god

A message to women, mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts, grandmothers…. an unwelcomed message by most.

/ heatherhaley07 / Leave a comment

Women, we have been told a lie for generations and have believed it. We have been deceived into thinking so many things about ourselves that are not truth, not biblical, not accurate. Women, we have bought the lie again and again. What lie, you may ask? The lie that feminism, abortion and mental health are truth and are good. Our families, our minds and our homes are under attack and we are not even fighting the right enemy.

Before you completely check out and stop listening. Please note that my entire message is taken from scripture and comes from a place of love and experience. I welcome discussions about all of this – in a respectful way. Our God is longing for relationship with every person in the world and the only way to keep his creation, mankind, from running to Him is to distort the truth.

We must enter our hearts and minds into a place of submission and surrender. We must declare that the enemy has no power over our hearts, minds, our marriages and our homes. We must seek God’s face. We must seek His Holiness. We must see His Purpose. Jesus has covered your sins and created you for such a time as this. Today. 2026. We must recognize who the Lord is – and who he is not.

May we as women take up the mantle of prayer to truly provide the help to our world we were called to… what if the true “helper” position we were called to is prayer? In Genesis 2:18, God declared that it was not good for man to be alone, ‘I will make him a helper suitable for him.’ I am not saying this is the only position and role that we play in the world – we each have our own gifts and talents and callings, but what if the primary role is to battle on our knees for our families and our world around.

God’s House shall be called a House of Prayer – Matthew 21:13. Jesus declares that His House shall be called a House of Prayer. We know He was referencing the physical temple (Jerusalem), and especially in this moment when he was running off the “den of robbers” We know that later, Paul speaks of our bodies becoming the temple of God because we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Over the course of the last year, I have been challenged with the idea that my body, my mind, my soul has become a den of robbers and have drifted away from my first love of being a house of prayer – in my body, my mind and my soul.

What if we have failed in our true God-given role as women in the lack of praying, battling for our families, friends, nations and world? Instead of fighting where it matters, on our knees, we are fighting with our words, our rights, our control, our needs, our victimhood – missing the whole point and not really showing up to the true fight. Consider the writings of Ezekiel 9…

“Then I heard him call out in a loud voice, “Bring near those who are appointed to execute judgment on the city, each with a weapon in his hand.” And I saw six men coming from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with a deadly weapon in his hand. With them, was a man clothed in linen who had a writing kit at his side. They came in and stood beside the bronze altar. Now, the glory of the God of Israel went up from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. Then, the Lord called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side and said to him, “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.”

As I listened, he said to the others, “Follow him through the city and kill, without showing pity or compassion. Slaughter the old men, the young men and women, the mothers and children, but do not touch anyone who has the mark. Begin at my sanctuary.” So they began with the old men who were in front of the temple. Then he said to them, “Defile the temple and fill the courts with the slain. Go!” So they went out and began killing throughout the city.  While they were killing and I was left alone, I fell facedown, crying out, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! Are you going to destroy the entire remnant of Israel in this outpouring of your wrath on Jerusalem?” He answered me, “The sin of the people of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great; the land is full of bloodshed and the city is full of injustice. They say, ‘The Lord has forsaken the land; the Lord does not see.’  So I will not look on them with pity or spare them, but I will bring down on their own heads what they have done.” Then the man in linen with the writing kit at his side brought back word, saying, “I have done as you commanded.”

I ask you to consider to search God’s Word in what God says the answers to these questions are. I also ask you to search your heart and ask God to search your heart with the answers to these questions.

  • Do we grieve and lament (passionate expression of deep sadness, or regret) the detestable things?
  • What is detestable to God?
  • What does pursuing Holiness look like?
  • What is the role of a women?
  • What is the role of prayer?
  • What is the role of a wife?
  • What is the purpose of a mother?
  • Where have we missed the eternal value and purpose?

In today’s world, we have never needed a source of truth more than today. I remember growing up, my youth minister spoke to the fact that we were moving as a society to a place where absolute truth would no longer exist. We are definitely there. But does that mean that absolute truth doesn’t exist just because society doesn’t accept it? By no means. The truth is the truth. The truth is what sets you free.

What is the truth about women, babies, hope? Full Disclosure: The Bible is the full source of all truth – it has every answer to every question. That is my opinion and that is where you find my complete inspiration. Women, we are called to surrender and submit to our husbands. When we do this, it is never more holy. Be wise about who you choose to be your husband, ladies. Babies and children are a blessing, there is nothing to changes that – not the way they are conceived matters to the definition that a new life is a blessing. I will tell you right now, if you are considering aborting your baby – don’t. My husband and me will gladly accept them as our own {or facilitate healthy and happy homes for them}, no questions asked. Do not become a murderer on top of everything else. And lastly, mental health. The lives of a human are not separate from one another and the health and soul are intimately interwoven. You can see many scientific studies speaking to how the lack of forgiveness can cause massive health problems within your physical body. But how does this impact mental health – I dare say, without Christ, you have no chance of overcoming mental health woes. Medicine can impact symptoms, but the root problem is not healed without the truth hope to your mind and body – Jesus Christ.

