tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12729263167615236292024-03-04T23:23:42.889-05:00The Ravings of A Running Rev.Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comBlogger302125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-3258894927564108332009-11-24T09:14:00.002-05:002009-11-24T09:28:16.235-05:00The Most Wonderful Time Of The YearFrom now till around the end of January is my most favorite time of the year. The almost three months that this time frame encompasses has many great memories, traditions, and special days that I love to reflect on and celebrate. Its also the best time of the year to drink coffee but that's a different blog. <br /><br />Tomorrow, we leave to go experience the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Suiter</span> Family Thanksgiving. This is no small event and is looked forward to throughout the year by my whole extended family. It's more like a family reunion with many of its own long-standing traditions and experiences. It is a time that I really get to connect with my parents, sisters, brother-in-laws, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins, cousin's kids (I think that's all and you get the picture). It is a big event and great fun. I'm really looking forward to it again this year.<br /><br />Then right after Thanksgiving is my birthday and then we quickly move into the Christmas season with all of its wonderful and fun festivities. Then comes New Years Eve and Day and lots of college football. Right after that, we get to celebrate the birth of two of my three children. Anna's birthday is January 6 and Mary's is on the 15<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> (hard to believe that she is almost one!). And then hopefully, intermingled in all those great events are some really cool WV snow days! <br /><br />So yeah, I'm looking forward to this fun stretch for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Suiter</span> family as we wrap up a difficult year and look forward to a new year with hopefully less stress than 2009 presented. Here's to the most wonderful time of the year! Yeah I know the tune that is running through your head right now! :)Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-12169713304134456892009-11-18T15:14:00.003-05:002009-11-18T15:32:23.552-05:00New Words For SinSin used to be called sin and people actually felt bad and convicted about it. Now we have so many new names for sin so that we can keep from feeling bad and convicted. Here are some examples - instead of sin, we now call it a complex, an addiction, a dependency, a mental disorder, a chemical imbalance, an obsession, a phobia, a quirk, an indiscretion, a mis-spoken word, a mistake, etc....<br /><br />I'm not trying to say that none of these other ideas and words don't have their place as far as our present problems go but we have certainly come a long way in making ourselves feel better about our sin by trying to find something other than ourselves to blame it on. Maybe our culture and today's church would both be in a better place if we all still called sin what it is. It is not a complex or any of the other things listed above, it is missing the mark that God has set for our lives and without Jesus, sin keeps us separated from Him. Sin has, is, and always will be sin!!! No culture or word changes will ever change the fact that sin is war against God and keeps people from Him!Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-23501012646093694262009-11-17T10:24:00.003-05:002009-11-17T10:52:20.157-05:00Live Free"Our aim is always to become so free in spirit that it no longer matters whether or not we have the earthly things we crave. So be vigilant over your will and desires, for these are the corrupt forces that dwell within, and keep you from living free." John of the Cross (1542-1591)Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-87250789978310548142009-11-11T11:23:00.002-05:002009-11-11T11:52:00.142-05:00Where Has Respect Gone?I have recently been troubled as I watch our culture slip further and further away from respect. I get more and more upset when I see those my age and younger behave as if no one matters but them - as if no opinion matters but theirs. I want to scream, "REALLY? Do you really thing that you are that important?"<br /><em></em><br /><em>"A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions." Proverbs 18:2</em><br /><em></em><br />I guess I should not expect individuals who do not know Christ to be respectful (although, there was a time in our country when even the lost were respectful) but the new trend that I see that is so disturbing to me is the lack of respect found in those who claim to follow Jesus. I observe people who say with their lips that they desire God and desire to follow Him and yet act with great disrespect to others (authority figures, businesses, the law, peers, other's property, even their own property). They say things to individuals that they have no business saying. They send emails they have no business sending. They show up late for everything screaming, "my time is more important than yours!" They leave trash all over the place when they are 10 feet from a trash can. They talk over others eager to tell their own stories. They never say "please" and "thank you" or "yes sir/ma'am" or "no sir/ma'am". The list could go on and on.<br /><br />Maybe I'm just being old fashioned at 36 years old but I don't think so. If there was ever a time for respect, its now. If there was ever a better time for Christians to be different than the world, its now. And what better way to shine that to be respectful - to put forth a new and different attitude than is prevailing in our culture that says, "Hey, it's not about me".