"A person’s life is like grass. Like a flower in the field it flourishes, but when the hot wind blows by, it disappears, and one can no longer even spot the place where it once grew."
Have you ever cherished someone or something? Merriam-Webster Dictionary's definition for the word cherish is, "to feel or show great love for (someone or something); to remember or hold (an idea, belief, etc.) in a deeply felt way. It also means, "to keep or cultivate with care and affection ".
Those are pretty powerful feelings towards a thing or towards a person. I can't say that I hear the word often except maybe in church or perhaps during a wedding ceremony... you know the vows; to love, honor and cherish. But how many of us keep the cherish vow, do we even know what we mean when we say that word?
Instead of cherishing we tend to take for granted. We take for granted that we will always have some thing in our possession or that we will have that special person in our life, but often that's not the case. Life is fragile, relationships probably even moreso, but yet we continue to take it for granted that tomorrow when we wake those same people, those same things, will be part of our life even if we have failed to cherish, to nurture, that relationship. It's actually quite sad and I must admit that I am just as guilty as you in failing to cherish those that are most important in my life. I put off that phone call or that visit because "I'm just too busy" when in reality it's that I haven't made it a priority in my life.
I'm really thankful that God has chosen to cherish me inspite of me, inspite of my lack of nurturing my relationship with him sometimes. Too often I can get myself so busy that I fail to make him the priority he should be in my life. It's during these times that I find that my whole world becomes chaos ridden because my priorities are all messed up. I'm grateful that God loves me inspite of me being a mess because let's face it, I'd just be an even bigger mess!
Today I was able to visit an Uncle who is facing a mighty battle with cancer. I realized that today is the first time I have ever made it a priority to go visit with him. I believe I was probably the first family member outside of my Aunt and her daughters that he met and from that moment he was always kind and thoughtful towards me. As my own mother was coming to the end of her life a number of years ago in Hospice, he came to visit and hugged me and told me it was all going to be ok and he was there if I needed anything. Those weren't empty words... he meant them.
After I left my Aunt and Uncle, I went to the cemetery to do as I do every year and place flowers at my son's grave. I sat there for a while in the quiet of the graveyard and thought about the names on the monuments all around my son's final resting spot. I wondered about the life story of those around him, were they cherished while they were still here on this earth? Did they know how much they were cherished or did their loved ones put off that phone call, that visit, or that note that just said I was thinking about you and you matter to me.
As the new year approaches many new resolutions will be created and lets face it, by mid-January many will already be broken. BUT, my resolution for this year is to slow down and cherish those relationships in my life that matter and reduce the chaos and busy-ness that I've created for myself. I want to be sure to let those I love know that they matter and that if tomorrow the sun rises without them that they knew how much I cared. My priorities have to change starting with making sure that the one in my life that matters most, my creator, my God, takes first seat and that I cherish and not take for granted that he is always faithful and there each and every day for me. I hope from that I will learn to slow down, breathe and cherish the others around me who encourage me, inspire me, correct me and push me to be better than I was the day before.
If tomorrow never comes (hmmm, sounds like a country song), will those in your life know how much you cherished them? Life is too short to live it with regret. Will we allow those we cherish to be like blades of grass that one can no longer even spot the place where it once grew? I pray that 2014 be a year of cherished memories. 2013 was a year of great loss for many including my own family. May the God who cherishes us all continue to provide you comfort and guidance into the new year.
Under His Wings,
Heather
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
I "Heart" You; Psalm 73:26
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Three little words which mean so much. But how often do we see or hear someone say "I Love You" and it's just that... three little words. It was everywhere for a while, that cute I <3 U , just as in the 60s there was the peace sign. All very cute and trendy but when you say those words, how much do you really mean them? You can't speak simply of love, love is greater than mere words.
The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
I don't know about you, but when I think of what these scriptures tell us love is... I realize I've only had one great love in my life and that is the love affair that I have with my savior, Jesus Christ. You see, my flesh and my heart have failed me and others many times but God has always remained constant, strengthening me for whatever I was to face. God never abandons, he never pushes his way in but simply is always there. He is forever faithful. I believe that in our flesh we always have the best of intentions to never fail those we love, but it's in our flesh that we often do. It's in moments of life that we forget what the scripture defines for us as love. It doesn't mean that we don't love... it just means there's a greater love.
The kind of covenantal love that is defined in scripture is called Agape, the unconditional love that God demonstrates for me and for you. He holds nothing back and in return expects nothing. That is the kind of love that we can rest in, trust in and count on above all other love. In this agape love, I know that I will fail and my God is still going to love me... his love is limitless and has no boundaries or conditions, his love never ends.
In recent weeks, I've been witness to this great agape love over and over again, not just from God the Father but through the sweet Holy Spirit that dwells within my church family. We watched Psalm 73:26 in action through a young family in our church. One of the members of our church; his flesh and heart failed, but God was the strength of his heart and his portion forever. His family stayed close to his side alongside a whole host of angels sent down through the LOVE and PRAYERS of the faith-filled. We were able to witness, share in and rejoice as our brother's heartbeat returned to his chest. As I closed my eyes each time to pray for Tony and his family, I simply envisioned the heart (love) of Christ cocooning around the physical heart of him until the point that God became his very heartbeat. God saw beyond that moment when his flesh and heart would fail and became the strength he needed to be with his family again. Their lives, our lives, are forever changed by three little words... I <3 U and one great big miracle. God gave the trendy little symbol I'd seen so many times and turned it around to something greater. He showed his amazing agape love.
