The Story Table

Hello friend! Happy New Year! I’ve got a word of encouragement for you today. It’s one we don’t celebrate nearly as much in the body of Christ as we should, but one I want to be found sharing with anyone who’ll listen.

First, some back story. Yesterday, I had the great pleasure of being with a group of women at my local First Methodist Church here in Lake Providence, LA to wrap up their study of my latest book, “Seizing the Good Life.”

I could use a slew of words and I’d still come up short trying to report how those women blessed me as they recounted their experience with the study. If pressed to choose one word, I’d go with sweet. It was so very sweet.  Before I left, they gifted me with a beautifully wrapped present containing individually sealed letters from the different ladies with their personal thoughts about walking through John together.

I knew I’d be wrecked when I read them later. I was right.

At some point during my remarks and the ensuing Q&A, I reminded the group of Jesus’ words from John 16:27 when He told the disciples that “the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father.”

Hear that. Sit with it. God loves you because you believe He sent Jesus to be the Savior of the World. Can you grasp that? God rejoices because you believe He sent Jesus, His Son, to reconcile us to Him. I asked the girls to celebrate that truth. I’m asking you to do the same.

Follower of Christ, your faith delights your heavenly Father. He is smiling at you.

Yes, you.   

This morning I feasted on some words in John 17 that build on that soul-fortifying truth.

In speaking to His Father, Jesus said these words about his disciples, beginning in verse seven, “They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.”  

If you’ve spent any time at all in the gospels, you might remember that the disciples didn’t get it all right from day one. They didn’t keep the Word flawlessly from the onset. Many times, John records that something happened that “caused them to believe” long after we thought they already believed. Wait. What? Jesus’ inner circle questioned Him, doubted Him, and yes, even denied Him. And here we have Jesus giving a satisfied report to His Father of their mature faith in Him and the message He brought them from God.

Mind you, these are the very men who had only recently confessed to Jesus in John 6:30, “Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God.”

Please note that in praying to His Father and ours, Jesus didn’t include a caveat of all the times the disciples didn’t get it right, didn’t keep His Word, and failed to completely understand that He was speaking the very words of God to them. Oh, no. Jesus, the friend that sticks closer than a brother, simply speaks of those His Father gave Him as having faith in Him and His Words without ever pausing to revisit their past mistakes. We don’t see Jesus sighing and exclaiming, “Well, Father, they finally got it. Better late than never, right?!” Instead, Jesus simply takes joy in their belief in Him and His revelation of God.

That’s good news for this remedial learner who fails to get it right all the time, or even most of the time. Hear me. I’m not rejoicing in or promoting a sloppy grace that papers over our failures. God doesn’t wink at sin. Never has. Never will. It cost Him the life of His Son.  I’m asking us to celebrate the truth that God showers amazing grace on us and then – wonder of wonders— He takes satisfaction in us when we embrace it.  

We’re woefully slow at feasting on this truth.

We’re not good at it because we stay too busy telling ourselves how we’ve missed the mark. We tell ourselves how we’ve fallen short, and all the ways we don’t do enough, pray enough, read enough, and serve enough. The tragic result is that all the ways we tell ourselves we aren’t enough only serve to make us want to hide from the One who is All Sufficient and waiting to transform us and mature us by His Presence through His Word.

On the other hand, believing that we bring God joy coaxes us into the Light where Jesus waits with healing in His wings.

“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves of the stall.”  Malachi 4:2 KJV

Pray with me?

Father God, thank you for showing us that You and Jesus have a shared joy in our faith. Remind us to celebrate this truth. We need Your help because it’s so hard for us to grasp that we could bring You any measure of satisfaction when all we see is our weaknesses and failings. Help us draw nearer, still. Help us wrench our eyes from ourselves and keep them fixed on You, the author and finisher of our faith so that You can do in us what only You can do in us. In the sweet name of Jesus, we pray. Amen

Take care friends, and drop me a note if you’d like. 

