Ask, and He will do it

beautiful South Pointe Park sunset, Miami Beach

"And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ .. it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment..."

Philippians 1:6,9 (Thank you, Aunt Laura, for these verses)

Writing these words as he was in prison, Paul was overflowing with joy and thankfulness.  He had learned the secret of being content in every situation. 

It proves that Jesus is our only source of joy and satisfaction.  He is ALL we need.  He was all Paul had, and yet he was still serving the Lord with all gladness, encouraging his brothers and sisters in Christ.

To get to this sweet spot with Jesus, we have to die to ourselves.  Crucify our flesh so we can live in His spirit.  We have to be "born again" .. receiving NEW life through the Spirit .. the old life passes away.  He says, "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 10:39).  The world constantly sends an opposite message, but God's word is truth and the truth sets us free.  And Jesus is the only way ~ the world says that too, that there are many ways, that you've already found the way .. But through Him only will we find LIFE that is everlasting.

Today's Jesus Calling devotional spoke directly to my healing heart.  The Lord has been revealing new areas with which I should trust Him and obedience has brought instantaneous blessing!  He needed to do some final mending work and I opened it up to Him.  He is our Prince of Peace, our Deliverer, our Friend, Counselor and HEALER.

My encouragement as a result:  Ongoing prayer asking Him to show you your heart, revealing anything that needs His work. Trust Him ~ and watch to see what this perfect Man will do!  Nothing feels better than being freed by the love of Christ!

Below is the devo .... based on the following verses <3

Psalm 103:3 .. Who forgives all your iniquity, Who heals all your diseases...

James 4:2  .. Ye lust, and have not; ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain; ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

2 Corinthians 12:7-9 .. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.  But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Matthew 7:7 .. "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."

I AM A GOD WHO HEALS.  I heal broken bodies, broken minds, broken hearts, broken lives, and broken relationships.  My very Presence has immense healing powers.  You cannot live close to Me without experiencing some degree of healing.  However, it is also true that you have not because you ask not.  You receive the healing that flows naturally from My Presence, whether you seek it or not.  But there is more -- much more -- available to those who ask.

The first step in receiving healing is to live ever so close to Me.  The benefits of this practice are too numerous to list.  As you grow more and more intimate with Me, I reveal My will to you more directly.  When the time is right, I prompt you to ask for healing of some brokenness in you or in another person.  The healing may be instantaneous, or it may be a process.  That is up to Me.  Your part is to trust Me fully and to thank Me for the restoration that has begun.

I rarely heal all the brokenness in a person's life.  Even My servant Paul was told, "My grace is sufficient for you," when he sought healing for the thorn in his flesh.  Nonetheless, much healing is available to those whose lives are intimately interwoven with Mine.  Ask, and you will receive.

Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young

***

So what are you waiting for?  Go to Jesus and get busy asking! 
Life is too short to miss out on all that he has in store for you. 
He wants you to know life in Him which is joyful, adventurous, and abundant!
He has a multitude of blessings, an ocean of love, and all the answers you've been seeking - to give you -

when you ask.

God bless you!

hailey <3

With my Love at Islands of Adventure for my bday!

An Anchor for Your Soul

HEAVEN IS BOTH PRESENT AND FUTURE. As you walk along your life-path holding My hand, you are already in touch with the essence of heaven: nearness to Me. You can also find many hints of heaven along your pathway, because the earth is radiantly alive with My Presence. Shimmering sunshine awakens your heart, gently reminding you of My brilliant Light. Birds and flowers, trees and skies, evoke praises to My holy Name. Keep your eyes and ears fully open as you journey with Me.

At the end of your life-path is an entrance to heaven. Only I know when you will reach that destination, but I am preparing you for it each step of the way. The absolute certainty of your heavenly home gives you Peace and Joy, to help you along your journey. You know that you will reach your home in My perfect timing: not one moment too soon or too late. Let the hope of heaven encourage you, as your walk along the path of Life with Me.  (Jesus Calling by Sarah Young)

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

Hebrews 6:19

Amen...

