"The angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rest.'" Luke 2:10-14 (Holy Bible, NIV)
Christmas is a day to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. So many people get so caught up in the presents that they forget to receive the most wonderful gift of all.
Do you still have a present unwrapped, waiting for you? Ask and you shall receive, eternal life, forgiveness for our wrong doings, favor with God, and peace. There is no more expensive gift than when God gave his own Son that you may have life and life more abundantly.
Heather Harris
December 25, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving!
What is the key to having a happy thanksgiving? Being thankful of course!
No matter how bad things may seem, there is always something that we can be thankful for in our lives. I encourage you today to make a list of the things or people you are grateful for and when you are feeling down or anxious, get out your grateful list and feel the joy return to you.
No matter how bad things may seem, there is always something that we can be thankful for in our lives. I encourage you today to make a list of the things or people you are grateful for and when you are feeling down or anxious, get out your grateful list and feel the joy return to you.
"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations."
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations."
Psalm 100 (Holy Bible - NIV)
Heather Harris
November 27, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Run with Perseverance the Race
Two of the most inspiring lives are the lives of Dick and Rick Hoyt. Rick has cerebral palsy, caused by loss of oxygen to his brain at birth from his umbilical cord being wrapped around his neck.
As of August 31, 2008, Dick (father at the age of 66) and Rick (son at the age of 44), "Team Hoyt", had participated in a total of 984 events, including 229 Triathlons (6 of which were Ironman competitions), 20 Decathlons, and 66 Marathons, including 26 Boston Marathons. They have also biked and run across the USA, in 1992 — a 3,735 mile journey that took them 45 days.
Dick pulls Rick in a special boat as they swim, carries him in a special seat up front as they bike, and pushes him in a special wheelchair as they run. Watch the videos below to see a father's love and a son's courage to run with perseverance the race marked out for them.
The Ironman race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) swim, followed by a 112 mile (180 .2 kilometer) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon.
The belief of Team Hoyt is "You CAN".
Ironman Race... (click on the link below, then click on the back button to return to the blog)
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8cf08faca5dd9ea45513
TODAY NBC News Interview...(click on the link below, then click on the back button to return to the blog)
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=4e7679f8a731d6cce58a
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
"He (God) gives strength to the weary and increases the power to the weak. Even the youths grow tired and weary, and the young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:29-31 (NIV)
"I can do everything through him (Christ) who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
Heather Harris
November 15, 2008
As of August 31, 2008, Dick (father at the age of 66) and Rick (son at the age of 44), "Team Hoyt", had participated in a total of 984 events, including 229 Triathlons (6 of which were Ironman competitions), 20 Decathlons, and 66 Marathons, including 26 Boston Marathons. They have also biked and run across the USA, in 1992 — a 3,735 mile journey that took them 45 days.
Dick pulls Rick in a special boat as they swim, carries him in a special seat up front as they bike, and pushes him in a special wheelchair as they run. Watch the videos below to see a father's love and a son's courage to run with perseverance the race marked out for them.
The Ironman race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) swim, followed by a 112 mile (180 .2 kilometer) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon.
The belief of Team Hoyt is "You CAN".
Ironman Race... (click on the link below, then click on the back button to return to the blog)
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8cf08faca5dd9ea45513
TODAY NBC News Interview...(click on the link below, then click on the back button to return to the blog)
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=4e7679f8a731d6cce58a
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
"He (God) gives strength to the weary and increases the power to the weak. Even the youths grow tired and weary, and the young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:29-31 (NIV)
"I can do everything through him (Christ) who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
Heather Harris
November 15, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Our Future..."Think About Such Things"
With all the doom and gloom talk about the economy and state of our country, it is easy to fall into concern or even fear our future. My advice....turn off the television and invest in a good book. While we do not need to be in denial about the things going on around us, it is very important for us to focus on a good report.
Paul encouraged us in Philippians 4:4-9, 11-13 (NIV) to focus on the good:
" Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. And the God of peace will be with you.
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. I can do everything through him (Christ) who gives me strength."
Do you desire to have peace in your life? Then think about such things. God remains in control of your life and is your provision as long as you give Him permission to do so. Let your requests be known to Him today and then rest in His peace.
Heather Harris
November 5, 2008
Paul encouraged us in Philippians 4:4-9, 11-13 (NIV) to focus on the good:
" Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. And the God of peace will be with you.
