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Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Light of the World
As we admire the lights around the Christmas season, let us be reminded the true "light of the world" is Jesus who brings light to our darkness. We are then called to be a light to others. Are you bringing light to others, not just the glitter of a bulb but the one true light...the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
"When Jesus spoke to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" - John 8:12 NIV
"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16 NIV
Monday, November 30, 2009
Trash or Treasure
We had this heater that would run and then cut off. We soon decided to just throw it in the trash and buy another one. When we got the other one, it began doing the same thing. So we thought that maybe the heater wasn't broken so we got it back out of the trash. We took the new one back to the store because the old one started back up.
Then it happened again...start and stop. Back in the trash it went. We thought it must just be that model so we bought a different model. The new model did the same thing! What was the problem? After reading the instructions, it said, "If your heater runs for several minutes and shuts off repeatedly, your heater may require cleaning." Really? So back out of the trash, for the second time, we saved the heater.
How many times do we throw away relationships because they don't "run" like we think they should? We toss them in the trash, bring them back, and toss them in the trash again when all they need is cleaning! We may even say it must be the model and try another model but then the new one does the same thing! Why?
We are all born into sin, in need of a Savior, who cleans us from all our sins. Until Jesus enters into our lives, we are dirty, we don't run like we should, and we repeatedly shut off. Maybe you've been thrown in the trash...get yourself out! Maybe you've thrown a friend or family member in the trash...get them out! And ask Jesus to clean your life pure so you can run the way God intended for your life to run...with excellence!
"Because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins." - Leviticus 16:30-31 NIV
"Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." - Psalm 51:7, 9-11
Jesus is our atonement who will cleanse you today!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
In Jesus' Arms - Remembering Our Children
October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month and today is Pregnancy Loss Remembrance Day.
One year ago, last October, I wrote about two losses in our family. One was my nephew, John David, who journeyed to Heaven on January 28, 2006 and the other was our own baby that was miscarried on November 24, 2006. I also have an aunt and uncle who lost their child during her pregnancy.
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To read more about our experiences, click on the blog link below (click on the back button to return):
http://godsteachablemoments.blogspot.com/2008/06/pain-with-no-name.html
When we miscarried our baby, I was only in my first trimester. We had just been to the doctor on the previous Monday and confirmed the pregnancy. We never had the chance to know whether or not we would have had a boy or girl, so when we thought of a name, we chose "Calvary" because this loss was the cross that God asked us to bear, much like the cross of death that Jesus bore at Calvary which led to eternal life for us all. It was a heavy cross. A cross we had no idea carried such pain. A cross we would soon realize that many, many other millions of parents would also carry each year.
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I have many friends and family members who have children resting in the arms of Jesus. It is such a painful experience. If you have experienced loss in your family, I encourage you to visit websites such as http://pregnancyloss.info/.
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In October 1988, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.-
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“When a child loses his parent, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses her or his partner, they are called a widow or widower. When parents lose their child, there isn’t a word to describe them.”
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Robyn Bear, founder of http://www.october15th.com/, envisioned a day when all grieving parents could come together to reflect on their loss yet embrace the love. Since October is proclaimed “Awareness Month”, Robyn chose October 15th to become “Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day”. For more information, please visit http://www.october15th.com/.
One year ago, last October, I wrote about two losses in our family. One was my nephew, John David, who journeyed to Heaven on January 28, 2006 and the other was our own baby that was miscarried on November 24, 2006. I also have an aunt and uncle who lost their child during her pregnancy.
-
To read more about our experiences, click on the blog link below (click on the back button to return):
http://godsteachablemoments.blogspot.com/2008/06/pain-with-no-name.html
When we miscarried our baby, I was only in my first trimester. We had just been to the doctor on the previous Monday and confirmed the pregnancy. We never had the chance to know whether or not we would have had a boy or girl, so when we thought of a name, we chose "Calvary" because this loss was the cross that God asked us to bear, much like the cross of death that Jesus bore at Calvary which led to eternal life for us all. It was a heavy cross. A cross we had no idea carried such pain. A cross we would soon realize that many, many other millions of parents would also carry each year.
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I have many friends and family members who have children resting in the arms of Jesus. It is such a painful experience. If you have experienced loss in your family, I encourage you to visit websites such as http://pregnancyloss.info/.
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In Memory of John David and Calvary
We love you!
In October 1988, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.-“When a child loses his parent, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses her or his partner, they are called a widow or widower. When parents lose their child, there isn’t a word to describe them.”
-
Robyn Bear, founder of http://www.october15th.com/, envisioned a day when all grieving parents could come together to reflect on their loss yet embrace the love. Since October is proclaimed “Awareness Month”, Robyn chose October 15th to become “Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day”. For more information, please visit http://www.october15th.com/.
Monday, September 14, 2009
The Law of Agreement
"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." (Matthew 18:18-19 NIV)
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We usually think about the positive (a healing, miracle, etc) when we read this scripture but it says that if we agree about anything then it will be done. When people come to us with negative opinions that speak destruction, disease, death and we reply with "yeah" or "I think so too" or some other agreeing remark then we come into agreement with that person. Then because God does not lie, the law of agreement begins to unfold.
When the spoken word does not line up with Word of God or His perfect will for your life...which is good and not evil, then say, "I do not accept that..." and begin to proclaim God's promises over your life. The power of life and death is on our tongue (Proverbs 18:21).
"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (James 1:26-27 NIV)
You've have probably heard of the saying, "Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it!" Speak good things over your life and accept only the best!