Oh How He Loves Us!

Nonstop Newness! Healing, Hope, Heaven

Happy New Year!!!!!



I've been sporadic and less frequent with 'inspirations' .. because of traveling, working and celebrating!

This blog has 2 parts:  Recap + Revelation.
 
If you're reading this, I have prayed that God touches your life with His love, truth, mercy and grace ~
blessing you throughout 2011. 

RECAP!

2010 wrapped up with lots of good things in December. A couple of the events and blessings ..

*Tucson ~ I wasn't exactly sure how 4 days of sales presentations and role plays in Arizona would be since it was my first national meeting with my company .. It turned out to be not only informative! but we had some fun on the side ..The last night was a western-themed celebration dinner that took me back to my Tennessee roots as the live country band played some familiar songs .. and I joined my team for a black+white saloon photo ~ have always wanted to do that :).. Betsy & I snapped our own pic:





*Tennessee ~ I spent several days with my sister, Christy, bro n law, Michael, and 3 baby nieces! Marion, Macy, and Meryl -- the princesses :).  We played dress up, hide & seek, danced to Christmas music, sang lots of Dora songs, had tea parties .. the rest of the family and I watched movies, cooked, talked into the wee hours of the morning, sipped hot chocolate, shopped and laughed a lot.  They traded in Michael's 11 y/o college Malibu "Betsy" :'( .. for a new ride.  He also recently started a new job .. it was a blessing to spend Christmas and ring in 2011 with them in their new house in a new city!




the "new christy + hailey"

 

5 mths old already!





As I reflect on 2010, I can see how much things changed in my life.  And I cannot for a second give myself any glory.  I sought to know God more, I had a hunger to understand Him, His Word, and His Son on a newer level.  His Word is true ~ Draw near to me and I will draw near to you.  (James 4:8). What an awesome companion He is!

I moved into a new apartment, started a new job, made new friends, got a new baby niece!, reached a new level with running, traveled a new distance - abroad!

First full marathon - 2500th anniv of original race in Athens

started writing a new book .. and blog...

I greeted new days with sunrises with some of my sisters down here:)

and read some amazing new books - my top three:

The year ended with a new position in my company --  I got a promotion.

Thus, my theme for the year, a pair of verses:

Isaiah 43:19, "See, I am doing a new thing!" + Rev 21:5, "I am making everything new!"

The result of it all over time: a new heart and passion for my Savior - Jesus is the reason for it all.  I couldn't see where I was going or what was next .. I tried to live day by day as things kept changing and stood by faith on:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

**

REVELATION!

My favorite discovery in 2010:  connecting Healing, Hope, and Heaven

HEALING. The story.

It began at age 10 when I broke my right arm in gymnastics, undergoing 2 surgeries, fascinated by the whole experience (other than the initial pain..) -- Spending days in a hospital, making frequent visits to the orthopedic surgeon's office, getting a cast -- something stirred and inspired me.  I vividly remember turning to my mom in the waiting room asking what exactly was my doctor's specialty and when she told me, I confidently declared "that's what I'm going to be someday." 

That passion moved me every time I'd find myself in a hospital thereafter .. I felt at home somehow!  I shadowed physicians throughout high school and college.  I studied science in undergrad and felt as though 3-1/2 years flew by .. After graduating I registered for a Kaplan course which prepped me for three months for the MCAT.  I was ready that fall, moved to Nashville, got a job at a doctors office, and reviewed for the January '05 test.  When the time came for the test registration I couldn't do it.  I prayed, fretted, and waited for an answer on the feeling I had in the pit of my stomach.  I knew after some time it was not the Lord's will for me to go to med school.  I had never considered anything other than being a doctor.  I wondered what in the world I'd do with a biology degree and no career plan. 

