Today I decided to reflect upon the walk with God that I've had and celebrate the journey we've been on together so far, there's still so much farther to go! It's crazy!
So back in 1994 as a wee lass, I started going to Calvary Christian Center. Playing, drawing, and falling asleep during my pastor's sermons. When I got baptized, my friends and I (Lydia,Patrick,Mike, Freddie, and a few others) I remember us being speechless, we had no idea what we are doing, but we knew God loved us and we were ready to do this!
I remember going to Steve Hill's revival services where we would all as kids look at all the people being slain by the spirit and falling on the floor and saying we wanted that too. So we went up to be prayed for so we could drop to the floor. LOL. God knew our hearts too much to let that interest go to waste!
I remember just those times of just going to church. I've never stopped in the last 17 years of my relationship with God. He blessed me with a loving church family. He increased my chances of having friends, He gave me a peace even as a child.
Even going through school, having a divorce happen early on in my life, when I was like 8 and knowing all of that. He blessed my life.
All of the teachers after that I have seen have said how I always was smiling and how I was a great student. I had no idea of that.
God has given me this joy through the pain. With multiple suicides happening on both sides of my family. Near and dear, and very very young. Tons of divorces in my family alone, beside my immediate.
I remember going to camp. Kids camp and pre-teen and high school camp. Those were good times. Looking at "The Visor Boys" with my friends. Puppets, Jesus, prayer, getting the holy spirit. The blob. Carlinville, Illinois has some treasured moments!
Then there was Missionettes from Daises through Honor Star hardcore. I loved it, learning about things like Scripture, the stories of Esther, weird enough helped me later on be the woman of God I need to be!
Then there is Youth Group, Conventions, trips, Chili's and McDonalds. God formed my trust for people there, and some of my best friends are from that group. They taught me to be young, enjoy time, but also God has a plan for you and it's ok to grow deep, and express that.
Then there came Middle School and High School. HATED MIDDLE SCHOOL. Just saying. I was out for about a month of that. I had scoliosis and had to have a spinal fusion. Then I got a SOCCER bowl cut for hair when I came back. Oh man, talk about fashion emergency. NO make up, nothing, but I look back now and say, you know what. I turned out alright lol!
High School. I loved High School. Involved hardcore in tennis. Multiple class councils. Hated school but loved the rest! I had friends but some went down a crazy path so me being pretty solid, I had to let some friendships go, which caused drama cause I had to see them across from my table in the cafeteria. Never got me down or to SURRENDER to peer pressure though. I always stayed on the narrow path. I remember senior year was awesome. Loved my tennis team.
I remember my english class senior year. A guy in my class, Justin, asked me if I was a lesbian because no one had ever seen me date anyone or be with a guy ever. Oh yeah, that was hard. I was like no, there are just no guys for me here. And THAT'S FOR REAL! LOL. Plus I don't date to date, like everyone else did!
The other kicker is I was a in a wonderful speech class senior year. One of my favorites. It was a blessing, and very fun to be personal with a bunch of people from our class and grow deeper, all time favorite class.
But one of my speeches was about teaching young kids about sexual education and how I was not for it. I used an example THAT WAS RANDOM to say the least.
See I fly random, I plan enough but then I like to throw in some surprises. Well this was fun.
I explained about finding out about sex or having sex too early as a Christmas present. Sitting under the tree, waiting for you on Christmas Day. Some people have been known to shake their gifts to find out what's inside. But my question is, is it fragile, what if it broke? So if they would have waited til' "Christmas Day" it would have been perfectly there, untouched, beautiful, a surprise, a joy, but if they open up that present too early or try to shake it to find out what's inside, it's not going to be anywhere near to that.
Oh the joy of that day. Let's just say we all had a GREAT LAUGH. THE WHOLE CLASS. Even my teacher. I will remember that day for the rest of my life. See I was quieter in high school. So that class was challenging. But after that day, and since then I've been louder, not afraid to be honest. Just say it like it is. (P.s.) I went to a public school not one of those private Christian schools.
