My Grown Up Christmas Wish

I want people who are sick with no cure to be cured.

I want those in pain to have no pain.

I want children with no family to be adopted and be loved.

I want people with no food, shelter and heat to have all those things and have no worries in how they will have them.

I want families to love one another.

I want everyone to forgive one another and have love & compassion for others.

I want the Golden Rule to be a part of life.

I want wrongs to be righted.

I want justice for all.

I want there to be peace in the world and in our lives.

I want love and understanding to rule our hearts.

I want those in prison to truly find God and turn their lives around and make a difference it this world for good.

I want friends and family to know they are loved, appreciated and my heart is grateful they are in my life.

I want everyone to be loved and cared about.

I want broken hearts to be mended.

I want each lesson “learned” to be remembered and carried out.

I want everyone to have joy in there heart in spite of circumstances.

I want everyone to know they are never alone; for God is always there, even people are not.

I want everyone to know God always loves them.

I want everyone to know the truth and allow the truth to set them free.

I want all Christians to truly live the life as Christians so that the world will know we are Christians by our love (fruits).

I want hearts to be humbled and pride put away.

I want hearts to be open and ready to let God’s love abound in their lives.

I want wars to stop.

I want pollution to end.

I want God to send His Son once again to take us out of this world and make things right once and for all.

I want the miracle of God to rule our hearts, bringing perfect peace…the peace that the world cannot give.

I want the Christ’s perfect joy to tickle our hearts and echo His love.

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Greatest man in history, named Jesus, had no servants, yet they called him Master. He had no degree, yet they called him Teacher. He had no medicine, yet they called him Healer. He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today. This is the greatest miracle of all.  May a miracle happen in our life today.


"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."
~Bobby (age 7)

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
God is Love!

IS THERE A GOD OF LOVE?

IS THERE A GOD OF LOVE?

Some days it is difficult to feel God's love for us. Some days it feels there is no God.  At times, we struggle to believe there is a God who loves us and cares about what we are going through.  We cry out to Him, shouting, "God where are you? Why won't you answer me? Where is the love you talk about in your word?"

It says He knows our every struggle and feels all our pain. It says He will never forsake us. But yet, life continues to happen with all its hurts and pains. Often we feel abandoned and even betrayed. We ask, "Where is God is all our trials and pain?"

Yet as we suffer, even every detail of every man's life, who has ever walked on the earth, has not impacted the world as much as the few recorded details of Jesus' life. The Word says Jesus was not just a man, He was God's son, manifesting himself in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16). He suffered and died for us so He could rescue us.

So why do we feel so alone at times...Why does He seem to abandon us? Is there really a God of love out there?

Let's take a glimpse into the life of Christ. In Acts 10:38 Peter gives a very brief, yet descriptive summary of the life and ministry of Jesus. Jesus was annointed with power and with the Holy Ghost.

The Word says, He used this power to do good, not evil. This is one of the main characteristics of Christ and is one of the easiest ways to discern what is from God and what is from the devil. God is a good and therefore the devil is bad. So one good say, if it's bad, it's from the devil and if it's good, it's from God. However, this still doesn't help us know if God's love for us is real or why experience so many trials and pain in our life.

If you think of it, tragedy can come from three sources: God, Satan, and natural law. God has used nature to bring judgment to human kind. However, according to the Word, the New Testament believer is exempt from this punitive judgement of God since Jesus bore it for him at the cross.  Christ says, "I have come so they may have life and life more abundantly." He also declares, "I know the plans for you and they are for good not harm.".

John 10:10 NKJV

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Jeremiah 29:11 New American Standard Bible

'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:10-12 (in Context) Jeremiah 29 New Century Version

I say this because I know what I am planning for you," says the Lord. "I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.

Satan is the source of much of the calamity that people often ascribe to God. Many problems arise because people violate the natural laws that God put into motion. For example, if a person drives recklessly and kills himself, it's not God or the devil that killed him. He violated natural law and thus paid the price. God will not push His will upon us, we must make the choice to be in His will and to understand the natural laws. So He allows natural laws to operate on this earth and for us to make choices regarding them and how we interact with them on this earth.

Please understand God is in control, protecting us and proclaiming that He want us to have life more abundant, yet, I ask you, is it incorrect to believe that God takes controls of everything?  I know He doesn't want us to be His puppet.  It is clear He allows us choices...to be in control and interact with the natural laws, as well as choose to follow Him.  Therefore, God surely aches when we make choices that will harm us...He wants to work all things for our good and not bring harm to us. 

