Keeping it Personal with Shannon

About Shannon Milholland

Shannon is a morning runner, an afternoon carpooler and all-day lover of Jesus. She is the author of Jesus & My Orange Juice, a fresh-squeezed oasis for ordinary living. She finds joy among piles of laundry and miles of carpools and delights in leading others to this place of contentment in life. She presents the gift of prayer in her free 30 day prayer guide PrePrayed: Preparing for Life’s Events. She is a frequently published author. Most recently, she was a contributing author to Always There: Reflections for Moms on God's Presence. As a speaker, Shannon is straight forward about her own struggles. She is a compassionate advocate fighting for victory in the life of her audience with a message of hope and encouragement. When not writing or speaking, she enjoys her favorite job of wife to Scott and mom to four daughters from preschool to high school.
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Be Born in Me

December 7, 2012 | By: Shannon Milholland | 14 Comments

If I close my eyes I can still feel the whispers of their feet.

I’ve heard women say they couldn’t sleep for the churning of the life within. In all honesty I didn’t want to. Every kick was evidence a miracle…

…a miracle I didn’t want to miss.

Those same whispers came on the first Christmas in the life of young, unwed Jewish girl. When His life came, hers was transformed.

Jesus was born in her.

As amazing as the moment of the birth of each of my four daughters was, it wasn’t the greatest miracle I’ve ever witnessed. I’ve seen a life transformed – changed from the inside out.

Jesus was born in me.

But my walk with Jesus didn’t start that way. For the first decade I walked with Jesus, I strolled with Him as a casual acquaintance instead of an intimate friend. I wanted to change the outside of me – to manage the part people could see. I placed high value on others’ opinions and did what was necessary to shape those opinions. The fruit of my labor was frustration. I couldn’t change myself from the outside in.

Jesus had to change me from the inside out.

I don’t know what struggle churns within you. But I know every kick can be evidence of a miracle if you let…

Jesus be born in you.

ENJOY this beautiful song, “Be Born in Me” by Francesca Battistelli

{if you received this via email and cannot view the video, click here}

God’s Word – More Than a Basket Case

October 8, 2012 | By: Shannon Milholland | 11 Comments

“I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” Psalm 119:30-32

Piled up like soldiers, a week’s worth of laundry looked up at me from a bin stuffed waist high with clean clothes. No amount of washing, drying and folding moves clothes from bin to drawer. No wonder my younger kids couldn’t find anything to wear this morning.

Sometimes I treat God’s Word like that. I hear it at church. I sing along to it on the radio. I read about it on Wednesday mornings at my study. But…

…none of this moves it into my heart.

Like the endless cycle of laundry, hearing, singing and even reading God’s word is much like washing my clothes and never putting them away. Those clothes don’t become fully mine until they are nestled neatly in my drawers ready to wear. God’s word doesn’t become fully mine until it is nestled neatly in my heart ready to wear.

I need God’s Word to umbrella my head so insults from fair weather friends don’t storm my heart.

I need God’s Word to cover my shoulders so bitterness doesn’t burn me when I carry a heavy load.

I need God’s Word to protect me so I walk in paths that honor God even when temptation flirts with my feet to take a side street.

I need God’s Word to shade my eyes so I see my circumstances through His perspective.

I need God’s Word to be more than a laundry basket companion. I need it in my heart for everyday wear. When I make His Word more than a basket case, well I become a little less of one myself.

Question: What prevents you from becoming a “basket case”? Share your comment by clicking here.

Photo Credit: DAESofOurLives.com {RoyalDaughterDesigns.com}

Crawling Away From the Crowd

September 6, 2012 | By: Shannon Milholland | 20 Comments

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33 One glance at my calendar sent a shiver down my spine. Four kids, five schedules and one mom did not a balanced equation make. I had so much to do I thought I needed a running start … Continue reading →

When Justice and Mercy Require More

August 22, 2012 | By: Shannon Milholland | 10 Comments

"What does the Lord require of you? To seek justice, love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 Memphis is the poorest city in the country. Memphis has the sixth highest infant mortality rate in the country. Memphis is the twelfth most violent metropolitan area in the … Continue reading →

The Evidence of Gentleness

July 18, 2012 | By: Shannon Milholland | 18 Comments

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. - Philippians 4:5 My sheet got caught in the ceiling fan’s wind. As it floated down over me I was transported decades back to a harvest gold home with a gingham pink bedroom. Over and again I would right angle my legs under my covers so … Continue reading →

Pray like it all Depends on Him

July 6, 2012 | By: Shannon Milholland | 16 Comments

“Work like it all depends on you. Pray like it all depends on Him.” - Lysa TerKeurst When God’s still, small voice knocked on my heart to write and speak, I wanted to register for a change of address. I wanted to reside on the other side of town from the stage and spotlight. I hung “not at … Continue reading →

Love Full-Filled

June 13, 2012 | By: Shannon Milholland | 16 Comments

That you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:19 My father was an extremely good financial provider. Intelligent and hard-working, he excelled professionally. But his career achievement often took his time and attention away from home. Long trips and work days left him short on … Continue reading →

But A Whisper

May 15, 2012 | By: Shannon Milholland | 2 Comments

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire … Continue reading →