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 

Thoughts Fear & Fearlessness

Many have the understanding that fear is a normal emotion and fear is a emotion that is completely harmless and okay to have.  And because of that harmful understanding many are held captive by it. Many are deceived.

Scripture tells us plainly that fear is a straight up attack from the enemy himself.  He uses fear as a tool to separate us from our Mighty God. He uses fear to keep us from God's calling, to keep us from chasing our dreams, to be honest in all things, the fear of living the abundant life Christ died to give us, Even the fear to only believe.

The question is my friends, Why is the enemy so desperate to deceiving us into fearing him?
because the day we  realize who we really are in Christ  is the day satan himself becomes fearful of us!
The day we know our identity in Christ, seek His Abundant life, become fearless and stop at nothing,
the day we grow up as Christians and become His Mighty warriors is the day the enemy will fear us!
Because when we know the power of God living in us. He can teach us how to operate in it. And that terrifies him!

As a child I grew up as a very fearful little girl. I feared literally everything! You can read my testimony here.
I was a hostage to fear. A victim because I had no idea who I was in Christ  and I didn't know that I could choose to not have fear.

But this day I REFUSE to be a hostage, a victim to fear. My friend, I hope today you will join me. =)

I am off to a new journey seeking the Abundant life Christ died to give me. to experience and to live the very way Jesus intended me to live and to receive the very plans God has for me, and to live the calling Jesus spoke over my life even before I was born.  As the enemy seeks to whom he may steal, kill, and destroy. My uttermost desire is that I will get to that person before he does. With every doubt and every fear dead in my thoughts.  Who's with me?

Lets go way back in time for a bit to Genesis 3:8-9

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you? 
So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

Adam and Eve had the abundant life. I mean their biggest hobby was to  walk in the garden with God in the coolness of the evening.  But after they sinned Fear took place and they became afraid of God and hid from Him.

To this day God wants that life with you! He sent His only perfect Son to be crucified  so that He could have that kind of relationship with you. He wants to walk and talk with you in the garden. Are you hiding from Him?  What kind of fear is keeping you from Him today?  Maybe the fear and worry of not getting enough done during the day to take the time to settle down and talk to God? Or the fear of what people may think? Is fear hindering your relationship with God today?

And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” Deut 41:8

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deut31:6

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Is 41:10

Over coffee.

 If I were having coffee with you, I would tell you "I hope you're having a great New Year!"  We haven't done this coffee date in a little while mainly because I'm so busy giving all of my attention to this little girl above. She is  my priority now and my family will always come first and second to God ;) 
But while she is sleeping in her swing wearing just one sock. I thought I would catch up on a coffee date with you that has been long over due!

If I was having coffee with you, I would tell you that God is leading and guiding me on a study about fear & fearlessness and the kind of power they both can carry.  I can't wait to share it with you! You see, until now fear has been a huge part of my life. I was scared of everything! and every now and then the enemy still tries to convince me that I am still a fearful girl. But I choose to listen to the Truth teller and His words are I am a Princess Fearless Warrior. Fearful of no thing. I mean what can demons and people do to me when I have God on my side? Yes, I will have much more to say on this topic on a much near future post! I hope you stick around for that. You'll be blessed!

If I was having coffee with you, I would tell you that last night was a very special night! I wish I could tell you that Evelynne slept through the whole night! But I can't. I'm still waiting for that miracle. But what I can tell you is that she slept in her bassinet the whole night and only woke up twice! So, she's getting better.
Her sleeping in her bassinet is a huge deal for me. You see I started her out sleeping with me and that is something I told myself I wouldn't do.....ooops! So I had to set it straight and lay down the law last night. And this mission was accomplished!

I can't believe how fast she's growing! I was going through her clothes during the weekend and packing up her NB clothing and putting them in the attic because they no longer fit her. Apart of me was happy because now she can wear the 3 month old cute clothing but another part of me was sad to let them go. I guess it just brought me to the reality that my baby girl is growing up faster then the eye can see! I must say though, I want to thank every mom who told me "NOT to buy NB clothes for her because she would never wear them."  Because that was truth right there! She didn't really get to wear a few of her NB outfits and the ones she did wear she only wore   for a few times. I guess baby Riley girl #2 gets a chance at it. You know, when that time comes ;)

Leon is getting much better at this whole Dad thing. The Police academy has made him a little rough around the edges but he's getting much better! I think with a little more training he'll be a daddy pro! I'm just not sure he knows or quite understands yet what a little girl needs.I know he'll become more understanding though as he spends more time with her.

If I were having coffee with you, I would tell you our neighborhood squirrels are soo fat! It's so cute and funny. 









This is what I would tell you if we were having a coffee date. =D 
What would you tell me?

Go light your world!

When I listened to the radio on Friday evening my heart was completely torn when I heard about the Connecticut massacre. When the lives of so many children and teachers were taken by a man that just wanted to be remembered for something. As a new mother I just wanted to cry for all those parents and give them the biggest hug I have ever given anyone. I just couldn't imagine what they must be feeling. My heart will forever go out to them.

During the Holiday season we get so rounded up and busy with Gift shopping, cooking, card making, and party planning that we so often forget the true meaning of these Holidays and why we celebrate them.
We celebrate Thanksgiving and then the next day we rip out each others hair so we can get to the first and cheapest flat screen TV we can find. We spend Christmas making it as perfect as we can. With the special Christmas edition blog post, or food or spending the entire month preparing the appearance for Christmas, or working overtime so you can buy extra gifts for people and you can get the few seconds of fame.
My question for you is
What would you do differently this year if this was the last holiday with your loved ones?

How differently would you treat your neighbor this holiday if you knew it would be their last?

The Holiday Season usually either makes people more jolly or deeply stresses people out. I have always had a problem with this! Why are we only jolly during the holidays. Jesus came into the world and died on the cross for us so we could be jolly and spread light all year around! And why are people letting the Holidays that are supposed to be joyful stress you out? Look, whatever is stressing you out you need to let it go. If you're not doing the best financially this year. It's okay, people will survive without gifts from you this year. It's not worth your joy being stolen.

Honestly, I may not be wording this the best way I can and capable of doing. In fact it may sound like a bunch of rambling to you. To be truthful I am utterly exhausted from Evelynne crying for most of the day today. But I really wanted to take a moment to share something with you that I really think needs to be said.

                                    WE NEED TO LIGHT THIS WORLD!

We are so caught up in our own lives that we are not concerned with the world around us.
People are hurting and we Christians are so caught up in our own thing.
We need to let everyone around us know, and show them how much Jesus loves them.
We need to take back the darkness of this evil world and replace it with "The Light" again.
Because so many people are seeing the hurt and not enough are seeing the light.
We need to remind ourselves and seek God to remind us why we are here.
To be the light He sent us to be.

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 5:14-16

I pray for these families. That they will find comfort and life and that they will find peace in Jesus.

This Holiday season. Let us try blessing someone not with just gifts. But lets light their candles when they can't do it themselves.