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.

Volleyball

This year I was the lucky duck chosen to coach the middle school volleyball team. It was and continues to be a challenge because the extent of my volleyball knowledge comes from what I played in PE class when I was in middle and high school. Here's the big news... I love coaching volleyball! I know. Who would have thought? Our final practice is today. Already. We play our final game tomorrow and then we start the county tournament. I'm really not quite sure if I want it to end. About the time I started to understand the flow of the team, how to practice different skills, my sub rotation, and how to coach the team (I mean.. coach girls because they are different than boys) the season is over.
I started taking volleyball lessons to help me play, FUN FUN FUN!!! Which has been a great investment because MY coach teaches me which in return has helped me know what to say to my girls when they are struggling. I am really loving the fact of just hitting a ball. Hitting the ball with me hand. Hitting the ball with extreme force. Watch out love of running you may have some competition.
God for sure put me in this position. I don't have all the details as to why, just yet, but I have some ideas. I will say, some days, the only reason I came to school was due to the fact I had to coach. Man, what a season.

i bummed another blog...

Holly Furtick is my Pastor's wife at Elevation Church. She always has a commentary about the previous Sunday's sermon. This week was no different. Instead of me explaining to all ya'll what I learned... i just did a little copy paste work.. Read... Reflect.. and Apply to your life... Kill Switch.. It's a good Series. If you get the chance Listen to the sermon online!


This past Sunday we began our new series, Kill Switch. Opened by a super intense new Switchfoot song, my husband launched into a powerful message on the cross and sin.
The message was entitled "The Cross is the Kill Switch," based from Colossians 2:13-15. And I thought it was a such a timely message for all the people at Elevation who have recently given their lives to Christ.
My favorite point was, "get the dead cat out of your bed!" Crass I know. But my husband shared a true story about a lady whose cat had died and she wanted to sleep with it one more night. Disgusting. But oddly enough, we do the same thing with our sin.
Colossians 2:13 says we were dead in our sins, but God has made us alive in Christ. So many of us come alive in Christ yet we cling to our dead sin. A dead habit, speech, group of friends, relationship? How silly we must look to God clinging to what is already dead.
The cross is the kill switch! My husband said, "the cross is not only a crutch for our defeat, but its also a weapon for our victory!" What a powerful thought to propel us through the rest of the week!
You can listen to the message (week 1 of Kill Switch) http://www.elevationchurch.org