God continues to tell us, I <3 U my child. As my pastor often says, "Do you see it?" He doesn't just say those three little words, he delights in them and in you. He wants to share in a great love affair with you, one that will never leave you brokenhearted or feeling alone or abandoned but one where you feel secure and can rest in his care for all of eternity.
Under His Wings,
Heather
Three little words which mean so much. But how often do we see or hear someone say "I Love You" and it's just that... three little words. It was everywhere for a while, that cute I <3 U , just as in the 60s there was the peace sign. All very cute and trendy but when you say those words, how much do you really mean them? You can't speak simply of love, love is greater than mere words.
The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
I don't know about you, but when I think of what these scriptures tell us love is... I realize I've only had one great love in my life and that is the love affair that I have with my savior, Jesus Christ. You see, my flesh and my heart have failed me and others many times but God has always remained constant, strengthening me for whatever I was to face. God never abandons, he never pushes his way in but simply is always there. He is forever faithful. I believe that in our flesh we always have the best of intentions to never fail those we love, but it's in our flesh that we often do. It's in moments of life that we forget what the scripture defines for us as love. It doesn't mean that we don't love... it just means there's a greater love.
The kind of covenantal love that is defined in scripture is called Agape, the unconditional love that God demonstrates for me and for you. He holds nothing back and in return expects nothing. That is the kind of love that we can rest in, trust in and count on above all other love. In this agape love, I know that I will fail and my God is still going to love me... his love is limitless and has no boundaries or conditions, his love never ends.
In recent weeks, I've been witness to this great agape love over and over again, not just from God the Father but through the sweet Holy Spirit that dwells within my church family. We watched Psalm 73:26 in action through a young family in our church. One of the members of our church; his flesh and heart failed, but God was the strength of his heart and his portion forever. His family stayed close to his side alongside a whole host of angels sent down through the LOVE and PRAYERS of the faith-filled. We were able to witness, share in and rejoice as our brother's heartbeat returned to his chest. As I closed my eyes each time to pray for Tony and his family, I simply envisioned the heart (love) of Christ cocooning around the physical heart of him until the point that God became his very heartbeat. God saw beyond that moment when his flesh and heart would fail and became the strength he needed to be with his family again. Their lives, our lives, are forever changed by three little words... I <3 U and one great big miracle. God gave the trendy little symbol I'd seen so many times and turned it around to something greater. He showed his amazing agape love.
God continues to tell us, I <3 U my child. As my pastor often says, "Do you see it?" He doesn't just say those three little words, he delights in them and in you. He wants to share in a great love affair with you, one that will never leave you brokenhearted or feeling alone or abandoned but one where you feel secure and can rest in his care for all of eternity.
Under His Wings,
Heather
Saturday, July 6, 2013
"Watch Out For That Tree!"; Genesis 3:6
"When the Woman saw that the tree looked like good eating and realized what she would get out of it—she’d know everything!—she took and ate the fruit and then gave some to her husband, and he ate." (The Message)
How many of you watched the cartoon or even perhaps the movie, "George of the Jungle"? It was probably one of my favorite shows as a child. That silly George never seemed to learn from past mistakes and continued to do what... fly straight into that tree but somehow always surviving the crash landing and never really seeming to be phased too much by it. When the movie came out, I of course went to see it and sat there shaking my head reflecting on the memories of laughing as a child at the silly antics of George, Ursula, Ape, Shep, etc. All the while thinking... why did I find this show so funny? Perhaps it was because I could relate!
I've actually crashed into a tree before while sledding down a hill, but that's not the kind of tree I'm talking about right now. I'm talking about all those "trees" that I tend to run into that block me from the grace God has to offer. You know those trees like pride, harboring ill feelings towards someone, gossiping, murder (yes, I said murder... words kill someone sometimes more quickly than the physical act itself), idolatry, etc. How many trees has this "George" run into, survived, dusted myself off and got on the next rope only to do it again? Again and again and again... all the while, God continues to hand me the next rope to allow me to try one more time.
I can picture Eve in that beautiful amazing Garden that God gave to her and Adam to rule. She had everything to meet her needs including a perfect mate, the man God called her to walk alongside and share in the splendor God had provided for them. She had it all... but then there was that tree. Eve!, Watch out for that tree!! That tree...that tree that started the generations to come of Know It Alls. Is knowing it all so bad? Hmmm... Hello pride, hello arrogance, hello disobedience, hello ignoring the call and will of God, hello resistance and dishonor.
As adults we don't find the concept of knowing it all as a bad thing. But we do tend to find it annoying and disrespectful when our children and those children around us act like they know it all. It wasn't that God didn't want his children to be educated, but it was his desire to protect his children from the wickedness that could surround them. Often I tell young people to be the age they are, don't try to be 13 when you're only 12... enjoy being 12 and all that it has to offer. 13 will soon arrive and then enjoy being 13. We aren't always ready for the knowledge that we gain, it can change us and not always for the better. There are things I know now that at one point in my life I would not have been emotionally, mentally, physically or spiritually prepared for. God knows what he's doing when he tells us to step away from the "tree". It's in our obedience and our trust in him that we have a fulfilled life, given all we need.
So I ask you, what "tree" have you been crashing into lately? What has God been asking you to stay away from instead of running into that you just can't seem to resist? I pray today that you "Watch out for that tree" and stop allowing the enemy to provide you obstacles to the grace that God has waiting for you.
Under His Wings,
Heather
How many of you watched the cartoon or even perhaps the movie, "George of the Jungle"? It was probably one of my favorite shows as a child. That silly George never seemed to learn from past mistakes and continued to do what... fly straight into that tree but somehow always surviving the crash landing and never really seeming to be phased too much by it. When the movie came out, I of course went to see it and sat there shaking my head reflecting on the memories of laughing as a child at the silly antics of George, Ursula, Ape, Shep, etc. All the while thinking... why did I find this show so funny? Perhaps it was because I could relate!