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. I can do everything through him (Christ) who gives me strength."
Do you desire to have peace in your life? Then think about such things. God remains in control of your life and is your provision as long as you give Him permission to do so. Let your requests be known to Him today and then rest in His peace.
Heather Harris
November 5, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Never Begging for Bread
No matter what happens in this world, God will never forsake His children. We don't always understand why things happen, but this we do know, God's 'no' means He has a better 'yes'.
“All things work together for good to those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV (Paul)
“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back from captivity.’” Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV (Jeremiah)
“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.” Psalm 37:25-26 NIV (David)
Security is not in your investments, your savings, or your job. True security comes from a life surrendered to God, being generous, and lending freely to those in need. By doing so, your future becomes secure, prosperous, and full of hope.
Heather Harris
November 2, 2008
“All things work together for good to those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV (Paul)
“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back from captivity.’” Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV (Jeremiah)
“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.” Psalm 37:25-26 NIV (David)
Security is not in your investments, your savings, or your job. True security comes from a life surrendered to God, being generous, and lending freely to those in need. By doing so, your future becomes secure, prosperous, and full of hope.
Heather Harris
November 2, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
The Pain with No Name
When a child loses a parent, the child is an orphan. When a wife loses a husband, she is a widow. When a husband loses a wife, he is a widower. However, when a parent loses a child, there is no name to describe the loss. Losing a child in death is the pain with no name. There is no name or word to describe the pain felt when a parent experiences such grief.
Saturday, January 28, 2006, our family experienced that pain which cannot be described when my sister and brother-n-law lost their son during child birth due to food poisoning that had flooded through my sister's body days earlier. She was in the hospital because of flu like symptoms. The decision was made to induce labor to protect the baby since the baby was at full term. A few hours later, my brother-n-law called to give me the bad news that they had lost their baby son, John David. He had passed away during the birthing process. In the days to follow, as we held on to hope that my sister would survive, we mourned for the loss of the baby. Those are two experiences I pray I will never have to face again, losing a nephew and almost losing my only sister. Years later there are moments of sadness as my mind recalls those memories.
Then November 24, 2006, the Friday after Thanksgiving, that same year Thomas (my husband) and I experienced a miscarriage during the early stages of our first pregnancy. We were so saddened. It felt like we too had lost a child. When I came home from the hospital that Friday, confirming the pain I was experiencing was indeed a miscarriage, I laid on the bed and cried. Thomas went to the mailbox and discovered a package.
The package was a book from Joel Osteen. I had not ordered a book. This was a God moment, ordered by God. When I opened the book, the devotional on the page titled "The 'Why' Questions" was about King David losing his own newborn baby. The devotional went through the pain King David experienced, then the decision King David made to trust God in the midst of his disappointment (2 Samuel 12:16-23).
In my greatest time of need, the answer had arrived in the mailbox. God had arranged for my mother to order the book weeks earlier, so it would arrive on the very day I needed it, so I would open the book to the very page on losing a child and asking why, so God could turn the pain into purpose.
When we don't understand why, we should ask what. What good would God have come of this pain?
The Sunday after my miscarriage, I was still in physical pain. There was a drive in me to get to church, regardless of how I felt. That morning, I was on the stage introducing the pastor. I began to cry and then felt the need to share what had happened with our loss and the message in the mailbox. I went on to say if there were others who were still waiting on their message in the mailbox, then know God loves them very much, does not wish them harm, and he would carry them through their pain. Afterwards, there were several people that expressed how much the experience had touched them and would help others in their family get through their own struggles.
John David, my baby nephew in Heaven, was able to reach more people with the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ through his death than many of us will be able to reach with our lives. Hundreds of people were brought to a place of prayer and reflection on what was most important in life, surrendering our lives to God today because we are not promised a second chance tomorrow.
As Joyce Meyer says often, "You can be bitter or better. The choice is yours." Look for the purpose in your pain. God cares about your pain. He wants to help you become better and make something good (purpose) come from your life's struggles.
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 2 Peter 5:6-10 NIV
Heather Harris
October 3, 2008
Saturday, January 28, 2006, our family experienced that pain which cannot be described when my sister and brother-n-law lost their son during child birth due to food poisoning that had flooded through my sister's body days earlier. She was in the hospital because of flu like symptoms. The decision was made to induce labor to protect the baby since the baby was at full term. A few hours later, my brother-n-law called to give me the bad news that they had lost their baby son, John David. He had passed away during the birthing process. In the days to follow, as we held on to hope that my sister would survive, we mourned for the loss of the baby. Those are two experiences I pray I will never have to face again, losing a nephew and almost losing my only sister. Years later there are moments of sadness as my mind recalls those memories.
