I need Him..

Jesus.. I need Him.

More than you and I even know, understand or comprehend. I just know I need Him.

On days when I would prefer to stay in bed all day than waking up I need Him.

When my days are energetic and filled with laughter I need Him.

When motherhood is exhausting I need Him.

And when it makes me cry tears of joy I need Him.

He puts all the pieces in place, and He creates all things lovely.. I honestly don't know where I'd be right now if it wasn't for Jesus.  The sweetness of His Name makes my soul leap. He is my obsession,
my passion.. I need nothing else. Just give me Him.. The One who died for me so that I may live the abundant, eternal life that was promised.

Recently God has been challenging me to step out.. To step out of this comfort zone that I unfortunately made comfortable in. I prayed to Him one day to use me and not let any talents that was given to me to go waste.. And I believe that's exactly what He did..

I am involved in a new Church. A church that is still young and new, a church that started out as an anointed Bible study with just a few people including my hubby and myself. A couple of years later we became a church that's continuing to grow and will reach millions. (can't wait for that!) And because we're a new church we needed some things. A worshiper, Children's Pastor ect. And I wanted to help out. I just wasn't sure how..  Honestly here. I didn't think my talents qualified.. But Jesus thought something different when He told me that I needed to start singing at the church..So after a few more confirmations I sent my Pastor a message asking if I could start singing.. So that's what I've been doing every other Sunday.. I don't actually lead worship at the moment but I bring glory to God as we do tithe and offering and I really love it! I don't have any dreams or visions for this at the moment.. But I know God does and  whether He calls me to worship until my daughter takes the stage or something else I'm completely fine with that! So, here is the very first song I sang a month ago. "Lord I need you" by Matt Maher.

Step out in faith.

Do you ever find it hard to step out? We're always so fearful of making the wrong decisions or pursuing something because we're afraid that it may not be in God's plan for us, or dreaming big because of the fear of failure..

Being a worship leader has always been something that has been on my heart.
 Talking and loving on Jesus through music has always been my favorite way of expressing my love for Jesus because there are no limits and there is nothing more intimate.

I prefer to sing praise to Jesus instead of speaking praises to Him.. Which are both very highly important.

I prefer Singing in tongues instead of speaking them because singing I feel clears my mind more and allows The Holy Spirit to move.

In fact If my life could just be a musical where I sing every sentence I feel as though my mood and insight on things would always be better.. However, I think eventually I'd drive everyone nuts!

I love to worship but have always doubted the fact that a worshiper was my calling. Maybe it was because I compared myself to easily to other worship leaders.. Speaking poison over myself by saying I wasn't as good as others, and that I wasn't qualified to lead.

One thing I have learned on this journey my friends is that Comparison is the main thing that can keep you from doing what God has called you to do.

It has for me for a long time. I got so easily lost in watching leaders worship God.. And instead of getting lost in worship with them I would throw myself a party with Pity and claim that I would never be good enough..

Comparing. It needs to stop! It's such a worldly thing that is encouraged in our generation so much.. It's in magazines, TV.. Pretty much anything media. I believe it's one of the enemy's biggest tools. But you don't have to be affiliated with that. When things pop into your head telling you "You'll never look like that!" You'll never be as good!" Start speaking truth over yourself!

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139:14

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. -Phil 4:13

I think another thing is that we go about waiting on the Lord all wrong.. We sometimes believe that we just need to sit here and expect God to hand everything to us. But it doesn't work that way at all. and it has taken me a long time to process this.

I believe we sometimes get so caught up in whether or not this is our calling that we miss our opportunity to bless God. I don't believe it's God's will for us to be a couch potato.. I actually know it's not!

He wants us to live, and step out in faith.. He can't guide our footsteps if we don't start walking.
We need to stop thinking about whether or not something is our calling and just start moving, and stepping out in faith. God will be blessed and He will bless you.

If you feel led to be a worshiper don't just sit there and wait for them to call you and ask if you would audition but get in there and get involved and if it happens to not be your calling well then at least you will know and can open your mind and allow The Hold Spirit to plant you elsewhere. And the same goes for everything else. Acting, writing, painting. (etc) He's gotta plan for you girlfriend, but He can't move if you don't.

I totally feel like this post is like popcorn.. It's everywhere! So sorry about that. I'm feeling quite passionate about this right now because I actually did it.

