|
"The other night I took a walk down into the slums of my heart. I do not go there often because of the high crime rate and the rise of and pride gangs. A few thugs named Jealousy and Bitterness slipped down into parts of the slums I could not enter without feeling the effects of looking too deeply. There was scum everywhere and the stench of rotting, unspoken sins filled the air. How had it gotten this bad? I was overwhelmed with the slanderous air that left a flithy scum over everything, and I saw a named slip into a small dark door. She was dressed in treacherous clothing of seduction. Her perfume was a fragrance I tried to not recognize but I could not help it. The stench of perversion. I dared not look in to see what other persons waited there. A dirty looking man homeless man lay on the ground as if asleep, but he was very much awake, looking to see who was watching him. His name was Pride and in his desire to have others look at him, he had not seemed to see the terrible effects upon his body. Infected sores of self-righteousness plauged his legs and lower arms. Maggots of vanity were crawling around in raw flesh. He was a disgusting sight...I would not look at him any longer. I could not take it anymore--being there any longer was unbearable. I started running as fast as I could out of that terrible, morbid place--I had to get out of there! In my haste I tripped over a rusty can of hindrance that had been left on the sidewalk. Falling I scraped my knee and stained my khaki pants with the sewage of a nearby sewer system. People were lined up in a near-by alley way all of them carrying some sort of baggage. They had watched the whole scenario. I could make out some of the things they were holding. One woman clutched tightly to a wailing baby named Fear in her arms. Another man was helping Bitterness, who had by this time shot himself in the foot, with the very weapon he intended to hurt another with. A young boy of about seven held a suitcase with the words and Predjudice on the side. Their eyes met mine. I knew where they were all going: to the center of the slum where a house had been erected in their honor. They had lived there many years and would stay there...until I had the courage to tell them to leave...but I could not in my own strength. I got up and continued to run until I reached the suburbs. I caught my breath and settled into a slow walk. This was the part of my heart I did not mind sharing with others. It was an inviting place, thanks to all the work the Lord had done there. Beautiful manicured lawns, adorable little houses, and my neighbor's children Faith and Hope playing on the sidewalk. There was even a beautiful house I had built in the hopes that my Savior would live there. By no means did I want HIM to ever enter the slums. Sometimes people from that nauseating part of town would try to come up into the suburbs and people would see a piece of the slums of my heart. However, for the most part I tried to keep that area of my life hidden. I would only show the most beautiful areas of my heart to those who asked me to tell about myself. 'Look at my beautiful garden filled with the fruits of the Spirit. In the center is the fountain of love,' I would tell them. Or, 'You must come see the library of memory verses! There's no place like it.' But to take them to the slums...what would people say if they really knew who I was? I could hardly bear it myself. I never expected HIM to ask me to take a walk with him down there one day. "O no Lord!! Anywhere else is fine--how about a walk on the Prayer boardwalk? or the church down the road? We could go eat at The Daily Bread...? I looked at His eyes and gave in reluctantly. I had known He known all along, but I didn't want to face Him with the grim reality that lived in the slums of my heart. We walked down...it was one of the hardest walks of my life. I felt sick because I didn't know what I would tell Him once he saw the condition of things. He could not know how bad it had gotten...I was sure he would leave and give up on me once he saw the downtown area. I couldn't blame him... He had done so much work in my heart already, I had surrendered many things and he had transformed a truly filthy area into something beautiful. This was the only reason the suburbs existed. But, I was sure nothing could be done to repair the slums...this was beyond hope, beyond fixing. I looked up...we had arrived. I wanted to meet His eyes but I could not. What was He thinking? What would He say? Then his hand lifted my head and His eyes met mine. I was overwhelmed with the deep love and pain I saw. His next words gripped me: "I gave my life so you could be set free from the slums. You do not have to hide the deepest parts of yourself from me. I already know the condition of the slums of your heart. Yet I love you just as you are. Confess and I will be faithful to forgive you and it will be just as if you have never sinned. All your addictions and sins, you cannot overcome them in your own power. Through