God created us and the world… and without Jesus, there is no hope. Spiritual warfare, demons and angels are both real. When we deny those realities, we are already starting at a massive deficit. You are saying, “the book is old, it cannot possibly have bearings on my 2026 life.” TEST IT. TRY IT. PROVE ME WRONG WHEN YOU BEGIN IN THIS JOURNEY. I challenge you to the very fact that you will never encounter more truth than the Word of God. Not the Preacher, not the teacher, not the TikTok influencer, not the bible study material – the Word of God itself. I challenge you, for the first time for many, to open the Bible and read it for yourself. I can give testimony for my life that there has not been anything in this world that I cannot give answer or clarity to from the book. In my own personal struggles and trials, He has given me Words from His Word that brought clarity and encouragement. Not a moment of my life have I been alone. Not a moment of my life have I been without His clarity and comfort. His Word brings truth. If you don’t own a bible, grab it on Amazon now: https://amzn.to/3VqqzUi

The Book of Jude reads – Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

8 In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them. Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion. These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead.  They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.

14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage. But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.  They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,  keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt;  save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Back to Heather talking. Thank you, Jude, for powerfully enlightening our soft generation with some very hard truths. Short book – powerful truths. We were never intended to identify ourselves (male or female), or the reason for our existence or the part that we play in the world. God already did. The Word already did.

In summary, what tables need to be overturned in your heart? What lies of the world have we held onto and taken as truth? What worldly perspectives are we holding onto that we should be speaking against in this world? If your mind and heart are in turmoil – what are you worshipping? Who is Lord of your life? Are we weeping and mourning for our own sin and the sin all around us? Are we grieved over the detestable things?

Need some direction?

  • 5.8 billion people identify as non-Christian in the world today – 70%
  • 60 million legal abortions have taken place in the United States since 1980
  • 673 million people are facing chronic hunger in the world today
  • 150 million orphans are in the world today
  • 258 million widows are in the world today
  • 50 million people have died since 1980 due to genocides and politicides

“Lord, who may reside in Your tent? Who may settle on Your holy hill?
One who walks with integrity, practices righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart.
He does not slander with his tongue, Nor do evil to his neighbor,
Nor bring shame on his friend; A despicable person is despised in his eyes,
But he honors those who fear the Lord;
He takes an oath to his own detriment, and does not change;
He does not lend his money at interest, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
One who does these things will never be shaken. Psalm 15

Book Review: The Awe of God by John Bevere

/ heatherhaley07 / Leave a comment

“I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways.” Psalm 119:15

“The fear of God is the death of every other fear; like a mighty lion, it chases all other fears before it.” Charles Spurgeon.

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Apostle Paul, Philippians 2:12

We are called to fear God. We are not called to a spirit of fear. We are called to honor Him, submit to Him and declare Him as LORD of our lives – and in order to do so, we must know Him. This book has brought me to a more intimate place and was used to challenge and convict me. This book has been written to remind the people of God what our actual role with God is. This book has been used mightily to teach me what fearing God is and why it matters. He has invited us into relationship with Him on purpose, by design – why would we ever say no?! We are not made for this world – it is much grandeur than this beautiful place.

In week one, day three, Bevere says the following,

“To fear God is to Hallow Him.

To fear God is to esteem, respect, honor, venerate, adore Him above anyone or anything else.

To fear God is to hate sin.

To fear God is to hate injustice.

To fear God is to depart from evil in every sense – thought, word, and action.

To fear God is to walk in authentic humility before God and mankind.

To fear God is to obey Him.

To fear God is to ABSTAIN FROM EVERY FORM OF complaining, murmuring, or grumbling.

The fear of the LORD shapes our intentions, thoughts, words, and actions.”

I was challenged with the overwhelming thought, nearly on every page, do I truly fear God? I have been a Christian for nearly thirty years – and I would say most of it truly pursuing Him, His Word, His fellowship with other believers, His Mission for the Kingdom. But have I ever considered, do I truly fear God? Does my life, or should I say the fruit of my life, reflect a true submission of my will to His Will.

I appreciate Bevere’s further explanation in his book The King is Coming where he states the following, “One who fears God is not afraid of Him; rather, he or she is terrified of being away from Him.” Am I truly terrified of missing Him for a moment? Am I so afraid of following the wrong voice that I discipline myself to consume His Word before ever starting my full day? Do I truly fear the God that I have stated as my Redeemer, Messiah and Friend? The God that I declare publicly as my LORD?

This book is not set up like a normal book on Christian education, encouragement and teaching. Bevere does a great job of breaking it down into small, manageable chapters with the intention that you read one-two chapters per day for 3-6 weeks. He desires that you truly slow down enough to embrace the message found within each chapter and truly seek the truth in prayer.

“Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding…. nothing you desire can compare with her.” Proverbs 3:13, 15. True Godly Wisdom is only found in salvation. Not through experience, but in salvation and sanctification – just ask James. And when that person has found it, JOY follows. To find wisdom – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of all wisdom.” Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10. The fear of the Lord… why do so few of us have joy? Where is the wisdom? Where is the fear?

I originally purchased this book because I felt like I needed to read it before I read the other book I really wanted to read of Bevere’s called The King is Coming. I have never been more thankful that I did. Sadly, I go to church every Sunday, participate in many Bible Study groups, listen to podcasts, worship music, etc… and as of late my fear of God has dwindled. I think it comes with being in the Christian scene – it is easy to follow the crowd, even though God has called and declared in you a different mission and a different calling. Rarely in my life have I ever been one to follow the crowd. I tend to be more of the challenger, the questioner, the kid in class no one wants to raise their hand so that class ends early. And this study has reignited a fire within me that I did not even realize had gone out – true, vibrant, real, joyful, wise, fear of God.

I don’t want to be, even for one minute, in one place the Lord doesn’t desire me to be. AND I don’t want to miss being in the exact spot He has crafted me and placed me to be in. I want Him. I want His perfect Will for my life. I want His perfect Will for my family. YOUR Will be done in the Haley home on earth as it is in Heaven. And LORD, may I finish well….

“Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into His Glorious Presence without a single fault.” Jude 24 | Be it unto me, LORD.

24 years dating

/ heatherhaley07 / Leave a comment

For the past twenty-four years, I have been dating this guy. Yeah, sure, we made marriage covenant twenty years ago this year… but June 7 (yesterday – yes, a day late and a dollar short always) we became boyfriend and girlfriend. The picture attached is at his house in Rutledge, the summer before our senior year in high school began, just before we left to take him to the airport for a mission trip to Scotland. He decided to ask me to be his girlfriend and then got on a plane minutes later – I now see this was going to be prophetic of our relationship together. Every day a new adventure, every day a new plan, every day a new dream, every day a new destination.

He arrives home today from his latest adventure of leading photographers to better see God’s Masterpiece in Yosemite and Lake Tahoe and we are counting down the minutes until he steps off that plane in our beautiful East Tennessee. Each trip is a testing period for us. Most say, I am sure they have not seen struggle and that is the only reason they have been together for so long. And I say to that “YOU ARE CRAZY!” Life with any human creates chaos – it creates chaos in ways only those living with oxygen in their lungs can understand. Living is a choice. Marriage is a choice. Covenant is a choice. And all of it creates chaos in some form or another.

This summer, I am walking through a study on marriage, men, women & family with my group at church. Which is really kind of cool because in Kenya this year, me and some ladies were speaking about how we should cover the topic of marriage on our Kenya 2027 trip. But again, I digress. We are also studying with this same group what God’s Word says about Covenant. Let’s just say, God is at work in revealing Himself to us in a beautiful way. Not to mention, our Sunday nights opening up the book of James – in a deeper, convicting, life-altering way. I am honored to have a group of people to open the Book with. I am honored to have a group of people to walk in life with. We, as a couple, are honored to have a group of married men and women walking in this journey of life together with. And soon serve together with as the Lord reveals our next steps. There is not enough time on this earth to search and know God. When we make His Word our meal, our feast – we are always left with room for more. He satisfies, but also creates a deeper and greater hunger for Him.

We opened our Word together yesterday morning to take a deeper look at the first marriage – Adam in Eve found in Genesis 2. Did you know that marriage was established and created before the fall? Did you know that beautiful relationship was created before the great sin entered the world? Did you know that marriage was God’s idea? Did you know that God shared the entire creation story with us in Genesis – we don’t have to wonder about many things that He didn’t give us the answers for? Did you know… did you know… did you know… so many things I constantly and laughing at how God shows Himself to me.

Genesis 2:18-25

18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” 19 And out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all the livestock, and to the birds of the sky, and to every animal of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. 22 And the Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said,

“At last this is bone of my bones,
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called ‘woman,’
Because she was taken out of man.”

24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked, but they were not ashamed.

So many things to unpack. Listen, I definitely do not have all of the answers. I am only a wild-eyed, short crazy lady who has consumed one too many cups of coffee and desperately needs her calm, realistic husband to come home. However, I challenge everyone to look at this passage. Read this passage. Look to God and ask Him – what do I need to better understand about marriage? What do I need to better understand about my role as a woman in society in 2026? Lord, what do I need to hear from you today? And He says “you will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13. Now He was also speaking this to the Israelites who were exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem – so context is key. But I think this core principal of God holds true to to us today. He will not leave us wandering this early alone without a hope and without a direction – He wants to guide us and have relationship with us.