For almost two whole years I have debated, questioned and wondered whether or not being a worship leader was my calling. I've always had a desire to do so but never had the guts to just step out of my comfort zone.

But two weeks ago I stepped out. I was tired of this feeling of missing out, I was tired of excuses, and tired of waiting.. And I'm positive Jesus  was done with waiting on me too!

So, after thought and prayer I sent my pastor a message on facebook.. (professional right?)

This is what I wrote Him.

Heather: Hey Pastor Joe!! I was 100% positive I had your email address in my email book but I can't seem to find it anywhere! Tried to be more professional but that didn't quite work out lol.. Anyways, I have been praying and thinking (a little too much!) About my calling in life.. I know I have a calling with ministering to women of all circumstances and I know now I also have a calling for worship. Worship is something I have always had a heart for.. But I spent a lot time wondering whether or not it was an actual calling.. And doubted it was my calling when I compared my voice to others because personally I don't really like my singing voice. But if God does and if He can use it so be it! A lot has kept me from stepping up into volunteering my voice at church. Fear being the biggest issue. Because I have never led worship for a Church so thirsty for Jesus. It terrifies me.  Anyways, I feel like I'm all over the place here.. I just want you to know that God has put a calling on my life to worship and I'm not 100% sure I'd be dependable of being the actual worship leader until I no longer depend on a ride there so I was thinking until then just singing a song every now and then and see where that goes. What are your thoughts Papa Joe?

Just so you know He's not my real papa. He's more like a Spiritual dad to Leon and I. Evelynne calls him Grandpa Joe. This was his response.

Pastor Joe: You are so precious Heather, I will stand in agreement with you concerning your calling. Lets set up Sunday the 29th as your first opportunity to sing a special song for us. This should give you some time to select a song and prepare for the service. Thank you for sharing, you are a blessing to all of us.

Heather:  Sounds good!! 

The whole "sounding good" part was a totally step out in faith! After he said "two weeks" my whole insides shook.. I haven't sung publicly in three years and never in front of my Church family whose love for The Lord means so much to me along with their desire to go deeper in His presence daily. I wanted God to use me to help with that! So, I rebuked nervousness and decided and turn it into rejoice. And the last two weeks I rejoiced, practiced, and rejoiced again. And the 29th of Sunday quickly came.

Before I knew it I was sitting there in the front. Seconds before my name was called out I totally forgot my lyrics.. So, I kept repeating it in my mind and  received the Holy Spirit to help me remember.. He did a great job and we make a great team!

I realized yesterday that even if a worship Leader isn't my calling in life. At least I'll know by stepping out. It is not a situation where I'd lose. Because God would have the glory of my stepping out in faith and He would be pleased with the worship I brought Him.. Besides I believe we are all called to worship. It's why He first created us is it not? To love and adore our One True God? I know it's why I was created because I can't get enough. Worshiping Him is what I long to do for the rest of my life.

Darlings, today I want to encourage you to step out. I want to encourage you to chase your dreams with every strength that God has put in your body and just run and keep running until you win.

                         There's this sign at church that I absolutely love that says:
                                                         perseverance:
               Our greatest glory lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

Don't be afraid to fall  Lovelies, because Jesus will always be there to pick you back up every time! 
But have perseverance and never give up! God's gotta plan for you but you need to start taking steps so that He can direct you.

                                              Much love xoxo- Heather Leigh 

He really loves you!

 There's a song I know very well that I keep close to my heart. It starts out "He is jealous for me
Love's like a hurricane,I am a tree Bending beneath the weight of  His wind and mercy When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory and I realize just how beautiful You are and how great your affections are for me".

This song is more real to me today than it has ever been. I understand this song, I know the love of my sweet and precious Jesus. These aren't just words to me. These are  truths from My Heavenly beloved.

My dear friend, may I encourage you and love on you today?
It makes me sad. It makes me sad when I see dear sisters not feeling cherished or loved, it makes me sad when they look for that kind of satisfaction in men and the turn out is not what they expected and in return they end up feeling even worse than they did before. 

My dear sister, I want  to encourage you and tell you with the greatest love I have in my heart that you will not find what you desire and what you need on this earth. You will not find the satisfaction you oh so desire in a man of the world or even a man of God. The hope you look for, the love you desire and the perfection you seek. There is only One who carries it. Only One. And boy does He want to get to know you! You are all He thinks about babe. In fact He can't get you off His mind.  His Name is Jesus. Would you like to meet Him?

