We hear Jesus called by many names Prince of Peace, Son of God and Son of Man, the Messiah, Jeshua, Savior, Rabbi, Teacher, Prophet. God is also called by many different names especially in the Old Testament Hebrew language: El Shaddai (God Almighty), Abba (Father), Yahweh, and Jehovah to name a few ( I encourage you to look them up along with their meanings) they all reflect different parts and attributes of His character. This week, we are going to reflect and ponder upon one very particular name Jehovah Rapha, Healer or “The God who Heals” and Jesus Christ, the Son is often referred to as “The Great Physician”. This week we will take a look at a few instances in the New Testament when Jesus healed the so-called incurable diseases that doctors could not solve or fix.
Here is a list of the healing and curing that Jesus did recorded in the New Testament Gospels:
Jesus touched and healed Peter’s mother-in-law of a high fever (Mark 1:30-31).
Jesus healed the Roman Soldier (centurion’s) servant who was very sick (Matthew 8:5-13).
Jesus healed the paralytic and made him walk (Matthew 9:1-8).
Jesus healed an outcast “unclean” leper (Mark 1:40-45)
Jesus cured a woman of an issue of blood (Luke 8:43-48).
Jesus healed a paralyzed man at the pool called Bethesda (John 5:1-9).
Jesus loosened/fixed the tongue of a man who could not speak since birth (Matthew 9:32-33).
Jesus restored a withered, crippled hand (Matthew 12:10-13).
Jesus cured a man born deaf and mute (Mark 7:31-37).
Jesus healed a woman from Canaan (Matthew 15:22-28).
Jesus healed a woman who had been afflicted with serious debilitating pain for eighteen years (Luke 13:10-17).
Jesus cured a man of “dropsy”/dangerous swelling and infection(Luke 14:1-4).
Jesus cleansed and healed ten lepers of their contagious disease that left them outcastsof society. (Luke 17:11-19).
Several instances he healed many (at least 4) people born blind! John 9:1-38, Mark 8:22-26, Matthew 9:27-31.
Jesus restored and fixed the ear of the high priest’s servant that Peter cut off! (Luke 22:50-51).
We often think of healing as curing illnesses and diseases, or better yet fixing what is wrong Jesus also healed people plagued and tormented by demons (Mark 1:23-28, Matthew 12:22, Matthew 17:14-21)
Jesus also raised more than Lazarus from the dead: Jesus raised the widow’s son from the dead (Luke 7:11-18).Jesus raised the ruler’s daughter from the dead (Matthew 9:18-26).Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-46).Jesus rose from the dead (Luke 24:5-6).
What ails, torments or plagues you today? Whether it is healing of a sickness in your body from the cold/flu or something as long term as cancer or organ failure, a disease with no known reasons or cures, constant pain or aches throughout your physical body. Or an affliction or heaviness in your mind and spirit that has crushed your heart beyond restoration or so you think…the Jesus I know can make the impossible possible and cure the incurable. When all resources and doctors and earthly research for answers had been exhausted, hope came in the form of Jesus. Yes, He was able to physically touch those around Him and heal them, but what about us today? He can’t lay hands on us, but that’s what disciples are called to do. As followers we are called to continue His work not our own but through the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray for each other in times of illness and affliction. What kind of miracle and healing touch do you need today?
My prayer for you today: Dear Lord, thank You for making me fearfully and wonderfully made in Your image. You created my body, and You never ever fiber and cell of how I function and live. You are the Life Giver. You are the Creator. You alone are the Great Physician that has all the answers to the mysteries of all that ails Your children. Lord, help me to make choices and decisions that take care of my temple, the body the houses my soul and where you dwell in my heart. Protect my body, guard and cleanse my heart and mind of anything toxic, hurtful or negative and not healthy. Heal my broken spirit. In Your all powerful name. Amen
Have you ever prayed for a miracle and felt like it didn’t happen the way you wanted it to? Even when you’ve seen amazing miracles happen in the exact way for others. That’s probably how Mary and Martha felt. The two sisters and their dear brother Lazarus were very close friends of Jesus and the disciples. In fact this Mary is the same one who anointed Jesus’s feet with very expensive perfume and wept tears of worship on his feet. They knew what Jesus could do, what He taught and most importantly they knew and loved Him. The Son of God, surely He could easily heal and restore health to their gravely ill brother Lazarus. However when Jesus heard about it in the next town over, He had been teaching and preaching to another crowd. He was taking care of His Father’s business, on assignment. It wasn’t as if Mary, Martha and Lazarus weren’t important, they already had accepted and received Jesus as the Messiah. He was teaching those who had not heard about the Kingdom of Heaven, the Gospel. Their miracle was coming, but Jesus had a particular timing for a reason, the reason being so that God the Father could be glorified in it all. If Jesus would’ve came earlier He could’ve just easily healed Lazarus’ sickness and that would be all there was to it. Many people had seen Him heal the sick before. But what He was going to do was far greater than any doctor could ever do. He would raise the dead back to life! He waited. He did it purposefully so they would all believe that God sent Him! Mary, Martha and everyone else said He was too late, he was already gone!