Hugs,

P.S. Here’s the Youtube clip of this post. You can also find an audio tape below, or look up The Story Table on your favorite podcast platform. Blessings, y’all. My every intention is to use every avenue available to bring you value. 

Hello friends and family and readers/listeners who feel like friends and family. I realize you may have heard me say that before, but I don’t tire of letting you know that your company on this journey is much appreciated by this wordy girl.

It’s been ages since I dropped a podcast on The Story Table, right? Forgive me. When I left live radio in favor of podcasting from my home here on the banks of Lake Providence, I had every intention of podcasting regularly. That was the plan, this is how it’s going, me popping in regularly for months and then dropping out of the podcast rhythm for every bit as long.  It’s hard to believe I churned out five, yes ma’am, five features a week for close to twenty years. But life is all about seasons and in this one I’m trying to continue answering the call of ministry on my life while keeping up with the challenges of being in the sandwich generation – it’s a real thing.

That said, the podcast has been on my  mind. I have people asking me if I’m going to revisit the Gray family this summer. If you missed that series, I released a novel called Sierra’s Story on this podcast, one episode at a time a couple years ago. You can still find it in the archives!

I thought of telling y’all “Sierra’s Story” as a once and done type of experience, but y’all are making me rethink that. Stay tuned for news…We may be heading back to Providence. That was the name I gave our fictional town. I know, that’s incredibly imaginative isn’t it?

But, enough of that, I want to tell you why I slowed my roll to podcast today! If you haven’t heard me talking about my latest book Seizing the Good Life, well, you aren’t on social with me and you aren’t reading my newsletters. I’m more than a tad excited about it. Granted, I love talking about it period, but I happen to have received some files from the audio book version, AND I have permission from the publisher to share these excerpts with y’all.

Which perfectly delights me because I can let you hear exactly how the book is set up. It’s sorta different, like yours truly.

There are 21 chapters in Seizing the Good Life that correspond to the 21 chapters of John’s gospel. And each of my chapters are broken into three sections. There’s the Dear John opening, where I talk to John in storytelling conversation style–  that is NOT meant to be a séance, friends. That’s not biblical. It’s simply me trying to help us see what it was like when Jesus broke into John’s world so we can better see Him in ours! Then there’s the Dear Reader section, where we get into the Bible Study of the corresponding chapter, and finally, there’s the Dear Jesus section. That’s where I journal a prayer for us to help us implement what we learned in Dear Reader. Got it? Ok? We’re set? Here are samples from those sections. The Seizing the Good Life audio is narrated by yours truly and produced by Oasis Audio. 

You can listen to The Story Table wherever you like to hear your podcasts or click the audio link below. 

Hey friend,

A glory story— that’s what my bestie calls a story that has God fingerprints all over it. This one is about God showing out at the end of this year’s 30 Days of Thankfulness Drive and it has four great takeaways for all of us! You can watch it on Youtube, or listen to The Story Table podcast on your favorite podcasting platform like iTunes or Spotify. And as always, I’m including an audio link below if you want to stay right there.

Merry Christmas! ~Hugs, Shellie

Hello friend, it’s a beautiful evening here on the banks of Lake Providence, LA. The wet weather that’s been hanging over us for a couple weeks now has finally broken. Thank you, Lord! The beloved farmer hasn’t made it in, but when he left at lunch he was hoping they’d be able to find a dry spot to kick #harvest2022 back off again.  We’ll see. Regardless, this family will continue to trust God. One of the greatest helps in present trials is remembering God’s faithfulness to us in the past. So, we’ll continue to do just that.

Right now, I’ve got something else on my mind. I know it’s been a while since I’ve sat down to the Story Table to visit with you, but this isn’t a catch up episode. Oh, no. This one is outside the bounds of anything I generally address with you, and far more important. I’ve become aware of something headed down the pike with the potential to have monumentally dangerous consequences for our kids and grandkids. No exaggeration or storytelling there. I’m bringing it to you, now, in the hopes that you will take action with me. We have until Sept 12 to let our voices be heard.  Let’s chat…

Here’s the link I refer to in the podcast. 