I've actually crashed into a tree before while sledding down a hill, but that's not the kind of tree I'm talking about right now. I'm talking about all those "trees" that I tend to run into that block me from the grace God has to offer. You know those trees like pride, harboring ill feelings towards someone, gossiping, murder (yes, I said murder... words kill someone sometimes more quickly than the physical act itself), idolatry, etc. How many trees has this "George" run into, survived, dusted myself off and got on the next rope only to do it again? Again and again and again... all the while, God continues to hand me the next rope to allow me to try one more time.
I can picture Eve in that beautiful amazing Garden that God gave to her and Adam to rule. She had everything to meet her needs including a perfect mate, the man God called her to walk alongside and share in the splendor God had provided for them. She had it all... but then there was that tree. Eve!, Watch out for that tree!! That tree...that tree that started the generations to come of Know It Alls. Is knowing it all so bad? Hmmm... Hello pride, hello arrogance, hello disobedience, hello ignoring the call and will of God, hello resistance and dishonor.
As adults we don't find the concept of knowing it all as a bad thing. But we do tend to find it annoying and disrespectful when our children and those children around us act like they know it all. It wasn't that God didn't want his children to be educated, but it was his desire to protect his children from the wickedness that could surround them. Often I tell young people to be the age they are, don't try to be 13 when you're only 12... enjoy being 12 and all that it has to offer. 13 will soon arrive and then enjoy being 13. We aren't always ready for the knowledge that we gain, it can change us and not always for the better. There are things I know now that at one point in my life I would not have been emotionally, mentally, physically or spiritually prepared for. God knows what he's doing when he tells us to step away from the "tree". It's in our obedience and our trust in him that we have a fulfilled life, given all we need.
So I ask you, what "tree" have you been crashing into lately? What has God been asking you to stay away from instead of running into that you just can't seem to resist? I pray today that you "Watch out for that tree" and stop allowing the enemy to provide you obstacles to the grace that God has waiting for you.
Under His Wings,
Heather
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
GPS; God Providing Solutions; Proverbs 16:9
"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps."
Years ago my husband, my nephew and I were driving home from a friend's party. We had just gotten a new Garmin and were curious as to how "Gabby" (that's what we named our Garmin, "Gabby Garmin") would take us home. We wondered, would she take us the way we were use to going home or would she take us a different route? hmmm.... Well she opted to take us on a different road home. For those wondering... she continues to do that to us to this day. As we were driving and chatting looking at the new scenery heading home (we hoped), we noticed a little white church with a tall steeple in the middle of corn fields. Where did that come from? We were only about 6 minutes away from home and here was this church in the middle of what we considered no where.
Chris (my hubby) and I had been looking for a church for some time to call home but really hadn't found "the one" and believe me we had put forth the effort to find one. That night, on a dark empty somewhat country road we see a tall steeple beckoning. We pulled in the parking lot and wrote down the service time and planned on going the very next morning. Just for clarification, our nephew was completely on board with checking it out too. We arrived the next morning greeted by some of the most welcoming family and that is truly the only word to describe what we found that morning, our family. You see that night God was providing a solution to our longing for a church home. He was establishing our steps. That night, Jesus took the wheel as Carrie Underwood sings and he guided us to what has been a place for us to worship, to grow and to build lasting relationships.
You may say well that was a sweet story, Heather, but it was just your silly GPS that took you by chance down that road. You and I will have to disagree on that. We had been in great prayer petitioning God to lead us where he'd have us be, where we could serve and grow deeper in his word. We were growing weary of looking and attending church after church only winding up disappointed by one thing or another. No church we attending was "bad", they just weren't the church family we longed to be part of. You see we were trying to take charge in our church search instead of letting the Holy Spirit guide us and direct us. We had to let go of our control and let God take control. Although we left for a year gaining yet another incredible church family a little further south of home, we found our church family nearly in our backyard. God in his infinite wisdom provided a solution.
God provides solutions in life for all things. I've learned that I need to lean and trust on him to guide my steps in both the small and great things in life. There is nothing too small and nothing too large for the God of this universe to handle for me. He doesn't need my help, he doesn't need me being a "Gabby Garmin" directing him and taking control of the wheel of life. He simply wants to carry out the plans he has for me. Sometimes I don't understand his ways, I don't quite get what he's even trying to say but it's in those moments I take my hands off the wheel and let him simply drive me in the right direction.
All those years ago, Jesus died on a cross to begin creating a solution for my salvation. He didn't need my great plans, he didn't need anything from me except to trust him with my life. I've so often tried to take the control back and sometimes I even give God a little "assistance" only to notice I've taken a wrong turn. How many times have I heard, "Make a legal U-Turn" both from Gabby Garmin and the Holy Spirit?
Since following that new road, receiving new directions, God has strengthened me and allowed me to be part of some really incredible women's lives. He's allowed me to have a ministry called God's Chicks Without Walls where I am able to serve alongside amazing beautiful sister-chicks. We study, we share, we serve and we sow. I can't think of a more fulfilling life and all because of that"silly GPS".
What different road is God leading you down that you keep trying to turn away from? When are you going to take your hands off the wheel and let God provide the solution? God has provided each of us a "Gabby Garmin" to guide us in the form of the Holy Spirit... let him guide you, you won't regret it.