Scriptures:
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
Have you ever felt that way before? Like it was too late for a change, the chance of a miracle had come and gone, the hope and dream was well past dead? Lazarus had been dead and buried for four days! When we feel like it’s over, it’s done- He is always on time! You may have given up, when you’re miracle is on it’s way! And yet sometimes we have to understand that our miracle is not always about us, Lazarus’ didn’t get healed right away, but he was restored! His miracle was a testimony to others witnessing what had happened. Our prayers for healing of the sick loved ones may not always be answered on this side of Heaven. Jesus made sure that God the Father in heaven was glorified through this miracle. A little known fact is that this was one of the last miracles Jesus performed, after that they sought out to arrest Him! He was foreshadowing what was to come the Resurrection of His own life after the crucifixion that would take place. Jesus said in John 11:25-26 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
What “dead” dreams and “hope is gone” in your life need to be resurrected? On the flip side, what things do you need to let go of? Scripture says we die daily to our sin nature and live in the hope that Christ Jesus gives us. We, too, will live eternally with Jesus when we go to Heaven. But you have to accept the gift first.
Stay hopeful, your miracle may be late to you but He’s always on time!
Peace vs. Chaos. Justice vs. Injustice. Fear vs. Faith. Freedom vs. Captivity. July 4, 1776 and June 19, 1865…dates that represent freedom. One for the birth of a country breaking away from a tyrannical ruler, the other for people the first time being called free and not someone else’s property. Rewind centuries earlier, thousands of years earlier: a dreary Friday, a silent Saturday, and a glorious Sunday where death had been defeated…the day where true freedom began.
In the world as of lately, it was and is in an uproar let’s be realistic. A global pandemic causing death, everything to shut down and people living in fear. A battle against racial tension and injustice, inequality. Politics. Economic crisis. A coin shortage. Churches under attack from the enemy. And so much more, it will make your head spin if it’s all you consume yourself with. You will drive yourself crazy if it’s all you see and hear and let yourself think about. Step away and look at society, and look at it a little more personally: Who is in control of your actions? Who is in control of your thoughts and opinions? Who is in control of how your feelings and emotions cause you to react? Who is in control of the choices you make? The answer to all these questions is the same…YOU. God is in control of all things in the great big world and universe, but He gave us the ability to think, know, grow, live and make our own choices…good ones and bad ones. Freedom of choice. Freedom of opinion. Freedom of assembly. Freedom of speech. (Scripture says to be careful with our words because the power of life and death is in the tongue) We live in a country where we can do just about anything that is legal of course. You even have the freedom (free will) to go and make bad decisions (remember to everything there is a consequence). You sadly can oppress your own self by choices you make, in the form of addictions or vicious cycles if you so choose. You can work, you can dream, you can have a family. You can go into your church and worship freely. We have those rights. In the Declaration of Independence it states these three main points: All men (and women) are created equal. They are endowed by their Creator with certain Inalienable Rights including Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness. Individuals have a civic duty to defend these rights for themselves and others. You have been given LIFE by the one who created YOU. You have been given LIBERTY, freedom by His Son Jesus on the Cross. You have been given the pursuit of happiness by the JOY that He brings you…anything else you chase and pursue you won’t always catch. This world cannot steal away what it did not give you to begin with. What is given by God cannot be taken away.