my power in you, I will enable you to rise as a victor over this area of your heart. But are you willing to surrender this part of your heart to me?" It would not be easy. I knew some people would be harder to evict than others...but with the help of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the slums of my heart would be transformed. They are being transformed even now, but only because I now take the time to walk down into the filthy areas of my life with my Lord. My question to you is what is in the slums of your heart? And if you know, then my next question is are you willing to be honest and vulnerable enough to let the Lord walk through them with you? You will never be changed if you live life behind a mask...be honest with the one who knows you and loves you for who you are right now. Let his mighty power transform your life." Written by: Sarah Payne "Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, , ery, immorality, theft, false testimony, slander." Matthew 15:17-19 |
|
"Don't look at me Lord, I am not the beautiful princess you deserve. My eyes are dull and lifeless after many years of tears My face is disfigured and ed from all of my shame My hands are tired and unsure from the trials they have endured My feet are now dirty and rough from trailing through all sorts of stuff My body is wretched and worn from the sins that I have borne My heart is torn and empty from wounds that never seem to heal I'm covered in scars I'm coated with dirt I'm filled with every kind of hurt." As tears slide down my unsightly face I close my eyes and turn to walk away¦ "My most lovely child", His voice almost breaks "Do not turn away Have you not heard, have you not seen? My grace is all you'll ever need. Come, walk awhile with me. He leads me to a shimmering lake and bids me to gaze at the reflection of my face. "My Darling, look and see what I see in you, Your eyes are glistening, sparkling blue Your face shines with my mercy and truth Your hands are my servants ready and able to work Your feet have never been so dirt free Your body is gorgeous , well rested and strong You heart is full of my peace Your scars are stories filled with My grace You are coated with my life-saving You are filled with unimaginable love Beautiful Princess, You must always remember that my grace is enough." ~by Sherie LeAnne Boling |
|
A girl needs to hide herself so deep in God that a guy has to go through God in order to get to her... |
|
My beautiful Momma and I!
This is my "baby"...her name is Brooklyn! We were at the beach this summer for family vaca! needless to say we had a blast!
My sister and I decided to go to the top of one of the mountains around here, and watch the sun rise...this is when we first got there!
The is me, on a cliff...waiting for the sunrise!
This is my other hard earned baby! and this is the sunrise! |
|
She sat on a chair by the window looking dreamily beyond the horizon. Her father the King, had told her since she was but a little girl that one day her Prince would come riding over that horizon on a white horse, and that he would be everything she could ever have dreamed of, and he would come when she was ready for love...but not just any love, this was going to be true love. And so everyday she would sit by her window and patiently wait his coming. After a while she got tired of waiting everyday, and never seeing anything but a bird or two flying by. And day by day her focus on the horizon became less and less. There was a boy in the town below that noticed how the princess would stare out the window, and everyday the boy would go under the window and wait until he could get her attention. For many days he got no response, but he noticed also that everyday her attention became more broadened. Until one day she looked away from the horizon entirely and noticed him sitting under her window. The princess and the pauper boy developed a relationship, and before long they were in love. Daily her father, the King, would remind her to wait, but his voice became less and less noticable to her. One evening the pauper boy came to the princess' window and asked her to marry him. She said yes, and that same evening they eloped. 1 year later the princess was sweeping the front porch of her humble one bedroom house, with her husband yelling in the background...He was drunk...again. She felt the baby kick inside her abdomen, and wiped her forehead of the dirt. She looked up to the castle just ahead. Oh how she missed the pleasures, and love that was there. She missed her father's hug, his smile, and how he always made her feel valuable. But she could never have that again. She had made the decision not to wait for her prince, and now she would never have him. She had settled for something less than the best. And now, she was pregnant, and married to a drunk. She looked up again, and just then she saw a handsome man galloping to the castle on a white steed...Her prince. By: Heather Wyble  |
|
Here is a song I wrote for my dad... tell me what you think!
