“To be or not to be…” The words of one who isn’t sure life it worth living. Is this life not my own? NO! To me, it is not! This life was given to me by God, to be used for God, to show people who God is in my life. There are obstacles that arise in each of one our lives and it’s up to each one of us how we look at them and how we will go about them. Will we let them control us or will we control them. I have not always been the best at the latter part of that…”controlling them” but I am working on that. In the past two years, God has been teaching me how to tell my storm how BIG my God is and not tell God how big my storm is. I have been freed and am being freed still daily from the spirit of worry! You know the one that comes in like a flood and washes all stable things away. You look around and you just aren’t sure when or where or how you can fix the mess it has left behind. But God has taught me that He is the ultimate construction crew. He comes in, dries up all the water and rebuilds faster and better than ever before. So “to be or not to be”…I choose to BE! Worry has no place and when it starts to creep in, I call on Jesus! I remember what great and wonderful things He has done; I remember what He is doing and where He brought me. I remember the chains that He has broken off of me and how those chains will not be passed to those coming after me. There is freedom in that all by itself for me. Knowing that the mess that has been for years is now cleaned up and is not and will not be passed to my kids and the future generations puts a “little water to the eye” as I once heard an old cowboy say. I can hear it now, “what is she talking about?” Well just a short version…the chains of worry, the battle in the mind of what will be next?; the chains of alcoholism and drugs that have haunted my family for years; the chains of abuse that have seemed to creep into the next generation; the chains of bondage that leave you feeling helpless and feeling worthless. Just to name a few. I am FREE!!!! Those are no longer a part of the family heritage of Heidi Marie Smith Ledbetter nor Jeremy B.(shh can’t tell you. Haha) Ledbetter!!! Our kids will not have those demons to battle! Oh and one last chain that probably the biggest…Opinion of Man!!! Just a little FYI, we love each one of our family and friends. You are very important to us and though we value your opinion to some degree, we have come to realize that we cannot base our decisions on where others think or feel what is best for us. We spend lots of time in prayer, fasting, and the word of God and we have to base our every decision of who He is and what He wants for our lives. I (and Jeremy) have spent most of my almost 30years on this earth concerned of what other’s think, what do they want me to do, will they be happy with my decision…blah, blah, blah. It’s exhausting and emotionally draining to be worried if everyone around you like or agrees with your decisions. But wow at the freedom that comes with only depending on God and whether or not He agrees. (If you have always battled with the Opinion of Man, I greatly!!!!!!!! Suggest that you ask God how to get away from it.) Anyhow…. Freedom, To Be… That’s where I am going with all this.
We have embarked on a great adventure in our lives. One of the very many we have had in the last 10 years. (Following God is fun, new adventures around every corner. Some scary but always turns out wonderful.) Jeremy as you know has gone back to school. After the last year of trying to get basic down and trying to head into the medical field of some sort, he is being lead down a completely different road. One that we are very excited about. One that we believe is best for him and for us as a family. He will be changing his focus to Barbering. He will be starting barber school this fall. His goal is to bring back the old time men’s barber shop. It has become a lost art of the past and is slowly dying with the pro’s. Yes big difference from where he was headed but after the past year of school and lots of prayer over the summer, we have realized this is the right road for us. We are very excited as to what the future holds for us. I have also just in the past week decided to go back to school! I am super excited. Never thought that I would be excited about going back to school but I am. And I think that comes from knowing that God is leading and where He leads, I will follow. I start school this month for the fall semester to get my Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. I will be able to teach preschool through third grade. Becoming a teacher has always been in the back of my mind since I was in high school but I have never pursued it much nor though much else about it. I have a good bit of credits and am looking at about 3 years or less left of school. I will be able to take all my classes online with the exception of a few. So this will still allow me to be at home with Jaxson til he starts kindergarten in a couple of years and be involved with the kids at school.