Still working at the doctor's office, I considered medical sales and applied to a company that was one of our main vendors.  I sold supplies, medicines, and equipment for 3 years then took time off in 2008 to consider God's will for my life, and found myself relocating to Miami and getting back into the field. 

Eighteen years have passed since that day it all started when I was taken by ambulance to the hospital with a messed up ulna! ~ and what I discovered in 2010 as I spent many hours in the operating room observing surgery and selling devices, and still at times considering my pursuit of becoming a doctor, is: my true passion is for healing. 

When I think back to those days in the hospital + months of physical therapy I remember the cards, care, and comfort I received from family, friends and nurses.  Becoming a christian just the year before, I felt the Lord's presence in a new way during that time of pain and suffering .. this verse below (2 Cor 1:3-10) fits:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God .. It is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer .. this happened so that we may not rely on ourselves but on God .. who will deliver us .. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us ..

I developed patience, endurance and a sense of how to cope with suffering through that experience that since has allowed me to offer comfort to others in their times of need.

It came full circle this year when a miracle happened.  The dots connected!

I had only seen prayer over debilitated people a few times on TV growing up and was skeptical.  Maybe I was scared and didn't understand.  As I sought to know Jesus more last year I studied His life and miracles in depth.  I revisited the stories I had read before and saw that my faith needed a boost.  He healed people - a man with leprosy, Peter's mother-in-law, a paralyzed man, a woman with bleeding, a mute, demon-possessed man, a deaf mute man, a crippled woman, a sick man at the pool of Bethesda, a blind man* .. (references below).  Someone asked at church one Sunday if anyone needed prayer for a medical condition.  I had just left my doctor's office 4 days prior, having my blood drawn to check on a condition I was told I'd have the rest of my life.  I still asked for prayer and in faith believed I was healed.  When I returned to the office 3 days later to get the test results, the staff there were in a panic because no one could find my results - after checking with the lab, they learned my blood samples were lost 'somehow.' The office manager followed by the doctor came to apologize and I told her I was actually happy to have it drawn again.  When I returned the following week I was completely clear.  No trace.  She insisted to take a tissue sample.  I returned the next week to find the same result.  Clear. 

Luke 1:37  ~ For nothing is impossible with God.

Matt 21:22 ~ If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.

Praise God.

I then studied how Jesus healed in other ways ~ emotionally and spiritually.  During His life on earth He restored hope to the lost and broken-hearted, He released the oppressed, He cared for widows, orphans, the poor .. He drove out fear with perfect love, He protected the persecuted, He replaced confusion with peace, He gave strength to the weak and stripped guilt from the shamed.  That only scratches the surface of His 33 years here.  And because He laid His life down for us so that we may be forgiven of our sins and have eternal life in heaven with our Father when we believe in Him, He also offers freedom. 

A new life! New beginnings. When we believe.

I was healed physically, emotionally and spiritually in 2010 as I was reminded and learned more about the Man who I have laid my life down for .. to follow Him.  And now understand the Source of why I've always been drawn to healing. 

As the changes took place, my hope grew.  As I considered what I'm waiting for, I decided more than another trip, accomplishing goals, living out MY dreams, reunions with my family, or a spouse, I am waiting on the return of Christ (Rev 22:20).  I was reminded that what we're waiting for is what we're living for.  And I now connect healing, hope, and heaven ~ because as He healed me, my hope in Him grew, and my true hope is the amazing day when I enter a new life in a new world that is perfect and innocent -- eternity with my Heavenly Father.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son,

that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

My favorite verse, John 3:16.

