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 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.-

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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/.

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

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

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: 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:

· 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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Greater Love Has No One But This....

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and the thoughts of love in the air!

Jesus said in John 15:13-17 (NIV), "Greater love has no one but this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command (see command at the end). I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I have chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit (fruit of the spirit according to Galatians 5:22-23 are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control), fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other."

Jesus showed us the greatest love when he paid the price for our sins, he died for us to have an abundant life free from sin. "God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Jesus died for us." Romans 5:8 (NIV).

During this month, when love is in the air, accept Jesus' love for you and in turn love one another.

Heather Harris
February 5, 2009

Happy New Year!

There is always excitement in the air around the world when a new year begins. Even if times have been rough, there is a glimmer of hope that this year things will be better.

Grab hold of that hope and don't let go! When we have faith (even a little faith) that faith opens the door for miracles. Be determined this year is going to be great! God's best is just around the corner!

"'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 of your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the Lord, 'and will bring you back from captivity."

- Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NIV)

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God has great plans for your life that are good. Call on Him today and He will bring you back from captivity. What has you held captive? What worries you? Keeps you up at night? Makes you fear will happen or has happened? Call on Him to clear your mind and give you peace.

If you do not know how to fully surrender your life to God, click on the "Steps to Peace" link on the right of the blog page. The link will take to you the Billy Graham website where you can be lead step by step in setting your life in the right direction!

You're in good hands if you love God and we are called for His purpose, that all should come to the saving knowledge of Christ. When you love God, you can rejoice knowing this will be a Happy New Year!

"We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all— how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died— more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
- Romans 8:28, 31-39 (NIV)

Heather Harris
January 1, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!

"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