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Honoring My Wife
This post is an unabashed display of husbandly pride. Forgive me, but I want to honor my amazing wife. She spends herself managing our home and caring for and educating our three children. Like all mothers, she could be doing something else if she wanted to. In Shannon's case it's singing. She has an amazing voice.
Even though she has for the most part laid her singing career aside, God has graciously given her opportunities to contribute her talents to various projects. Most recently, it was on a worship CD inspired by the book The Valley of Vision
If you're not familiar with the book, I highly recommend it. It's a book of Puritan prayers compiled by Arthur Bennett. A few years ago, Sovereign Grace produced an album of songs based on the prayers in the book. Shannon was able to sing three of the songs, including the title song, "Valley of Vision."
So, anyway, this Christmas Shannon was surprised to get a card from a lady in Wales named Elizabeth Clough. She is the daughter of Arthur Bennett. Here are the very kind words she wrote to Shannon:
Dear Shannon, I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU for the beautiful way you sang "In the Valley." Bob [Kauflin] sent me a CD which is based on the Puritan Prayers. It was my father, Arthur Bennett who edited the book and wrote the prayer, "The Valley of Vision." He would have loved your voice and the meaningful way you sang the prayer. So on behalf of the large Bennett clan, thank you in Jesus' name.Mrs. Clough, your letter meant the world to my wife. Sometimes she forgets just what a gift her voice is to all who hear it. Thanks for reminding her. And thanks for giving me this excuse to honor her.
Shannon, you have a beautiful voice. But you also have a beautiful life because of the way you have surrendered it so joyfully to the purpose and priorities of the Savior. Your godliness and passionate pursuit of the Lord is the reason I love and respect you so much.
To everyone else, thanks for putting up with this "mush-fest" of a post. I hope it inspires you to check out The Valley of Vision in book form and CD. You can purchase the book here
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Comments (15)
While sharing that CD with my parents on the way to Christmas with our extended family, those songs in which Shannon sung stood out to them. I remember looking up then who was singing and wondering how she might be related to you.
Actually, I've always favored those songs myself and it was for the "proper" version of the title song that I bought the Valley of Vision CD after hearing it on Asleep in a Storm.
Posted by Josh M | January 31, 2008 3:44 PM
been blessed by ur blog!
could u point me towards some godly viewpoints of Christian existentialism and post-modernism ideas? Or even ur own thoughts.
Posted by john | January 31, 2008 3:56 PM
Josh,
Please don't apologize. I think people need to hear these kinds of praises from spouses to spouses more often!
Posted by Kristi | January 31, 2008 7:36 PM
Mr. Josh, as a single person, thank you(and Ms. Shannon)for the example of your relationship. Your beautiful love story helps me have faith in what God has in store for me.
Posted by Alethea | February 1, 2008 3:50 AM
Hey Josh,
Your wife Shannon is beautiful! She's not only been blessed with a beautiful voice and physical beauty but an inner beauty that you and others who know her must admire.
This post was an honoring tribute to your wife and a wonderful example for your children to see how you feel about their mom!
Posted by Jennifer Partin | February 1, 2008 7:18 AM
Shannen has been blessed with a beautiful voice. As a singer myself, I just love to listen to her and admire her beautiful tone and phrasing in her singing. Of course her being a good mother is much more important than being a good singer and how great that she has chosen to take care of her children over pursue any ambitious career. How sweet for a husband like yourself to post a blog entry in adoration of his wife's vocal quality.
Posted by Christina Greene | February 2, 2008 2:44 AM
I am a ballet teacher in a christian dance studio, and I have used SG songs sung by Shannon many times. I wanted to thank you Shannon for using your voice to sing beautiful annointed songs for and of our savior. My group will be dancing this Saturday at a secular competition, but they will be dancing to "The Precious Blood." I've listened to it hundreds of times as I've choreographed and cleaned up this dance, trying to get it ready to take into the world, as I've listened I've prayed that God will capture sinners hearts with the words of this song. I just wanted to let you know that God is using your voice in yet one more way that you were unaware of. Thank your for your obedience, and your obvious love for the savior that comes through when you sing. And be praying for our competition this weekend, that we will be lights in a dark place! =)
Posted by Noelle | February 5, 2008 11:24 AM
Josh & Shannon, after my reborn in 2003, my mentor introduced your book to me "I kissed dating goodbye". Since then I read the other books that you wrote and visited your blog, plus I have been listening to the CD. You & your family are GREAT! Both of you are beautiful persons sharing God's love. And your kids, wonderful persons too!!! Thank you, thank you for all your sharing & walking along with every other Christian! By the way, I'm from Australia...
Posted by Emily | February 5, 2008 7:37 PM
Hello Josh! I've recommended your books and videos for many years now, but when my friend, Zach, came to me bubbling over with praise for "In the Valley" I never even linked you with the beautiful song! It has really touched Zach's life and is truly a beautiful song of praise for our Amazing God. Thanks for being willing to share your beautiful wife with the rest of us. ;)
Posted by Abigail Joy | February 6, 2008 5:29 PM
Hi, Josh & Shannon. I´m from El Salvador, and I represent a "Entre Nosotras Ministry"(ciaelsalvador.com) I need to contact you by email, but you only explain you fisical address. Could you give any email to explain you our proyect in November 2008? Thank you a lot for your answer.
Bless you.
Posted by Monica Salazar Varela | February 10, 2008 4:22 PM
Hi, Josh & Shannon. I´m from El Salvador, and I represent a "Entre Nosotras Ministry"(ciaelsalvador.com) I need to contact you by email, but you only explain you fisical address. Could you give any email to explain you our proyect in November 2008? Thank you a lot for your answer.
Bless you.
Posted by Monica Salazar Varela | February 10, 2008 4:22 PM
I was wondering who was singing that song. She does have a really great voice. Maybe one day she can have a cd out and I will be the first to buy it :)
Posted by Vicki | February 16, 2008 2:03 PM
Shannon,
i don't know if you read these I was trying to figure out a way to contact you... haha and I think I found it. I just finished Mr. Harris's book "boy meets girl" I was really inspired by it but what was such an awesome encouragement to me was you, It was so refreshing to hear a someone that was seeking to glorify God so strongly in a realationship. And seeing how God honored you in that with given you a Godly husband. And to see that now you seem to understand the high calling of motherhood. You have encourage me so much in all of this. So thanks!
Posted by Marey | April 13, 2008 4:05 PM
Shannon,
i don't know if you read these I was trying to figure out a way to contact you... haha and I think I found it. I just finished Mr. Harris's book "boy meets girl" I was really inspired by it but what was such an awesome encouragement to me was you, It was so refreshing to hear a someone that was seeking to glorify God so strongly in a realationship. And seeing how God honored you in that with given you a Godly husband. And to see that now you seem to understand the high calling of motherhood. You have encourage me so much in all of this. So thanks!
Posted by Marey | April 13, 2008 4:06 PM
Thank you for the beautiful songs Shannon! I really liked the songs that you sang in. However I am not sure if I want the whole CD and I don't MP3. Do you just have a CD for sale? If you don't yet I think that you should!!!
Posted by Michelle | August 29, 2008 1:00 PM