***

Cheers!

hailey

(miracles: Matthew 8:2-4, Luke 4:38-39, Mark 2:3-12, Matthew 9:20-22, 32-33, Mark 7:31-37, Luke 13:11-13, John 5:1-9)

If my people, who are called by my name, will
humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn
from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and
forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

The Day After

Merry Christmas Day After! :)

Watching "The Night in the Toy Store" for the tenth+ time with my baby nieces (3, 2, & 4mths) and trying to help my sister clean before round 4 of family comes through today! I laughed when the oldest, Marion, who I had just dressed up in her new Snow White costume .. stopped in her tracks in front of the TV when she heard them say Christmas is about Santa and gifts.  She shouted "No it's not!!  Christmas is about Jesus!"  (Before they got to the part of the story to correct the toys who were wrong about the reason for the season.. ) :)

It's easy to get distracted with all that the holiday grind entails and I read a couple of books this AM that helped me refocus.  Below are some excerpts from Jennifer Kennedy Dean and Sarah Young. 

Be blessed and enjoy the last six days of 2010!

Your gift comes in such creative wrapping.
Yesterday morning, Christmas day, beautifully wrapped gifts were piled around the Christmas tree.  With some of the gifts, as much thought had been given to the wrapping of the gift as to the selection of gift itself.  Sometimes the wrapping was meant to disguise the gift so the surprise would be all the greater.  A small gift being wrapped and hiding inside a big box.
Yesterday the artistry of the wrappings made the anticipation of the gifts greater.  The wrappings invited us into the gifts.
Today, the wrappings are gone and the gifts are the main focus.
You wrapped Your gift in flesh and blood.  The wrapping was such that it invited us into the Gift.  Had You sent Your Son unwrapped, we could not have seen Him because the brightness of His countenance would have blinded us.  Like the Israelites of old, we would have hidden our faces from Him in fear and shame.
The angels know Him wrapped in eternal glory and royal robes.  They saw Him before He took upon Himself the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men.  The angels saw His triumphant return to the glory He had before the world began, and see Him now in His exalted form.
But we see Him in the flawless beauty of His humanity.  We see the grandeur of His Incarnation, when He demonstrated the enormity of His love for us by wrapping Himself in flesh and blood so that He could destroy that which held us captive.  Seeing Him, we are blinded by His beauty to anything other than Him.
We will someday see Your indescribable Gift as the angels see Him.  I know that sight will be a different beauty than I have ever known.  But I cannot imagine that it will be more breathtakingly beautiful to me than the King of kings wrapped in flesh and blood for my sake.

*Seeing You, I am blinded by Your beauty to anything other than You.*

("Pursuing the Christ")

~ I AM THE GIFT that continuously gives -- bounteously, with no strings attached.  Unconditional Love is such a radical concept that even My most devoted followers fail to grasp it fully.  Absolutely nothing in heaven or on earth can cause Me to stop loving you.  You may feel more loved when you are performing according to your expectations.  But My Love for you is perfect; therefore it is not subject to variation.  What does vary is your awareness of My loving Presence.

When you are dissatisfied with your behavior, you tend to feel unworthy of My Love.  You may unconsciously punish yourself by withdrawing from Me and attributing the distance between us to My displeasure.  Instead of returning to Me and receiving My Love, you attempt to earn my approval by trying harder.  All the while, I am aching to hold you in My everlasting arms, to enfold you in My Love.  When you are feeling unworthy or unloved, come to Me.  Then ask for receptivity of My unfailing Love.

If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.  And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on judgement day, because in this world we are like Him.  There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:15-18

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.

Deuteronomy 33:27

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation I will sing to the Lord for He has been good to me.
Psalm 13:5-6

("Jesus Calling")

***

love, hailey

Tucson Sunset

Perfect Timing!

What He Desires Most -- the Heart

Stay ever so close to Me, and you will not deviate from the path I have prepared for you.  This is the most efficient way to stay on track; it is also the most enjoyable way.  Men tend to multiply duties in observance of their religion.  This practices enables them to give Me money, time, and work without yielding up to Me what I desire the most -- their hearts.  Rules can be observed mechanically.  Once they become habitual, they can be followed with minimal effort and almost no thought.  These habit-forming rules provide a false sense of security, lulling the soul into a comatose condition.