<br /><br />I don't believe a new level of respect would solve all the world's problems but I do believe if Christians were intensely selfless and respectful, it would shine the light of Christ into a very disrespectful and dark world!<br /><br /><em>"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. "</em><br /><em>2 Timothy 3:1-5</em><br /><em></em>Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-91908223731417727182009-11-11T11:18:00.002-05:002009-11-11T11:22:11.269-05:00The Eternal....."God must reveal to us that nothing in this life is truly good, for it is not lasting. And our soul, which is eternal, must stop trying to find its resting place and security in earthly loves and worldly joys. Nothing in this life can offer the secure hope, the limitless love our soul needs - for the earth and all that is in it is passing away, but our soul is eternal....."<br />John of the Cross (1542-1591)Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-50178462606899008332009-11-10T10:18:00.003-05:002009-11-10T10:35:17.683-05:00And I Thought My Life Was HardI just read a brief article detailing how unhappy Micheal Vick is playing for the Philadelphia Eagles. REALLY!!?? Are you serious!!?? I mean after what he has been through, you'd think he be happy that he was just suiting up on Sundays in the NFL. But apparently that and the fact that he is getting paid $1.6 million to suit up just isn't enough for Mr. Vick. <br /><br /> "<em>It would be hard," Vick said of returning to the Eagles (next year), according to excerpts released by NBC. "It would be an everyday struggle. I won't be a Wildcat guy. I can't," Vick told NBC. "It's a different style of play. It's almost like a hit-or-miss type of thing. My position is quarterback. That's what I was born to do."</em><br /><em></em><br />WOW!!!! I can't even begin to imagine how hard things are for poor Mr. Vick. An everyday struggle? Are you serious??? Man I tell you what, things are getting bad in our country when a guy gets out of prison and then goes to work playing a game and gets paid $1.6 million for it and he is still unhappy! That is just sad and crazy. I sure hope Micheal Vick finds what he is looking for. I hope he finds happiness. I hope he finds Jesus!<br /><br />As I read this article and was filled with indignation over his complaining about his situation, I wondered how often I sound like this to God. God has blessed me beyond imagination! He has released me from the prison of sin and death and then given me amazing resources that I don't deserve and placed me in a calling (aka. job) that is wonderful. Then I still find reasons to complain. My whining and moaning to God is probably worse that Micheal Vick's since I have the Truth and the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />I want to take my indignation with Micheal Vick and turn it into humility before my great God. I want to stop moaning and complaining when everything doesn't go exactly like I want it to and praise and thank God more. I think my new slogan is going to be "No Whining!"Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-16229501725072427212009-11-03T11:21:00.002-05:002009-11-03T11:40:46.176-05:00The Fall Of NinevehNineveh was one of the greatest and most wealthy cities of its time and it ruled for centuries. It's sin and wickedness in the form of violence was unparalleled to any other city probably in all of history. The whole story of Nineveh is an intriguing one. I won't go into all the details but I do want to point out one thing that God showed me as I was reading and studying the minor prophet of Nahum this morning. <br /><br />One can get a great view (perspective) of God and His character through the storey of Nineveh. The prophet Jonah was sent to preach judgement upon Nineveh but they repented of their sin and God relented. It's then interesting to note that this repentance must not have lasted very long because God later announces sure judgement upon Nineveh through the prophet Nahum.<br /><br />The thing that I took away from this is that God truly is "slow to anger and abounding in mercy" AND that "He will not withhold judgement forever." This is the perfect picture of the both/and sides of God. He is perfect mercy AND He is perfect judgement. <br /><br />If you are in a time of sin and rebellion, embrace His grace now while He is offering it! There will come a time and maybe soon where His judgement will overtake you. His mercy and grace are great and His judgement is fierce. Choose His grace and love while it may be found so that you do not have to experience the terrible wrath of a Holy God. Seek God today while He may be found (check out Isaiah 55:6-7) and do not turn back to sin and rebellion. <br /><br />P.S. Study the fall of Nineveh. It will scare the you know what out of you!Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-50469873189343335532009-11-02T14:59:00.002-05:002009-11-02T15:02:52.238-05:00Our Temporal FutureI know that God is in control of all things and that we are not to worry about the future. I know that we are to follow Jesus and trust Him in all things. I also know that we are to be students of our culture and our society and protect those that we love and protect innocents so with all that said, watch this clip and answer this question: Scary or no big deal?<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PMe5dOgbu40&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PMe5dOgbu40&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-66312877489189713112009-11-02T11:17:00.002-05:002009-11-02T11:24:12.503-05:00Does Jesus Really Love Me?