In today’s time, we have a logo for everything. Every program, every service line, every business and church. It represents everything. It is to encompass the very essence of that organization or product. But what would the Creator’s logo be? What about the Savior’s logo? Or the Comforter’s logo? Do they have an image?
Here are some options:
The cross.
The world.
The clouds.
Humanity.
The wind.
LIGHT.
Blood.
The sound of a newborn.
Are these the logos of God?
What is a logo? Definition: A logo is a visual mark that distinguishes a company, organization, product, or brand. (According to google)
Does Jesus have a brand? An image? Does He need one?
Everything in this world is consumed with marketing an image to deliver a message to provoke an action.
Let me say it again.
Everything in this world is consumed with marketing an image to deliver a message to provoke an action.
What are we promoting or marketing? What message are we sharing? What action are we desiring from those around us? Here is a thought that has crossed my mind – what if everything we did ONLY promoted the Name of Jesus…. How would the world look different?
Philippians 2:9-11
“For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
If we are Christians, we are called to be the evidence and residence of Jesus. Do we reflect the evidence and residence of Jesus?
What name are we more concerned with promoting than Jesus? If we believe that His Name is the only Name that saves, then why do we concern ourselves promoting any other name?”
John 14:6
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
Acts 4:12
“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
Either we believe this or we don’t. If we do, then we believe Jesus is the Messiah and we should look, be, act and see different. So, if this is true, anything else we put above this Name is idol worship. Are we pushing another name other than Jesus Christ?
I ask again, what would Jesus’ logo be? Would we dare put it on our cars, shirts, hats or backpacks? How would we approach His Name differently if we believe His Name truly possesses the power we say it does?
This leads me into great thought and inner dialogue with myself asking who or whom do I represent?
The last ten years of life have created more stress than I ever dreamed one person, one family, could experience. In bullet point fashion, let me incredibly briefly share the load:
⁃ Emotional, Physical, Mental & Spiritual: growth of my own family through infertility and adoption and cleft palates
⁃ Physical: Illness equating to my father being in the hospital every holiday for a solid two years
⁃ Spiritual: Two massive church splits
⁃ Emotional: My oldest niece adopting four amazing kiddos
⁃ Emotional, Mental, Physical, Spiritual: the loss of my sister, my father, Clif’s grandmother, and Clif’s uncle
⁃ Spiritual: attempting to rebuild relationships with people and attempting to build new friends
⁃ Physical: stress killing me AKA weight gain and new food allergies
⁃ Emotional: family dynamics looking radically different
⁃ Emotional: watching dementia move into our family
⁃ Emotional and Mental: the amazing company I work for was purchased and all the changes that come with the beauty of realignments, new team members, new processes
⁃ Emotional, Physical, Mental & Spiritual: greater battles than ever seen before in my own home front
⁃ Emotional, Physical, Mental & Spiritual: stepping away from all of the ministries and volunteering that consumed my schedule in search of more peace and true connection and meaning
⁃ Emotional: loving on two sweet foster babies for one year with my oldest niece
⁃ Emotional: watching my youngest niece celebrate high school ceremonies and start college without my sister
⁃ Emotional: watching my sister’s three girls expand and grow without the joy present of my sister
⁃ Emotional, Physical, Mental & Spiritual: losing everything that seems normal to me
⁃ Spiritual: determining what in the world God wants to do with me now
⁃ And that is just to name a few….
And then we book a trip for all 16 of my family members to ALASKA. Yes, that’s a lot of people. Yes, we all have super strong personalities. Yes, we are all painful when we get cranky. Yes, we know when to spend less time together. Yes, everyone came home alive.
I asked around and determined Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas was for us! We chose July 4th week for many reasons – and loved that we did. We chose the easier option of docking in and out of Seattle being that we were travelling from Knoxville, Tennessee, to the other side of the country. And as many of you know, we flew Delta- where all the kiddos got pilot wings and airplane trading cards. Be sure to try their chicken salad box for purchase – we highly recommend. Don’t forget to ask for wheelchair assistance with your airline if your party needs that- it created the greatest experience for my mom.
We made plans to spend the weekend in Seattle and so glad we did! We enjoyed seeing all there is to see at Pike Place market, Luke’s lobster rolls, Soul Cycle, the original Starbucks, Elliott’s Oyster House, Seattle Mariners game, and, of course climbing Mount Rainer. I won’t share the hotel we stayed in because I wasn’t super happy with the experience. I only talk about the excellent things. And the other stuff I try to forget. Being that we had 16 people of all ages, we divided and conquered a lot. But it was all amazing!
We ubered to the boat dock and I was thoroughly impressed with the entire onboarding experience- especially since my mom needed wheelchair support. Royal Caribbean has logistics down to a beautiful science. I had never been on a cruise ship before nor travelled this way via water. No one in my room was ever seasick nor felt uneasy about the large ship. We had all of the medicines, but none were needed, thankfully.