More info at https://childparentrights.org/

Happy November to you! I’m smiling as I type those words because the season of gratitude is upon us and I couldn’t be happier about it. I’m counting my blessings and naming them one by one. High on my list is the good medicine recommended to us in Proverbs 17:22 — LAUGHTER! As you’ve probably heard me say once or ten hundred times if you’ve been a part of this community, life can be hard when it’s good but it’s always better when you’re laughing. 

If you’re reading these words on your podcast platform, you’ll need to go to ShellieT.com to see images

And with that, I’ve got a funny for you. I’ve been on the road speaking since the first of September and I’m this close to wrapping up this travel season. Trust me, back to back to back road trips necessitates finding something to laugh at, and for me, that always included people watching. This next story comes from a recent trip that required several plane trips, a few Ubers, a couple kayak rides, a donkey, and a skateboard before I made it from Lake Providence, La to Burlington, Kansas. That may or may not be a slight exaggeration, but it’s not easy traveling most places from my little corner of the world, which made this scene that much more enjoyable to me!

I was seated at my gate awaiting a flight that weekend when a frazzled mom addressed her kids and asked, “We’re about to board. This is the last time I’m going to ask you. Does anybody need to go to the bathroom? Anybody?!”

Three strangers went to the bathroom, myself included.

I kid you not. Never underestimate the power of a mama. I half expected her to call after us to “Put some paper on the seat, too!” And “Wash your hands”. 

In fact, the whole episode reminded me of my own dear mother, the Queen of Us All. I’ve seen Mama oh, so subtly ask a baby who isn’t wearing socks if “her little feet are cold” and watched a handful of nearby mamas tuck something warm around their wee ones previously bare feet. LOL! That’s. Power. Right. There.

Switching gears a minute, I’ve got a video for you to watch here, and a podcast for you to listen to below or on your favorite platform, like iTunes. The video features my middle granddaughter, Carlisle Mae, and I think she’ll put a smile on your face. She’s a mess. The podcast is a tutorial for living in our troubled times and it was recorded at my home church. It’s a more sober message for sure, but I believe Father God has His hand on it. 

I hope you’re counting your blessings, my friend. Remember, “There is always something to be thankful for!” Now, hit reply and leave me a note if you’d like. I love hearing from you. I’d also be grateful if you would subscribe to my podcast and my Youtube channels and give them a thumbs-up or maybe even a review before you go! A simple button push for you allows me to reach more people with the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. Many, many thanks!

Hugs, Shellie

Surprise! It’s me! I know. Back in May I told you I was taking a hiatus and I’d be back in September. Missed that by about five weeks, didn’t I? All I can tell you is that September was a total blur around here. The beloved farmer has been trying to harvest (amidst ongoing weather challenges) and I’ve been on the road every weekend of September sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. (For the record, we’d like to unsubscribe from the Hurricane Channel. Yes, and thank you!)

My speaking season is still in full swing, and it will be until mid-November. This weekend I’ll be in Hatch, NM. The last couple weeks found me in Oklahoma and Texas. I love what I do, but this Keggie (my grandmother name) does get weary. As I’ve told my sweet man, I’ve asked the Lord to wear me out for His purposes and His glory before I go to heaven, and I can promise you He is doing precisely that. He is nothing if not faithful!

In other news, the release of my upcoming book with Chrys Howard is getting closer! It is all about calling and equipping grandparents to embrace the opportunity to pass their faith to the next generation. If you haven’t preordered, I would love for you to consider it. Preordering does so much to help a book find it’s readers. For starters, it tells bookstores to stock it and the publisher to print enough copies! You can preorder it here:  

I did something else new today! I went LIVE on Youtube from the back porch to capture the video and the audio for the podcast. The audio version will still be on all the podcast platforms like iTunes and Spotify. Just giving you more options, friends. You can catch that video here. In it I took the opportunity to share some craziness I uncovered on my last road trip and to set the record straight on my “staff”. LOL!