Many times, when bad things happen God is just waiting for us to ask Him to intervene, to work the tragedy into something good. However, we must be willing to allow Him to do so. God always has some redemptive design in tragedies. He is there to comfort....reaching out His hand. If we truly listen, He cries out, "I love you my child. I am here for you...just reach out for me and call out to me and I will answer in due time." Often the situation, the pain, and the suffering drown out His voice and we feel alone. He wants to shine light into our darkness.

2 Corinthians 4:6  New American Standard Bible

For God, who said, " Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

1 John 1:5 New American Standard Bible [ God Is Light ]

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

New King James Version 

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

God's love is great for us and that is why He sent is son to this earth as a lowly child born in a manger. He wanted a way to relate to us on a human level. -A way to experience life as we know it, so He can relate to our pain and sorrow. To reach out and touch us on a human level...to make a bridge so we could know His love.  If you have not watched the YOUTUBE video, you MUST see it to understand God's true love for us.  Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tQwI7EY4KM   Please take the time to view it.  It is so powerful.  It helps us understand how God choose His son, just one to save many...it is how great His love is for us, that He gave His only son to reach out in love to each of us.

Be cautious about thinking God has taken control of everything because that will lead us to ignore the devil, thereby giving him a free hand to destroy our lives. We must use wisdom concerning natural laws and not think that things happen unless God wills it. He does allow us to choose. We must remember that God is a good God and God is Love.  He wants us to choose His love, His protection....He wants to help us make wise choices and to be there when we fall.

1 Chronicles 16:34 The Message

Give thanks to God—he is good and his love never quits. Say, "Save us, Savior God, round us up and get us out of these godless places, So we can give thanks to your holy Name, and bask in your life of praise." Blessed be God, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then everybody said, "Yes! Amen!" and "Praise God!"

II Samuel 22:29 The Message

Suddenly, God, your light floods my path, God drives out the darkness. I smash the bands of marauders, I vault the high fences. What a God! His road stretches straight and smooth. Every God-direction is road-tested. Everyone who runs toward him Makes it.

His love is so great that He does not force Himself on us...so during this holiday season when we remember the Christ child in the manger, take the time to listen...hear His cries...He is reaching out to us in love.  He is “loving us” every step of the way and is there when we call.  Let His cry this season touch your heart...Let Him hold you and comfort you...Let Him help guide your life and find the blessings He has given in each day.

Luke 2:12 New King James Version

And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Isaiah 9:6 New King James Version

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

So you ask, "Is there a God of Love?" The answer is, "YES!" and He is right here waiting for you to reach out and take His hand...to give your hurt and pain to Him...to know you are loved!

Isaiah 41:13 NKJV

For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’

Psalm 59:10 New Century Version

My God loves me, and he goes in front of me. He will help me defeat my enemies.

Psalm 59:17 New Century Version

God, my strength, I will sing praises to you. God, my defender, you are the God who loves me.

Psalm 107:1 The Message

Oh, thank God—he's so good! His love never runs out. All of you set free by God, tell the world! Tell how he freed you from oppression, Then rounded you up from all over the place, from the four winds, from the seven seas.

New Century Version [ God Saves from Many Dangers ] Thank the Lord because he is good. His lovecontinues forever.

There is a God who loves you...and it all began in a manger...

Prisons of Life

I am NOT speaking of "prisons" where criminals go to be locked up, but of those we create in our own lives.  It is the choices we make or uncontrollable events in our lives that capture us and "lock us up" on the inside. It is the "prisons" from childhood models that taught us not to speak or to not be who we real are in God's eyes. It is the prisons that the world places on us to be "just so" to fit in.  It is the prison's of the media images of the perfect body or designer clothes.

I have thought about these prisons for quite sometime in my life.  I have worked to "reprogram my mind" against what the world and others are saying to entrap me into their prisons of life.  It has been a hard fight.  It is a struggle that is not yet over.  I struggle each time I look into the mirror, or strike out to do something, when that small, yet powerful "inner child" voice begins to speak out to tell me I am not worth it, I am not good enough, I am not pretty enough, I am not smart enough and I will always fail!

But I choose to renew my mind against the evil one and His lies, for I am God's best! His masterpiece! YOU ARE GOD'S BEST too!  We are ALL His masterpiece!  We must stand against life's prisons so we can walk in the light of our Savior's love.

Did you know that when God's looks upon us, He sees His Son, His child?  Yes, it is true, He sees us perfect and forgiven as His child because of having Jesus Christ in our lives.  What a gift!  What a victory in our lives!  If we could only continue to view ourselves in that way...through the eyes of our Savior, washing us with His love and presenting us to the Father as whole and perfect, without blemish.  WOW!  Think of that!  What a gift!  Can you hold that in your mind?  Can you fully grasp it? I am still trying too.