Ah. Then I graduated. So good to be done with that. Finding out I was about to head out to a new state, Minneapolis, MN, which I would find out later to BE FREEZING COLD! Start at my first private Christian university ever. There my relationship with God strengthened. Chapels everyday. Christian friends. More like a family. (P.s.) I have no family in Minnesota either, they all in Illinois for the most part.
I was challenged, living with God's call, a bunch of Christian friends, and being away from all of my family. But I love it. I would never change it. God blessed me. And now here I am about to graduate. I am one of the first women in my family to stay focused on school, not lose sight on a boy (although there were moments in the last 7 years don't worry). I am a woman of God who wants to help people. I'm graduating on May 5, 2012, and am going to have my Bachelor's of Science in Social Work with a minor in Biblical Studies.
God still challenges me now, He always will. But I can say fully now that I trust God with every single thing. He does provide and will always make a way to make sure I get the best, not mediocre, not sub-par, but the absolute best.
I am constantly giving it all to go His way. Everyday. It's a lifetime process, not just a one step easy plan. But I've enjoyed every step of it so far :)
- An excerpt from my walk with God <3
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
The Holy Road
Isaiah 35: 4-9
Tell fearful souls, "Courage, take heart! God is here, right here, on His way to put things right and redress all wrongs. He's on His way! He'll save you!
"Blind eyes will be opened, deaf ears unstopped, lame men and women will leap like deer, the voiceless break into song. Springs of water will burst out in the wilderness, streams flow in the desert. Hot sands will become a cool oasis, thirsty ground a splashing fountain. Even lowly jackals will have water to drink, and barren grasslands flourish richly."
"There will be a highway called the Holy Road. No one rude or rebellious is permitted on this road. It's for God's people exclusively, impossible to get lost on this road. Not even fools can get lost on it. No lions on this road, no dangerous wild animals nothing and no one dangerous or threatening, Only the redeemed will walk on it"
This morning I reflected on this and thought to myself, I better be on that holy road. Are you on that road? The road that only the redeemed walk on, path of the straight and narrow. Well I'll tell you, it's a great place to be. The redeemed live life right and well. Healthier and better for all of us.
What does living the redeemed life? I think it's pretty simple. You gave your life to God, He made you a new creation. You live in the new you. You look at the past you as something of history. The new you is made new every morning seeking God's love and forming your heart more like His own. You let go of selfishness. That means not self seeking, not rude. We are constantly being refined. But don't use that as an excuse to prolong being redeemed. God will redeem you in His time, not your own. So don't say excuses because you don't want to let go of a certain thing or behavior. Cause by golly, God will do it now if you simply ask.
I think of redemption as one of the most powerful things in our walks with God. He blesses us, looks past things, and calls us a new name and sets us as holy people. For me that means walking in joy, talking about God with people, and helping those, the least of these. It means breaking family tendencies. It means loving without a worry. My thing is being free in God, and not being judgmental but be open and share your opinion in a loving way. It is possible to not correct someone in anger.
My name is redeemed and I want to let it shine for God's glory, for we are God's children, children of the day, that must reach the world with God's love. Not hide it, not keep it in churches but share it with everyone. Every single person. I have this thing I feel strongly about and that is to show God in all I do, not just in church. Be free, love, not fear because with God anything is possible.
So I encourage ya'll to talk to unbelievers about God, it might just be that small opening. Shine bright wherever you go, reflect God in EVERY SINGLE THING you do. Constantly be checking yourself and make sure you are refreshed in the word and God's spirit is with you. Be found in God. Your identity in Christ, not your own. Love without regrets, pray daily, be in His word. Show compassion to all and follow the call God laid on your heart, never settling for less, or what you think would be better.
God's plan is the best, by far the best. He wants the best, the healthiest, and the smartest ways for you. The ones who make you a beautiful child of God to shine for Him.
It's not too hard to do, just let go of all control and stop thinking life is about instant gratification. We want the best, the best takes time. Would you rather get something now, or wait for the best. Well me, I'm all about waiting for the best, not settling, so that's my advice to you :)
Tell fearful souls, "Courage, take heart! God is here, right here, on His way to put things right and redress all wrongs. He's on His way! He'll save you!