Heather Harris
September 14, 2009
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We usually think about the positive (a healing, miracle, etc) when we read this scripture but it says that if we agree about anything then it will be done. When people come to us with negative opinions that speak destruction, disease, death and we reply with "yeah" or "I think so too" or some other agreeing remark then we come into agreement with that person. Then because God does not lie, the law of agreement begins to unfold.
When the spoken word does not line up with Word of God or His perfect will for your life...which is good and not evil, then say, "I do not accept that..." and begin to proclaim God's promises over your life. The power of life and death is on our tongue (Proverbs 18:21).
"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (James 1:26-27 NIV)
You've have probably heard of the saying, "Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it!" Speak good things over your life and accept only the best!
Heather Harris
September 14, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Along Unfamiliar Paths
"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not
forsake them." - Isaiah 42:16 (NIV)
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If you are like me, you have your physical sight, but many times go "blindly" through life not knowing, understanding, or comprehending the plan, purpose, or provision yet to come. God said he would lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths. Think of how scary it would be to be blind and unfamiliar with your surroundings. I have been traveling on occasions where I woke up in unfamiliar places and for a moment been frightened or even injured my toe as I stumbled around trying to find my way in the dark.
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For those not having the sense of sight, they would say it is very important to keep things in order and in place. We often like to live our lives the same way, in order and in place. When we are on unfamiliar paths in our lives it can be scary. Your unfamiliar path may be unemployment, an addiction, sickness, trouble with a family member, divorce, a financial crisis, or a loss of a person you loved. Now you may be all alone, in debt, or pain. Those around you may not understand what you are going through right now, but God does understand and cares.
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There is hope for those who place their trust in God. God did not say he would lead us to an unfamiliar place and leave us there. No, he promised that on the unfamiliar path, he would turn the darkness into light before us and make the rough places smooth. The most important promise is at the end when he said, "I will not forsake them."
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Are you on an unfamiliar path? Trust in God. There will be light coming from the darkness. There will be a smooth place instead of rough times soon. God will not leave you, he will never abandon you, he will not forsake you. Going through life without God is like the blind trying to circle the earth without a guide. Call on him today...God loves you and will lead you through the unknown and along the unfamiliar path.
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Heather Harris
March 6, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Surrender: Let Go and Let God Work
This devotional was so good that I wanted to share with you. It is ever more important with such challenging days and uncertain futures to fully surrender our lives to God.
Heather Harris
February 17, 2009
"Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him."
· Following God’s lead without knowing where he’s sending you;
· Waiting for God’s timing without knowing when it will come;
· Expecting a miracle without knowing how God will provide;
· Trusting God’s purpose without understanding the circumstances.
You know you’re surrendered to God when you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda, and control the situation. You let go and let God work.You don’t have to always be in charge. Instead of trying harder, you trust more.
You also know you’re surrendered when you don’t react to criticism and rush to defend yourself.
Surrendered hearts show up best in relationships. You are not self-serving, you don’t edge others out, and you don’t demand your rights.
The most difficult thing for many people to surrender is their money. Many have thought, “I want to live for God but I also want to earn enough money to live comfortably and retire someday.”
Retirement is not the goal of a surrender life, because it competes with God for the primary attention of our lives. Jesus said, “You cannot serve both God and money,” (Matthew 6:24 NIV) and “Wherever your treasure is, your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21 NIV).
This level of maturity doesn’t come easy.In Jesus’ case, he agonized so much over God’s plan that he sweat drops of blood. Surrender is hard work. In our case, it requires intense warfare against our self-centered nature.
Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of America's largest and best-known churches. In addition, Rick is author of the New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose Driven Church, which was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th Century. He is also founder of Pastors.com, a global Internet community for ministers.
Heather Harris
February 17, 2009
Surrender: Let Go and Let God Work
by Rick Warren
"Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him."
Psalm 37:7 (GWT)
Surrendering your life means:
Surrendering your life means:
· Following God’s lead without knowing where he’s sending you;
· Waiting for God’s timing without knowing when it will come;
· Expecting a miracle without knowing how God will provide;
· Trusting God’s purpose without understanding the circumstances.
You know you’re surrendered to God when you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda, and control the situation. You let go and let God work.You don’t have to always be in charge. Instead of trying harder, you trust more.
You also know you’re surrendered when you don’t react to criticism and rush to defend yourself.
Surrendered hearts show up best in relationships. You are not self-serving, you don’t edge others out, and you don’t demand your rights.
The most difficult thing for many people to surrender is their money. Many have thought, “I want to live for God but I also want to earn enough money to live comfortably and retire someday.”
Retirement is not the goal of a surrender life, because it competes with God for the primary attention of our lives. Jesus said, “You cannot serve both God and money,” (Matthew 6:24 NIV) and “Wherever your treasure is, your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21 NIV).
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The supreme example of self-surrender is Jesus. The night before his crucifixion Jesus surrendered himself to God’s plan. He prayed, “Father, everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine” (Mark 14:36 NLT). Jesus didn’t pray, “God, if you’re able to take away this pain, please do so.” He began by affirming that God can do anything! He prayed, “God, if it is in your best interest to remove this suffering, please do so. But if it fulfills your purpose, that’s what I want, too.” Genuine surrender says, “Father, if this problem, pain, sickness, or circumstance is needed to fulfill your purpose and glory in my life or in another’s life, please don’t take it away!”
This level of maturity doesn’t come easy.In Jesus’ case, he agonized so much over God’s plan that he sweat drops of blood. Surrender is hard work. In our case, it requires intense warfare against our self-centered nature.
© 2008 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved.
Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of America's largest and best-known churches. In addition, Rick is author of the New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose Driven Church, which was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th Century. He is also founder of Pastors.com, a global Internet community for ministers.
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