<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6m3nKtQE6vM&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6m3nKtQE6vM&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Wow! This is such a great word from Brennen Manning! The love of Jesus is bigger, deeper, and more vast than we can ever get our mind around. How would our lives change if we trusted in the love of Jesus Christ and embrace His grace! Man I needed to hear that!Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-30933787229609213972009-11-02T10:40:00.002-05:002009-11-02T11:08:51.098-05:00StephenActs 6 and 7 tell the story of Stephen. The Bible says that he was full of the Holy Spirit. It also says that he was full of grace and power and was performing great wonders and signs among the people. Wow! That sounds awesome doesn't it? If you really want to be used by God, you look at the beginning of Stephen's story and his description and say to yourself, "He was awesome, I want to be like him." Then comes the rest of the story. <br /><br />Stephen was being used by God so much that he stood out and hacked some people off (it was probably jealousy). Then it got worse for Stephen when they tried to argue with him because he spoke with so much Spirit-filled wisdom. So his opponents made up charges against him and brought him before the High Priest and he ended up being executed by stoning as the first Christian martyr.<br /><br />I don't think this jives with our idea of 21st century American Christianity. I think that most of us believe the prosperity gospel. We say with our mouths that we don't believe it, but with our thoughts and attitudes, we do. We think that if God is really with somebody that bad things just won't happen to them. We think that if we have lots of crazy circumstances in our lives and lots of stress, then God must not care about us.<br /><br />Our idea of Christianity is completely backwards of what Jesus and the Bible teach. Jesus said that this story of Stephen would be the norm if we really lived for Him. He said that people would hate us if we took on His name and followed after Him radically. Why do we act so down when things go wrong for us. It ought to be a sign that God is probably with us and the devil is after us and that we are right where we are supposed to be. <br /><br />Where did we ever get this idea that we could be a "good Christian" and everything would always be well with us. We need a revolution in our "Christian" thinking! We need to follow Jesus above all else and let the chips fall where they may. We need to learn to really trust in Him and let go of all our ideas for our lives. We might get rich and live a long time or we might be poor and die a martyrs death in a foreign land. Only God know the plans that He has for us. Let's not pretend that we know that we are supposed to be the ones who live rich and long and lets just trust in Him. I know its much easier said than done, but at least, let's strive to change our thinking about what we "deserve". Let's follow Jesus and leave the rest up to Him.<br /><br /><em>"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."</em> John 16:33Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-77811975084019967142009-10-28T17:27:00.002-04:002009-10-28T17:51:37.206-04:00Favorite Quotes - Part 2"Your view of God is the most important view that you have. To the extent that your view of God is out of focus, your life is out of focus." Gordon Borror<br /><br />I am in great debt to Dr. Borror. He was my worship professor in seminary and it was one of the best classes that I have ever had. Dr. Borror challenged me in the way I viewed God and the way I viewed worship. That class was revolutionary for me and so was this quote which was Dr. Borror's favorite.<br /><br />The truth of this quote has impacted me differently at different times in my life. In seasons of my life where my view of God has been skewed and off, the quote has served as a reminder of the true attributes of God and of His greatness and sovereignty. In the seasons of my life where my view of God was as close to correct as I know, the quote served as a basis to stay where I was in my mind as well as a basis for worship.<br /><br />If your view of God is off right now then your life is off right now too. If you view God is wrong (a cosmic Santa Claus, a cosmic killjoy, a genie in a bottle, etc.) then you will think and act wrong too. <br /><br />Get in the Word of God and get to know who He really is!Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-3373543249476203912009-10-26T10:39:00.002-04:002009-10-26T11:02:46.688-04:00Favorite Quotes - Part 1I thought this week that I would take some of my favorite quotes and write about them. So here goes with favorite quote #1.<br /><br />"You will be the same person you are today five years from now except for the places you go, the books you read, and the people you meet." John Maxwell<br /><br />Do something that expands your horizons, that challenges the way you think, that gets you out of your comfort zone. Allow your small view of life and way of thinking be challenged and expanded by the new.<br /><br />It is so easy to get into a rut. It is so easy to get so wrapped up in our own little world that we can't see beyond ourselves and our little lives. We constantly struggle against this so we constantly need something to stretch us and pull us out of mediocrity. I love this quote because it gives one way to do just that. Pursue and experience the new and do it not for pleasure sake but to aid you in seeing beyond yourself.