What I search for in My children is an awakened soul that thrills to the Joy of My Presence!  I created mankind to glorify Me and enjoy Me forever.  I provide the Joy; your part is to glorify Me by living close to Me.

Love the LORD your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD, not for men.

You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your

Presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

Deuteronomy 6:5, Colossians 3:23, Psalm 16:11

Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young

Kyria Blog: Hope in Advent

Kyria Blog: Hope in Advent

The Winner's Circle .. and Your #1 Fan

Happy December! 

Catching up on a couple of Max Lucado reads as I am in between work cases ... These are from "Grace for the Moment" which my grandmother gave me .. it's a compilation of excerpts from books he's written. 

The first one comes from "When Christ Comes" which Carolyn Butler also gave me in high school! 
And the other from "In the Grip of Grace." 

I read from a variety of authors and like Max because several of his books have been gifts from Nannie!  And because I find his writing simple, inspirational, and applicable. 

Hope you're blessed today by these words.

The Lord will reward everyone

for whatever good he does, whether

he is slave or free.

Ephesians 6:8

For all we don't know about the next life, this much is certain.  The day Christ comes will be a day of reward.  Those who went unknown on earth will be known in heaven.  Those who never heard the cheers of men will hear the cheers of angels.  Those who missed the blessing of a father will hear the blessing of their heavenly Father. 
The small will be great.  The forgotten will be remembered. 
The unnoticed will be crowned and the faithful will be honored.

The winner's circle isn't reserved for a handful of the elite, but for a heaven full of God's children who "will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him" (James 1:12).

He will rejoice over you.

You will rest in His love; He will sing

and be joyful about you.

Zephaniah 3:17

God is for you. 
Turn to the sidelines; that's God cheering your run.  Look past the finish line; that's God applauding your steps.  Listen for Him in the bleachers, shouting your name. 
Too tired to continue?  He'll carry you.  Too discouraged to fight? He's picking you up.  God is for you.

God is for you. 
Had he a calendar, your birthday would be circled.  If He drove a car, your name would be on His bumper.  If there's a tree in heaven, He's carved your name in the bark ..

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?" God asks in Isaiah 49:15.  What a bizarre question.  Can you mothers imagine feeding your infant and then later asking, "What was that baby's name?" No.  I've seen you care for your young.  You stroke the hair, you touch the face, you sing the name over and over.  Can a mother forget?  No way.  But "even if she could forget, ... I will not forget you" God pledges (Isaiah 49:15).

***

Finish Strong!

One of my "Sunrise Sisters" ~ Natalie Meadows, recommended this song last night

to our South Beach small group.  Very good!  Thanks Nat!

Someone encouraged me to read this psalm every day this month .. great words to live by ..

Psalm 23

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside quiet waters,

He restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for His Name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil, for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Enjoy the last day of November!  Make December even better.

Finish strong :)

John 3:16

h

A New Day! True Worship .. and Rest

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy..

Worship ~ we’re created to worship something.  And so we will do!  Our Creator designed our hearts with this longing for a specific purpose.  To be restless until we find the purest form of it.  Him.  Sometimes we deflect this ability to praise something to ourselves, our jobs, our spouse/friends, our possessions .. we worship the gifts rather than the Giver.  And He’s a jealous God!  He says to have no idols before Him, to worship Him only.  He is the one and only true God and until we strip our lives of the things exalting themselves against Him, we’ll only be temporarily satisfied .. always on a hunt to quench the newest craving. 

Thankfully, He promises rest for us. One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 30:15 .. 

In repentance and rest is your salvation; in quietness and trust is your strength.