New changes as we round the last corner of this Finishing Season with God. (if you didn’t read the last blog, go!) It’s an exciting time and we look forward to what God is doing and where we are going! We love and thank each and every one of you who are a part of our support team. Thank you to those who pray with us and help us along this path that God has us on! You are vital to us! Please keep us in your prayers as we enter into this arena of our life. God Bless!!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Finishing Season
Do you have a hard time finding time in your day to just get away with God? It seems the minute we roll out of bed, the day starts at a downward roll and we can’t stop til we fall into bed. Then we lay there, thinking of all the things we should have done. You know that long to do list that never seems to end or finished! Well in the beginning of June, Damon gave the word from the Lord that this is the Finishing Season. It’s time to finish up those things we keep putting off for God… You know what I mean…
The, “I am going to start tomorrow with my daily prayer and bible reading.” Yet tomorrow never comes. Or the “I am going to start tithing this next paycheck not matter what.” And then that check comes in and the unexpected bill comes and well we put it off. And there’s the “I am going to start fasting at least once a week.” And that one day comes and goes, and it never crosses your mind til either that night or the next morning. It seems chaos is all around us causing us to miss these little opportunities to receive from God. No time, stress, unorder…all these things are tricks of the devil. And it’s time to stop playing his games! It’s time to start making him play our game and us winning at this gift called life.
I am the world’s worst at putting everything off. Or making excuses. I have a husband and four kids and a house that always needs my attention and I can go on. I never put myself first. I feel weird if I do. Usually ends with a guilt trip and pity party. Haha. But the Lord has been whispering to me and I have to realize that my time with Him isn’t being selfish, it is a time for me to get refreshed and gain focus so that I can be the best for my family and those around me. It’s that time that I need to give Him because I have made Him Lord over my life! If it wasn’t for God, I wouldn’t have my wonderful husband and 4 beautiful babies. Nor the life I have and the breath I breathe each day. So why is it so hard to do what I must do?
And this is what I have come to conclusion…the devil knows how power God is, and His word, and my time with Him. He knows if I spend time with God that my family and my life, attitude, daily disorder, will be completely out of His reach. So he fights with all he has to take it away. And I am done letting him! It’s the finishing season! Its time I take my time back!!! It’s time that I stick to what I am going to do and instead of letting God down, letting the devil down! I can only rise higher when I do the things I have to do! I am on my way to the Land of milk and honey and no more manna!!(read Exodus though Joshua if you never have!)
I don’t want to be comfortable in my walk with God and get to heaven and realize I could have done and had so much more while on this earth! Or even look back at where I once was and wish I was still there. I want to go to church and have the person giving the word out, step on my toes so that I can change what needs to be changed and be challenged to be and do more for God!! Sure I can be a good Christian and just get by…but I want more! I want to see the sick healed, hospital emptied, the blind see and the lame walk! I want to see hair grow back on cancer patients at the touch of a hand because they are no longer sick! I want to see arms and legs grow back and eyes pop back into sockets! I want to see hospitals emptied because they were all healed! And I know that with these miracles, comes great responsibility
In Matthew 17, the disciples tried to heal a boy but cannot. And so they ask Jesus why can they do it. In verse 20 Jesus says, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” But the most important part of this is in found in verse 21…”However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” I don’t want to miss out on what I can be doing for God because of my lack of prayer and fasting! I believe that I can do all things through Christ but believing isn’t enough! I have to spend time praying and fasting!!!
So in this Finishing Season, I am not going to fool around any longer! It’s time to get everything in order and no more procrastination! I don’t know how many opportunities have passed me by before now but I sure don’t want to miss anymore!
If you want to know more about the Finishing Season, you can go to www.theramp.org and click on media…go back to June 12th’s message and watch every Sunday until today to see what God is saying. Or you can call the Ramp office at 205-921-0909 to get the messages on cd’s. It’s a great word!
Thanks and have a blessed day!!!!!
May God give you the grace to dig into His word daily and uninterrupted! I pray that you have a deep hunger for God and His word in your daily life! I pray that you are blessed beyond measure as you begin this journey with God!
The, “I am going to start tomorrow with my daily prayer and bible reading.” Yet tomorrow never comes. Or the “I am going to start tithing this next paycheck not matter what.” And then that check comes in and the unexpected bill comes and well we put it off. And there’s the “I am going to start fasting at least once a week.” And that one day comes and goes, and it never crosses your mind til either that night or the next morning. It seems chaos is all around us causing us to miss these little opportunities to receive from God. No time, stress, unorder…all these things are tricks of the devil. And it’s time to stop playing his games! It’s time to start making him play our game and us winning at this gift called life.