~Forever Prince Charming~ A little girl-sits on her daddy's knee-as he tells her another bedtime story-He talks about sleeping beauty, Cinderella, and Snow white- How they all had that special boy in their lives- He said his name will be Prince Charming- And He'll sweep you off your feet- but you dont have to worry Darlin'- Cause' He'll be everything you need- Chorus Daddy you are my forever Prince Charming-You're already everything I need-Cause' Daddy you have swept me off my feet- Daddy you are my forever Prince Charming She turned 16 today- and It seems like Yesterday- When she would sit on her daddy's knee- and He remembers what she used to say- Chorus Daddy you are my forever Prince Charming- You're already everything I need- Cause's Daddy you have swept me off my feet- Daddy you are my forever Prince Charming She'll change her name today- And her daddy'll give her away- And as he tells her it's almost time- He feels the tears gathering in his eyes-Well she looks at him and says Chorus Daddy you are my forever Prince Charming- You're already everything I need- Cause' Daddy you have swept me off my feet- Daddy you are my forever Prince Charming A little girl sits on her daddy's knee... *Dedicated to my wonderful dad- I dont know where I would be without you. To My Jesus- Thank you for gaurding my heart, without You, my heart would be shattered. and to my future husband... I'm waiting for you.  My Handsome Daddy!
|
|
~He must Increase, and I must decrease~ In order for God to become Lord of our lives...in order for people to see God in us...We MUST decrease...We need to stop putting ourselves back on the throne in our lives, and start putting God there, where He belongs...People see the thing that we exalt in our lives...and if we are exalting ourselves or other things we 'worship'...what are they gonna see? ...not God. |
|
Hey Ya'll! How ya been!?! Okay enough with the bad grammer! I hope everyone is doing well! I appologize for not returning comments in an appropriate and timely manner! And I hate makeing excuses...but I'm going to do it anyway! Here is my excuse: I've been busy! With what you may ask: School(trying to graduate), work (Which I am still trying to put together a bussiness) Chruch (choir, worship leader in the youth group, Children's church, and Nursery), working for other people, my youth group's servant evangelism project (for more info, ask me) Tutoring, Piano lessons, teaching Guitar lessons, babysitting, training my horse, There is more, but I decided to not overwhelm you too much! Anyway! I found a really cool blog site a few months ago, and I really like it...Has anyone heard of the "honor academy" or Battle Cry? I personally have never been to any of their activities, or confrences...and such. But now they have a blog site...If you want to see mine you can click HERE So if you want to see how I am doing, I post mostly on there... But anyway! Kai is doing well, she and I are riding a lot, and she is really coming along nicely...we took a "photo shoot" of her the other day, but I still have yet to download the pictures! But as soon as I do, I will put them on here for you all to enjoy! I have been going thru the book of Proverbs for my devotions, and I was in chapter 8 yesterday (hence it was the 8th day of March) and it talked about Wisdom. wow! I love Proverbs! Anyway, I really dont have time to post a whole lot, because I need to go, and do school...but Have a blessed day! By the Way, How was everyone's easter? till next time .::Heather::. |
|
Hey Ya'll! How ya been!?! Okay enough with the bad grammer! I hope everyone is doing well! I appologize for not returning comments in an appropriate and timely manner! And I hate makeing excuses...but I'm going to do it anyway! Here is my excuse: I've been busy! With what you may ask: School(trying to graduate), work (Which I am still trying to put together a bussiness) Chruch (choir, worship leader in the youth group, Children's church, and Nursery), working for other people, my youth group's servant evangelism project (for more info, ask me) Tutoring, Piano lessons, teaching Guitar lessons, babysitting, training my horse, There is more, but I decided to not overwhelm you too much! Anyway! I found a really cool blog site a few months ago, and I really like it...Has