plan for our lives? And that it is a good plan and that he will bring it to pass in his time and in his way? I think it comes down to the word TRUST. Do we, can we, trust God to do what he says he will do? Do we really, truly, deep down inside believe that he is in control and that everything will work out just the way God wants it to be?

A quote I have hanging by my desk says, "Faith is believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse." I think that faith and trust are closely linked. Without faith that God CAN do what he says, we cannot trust that God WILL do what he promised. We hold on to faith in order to continue to trust.

So, that brings me to what is going on in our lives here at the Smallegans. We are continuing to struggle with the decision of whether to take the call to the church in Texas. We were embraced and welcomed by the people from the church there. We received a good dose of southern hospitality. The people there are looking for a change. They are a dying church and if something is not done, they will have to close their doors. This is something that is exciting. That God could use us to give rebirth to this church. At the same time, it is frightening. The "What if's" start coming up. What if it is too late to save this church? What if the people want to save their church but do not really want to change? What if they close their doors and we are without a church again? What if they cannot take in enough money to pay their bills?

So we stand again between faith and trust. Do we step out in faith and trust God to provide? Do we wait for God to send us another opportunity? We don't know, but thankfully God does. Please continue to pray that his will will be clear to us.

In Christ,

Shannon

deep in the heart of Texas

Got back from Dalhart, Texas at 2:00 this morning. We had a wonderful time although the weather could have been better. We had hail, rain (which they needed), wind, and cold. It was actually 20 degrees warmer in Illinois this weekend than it was in Texas. However, if we could count the warmth from the people we met there, it was definitely nice and warm in Texas this weekend.

We spent the weekend being shown around the town, church, school, and surrounding farm and ranch land. It is a beautiful part of the country and we enjoyed our tour. The church members were very easy to get to know and they were very open about their church and its needs.

We are now in the process of praying and thinking about God's will for Dave's ministry and for our family. There are many things about the church and community that make us believe that we belong there. There are a few things that are a cause for concern. We know that God has a great plan for our lives and we continue to wait on him to show us the way.

May God Bless you Today and always!!
Shannon

Goodbye Nebraska, Hello Texas

We got the news this week that they have chosen to call someone else to the church in Nebraska. Dave and I are actually relieved by this. In fact, it is exactly what we have been praying for. While some things about Nebraska excited us, some things concerned us. We are glad that God has relived us of the burden of deciding yes or no.

So what is next...Dave and I are heading to Texas this week on Thursday for a visit with a church. Dave will preach on Sunday in a neutral church. We will get to meet the church people and get to see the town and church and surrounding area.

Thanks for all your prayers and we will continue to keep you up to date.

Shannon

Celebrating Easter

Celebrating Easter without knowing Jesus is like going to a birthday party for somebody's else's friend or family member. You can sing along, but it's hard to do it with any passion. (quote from "Apoligetix" e-mail)

WOW. Think about the above statement. The only way we can really celebrate Easter is if we know the guest of honor personally. I do. Do You? If not, get to know Jesus personally today.

Happy Easter.

Shannon