It is not always my initial thought to run to God for my needs.  I easily reach out for the things seen/known/familiar rather than my patient Giver.  But another promise He gives us is that when we do, He'll meet all our needs (Phil 4:19).  Every one.  He knows them before we do!  He’s shown me desires of my heart – hobbies, passions, interests – and I on a daily basis have to make the deliberate choice to follow my Savior first.  Yep, every day is a new day.  Doesn’t matter as far as staying on the path with Him what I did all previous days.  It’s a new walk each morning.  So that’s also a refreshing statement when we remember He will meet us right where we are, i.e., what also doesn’t matter is all the mistakes we made prior to today.  He’s always ready to take our hand if we’re willing to extend it to Him.  Forgiveness, mercy, and grace are His to give in abundance .. and feel really great to receive!  He loves to give us fresh starts. 

And don't we all love clean slates?! Until I get this, I’m left with a feeling of 'a missing piece' .. something isn’t quite right .. 'where am I/who am I' .. simply put:  Restlessness.  When my heart returns to it’s Keeper, it’s first Love, I am restored, rejuvenated, Released once again from the cares of this world!  There is no high on earth that is comparable.  Even running your first marathon on your first trip abroad - I've gotta post That blog! (recent trip to Greece).  But this is, I believe, partially where christians are seen as being happy-go-lucky, clueless to the world’s harsh realities kind of people.  Christians aren’t oblivious to sickness, suffering, wars, broken relationships, sadness, etc.  They are no longer fighting those battles alone.  Instead the mightiest Warrior of all holds true to His word that He goes before us .. always holding us by our right hand .. another one of those "unseen" phenomenons (where faith to believe kicks in).  And there's a lot going on in this world we cannot see!  (check out 2 Kings 6:8-17 .. This story rocks my world lately!) 

Trusting Him is the only thing in this life that can bring you what you really want – Love.  He is Love.  He is the Author of it.  From the beginning to the end of His Word to us.  Starting in Genesis, continuing to the story of light coming into the world, when His Son was born .. then showing us the clearest act of His love for us in John 3:16, the ultimate sacrifice.  A Really New Day is described in detail at the end in Revelation, when He makes everything new ..

The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass.  The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone.  The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire .. the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl.  The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass..

My pastor Rick Blackwood once said "Live this Day with that Day in Mind."

In the last chapter of Revelation, the one who saw these things and recorded them said:
"I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me.  But he said to me, 'Do not do it!  I am a fellow servant with you .. Worship God!'"

The bottom line is that God is Spirit.  He’s inside of you and all around you.  Yet He gives You the choice to call out to Him.  For what joy would a father experience if he MADE his children love him and want a relationship with him?  Same with God.  We are His kids.  And when we take our eyes off the things seen that beg us to worship them and focus on that greater yearning in the depth of our souls (as deep calls to deep) we find the TRUE “secret” to life – living in communion with the One Who made us.  It is what I have come to know as the best life ~ the abundant one!

Thanks for reading!  I appreciate messages I've received since starting this blog this month!  It is my motive and prayer that it inspires, encourages, and clearly offers a better grasp of what I experience of God's perfect, unconditional, infinite love.  Respectfully and truthfully.  It is too good to hold in.  If I really care for people and really carry out His commandment to love others, I have to share it!

Jeremiah 20:9

~ h

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0B2ybZpDeM



Perseverance & 'Inner Being' Strength

I have come across this verse a lot lately and have prayed it for those around me facing trials.  And then have seen it happen - it grows my faith immensely because I know that that kind of strength during that kind of circumstance can Only come from the One and only God.  Paul prayed in Ephesians 3 that ..

"out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith..."

One of my dearest friends recently lost her mother to a long battle with cancer.  She was prepared it could be any day and served her mother wholeheartedly - sacrificing social activities and time for herself - while still making strong efforts to volunteer with kids and invest in teen girls through a small group, and work and go to school.  She praised God in the storm and gave Him the glory on her hardest days.  She thanked Him when they would receive good health reports.  Her mother was a believer but some other close relatives aren't, and it was/is our prayer that through this experience of sickness and suffering ~ and her mom's endurance and actual joy through it, for eyes, ears and hearts to be opened .. to have the faith to believe.