We chose the ship that stopped in Sitka, Skagway, Juneau, and Victoria. We had two full days at sea on our seven day trip.
I’ve been told that “water triggers our parasympathetic nervous system.
I am a big believer that God created this world for His Glory and our good. As God was speaking and creation was responding, we see God do miraculous things with His very Word. For reference, check out the powerful historical timeline of Genesis 1 & 2. God’s Word carries power and weight. His Word creates, and creates things the first time in a way that can reproduce itself. God’s Word on any situation causes changes to occur. God’s Word impacts hearts and souls – hard and soft. I was mesmerized by all that my eyes could see. I was mesmerized with all of the creatures I was able to behold – eagles, whales, sea otters, and seals. I was astonished with views of ocean waves, mountains green and snow covered, waterfalls, small towns, lakes and rivers, and don’t forget the small town Alaskan folks thrilled to meet you.
My soul needed rest.
My body needed rest.
My mind needed rest.
My calendar needed rest.
My heart needed quiet stillness.
Frequently, I have been reminded of the historical narrative of Peter walking on the water to Jesus, especially when I was on a boat (ship) surrounded by water.
Matthew 14:22-33
Immediately He (JESUS) made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!”
How often do I focus and meditate on the wind? How often do I become frightened by the very thing that God controls, Jesus controls? Why do I let that “thing” sink me, when my Saviour says, “Come!”
Lord, I long to live as the version of Peter that climbed out of the boat and walked. Lord, I ask that you give me the strength and power to fixate my eyes solely on your face. In Your eyes.
The water that surrounded us washed over my soul. Being immersed in God’s creation without a schedule and internet wrote a new rhythm on my heart and my mind. Today, I choose to be in the midst of things that matter. I choose to focus my eyes on Jesus and those things that do not align are removed. The peace of God consumed my trip and I am beyond thankful for the time He met with me there.
In Sitka, Clif and I experienced a bike and hike which was super fun – Thimbleberry Lake Trailhead not on e-bikes but real bikes! I could live in Sitka – 8,500 people and 14 miles of paved roads. A simpler life. We also enjoyed eating reindeer and blueberry soda from a local food truck. Not to mention purchasing SALT from Alaska Pure Sea Salt! If you want to see bears, this is the place. Also, your photographer husband will be sad for days if he doesn’t see a bear. Make note. 😆 In Skagway, the entire family rode on the White Pass Yukon Route Railroad and it was incredible. I highly recommend you bring snacks and coffee onboard and they only provide bottled water. We also enjoyed an Alaskan Fry Bread at Klondike Doughboy. Amazing! I could live here too! We were able to experience 4th of July celebrations in this small town – tug of war and contests. It was incredible!
In Juneau, my brother and family did the special excursion that took you on a boat off of our ship that was much closer to the glacier and wildlife – Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. They loved it! Also, in Juneau many of us explored over to the Mendenhall Glacier and waterfall. It did include a one mile paved hike, so I recommend renting a wheelchair for this event. It was beautiful – on our drive there we saw eagles everywhere. Also, I heard the crab legs were excellent! In Victoria, I was thoroughly overwhelmed with its beauty. Our crew broke off and did many things – e-bikes around the city, photography around the city, shopping around the city and tea room. This is a city I would make plans to go back for more time. The Abkhazi Garden was divine with its tea room experience. And the town was gorgeous with its Fairmont Empress Hotel, sailboat harbor, China Town, and British Columbia Parliament building. It was a very quick trip to this stop, but it was well worth the time.
None of this includes the family feud night, silent disco, Bingo, speakeasy with live music, workout center overlooking the ocean, running the track above the ship, ice cream Skip Bo game, Taco Goat Cat Cheese Pizza game, Bananagrams game, watching the sun go down at midnight, every hour on the hour, virgin pina coladas, incredible dining experiences and the spa! And so much time in the pools!
And we experienced a beautiful time spent with family. We made memories and every second of it I am thankful. My vow is to never waste a moment of this life. My vow is to keep striving to protect my rest and my peace. My vow is to continue to create relationships with those who truly care about me and for me. My vow is to keep my thoughts meaningful and uplifting – fighting against the critical spirit. My vow is to live life to the fullest and attempt to follow everywhere the Lord leads. My vow is to walk on the water keeping my eyes focused and unhindered.
The formal night. Lounging early morning while the rest of the world slept.Taken by Heather Haley… not Clifton Haley. 😂My people. Check out Amazon for Clifton Haley Photography Alaska Prints.