I am the world’s worst at putting everything off. Or making excuses. I have a husband and four kids and a house that always needs my attention and I can go on. I never put myself first. I feel weird if I do. Usually ends with a guilt trip and pity party. Haha. But the Lord has been whispering to me and I have to realize that my time with Him isn’t being selfish, it is a time for me to get refreshed and gain focus so that I can be the best for my family and those around me. It’s that time that I need to give Him because I have made Him Lord over my life! If it wasn’t for God, I wouldn’t have my wonderful husband and 4 beautiful babies. Nor the life I have and the breath I breathe each day. So why is it so hard to do what I must do?
And this is what I have come to conclusion…the devil knows how power God is, and His word, and my time with Him. He knows if I spend time with God that my family and my life, attitude, daily disorder, will be completely out of His reach. So he fights with all he has to take it away. And I am done letting him! It’s the finishing season! Its time I take my time back!!! It’s time that I stick to what I am going to do and instead of letting God down, letting the devil down! I can only rise higher when I do the things I have to do! I am on my way to the Land of milk and honey and no more manna!!(read Exodus though Joshua if you never have!)
I don’t want to be comfortable in my walk with God and get to heaven and realize I could have done and had so much more while on this earth! Or even look back at where I once was and wish I was still there. I want to go to church and have the person giving the word out, step on my toes so that I can change what needs to be changed and be challenged to be and do more for God!! Sure I can be a good Christian and just get by…but I want more! I want to see the sick healed, hospital emptied, the blind see and the lame walk! I want to see hair grow back on cancer patients at the touch of a hand because they are no longer sick! I want to see arms and legs grow back and eyes pop back into sockets! I want to see hospitals emptied because they were all healed! And I know that with these miracles, comes great responsibility
In Matthew 17, the disciples tried to heal a boy but cannot. And so they ask Jesus why can they do it. In verse 20 Jesus says, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” But the most important part of this is in found in verse 21…”However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” I don’t want to miss out on what I can be doing for God because of my lack of prayer and fasting! I believe that I can do all things through Christ but believing isn’t enough! I have to spend time praying and fasting!!!
So in this Finishing Season, I am not going to fool around any longer! It’s time to get everything in order and no more procrastination! I don’t know how many opportunities have passed me by before now but I sure don’t want to miss anymore!
If you want to know more about the Finishing Season, you can go to www.theramp.org and click on media…go back to June 12th’s message and watch every Sunday until today to see what God is saying. Or you can call the Ramp office at 205-921-0909 to get the messages on cd’s. It’s a great word!
Thanks and have a blessed day!!!!!
May God give you the grace to dig into His word daily and uninterrupted! I pray that you have a deep hunger for God and His word in your daily life! I pray that you are blessed beyond measure as you begin this journey with God!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Faith
I recently came across this word that God gave me a couple of years ago and thought I'd share it with you. :)
Mark 4:30-32
30 Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? 31 It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds,
32 but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.”
The word tells us that we need to have faith like a mustard seed. Matthew 17:20 ...“I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”
All we need is the faith the size of a mustard seed. It's the smallest seed you can plant but yet it grows larger than any other plant. Our faith, the size of a mustard seed, can produce results larger than we could ever imagine. Something so small produces the largest results with the correct amount of ingredients. God is the perfect ingredient to our faith. Have faith today and let God began to grow something amazing in your life today!! Wait for it...Wait for it. :)
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Its Summer Time!!!
Yay no more 6am alarm clock going off!!! We are ready for summer break. The kids are offically done with school. Brianna is now an 8th grader! Oh My! I am not sure I am ready for this. Because this means next year she will be in high school! Kara is now a 6th grader. Ethan is going into 2nd. He finished 1st grade with A Honor Roll all year long and was in the top reading club. He is very smart. Jaxson is ready for them to be at home in the day time. We have enjoyed our first week off.
After our slip n slide breaking, we decided to get a tarp with a sprinkler. It works much better and the kids love being able to slide at the same time. It has been too funny watching them...we've had lots of wipeouts-some on purpose and some not. Its been a great way to cool from the 99 degree weather that hit us the week they got out.