Also, I hope you’ll enjoy the inspirational story I have for you about a precious lady I met in my travels. You simply must hear what she has to say about choosing not to be a victim. It’s a message I wish would go far and wide! (Please hit subscribe to that channel while you’re there, and share it if you are so inclined. I’d love to get to 1k so I can go live with y’all from the road when the mood hits me!)

Here are some images of Beverly as a child, at her high school graduation, and then today on her motorcycle!

I appreciate Beverly Millus sharing her story with us and I thank YOU for sharing my porch. May the love of God, the grace of Christ Jesus, and the friendship of the Holy Spirit be yours!

Hugs,

We’re here! The final episode of Sierra’s Story! Unless it isn’t…I know. I know. That sounds cryptic.

Here’s the deal. My intention all along was to leave the Gray family here. However, not only have I been enjoying sharing this story with you over the summer, but many of you are literally threatening me if I don’t do another season with them. If I didn’t know you people better I might go into hiding. You want to know how Elaine and Jim worked through their marriage problems all those years ago. You want to know what’s going to happen with Luke and Lollie. You want more Judy. You want, well, you want answers, to a lot of questions!  So, I just don’t know. All I can tell you at this point is that I’m taking them under advisement. Stay tuned.

In other news, I’ll be taking a break from podcasting throughout the rest of August and coming back strong in September. I hope you’ll be here waiting for me. What I do know, is that the podcast will continue in this new storytelling form. I have a lot of ideas and I’m asking the Good Lord how and when to pursue them. So, don’t go anywhere. If the Good Lord’s willing and the creek doesn’t rise, I’m not. 

And with that, I give you…Sierra’s Story, the final not so final chapter.

Hugs, Shellie

Happy Thursday afternoon to you! Here in northeast Louisiana we’re enjoying an uncharacteristic break in the stifling temps and humidity. It’s much appreciated, too!  Although it occurs to me that this revelation will not help to explain my appearance in the accompanying video. Oh, well, I had something on my heart I wanted to say to y’all face to face, or at least as close to it as we can get. I taped it last night while we were feeding livestock. By the way, I’d love for you to subscribe to my YouTube channel and share this newsletter with your circles! I rarely ask, but I feel the warp speed of time these days and I’d love to talk to as many people as I can about all things Jesus. Of course, I’ll continue to share a little humor and good cooking along the way! Did you try last week’s Mexican Chicken Remake? Talk to me– after you watch the video. LOL! 

If you’re reading these notes on a podcast platform, you’ll likely need to go to ShellieT.com for images and links. 

What did you think? Would you like for me to communicate more that way, or do you prefer reading? Or both?! I’m always trying to serve you as best I can! Talk to me. 

Hugs, Shellie 

In today’s episode of Sierra’s Story, the setting shifts to Colorado where Sierra has gone to seek an expert’s advice on her medical condition. Sonny has followed, sight unseen, if you will. Ruth is trying to figure out how this marriage became so broken and how to help them mend while the twins are home waiting for their parents seemingly inevitable divorce. Only One knows these people start to finish. Will they let Him weigh in?

I had the folks up for lunch today, also known as Papa and The Queen of Us All.  I wanted to see them before the beloved farmer and I pushed off in the morning for a little anniversary get-a-way. This sweet hunk of hard-working man has been my life-long love for 40 years come August 1st, and I still can’t get enough time with him. Thank you, Jesus! You should not read those words and get the idea that life here is or has ever been perfect. We’ve made plenty of mistakes and we’ve seen our share of challenging times. I can, however, attest to the truth that God made man and woman and He blesses the home that submits to Him in all the ups and downs of it. Phil and I hope to keep falling forward together for a long time to come. 

But, about that lunch. I served them my Mexican Chicken Remake along with fresh butter peas, garden salad, and hot toasty bread. It was super yummy, and it reminded me that I had said I’d share that chicken recipe. First the ingredients, and then I’ll walk you through it. 

(If you’re reading these words on a podcast platform, you’ll want to go to ShellieT.com to see the pics.)

