shannon

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So far shannon has created 27 blog entries.
13 10, 2016

We Forgive But Seldom Forget

October 13th, 2016|Faith, forgiveness|0 Comments

I was asked recently, at my book party, which of the chapters in my book, “If You’re a Christian and Everyone Likes You…Something’s Wrong” was my favorite. My immediate response was the chapter on forgiveness. Why? Well forgiveness for most people is the hardest thing to do in relationships and I am no exception. My husband has said I spend half of my time asking forgiveness and the other half doing the things I need to ask forgiveness for. It’s not quite that bad, but receiving forgiveness is one of the most liberating feelings in the world, and extending it to others runs a close second. People resist forgiving because they feel that if they do they give up the [...]

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29 09, 2016

When Christians Don’t See Eye to Eye

September 29th, 2016|Faith, forgiveness, Hope, Love|0 Comments

I can’t remember a time in my life where I have experienced the division in our society as a whole, and among the Christian community. What has happened? How did it happen? And what are we going to do about it? I read a Facebook post from a person with whom I used to attend church. I was somewhat surprised, but I have learned not to respond directly on Facebook, but through messenger. We had some differences, and some things we agreed on and after a lengthy exchange he said, “I really appreciate that we can have a civil conversation about this. Thank you.” I enjoyed learning his point of view and he respected mine. We were civil. That seems [...]

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28 09, 2016

Book Launch Party

September 28th, 2016|Events|1 Comment

Many thanks to Jacquie and Michael Cardone for hosting a book launch party for my local friends and family for "If You're a Christian and Everyone Likes You...Something's Wrong." Jacquie Cardone and Sara Michael Cardone and Christin Cardone McClave Sara and Martha Ayers Monica Guaglione, Alana Smith, Sara and Christopher Smith Lisa Bello James, Lisa Halteman Meyer and Christin Cardone McClave Kristin Kane Ford and Sara Heather Gallagher, Betsy Nelson, Isabel Lally and Lucy Tascone Terry and Ed Doyle The Hugo Family Jan and Chris Abbott, Bill Dorman III and Charlene Drake Amy McCullough and Sara Sara, [...]

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15 09, 2016

A Journey of Silence

September 15th, 2016|Faith, Reflection|0 Comments

I wanted to share with you a journey a friend of mine, Canadian broadcaster Drew Marshall, is taking this fall, The Camino De Santiago also known by The Way of St James. For over a thousand years millions have taken this pilgrimage as a form of spiritual growth. To make things more interesting Drew has decided to take this journey in a vow of silence. You can follow his journey on his blog, Camino Confessions, here. Drew Marshall and I became friends 10+ years ago when he interviewed me about my first 2 books. Drew has the most listened to Christian talk show in all of Canada. There are some people that we just seem to naturally connect with and [...]

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1 09, 2016

“He leads me beside still waters.” Psalm 23

September 1st, 2016|Reflection|0 Comments

For those people who know me, what I am about to say will be received with a certain degree of disbelief. I went to the Jersey shore for two days to visit with two girlfriends from boarding school. The issue of disbelief comes when I tell you that I sat on the deck of my friend’s home for 10 hours, with occasional food and bathroom trips. That means I sat still, talking, laughing, eating and drinking (no alcohol) for what would be considered by most as a long time. As I reflected on this time, I realized what a privilege and necessity being still and quiet is. It just so happened that this was the “day of rest”, Sunday. God [...]

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29 08, 2016

It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times

August 29th, 2016|Faith|0 Comments

This is from Dickens “A Tale of Two Cities”, but I am applying it to the “Tale of Two Countries”. Not since the Civil War of the Vietnam War has a country been so divided. During the Civil War it was over the issue of slavery and during Vietnam the “rightness” of the war. Today the country is divided because we are faced with two people vying for the job of President that no one seems to like or trust. On the face of it that seems rather ridiculous at best..."My candidate is bad but is less bad than yours.” That’s the issue…which of the two evils is less evil? As we draw ever closer to the elections that many [...]

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17 08, 2016

Anti-Social Media

August 17th, 2016|Love|0 Comments

I have often said the reason I enjoy the social media posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. is that I can know what is going on in the lives of my friends and family without very little effort. And that is true. But like any good thing, it is eventually going to be abused and misused. There are cases of young people being bullied to the point of suicide, divorces as a result of the rekindling of long, lost loves, and general harassment for no particular reason. It’s easy to talk and be tough as we hide behind a keyboard. People who fear their own shadow become Attila the Hun with a computer. What is wrong? Wouldn’t be just as [...]

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11 08, 2016

Who’s Your Daddy?

August 11th, 2016|Adoption|0 Comments

As an advocate and champion of adoption, the comments made by Al Trautwig during the Olympics prove yet again the lack of understanding the public had regarding adoption. The gymnast, Simone Biles, was adopted by her maternal grandparents because her biological parents were unable to care for her. The first job of a parent is to protect and care for the life you have been given by God. Failing to do this disqualifies you as a parent. So her maternal grandparents stepped up and protected and cared for her…therefore they qualify as her parents, in the eyes of the court as well as in the eyes of anyone paying attention, except Al Trautwig. Apparently he believes possessing a sperm and [...]

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4 08, 2016

Collision Course

August 4th, 2016|Faith|0 Comments

Quite a few years ago I was given the privilege of hearing a man named Ben Haden speak. I was not aware of the privilege it was at the time since I had yet to make a commitment to Christ. Yesterday I received, from a dear friend of mine and his, a book entitled “One on One: A Minute with Ben Haden.” This weeks blog post is from him. If you had to be perfectly frank, would you say that as a nation and as individuals---we’re on a collision course? You must have heard it because it’s been quoted for decades. It’s a lesson from history! The pattern has always been the same—from bondage to spiritual faith—from spiritual faith to [...]

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28 07, 2016

The Change We Want to See

July 28th, 2016|Hope, Love|1 Comment

A few years ago I returned from the Haggai Institute with a burning desire to change the world. This happens to me a lot and sometimes I actually put all of that energy into something life changing. The past few weeks have been dominated by the Republican and Democratic conventions, both promising immediate changes for the betterment of our country. When I return from something like the Haggai Institute or something that affects me in a way I have a desire to make change I often have to catch my breath and see that change is seldom instant, but one slow, often very slow step at a time. I know this from my own life and the changes I have [...]

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