Under His Wings,
Heather
Years ago my husband, my nephew and I were driving home from a friend's party. We had just gotten a new Garmin and were curious as to how "Gabby" (that's what we named our Garmin, "Gabby Garmin") would take us home. We wondered, would she take us the way we were use to going home or would she take us a different route? hmmm.... Well she opted to take us on a different road home. For those wondering... she continues to do that to us to this day. As we were driving and chatting looking at the new scenery heading home (we hoped), we noticed a little white church with a tall steeple in the middle of corn fields. Where did that come from? We were only about 6 minutes away from home and here was this church in the middle of what we considered no where.
Chris (my hubby) and I had been looking for a church for some time to call home but really hadn't found "the one" and believe me we had put forth the effort to find one. That night, on a dark empty somewhat country road we see a tall steeple beckoning. We pulled in the parking lot and wrote down the service time and planned on going the very next morning. Just for clarification, our nephew was completely on board with checking it out too. We arrived the next morning greeted by some of the most welcoming family and that is truly the only word to describe what we found that morning, our family. You see that night God was providing a solution to our longing for a church home. He was establishing our steps. That night, Jesus took the wheel as Carrie Underwood sings and he guided us to what has been a place for us to worship, to grow and to build lasting relationships.
You may say well that was a sweet story, Heather, but it was just your silly GPS that took you by chance down that road. You and I will have to disagree on that. We had been in great prayer petitioning God to lead us where he'd have us be, where we could serve and grow deeper in his word. We were growing weary of looking and attending church after church only winding up disappointed by one thing or another. No church we attending was "bad", they just weren't the church family we longed to be part of. You see we were trying to take charge in our church search instead of letting the Holy Spirit guide us and direct us. We had to let go of our control and let God take control. Although we left for a year gaining yet another incredible church family a little further south of home, we found our church family nearly in our backyard. God in his infinite wisdom provided a solution.
God provides solutions in life for all things. I've learned that I need to lean and trust on him to guide my steps in both the small and great things in life. There is nothing too small and nothing too large for the God of this universe to handle for me. He doesn't need my help, he doesn't need me being a "Gabby Garmin" directing him and taking control of the wheel of life. He simply wants to carry out the plans he has for me. Sometimes I don't understand his ways, I don't quite get what he's even trying to say but it's in those moments I take my hands off the wheel and let him simply drive me in the right direction.
All those years ago, Jesus died on a cross to begin creating a solution for my salvation. He didn't need my great plans, he didn't need anything from me except to trust him with my life. I've so often tried to take the control back and sometimes I even give God a little "assistance" only to notice I've taken a wrong turn. How many times have I heard, "Make a legal U-Turn" both from Gabby Garmin and the Holy Spirit?
Since following that new road, receiving new directions, God has strengthened me and allowed me to be part of some really incredible women's lives. He's allowed me to have a ministry called God's Chicks Without Walls where I am able to serve alongside amazing beautiful sister-chicks. We study, we share, we serve and we sow. I can't think of a more fulfilling life and all because of that"silly GPS".
What different road is God leading you down that you keep trying to turn away from? When are you going to take your hands off the wheel and let God provide the solution? God has provided each of us a "Gabby Garmin" to guide us in the form of the Holy Spirit... let him guide you, you won't regret it.
Under His Wings,
Heather
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Whatcha Buying? Psalm 62
"Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down— this leaning wall, this tottering fence? Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. Yes, my soul, finds rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Surely the lowborn are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie. If weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods;
though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them. One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: “Power belongs to you, God, and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”; and, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.”
though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them. One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: “Power belongs to you, God, and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”; and, “You reward everyone according to what they have done.”
I don't usually focus on an entire chapter but I felt this whole Psalm needed to be read to fully understand our reliance on the father, the source of strength, power and all things needed to sustain us. We too often place our focus on the world and all it has to offer as a way to get "things", "position" or "fame" instead of turning to the source of all that we need, Christ. If we'd only listen a little longer, speak a little less and find that God provides for us what we need for whatever season of life we are going through. We look to the physical instead of the spiritual to satisfy, when what we need is more of Him and less of this world.
Paraphrasing Psalm 62, if this whole world would turn against me, if nothing again would come to me good from this world... my God would be all that I'd need. So often I hear as I talk with women in ministry that they lack trust. Believe me when I say that I understand that all too well. Trusting in people, in the things of this world has steered me wrong every time. My hope and my trust only are in the Lord now. Does that mean that I can't trust anyone? No, but I turn to the father now to know who and what I can trust and believe in versus just freely giving it as thought it was something invaluable. Trust is priceless, our hearts have been purchased with the ultimate price.
I no longer buy into what this world is selling me. It may look beautiful for a moment, but the moment fades and so does the beauty. As a woman there are so many products to cause our physical appearance to be altered, to be made more "beautiful". Things to change our shape, our skin, our hair and our face. But I've not found a product yet that can change the heart, where our true beauty rests. I can work hard at making my physical being look it's best, and there is nothing wrong with that, but if I invest more time in the physical makeover than I do in my spiritual it will been for nothing as this body is temporary but my soul everlasting. Every moment I waste on selfish gain is a stolen moment from my Heavenly Father.
Whatcha buying? Are your purchases life changing, life giving, everlasting or are they temporary causing you to feel even more empty than when you bought them to begin with. Are you honoring yourself by what you are buying into, are you honoring God? Or are you simply just buying whatever the world has to offer for the feel good moment? Maybe it's time to switch from buying to investing and begin investing in life eternal.
Under His Wings,
Heather
Monday, March 25, 2013
Snow White, Psalm 19:1
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."