<br /><br />The three ways, according to this quote, to do this is to read new books, see new places, and meet new people. Seeing new places doesn't require as much time and money as you think and those new places do not have to be beautiful or fun places. Seek out the new to change you. Travel to dirty, poor, and needy places to see how others live and be moved with compassion. Travel and see the different parts of nature in God's amazing creation. Travel and appreciate. <br /><br />Meeting new people is easier for some than it is for others, but the more people you meet and invest in, the more perspectives you will have by which to view life. The more people you meet, the better person you will be if you constantly keep a right perspective of God and people. Meet new people and appreciate them. Allow them to be them and don't ever get prideful because you think you are better.<br /><br />READ new books! This may be the one area that requires the most self-discipline but is at the same time the easiest to do. And this one is huge. Just think, by picking up a book and reading, you can get inside the brains of the greatest theologians, romantics, scientists, poets, preachers, counselors, creative thinkers, and the list goes on and on. Just by reading, you have a world of knowledge, wisdom, insight, and perspective at your fingertips that you would never have in your brain if you chose not to read. If you don't ever read, you will never grow. You will stay small in your thinking. This is probably the most important of the three. You must read if you want to get out and stay out of a rut. You must read if you want to grow. <br /><br />So yeah, expand and grow. Go see some new places (maybe just drive in a new neighborhood that you have never seen), meet some new people (reach out beyond yourself - say "Hi, how's your day going?"), and most definitely read some new books (go get a library card and get started!)! It will change you for the good if you let it!Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-9787748276844102372009-10-19T14:57:00.000-04:002009-10-19T14:58:38.820-04:00Make His Mark"Our mark isn’t worth our life. Living to make my mark is too small a thing to give my life to, but to somehow be positioned in a place where God can work through me is something worth giving my life to." Andy StanleyShane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-67754928997600680202009-10-19T12:08:00.002-04:002009-10-19T12:30:51.604-04:00Accepting That Which I Do Not KNowThe other day, I was taking pictures with the camera on my phone and then emailing them to myself at home so I could use those pictures on my blog. While I was doing this, it occurred to my how crazy amazing technology is. I mean, here I am miles from home, taking pictures of the nature around me and then driving home and when I get back to my computer the pictures that I just took are already there for me to use. Now maybe your brain doesn't work this way but mine really freaks out when I think about it. How in the world does this amazing technology work? Then the next thought on my mind was how many times in a day that I willingly and joyfully use something (phone, computer, Internet, microwave, hot water heaters, car, plumbing, heat, satellite TV, electricity, etc.) that I have no idea how it works. I do so without questioning how or why it works . I just know it works and I use it. All of the inventions that I use to make my life better and easier, I just use without questioning. I don't get mad at them or stop using them because I don't know or can't understand how they work.<br /><br />As I pondered all this, I wondered why I treat God so differently. Why do I question the way He works? Why do I think I have to figure Him out? Why can't I just run to Him and trust Him in everything? Why can't I embrace the truth that I already know? Why can't I just exist in the peace and joy that He brings when I trust? Why do I have to get obstinate at times and demand to know how and why He is who He is? Why does His actions or lack of actions bother me? Isn't God so much more important and trustworthy than my <em>Blackberry?</em><br /><br />"<em>Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. "</em> Isaiah 64:8Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-71201915707828689112009-10-17T15:14:00.002-04:002009-10-17T15:30:31.100-04:00Great Fall Run<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ywxgbq5wOLkFFeZXo4af6YHrqnu2U4eIaEgND4ZuZj_d1Md-3ZIb0i6Z1AWDoBM7NSFtJSi0DiS7ss9_9nNTgOJzz-EPocKo9QsebvCO3DXiJESMD-EQEEPhPuFbZ9AQvPJw845Jvbk/s1600-h/IMG00203.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393653462182694226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ywxgbq5wOLkFFeZXo4af6YHrqnu2U4eIaEgND4ZuZj_d1Md-3ZIb0i6Z1AWDoBM7NSFtJSi0DiS7ss9_9nNTgOJzz-EPocKo9QsebvCO3DXiJESMD-EQEEPhPuFbZ9AQvPJw845Jvbk/s200/IMG00203.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1Doh3voNw3ZmBhrXNwrKJpErZ1FR8UUZT04Zsz5VtwRjoOLRrSCrM4pJTzPTt38hbbu3gIaB35lj5xb0OLT1dOXqKYLE-F-wXOLce0FPcpEqeTbejP3a6A_lP1gXG3D46ZlQJS1BcBU/s1600-h/IMG00205.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393653460945199026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1Doh3voNw3ZmBhrXNwrKJpErZ1FR8UUZT04Zsz5VtwRjoOLRrSCrM4pJTzPTt38hbbu3gIaB35lj5xb0OLT1dOXqKYLE-F-wXOLce0FPcpEqeTbejP3a6A_lP1gXG3D46ZlQJS1BcBU/s200/IMG00205.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszMQV6pj2NCXUTu756rsc4xSEljHuXU061yZgoLIJ3mcB24magvUJeTRzXMWyodBYbrNUaxs-1W3RxKkIDxx44UJBl9m75W7WdCaJpWEw-18-uKpneYKai5U8v1Lxqft6pAI0djQl1qE/s1600-h/IMG00204.