Today – make a point to say, where are you God? What does Your Word say? And open it. In January I started The Bible Recap with Tara Leigh Cobble in the Bible app – all free goods. And I know a lot of people use it to study God’s Word and read through it within the year. I am doing it within the year, but I am listening to the Word. If you never done this, do this. It is a great way to be in the Word daily. It is a great guide. And you don’t have to wait for January. Start today. Oh, and thanks for reading another ramble session with HH.

May 2026 | 24 years together with two kids who wear matching Ronald Acuna Jr shirts (completely by accident and I thought was great, Georgia is mortified) and Chickfila ice cream AT the airport.
June 7, 2002. Babies.

Where’s the Bread?

/ heatherhaley07 / Leave a comment

Mark 8:1-8

In those days, when there was again a large crowd and they had nothing to eat, Jesus summoned His disciples and *said to them, “I feel compassion for the people because they have remained with Me for three days already and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way; and some of them have come from a great distance.” And His disciples replied to Him, “Where will anyone be able to find enough bread here in this desolate place to satisfy these people?” And He was asking them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven.” And He *directed the people to recline on the ground; and taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks and broke them, and started giving them to His disciples to serve, and they served them to the people. They also had a few small fish; and after He had blessed them, He told the disciples to serve these as well. And they ate and were satisfied; and they picked up seven large baskets full of what was left over of the broken pieces. 

Mark 8:14

And the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and did not have more than one loaf in the boat with them.

Mark 8:16-21

And they began to discuss with one another the fact that they had no bread. And Jesus, aware of this, *said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet comprehend or understand? Do you still have your heart hardened? Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces you picked up?” They *said to Him, “Twelve.” “When I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of broken pieces did you pick up?” And they *said to Him, “Seven.” And He was saying to them, “Do you not yet understand?”

Mark 9:17-25

And one person from the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, because he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground, and he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes stiff. And I told Your disciples so that they would cast it out, but they could not do it.” And He answered them and *said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!” And they brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, the spirit immediately threw him into convulsions, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to kill him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” But Jesus said to him, “ ‘If You can’? All things are possible for the one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again!” 

I had the incredible privilege to spend two very full days covering Mark chapters 7-9 with the Pastor’s wives of the Maasai Tribal Churches in Kenya. We had six hours of teaching and three hours of focused prayer to anoint each Pastor and Pastor’s Wife for their ministry and calling in leading their homes and churches. Our team also lead six hours of leadership development and scriptural teaching among the Pastors in a separate set of sessions. As we prepared to embark on this trip, the Lord was clearly speaking to us to have great faith. We had great needs and we needed our Lord to truly show up to deliver on those needs.

This week’s trip began in my heart last year when I had the great opportunity to teach these same Pastor’s Wives in leading them through Mark chapters 1-3. The only reason my family decided to connect with the people of Maasai in 2025 was solely based upon a selfish ambition – my husband was going their on a work trip and I wanted to experience it with him the week before. We felt we could find a church group or someone to come alongside and encourage in the faith and see the country. Through an extensive, Providential search, I was connected with Bishop Rampei. We determined a 2-day Ladies Conference was exactly what he and his people needed. And this week, we just completed the 2nd 2-day Ladies Conference, but bigger and even better. As we began to pray for 2026 trip, our family and Bishop and Jackie Rampei prayed for some specifics:

  • A man to teach the Pastor’s at the same time as I lead the Wives. – ANSWERED.
  • Swahili Bibles. – ANSWERED.
  • Maasai Bibles. – ANSWERED.
  • Sponsorships for those Pastors with a distance to travel. – ANSWERED.
  • Basic medical supplies for the village church we attended & Pastors to take back with them to their churches. – ANSWERED. 
  • Motorbikes for those Pastors who must walk the furthest to minister to their people and work to provide for their families. ANSWERED.  FIVE!
  • More people to join in on what the Lord was doing in this tribe – evangelism is not the priority here, it is further discipleship and church leadership. – ANSWERED.

And the Lord provided.

Because of Nehemiah Baptist Church led by Pastor Keith Weaver, our first Motorbike was purchased for the first Pastor – Pastor Daniel Ng’eetiai.  Because of Fairview Knox Church led by Pastor Jeff LaBorg, our 400 Precept books were purchased for the women’s disciple for the conference & for their church groups AS WELL AS printing all of the materials created by Joshua Gass to lead the 80 Pastors.  Because of Pickering Orthodontist, we were able to give out hundreds of tooth brushes to children and parents. Because of many countless others – so many it would take a really long time to name – we were able to sponsor 50 Pastors transportation & housing for the conference, purchase 220 Swahili/Maasai Bibles, 6 suitcases full of supplies, fed the local school children through all of next year, and purchase a total of 5 motorbikes – the second for Pastor James Kipaika AND the next three to be given on Monday after Easter. 