For those that know me, you know winter has been my least favorite season. Growing up in Ohio, I'm no stranger to cold temperatures and snow. It took me a long time to realize that not everyone is "blessed" with snow. Oh how I wished and wished that I had been so fortunate. Give me the warmth of the sunshine and warm temperatures anytime over the cold dreary days of an Ohio winter. Sigh... why o' why do we have to have four seasons? Winter to me was a time of shutting down, piling on warm layers of clothing, eating more than I should, moving around less than I should and overall just a cloud of sadness covering me. I just could never figure out why every winter I became ready to become a bear versus a human...afterall; hibernation sure sounded good to me on those cold nights!
Something changed this year though, still not a big winter fan, but I guess you can say I've begun to appreciate what winter has to offer. This winter we were in awe of some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets backed against a blanket of white snow. Vivid oranges, purples, reds and yellows bursting across the sky. People started snapping pictures of God's incredible artwork and posting their shots all over Facebook. It reminded me of Psalm 19:1... "the skies proclaim the work of his hands." WOW, all of nature sings of the glory of God.
Let's not forget the snow... oh my goodness, so white, so pure, so breathtaking as it glistened on the tree branches and bushes across the lawns. For some reason, I took the time this year to really look at the different snow flakes... how often have I taken for granted the uniqueness of a single fallen flake, handcrafted by God himself? "The heavens declare the glory of God". We seemed to have had a number of times this year that we had strangely large flakes, much larger than I have ever seen before (perhaps because I wasn't looking). The design work in each, how could something so small be so detailed and create such beauty?
The more I saw winter for the beauty that it brought, far different than any other season for me, the more I began thanking God for four seasons. I thank him that he sees fit to give us beauty in all seasons and creates a uniqueness in nature that none can duplicate. As many pictures as I saw this past winter of the sunsets or the trees covered in the beautiful white snow, none of them could compare to the real thing... standing with the slight sting of the crisp cold air against my face before God's creation. A creation he gave us as a precious gift. God could have chosen to leave us at just a single season, but instead he gave us four. He gave us a season to plant, to grow, to harvest and to rest. God knew as he formed creation that we'd need these seasons in our life. Some places don't get to see the vast differences of weather, but they still have seasons... seasons come no matter how they look.
I think I've begun to see myself as a snowflake of sorts. Not because I'm flaky (I probably am to some degree) but because I am a unique work done by the creator's hand. I am a creation so small, so detailed by my very genetic design. Look at all that it takes to form a single human being, let alone take into account the twins, triplets, etc. born that although look so much alike, are so very unique and detailed by the artist of all creation. Nature in itself can cause me to stand still and slightly take my breath away as it surrounds me with all the glory of God's works.
What do you need to see this season? Have you, like me, been so focused on the "ugly" of a season of life that you failed to stop and recognize the work of God's hands? Have you recognized how very small you are in this vast universe and yet, how very important every unique detail of you matters to God? You are one of God's most beloved creations. He loves us enough to give us four seasons; a time to plant, grow, harvest and rest. How blessed are we that we have winter; a time to rest. How blessed are we to have such an Awesome God?
Under His Wings,
Heather
For those that know me, you know winter has been my least favorite season. Growing up in Ohio, I'm no stranger to cold temperatures and snow. It took me a long time to realize that not everyone is "blessed" with snow. Oh how I wished and wished that I had been so fortunate. Give me the warmth of the sunshine and warm temperatures anytime over the cold dreary days of an Ohio winter. Sigh... why o' why do we have to have four seasons? Winter to me was a time of shutting down, piling on warm layers of clothing, eating more than I should, moving around less than I should and overall just a cloud of sadness covering me. I just could never figure out why every winter I became ready to become a bear versus a human...afterall; hibernation sure sounded good to me on those cold nights!
Something changed this year though, still not a big winter fan, but I guess you can say I've begun to appreciate what winter has to offer. This winter we were in awe of some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets backed against a blanket of white snow. Vivid oranges, purples, reds and yellows bursting across the sky. People started snapping pictures of God's incredible artwork and posting their shots all over Facebook. It reminded me of Psalm 19:1... "the skies proclaim the work of his hands." WOW, all of nature sings of the glory of God.
Let's not forget the snow... oh my goodness, so white, so pure, so breathtaking as it glistened on the tree branches and bushes across the lawns. For some reason, I took the time this year to really look at the different snow flakes... how often have I taken for granted the uniqueness of a single fallen flake, handcrafted by God himself? "The heavens declare the glory of God". We seemed to have had a number of times this year that we had strangely large flakes, much larger than I have ever seen before (perhaps because I wasn't looking). The design work in each, how could something so small be so detailed and create such beauty?
The more I saw winter for the beauty that it brought, far different than any other season for me, the more I began thanking God for four seasons. I thank him that he sees fit to give us beauty in all seasons and creates a uniqueness in nature that none can duplicate. As many pictures as I saw this past winter of the sunsets or the trees covered in the beautiful white snow, none of them could compare to the real thing... standing with the slight sting of the crisp cold air against my face before God's creation. A creation he gave us as a precious gift. God could have chosen to leave us at just a single season, but instead he gave us four. He gave us a season to plant, to grow, to harvest and to rest. God knew as he formed creation that we'd need these seasons in our life. Some places don't get to see the vast differences of weather, but they still have seasons... seasons come no matter how they look.
I think I've begun to see myself as a snowflake of sorts. Not because I'm flaky (I probably am to some degree) but because I am a unique work done by the creator's hand. I am a creation so small, so detailed by my very genetic design. Look at all that it takes to form a single human being, let alone take into account the twins, triplets, etc. born that although look so much alike, are so very unique and detailed by the artist of all creation. Nature in itself can cause me to stand still and slightly take my breath away as it surrounds me with all the glory of God's works.