All day every day we run the race of life. We push for more. We fight for more. We fill the schedules with every school event, work event, sports event, church event, you name it there is an event screaming for your attention. As women, we do our best to make sure all the details are covered – food, clothes, extras - presents, parties, special moments and don’t forget every small detail needed for school so the kids aren’t left out or made to feel silly. We are like little mice running a wheel all day long. Then when there isn’t any running, the necessity of making sure all the clothes are washed, dishes are clean, sheets are laundered, floors are swept and of course those pesty bathrooms. And I haven’t even begun to mention all the additional demands if you also work outside of the home. Oh, and let’s not forget exercise and diet control. That is a HUGE FACTOR as well. AND kids needing dental work, doctors’ appointments and the never-ending calls for more. More of everything. Constantly pulling at the mind of a mother. And then the kids get sick, work becomes more stressful than normal, family members suffer from major life altering moments, and your home becomes under siege. And never forget the strong desire of your heart to teach your children the intimacy of a living and breathing walk with God, as well as, protecting your own intimacy with the Father.
The demands on a woman are great. The demands on a man are great – while I watch and see those pressures from afar, I will never do justice in speaking to them with clarity and entirety. For that reason, do not hear me dismiss the demands on a man. They are strong and they are great. Men of today are dismissed and made to look inferior, weak and unintelligent. That is the furthest from the truth. Our men should be respected, honored and revered. Even at times when we feel they do not deserve it.
Women today add too many extra pressures to their hearts, minds and souls. I am the chief among them. We are constantly taking care of so many and still trying to take care of ourselves with a good amount of zeal and purpose. Sometimes all of it is just too much. Have you ever wished you could just stop the madness and the chaos? Have you ever considered stopping it all? Have you considered redefining your days, weeks and missions with a different viewpoint or foundation?
This summer, our family did just that. Not perfectly, but at least began to put one foot in front of the other to make our world look different again. This summer, we felt led to return to a place that shook our American Christian foundation as young adults. We knew the Lord desired us to visit with Cheryl Spence at Jesus Centered Ministries in Leon, Nicaragua, and lend her a helping hand with the orphans and the cleft babies she is helping with. We started our preparations. One week later, the Lord provided all of the money we needed to for our family of four to go. We casually mentioned this to our “best couple friends” and they shared their church was planning a trip to the same place at the same time. We knew the Lord had orchestrated this time for such a time as this. And if anyone has read any of my other blogs, you understand that the number 26 holds significant meaning in my spiritual walk. The departure date was December 26. The story about the 26 (https://wordpress.com/post/heather-haley.com/516). And here we were, going to Leon after fifteen years to love on a people we hadn’t seen and honestly allowed ourselves to forget about.
As I have been in Leon this week, I have been driven to the book of Joshua for my daily study. During Joshua’s farewell address he speaks so passionately from his heart on so many points -
After a long time had passed, the Lord gave rest to Israel from the enemies around them.
He reminds them that even though they fought, it was always the Lord who had fought for them.
He speaks truth to them that the Lord will keep His promises and drive the enemy out before them so that they will take possession of their promised land.
He encourages them to “be VERY strong; be careful to obey all that is written without turning aside to the right or to the left.”
He cautions the people not to associate with the nations that will lead them astray and guide them away from their purpose and mission.
He speaks to them about how they have been stronger and mightier warriors solely because the Lord gave them the win. He is the One fighting for them and He promised that He would.
BE CAREFUL TO LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD.
If you choose not to love the Lord, then understand fully that the punishment that comes with that – He will stop fighting for you. The nations around them will become “snares and traps” for them.
YOU KNOW WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND SOUL THAT NOT ONE OF ALL THE GOOD PROMISES THE LORD YOUR GOD GAVE YOU HAS FAILED. EVERY PROMISE HAS BEEN FULFILLED; NOT ONE HAS FAILED.
He speaks of serving the Lord – with all faithfulness. All faithfulness does not mean you sign up for every job needed at the church office. All faithfulness means you sit and be still and hear Him guide you and your home into all fullness and mission. You hear Him speak your mission and your calling to you.
And now to the most powerful point, in my opinion, in this text and farewell message from Joshua –
“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15.
BUT IF SERVING THE LORD SEEMS UNDESIRABLE TO YOU.
In my entire Christian life, I don’t believe I have every paid much attention to the first nine words of this verse. We quote and embroider the rest of this verse, but how often do we incorporate that first section.
BUT IF SERVING THE LORD SEEMS UNDESIRABLE TO YOU.