Through leading these ladies in the scriptures of Mark 7-9, you could see a trending theme of the disciples asking at least three times “where’s the bread?” AND three times the Lord delivering.  Did they not remember what He did with the five thousand?  What about what He did for the four thousand?  Why is it we cannot seem to grasp that God is always ready to provide when we are walking in the purpose and plan He has designed us to live in.  For many years, the Lord had been developing in me the motto based upon scripture, “you have not, because you ask not.”  Often, we don’t have the miracles we desire from God because we are never bold enough to ask Him for it.  When will I understand?  When will my eyes see and my ears hear?  When will I fully grasp that He longs to give and show Himself – all we need to do is ask and walk in the Truth He has given us.

What is “the bread” we are asking for?

Have we seen Him deliver and leave the leftovers for us to take with us?

Is there “bread” you are asking Him for today?

And I have seen miracles this week.  We were given the most outstanding drivers for our Land Cruisers – Onesmus and Tony.  We learned their stories and their lives.  We learned of Onesmus’s village that is still without a well for clean water.  We learned how blessed we are to have consistent work and consistent pay checks to provide for our families. These men were a true gift for our team and a part of the blessings. They covered us in prayer, answered the many questions, they made us laugh and broke a few safari stupid rules (insert massive laugh).

Last year, my Precept Bible Study ladies wrote cards to the women of the conference that I handed out to the Pastor’s wives.  I stated that each of those women had prayed for them while writing the card and it would be amazing if they would consider praying for them in return.  And guess what, they did.  One of the ladies who joined our trip this year, wrote a card AND the very Pastor’s Wife in the room was able to meet her.  They were able to connect with one another.  The Lord is faithful. 

Lastly, we were able to visit the precious school – Oloika Primary School.  This is the school that many have been provided breakfast and lunch to the students each day for the past year and scheduled for the upcoming year.  During our visit, we began to discuss what the next needs are:

  • Shoes for the children
  • Text books in English and Swahili
  • Story books in English to practice the language
  • Potential children sponsorship so they can open the Boarding Houses.
    • $35 per month pays for one child to have breakfast, lunch, dinner, safe space to sleep and removes the burden of walking 7 miles per day round trip.

As I am sitting on a plane flying home now, we have already been discussing how to better equip the believers and use our abundance of blessings to assist with those in the most need.  We are making plans to go back next March.  We are making plans to continue discipling church leaders in making disciples.  We are making plans to lead the conferences. We are making plans to continue to grow the relationship with the Oloika Primary School in providing textbooks, shoes & leather soccer balls.  I ask only one question – is the Lord making plans for you to join in through giving, through adoption of one of these needs, through coming yourself to see what the Lord wants to do through you. 

He has a plan for each of us.  Are you walking in His plan or settling for the one you made for yourself?

March 2027… join us.

Here is the video of the Pastors receiving their motorbikes (piki pikis). Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbHxsZwpZz0

The Songs we sing.  

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We sing songs in worship, but do we slow to think of who wrote them, how they came about, what they say and define?  I heard it once said that Christians don’t tell lies, they sing them.  While I know that is not true for all of us, I dare say that it can be said of all of us from time to time.  I do love that the Christmas season brings about its own songs for us to sing and celebrate the Savior with.  My absolute favorite Christmas song to be sang is “O Holy Night!” or “Mary did you know?” and then we cannot forget “Silent Night”.  Each with their own passion, story and intimacy.  I know I should choose one of those for this section, but the Lord has led me to another song.  I was introduced to this song last year and I am forever thankful to the Lord for it.  The most powerful foundation of this song is the Living Word of God.

Singing the Word of God is the most powerful praise we can give.  These are the moments when we know that Christ is exalted and not ourselves.  These are the Words written and given for mankind to know The Lord better and as we sing Him,we come in contact with a greater purpose and a greater experience than ourselves.  These are the Romans 12 moments of the renewing of our minds and the proving of God’s perfect Will.

Risen Savior (Sing My Soul)

Who bore our sin
Who took our shame?
The Lamb of God
Holy and righteous is His name. (1 Peter 2:24)

Sing my soul, sing out and bless the Lord
For He has overcome, Oh by His precious blood
Now He’s lifted high, come let us lift our eyes
Set them on Jesus Christ, He is our Risen Savior

(Psalm 103-104, Philippians 2:9-11)

Who heals our wounds
Who knows our pain?
The Lamb of God
Holy and Righteous is His name
Nothing can ever take His place. (1 Peter 2:24)

Sing my soul, sing out and bless the Lord
For He has overcome, Oh by His precious blood
Now He’s lifted high, come let us lift our eyes
Set them on Jesus Christ, He is our Risen Savior
(Psalm 103-104, Philippians 2:9-11)

Let the earth be filled with Glory
Let our hearts be filled with praise
You are worthy, God Almighty
Holy, Holy, Holy

(Psalm 72:19; Revelation 4:8-11)

Is it a coincidence that when the church or the Christian sings the Words “You are worthy, God Almighty, Holy! Holy! Holy!” the atmosphere changes.  The environment changes.   These Words are being said by angels even now as we sit reading these Words.  The Heavens are declaring Him!  The advent is really all about sitting and recognizing that He is Worthy, He is God Almighty, and that He is HOLY! HOLY! HOLY!