Let’s go back to that last part, no one can steal your joy or your peace, because no one in this world gave it to you. But freedom now, no one or no thing can hold you captive unless you let them have the keys! What freedom feels like is walking in your calling. What freedom feels like is knowing you are protected and loved. Freedom feels like a safety net and leap of fearless faith all in one because His arms will catch you. Freedom to fly and soar. What freedom feels like is walking into the sunlight. What freedom feels like is breathing in new fresh air in lungs once suffocated by panic. What freedom feels like is a new life. Where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom! Jesus sets free every captive. He has the key, let Him in. Every chain can be broken or if it has a lock, you know there’s a key to it somewhere! Stop letting other people’s opinions, choices, words and actions determine you and your choices, opinions, words and actions. We often fall victim to our own thoughts, we create our own prisons of doubt and fear. Y’all, who the SON sets FREE is FREE INDEED! Stop letting others opinions and choices effect and dictate your life! We are called to live in freedom.
Lightning crackles across the darkened sky and thunder rolls bursting forth together in a duo of calamity. Gray clouds hover where sunlight once peaked through to warm your face. Sometimes these storms send fear and distress, others they send anticipation of a cleansing and awakening to the soul. There’s something beautiful about the rain some days but it will always come when you need it. But on the flip side of that, rain comes and sometimes ruins an otherwise perfect day. Have you ever watched a storm on the ocean? It’s sometimes scary but it is magnificent and thrilling to see in its roaring power!
Have you ever felt like a wave tossed about in a storm? Have you ever faced a tremendous and torrential amount of rain in your own personal life? They say “when it rains, it pours.” Have you ever had a day like that? Have you had your own personal hurricane brewing in your heart or a storm of the soul? An Emotional Rollercoaster. One day you’re climbing up the hill to top and the next you drop so fast your stomach in your throat. Maybe you feel like you’re safe and secure, buckled in and have control other days, it’s like they forgot to lock down your harness and you’re hanging on for dear life. Let’s face it, some days are up and some days are down. Some days we feel like we are in control of our emotions and some days may feel like your emotions are in control of you. It’s life. Life happens. The tide is ever-changing and it flows within us-part of us but not in control of us, we can tame the tide.Emotions are not always a bad thing. After all, God created us with emotions. You have every right to feel the way you feel God put those things in our hearts and minds. Emotions are a complicated and simple thing all at the same time. Can all my ladies who deal with hormones on a regular basis say amen?! It’s normal! You simply just feel something and sometimes it’s deeper than words can articulate. Emotions range from anger, grief, joy, happiness, sadness, pain, envy, and everything in between. But in all actuality, what we need and seek is peace. A peace that passes all understanding as Scripture says in Philippians chapter 4.
Philippians 4:4-7 Paul tells us “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand, do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Let’s pull out some key phrases and elements of what he is saying to the people of Philippi:
Paul starts with “Rejoice always…” (verse 4) yes he means even in the midst of hardship (and quarantine). He says it twice, he means it.
We see several interchangeable words in the next verse (4:5) based on which translation you use ESV says “reasonableness”, NIV says “gentleness”, CSB says “graciousness”, and KJV says “moderation” in times of trouble or hardship we must let grace and gentleness show forth more than anything else. We must remember to be reasonable, submit to authority yet not worry or fear but to be wise and cautious in the midst of it all.
Verse 6 addresses worry and anxiousness head on like a warrior. It says “The Lord is at hand. Do not be anxious about anything but take everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Our antidote to worry is prayer. Why should we worry about things we can’t control when we already know the One who is in control. We are responsible for how we react, but we can be proactive through prayer and supplication. Supplication simply means the act of asking for and knowing that He will supply our needs. But we can’t go asking the Lord to grant our needs without being thankful, hence why it says “supplication with thanksgiving.” Then Paul says let your requests be made known to our God. See, this is a reminder because we know that God knows our hearts and minds and every thought in them, we are to use prayer as our way of talking with Him about it instead of worrying about it.
Now here is one of my favorite parts of this passage in verse 7: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” That means peace that baffles others. When the world looks at you or me, as a follower of Christ and wonders “why are you at peace and so calm in the middle of crazy chaos?” or “why are you not worried or freaking out right now?” It’s because they don’t understand. Peace that even when we don’t know how or why, it washes over you. The peace that passes understanding comes from Christ. So taking all the fear, worry, anxiousness and anxiety and trading it for His peace that He gives us when we pray.
When Jesus calmed the storm, He told the disciples not to worry. He was in control. Peter had to have faith to walk out of the boat and step out onto the waves and take Jesus’ hand. When Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and focused on the storm, he started to drown and sink. We have to have faith to embrace the storm and listen to the peace.