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393653449300106498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszMQV6pj2NCXUTu756rsc4xSEljHuXU061yZgoLIJ3mcB24magvUJeTRzXMWyodBYbrNUaxs-1W3RxKkIDxx44UJBl9m75W7WdCaJpWEw-18-uKpneYKai5U8v1Lxqft6pAI0djQl1qE/s200/IMG00204.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqD4s2nZm7qcVtXE5k2rZZVw3oxNUaQrMH19kl_CkCTcRfsMqfT4jbjzw_YELdxm4mwz4ZkoBKI8lYbSHmFIAakBvGKuZIwyeN163_T5BMojtxYtISv4K4-uXtrkUndNhucAW_oj31qsQ/s1600-h/IMG00201.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393653445566026642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqD4s2nZm7qcVtXE5k2rZZVw3oxNUaQrMH19kl_CkCTcRfsMqfT4jbjzw_YELdxm4mwz4ZkoBKI8lYbSHmFIAakBvGKuZIwyeN163_T5BMojtxYtISv4K4-uXtrkUndNhucAW_oj31qsQ/s200/IMG00201.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I just got back from a great fall run. I ran 33:37 and it felt great. I haven't been running much recently and I hate that, but it sure felt good to pound out some miles today. The temperature was around 40 degrees and I'm sure not used to that yet but it was great nonetheless. I set out with just myself and my Zune. I listened to a sermon by Francis Chan. It was a great combination of exercise and the Word of God. The trail was wet and littered with colorful leaves. The scenery itself was beautiful. I love the fall. I am thankful for the ability to run and thankful that I live in such a beautiful place like Morgantown, WV. I put up some pictures of the trail where I get to run and one of me right after my run today. Maybe now, after today's experience, I'll start running more often but I know continued diligence and discipline is still very much required. We'll see! :)</div></div></div></div>Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-63405505107205342482009-10-16T11:40:00.003-04:002009-10-16T11:49:58.456-04:00My "Little" Girl<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoq7mMf32yDAhlETYD5xjPg3EqeQHvQGmbq5slqEFjhVqM3aj7TMUUA8twsDrnA2B8L3dBqkvWuJIT-je-bG8vMVGr9F9rJar17tkiAfSAGpToilV4_jEvXPoQHB0ZA4Yg4z8B0oF_vk/s1600-h/10634_561105942734_70308316_32711284_933960_n.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393225286364381890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoq7mMf32yDAhlETYD5xjPg3EqeQHvQGmbq5slqEFjhVqM3aj7TMUUA8twsDrnA2B8L3dBqkvWuJIT-je-bG8vMVGr9F9rJar17tkiAfSAGpToilV4_jEvXPoQHB0ZA4Yg4z8B0oF_vk/s200/10634_561105942734_70308316_32711284_933960_n.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I know that Brannon is still a little girl. She is only 5 years old, but still; it blows my mind how big she is and how much she can do. She can actually see over the top of the shopping cart now so she can push it around the grocery store without running into things. Becky and I are always amazed at how fast she has and is growing (she is learning to read right now!). I know it is not a new phenomenon and that every parent experiences it but it doesn't make it any less mind blowing to me. It seems like yesterday that she was just a baby or running around in diapers. It just blows my mind how big she is!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Yesterday in the grocery store, Brannon and I were having a conversation about how big she is and about how much she has grown. Right after that she asked me to pick her up and hold her and carry her through the store. I looked down and my "little" girl who has grown so much and I asked her when she was gonna be too big for me to hold. Her answer was so great! She looked up at me and said, "Never!" Needless to say, I picked her up and held her and carried her through the store and I did so with tears in my eyes. I hope she always feels that way! </div>Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-43181556753469845082009-10-13T15:00:00.002-04:002009-10-13T15:21:23.300-04:00Perspective is RealityMaybe you've heard the phrase, "perception is reality" which means that the way that each individual perceives life, that is that person's reality and it affects and often clouds one's ability to relate to others.<br /><br />"Perspective is reality" is my little tweak to this idea. Yesterday, I was having a conversation with a friend and told them of an idea that Becky and I were considering for our family. When I was done, he was looking at me like I had just grown a second head. He then proceeded to insult me and tell me why that idea was a dumb one. Now I was a tad bit offended and wondered why he thought he knew what was best for me and my family and wondered what gave him the right to tell me so. Then it hit me: "perspective is reality"! From his perspective, I'm crazy but from my perspective, everything about my idea makes perfect sense. <br /><br />As I walked away from this conversation, I realized something about perspective, reality, and grace. Most people do not have the same perspective as me and therefore have different ideas about how to live life. We all have different personalities, backgrounds, motivations, sin issues, etc. and we all think we know what is best. The problem comes when we try to impose our perspective on others and give no grace for people to have their own ideas. This could be anything from how we keep our house to our opinion on adoption to where someone wants to live. It could be anything! We have thoughts and opinions on everything which is fine until we think our way is the only way. The world would be a much nicer place to live if we enjoyed our perspective and opinions but kept them to ourselves. It would be even better if in our attitudes and especially our words, we gave others the same freedom that we desire - the freedom to live according to our own perspective.