anyone heard of the "honor academy" or Battle Cry? I personally have never been to any of their activities, or confrences...and such. But now they have a blog site...If you want to see mine you can click HERE So if you want to see how I am doing, I post mostly on there... But anyway! Kai is doing well, she and I are riding a lot, and she is really coming along nicely...we took a "photo shoot" of her the other day, but I still have yet to download the pictures! But as soon as I do, I will put them on here for you all to enjoy! I have been going thru the book of Proverbs for my devotions, and I was in chapter 8 yesterday (hence it was the 8th day of March) and it talked about Wisdom. wow! I love Proverbs! Anyway, I really dont have time to post a whole lot, because I need to go, and do school...but Have a blessed day! By the Way, How was everyone's easter? till next time .::Heather::. |
|
Well, I recently felt the Lord telling me to start my own bussiness...I dont know why but I just have this strong desire to be out from under the wings of a "boss"...Now Don't get me wrong...I love my job at the animal Hospital, and I love working at the farm up the street... But They both are so time consuming, and I truly want to have more time at home with my family...it seems like I am never home anymore...But see, here's the catch...I have to pay for my own horse, my insurance, and my gas, and anything else that comes up my path...so just quiting would be a huge leap of faith...Plus I do not even know what I want to do in my bussiness...I wrote down all of my strengths, and yes, I know how to do a lot of things, but my sister Hannah is the crafty one in this family, and I would hate to steal that from her...aside from the crafty part, I could train horses, but I wouldnt get that much bussiness, if any at all...for one, I do not have a farm...or a place ot keep any horses...as my horse is boarded somewhere else...I could babysit, but that wouldn't work either because I would still be under the wings of a "boss"...I could teach guitar lessons...but I am not the best at it...though I know the Lord is the one who gave me that talent...and I know that I could very well do it, but would not be able to teach very much...I could....and so on and so forth... But still no matter how many excuses I give the Lord, I still have this undying desire to establish my own bussiness...So please pray that I will rely on the Lord...and if I am to quit my current job that God would provide...because as of right now I do not have enough to keep me going till my bussiness brings in enough to be my main scource of income... Thanks all!
|
|
~Jeremiah 29:11~
I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. You may be going thru some tough times right now...but you know what!?! God knows the plans He has for you! they are not to harm you...they are not to destroy your future...they are to give you a future and a hope... Right now life may seem like it is not worth living...it may seem like it is headed to destruction...it may seem like you just want to die...and not go on anymore... But take hold to the promise that God gives us...
"I KNOW the plans I have for you...not to harm you, but to give you a future and a hope" ~Jeremiah 29:11 |
|
NOT FOR MY GAIN, BUT HIS GLORY |
|
WEll...It is really short notice, but I will be going down to Mississippi on a missions trip on Saturday. I found out about the trip last night. I am really excited to be going down there to help build houses for people that have none... God really blessed, and I will be going down for free...I only have to pay for the food on the way there and back. My brother and sister will be going with me as well as a team of about 8 others. Please pray that things will go according to plan, and that God's will will be done, and that HE will reap the Glory from this. also, for safety going there and back as well as safety while we do some work on the houses. Thanks so much! ~Heather |
|
Hey everyone!! I appologize for not being on here as often...or checking out anyone's blogs...I plan to do that just as soon as I have the time! Or I might just check out some on one day and some on another! Anyway...How is everyone!?! God has been teaching me a lot recently...so I guess I will just tell you what he has taught me!