So, I hope this spoke to your heart and soul today- sometimes the storm is around and we learn how to brave and weather it together, holding secure to His hope as an anchor for our soul (Hebrews 6:19). Sometimes we have to drown out the lightning, thunder and waves and listen to Jesus’ voice saying “Peace, be still”. Sometimes the storm is not around us but in us, we are sometimes the storm. Storms can cleanse and clear paths for something greater. What kind of storm is brewing in your life? Find the peace or embrace the rain.
Did you know that perfection here on earth once existed? Think of the most beautiful place you’ve ever visited and or picture of a place that is so beautiful that people may call it “heaven on earth”. To each picture it may look different, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The beholder in this case, is the Creator- God the Father. He makes no mistakes, everything He created is beautiful and good. The Garden of Eden in Genesis 1-2 was absolutely beautiful and perfect. God created the oceans, mountains, valleys, all the plants, trees, every animal on earth and saw that it was good. Then He made each of us, in His image. Everything was as He created it to be, perfect. He gave one rule to Adam and Eve to not eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge in the middle of the garden, anything else they could have and eat freely. But the one fruit of that particular tree was dangerous-it wasn’t literally poison but the aftermath would contaminate Adam and Eve’s lives as well as everyone else after them: something toxic and deadly called sin that marred and tainted the perfection that God created. You see, that fruit opened their eyes to more than they ever needed to know: the conflicting battle of good and evil. Evil was never meant to have a place, but once that serpent saw a way to trick God’s beautiful humans He made then the serpent started His scheme. We were created to love and be loved by our Creator, we were never meant to have pain or hurt, to be sick, to hurt others or for evil to run rampant. God gave Adam and Eve, and us the ability of free will.
The problem came when sin entered the world, perfection of Eden had ended. Sin is what separates us from God, it drove a wedge in an otherwise perfect relationship.
Creation/Purpose of Mankind: “The Prologue”-Setting the Scene for God’s Ultimate Plan(Genesis 1-2)
In the beginning, God created something amazing out of absolutely nothing! God has been around before time, He has no beginning and no end. He is eternal. When the Bible says “In the beginning…” it refers to what we call time and recorded history. Genesis 1:1-2 says “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. This universe, this earth that dwell on and everything in it was created and formed by a creative, all powerful, sovereign, artistic God with many diverse details. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” God spoke everything into existence. On the first day God said “Let there be light”, and there was light. God divided the light and darkness. He called the light Day, and called the darkness Night. This evening and morning were the completion of the first day. On the second day, God created division between the sky and seas. Then the third day God created made division between the dry land and the seas. On the third day, God also created the trees, plants, and flowers. Every beautiful, lush, green blade of grass, every diverse, creative leaf, every branch of every tree, and every colorful flower God created it. On the fourth day, God made two great lights and placed them in the sky, He called the one for the daytime, the sun. He called the other one for the nighttime, the moon. God also created and hung the planets and stars in the night sky. The fifth day, God created birds to fly in the air and fish that filled the seas. On the sixth day God created all the other animals and creatures, like mammals. But there was one special creation that was above the other things, a creation that lived, moved, and could think.