My friend's mom saw that though she was facing sickness and death she still had hope for eternity of being released from all the pain in this temporal life on earth. 

He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away .. (Rev 21:4)

She fought the good fight, believing with faith the promise in the following verse:

"I am making everything new!"

My friend has had a hard time the last few days, yet what I felt would remain constant within her has - God's love and comfort.  Through prayers .. her inner being strength.  And her Faith.  He is the Father of compassion and mercy.
Yesterday she told me about the encouragement she felt from reading Philippians 1:12 ~

Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.  

And I am amazed once again by my sister's unshakable faith and thankful for her testimony.




Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverance and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 12:28



Christ Fellowship Church is finishing up a series "Authentic Faith" (only 2 weeks left!) based on the book of James, which opens with:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything .. (it goes on to say) .. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

..and again, God's Word is living and active.  I have seen so much strength and focus from the brothers and sisters God has put in my life who are facing many trials .. because they are holding on to the Lord's promises, they are not giving up in the face of adversity which will always come around .. they are standing firm, pressing on and finishing strong.  

Thank you, Mayla, for your mountain-moving faith and inspirational pursuit of Christ.  You are so loved! 

May your mom's story live on and both of your testimonies continue to reach others around the world, glorifying our, as you put it, Majestic Father. 

much love, hailey

Christmas is Fun! Coffee is Good. And Charlotte is COZY.

God's love & grace from the last several days have left me quite speechless, and I'm still in awe.  Words to translate what I've experienced have developed slowly, as what my eyes have seen & ears have heard have left me awestruck!  Usually I can at least find a starting point by writing, and as I have worked on other writing projects, describing actual life events from the last week has been something for which I've had to wait for clarity and direction .. They've been life-changing days to say the least.  Praise the Lord!

Last time I left off .. about to embark on an adventure .. little did I know it would be the beginning of a 5-day SPREE of God's kindness & goodness.  I have never felt excitement like this!!!

Yleinia (YG as we call her) grew up in a home that didn't celebrate Christmas and she, after answered prayers, moved out of the home with her family, and into her first apartment!  "Free YG" ~ our chant, became reality. This called for celebration, and of course, Lauren Buck (planner), had the idea to throw probably the biggest surprise YG's ever had. 

Before I tell you about the night, I have to back up and tell you a quick childhood story that relates!  My dad came to my 4th grade Christmas play where I don't even remember what character I played, I just know it was the Christmas Carol!  He noticed a girl who was wearing really old clothes and looked poor, and asked me after the play about her.  He insisted we go buy her some things and take to her as a Christmas present.  I had so much fun walking through the aisles of Wal-Mart with my dad!  Picking out basic things and clothes for my classmate, wrapping them in a white box, topped with a bow .. then the hard part came .. he made ME go up to her door and give it to her.  I don't know why this was hard but it was .. I didn't want her to feel embarrassed I guess?  I wanted her to feel loved and appreciated as she had received much different messages during our first years of elementary school .. I clearly remember her face when I handed her the box.  She was grateful.  And I ran back to my dad's car so happy that he had encouraged me to do this for her.

This night took me back to that day .. and that joy ..

We asked YG to turn over the keys and come back in 30 minutes. During that time, the "elves" got really busy.  Heather set up the tree, Dawn prepared the cocoa, I wrapped about 14 gifts (previous holiday college job experience) and Lauren set the ambience with music, stuck encouraging notes to the walls, and hung the stuffed "G" stocking.











Ready!

When she returned, we ran out singing "Joy to the World!" and a few other songs .. the look on HER face was priceless! 