Photo Credits: Clifton Haley Photography https://www.etsy.com/shop/CliftonHaleyPhoto

What is Advent?

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As a child, I can remember always being so confused about what “advent” was and how one celebrates it.  Let’s be honest, as an adult I have also struggled with what the true way of observing the Savior of the World’s arrival should look like to a follower.  A genuine, true, loyal follower of Christ should look different to the world every day, but what about during advent?

Advent is the season observed by most Christians as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the nativity of Christ at Christmas and the return of Christ at the second coming.  It is most often observed December 1 – December 24, some even begin as early as November 30.  It does have a Latin foundation, adventus, meaning “coming”.  Historically, during this season, many would fast from meat, dairy or eggs as a sign of holiness and a time separated in devotion to Christ.  These days are to be a clear reflection of hope, joy, peace and love.

Would we ever consider that God is asking us to fast from our normal “celebratory” focuses in December in order to better claim these days in the intimacy of the Father?  What if our children walked away from the month of December having a better understanding of who Christ is and less knowledge about the cookies and cakes?  Can we even allow ourselves to think that He may desire a fast in the busiest seasons of eating all year?

These days should be days that we prepare our hearts to enterthis season.  What is the pre-advent?  These are the days where we make our focus on the Savior and begin to empty our hearts and minds of all the things that distracted us from the Christ.  In Titus 1:15, “to the pure, everything is pure.”  May we enter a new kind of purity with Jesus in these days of separation for holiness.

Pondering about how advent is best to fit into the daily walk of a Christian, I am paused on sharing any details.  These days of the Christian journey are shaped more by what men lead us to do in our followings than the Spirit of the Living God in His leadings.  In this day, instead of seeking what others are called to do in their “adventing”, today, seek the Lord and what He desires of us in our pilgrimage.

“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life…… AND let your eyes look directly ahead ANDlet your gaze be fixed straight in front of you…. AND all your ways will be established.”  Provers 4:23, 25, 26b

Grand Teton Teepee – Clifton Haley Photography https://cliftonhaleyphoto.etsy.com

The American Church has been given a second chance. 

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The American Church has been given a second chance.  There has been a radical jolt to the system of humanity with the martyrdom of a believer in Jesus Christ.  An American Christian on American soil killed for his faith and the beliefs that align with that faith.  We as fellow believers are impacted by this for many reasons.

  1. The loss of a brother in Christ is painful – we weep with those who weep, we rejoice with those who rejoice.
  2. The activity of the demonic has an influence – violence goes hand in hand with demonic. Genesis 6:11 says, “Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence.”
  3. The conviction that we are not following Christ with the same level of obedience, zeal and passion as Charlie Kirk.
  4. The reality that we have allowed the enemy to steal, kill and destroy – our joy, our unity in the body of Christ, our genuine fellowship with other believers, our families, our focus, our peace, our mission purpose for existing – to love GOD and glorify HIM forever.  Satan can only take what we as believers allow him to have.

For most of my lifetime, we have not experienced the American Church reflecting Christ in the purest of forms.  The whole purpose of the life of a Christian is to be a living example of Jesus to the world around them.  To do that, we must know Him.  To do that, we must know His Word.  To do that, we must walk in complete surrender and obedience to the Father. 

In my short life of almost forty years, I have witness so much hate among the believers of Jesus that it sickens me.  And has broken the heart of God.  So often, we as believers get more caught up in our own struggles, offenses, pains and viewpoints that we walk and live in the flesh and forget to crucify the flesh.

I would say for most of my life, I have greatly desired to be diligent in the pursuit of the heart of Jesus – and longed to live every second in complete surrender.  These last five years have brought me to a new, different place on my journey.  For more than one reason and on more than one occasion, I have attempted to run from everything.  I have tried to run from my church, my family, my faith and even at points – my own life.  When the fight gets too hard, I do one of two extreme things – assume the position of a runner and take off OR dig my stakes so deep into the ground that no act of anything but superhuman activity could get me to move.  Some may call it stubbornness.  The Lord knows this… we talk about it often.

In the last six months, God has been gently and lovingly been pulling me from my cocoon that I created to protect myself.  I call it a cocoon because it was self-made and needed for a season. I don’t regret this time as it led me to today. And I pray to God I look as beautiful as the butterflies He created – which I know I will because if it isn’t good, then He is certainly not finished yet.  Too often, I have confused the voice in my head.  My peace and my joy and my hope were stolen.  A critical spirit had moved in and began to plant seeds and grow roots.  I made it easier on myself in my cocoon to not let many people in and turned away from the spots that would potentially cause me to be vulnerable.  I heard the wrong voice.  Instead of taking every thought captive, I began to believe the lies that Satan had whispered.  Instead of holding everything up against the Word of God, I chose to be tossed to and fro like the waves letting my firm foundation slowly erode. 