Has anyone had storms? Not physical storms...like thunderstorms, and lightning, and rain...but spiritual storms? I know I have...and I know that sometimes in the midst of those storms God may seem miles away...when in fact he is right there...completly at peace, even when we are in complete turmoil. I just wanted to encourage some of you...maybe all of you...I don't know who you are ...but you do. In Mark 4:35-41 Jesus and His disciples are crossing over the lake...now this is not just any old lake...this lake I belive was pretty massive...almost like an ocean. Remember when Jesus fell asleep in the boat, and a big storm arose...so big that the boat began to take on water, and the disciples were afraid for their lives. Take note that Jesus was sleeping. So they woke up Jesus and asked him why he didn't care that they were in the midst of a strom and the boat was taking on water, and they were going to drown. And Jesus got up, and calmed the storm...not later, but immediatly. And then He asked them "Why are you afraid? Why is it that you have no faith?" Jesus' disciples had been with Him for all of his ministry. They knew what Jesus was capable of, and they knew that He was the Son of God, and that nothing was impossible with Him. Yet...they still had no faith, they still did not trust Him... Now in the beggining of this passage Jesus says "Let us cross over to the otehr side"...Now...since Jesus is all knowing...wouldn't He have said "let us see if we can cross to the other side safely" if He knew that they were going to drown? He knew that they were going to make it to the other side...He was completly at peace...I don't know about you but I am not able to sleep if I know that something is wrong...Yet Jesus slept. Guys and Gals...when we go thru some of life's storms...take hold on the promise that we are going to make it to the other side...even if it may seem that we will never make it thru...God is right there...at peace. We may take on water...baggage...and we may feel that we are going to drown in it...but with Jesus with us...we WILL make it thru...no matter how hard it seems...no matter how hopeless...God is there...WITH you, He will never leave you nor forsake you...He is right there. Are you going to trust Him? Where is your faith?? Do you have faith?? |
|
Hey Guys! Its been a while since I last posted! How is everyone!?! I really do not have much to say...I am in the process of putting together a praise team for my youth group...and planning a summer camp... The planning started tonight...and man do we have a lot of stuff to go over!! We still have to decide the date for the camp but it will be either late June, or mid July. We are still unsure of whether we will do it for one week or two weeks... If anyone is interested in being a counselor, or helper at a summer camp...please let me know...The camp will be held at Many Blessings Farm in Bedford, Va... It is a Christian day camp, and the counselors and helpers will be staying on campus. It is a lot of fun, and God really uses it to touch a lot of people... We are unsure of the cost right now, but it is not very much...We are looking for counselors ages 16 and up...and then we need help with horses, and different activities...and the people we need for that can be as young as 14. There are 12 slots open for the counselors, and there are 10 slots open for the helpers... It is a great way to reach out to 6 th-8th grade kids...and if anyone feels led to work in the youth ministry...it is a great oppurtunity to get a head start on your ministry. If you are interested in being a counselor or a helper...Please let me know by the end of January...because we need to send out application forms...There is not a garuntee that you will be able to come, The first 12 counselor applicants and the first 10 helper applicants are going to be the ones filling the slots...so please let me know soon! I will post more information as soon as we know what it is! Let me know how you all are doing! God bless! ~Heather |
|
Hey Guys! I put a video of my horse, and I riding! She did so well! It is located under my Cbox....so check it out! I am sure that you will laugh your head off! My brother and I fooled around with it until 12:30 am one night! And we are quite pleased with the result! So check it out, and let me know how you all like it!
|
|
Hey Everybody! There is so much going on I don't know where to start! First of all, Kai is doing good, she and I are riding a lot, and she is learning very quickly! I made a video of her and I trotting, but I am not sure how to upload it to my files...and plus I think it may be too big! So if anyone has any tips, let me know! Second...it is less than 2 weeks till Christmas! My homeschool co-op is doing our christmas play tonight, and I am very nervous! We ran thru the play today and we did hardly any messups! So we are ready, but just anxious! I have to sing "I'll be home for christmas" and there is a joke going around...because one of our youth leader's name is "Albi" and when you say "I'll be..." it sounds like his name...so the song is basically "his"... This is my first time blogging since they changed HSB...it is really confusing trying to find my way around...but I guess I will get it eventually! It takes time to get used to things right!? God has simply been teaching me to follow Him...so many times I get so caught up in this life that when it comes to my spiritual walk...it becomes a routine, and impersonal...I hate it whenever that happens...but God is teaching me to take a step back and rely on Him...and keep my focus on Him...I think it's something called Trust! Anyway...I guess I had better go...I have to practice the song I am doing! And I still have to check out the rest of the site! |
|
Well, this week so far has been hectic! and it's only Thursday! I did get all of my Christmas shopping done though! Nothing really interesting has happened... OH! actually...something very interesting happened!