Mexican Chicken Remake

Ingredients:

2-3 cups of cooked and shredded chicken (Mine came from a rotisserie bird at the big box store!)

3-4 bell peppers, sliced in bite-sized pieces

1 onion, chopped

2 pats butter

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon crushed garlic

6-8 flour tortillas (I use Tortilla Land. It’s worth it!)

1 can cream of chicken

1 can cream of celery

2 cups whole kernel corn

1 small can chopped black olives

8 ounces grated cheese

*2 cups crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos for topping (this is optional, but I just have to cause them ’cause “mama did”!)

Let’s get going. It all starts with these beauties. We’ll begin by sautéing them along with the chopped onion in a heavy cast iron skillet with a couple pats of butter and olive oil. (Remember, that oil keeps the butter from burning.) 

Once this skillet of veggies is cooked down, (close to charred in my book to get that delicious caramelized flavor), we’ll simply add the shredded chicken, crushed garlic, soups, corn, and black olives. Let this cook on low for now. It will look something like this goodness:

Meanwhile, we’ll grease a large casserole dish. Then we’ll cook our tortillas. You can use a ready-made version if you prefer but I think these deliver so much more flavor. They’re worth it in my book. Just cook them on your griddle, about thirty seconds on each side. I told you 6-8 in the ingredient list because this isn’t rocket science. Make use of what you have. Once they’re cooked, tear them into bite-size pieces and you’ll be ready to layer your dish. (Mama used Doritos all through this dish when I was growing up, and it was delicious, too. I just prefer using the tortillas.) 

Place a layer of the torn tortillas in your dish and spoon a generous portion of the shredded chicken mixture over them. Repeat until you run out of goods! LOL. Top with crushed Doritos (Well, I had to get them in here to pay homage to the Queen!) and your shredded cheese. Bake at 350 until the entire dish is hot and bubbly and the people at your table are banging their plates, whichever comes first!

Note: If you’re going to put this on your website, you should probably take a picture before everyone dives in. Yikes, I forgot!

Enjoy! 

Now, about today’s podcast. In this week’s episode of Sierra’s Story, Sonny is refusing to visit Sierra in the hospital or give her opportunity to explain. Sierra can see what really matters clearer than she ever has in her life, but her physical eyes are still sightless. Upon the advice of her doctor, Sierra is headed to Colorado where her case can be evaluated by an expert. This is not how Sierra dreamed of going to Colorado, but it fits right into the nightmare her life has become.  

Hey friends! I hope life is treating you kindly. This week’s newsletter is going to be brief. That dislocated finger I told y’all about last week turned out to be a bad fracture. I’m endeavoring to type with said finger buddy taped to the next one and enclosed in a hand brace. Tomorrow morning I’ll find out if surgery is required. God is still good. He is always GOOD. He can’t be anything less, but typing is a challenge so I’m going to paste in some freedom thoughts I wrote on social this week along with the show notes and then I’ll need to bid you farewell for now. I wanted to share my recipe for Mexican Chicken with you, but alas, it will have to wait!

What Cubans Know About Freedom

They wave our flag in Cuban streets. The very Stars and Stripes so many in our country despise and disrespect. And why? Why do they see the hope of personal freedom within her shores when so many Americans don’t?

Because they have none.

Because our Cuban neighbors know too well what happens when all power is centralized in one place and government controls every aspect of their lives. They’re living the reality of the Communist Socialist Marxist utopia that failed every single country that has ever succumbed to it and now threatens to take down our own.

Mankind will never create the perfect sinless country because humans have a fallen sin nature. What we can do is to continue to strive for “a more perfect union” without destroying the one we’ve been blessed to inherit and inhabit.

Jesus is our Living Hope. I’m appealing to Him for the future and peace of Cuba and America. Join me.

Hugs,

******SHOWNOTES********

In this week’s episode of Sierra’s Story, the uncertainty of a frightening medical diagnosis brings Sierra surprising clarity but it may be too late to save her family as her relationship with her parents splinters and the twins see Charles and Sonny come to blows.