The View from my Seat!

This past weeks message was a wake up call for all of us. God "is" Ready but are we ready? God is not holding out his blessings because He is playing a mean joke. He doesn't find it funny to watch us wait for our answers to come. He is patient with us in our journey of life. He knows what we need and when we need it. He is a giver not a taker. He is a lover not a fighter. So what is it that God is ready to do in your life? Ty said that we must be cooperative to find the answer. We need to listen when He speaks and obey when He gives instruction. Is God talking to you right now? What is He saying? You may be saying, "Heather, I wouldn't know if God was talking to me if He was." Let me help you. When you read the Word, what keeps popping out of the pages? When you are listening to teaching tapes, what seems to be the common topic? What lyrics are speaking to you in your music? Have your Godly friends or mentors shared a nugget of wisdom with you and you didn't even realize that it was for you? God can speak to you through anything, anyone and anywhere. I think my testimony of the spider in the shower last week is proof of that. God used a donkey in 2 Peter to rebuke the prophet. An animal without the ability to speak opened his mouth and out came a man's voice. WOW!!!! Be aware of your surroundings at all times. You never know what God may have in store. Now here is where it gets good. You can hear God speaking all day long but are you willing to be obedient? Are you willing to hold your tongue when your husband makes "another" mistake? Are you willing to tear up the "Old Navy" credit card? Are you willing to quit the job with great benefits to pursue the gifts God has given you? What is your instruction? A willing heart could be the only thing keeping you from an answered prayer. I know God is ready to open the flood gates at CJC. And everyday He is helping us prepare for what is to come. I am ready to see and hear great things in your life. So rise to the occasion and step out when you hear the call.

Circle of Life!!

Yesterday was a day of reflection for me. Crill arrived at our front door at 7:00 a.m. for our drive to Lubbock. Ty and I along with Crill were going to support our dear friend Patti during the funeral of her father. 82 years on this earth, Zack Payton lived. He not only lived but he lived a full life. They showed lots of pictures and video of this dear man. I had only met him twice but I began to cry as I saw his life unfold on the screen. He loved his wife and his kids. He had a heart for God and he wanted to make a difference in the world he lived in. Everyday he put a smile on the faces of those around him. And even in his death he was putting a smile on the face of everyone in that little Baptist church. Following the funeral we had a bite to eat and then headed to the Lubbock Heart Hospital. Our good friend Max Clampitt was resting in the CCU unit recovering from a mild heart attack he had on Monday morning. 84 years old and ready to get back to Hobbs to his own bed. He adjusted himself several times as he tried to find a comfortable spot. He said the pillow was like laying his head on a piece of concrete. What a life this man has lived. He gives us words of wisdom every week in the Hobbs News Sun. He is an incredible historian with a couple of books to prove it. As he laid there and talked about this weeks experience, I thought about how much he still has to offer this world. He has given so much and he is not ready to stop now. Well, from there we headed back to Hobbs via Plains. Of course, we had to stop and get a Plains Watermelon. The season is almost over and I am so gonna miss this sweet, juicy fruit (vegetable, I'm not sure). We arrived at CJC only to drop Crill off and then head to Lea Regional Hospital. Yes, one more visit for the day. Only this one was a bit different. We walked in to room 206 and there was baby Gideon being held by his proud father Victor. Melissa and Victor Hernandez had their 3rd child and 1st boy. We were even blessed to be there when Nikki and Gwen (the sisters) arrived to meet their baby brother for the first time. It has only just begun for the Hernandez family. Many birthdays, camping trips, dance recitals and so much more is in their future. A beautiful way to end our day. We arrived back at home to two little boys who ran out to greet us as they saw our car come up the driveway. "Mommy", "Daddy", over and over again. Lots of hugs and kisses. Today we saw life come full circle. It just happened to start with death and end with birth. I was reminded that life is so short. Eighty years seems like a long time to live on this Earth. But it also seems like yesterday that I laid in that same bed as Melissa and held my first born. I'm reminded that it wasn't yesterday, it was 6 years ago. That is so hard for me to believe. So what is my point in this blog. Treasure each moment. Don't wish it away. Don't want something different or better. Just know that God has you where you are for a reason. He has those in your life because they need you and you need them. Love more, Laugh more, Live more. When the day comes that your friends and family gather in your home church to celebrate the life you lived, make sure they can say that you not only lived but you lived to the fullest.