I just got home from babysitting for a family that does not live too far from my home...I put the kids to bed at around 8:30pm ( ages 2 and 1), and I did the dishes, and cleaned up all the toys that we got out...and I sat down to watch a good hallmark movie...I was not sure what the name of it was but it was a very good one! It was so good that I was very into the movie! But out of the corner of my eye I see a...well...a something running across the floor... It caught my attention and I looked over and what do I see? I saw a MOUSE! It saw me move and then it ran for it's life...ACROSS MY FEET, and then behind the TV, where I am sure a huge feast was about to be held by all of his little friends...He seemed in a hurry... The cat whom was sitting next to me got up and ran to the TV, and then it ran to the chair, and then to the couch I was sitting on! Thankfully the parents walked in at that moment...and so I did not have to worry about a mouse, (of whose name I will keep a secret) sitting under the warmth of my butt. Anyways... over all I had a good time! the kids were really good considering what I had been told! But after I thought about the whole incident...I began to think about something else... I began to think of it on a spiritual level...Though it may seem kinda dumb...
I magine you are the mouse...just a simple person trying to make a living, and living your life for Christ...When all of a sudden...God tells you to go out of your comfort zone, and start making a statement for Christ... So you do what God says and you close your eyes really tight and you make a run for it...finally you are "out there"...and then imagine that the human was the task you were to conqure...and you get scared...you begin to question God's majesty...you begin to question God's leadership in your life... and you make a run for it...and you hide..but it's not only you thats hiding...it's the "truth that will set you free" also...YOU CARRY THE TRUTH... So what are you gonna do? are you going to stay out there? (the mission field) or are you going to get scared and not trust God and run?
You don't have to go to another country to be on the "mission field"...your mission field is where you are...
|
|
Well it is 23 days till Christmas, and I have 14 presents to buy and make, and all that jazz!..I guess I'd better get busy!!! Anyway...I moved Kai, and she is doing well, I was working with her today actually, with walking across creeks and not freaking out... and going under HUGE trees, and getting accustomed to loud things...like chainsaws! She did really well! I was a very proud of my girl!
Anyway *man I sure do say that word ALOT*... Well, I was so proud of myself... I stayed up till 1 am Thursday morning making my "financial notebook" I got my paycheck and normally I just put it in the bank, and take out enough for Gas, and food for Kai, and maybe a little extra...and then I just keep track of it in my mind...and go and get money whenever I want...well, I quickly realized that my bank account slowly but surely became more and more depleted... Well, I decided to become a responsible young adult and start budgeting my money... So far I have stuck with the plan...it's been 4 days and I have not gone a penny over (or under) what I planned! But this next pay check is going to look rather big...but that just means that more goes into savings! and maybe a little more into spending!
Anyway *ughh, theres that word again*
I have a question....
and you have to answer it!
drum roll please...................................
What do ya'll think of redbone coonhounds??? Theres a picture of some HERE and a very good description of the breed HERE
LEAVE A COMMENT!!!
|
|
I have been reading thru the New Testiment, and I am in 2 Timothy right now... I was reading last night and I came across some very true verses...
In 2 Timothy 2:20-22 it says
But in a great house there are not only vessels of Gold and Silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some for Honor and some for dishonor Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, He will be a vessel of Honor, Sanctified (Holy-Set apart) and useful for the Master, Prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but Pursue Righteousness, Faith, Love, and Peace with those who call on the Lord out of a Pure Heart.
Paul tells us to FLEE youthful Lusts, That can be anything from wanting your friend's car, to not giving tithe, to looking at a girl or guy the wrong way, thinking wrong things...sexual immorality...use your imagination...It does Not say to stick around and see what happens...it says Flee...RUN AWAY, Leave...
In Romans 13:14 it says But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make NO Provision for the flesh to fulfill it's lusts.
Now, it does not say that it will be easy...because naturally we want to stick around "just to see what happens". But God gives us strength to do whats right...*Phillippians 4:13~I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me. ALL things...not some things...not "the things that only I WANT to do" But ALL things.
So...today, maybe you are struggling with some type of sin in your life...maybe it's jealously, or maybe its sexual immorality, or maybe its a girl or guy in your life that is pulling you down... God says to FLEE...you can do it, You can do ALL things thru Christ who strengthen you.
|