"Blind eyes will be opened, deaf ears unstopped, lame men and women will leap like deer, the voiceless break into song. Springs of water will burst out in the wilderness, streams flow in the desert. Hot sands will become a cool oasis, thirsty ground a splashing fountain. Even lowly jackals will have water to drink, and barren grasslands flourish richly."
"There will be a highway called the Holy Road. No one rude or rebellious is permitted on this road. It's for God's people exclusively, impossible to get lost on this road. Not even fools can get lost on it. No lions on this road, no dangerous wild animals nothing and no one dangerous or threatening, Only the redeemed will walk on it"
This morning I reflected on this and thought to myself, I better be on that holy road. Are you on that road? The road that only the redeemed walk on, path of the straight and narrow. Well I'll tell you, it's a great place to be. The redeemed live life right and well. Healthier and better for all of us.
What does living the redeemed life? I think it's pretty simple. You gave your life to God, He made you a new creation. You live in the new you. You look at the past you as something of history. The new you is made new every morning seeking God's love and forming your heart more like His own. You let go of selfishness. That means not self seeking, not rude. We are constantly being refined. But don't use that as an excuse to prolong being redeemed. God will redeem you in His time, not your own. So don't say excuses because you don't want to let go of a certain thing or behavior. Cause by golly, God will do it now if you simply ask.
I think of redemption as one of the most powerful things in our walks with God. He blesses us, looks past things, and calls us a new name and sets us as holy people. For me that means walking in joy, talking about God with people, and helping those, the least of these. It means breaking family tendencies. It means loving without a worry. My thing is being free in God, and not being judgmental but be open and share your opinion in a loving way. It is possible to not correct someone in anger.
My name is redeemed and I want to let it shine for God's glory, for we are God's children, children of the day, that must reach the world with God's love. Not hide it, not keep it in churches but share it with everyone. Every single person. I have this thing I feel strongly about and that is to show God in all I do, not just in church. Be free, love, not fear because with God anything is possible.
So I encourage ya'll to talk to unbelievers about God, it might just be that small opening. Shine bright wherever you go, reflect God in EVERY SINGLE THING you do. Constantly be checking yourself and make sure you are refreshed in the word and God's spirit is with you. Be found in God. Your identity in Christ, not your own. Love without regrets, pray daily, be in His word. Show compassion to all and follow the call God laid on your heart, never settling for less, or what you think would be better.
God's plan is the best, by far the best. He wants the best, the healthiest, and the smartest ways for you. The ones who make you a beautiful child of God to shine for Him.
It's not too hard to do, just let go of all control and stop thinking life is about instant gratification. We want the best, the best takes time. Would you rather get something now, or wait for the best. Well me, I'm all about waiting for the best, not settling, so that's my advice to you :)
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
The Adventure
Happy 2012 everyone! :)
God is rocking my world, how about yours? If you say yes, great, if you say no, wake up, say yes to the call, revamp your life, cause God has some awesome plans for your life!
Well, my name is Heather, and I am a child of God. Years ago when my family started going to church when I was 5. Little did I know back then I'd be shining God's glory across the states and traveling a little bit farther to a colder state. Little did I know I'd be breaking chains of family history that go down in generations. I did not know the strength God was about to give me and the difference I was going to make.
As I embark on my final semester in my Undergraduate at North Central University. With my major being in Social Work, alongside a Biblical Studies Minor, I still realize I have no idea what God is about to use me for. I thought I was working with teenagers, I work with homeless men, I minister through music the last two summers with outreaches. I can tell you, God always has control and will use you in ways and will throw all of your gifts into a position, have you doing many different things, just wait and see!
I'm learning as I go through the normal controlling/instant gratification phase that now I see what God does to us. He trains us to be different, longing for difference.
Ah patience is a virtue as I have been revamping my resume, applying on websites, wondering whats to come after May 4, 2012, I realize something. That's I don't know what, where, or when I am going to go. Will I go far, will I go near, will I help the homeless, will I help infants? Will I meet someone? Will I be away from all my close college friends?
