Here comes the Son

Do you ever feel like you should just be awake? Now, sleeping is one of my favorite activities, but at times I feel like I could be missing something spectacular. There is a sense of wonder in the dawning of a new day. The sun climbs aimlessly higher into a conglomeration of clouds, and the possibilities of the next twenty-four hours are stretched out before you in an array of shadows and sky with a color palate comparable to a bowl of rainbow sherbet.
Sunrise is my favorite time of day-hands down.
It always has been.
It always will be.
Now, being a college student has greatly compromised my viewing of God’s masterful artwork in the early morning, but I love it nonetheless.
The sunrise was definitely not my priority this morning. Plagued with an inefficient amount of sleep this week, my down laden bed was most definitely my priority before a 10 am class. But, in spite of my desperation for some shuteye, I awoke at 6:24.
Now, I have no trouble falling back asleep when woken up. Just ask my roommate. I can sleep through her 7:45 am class preparation with microwave in use and lights on.
But this morning was different.
As I sat up to check the time, something within me knew I should rub the sleep from my eyes and turn my heart towards my Father.
“I have something to show you.”
My alarm was not set to go off for another hour or two.
“I have never disappointed you.
My sheets continued to play the role of ultimate seductress.
“Come on. I have something I want my little girl to see.”
So, while most of Malibu slept, I trekked across campus to enjoy a breakfast date with my Savior, and as I strolled across the plaza, my face lit up like a child’s on Christmas morn. The sky proceeded to unwrap itself in ribbons of golden hues intertwined with touches of peach and lavender.
The heavens were declaring the name of my beloved YHWH.
And that dose of artfully mastered sky was exactly what my heart needed.
Sleep may have been what I wanted.
But we all know God gives us the desire of our heart. (Ps. 37.4)
And even though I was fully unaware of my need at 6:24 this morning, my heart desperately desired a masterpiece-a true depiction of love in the early morning.

Opting out of the Umbrella

I love these days where the ocean and the sky are completely indistinguishable. The horizon cannot decide where to begin, end, or even appear for that matter. White caps and clouds simulate an illusion of my own Atlantis.
I surmise that one perfectly maneuvered leap would launch me into the depths of the blue surrounding me. I would be swimming and flying all at once.
And while my body longs to take that leap of faith, the heavens plead to sequester the showers within their masses and saturate the world in salt, sea, and sky.
There is such sweet release in rain.
Somehow my Creator seems to know that the only kisses I need are the droplets that He pours from the sky onto my bare skin. And somehow He makes life livable, because not everything will be okay all the time.
But I am okay with not being okay, because His love rains down similar to the torrents that are flooding the earth momentarily.
So, I say, let it pour.
Saturate.
Drench me.
Rain upon the world torrents of healing and redemption.
Reign upon the world forevermore in Your divine love.

Are you there blog? It's me Heather...

I have been anchored to my bed since roughly 2pm.
Thankfully my microwave resides roughly 1 yard from me at all times.
My dinner is consisting of original flavored organic oatmeal and Dove caramel filled chocolates. So essentially paste and sugar. Chicken noodle soup may sound delicious….but how much Campbell’s is one body actually allowed to consume before their sodium intake sky rockets them to an unnaturally early death? Praise the Lord Jesus that I am only 18 and have time to stop these insane eating habits.
Some days are just better than others.

The good things:

Reads: An anatomically gruesome description of the reversal of the decaying process of the human body has been my inspiration for the past few days. Ezekiel 37. God inspires me in the most entertaining ways. Ask if you really want my elaboration on that passage. Oh and John 17-sometimes God just needs to bring you back!
Honorable mention include: Matthew 6, Jesus Culture by Banning, and the fortunes found on the inside of those scrumptious Dove chocolates.

My roommate: Amidst my heartbreak she sets herself up for “That’s what she said” jokes, prays over my heavy heart, forces me to verbalize anything and everything, and still sings like every Disney princess ever created. That is love.

The ocean: Once again God painted a masterpiece from my window. What else is new?

Reality: No, the reality of life is not being categorized under my “good things.” Reality the church. Holla to Los Angeles and Carpentaria.

God: this needs no explanation.

H is for Heather, Haiti, Hikes, and Hope.

Provision.
Dream big.
Pray.
God will honestly give you the desires of your heart, if you are truly seeking Him.
My heart burns for the study body at this campus, and somehow one of the most expensive schools in the nation is keeping me around.
I am not terribly special. I would consider myself rather ordinary.
But.
My heart dreams at an alarming rate.
My mind is always functioning at an obnoxiously insomniac level.
One word to describe my relationship with Abba? –Go.
One country has invaded my thoughts for years, but the timing is not quite right.
It is 2010, and I hear “Not yet.”
I have a 4 month summer to serve.
So.
I sit burning, yearning, waiting, and learning.
But patience, discernment, and guidance from His Holy Spirit have been my earnest request lately.
So, how did I suddenly end up with the exact amount of two round trip tickets to Haiti?
Prayer.
Dream Big.
Provision.

I may be a girl, but I am not a sissie.

Revolutions are not for sissies.

The infamous "R" word-Revolution. It is seen as rebellious, radical, and other scandalous words beginning with the lovely letter "R".

America was founded on the principle of a revolution. It was brilliantly daring and undoubtedly inspiring. It spread like wildfire amongst the eastern seaboard. It was painful, chaotic, and messy. It stripped the flesh of hindrance and rallied a cry for freedom. Lives were lost. The contentment of colonial normalcy was obliterated. The desperation for change created a need for destruction. The bravery and heart of those revolutionaries led to victory.

Revolutions are not for sissies.

Complacency seems to define the hearts of the present. Apathy has replaced energy.

And what is it we need now? What fire will ignite the hearts of the present? An eastern seaboard is no longer the only thing in need of wildfire.

Is a spiritual revolution in the works?

This revolution will be brilliantly daring and undoubtedly inspiring. It will be Heavenly, prophetic, and healing. Is God rallying a cry for freedom and healing? Hasn't God always been rallying a cry for freedom and healing? What has hindered our ears from hearing the heartbeat of our most beloved Savior? When will our hearts turn to the nations? God's heart has never stopped aching for the oppressed, the fatherless, and the widow (Is. 1:17). Why has ours?

Our desperation for Holy change should cause direct destruction upon the compliance our hearts have taken to the present. The title of "Christian" is not assurance of salvation. The road to salvation is narrow and only a few find it (Mt. 7:13). Lives will be lost to the width of today's definition of Christianity. But the all encompassing grace of Christ ensures victorious strides towards feeling the heartbeat of our Creator. Trade apathy for an irresistible appetite for His love. Let complacency be transformed into compassion for the nations, for His children, and for His heart.

A revolution is defined as: a sudden, complete or marked change in something. Can our hearts be defined as being marked by change? A change which enraptures us in the knowledge of the love of our Savior has for this world, this generation, and this people? Being a follower of Jesus Christ is a revolution. Jesus of Nazareth riddled His way through parables, went weeks without eating, and dined with those deemed disgusting. Jesus was rebellious, radical, and a whole mess of other scandalous words beginning with the lovely letter "R". He was revolutionary. He is revolutionary. At what cost will you partake in this revolution? Our hearts should be ablaze with the glory that is YHWH. He calls us to embark upon this path that will leave our hearts suddenly, completely, and remarkably changed. And when our hearts align with His, we will know victory.

Jesus is not for sissies.