On the sixth day, God created and formed humankind. Everything God created, He spoke into existence, because He has that kind of power and authority. But when creating man God formed Adam from the dust of the earth. He sculpted, crafted, and formed man with personal care and intricate detail. Genesis 1:26-27 speaks of how God created mankind by stating “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” God created man in His image, and then woman was fashioned and created from man’s rib. God formed man, whom He called Adam, from dust and breathed His very own breath of life into him and he began to live. God saw that it wasn’t good for man to be alone so He created woman, whom He called Eve, from Adam’s rib. God gave these human beings dominion and authority over all the creatures of the earth. Adam and Eve walked, talked, and spent time with God. We carry the same attributes of personality and emotion. God is love, and we were created for a love relationship with God and others. He created Eve to have a relationship with Adam. Throughout Genesis 1 & 2, numerous times it says God looked at His creation and saw that is was good. But God saw that man was alone, He said this isn’t good. Then God created woman and saw that it was good. Creation was now complete, man and woman were together. We are capable of feelings, deep critical thinking, emotions, love, and the ability to have dominion and control over the animals. Our flaws and things we may not like about ourselves like body image. God created all of His children differently, but yet we are all created in His image. Genesis 1:28 states God’s purpose for humanity, “God said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’ And God said, ‘See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.” As human beings the most important purpose of our lives to grow in relationship with God and glorify Him. All throughout Scripture the purpose of man is mentioned. Isaiah 43:7 says “Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him yes, I have made him.” later on in 43:21 says “This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise.” We are created in His image to glorify Him. The purpose of God reveals His entire purpose of all of creation in Habakkuk 2:14, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”
The Need of Salvation/Problem of Sin (Genesis 3-11)
In Genesis 3 we see this ideal and beautiful relationship between God the creator and mankind the created, become marred and tainted. Genesis 3:1 introduces a creature “more cunning than any beast”; the serpent. The serpent, Satan, was talking to Eve and Adam was also present with her. The serpent lied and said “God is just trying to keep knowledge from you, He doesn’t want you to become like Him; all-knowing and powerful”. Before the fall, everything was how God intended it to be. Then sin entered the picture. Genesis 1:28 gives the first command “Be fruitful and multiply, subdue and rule the earth. Genesis 2:16-17 gives the second command, “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; ‘but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” This did not mean that Adam and Eve would physically die immediately, the flesh has overtaken the spirit; meaning that because of sin we will all one day die. Romans 6:23 says “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”. Sin is the barrier that separates us from God. God is holy and set apart. Sin dominates the fallen world we live in. Adam and Eve were ashamed and tried to hide in the garden from God, but He still pursued them. Today God still pursues us even when we try to run away. Genesis 3:15 is a prophetic verse in Scripture that reminds of the consequences of sin as well as the ultimate sacrifice that has to be made. Genesis 3:15 says “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” The Seed of woman is the offspring that later comes in the New Testament, God incarnate, divinity in human form…Jesus Christ of Nazarene. The seed of the serpent obviously is Satan. A snake can strike a human’s heel by biting, “you shall bruise His heel” and a human can crush a snake’s head, “He shall bruise your head.” The world had increasingly become sinful, tainted and corrupt. Adam and Eve had two sons, Cain and Abel. Abel and Cain both presented offerings to the Lord, but Cain’s was not acceptable to Him. Cain became jealous and angry, so he killed his brother Cain. God knew and punished Cain, banishing from the land like a fugitive and nomad. Eve eventually conceived and gave birth to another son named Seth (Gen. 4:25-26). Genesis 4 ends with the descendants of Seth.
The world that God had created and “saw that it was good” had become so sinful that a man would kill his own brother. In Genesis 5, we see a recap of Genesis 1:26-27; mankind being made in the image of God; and we also see a brief history of the genealogies of mankind. The world had become so sinful that God was sorry that He made man. God saw that there was one righteous man and his family, his name was Noah. Noah was the only righteous man that followed the Lord. Noah was not a perfect and saintly man, but He followed the Lord. God gave Noah specific and very detailed instructions to build an ark. The ark was kind of like a giant floating box, made to float like a boat but had no rudders, oars, or any type of steering. The ark floated and drifted whichever way the Lord sent it with the wind and waves. The reason God told Noah to build this ark is because God was going to send rain to flood the entire earth! God wanted to wipe the earth clean of its corruptness and start all over again. It took Noah approximately 120-140 years to build the ark. God told Noah to only bring his family, his wife, three sons; Ham, Shem, Japheth and their wives along with two of every animal that was “unclean” meaning those that they couldn’t eat as food. Yet God asked for seven each of clean animal, so they would have enough for food as well. The Lord sent one male and female animal so they could reproduce and multiply. It rained for 40 days and 40 nights until the earth was completely covered in water, even the mountains were covered! The water stayed on the earth 150 days (Gen. 7:24) Noah sent out a raven and a dove, one day the dove returned with an olive branch, meaning that the waters had receded. God placed a rainbow in the sky as a covenant and promise that He would never destroy the earth again (Gen. 9:13-15). Genesis 10 and 11 we see the ancestry of all the generations after Noah, his sons, and their descendants.