I have added a few attachments to my page because this subject as inspired my art and heart.  My friend and awesome talented singer, Alisa Childers has just written a new song titled: Pretty Prison.  It speaks to the image the world places upon us and much more. It talks about how woman are taught to NOT say what we really mean. How we always try to please others. I am awaiting her permission to post the blog she wrote that inspired the song.  I know it would really touch your heart and speak to many of you, especially women.  So until I can download Alisa's song, (you can hear it on her webpage for now.)  I have added to my downloads the music of JJ Heller, called "Love Me', which speaks to our desire to loved for who we really are.  I felt it was very fitting.  It is a song that will touch your heart. You can hear it on Truthvine or on her webpage.

I have also attached my artwork titled: "The Gate" to speak to the gates in our lives that lock us out and hold us prisoners.  You see, this painting was inspired as I took care of a child with autism.  She was trapped in her world, not making eye contact with life. Each day, she would make her way to the big rugged gate in the back yard.  She would reach up and touch the gate, saying, "Want out, want out!"  She yet, would never look at the gate directly.  It spoke to my heart deeply.  It is here, she is trapped in her world and she so desperately longs to find away out, to find a way to escape her bondage...A way to be free of this world's prisons, her world of autism.

This experience began me to think of all the "gates" in our lives that keep us prisoner.  I thought of the courage it takes to move forward in action as well as, the willingness to first look straight in the eyes all the gates in our own lives that stop us from being ALL that God has called us to be. One gate can lead to another gate...there may many in our lives.

I thought about the "gates" in my life and the prison it has built in my life. I have thought of how it stops me from moving forward with so many opportunities in this world.  I see how it keeps me locked up inside and places a fear blocking from what I truly can be. So I began my journey by painting "The Gate" and began thinking of ways I can have the courage to look my gate straight in the eyes, to step forward and reach out to open that gate and see what God has for me beyond the gates of my prison.

If you notice in my painting, I placed a garbage can behind the little girl.  I did this to remind us that has we have the courage to go forth and step through the gate and to give it all to God, allowing you with God's help to place the trash of our lives where it belongs to never imprison us again!

So what are the prison's in your life?  What "gates" stop you from being all God has called you to be?  Let's discuss them and encourage one another so we can go forth in boldness and touch this world with God's freedom, hope and love!

P.S.
I hope many of you will be willing to share the "gates or "prisons" in your lives.  I think it can be an awesome tool in our lives to encourage one another to let go!  Let's build one another up as God instructs us too!  We can walk with a renewed mind, prison/gate free!

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If you would like to see more of my art go to:  http://laurieh.myexpose.com

JJ Heller's music can be found at: http://www.myspace.com/jjhellermusic

Also Alisa Childers site can be found at: http://www.myspace.com/alisachildersmusic
Be blessed!