<br /><br />Here is a short side note for all of you out there who love to jump to conclusions. I am not talking about the essentials of the Christian faith or sin issues (although grace in both of these is a much better alternative to a judgemental attitude). I am talking about the everyday things of life that make up our personal preferences. You know, all the things that are no big deal, but we make a big deal of them because everybody is not just like us. Anyway I'm just sayin.......<br /><br />Strive to be a dispenser of grace in all things!Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-40760681198542225332009-10-09T10:48:00.002-04:002009-10-09T11:21:35.631-04:00Marley and MeLast night, Becky and I watched <em>Marley and Me</em>. It was a great movie! It probably ranks up there in my top ten movies of all time. In lots of ways, its a "dog movie" and I am not a dog person at all so one might think that I would not like the movie. But it says so much more about life and relationships than just being a "dog movie". I was so pleasantly surprised that Hollywood produced a movie that romanticised true love, family, and commitment instead of the usual flicks that promote romance, casual sex, and pleasure. <br /><br />The movie had much to say about the hardships and difficulties that come with family, children, and commitment. It didn't sugarcoat the fact that family life especially when starting out isn't all fun and games. It is hard work. Tiredness is a constant and much stress is placed on the marriage relationship. It didn't shy away from the "look at all I've given up" conversation. It showed the hard times but in the end, revealed the product of committed relationships and family. <br /><br />It was such a good time for me to watch <em>Marley and Me</em>. This is the exact stage of life that I am in and it is very difficult. Having three children under the age of six is constant work in addition to trying to carry out another "job" as well (parenting is the hardest "job" you will ever experience). You can't ever clock out from being a parent or a spouse and the issues are non-stop. Even having enough milk in the house is a constant battle at the cereal loving Suiter house and that is a VERY small thing. Mary was born at the beginning of 2009 and it has been a very trying and hard year. I never even saw it coming. There have been times when I wondered if I was going to make it but through it all, I realize how incredibly blessed I am! <br /><br />There are still many moments when my frustration level gets very high (like this past week during a wind storm when I was up practically all night with 2 very frightened little girls) but the reality is that I am blown away but the goodness of God. He has blessed me with a wonderful wife and three beautiful little girls. Every time I hold any one of the four of them, I am moved with gratitude and amazed that I get to be Becky's husband and Brannon, Anna, and Mary's daddy. <br /><br />Check out the movie. Its really good, but a small piece of advice for all you young couples out there who don't have children yet: remember when watching the movie that while it doesn't romanticize the wrong things, it still romanticizes things and it takes a lot longer to see your kids past 2nd grade than 115 minutes!<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/brBM7_3ukzg&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/brBM7_3ukzg&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-36024207572076237482009-10-05T12:14:00.003-04:002009-10-05T12:34:39.018-04:00The Pain of DisciplineDiscipline is so hard! It doesn't matter if its self-discipline or discipline imposed as a parent. Both are incredibly difficult though for totally different reasons. But with either one, living by accident is so much easier and doesn't take much thought or intentionality at all. The only problem with living a life with no discipline in it is that the outcome really sucks. The Bible and experience prove the that to be true - that discipline is never pleasant in the moment but in the end produces strong character and integrity.<br /><br />"<em>No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."</em> Hebrews 12:11<br /><br />I hate having to make (force) myself to do something. Being lazy (living by accident) is so much easier but I don't want the life product that laziness and a lack of disciple produces. So I must persevere in my pursuit of self-discipline. This is also majorly true in the lives of the children that God has entrusted to me. I cannot even begin to explain how hard raising kids is and being consistent with what you say to them and consistent in their discipline. It is never fun disciplining my girls and so much easier to ignore their disobedience. But since I love them, I cannot neglect disciplining them. I want them to grow up and be amazing, productive lovers of Jesus Christ. This will never happen if I neglect discipline in their lives.<br /><br />So I must pursue discipline in my life and in my kid's lives if I desire to attain any semblance of what God wants for me and for them.<br /><br />And thanks be to a great and Holy God who loves me enough to discipline me as well. I praise Him that He is the perfect parent.<br /><br /><em>"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."