Genesis 11 tells of nations that had formed out the descendants of Noah. Genesis 11:1 says “Now the whole earth had one language and one speech.” But they began to want more, similar to when Eve was tempted by the serpent to know more and become like God. In Genesis 11:4 we see that they wanted to make a name for themselves, “And they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” The Lord saw what they were doing. God scatters them and confuses their language. This was what we call the tower of Babel. In Genesis 11:7-9, we see how the “nations” began to spread out and grow. Genesis 11:6-9 says, “And the Lord said, ‘Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.’ So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.” God is beginning to make many nations. We begin to see the multiplying of generations throughout the years and ancestry in Genesis 11.
Genesis 1-11 is known as the prologue, setting the scene of the beginning of God’s ultimate plan of redemption. We have four main components that introduce what we now read as our Bible. The four components are Creation and the purpose of Man (Genesis 1-2), the Need of Salvation that we have for God’s mercy because of the problem of sin also known as the Fall (Genesis 3-5), the Noah’s ark of safety amidst the catastrophic flood that God used to wipe the earth of all its corruptness (Genesis 6-10), and the flop of the tower of Babel by the scattering of many people and confusion of multiple languages (Genesis 11). All of these events form the foundation for God’s blessings and His ultimate plan to be known and worshiped throughout all the earth. The earth is beginning to be filled with people. Each of these people were sons and daughters of God. God stated a command to be fruitful and multiply, to fill the earth will people who reflect His glory. God’s plan to reflect His glory is through people who love Him as well as love others. We are His chosen instruments, as mankind to reflect His glory in all the earth; after all we are created to be His image-bearers. We needed someone perfect to fix everything, and Jesus Christ of Nazareth was His name.
Tides change in and out sweeping with the current but you know when the tide will change if you pay attention. Seasons change just like they are supposed to. God placed the sun and moon exactly where they need to be for both tasks. We anticipate the seasons as they change, we look forward to the change in scenery and weather. Winter thaws out and melts into beautiful spring colors and warmth, spring bursts forth into summer, and summer sunshine fades into the beautiful autumn golds, the hues change deeper and the leaves fall making way for new growth when the time comes, and then nature braces itself for cold winter and its frosty beauty. A cycle. But you know in your mind and spirit when there is a shift in the atmosphere. Some changes come abruptly and unexpectedly, that’s usually the change that no one likes. The changes that catch you off guard that you’re not prepared for: unexpected death and tragic accidents, loss of any kind, job loss, terminal illness or diagnosis, a global pandemic. None of these things are like seasons you expect, but yet we have all walked through them at least once. But then there are the changes you know are coming: the kind you dream about, wish for, pray for and plan tediously. The ones you want, the dreams you’ve kept tucked away. You mentally prepare and pray over it all the time. The signal beacon in your spirit turns on, you know the ship is on the horizon sailing closer but you don’t know how far away it is or what it looks like but you know it holds something in store for you. Listen to His voice, and when you feel the nudge you will know…
I have said this before and I tell people all the time, especially those younger than me (teens and college grads especially) you don’t have to pick and choose to be one thing or have it all figured out. It’s okay to change majors, change your minds, who cares if you graduate in 4 years or not, you stick to it…whatever it is God leads you to. You can do more than just one thing, you don’t have to be pegged down to one career one make it or break it decision, you are multifaceted and made in His image. Make friendships, make memories, take adventures. Worrying and stressing will not change anything, finals and exams are not be all end all life or death. You will make it. A saying I remember from one of my professors “Whatever it is Lord, don’t let me miss it today.” In fact, I’m going to go out on a limb here: you dont even have to go to college to have a career you can in fact go to trade school or find an apprenticeship that doesn’t require a four year education but extensive hands on training and skill development. Life skills and good ole fashioned common sense are just as essential as a piece of paper with your name on it with student loan debt attached to it. I say this as a college graduate and an adult in the real world, common sense ain’t always common I see it everywhere. Whatever your path is, it’s yours not anyone else’s except those who choose to walk alongside and the good Lord’s guidance.