What do you need to see this season? Have you, like me, been so focused on the "ugly" of a season of life that you failed to stop and recognize the work of God's hands? Have you recognized how very small you are in this vast universe and yet, how very important every unique detail of you matters to God? You are one of God's most beloved creations. He loves us enough to give us four seasons; a time to plant, grow, harvest and rest. How blessed are we that we have winter; a time to rest. How blessed are we to have such an Awesome God?
Under His Wings,
Heather
Monday, March 11, 2013
Doormat; Micah 6:8
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
I love this scripture, have from the moment I read it for the first time. But what does it mean? Does it mean that we walk through life so humbled that we allow ourselves to be treated like doormats, something that others simply wipe their feet on? No... such a misunderstanding and intentional twisting of the word in my opinion of how Christians are to behave. Are we to be humble, absolutely. Are we to love mercy and to act just... you betcha... but it doesn't tell us that we are to be doormats in this life. God never intended for us to be abused or taken advantage of by others.
I asked my girlfriend a month or so ago why is it so hard to be honest sometimes when the truth needs to be said?" She replied, "because we never want to hurt anyone's feelings". She was right, we don't. I think we are so sensitive sometimes to hurting someone's feelings that we allow ourselves to become victims. Micah 6:8 says for us to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with God. But in Proverbs 28:1 it talks about the righteous being bold as lions. Hard to find that line isn't it? To be bold yet humble. How do you think that's possible?
There is only one way to be both humble and bold. We are to be bold in HIS spirit and humble in our flesh. Daily we die to the flesh and walk in the holy spirit, or at least that should be our heart's desire. Our flesh-man can sometimes be pretty powerful. Our egos, our pride our determination to be heard and to matter in this world can sometimes override what our spirit-man knows is just and true. But again the word tells us to be bold in our faith and in our speaking of the gospel of Christ.
How do we display righteous boldness without coming across as arrogant and uncaring? How do we stand firm in what we believe without cutting down another in what could be perceived as a shortcoming or fault? It is not our place to judge or condemn... we are told to love, period, end of story. Again, that fine line of being the doormat to treating another as a doormat. I know that I have so much work that God still needs to do in my own heart that I don't have time to criticize or belittle another. I am so far from being perfect but I am precious to my Heavenly Father and for that I can never allow myself to be a doormat in this life. You and I are his beloved children who are to walk boldly in the spirit of the one who created us and yet walk humbly in knowing we are still a work in progress.
There is much work to be done in this life, reaching and feeding God's sheep. We can't continue to be timid in our service if we are expecting to hear Well Done at the end of our journey. God is counting on you to reach the one he's called you to reach. That may call you to be bold in your testimony and share with someone about your relationship with Christ. Sitting on the sidelines, filling the imprint of where you sit each week in your church service, checking off the checklist of "duties" of being a Christian isn't being bold...it's being a doormat because those things are just as effective as lying in front of a door allowing people to come along and wipe their feet because you cannot stand for what you believe boldly. Don't be a doormat but walk boldly in faith and humbly in spirit along with our Jesus spreading the word, breathing life into all that surrounds you.
Are you being a doormat? Are you treating someone as a doormat in this life? Are you just, showing mercy and not condemnation? Are you walking humbly yet boldly within the Holy Spirit? Be bold yet just and merciful as your Father in Heaven shows you.
Under His Wings,
Heather
I love this scripture, have from the moment I read it for the first time. But what does it mean? Does it mean that we walk through life so humbled that we allow ourselves to be treated like doormats, something that others simply wipe their feet on? No... such a misunderstanding and intentional twisting of the word in my opinion of how Christians are to behave. Are we to be humble, absolutely. Are we to love mercy and to act just... you betcha... but it doesn't tell us that we are to be doormats in this life. God never intended for us to be abused or taken advantage of by others.
I asked my girlfriend a month or so ago why is it so hard to be honest sometimes when the truth needs to be said?" She replied, "because we never want to hurt anyone's feelings". She was right, we don't. I think we are so sensitive sometimes to hurting someone's feelings that we allow ourselves to become victims. Micah 6:8 says for us to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with God. But in Proverbs 28:1 it talks about the righteous being bold as lions. Hard to find that line isn't it? To be bold yet humble. How do you think that's possible?
There is only one way to be both humble and bold. We are to be bold in HIS spirit and humble in our flesh. Daily we die to the flesh and walk in the holy spirit, or at least that should be our heart's desire. Our flesh-man can sometimes be pretty powerful. Our egos, our pride our determination to be heard and to matter in this world can sometimes override what our spirit-man knows is just and true. But again the word tells us to be bold in our faith and in our speaking of the gospel of Christ.
How do we display righteous boldness without coming across as arrogant and uncaring? How do we stand firm in what we believe without cutting down another in what could be perceived as a shortcoming or fault? It is not our place to judge or condemn... we are told to love, period, end of story. Again, that fine line of being the doormat to treating another as a doormat. I know that I have so much work that God still needs to do in my own heart that I don't have time to criticize or belittle another. I am so far from being perfect but I am precious to my Heavenly Father and for that I can never allow myself to be a doormat in this life. You and I are his beloved children who are to walk boldly in the spirit of the one who created us and yet walk humbly in knowing we are still a work in progress.
There is much work to be done in this life, reaching and feeding God's sheep. We can't continue to be timid in our service if we are expecting to hear Well Done at the end of our journey. God is counting on you to reach the one he's called you to reach. That may call you to be bold in your testimony and share with someone about your relationship with Christ. Sitting on the sidelines, filling the imprint of where you sit each week in your church service, checking off the checklist of "duties" of being a Christian isn't being bold...it's being a doormat because those things are just as effective as lying in front of a door allowing people to come along and wipe their feet because you cannot stand for what you believe boldly. Don't be a doormat but walk boldly in faith and humbly in spirit along with our Jesus spreading the word, breathing life into all that surrounds you.