Before you shut me out, try to shut me up and have a complete melt down on me. Listen. He's not what you think and He's certainly not what many have led you to believe. They probably have told you that Jesus is judgmental and hates people who don't obey Him, You've probably heard that He's a punisher and is just waiting to strike you down and waiting for you to do something wrong. You've probably also heard that He isn't even real. But let me tell you He is real, very real! And what the world says of My Jesus isn't true at all. In fact. He's the complete opposite!

He doesn't come to condemn. He comes to save.
He brings Life and Life more abundantly.

And girl, If you have ever questioned The Love that this Man upstairs has for you. Read Psalm 139. Now that's a love letter.

Did you know that not only does Jesus love you. He loves you enough to die for you! Did I mention He did? It was the only way we could be saved and become His bride. It was the only way we could be united with such a perfect bridegroom. He left His throne and came down to our level and died a horrible death so that we could forever be with Abba!

You see, I was a sinner once. I did all that and who knows what else. I was that girl, That girl who was nothing, not worthy to anyone. But Jesus found me and gave me His hand. He helped me up and carried me to a place that was safe. He covered me in royalty. And then He introduced me to His Father. King of all, Lord of Lords. And His Father adopted me as one of His own and I am no longer called a sinner of the world. But I am now a daughter of Christ. God is now my Father and my Sweet Jesus is my Heavenly Beloved. And you know, He wants to do the same for you! I can't tell you how my life has changed for the better! I have had a love encounter so incredible that there are days when I can't even move or speak.Because His presence is just over taking! My friend I want you to have this same experience. And Jesus wants you to as well.

 Maybe you're feeling lonely, Maybe you've done something that you feel that there is no going back to before, maybe you don't even know who God is and you've always known Him as somebody who didn't like you. Or like me maybe you just didn't find yourself worthy of Jesus, maybe you think of it to be impossible for Jesus to even think of you.

Well, girl let me tell you that you are never off His mind. You were on His mind the day He created the earth, To the day He died on the cross for you, to the day He arose again, and to this day YOU are on His mind and He doesn't want you to go another day without you knowing who He really is. There is nothing you could ever do to make Him not love you! Nothing. Because He sacrificed it all, His own life so that everything you have done in the past, the present and the future could be as though it never happened. He so desires for you to see yourself the way He sees you!

So my friend if you want to experience  His love. His amazing Love. Pray for a love encounter at this moment you are reading this. Speak to God, share your heart with Him and just be silent and worship Him. Let Him save you and just wrap yourself around His love as you listen to this powerful love song.



If you need prayer, or just some words of encouragement please email me I would love to hear from you. Be blessed sisters! Xoxo

 Mama's out there!! Come join Sarah and I for our Mommy 5 #2 Link up tomorrow! After tomorrow we are excited to do this Link up every other Wed. Yay!! Sarah has come up with the question for this week and this weeks question is "What are your 5 top favorite  baby names?"  And we promise we're not asking you this so you would accidentally give away the name of you little blessing you're carrying.. Even though I wouldn't mind because ya'll are driving me cray cray for not letting us know ha!  We just like to hear your favorites and unique names! Who knows maybe somebody is still seeking a name for their wee little lad or lassie and finds your blog and there it is!! A name you picked is chosen for their little person.. (Yes clearly I am thinking too much of this!! Any who be blessed you lovelies and I so look forward to seeing your answers. Spread the word. :)

The more I seek you.

But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.  Deuteronomy 4:29

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This song is originally sung by Kari Jobe, Who is one of my favorite worship leaders next to Rebecca st James and Michael w smith! I love this song because it always brings a great joy and sense of the Holy Spirit within me. It reminds me that whenever I seek Him. I will always find Him. He will never hide Himself from me and He will never forsake me. I'm not as videogenic as I am photogenic but I'm hoping to improve on that by starting a video diary shortly about my life  and first pregnancy =DDD. Exciting right?!? Any who I hope you enjoy and remember to keep seeking first Christ. Because He will never forsake or disappoint  His faithful ones. Don't you just love Him! Thank you God for your love and faithfulness!
                 Happy Wednesday ya'll!
Ps.. Sorry for that awkward thumbnail expression.. They always turn out funny looking on me! And yes my hair is shorter. I got it cut  ;)