As a young girl, I wanted to be many things: a rodeo cowgirl, a horse trainer and equestrian, an Olympic figure skater and an Olympic gymnist, an elementary music teacher, a singer songwriter, a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, a WNBA player, a fashion clothing designer, a vet, many things. We all dream of things we want to be when we grow up. I did alot with art and music growing up, that will always be part of who God made me to be (after all I am an enneagram 4, creative is kinda our thing). Drawing, designing, painting, sketching, playing piano and piano lessons, learning guitar and writing songs, lyrics and poetry, reading and writing, and photography. Competing in art, poetry, and vocal categories in Teen Talent programs through church. I enjoyed volunteering with March of Dimes and various youth group activities, praise team and outreach. At school, I enjoyed extracurriculars such as Art Club, Scholarship Finders Club, FISH Club (a Christian discipleship group), Honors Chorus, Guitar, Miss Falcon Pageant, and the Falcon Press newspaper (go figure right? I mean I love to write!). At a young age people often try to figure out what they want to be when they grow up. In school even as young as middle school they want to try to make you figure out what major you want in college or what career and vocational path you want to take after you’re out of school I mean who really knows at 12-13 years old what you wanted to do let alone at 18 when you’re out of high school. I didn’t know what I wanted to do at that age! I tell high school and college kids upon their graduation many times: “Don’t worry honey you’ll change your mind multiple times and you will figure it out” or “you don’t have to have a plan right away after graduation, doors will open and shut and it will be okay”. You don’t have to have it all figured out what your next steps are. I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d be a preschool teacher and assistant director and children’s ministry director.
My first job, was in fact at Chick-fil-a at 17 years old. October 2007 until January 2016 when I entered childcare. I started as a Team Member, moved to a shift supervisor Team Leader and also became highly involved in marketing and promotion of products. I worked at two different store locations a mall unit in a food court and a free standing store. I coordinated and planned several events. I helped train other employees as well as excelling at what we called 2nd Mile Service. You can learn alot about people, business, how or treat others and food when it comes to America’s number quick service family restaurant chain for 8 years. My bosses taught me so much more than chicken sandwiches and waffle fries, they taught me life. Everyone should at least work a restaurant job at least once in their life, it builds character and people skills (and there is food so that’s a plus! We made all kinds of recipes and tried new ideas all the time!)
I went to a technical school called Midlands Technical College and planned on transferring to a university and majoring in Music, then realized what kind of jobs are in the music industry? I said to myself I’ll be a music teacher! So Music Education it was! I then changed my mind (again); I dropped the music part and stayed with education. When I left Midlands, I went to a Fall Preview Day at Columbia International University (CIU) I was torn between two passions and programs: Teacher Education and Youth Ministry. At age 19, I was a camp counselor at the camp I grew up at, Camp Robinson. Little did I know that my life would change again, I received the call of ministry into my life while I was at the altar praying over the kids, one of pastors spoke and prophesied over me. That day I heard the Lord say to my heart in the still small voice in my spirit clear as day “You want to be a teacher, but I want you to be a different kind if teacher. Teach them about Me.” That was 2009. I prayed and started pursuing Youth Ministry which lead me to CIU- Columbia International University where I met my future husband. Going to a Christian Bible college is different from going to a regular public secular university, obviously. In many ways college everywhere is the same, kids trying to find their way and figure out life all while building relationships and obviously learning. I was a commuter and did not live on campus, which made fitting in to the social campus life a little hard but thankfully I had really wonderful friends and professors.
After graduating college, I applied to so many places just like many young people my age do. Sometimes it feels like you just search and fill out applications shooting resumes like a machine gun fire and just hoping something lands or sticks. I landed one of my most favorite “jobs” that really didn’t feel work some days, it was fellowship and ministering to others through retail at Family Christian Stores. My bible degree from CIU was beneficial in helping people find the right translation to use a study bible or for their quiet time. Helping someone find the perfect wedding gift or baby gift for someone special in their life. A pastor or youth pastor looking for new resources or material. Someone looking for some special gift of a Bible or journal to help their newly converted friend grow to be a true disciple. Praying with people in aisles and walking with people in their grief and joy. Having people speak life and prophesy over your life while you ring them up at the cash register. Listening to all the latest music, Christian podcasts and preaching while working was always so encouraging. Family Christian was partnered with a company called World Vision that helped with sponsoring and adopting children in foreign countries as well as missions to help communities. You learn alot in retail about business and sales, Black Friday working was always fun. I was there from October 2014 until January 2016, when I entered childcare.