Are you being a doormat? Are you treating someone as a doormat in this life? Are you just, showing mercy and not condemnation? Are you walking humbly yet boldly within the Holy Spirit? Be bold yet just and merciful as your Father in Heaven shows you.
Under His Wings,
Heather
Monday, January 28, 2013
Something to get excited about; John 4:23-24
"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
You have to pardon me for just a moment as I have chills from immediate affirmation! Praise God!! I have felt a tugging on my heart all day to sit down this evening and write on this blog but wasn't sure what the blog was going to be about. The Holy Spirit often waits for me to quiet myself to give me the words he'd have me share with you. I came to the computer and got some of my resources out and I found John 4:23-24 and instantly I thought, this is it!! And then, I go to my favorite source online to look at some parallel translations and what is the scripture of the day... John 4:24! SCORE!
How appropriate of a scripture at this time when so many are focused on the "big game" coming up. Football pools and parties are being planned even as I type this. How I long to see that excitement in the body of believers over a far greater "big game", the one most refer to as life. More importantly that we'd all be the best cheerleaders we could be praising and shouting, dancing and clapping for a Savior who came to do much more than win a game but to win our souls for eternity. I don't know about you, but I can get far more excited about my Jesus and about all he has done for me than I can for anything else in this world. Don't misunderstand, I love watching a good game and if I had a team in this Superbowl you can bet I'd be pretty happy. That's all fine and good, but how can I, a daughter of the King, get more excited and show more enthusiasm about something so temporary as a night of football than I can about eternity and the one who made it possible for me to have that?
The scripture says, "...has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." I pray that I'm a worshiper that is pleasing to the Father. We were made to worship God, not this world, and yet we do it over and over again with misplaced priorities. There is nothing more praise worthy than our God. There is nothing here on this earth I hold more valuable than my relationship with Jesus Christ. And there is nothing more powerful than the spirit welling up in my soul shouting out Thank You God! Thank You! Thank you for never giving up on me. Thank you for loving me even when I'm my most unlovable. Thank you for desiring to spend time with me. Thank you for bringing others alongside me who support me, who care about me and who are simply there whenever I need them. Thank You! Thank You!
My prayer is that I never place any thing, any relationship or my own life above God. Everything I am and everything I have came from God and its in his hands that I return them. One of the hardest days of my life was the day that I turned over my son and placed him in God's hands to take home. That's what I'm talking about... that's what I hope you get. Worship God with all your being and hold nothing back, even the most precious parts... give him all as he has given you and praise him for the mighty blessings.
How have you worshiped your God today? Have you shown him that he is everything or have you placed him low on your priority list? Are you more interested in preparing for the "big game" or are you set on a greater victory already won through Christ Jesus? Worship him, believers, worship him. Be the kind of worshipper that he seeks.
Under His Wings,
Heather
You have to pardon me for just a moment as I have chills from immediate affirmation! Praise God!! I have felt a tugging on my heart all day to sit down this evening and write on this blog but wasn't sure what the blog was going to be about. The Holy Spirit often waits for me to quiet myself to give me the words he'd have me share with you. I came to the computer and got some of my resources out and I found John 4:23-24 and instantly I thought, this is it!! And then, I go to my favorite source online to look at some parallel translations and what is the scripture of the day... John 4:24! SCORE!
How appropriate of a scripture at this time when so many are focused on the "big game" coming up. Football pools and parties are being planned even as I type this. How I long to see that excitement in the body of believers over a far greater "big game", the one most refer to as life. More importantly that we'd all be the best cheerleaders we could be praising and shouting, dancing and clapping for a Savior who came to do much more than win a game but to win our souls for eternity. I don't know about you, but I can get far more excited about my Jesus and about all he has done for me than I can for anything else in this world. Don't misunderstand, I love watching a good game and if I had a team in this Superbowl you can bet I'd be pretty happy. That's all fine and good, but how can I, a daughter of the King, get more excited and show more enthusiasm about something so temporary as a night of football than I can about eternity and the one who made it possible for me to have that?
The scripture says, "...has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." I pray that I'm a worshiper that is pleasing to the Father. We were made to worship God, not this world, and yet we do it over and over again with misplaced priorities. There is nothing more praise worthy than our God. There is nothing here on this earth I hold more valuable than my relationship with Jesus Christ. And there is nothing more powerful than the spirit welling up in my soul shouting out Thank You God! Thank You! Thank you for never giving up on me. Thank you for loving me even when I'm my most unlovable. Thank you for desiring to spend time with me. Thank you for bringing others alongside me who support me, who care about me and who are simply there whenever I need them. Thank You! Thank You!
My prayer is that I never place any thing, any relationship or my own life above God. Everything I am and everything I have came from God and its in his hands that I return them. One of the hardest days of my life was the day that I turned over my son and placed him in God's hands to take home. That's what I'm talking about... that's what I hope you get. Worship God with all your being and hold nothing back, even the most precious parts... give him all as he has given you and praise him for the mighty blessings.
How have you worshiped your God today? Have you shown him that he is everything or have you placed him low on your priority list? Are you more interested in preparing for the "big game" or are you set on a greater victory already won through Christ Jesus? Worship him, believers, worship him. Be the kind of worshipper that he seeks.
