A Heart of Hope

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Enjoying this season!

This season of life...

What a sweet, sweet season of life this is for me...

Having just graduated college and in between college life and the "real world", I am embracing this season of down time, as I depend on the Lord each day to provide and meet my needs for each day. Though so many things are about to change, I cannot jump ahead of myself but walk at the pace and in the steps He has laid out for me one day at a time!

Over the last several of weeks I have been nannying for 3 precious little kids who are all so special in a variety of ways. Our days are always filled with adventures, endless amounts of laughter and stories I could go on and on about! All this to say, these little ones have won me over! What a special reminder of how precious children are in the eyes of the lord... Their is nothing like the faith and love of a child!

Here are some pics! ( you may be able to tell who loves the camera the most!) :)

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Slavery Still Exists...

"Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

Isaiah 41:10

This past week, Jan 2-5 I had the opportunity to attend the Passion Conference in Atlanta Georgia! This was my second time to go, and man did GOD move!!! Although I could blog on and on about the incredible things that went on at the conference I want to highlight one particular event!

The theme of the week was Freedom and we learned their are 72 MILLION slaves in the world today. That's more than ever before in history..EVER!

To say the very least, I was floored and immediately interested to find out what could be done to bring these men, women, and boys and girls justice and taking it a step further... the GOSPEL!

Throughout the week 42,000 + college students participated in the "Do something now" center which was set up with facts about slavery, and ways to give money to certain organizations that serve the very purpose of bringing about freedom!

The goal to be raised was set to 1 Million dollars ( college students... you may think, yea right!)

The final total as of yesterday.... 3 million+ dollars ...WOW!!

The last night/day at Passion all 42,000 of us met on the International Plaza and on the streets (about 8 blocks back) and were each given a candle. At exactly 12 am on Jan 5, 2012 we lit all of our candles together as they lit the giant hand that you see in the pictures above!

This was the most incredible thing I have ever been a part of. To see so many lights held high with one purpose...to shine our light in this dark world for all to see that God is who says He is and will do what he promised He will do...

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,that the blind will see,that the oppressed will be set free,and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

Luke 4:18-19

The hand is made from several things that represent ways in which slavery exists:

Red Flags- Red light district ( Sex trafficking )

Coffee bags- (Men, women, boys and girls who are forced to work in factories)

Ornaments- same

Shoes-same

Socks-same

and the list goes on...

The hand is a monument designed to represent our stand for freedom, but it's more than a monument it symbolizes a movement! A movement that is not possible with man, but only through Christ!

CNN actually did a special on this...To check it out click on the link below!

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/06/college-kids-vow-to-end-slavery/?iref=allsearch

The only words I know to share at this point is the lyrics of one of my favorite songs:

I see a generation

rising up to take their place

with selfless faith

selfless faith

I see a near revival

PRAYING as we stare and seek, we're on our knees

we're on our knees!!

-Hosanna (Hillsong)

Please be in prayer for these men and women and boys and girls who are suffering and are oppressed. We are a generation that must RISE UP and take our place. For we have been rescued, now its time for us to rescue!

There are so many other things to share, but I will save them for another time! Be looking for more updates soon!

P.S.If your heart is stirred by this PLEASE check out this website. It's one of many organizations that are pledging to do something now!

http://www.thea21campaign.org/

Believing freedom is near!

-Han

Monday, December 26, 2011

Glory!

"GLORY to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those whom His favor rests."

-Luke 2:14

What a GREAT Christmas! Starting off the weekend festivities with a candlelight service, coming home to eat a delicious meal, and then waking up on Christmas morning and going to church with the family to worship our Saviour. It could not have been a more perfect Christmas!

I really do wish Christmas was on a Sunday every year! Easter is always on a Sunday, why not Christmas?! I could go on for a little longer, but i'll get off my soapbox and move on :)

I happen to be very fond of my preacher, who just so happens to be my Dad:) Anyways, I loved the topic for yesterdays sermon. It wasn't the typical Christmas story (Though there is nothing typical about it!) but he spoke on one word: GLORY. It brought a new perspective to the story of Christmas as he highlighted the morning from the view of God. All for his glory he sent his son in the form of a baby, so that He would be revealed for all to see as the King of Kings, and LORD of all!

The definition of Glory is this:

To embellish, exalt, magnify above ALL. Also known as the weight of God.

This even brings more understanding to the star which appeared in Bethlehem that night. The star (high above all) literally marked the spot for the place that would reveal the Glory of God!

"After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.When they saw the star, they were overjoyed."

-Matthew 2:9-10

The Glory of God literally means that the Glory of God creates such a weight that it becomes so heavy, change is inevitable. With this being said, a person who sees his glory (like the shepherds and wise men did that night) is no longer able to fight or resist change.

Much like the wise men that night (Who I recently learned were not limited to 3, but I will save that for a later post!)...We cannot fight the Glory of God, but instead fall to our knees in response to his powerful and incomparable...GLORY!

Our focus when giving God the glory shifts from our earthly mindset, to a heavenly one, which promises life and life to the full. (John 10)

I wish I could share all of my notes, but since I can not, I will leave you with this great verse.

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate (also known as to ponder) the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His image with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

-2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NIV (emphasis, mine)

I encourage you to look for the word glory next time you are in the word! You won't look at it the same!

Switching gears...Here are some pics to recap the wonderful weekend. I am so grateful that our family was able to be together. Jer and Rach left for Canada this morning to see Jer's family, but it was so nice to have them here this year. Though things are changing in the Waldrop house, I love where it has been and love where it is going!

"To our God and Father be GLORY, for ever and ever. Amen."

- Philippians 4:20

Friday, December 23, 2011

Tis the season!

It's that time of year and the parties are in full swing!

I wish I could recap them all, but here are some pics from the last few events!

Last saturday we had Waldrop Christmas with Dads side of the family!

* This is the only picture I have from Nanny's...Guess I had too much fun talking and catching up that I forgot to document! At least I got a picture with this handsome guy!

My cousin Billy!

It was so great to see you and catch up! Love you!

Church Christmas Service

"Evermore"

*Please note Rach is playing the violin!!

Hardy on the keys... So cute!

Christmas with the Blounts

Thankful for SO many things this Christmas season! Praying you are too as we remember the true reason for the season!

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

-Luke 2:14

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Set Free!

"To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

*John 8:31-32

Yesterday I listened to a podcast from Passion City Church by Louie Giglio. During the podcast he spoke about John chapter 8, but what really stuck out was his challenge at the end.Don't quote me, but it went something like this...

If you don't have a verse that is constantly reckoning and sustaining you this week...you are not a disciple of Christ for that week.In other words as Christ followers we should always be moving forward, asking and SEEKING what the Lord is speaking to us, and the best way he does this is through his word!

This could even be taken a step further to say daily...It may be the same passage for an entire week or one sentence that brings hope, gives peace, or sustains you during a trial; nevertheless, His words gives life and there is POWER!

It really hit me! There are often times I focus on the same passages (though there is nothing wrong with that) ,yet I neglect that his word brings light (Psalm 119:130)

and was written for me! The more scripture I expose myself to DAILY, I am the one who is benefiting!

So, with that being said...What is the verse that the Lord has shown you? What verse are you meditating on, breaking apart, and living out today!?

After all,

"How can a young man cleanse his way?

By taking heed according to Your word.

I will delight myself in Your statutes;

I will not forget Your word."

*Psalm 119:9 & 16

"The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple."

*Psalm 119:130

P.s Here is the podcast in case you want to check it out!

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/passion-city-church-podcast./id400379025