Making a difference in difficult times!!

For some time now, I have not been happy with just "doing" church. I want to get out there and "be" the church. Where is there a need? Who needs my help that does not go to CJC? Well, I have just found my answer. Isaiah's Soup Kitchen needs our help. I am going to be sharing a goal with the ladies at Girls Grub on Saturday the 12th. We have got to rise up and be an extension of Christ's hand. During difficult economic times, people are in greater need than ever before. In the last couple of months my spirit has been stirred. I know that God is trying to get my attention and I am ready to listen. My good friend Larry Tuttle loaned me a book about one couple making a difference in the life of a homeless man. This wealthy couple had it all including a heart. With a little persuading the wife encouraged her husband to help serve down at the local homeless shelter. Taking this one small step, changed the course of their lives forever. Just when you think life is good and it couldn't get any better, God shows you a whole new view. I also recently saw the movie, "Taken." I was moved like never before. There are actually young girls being taken from their families and tormented for someones' profit. I knew that human trafficking had become a world wide problem but this movie opened my eyes all the more. I began to google outreach ministries that could inform me how to get involved in the prevention of human trafficking. Ty also made a few calls to some Pastor friends of his for some suggestions. I have a burning desire to help in some way, any way. Last night the house was quiet by 8:00p.m so I put in another movie called, "The Soloist." It was about a homeless man with a gift for music. He was suffering from severe mental problems that caused him to run away from an incredible life. Until one day a reporter heard him playing a broken violin on the street corner. This man had a mission to help make a difference in this man's life. This movie opened my eyes to a lifestyle I had no idea even existed. No Hope, No Home, No Help! People living in mass gatherings on the streets of LA. But it is not just there. It is an epidemic everywhere. So what can the people of Lea County do to make a difference? Listen to the Holy Spirit and he will tell you. God has not blessed us to hold on to those blessings. We have been blessed so that we can be a blessing. I ask that you start preparing your heart for what is to come. I don't think that it is by accident that God has been revealing these needs. We can be a light in the darkness.

Honor!

Last night we honored my husband for 10 years of ministry at Cowboy Junction Church. I can't believe it has been 10 years. I began attending CJC even before he became the full time pastor. And that seems like just a couple of years ago. Well, the night turned out to be just perfect. For weeks, I have been nervous about this day. I wanted to do something special for him. I wanted him to feel appreciated and loved. We stayed up late last night talking about the service from start to finish. We read each card at least 2 times. He was in awe of every one's generosity. He went to bed with a glow that almost kept me from sleeping. When the alarm went off this morning, he jumped out of bed ready to visit Wilma in the hospital. Another day of doing what he loves. Today as I thought about the evening and replayed the skit in my head, I asked myself "Why did we need to honor Ty?" "And did we do a good job?". What does "to honor" mean? I wasn't quite sure of the exact definition so I looked it up in the dictionary. The one word that popped out at me was "Respect". I thought that was a funny definition of honor. So I looked "respect" up in the dictionary. It means to take notice of; to regard with special attention; to regard as worthy of special consideration; hence, to care for; to heed. To consider worthy. We honored Ty because he was worthy. He deserved special attention for this amazing accomplishment. I could not be any more proud to be his wife and his friend. Daily Ty blows my mind with his creativity and vision. I am so excited to walk this road of life beside him. The adventure will never be boring I can assure you. So, did we do a good job in honoring Ty? I guess he will have to be the judge of that. His answer, "Our church family blessed me so much. I can't wait to DREAM another 10 years."

Inspired!

