The LIGHT Shines in the Darkness - A Thankful Heart - 2014 Reflections & 2015 Looking Forward

The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

This may be a little belated "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year's," but now that your life and e-mail traffic has slowed down, you should be so excited to read the holiday and summer - and the last year's - happenings in Shannon's life down under in Africa. :) 


I am so thankful and give glory to God for all that He has done in my life in 2014. And thank you so much for blessing, encouraging, partnering, and praying with me! I so appreciate hearing from you and knowing you are my support, even from afar. 

It was a Year of Discovery for me, stepping out to face fears and pursue passions, giftings, and new ministries including discipling future world changers, supporting ministries locally and in Zimbabwe, implementing YWAM Muizenberg’s communications, helping in justice and job creation programs, and using intercession, evangelism, writing, and the arts to further His Kingdom. I grew in my relationship with God and in understanding more of who I am in Christ! I sought the Lord for how He created me and desired to use me, and I was aided with training in spiritual leadership, communications, Biblical worldview, and how the Bible is applicable in today’s society.

It has been a difficult and growing journey in South Africa, but I received healing and freedom where I felt broken! Even though I endured physical sickness and questions this year, I went to Jesus even more (I need further healing, so if you would pray for my health issues? Thank you.)

I’ve faced tight times financially. A few times, I said, “Okay, God I’m looking for Your miracles. And I will count each dollar as a miracle.” You know what, He provided! However He nudged you, I thank you! …In 2013, for plane tickets to visit the States and for a new laptop as mine was at the end of its long life. …Each year to pay taxes and to live and minister in South Africa. In 2014, things were tight; He used seemingly random and unexpected gifts from people and church - thank you! So in 2015 I hope to live to bless others MORE, and I will count these miracles for God’s glory!   

There is so much I am looking forward to in 2015! I desire deeper revelation of who God is and who I am in Him – what I learn, I hope to give to others so they may know Him. I’m excited for opportunities to disciple people in their walk with Christ and for people to meet Jesus and to be transformed by Him. 

Because HE is the LIGHT.

He has Overcome.

He Sets People Free.

And WE carry this Light! 

This is what I am overwhelmed with (in a good way) this season! 

May YOU be given fresh revelation of the LIGHT, who is With you, In you, and overflowing From you. 

Here is what I am writing about from the book of John (John 1:1-5, 9, 12-13, 14, 16-17, 29, 32-34) and is represented in the painting (at the top). It's all just so good.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. …to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. …For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ…

The next day he [John the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ...And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

The Best Day of All

~ a children's Christmas story (imagine with illustrations) ~
By Shannon Mintz
December 16, 2011

There were two little girls who attended the same little school.

They were the same age and grade and about the same height.

They liked dolls and princesses and playing on the swings the best.

But they weren’t the same in everything.

They had different personalities and different favorite subjects.

One liked science and the other history.

One had two brothers and the other a little sister.

One had a mommy and daddy and the other, just a mommy.

These two little girls lived in two different neighborhoods

and in two very different homes –

One with handsome presents under a sparkling tree

and yummy smells of dinner filling many rooms.

And the other lived with many people and little space.

The only thing made of a tree was wood for a single chair.

No dinner roasted in the oven for all to feast,

only potatoes awaited – a common fare.

No presents were seen in shining paper,

only one small gift was wrapped in a discarded newspaper.

It was time to get up and time to go to school.

It was the day of the class Christmas party – the best day of all.

The one little girl picked up the newspaper-covered gift,

and her mommy stated, “That is your Christmas gift.”

She quietly replied, “I know, Mommy. I know,”

and confidently walked out the door.

At school the children all gathered around the Christmas tree

and sang Christmas songs. They laughed, and they smiled.

They played fun games and ate too many delicious Christmas cookies.

It was the best day of all.

Then it was time for the gift exchange,

and each child was excited for what gift he or she would receive.

The one little girl waited with her newspaper-wrinkled gift.

Her name was called, and she walked over to the other little girl

from the big and nice-smelling home.

“This is my Christmas gift. I want you to have it,” she simply said.

The other little girl tore at the newspaper

to uncover a small and handmade, patched Teddy bear.

She responded with a smile and a “thank you.”

“I’ve never had one like this before.”

The one little girl with little at home returned the smile –

For today was the best day of all.

That evening the one little girl who had given her little gift away arrived home.

Her mommy asked, “What did you do with your Christmas gift?

 You know, I only had enough money to give you one gift this year.”

“I know, Mommy. I know. But she is my best friend of all…”

Her statement was interrupted by a knock on the door.

And there stood the other little girl with her mommy and daddy.

The other little girl said, “You are the best friend I’ve ever had,

and today you gave me all you had.

Will your family have Christmas dinner with mine?”

And for the other little girl with much at home 

that day became the best day of all.

                                                                                                                                                              

As we are surrounded by Christmas spirit this time of year, Christmas trees and lights and songs and food and – not to be left out – Christmas shopping, extravagance, and wealth, someone asked me if I ever thought about the children who would not get a gift this Christmas? About the parents who couldn’t afford to? 

Many children in the U.S. this year will not receive Christmas gifts, but my thoughts also go to South Africa (where I will be serving) where many children, who live in townships, don’t ever receive a single gift, let alone at Christmas. I read a news story the other day about some generous Americans who are paying off strangers’ lay-aways at K-Mart so that these families experiencing economic difficulties will be blessed this Christmas season. As I thought of what to give to others this Christmas, I reflected on how much I already have, and the wealth of things many of us in America are blessed with. But there are families with little; there are children with nothing – here in the U.S. and around the world. I ask myself, what can I learn from these little girls in the above story – that Christmas goes beyond the getting and even the gifts – to the giving from the heart? So what can I give – because I already have so much – in order to bless others?

What or how can you give – it doesn't have to be Christmas but as a new way of thinking and a new way of living – because you have – to those that have little?  

You can demonstrate hope and love to a child and to a family during this New Year of 2012. Maybe they will be blessed, but just maybe your heart will change a little as a result.