</em> Hebrews 12:5b-6Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-37234620171010876722009-10-05T12:00:00.002-04:002009-10-05T12:14:18.257-04:00My Blogging HiatusSorry I haven't been doing so well on my blog recently. I don't really have any good excuses. I just have been in a different spot recently trying to figure out what God has in store for my life, and ministry as well as some practical things in the life of my family. I have been very introspective and haven't felt like sharing much. I hope to get back to regular blogging this week as God is leading in new directions in my spirit. <br /><br />Oh and maybe, I'll start up blogging about my runs again soon - that is if I ever find the time to run. AHHHHHH!<br /><br />Anyway, thanks for your patience. I hope you have been checking my blog and will continue to do so and keep reading. I will do better about posting in the future.Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-4496208229423769722009-09-22T08:52:00.002-04:002009-09-22T09:13:16.235-04:00Good Friends<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGt7nl4KkOzaahi5P3CACjAGsIOXTSY9ptS4yfqZ6P3Z3QgywXgFQhVF96-L_eAIKKzrVrR34H7bCZU0P_95NxNCb6H7sLi3y7H5Jcf3Aj1TpPiFMr2dvTaJdkXOYRzBrl_asS252MxY/s1600-h/IMG00199.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384274096065670770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGt7nl4KkOzaahi5P3CACjAGsIOXTSY9ptS4yfqZ6P3Z3QgywXgFQhVF96-L_eAIKKzrVrR34H7bCZU0P_95NxNCb6H7sLi3y7H5Jcf3Aj1TpPiFMr2dvTaJdkXOYRzBrl_asS252MxY/s200/IMG00199.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>This past Saturday, I married Brian and Shannon. It was a good ceremony and I am so happy for the couple. I have known Shannon ever since I moved to Morgantown. She was one of the first people I met. Becky and I have been praying for 4 years for her to meet a Christian man that she could spend her life with. We are grateful to God for answering that pray in Brian.</div><div> </div><div>After the wedding, we obviously hung around for the reception. Chris and Linda Haddock were there in attendance and sat at the table with us at the reception. Brannon sat by Chris. Right before the meal was served, I looked across the table, and my oldest daughter was sitting in Chris' lap with her head on his shoulder. I was then overcome with crazy gratitude for the great friends that God has put into our lives. I am so thankful for Brian and Shannon and Chris and Linda and all the other individuals at Crossroads Church who mean so much to the Suiters. I am especially thankful for a man who I completely trust and who my daughter feels so comfortable with that she would put her head on his shoulder. This is a testimony to the character of Chris H. It has nothing to do with the Suiters. It is because of the investment that Chris has put into Brannon that she responds to him like that. I was so thrilled to see it. I am so glad that someone loves me, my wife, and my children so much to invest in us like Chris and Linda have.</div><div> </div><div>Two things quickly came to my mind in this moment:</div><div> </div><div>1) I am blown away with gratitude for the friends that God has put into my life and into my families life (there are more than Chris and Linda and you know who you are - the story is just about Chris and Brannon). We are so fortunate to have so many people care for us like they do. </div><div> </div><div>2) You will only get out of relationships what you put into them. Some people get so upset because they don't have relationships with others or a specific other and they always find a way to blame the "other". But the fault in most relationships that never happen lies with us. Brannon would NEVER have been sitting in Chris' lap with her head on his shoulder if he had not spent some serious time and effort investing in her. If we want great friendships, we must lay our lives down for each other and be willing to give - to sacrifice. Then, and only then, will we have the kind of love and trust that exists when a 5 year old sits in your lap and puts her head on your shoulder. To have a friend, you must first be a friend. Get outside yourself and invest in someone else and you will be surrounded by friends.</div><div> </div><div>Thanks Chris! I love you man!</div><div> </div>Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-74405127639034821852009-09-16T13:12:00.002-04:002009-09-16T13:42:19.601-04:00Living and Serving Like Jesus1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.<br /> 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.<br />14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.<br />John 1:1-3;14<br /><br />3Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.<br /> 12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">another's</span> feet.<br />John 13:3-5;12-14<br /><br />3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.<br /> 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!<br />Philippians 2:3-8<br /><br />I know the idea that Jesus is God and that He came to serve us by dying in place of us because of our sin is a common Christian theme but I was blown away again by the gravity of this truth today. Jesus is GOD! He has always been! He created everything! He sustains everything by His Word! He is infinite! And He took on flesh (hunger, feelings, pain, tiredness, stress, confinement to one place and time)! And He came and served us by becoming obedient to death even death on a cross! This is crazy cool theology! This is crazy cool love!<br /><br />I love Jesus because He first loved me! Thank You Jesus for your unmerited favor, grace, and love!