Discipline Over Control February 8, 2010

For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. – 2 Tim 1:7

I’ve always been interested in studies, scripture, quotes, lessons, etc, involving self-control and self-discipline.  Probably because it’s something I aspire to have, struggle to obtain, abuse once I’ve got it, and am aware only truly comes from Him.

Until lately, I’ve always used ‘control’ and ‘discipline’ interchangeably.  Like in the verse above (one of my favs), different translations use ‘self-control’ or ‘self-discipline’.  Same with the fruit of the Spirit – we typically see the last of nine described as self-control, but I’ve seen discipline as well.  But I believe there is a valuable difference between the two.

Control: verb – to exercise restraint or direction over; dominate; command. noun – the situation of being under the regulation, domination, or command of another
Discipline: verb – to train by instruction and exercise; drill. noun – activity, exercise, or a regimen that develops or improves a skill; training

One hinders growth by domination, and one promotes development through instruction.  One restrains and one trains.

So often I seek self-control, which really just turns into my trying to control myself and things around me.  I end up feeling defeated and discouraged, right back where I started.  Yet God has been showing me His purpose in discipline: to teach and to allow me to develop, mature, and train for what He has in store.  So rather than trying to take action and be in control, I’m finding discipline to be more of an intentional mindset in application.

Just something to think about . . . hope your week is going well so far!

Awareness > Accountability > Change February 3, 2010

Recently in a meeting, I heard a very true statement: ‘Awareness doesn’t create change.  Accountability actually supports the change.’ (or something along those lines )

That really just made me think.  Whatever it is we’d like to change about our society, about each other, or about ourselves, I honestly don’t think we’re lacking in awareness.  We are all well-educated and intelligent people who are pretty aware of what needs to change, how we can improve, and why.  It’s actually making the change that’s challenging.

An easy example is taking care of our bodies.  I honestly don’t believe any of us are ignorant of what is good and what is bad to consume.  Nor are we ignorant of the need for activity.  But what I’m afraid is holding us back to making the necessary changes is that we are trying to do it all ourselves and don’t have the accountability to enforce our efforts.

God had definitely blessed me with some awesome accountability, but a huge part of taking advantage of that support in being vulnerable, accepting help, and using this accountability to actually make a change.  Whether it be with taking care of my body, taking hold of my emotions/moods/hormones, trying not to control everything, being intentional about my interactions with others, etc. We have people close to us that will hold us accountable – we just have to ask!  Not to mention that the Holy Spirit is always here to help as well!

Happy Birthday, Honey! January 29, 2010

On Sunday, Gerardo will be turning 27 years old, but we’ve been celebrating his birthday all week!  I get really excited about birthdays and love spoiling him so it’s been fun!  With the crazy weather Oklahoma is having, it looks like I’ll get him all to myself this weekend as well!  I don’t mind!  

Happy Birthday to . . .
* my best friend and better half
* my gift from God who knew exactly what I needed in a mate
* my spiritual leader and head of our family
* my passionate, hard-working, and dedicated future doctor
* an incredible son and brother (as well as son-in-law and brother-in-law)
* an amazing future father (no, we’re not expecting . . . )
* a truly ‘wild at heart’ man and warrior for God
* the sexiest man ever!

YouVersion January 29, 2010

Just wanted to make sure you all are aware of YouVersion, an interactive online Bible.  You can create a profile and journal along while you read, share additional comments to scripture, read contributions from other readers, and access all kinds of translations, including other languages.  Check it out: http://www.youversion.com/

YouVersion is also a free app for the iPhone that allows you to access the full Bible from your phone as well as Twitter verses, bookmark your favorites, and even access the message notes of those churches that participate.

One of the coolest additions to YouVersion are the online reading plans.  You can pick from any of those available, and it’ll take you through the Bible as you desire.  http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/all

Technology at it’s finest in my opinion!

Only He Knows January 25, 2010

Sometimes I just have to laugh to myself when I think about my day at work. If you would have told me that I would someday be working for a corporation whose main customer (and employee-base) is the Department of Defense, I would have thought that to be highly unlikely. Or that I’ve drive across the city each day to the foreign land of Midwest City, I’d say that was a long trip growing up. Or that our business would be centered around aviation and planes, I would have said my only experience is going to the Air Show with my grandpa. Or that I’d spend my days communicating with men about going to work in Saudi Arabia to work on AWACS and C-130s, I would have said ‘huh?’ and then ‘you’re crazy’. Not to mention that I now know how to obtain a work visa for Saudi Arabia, know what a form DD214 is, know the time difference between here and the Philippines, and email back and forth regarding business with men whose culture requires an all-male workforce.

But what’s even crazier to me, is how at the end of the day, I like being able to interact with and help such a unique pool of applicants and actually get excited seeing a plane take off or learning about an aircraft’s purpose and history.

Despite my time at Boeing being one of the most challenging seasons personally, it has been a blessing in ways I wouldn’t even have imagined. It’s still a typical job that can be wearing and requires me to sit in a cubicle all day. But I’ve definitely been forced to grow up and function in the ‘real-world’ and have been able to lead a variety of organizations and events that are close to my heart. And God has been teaching more than I honestly would like to know! Good thing only He knows what’s best!

So if you’re in a season when you really aren’t sure what He’s doing or what His purpose is . . . hang on . . . He’s got it all under His control.