Today, I have apologized to my God for listening to the enemy’s voice instead of to the Holy Spirit.  Today, I have apologized to my Pastor for allowing the enemy to separate me from his teaching and leadership.  Today, I have apologized to my husband for being critical and at times unforgiving.  Today, I am choosing to open up again and take the risk that comes from potentially being hurt or pained by another.  Today, I am reaching out to those whom I have missed that the enemy has separated.  Today, I choose to follow the Spirit once again in my life and see what the Lord has in store for this baby butterfly.  Today, Christian, choose obedience to the Lord – His Word and His Spirit.  Both are crucial for this life.  Today, unbeliever, seek God.  He says if you seek Him, you will find Him when you seek Him with your whole heart.  Choose today to test Him.  I am not asking you to become religious.  I am asking you to ask God if He is real and listen for the answer.  Make today the day you choose to look for Him.  Accept Jesus as your Savior.  He is faithful and just and will forgive your sins.  Jesus longs for none to perish, but for all to enter into relationship with Him. 

Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth and the life – no one comes to the Father accept through Me.”  John 14:6

For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son.  John 3:16

Christian, be on alert –

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these…. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:19-23

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you; sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry – you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator.”  Colossians 3:5-10

Christian, seek God and His face when determining if the voice speaking to you is from Him or not.  And if you are experiencing grief or overwhelming loss or deep pain, ask a friend who seeks Jesus to help you navigate these Truths.  AND never be above talking to a Christian counselor or therapist to navigate the pitfalls that so easily entangle us.

Our time on earth is coming to a close, rapidly.  Jesus is coming for His Bride.  If you haven’t chose to become a follower of Jesus – consider it.  Times will get worse here and don’t spend an eternity wishing you had heeded these words.  If you are a follower of Jesus – BE ALL IN.  Choose today to surrender to the call, the obedience and pursue His Word and His family more than ever.  Today, we choose to be bold in our love so that they may know that Jesus is real.  We are the evidence.

Photo Credits: Clifton Haley Photography | New Providence Presbyterian, Maryville, Tennessee

The Day You Were Born.

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Created in God’s Image.

Heir of God.

Chosen and Loved.

Bearing God’s Image.

Worthy. Accepted. Covered.

Forgiven.

New Name. New Creation.

Strong.

Kind. Tender.

Designed with a Purpose. For a Purpose.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made.

Protected and Important.

Mine.

You, Clif, are mine. You, Clif, are His. Jesus chose you and bought you. You are a gift to all who know you and have a charisma that draws the world to you. For the last 8406 days, 8 hours, 46 minutes, I have been blessed to be yours. Our days together have been colored with many moments of passionate joy, deep sadness, genuine pain, tremendous laughter and overwhelming adventure. You are gifted and true artist. You have given me my greatest experience of being a mom and a wife. You have challenged me to be a better person and one that resembles Christ more and more every day.

Today, we celebrate your birthday. On this day, the world became funnier, more creative and full of more moments to push the envelopes. This birthday celebration comes at the end of a 35-day, Clif Haley style adventure where you have seen the world leading others to be better in their craft of photography – via Thriving Artist Academy/Craig Alexander Academy & Serge Ramelli/PhotoSerge. These 35 days took us the furthest apart we have ever been, 11, 273 km or 7,004.72 miles to be exact. Not that I was counting… You in Dublin, me in Honolulu. However, those days taught us both so much about ourselves and each other. You are truly my greatest gift and I beyond thankful to wake up beside you each day. I will always fight for you, defend you, protect you and love you until my last breath.

I, Heather, take you, Clif, over and over again to be my covenant partner for life, to have and to hold super tightly, every day – for better, or worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part….and then maybe past then, if the Lord allows.

Happy birthday, my love.

Victory is Coming | 39

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It all started with a broken mirror, my leg through the back deck and the death of Maggie Smith.

I am 39 years old and one month. I have only 11 more months left of my thirties. I LOVE slowing down long enough to attempt to take stock of my status and situation. I am hoping to better sit in the days of my 39th year, more than ever before. These last days of my thirties come with a deep longing to finalize a season of my life and embrace the next by building a new foundation of joy and surrender. Tonight, I had the glorious privilege to celebrate two people who have poured into me in my most formative years and their residual effect has an ongoing and ever-present indelible mark on mine and my husband’s lives. As I looked at the small sampling of lives they had touched, which I hope to speak on in a very near future day, I was forced to encounter the things that really matter in this life.

Relationships and true rest matters.

My childhood was FUN. Full of mission, dreams, purpose and constant laughter. My college years was also incredibly fun full of leading young ladies closer to Jesus and attending the greatest university ever, UT Knoxville. My young adult years were full of adventure with a mix of a bit of sorrow along the way. As I am knocking on the “over the hill” age, I must review and determine what do the next days look like.