The Curve Balls of Life's Journey

Life's Journey continues and boy oh boy is it full of "curve balls"! I continue to learn how to allow God to take the bat in every circumstance of life, but it isn't that easy.  If you are like me, you have preconceived ideas of how to right a problem, find a solution or the steps it will take to make things o.k. again.  It is not often I want to just sit back and roll with the punches. No, not me! I must find the answers, search for the solutions and take some control of the situation.  If you are truly honest with yourself, I bet there a few of you out there who can relate to what I am saying.
We are the "doers", the ones who get into the game and strive to win at all costs. We do not want to just sit at the sidelines as a spectator. Most of us want to be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem.  We are the ones asked to join the team. We do not sit idle as we see the curve balls of life pass on by.  Instead, we are determined to catch the curve ball no matter how difficult it is to catch. We do not easily give up, but welcome the challenge.
We are the ones that have experienced success in finding solutions, whether others notice or not. If by chance someone does notice, it is like a bonus win that cheers you on to do it again. The bigger the challenge, the bigger the reward to find the answers, the solutions and to never give up.
Personally, I think God loves cheering us on to never give up, to face the trials of this life and to meet each challenge with open arms.  Yet, I also believe that there comes a time in life we must surrender and take a backseat. We must face the fact that we do not have all the answers and that sometimes in this life there isn't a solution.  We must admit that we are merely human. It is time to let God be the solution, to let Him be the hero and allow Him to bring victory.
During these past years, this is exactly what God is teaching me.  He has allowed me to strike out, to miss catching the curve balls of life and to finally realize in my human weakness He is made strong.  We all know life is not a game, but we often live it as one. We view the problems and trials of this life as the curve balls of life.  We allow ourselves to believe that if we only try harder and keep practicing that we can win over any life's challenge.  We don't stop to listen to God still small voice saying, "You don't have to go it alone. You do not need to have all the answers. You can rest in my strength and let me grant the victory."
I am no exception, for as each curve ball has headed my way, I have stretched out my arm with mitt in hand, determined to catch that curve ball and stop it dead in its tracks - never to affect my life again. Other times I have readied myself with a solid bat, determined to hit each ball out of the park. But to my surprise as I looked up to deal with the first curve ball, there before my very eyes was a second curve ball and then a third, a fourth and even a fifth! Soon it looked like a hailstorm of curve balls and my mitt and bat became the only shield to block each balls blow to my head.
Fear over whelmed me as I questioned how I could have the strength to continue to block each curve ball from their blow. No longer was I thinking how to catch them or hit them out of the park as they rocket down from the sky like an intense meteor shower.  I felt this was the end.  I could see no hope in sight. I had no answers, no solutions or strength to continue at such a pace.  I had to look beyond myself and ask for help.  I had to reach out to other believers and lend on them for strength, for encouragement and to borrow their hope.  I had to say to God, "Here I am, I must trust in you to met my needs, to help me survive this storm."
It was time for me to surrender my mitt and hand over my bat.  It was time for me to sit on the side lines, to rest in my saviors arms and let Him have control...trusting fully in Him for the outcome no matter what it may be...To know He does work all things for good for those whom love Him whether or not the storm continues for a time or stops to shine forth a ray of light.
My storm is not yet over, there are more dark clouds ahead as the curve balls continue to fall. Yet, I will not give up, but I also know my in my weakness He is made strong.  He will protect me, grant me hope and bring the victory.  I must know with Him there are answers and solution, but I must patiently wait, for His timing is perfect.  He knows how many curve balls I can handle.  He knows that each one serves a purpose and will bring blessing for all those who wait.
So as I sit here with all my bumps and bruises of lessons learned, I patiently wait...God is my strength, my victor and I will hide myself in the shelter of His wings.  I will not be afraid of the curve balls ahead, I will not go it alone, but trust in each moment of life God has given me...to count my blessings and to rest in Him, trusting that He has the answers.  God is on my side.  He is the captain of my team. He has victory over every storm. Aaaah, peace be still...catch some joy and let the curve balls reign for I will not fear...I am journeying on!

Death's Door - All Things Become New

Time passed, it looked I was closer and closer to death. It felt as if I would meet my maker soon.  Nevertheless, God reached out and touched me with His healing hand.  It was a few days before Easter, April 16^th to be exact. I had caregivers around the clock to move me and tend to my needs.  My breathing stat of 42 was not compatible with life.  Pain racked my body. Every joint felt as if it was on fire.  The joints felt like they were fused together by the “molten-lava” that seem to flow through my body. My muscles ached and hurt so badly I wanted to rip them off my bones. My breathing was labored and thinking was not clear, but God’s peacefulness and joy filled my heart.

It was on this day that a friend of mine brought by a person with the ability of healing prayer.  Many people had been praying for me, it was clear I had not been physically healed; although, much emotional and spiritual healing had occurred and that was wonderful…I was in a place of acceptance.  I knew God would heal me when I was with Him if He did not heal me on this earth.  There was such peace in that thought.   My friend asked if her friend could pray for me and I agreed.  There is never any harm in turning to God in prayer…it brought me comfort.  However, this time, things were different, I was comforted, but I could feel my body changing…the “molten-lava” flowing in each joint was melting like ice; I began sweating as my body cooled.  My joints became freed up and the muscles been to understand the messages of nerves to move. My breathing began to work without a struggle. My lungs began filling with air and working as they were intended. I knew God was healing me here on this earth this very moment.  Every cell within me praised Him and shouted with joy!  It was a miracle!  I was so thankful for all those who helped me - friends, school staff, medical staff and the church family of believers.  I had so much to be grateful for…my heart was full of joy!  God had become real through the “hands and feet” of others.    My life was beginning to change.  I shared my story with many.  God gave me a vision of using the art talent he had given me for Him.  I was setting forth to serve Him with all my being.  I wanted to reach the world with His love and message of hope.  Doors were opening and I knew God would put the talent He gave me to work to help others, especially abused and hurting “at risk” children, as well as orphans. It was the beat of His heart flowing through art.  His heART in ART…His life-blood flowing… It was a miracle! I was even able to return to teaching while continuing to plan missions and art for the summer! In addition, more healing work was taking place as I worked on “Restoring the Foundations” and breaking the curses and bonds of death Satan held on me.  It was like having a new life!  “Behold in Christ I am a new creation, old things are passed away; behold all things become new.”