Fast forward to five years ago, January 2016. I had been applying to many more places for careers now that I was finished with college I was still looking. I knew in my heart it was time to move on from the world of restaurant and retail into something different. I knew I wanted to work with children whether it was in an afterschool setting, community programs, church or non church organizations where I could make a difference teaching and ministering to children in some way, somehow. After all, I was and had always been involved in our church children’s ministries as a student volunteer for about 10 years or so. I needed an open door, a new opportunity. I entered into the whimsical world of crayons and fingerprints, ABCs and 123s: early childhood education, childcare. I have learned so many things over the years. I had no education experience officially but years of babysitting and children’s ministry experience and a degree in Youth Ministry- a related field. I started as what we call a “non stand-alone”, a rookie to say the least-someone who is brand new, inexperienced and has to train with another more experienced teacher for at least six months until they can be by themselves. After that I was the toddler teacher, then a year later I became Assistant Director. I have worked at two different childcare centers both as Assistant Director: one secular psychology based and one Christian based non denominational. Vastly different environments, like I mentioned before you know when you are called to move on. I have learned and juggled so many things in this career field than ever before but my previous years experience of retail, restaurant and ministry applied to early childhood education. You have to know how to work with the general public (in this case parents are your “customers”), meet needs and care for others, lots of administrative paperwork, multitask, and generally learn hands on. I have changed diapers, wiped noses and tears, cleaned up boo boos and applied band aids, given time outs and calm down bottles, watched children crawl or walk for the first time, soothe a sick or crying baby, give a high five and hug when they do something great, walk them learn their colors and numbers, writing their name for the first time, reading, and growing. It really is something special to behold when you take a step back and look at these tiny humans. It takes a big heart to shape little minds they say, it is very true. You can’t be a teacher and have a selfish bone in your being. It’s not logical. It takes brains and heart. I have learned so many things for when I become a mother that I know that this path is God’s working way to prepare me for the greatest gift one day: motherhood. Until then I’m “Mrs. Heada”, the teacher, the assistant director, the chapel director, and the “bonus mama”. Childcare isn’t for everyone but don’t ever take it for granted or think that our job is easy.
Years of volunteer experience as a teenager and college kid, (and realistically an actual degree) led me to where I am today: Children’s Ministry Director. My dream and goal when I was in college for Youth Ministry is to be doing what I am doing right now. Does it look different than I dreamed or imagined it would? Of course! I served under many others for many years, until spring of 2017, when it started as an “interim” children’s director position and here still 4 years later I am over all the children’s programs for all kids under 12. This past year with COVID-19 closures and shutdowns had been really hard, we truly miss and love our kids. It came down to Facebook videos on bible studies, book read alouds and sharing little devotions and snippets on Facebook and Instagram-but it doesn’t replace hugs and high fives and hands on face to face interaction of just being together. We have our Youth Ministry (Beyond Student Ministries, middle and high school) program with our wonderful Youth Pastor/Associate Pastor Caleb and his gifted wife Carlie leading worship together and restarting a Girls Ministry my husband Wes as our Boys Ministry Coordinator (formerly Royal Rangers) and I as the Children’s Ministry Director of Reach Children’s Ministry. The focus is discipleship and getting into the Word and truly growing, then getting out there reaching beyond the four walls of the church building and sharing Jesus! That is what it is about, the foundation of it all is built on relationships: with Jesus and with others.
Now, there are a few other things that I can add to the list: as of 2019 I became a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant and a few months ago around Thanksgiving I started a little baking and desserts business (“side hustle”) called Spoonful of Sugar Baked Goods.
My husband, Wes is quite exceptional. He is so humble and doesn’t like attention but he is so easy to dote and brag on, I’m obviously a little bit biased. In high school, he was a track star and football player. He has traveled across the United States many times and been to many more places than I have. Him and his dad have driven cross country multiple times. He did a summer internship in Montana at West Glacier National Park in the Parks Ministry program, he talks and dreams of it all the time. He has done lots of odds and ends jobs growing up from yard work and landscaping, interning in children’s ministry and youth Ministry, maintenance and grounds groundskeeping at college, and his job now at McEntire Produces as a Lead Parts Supervisor and also he has been a volunteer firefighter for Columbia Fire Department for five years. He serves as a board member at our church as well as media help and leader of our Boys Ministries program The Outpost formerly known as Royal Rangers.
I say all these things to tell you that your life doesn’t have to be a cookie cutter, fit the box type of life. You don’t have to stick to one thing your entire life and be stuck, you are multifaceted and God changes things according to His purpose for your life. So don’t be afraid of change, the next great adventure awaits you! Growing means we are NOT meant to stay the same!!!
Hope For Her Heart 