My whole life I have ran hard – hard towards success and busyness. I am one that has always struggled with stillness and slowness. I am one that finds it quite challenging to just “be”. As Dr. Dalton-Smith states in Sacred Rest, “I am prone to overdo things. I overplan every family vacation. I do everything to the utmost. I take to the extreme those situations that are content being small. Small intimidates me.” And I could not possibly agree with this more! I have trained myself for the last nine years to squeeze in as much as possible into the 24 hours given every single day. I ran so intensely, that this summer I realized I was one year older than I had actually thought. In one summer, I went from being 37 years old to having a few months left of being 38. That’s a problem. And now that I am thoroughly 39 years old, it is time that I unlearn the skill of maximizing every single day and find a path that leads to success in stillness and rest. When you are constantly running, relationships suffer, no matter how hard you try to protect them.

“Life is hard to appreciate without the pressing,” says Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith in Sacred Rest.

I dare say my last 9 years have been full of constant pressing. I won’t take the time to go into those details – read previous blogs for details – I tend to cope with humanity and life via writing. It is my way. And if someone can benefit, I am truly blessed. I have been given more than one lady deserves to be blessed with. I have an outstanding family, true and genuine faith, successful career, strong tribe, adventurous home and abundant life. I have been given opportunities that many dream of. I have seen many sites and embraced many unlike myself. I have more appreciation today than ever before in my short 39 years of life.

Some of my most recent pressing cases lie in the morning of my 39th birthday. I awake after three hours of sleep due to yet another delayed flight home to find my mirror in my bathroom leaning away from the wall and headed for actual doom. By the grace of God, it snugly propped itself against an item my husband had left plugged up. And now, I am faced with the fact that a controlled break is always better than an uncontrolled one – so I had to move the massive mirror in order to protect myself from the hundreds of shards of glass that would definitely await me if I delayed the movement. So, I did it – I broke a large mirror on my birthday. Which in superstition land, brings many years bad luck. Now, to speak of the fact that I later stepped through a wooden piece on my deck due to the heavy rains and great need for replacement wood and that I am still nursing the bruise from that endeavor, doesn’t reflect the broken mirror. OR that later that day one of the greatest actresses Maggie Smith passed away, I am sure that wasn’t a reflection of the mirror. OR any of the other really dreadful moments…. because broken mirrors mean nothing, right? 🙂 Well, in this case, it meant before thirty days was up, my sweet mother-in-law had completely redesigned and redecorated the bathroom and bedroom master suite.

I digress. Now onto more important things – I just finished a book that I would like to take a moment to HIGHLY recommend, Sacred Rest by Dr. Dalton-Smith. This book provided many of the answers I needed and direction my soul desired at this season of my life. She speaks of the importance of physical rest, sensory rest, mental rest, emotional rest, spiritual rest, social rest, and creative rest. In the beginning you get the privilege of taking a quiz – in which I failed in every category but one when I took it this summer.

I found a new life motto:

“I never again want to bring the toxins of work life into the sanctuary of my home. I’ve made this a key part of my rest strategy. My home and my life are far from perfect, but they are worth protecting from unrest.” says Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith in Sacred Rest.

“Victory is Coming” is a statement that has been molded into the fabric of my heart and mind over these last few years. Victory doesn’t always look like what we imagine or what we write on a sheet of paper. Victory may not look like victory to all who are watching. Victory is defined as an act of defeating an opponent or enemy. As you all know, I am a believer in Jesus Christ and believe strongly that we are always fighting against one enemy in this world. Victory is when the true enemy is defeated – but also, each war has many small victories along the way. As a believer in Jesus and a follower of Him, we are always pursuing obedience, and each moment of obedience brings victory.

I have started this new season with the following:

  • Making a work change that will bring a better work and life balance in bringing me back to my home base.
  • Redecorating and redesigning my bedroom space to reflect the level of importance this space should have in my life.
  • Prioritizing my time of study and prayer with the Word of God and the Lord Himself.
  • Giving my husband and children the best of me and not the leftovers.
  • Eating foods that fuel my body and not destroy it.
  • Walking and exercising daily.
  • Prioritizing my own rest and creating a space for me.
  • Taking herbal supplements that create a better version of me.
  • READING consistently again.
  • Relationships matter. Make them a priority. People are needed in your life to keep it full and help you stay obedient.

My prayer is that each day I am focused on what matters most. Every day needs a new amount of grace. Thankfully, the Lord’s mercies are new every morning.

In conclusion, the mirror triggered the physical change to the beginning of my emotional and mental state of mind – rest. The leg is still bruised from going through the back porch deck, and Lord Willing, the deck gets repaired soon. And Maggie Smith is still a legendary actor, may she rest in peace.

Please disregard the mess of my counter tops – survival mode here, folks. OR don’t disregard and judge me – I am okay with that. OR don’t disregard and relate with me to toooooo many things taken over my peace. Either way, it’s all good and the bathroom looks totally different today.