<br /><br />After doing what He did (and being Who He is), He commands us to treat others with the same kind of love that He has for us. This is SO convicting (if you want to read more on the subject, check out Matthew 18:21-35) and quite an undertaking. I believe the world would quickly be changed for the glory of Jesus Christ if His church would truly live out His forgiveness, love, and compassion for others. <br /><br />God has recently been impressing on me how much I need to grow in this area. In the past, I have always viewed my time and energy as belonging to me but God is revealing to me that those things are not mine at all. They are tools to serve and love others and bring glory to God. I have always known this in theory but living it out in practice is another thing but I want to so honor God with my time and energy!Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-38916370156651234462009-09-14T16:29:00.002-04:002009-09-14T16:47:29.154-04:00On Guard"Let us then be on our guard. We live with indwelling sin that is inclined toward insanity, because it is inclined to believe lies that lead to our destruction. When we are feeling the powerful pull of worldly temptation we need to take Paul's exhortation very seriously: '<em>But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called' (1 Timothy 6:11-12)."</em><br /><em></em><br />Jon Bloom<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Exc</span>. Dir. of Desiring God Ministries<br /><br />When I read this statement today in a letter from some stuff from Desiring God Ministries, this part really jumped out at me. I loved the section about how our sin inclines us toward insanity. I think so often we treat sin like its really no big deal but the reality is it leads toward insanity! Jesus said that the flesh profits NOTHING (emphasis obviously mine) and I am reminded of something that I heard recently from a pastor friend of mine. He said that we have no idea how deeply sin has marred us from our original God ordained condition. <br /><br />This is all so true. Sin sucks, but it has such a strong pull on us. We need to be on guard and stand firm. We must stay in the Word and in prayer. That is the only way for apart from Christ, we can do nothing. <br /><br />Stay the course my fellow travellers! Be on guard, watchful and alert! Our enemy is smart and patient. Our path is narrow and fraught with difficulties. Stay close to Jesus! He is our only hope!Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-6211431532691946932009-09-09T11:06:00.002-04:002009-09-09T11:32:58.024-04:00The Place To Be"When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.'" John 11:32<br /><br /><br />I love this verse. It jumped off the page at me this morning as I was reading. Because of recent events in my life and my recent line of thinking, I can totally identify with Mary in this instance. Her brother has just died and she knows Jesus could have done something about it if He had just gotten there sooner. She is upset and from her perspective Jesus has totally let her down. Obviously, she has no idea what is about to take place (Jesus is going to raise her brother from the dead!!), and so she is upset and is laying some, if not all the blame at Jesus' feet. BUT, she is also laying something else at Jesus' feet - herself. Yep, I love this. She is upset with Jesus because of her lack of understanding but she still falls at His feet. Even though she feels like Jesus has let her down, she still recognizes her need to be at His feet.<br /><br />This is SO applicable to my station in life. I have to continually come to grips with the fact that God is infinite and I am not. I think I know best, heck, I usually think I know everything and I continually get upset when God doesn't work everything out exactly like I want it to go. I obviously have a hard time letting go of things and trusting God from time to time but even in my most faithless times, I am like Mary. I recognize that in my times of mistrust and confusion, the best place for me to be is at the feet of Jesus! It's amazing how time at the feet of Jesus brings clarity in the midst of darkness. It helps me recognize that my perspective is so small and limited and that God truly knows best. He is totally trustworthy!<br /><br />It amazes me how often we struggle with the weighty things of life and faith and then continue to move forward or try to figure things out on our own. When we do this, things just get blacker and more confusing. When we finally recognize that the best place to be is at the feet of Jesus, peace always comes. Maybe answers don't always come, but peace does. I'm sure that when Mary got off her knees, she wasn't immediately OK because her circumstances hadn't yet changed but I bet she had a new peace that she hadn't had since her brother had died. Jesus was there and even though there was still confusion, there was now a new peace. <br /><br />This is exactly what I have discovered in the past few weeks. No matter what the source of blackness or confusion, the best place to be is at the feet of Jesus! He can handle all of our struggles, fears, and questions. Nothing is to big for Jesus. The problems are with us. We just have to learn to let go and trust. Yep, the best place to be is at the feet of Jesus trusting in Him.Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1272926316761523629.post-34998784743628686652009-09-01T15:22:00.002-04:002009-09-01T15:25:12.048-04:00Grace in The Church"The church is not a museum for saints but a hospital for sinners"<br /> Morton Kelsey<br /><br /><br />I so long for this to be true of Crossroads Church! May God forgive our self-righteousness as we seek to minister to a city and a world that is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">desperate</span> for the grace and love of Jesus!Shane S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12998843231437823152noreply@blogger.com