glow stick

I have thing for stars. IF you don't believe me go back and read one of my blog entries from November 2008. I love the stars! Paul writes in Philippians 2 that I will shine like the stars in the universe. The stars shine all the time but you see them best at night. You see the stars even better when it's really dark and the stars are the only light. Sometimes God lets the circumstances around you go dark so you will shine with His light. Right before the star statement he says to do everything without grumbling or arguing. Meaning no complaining. Complaining is more or an insult to God's character than an accurate assessment of the situation at hand. Not complaining is the outflow of the inward growth we have in Christ. Think about this... if we do everything without complaining no matter how horrible the circumstances may be we shine like the stars. God shines through when we don't complain! We shine him! Happiness is a symptom of circumstances but joy is a product of perspective and no matter what happens to me God is still good and I will be grateful. Perspective is hard to remember. But whatever we think is bad, there is somebody else who has it worse or who has had it worse.

Okay. This one is my favorite. Think of a glow stick! you have to break it and turn out the lights before you can really see it shine. Sometimes God has to break you and turn out the lights (make the circumstances dark) before his glory will truely shine!

This is what I learned at church this weekend! Pretty cool huh? Check out the sermon at http://www.elevationchurch.org/

how could i just walk on by

tonight was a hard night. never in my wildest dreams did i think it would be that hard. It would be that difficult to see that face. to walk past that door. to continue down the hall with out one word. what happened? where did that friendship go? where did all the events, talks, and conversations go? why did it stop? is this what it has come to? is this where the story ends? i didn't know what to do, what to say, or where to look. so i said nothing. no complaints, no arguing, no words. just silence. i know this makes no since but that's where I was. BUT... this is the happy part... MY joy is not determined by what happens TO me, but what Christ is doing IN me and THROUGH me. MY JOY. I still have joy. Happiness is a symptom of circumstances. Joy is the product of perspective. No matter what I go through God is still Good and I am still grateful. From where I'm sitting I have a good life. So, was I happy? no. Do I have joy? YES!!! happiness is a feeling and feelings change.. (especially for females about once a month) but my joy is the same.

how could I just walk on by? Not quite sure. Was that the right thing to do? not quite sure on that one either. we'll see what happens. what will come of all this drama?

Glogster

Joy

"My joy is not determined by what happens TO me but what Christ is doing IN me and THROUGH me." Pastor Steven Furtick

How often do we let our joy be determined by our happiness and what situation we are in. But out joy is deeper. Remember in VBS.
I got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart
Where?
Down in my heart.
Where?
Down in my heart

Your joy is in your heart. Christ is in your heart! My joy isn't determined by my circumstances, my position, or my feeling. Its something deeper.
"Heather.. why do you just seem so at peace..?"
well I have the joy in my heart... to stay!

crazy kid quote

It's crazy sock day and I tell a 7th grade boy, "I like your socks!" They are polka dot and pooh bear socks. The kid respond, "yeah, they're my sisters and actually extremely comfortable."
HAHAHAHAHA!

Baby Dedication

This past weekend was the baby dedication of my niece Payton Rae... also known by her rapper name P.Rae (well... her heather lasley nickname.) I have the new responsibility of helping my big bro and SIL of raising this kid in the love of Jesus and to keep my bro and sil responsible of living with God. I have experienced a freedom from religion and tradition which has been amazing. I also know my identity in Christ and how Christ sees me. So, I was sitting during the service prior to the baby dedication and began to weep. My heart hurts so badly for the words I was hearing. The words coming from a man trapped in a spirit of tradition and spirit of religion, a spirit that the Pharisees had which caused them to miss Christ and all his love. My heart was hurting. I was praying so hard for this man and for this church asking God to give me a revelation of what to say to free these people and God said to say nothing. What does he mean say nothing? How can I say nothing and continue to hear the word of God be twisted to fit the ideas and hand-me-down teachings of man. SO I said nothing. NOTHING. Don't ask me why I had to be quiet, God hasn't revealed that aspect to me yet, but I was silent. After listening to the words of this man, I now know how to pray for that meeting of believers and pastor. I ask you to help me pray too. It's my responsibility. I made that promise at the baby dedication. A promise to this kid to raise her so her days will be filled with life in Christ. Help me to pray against a spirit of religion and pray in the spirit of truth and freedom. To pray out the spirit of pride and pray in a spirit of humility. The enemy has attacked this church and is winning. I hate to see him win. Pray for freedom. Pray for the blinders to be removed. Pray for repentance (repent: to change direction.) That is my prayer. Help me pray.

On a happier note.. I have some good pics!

My bro, Me, Abigail and Matt

Uncle DJ with P.Rae!

Me with P.Rae!

My new favorite picture of me and Payton! We're both laughing! I love it!

It's amazing what a baby will make people do. Make grown adults say, sound, and look really funny. All for a baby. I LOVE IT!

not me

I have come to grips with the fact of not being chosen... again. This concept is new to me because I was never the last one picked on the playground, for the kickball team, or to run a relay. For some reason I'm not picked when it comes to relationships. I know!? I'm nice. I can have a good time. Easy going. Not very demanding and very low maintenance. Not scared to try new things and fail or ask for help. So... here I am un chosen but strangely enough content. Not upset. Not hurt. But at peace. Because Faith is resting in the fact of knowing sometimes what I want isn't best but waiting for what God wants is. Not chosen is pretty good.