[ Nice wrap job ;) ]



she had a new smile :)





  

 Then we read some of the messages to her that girls who couldn't make it had sent .. apparently when I submitted my verses for Yleinia I didn't spellcheck and told her that the Lord's giving promise in Romans 8:32 was that He didn't spare His own Song= (rather than Son, equal sign), which they found to be quite comical ...

guess you had to be there ... I think she was encouraged nonetheless :)

Heather & I hung the New shower curtain, we all made the bed with the New comforter .. and finally .. the last project for mission move-in & first christmas: 

*the christening of the New microwave*

We learn new things every day .. this was my 1st time to hear of this custom, but I enjoyed participating in the marshmellow madness and my overdose on sugar for the day!!

 

                                                     

                   

Times like those with my dad and with my sisters here are why I love this holiday, but even moreso ... it's really a special time of year because it is the celebration of Light coming into the world (Jesus' birth) ~ God's gift of love to us .. hence, why giving brings such a feeling of Love, Peace, and Joy!  That is His Spirit.  And I love to share it!  Merry Christmas (early)!!

***

Onto the following 4 days of awesome Goodness! The next day Lauren (aka Mrs. Doe / female buck ~ she gave me the idea!) and I took off for Charlotte, North Carolina.  We didn't really know why we were going, all she knew was she felt a calling to go there after some prayer, and to invite me.  I accepted and off we went, no plans or expectations, just some curiosity and trust that we were doing the right thing.  We didn't know whether to call it an act of obedience or leap of faith, or both. Our friend Halia lives there and offered her condo which we quickly named "The Upper Room ~ Halia's Haven" (LB sometimes adding "Organic Love!" because everything was labeled organic and Halia is one of the most generous friends we've ever known).

for ex, we woke up to this daily! + an authentic Ukranian-style breakfast :)

Jump!...

heel click! lol

The first day we went for a walk .. the weather was gorgeous, reminding me much of Tennessee, home sweet home :)
When I was a little kid I read Laura Ingalls Wilder books, she was a tom boy too!  And this day I read a quote from her:

It is the simple things of life that make living worthwhile, the sweet fundamental things such as love and duty, work and rest, and living close to nature. 

This day:  a few of the 'simple things' were friendship, flowers, laughter, silliness, and rejuvenation ..


"make a wish"

Halia mentioned her birthday was coming up in a few days and Lauren immediately started planning how we could surprise her!  I asked her to describe her perfect date in Charlotte!  She said her favorite restaurant, Zink, had closed for the opening at a new location ~ but THAT would be the perfect place, followed by coffee + convo at her favorite place, Amelie's, a french bakery/coffee shop open 24/7 .. L did some research, found out Zink had just opened, made reservations for the following day, and we invited Halia's sister and a couple of friends.

She took us to her church the next day and it was phenomenal!  It was so big we had to park in another lot and take a bus to the church entrance .. and we sat in overflow!  But it was probably the best worship experience I've encountered.  We left refreshed .. and ready for coffee and more girl talk!

:)

At her other fav cafe, Caribou



the adventure starts..she was clueless!



We had an awesome time, she was extremely surprised!! and then we continued with the perfect "date" ..

This is one of the best places on Earth!!

French PRESS

Acting French



Feathers!!  I spotted from across the room..

Cheers to Halia!!  Happy 31st our beautiful Ukranian Sister!!

We actually had her describe her perfect guy as well during our investigation, and as the mystery of the guy she spotted as we were leaving continues! she was very happy about her birthday surprise and we are excited to see how more of this weekend unfolds.  We even had to meet at starbucks a few days later to discuss revelation we received during/after the trip (we're always looking for a reason to hook up for coffee!) .. and I hope I am free to share more in the near future.  All I know to say is the more I follow and trust God, the more His Word and promises like Jeremiah 29:11 and Isaiah 43:19 become more Real.

I watched a beautiful sunrise this AM and wanted to share this story .. and now it is time to go see my Christ Fellowship fam that I missed last Sunday.  I'm grateful and excited for another day to praise God and experience more blessings and gifts from the One Who loves us unconditionally.

In the words of my Starbucks friend who I run into all over South Beach...

May Christ's Love bless you today!

Ciao ~

hailey