Does serving the Lord seem undesirable to you? This is a true, genuine heart question. Is this something you have honestly no desire for? As a Christian, I feel there are many reasons that you can lose your desire for the things of God. Also, if you are not a Christian then you cannot desire the things of God – it is not possible. I know in my own journey, the last three years have challenged me in what I believe about my God. I was always a person who fulfilled her days with the busyness of church and ministry. I won’t say my heart wasn’t in the right place and that I was being intentionally disobedient. I know in my own convictions that I was following as I was being led in my service to Jesus. And I walked intimately with Him. And then the loss of my sister in 2020, struck a new chord in my journey with my Saviour. In that moment, my service to the Lord stopped and my service to my family began. In my opinion, I wasn’t serving the Lord anymore, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Maybe, I have never served the Lord more fully. Or more intimately. But in these reconstruction years, my desires have been challenged. There have been days that my relationship with God has been distant – through my own making and lack of focus and attention. And through that foundational fracture, my service was not desirable. When we are not in the Word of God, the Truth struggles to take root and our service is stagnant. And then we look at all of the areas of our lives that might not be the focus area He wants us to see.
When Joshua speaks this to the Israelites, they are being bombarded with the gods of their past and the new gods in their present setting as they both compete with the One True God. This statement and challenge is not different today. We still face the demons and desires of the gods we served in our past and present day. Did we deal with addiction before Christ? Did we suffer from depression or bitterness before Christ? Or what about the constant need to be busy? And in our present settings, what are the gods pulling for our attention? Is it the push to always go above and beyond at the workplace? Or the desire to constant be on your cell phone when your kids are sitting beside you longing for your eyes? The idea that the gods we face are different is a false idea. Anything that takes your focus and attention away from the One True God is a false god. It is a competing god. What is grabbing for your attention that takes you away from walking in the fullness of God.
And let’s not forget the final point I found in Joshua 24 – “Israel served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the Lord had done for Israel.” But what happened after that? Once the people who had experienced the Joshua era of the goodness of God had died, did they continue to serve? When Joshua challenges them to choose this day who we serve, he is asking that because he is wanting them to make their worship and relationship their own and not just following the faith of the leaders above us and around us. Is your faith and your worship true and real to you? Or are you just mimicking the worship of those around you and those who lead you?
This trip for our home was to reset and recalibrate our focus and our purpose. This trip was to redefine the mission of our home as our own, not as one defined by the leaders around us. This mission was to follow the fullness that God has for us, the Haley family. Our purpose is already spoken in the Heavens by our Creator, we just have to listen.
If you are looking for a place to reset and serve – Cheryl Spence in Leon, Nicaragua, with Jesus Centered Ministries is a great place to start. Reach out and I will be glad to introduce you.
Today, determine if you desire to serve. Choose Who you are serving. And learn as a lady to relax and walk in the fullness of His plan and not your schedule.
says my little boy, Joel. On October 10, 2023, just after hiking to Blood Lake near Park City, Utah, my son chose to join his family in giving his life to Jesus Christ. If you know Joel, you know he is as genuine and literal as they come. And incredibly vocal. About everything. He has wanted to become a Christian for a few years now – always asking questions and wanting to do what we all had done. But these last few months, he has really been intent on making his desires known, but when we would get to the point for him to pray, he would ask to wait. Not this time.
We have been blessed since the moment we met Joel Nathaniel on July 26, 2016, at St. Mary’s Hospital NICU. Since that sweet day when we unexpectedly brought home a one-week-old baby with 26 hours’ notice from the Lord. That first day when you needed us for love beyond compare and to hold you tight as you faced your unknown challenges. To check out the full story of Mr. Joel, see this link: https://wordpress.com/post/heather-haley.com/726.
This story of salvation is one that has been a short while coming. Joel has always asked the deep and thought-provoking questions of life and faith. He always wants to understand every angle of a situation. He is incredibly passionate about everything he does, but very sensitive and gentle about all things related to the Lord. Our family has experienced many losses of loved ones in his short little life and I think that also has given him a deeper understanding and desire to marvel at the things about Heaven and God. His journey and short little life seems so unfair at times as he has experienced so many things taken from him – in a very short time period.
His drive, passion and purpose are magnified in many ways. His intelligence is unique (at least to me 🙂 ). He has a big mission on his life to accomplish anything the Lord directs him towards. My prayer is that we can direct his passion towards his God-given path so that he can run full speed with the mission the Lord has for him. On December 17th, 2023, at Fairview Baptist Church he followed in believer’s baptism. Much like what you saw in the New Testament after believer’s gave their lives to following Christ.
Both of my children have accepted Jesus as their Saviour on hikes in the mountains. Georgia in the Smoky Mountains and Joel in the Rocky Mountains. I know the Lord has a story in that for me – I just don’t know it yet! Soon, I am sure.
In the sweet words of Joel’s salvation prayer, I leave you with this – “If I see You, I will be happy. Jesus, You are the Saviour of everyone. No one can go to Heaven except through You. So many people have gone there, and I would like to go there too. I lay down my life as your servant in Christ. Amen.”
The Journey 