Under His Wings,
Heather
Monday, January 7, 2013
Junk Food; 1 Corinthians 10:31
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
You would think at some point in my ingesting of the word, I would have gotten the message from this scripture loud and clear but somehow it has been totally lost on me. I'm giving myself a big DUH right now. Do it ALL for the glory of God. The word tells us that our bodies are a temple, but most of the time we treat it as anything but. Now for my exercise and health enthusiast, this doesn't mean you've been getting it right and the rest of us have been getting it wrong, because let's face it, sometimes we don't take care of the temple for God's glory... Amen? But for those that truly have embraced this form of living and understand that EVERYTHING we do for his temple is for HIS glory, I commend you. I'm a bit of a slow learner sometimes so show me some grace, I'm trying to get there.
This time of year people begin thinking about change and about resolutions and it seems only right that God would share this scripture with me on a personal level. It's not just about losing weight or even about me being healthier (although being healthier is respecting the temple which I was given charge over). It's about presenting myself as a holy and living temple for the most high. Everything about me should state boldly that I am of my father and my father in me. From the expression on my face, the words I speak, the actions I exhibit, the clothing that I wear (or don't wear...come on, you know sometimes those necklines and skirt lines are bit too much) We are to be HIS GLORY at all times. This temple that I have been given responsibility for is just another example of taking care of my father's business... I am his business. Have you ever seen a company let their property go to ruin and their business just thrive (if they are ligit)? NO... they maintain it, keep it up so that it reflects what the business has to offer.
We have been given specific instruction to take care of all that is of God, WE are of God. We need to take care of what he has given us, to be good stewards of what we have. I've been blessed with two functioning arms, two legs, eyes to see, ears to hear and a mouth to speak. Those are the very instruments, my arsenal in the temple to use. Well done are words I long to hear from my creator and if I can't even keep up his temple how can he trust me with anything else?
I see my husband's eyes light up when I've gone the extra effort to put myself together and being one of the lucky ones... he never fails at telling me how beautiful I look. I can't imagine my God, the very one who designed me, would look at me any less than the one he designed for me when I am doing right and being a good and faithful steward of the temple he gave me. If I'm aware that something is not right for my body whether it be junk food, junk drink, junk words, junk thoughts, junk attitude or whatever the junk is then I need to stop it before it enters this temple (or leaves it). I wasn't designed to hold junk, I've got something far more precious than gold inside me and so do you.
I started a new daily reading plan with my Bible through an app on my phone. I picked it moreso for the title than any other reason because it just reasonated with me... it's called "Eat this Book". How appropriate? We are what we eat, isn't that the old saying? I'd rather be something that gives God glory than be junk. Of course we can be just the opposite and become obsessed with doing everything for the temple that we fail to see all the other crumbling temples around us needing care... but I'll save that for another blog.
What junk is God asking you to stop placing inside his temple? Are you eating, drinking and doing all things for the glory of God or for the glory of self? Not always an easy task and not always an easy answer when responding honestly.
Under His Wings,
Heather
You would think at some point in my ingesting of the word, I would have gotten the message from this scripture loud and clear but somehow it has been totally lost on me. I'm giving myself a big DUH right now. Do it ALL for the glory of God. The word tells us that our bodies are a temple, but most of the time we treat it as anything but. Now for my exercise and health enthusiast, this doesn't mean you've been getting it right and the rest of us have been getting it wrong, because let's face it, sometimes we don't take care of the temple for God's glory... Amen? But for those that truly have embraced this form of living and understand that EVERYTHING we do for his temple is for HIS glory, I commend you. I'm a bit of a slow learner sometimes so show me some grace, I'm trying to get there.
This time of year people begin thinking about change and about resolutions and it seems only right that God would share this scripture with me on a personal level. It's not just about losing weight or even about me being healthier (although being healthier is respecting the temple which I was given charge over). It's about presenting myself as a holy and living temple for the most high. Everything about me should state boldly that I am of my father and my father in me. From the expression on my face, the words I speak, the actions I exhibit, the clothing that I wear (or don't wear...come on, you know sometimes those necklines and skirt lines are bit too much) We are to be HIS GLORY at all times. This temple that I have been given responsibility for is just another example of taking care of my father's business... I am his business. Have you ever seen a company let their property go to ruin and their business just thrive (if they are ligit)? NO... they maintain it, keep it up so that it reflects what the business has to offer.
We have been given specific instruction to take care of all that is of God, WE are of God. We need to take care of what he has given us, to be good stewards of what we have. I've been blessed with two functioning arms, two legs, eyes to see, ears to hear and a mouth to speak. Those are the very instruments, my arsenal in the temple to use. Well done are words I long to hear from my creator and if I can't even keep up his temple how can he trust me with anything else?
I see my husband's eyes light up when I've gone the extra effort to put myself together and being one of the lucky ones... he never fails at telling me how beautiful I look. I can't imagine my God, the very one who designed me, would look at me any less than the one he designed for me when I am doing right and being a good and faithful steward of the temple he gave me. If I'm aware that something is not right for my body whether it be junk food, junk drink, junk words, junk thoughts, junk attitude or whatever the junk is then I need to stop it before it enters this temple (or leaves it). I wasn't designed to hold junk, I've got something far more precious than gold inside me and so do you.
I started a new daily reading plan with my Bible through an app on my phone. I picked it moreso for the title than any other reason because it just reasonated with me... it's called "Eat this Book". How appropriate? We are what we eat, isn't that the old saying? I'd rather be something that gives God glory than be junk. Of course we can be just the opposite and become obsessed with doing everything for the temple that we fail to see all the other crumbling temples around us needing care... but I'll save that for another blog.
What junk is God asking you to stop placing inside his temple? Are you eating, drinking and doing all things for the glory of God or for the glory of self? Not always an easy task and not always an easy answer when responding honestly.
Under His Wings,
Heather
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