Okay, I am going to start off saying that it is hard to write these blogs when you are not sure people are reading them. When I started this blog, I said that it wouldn't matter if anyone read it because I was doing it for myself. Kind of like my own therapy session. I have lots of thoughts go through this brain of mine and sometimes I need to get them out to leave room for things I need to remember. I swear this is the reason I forget so much. If my brain had a room capacity, the Fire Marshall would have already shut me down. So comment if you can but I'll keep blogging even if you don't. Today I have decided to blog on the movie I just saw, Julie & Julia. What a wonderful movie. I will admit that it is not for everyone but I loved it. One reason I give this movie 2 thumbs up is because I love food and so do these ladies. If I could have a profession in the food industry and still be a Pastors wife, I would. And maybe I can, I have just never tried. I guess because I think I'm silly. Secondly, Meryl Streep is a genius. I think she is by far one of the greatest actresses of all time. She did an amazing job in playing Julia Child. I laughed many times throughout this movie and Meryl had a big part to play in it. Boy did I need those laughs. And finally, I loved this movie because it was inspiring. Julia Child was older than me when she decided to learn to cook. WOW!!! Is that amazing or what? I can do anything I want and be the best at it if I just want it bad enough. It is not to late for me and it is not to late for you. The character of Julie in the movie never finished anything she started. She was not self motivated and she often got stuck in the routine of life. In many ways I related to Julie. I often beat myself up because I don't feel very disciplined. Watching her on the big screen made me want to get up and do something. Just because I have struggled with self discipline in the past, doesn't mean I have to struggle today. And neither do you. We can be better finishers than we are starters. I suggest you go see this movie and be inspired. I just celebrated my 33 birthday this week. And I have discovered that age is not a factor in being an achiever, an over comer and a woman that the world could write about. We can do and become anything our hearts desire. It just takes putting one foot forward and then another. I am pumped and ready to get started. I suggest you look out for me these next 33 years. They are going to blow the last 33 out of the water.

Lazy Saturdays!!!

Today has been an unusual day. I finally said,"NO," to something I would have normally said,"YES", to. This is so abnormal for me but it felt good. I decided that I was not going to leave the house at all today. Today was a lazy day. As I write this, it is 8:00 p.m and I am still in my PJ's from last night. I have watched 4 movies and cooked 3 good meals. Two were for my family and one for my sweet friend who just had surgery. I loved this day. Both boys are fed, bathed and asleep in their room. Ty is at the rodeo and I am curled up in the recliner. Could it get any better than this? I tell you all of this to share something even deeper. I have always been a people pleaser. As I get older, I have realized even more how much "I" matter. How I feel and What I want, should be of importance to me. BUT so many people take it to the extreme. It is so important to not become a self centered person. When it all boils down to it, PEOPLE matter. When I was a young girl my mom had a popular phrase for every situation we faced. "What is her(his, their) view on the matter?" When you make decisions about your life, do you think of how it will affect those around you? Do you put yourself in someone elses' shoes? Or, do you just do what makes you "happy"? Now my lazy day really has nothing to do with this topic. But, it was a great opener for my food for thought. If you live your life only for you, I challenge you to think of others for a change. Go to the baby shower because she needs your support. Follow through on a commitment because you said you would, not because you feel like it. Make that phone call you have been dreading because they need to know you care. You matter but so do others. And every once and a while say,"NO" and have a lazy Saturday.

Exhaustion!

Camp Crossfire is over and the Bean Bunch is exhausted. I can honestly say that it is a great exhaustion. Even though my body is give out, my spirit is refreshed. I love the people of Cowboy Junction. I love the people that serve God with freedom and joy. Spending a week with people who have passion has given me strength. I have to admit something though. I have found myself several times these past few days, quoting one of Ty's messages. "SHAKE IT OFF". Since camp I have renewed hope. But guess who doesn't like that. The enemy has tried to put me back in the pit that I was in. When you are tired and give out, it is so easy to give in. You get bad news and you feel defeated. Someone says something ugly about you and you want to throw in the towel and say,"Forget It." But I am determined to fight. I may be tired but some things are worth overcoming. Do you find yourself on the mountain top only to be greeted by the the biggest billy goat ready to butt you over the edge? What do you do? Most of the time I find myself jumping before he even gets the chance to make full contact. Well, I want to encourage you. FIGHT!!!! When things begin to bother you, people begin to irritate you, or you just want to quit; SHAKE IT OFF!! It is just not worth it. You are an over comer. We each have a choice. And I choose to win.