Then November 24, 2006, the Friday after Thanksgiving, that same year Thomas (my husband) and I experienced a miscarriage during the early stages of our first pregnancy. We were so saddened. It felt like we too had lost a child. When I came home from the hospital that Friday, confirming the pain I was experiencing was indeed a miscarriage, I laid on the bed and cried. Thomas went to the mailbox and discovered a package.
The package was a book from Joel Osteen. I had not ordered a book. This was a God moment, ordered by God. When I opened the book, the devotional on the page titled "The 'Why' Questions" was about King David losing his own newborn baby. The devotional went through the pain King David experienced, then the decision King David made to trust God in the midst of his disappointment (2 Samuel 12:16-23).
In my greatest time of need, the answer had arrived in the mailbox. God had arranged for my mother to order the book weeks earlier, so it would arrive on the very day I needed it, so I would open the book to the very page on losing a child and asking why, so God could turn the pain into purpose.
When we don't understand why, we should ask what. What good would God have come of this pain?
The Sunday after my miscarriage, I was still in physical pain. There was a drive in me to get to church, regardless of how I felt. That morning, I was on the stage introducing the pastor. I began to cry and then felt the need to share what had happened with our loss and the message in the mailbox. I went on to say if there were others who were still waiting on their message in the mailbox, then know God loves them very much, does not wish them harm, and he would carry them through their pain. Afterwards, there were several people that expressed how much the experience had touched them and would help others in their family get through their own struggles.
John David, my baby nephew in Heaven, was able to reach more people with the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ through his death than many of us will be able to reach with our lives. Hundreds of people were brought to a place of prayer and reflection on what was most important in life, surrendering our lives to God today because we are not promised a second chance tomorrow.
As Joyce Meyer says often, "You can be bitter or better. The choice is yours." Look for the purpose in your pain. God cares about your pain. He wants to help you become better and make something good (purpose) come from your life's struggles.
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 2 Peter 5:6-10 NIV
Heather Harris
October 3, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Our Father's Love
Our little son, Anthony, arrived on December 29, 2007. Thomas (Anthony's Dad) has been so protective from the very first moment. God has provided many teachable moments by watching Thomas' fatherly love for his son.
It was a month before we laid Anthony in his crib to sleep on his own, January 27th to be exact. It only lasted a couple of hours. Thomas had the baby monitor on his night stand. Thomas said, "I couldn't sleep. Every time he would make a noise, I would check on him."
God reminded me that is how much he loves us. God watches over us in love and is attentive to our every movement. As Psalm 121 says below...our God, who watches over us, will neither slumber nor sleep.
When Anthony cries, Thomas picks him up quickly and says, "It's ok. You're in Daddy's arms. Daddy has you now and you're safe." Thomas would be on one bended knee, bent over Anthony, just waiting for a whimper.
God loves you so much that He too watches over you and just waits for you to cry out to Him. Call on God today and He will pick you up and carry you in His arms. You too can then say that you are safe in Daddy's arms.
Psalm 121 (NIV) -
"I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip, he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over (you) will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you, the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm, he will watch over your coming and going...both now and forevermore."
Heather Harris
February 5, 2008
It was a month before we laid Anthony in his crib to sleep on his own, January 27th to be exact. It only lasted a couple of hours. Thomas had the baby monitor on his night stand. Thomas said, "I couldn't sleep. Every time he would make a noise, I would check on him."
God reminded me that is how much he loves us. God watches over us in love and is attentive to our every movement. As Psalm 121 says below...our God, who watches over us, will neither slumber nor sleep.
When Anthony cries, Thomas picks him up quickly and says, "It's ok. You're in Daddy's arms. Daddy has you now and you're safe." Thomas would be on one bended knee, bent over Anthony, just waiting for a whimper.
God loves you so much that He too watches over you and just waits for you to cry out to Him. Call on God today and He will pick you up and carry you in His arms. You too can then say that you are safe in Daddy's arms.
Psalm 121 (NIV) -
"I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip, he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over (you) will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you, the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm, he will watch over your coming and going...both now and forevermore."
Heather Harris
February 5, 2008
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