2010 Grammy Nominees CD January 20, 2010

Getting the latest Grammy Nominees CD has become a fun tradition for the Shinn family.  Each year’s CD is always full of great songs, but I’m super pumped about this year’s!  Can’t beat BEP, Lady Antebellum, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Kings of Leon, and Sugarland all on one CD!

2010 Grammy Nominees CD
I Gotta Feeling – The Black Eyed Peas
Poker Face – Lady Gaga
Use Somebody – Kings of Leon
You & Me – Dave Matthews Band
You Belong To Me – Taylor Swift
Fallin’ For You – Colbie Calliat
You Found Me – The  Fray
Sober – Pink
My Life Would Suck Without You – Kelly Clarkson
Hot N Cold – Katy Perry
Halo – Beyonce
Hometown Glory – Adele
Chicken Fried – Zac Brown Band
It Happens – Sugarland
I Run To You – Lady Antebellum
Here Comes Goodbye – Rascal Flatts
21 Guns – Green Day
Life in Technicolor II – Coldplay
I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight – U2
Can’t Find My Way Home – Eric Clapton/Steve Winwood

A Harsh Reality Check . . . Actually An Eternity Check! ;) January 19, 2010

More Captivating wisdom . . .

So I’ve shared some posts about what God’s been teaching me about Beauty. But an important aspect of this Beauty (that all women possess) is how Satan really can’t stand it! I realize we all have different views when it comes to spiritual warfare, but I see it alive and well in this world and in our own lives. Scriptures tells of the Enemy’s descent and how his beauty and pride got to his head. He’s still very angry about it . . .

‘Satan fell because of his beauty. Now his heart for revenge is to assault beauty. He destroys it in the natural world wherever he can. He wreaks destruction on the glory of God in the earth like a psychopath committed to destroying great works of art.’

So let’s apply this to women . . .

‘She is the incarnation of the Beauty of God. More than anything else in all creation, she embodies the glory of God. She allures the world to God. Satan hates it with a jealousy we can only imagine.’

‘And there is more. The Evil One also hates woman because she gives life. Women give birth, not men. Women nourish life. And they also bring life into the world soul-fully, relationally, spiritually – in everything they touch.’

‘Put those two together – Eve incarnates the Beauty of God and she gives life to the world. Satan’s bitter heart cannot bear it. He assaults her with a special hatred.’

So . . . Satan wants to attack our beauty and life-giving qualities. But add to that the fact that we have been given power and influence as well. (Remember the Garden of Eden?) The Enemy also uses this influence, along with our beauty, to attack men . . . (read Proverbs and see how many times it refers to the adulterous woman)

You might think I’m a little extreme . . . but I’d rather we all take our roles too seriously than too casually. If I had to put it simply, let’s reveal beauty and nourish life and surrender our power of influence to His purposes . . . daily!

Katie’s Baked Pineapple Delight January 18, 2010

Ya’ll are gonna have to trust me on this one.  I realize this recipe calls for pineapples and cheese, but it is yummy!  Katie, my amazing sister-in-law, fixed this for our family, and we all enjoyed it. Then tonight I made it as part of Gerardo’s and my dinner.  Try it! 

20 oz can of pineapple chunks (with some of the juice)
3 tablespoons flour
½ cup sugar or splenda
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 package saltine crackers
¼ cup butter

I used Katie’s method of not really measuring out all the ingredients but just getting a good mixture by approximating. Combine the pineapples, juice, flour, sugar, and cheese in a baking dish or pan.  Then top with the crushed crackers and melted butter.  Bake at 350 for about 20-30 minutes.

In the World, Not of the World January 17, 2010

Living in the world but not of the world is one of our toughest challenges I believe.  It’s human nature to ‘fit in’ to all that is around us, and the American culture definitely doesn’t help!  Worldly beauty vs. eternal beauty is just one of the many examples!

Some ‘hot topics’ on my mind lately are relevant to our lives and our culture yet definitely require His wisdom on how to handle.  The healthcare industry, for example, is most likely about to face some major changes. These changes are going to impact us all, but for Gerardo and I, it’s not just our healthcare but his purpose, passion, and career.  We definitely don’t agree with some of the changes being proposed, but at the same time, we’re faced with living in this world and seeking His purpose, even if we don’t agree with our government’s purpose.  Also, I’m still reading Sarah Palin’s book and really enjoying it. I find her inspiring and admirable.  I see a lot of the challenges she has faced and positive efforts she has made, all while trying to live in the political world but not of the political world. Makes me laugh also to think that restaurants, liquor stores, etc., all have less customers this time of year.  As part of the worldly American culture, we indulge all holiday season, spending more than we should and eating more than we should, so that when it’s ‘New Year’s Resolution’ time, we all have to drastically cut back.  Living in the world but not of the world is tough!

Thankfully, God gives us direction . . .

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. – Ephesians 5:15-17

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2

One thing that really impacted Gerardo and I was reading a Proverbs a day.  It allows you to realign your day towards God, and those verses really provide a lot of insight in regards to what is wise, from an eternal perspective.

I pray that we all can simplify our lives, focus on Him, seek His wisdom in every decision, appreciate the blessings around us yet not seek our value from them, put relationships before being perfect or busy, and live in this world but not of this world!   Have a wonderful week!

Romans 12 . . . Awesome! January 12, 2010

Place Your Life Before God
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.
Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.
In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t.
If you preach, just preach God’s Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don’t take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don’t get bossy; if you’re put in charge, don’t manipulate; if you’re called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don’t let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them.
Keep a smile on your face. Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up.
Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody. Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.” Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.