So many questions. One answer. Let Go, Let God.
So many times I hold on to things, and believe me God shakes everything and takes you on a journey that is way better than anything you were ever planning.
As I go through this semester, living in an apartment with time to spend with the best friends I have at school, I don't think about the unknowns, there is always so many things we won't know, we just take a step at a time, take a risk, take a chance with God's heart leading us every step of the way!
This semester is going to be focused on learning more at my internship through the Salvation Army Harbor Light Homeless Shelter within Second Floor Men's Housing Case Work. Trying to be the best I can be and figure things out in the system and understand how to do the basics.
Then I am going to be celebrating my last period of time living in close proximity to some of my best friends in life and treasuring every moment we can get this last semester.
To work hard, go hard, and never look back, but go forward with confidence, God confidence that will never fail you, but always in the end make sense and bless your life, along with others!
My goal this semester is to give my all, nothing less, enjoy the time, learn, live, be the daughter of God that He wants me to be. I hope as I go through this semester I can reflect God's glory to my friends, my co-workers at Target, my residents and co-workers at Salvation Army so that I could make a difference and not get swept up in anything that would take me down.
To live in the freedom means to live, breathe, and sleep in the peace of God. Every DAY!
I am blessed to be in a relationship with a God who loves me in the midst of many things going on but yet He preserved my life so that I might shine for Him.
We are the light of this world, let it shine, shine bright...
- Heather Cheryl Craig
God is rocking my world, how about yours? If you say yes, great, if you say no, wake up, say yes to the call, revamp your life, cause God has some awesome plans for your life!
Well, my name is Heather, and I am a child of God. Years ago when my family started going to church when I was 5. Little did I know back then I'd be shining God's glory across the states and traveling a little bit farther to a colder state. Little did I know I'd be breaking chains of family history that go down in generations. I did not know the strength God was about to give me and the difference I was going to make.
As I embark on my final semester in my Undergraduate at North Central University. With my major being in Social Work, alongside a Biblical Studies Minor, I still realize I have no idea what God is about to use me for. I thought I was working with teenagers, I work with homeless men, I minister through music the last two summers with outreaches. I can tell you, God always has control and will use you in ways and will throw all of your gifts into a position, have you doing many different things, just wait and see!
I'm learning as I go through the normal controlling/instant gratification phase that now I see what God does to us. He trains us to be different, longing for difference.
Ah patience is a virtue as I have been revamping my resume, applying on websites, wondering whats to come after May 4, 2012, I realize something. That's I don't know what, where, or when I am going to go. Will I go far, will I go near, will I help the homeless, will I help infants? Will I meet someone? Will I be away from all my close college friends?
So many questions. One answer. Let Go, Let God.
So many times I hold on to things, and believe me God shakes everything and takes you on a journey that is way better than anything you were ever planning.
As I go through this semester, living in an apartment with time to spend with the best friends I have at school, I don't think about the unknowns, there is always so many things we won't know, we just take a step at a time, take a risk, take a chance with God's heart leading us every step of the way!
This semester is going to be focused on learning more at my internship through the Salvation Army Harbor Light Homeless Shelter within Second Floor Men's Housing Case Work. Trying to be the best I can be and figure things out in the system and understand how to do the basics.
Then I am going to be celebrating my last period of time living in close proximity to some of my best friends in life and treasuring every moment we can get this last semester.
To work hard, go hard, and never look back, but go forward with confidence, God confidence that will never fail you, but always in the end make sense and bless your life, along with others!
My goal this semester is to give my all, nothing less, enjoy the time, learn, live, be the daughter of God that He wants me to be. I hope as I go through this semester I can reflect God's glory to my friends, my co-workers at Target, my residents and co-workers at Salvation Army so that I could make a difference and not get swept up in anything that would take me down.
To live in the freedom means to live, breathe, and sleep in the peace of God. Every DAY!
I am blessed to be in a relationship with a God who loves me in the midst of many things going on but yet He preserved my life so that I might shine for Him.
We are the light of this world, let it shine, shine bright...
- Heather Cheryl Craig
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