We dont have a big summer planned. We are hoping to go to Florida in a couple of weeks, a much needed vacation! We havent been on a vacation in 4yrs! Other than that we will be hanging out here and there. There are some local places we can go to swim and such plus the lake. Jeremy is only taking one class this summer so it actually going to be great to just hang out, all of us together. Much needed family time in between the Summer Ramps. Ramp Conferences are wonderful and we are excited for them to get started! Nothing like worshiping with 1000+ people, baptisms, and whatever else the Lord's heart desires!
Photography has been slow. I guess because its so hot. I have a few people who want to line up some pics for this summer. So looking forward to those for sure!
We have chickens and the kids have very much enjoyed taking care of them. They haven't started laying eggs yet but feel it will be by the end of the summer. We have 8. They are good chickens and because we have raised them from birth, they are very calm with the kids. Jaxson loves to pick them up. Its a great experience for the kids.
You can feed in your hand and they will eat out of your hand. Jaxson usually does this as a trap. haha Once they come to him, he will grab one. Too
funny!
Hope you all enjoy your summer. More pics and news coming soon. Until then, stay cool and may God bless you all above and beyond your every need! :)
After our slip n slide breaking, we decided to get a tarp with a sprinkler. It works much better and the kids love being able to slide at the same time. It has been too funny watching them...we've had lots of wipeouts-some on purpose and some not. Its been a great way to cool from the 99 degree weather that hit us the week they got out.
We dont have a big summer planned. We are hoping to go to Florida in a couple of weeks, a much needed vacation! We havent been on a vacation in 4yrs! Other than that we will be hanging out here and there. There are some local places we can go to swim and such plus the lake. Jeremy is only taking one class this summer so it actually going to be great to just hang out, all of us together. Much needed family time in between the Summer Ramps. Ramp Conferences are wonderful and we are excited for them to get started! Nothing like worshiping with 1000+ people, baptisms, and whatever else the Lord's heart desires!Photography has been slow. I guess because its so hot. I have a few people who want to line up some pics for this summer. So looking forward to those for sure!
We have chickens and the kids have very much enjoyed taking care of them. They haven't started laying eggs yet but feel it will be by the end of the summer. We have 8. They are good chickens and because we have raised them from birth, they are very calm with the kids. Jaxson loves to pick them up. Its a great experience for the kids.
You can feed in your hand and they will eat out of your hand. Jaxson usually does this as a trap. haha Once they come to him, he will grab one. Too
funny!
Hope you all enjoy your summer. More pics and news coming soon. Until then, stay cool and may God bless you all above and beyond your every need! :)
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
What do you do with your trash?
I read this in an email and wanted to share it with you.
I have been guilty of being that garbage truck and this is a great reminder to myself not
to spread around my trash. Enjoy :)
"One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport
We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car
jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.
My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches!
My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches!
The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us.
My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy.
My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy.
And I mean, he was really friendly.
So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'
This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call,
So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'
This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call,
'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks.
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks.
They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment.
As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you.
As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you.
Don't take it personally.
Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.
Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.
Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.
Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets,
so ... Love the people who treat you right.
Pray for the ones who don't."
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.
Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets,
so ... Love the people who treat you right.
Pray for the ones who don't."
Sunday, May 22, 2011
JOB 1:22
Job 1:22 "In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong."
Have you ever had something happen in your day or life that you didn't handle correctly or even got upset with God?
We have to learn how to be more like Job and be faithful through the storms in life. Verse 21 says God gives and God takes away. No matter what we loose, God can give it back and we must not be so attached to our belongings that we would charge God with loosing those things but know He can and will restore to us what is taken.
Don't let anger, bitterness, hurt, or any other thing creep in when the storms come! Keep the Faith!! Keep an eternal perspective - "an eternal perspective gives us the ability to see beyond temporary trials."
"God can grow a mushroom overnight, but it takes many years - and many storms - to build a might oak." Warren Wiersbe
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Laugh @ the devil!!!
The word in my heart today! Enjoy :)
Ps 37:12-13 "The wicked plots against the just and gnashes at him with his teeth. The Lord laughs at him, For He sees that his day is coming." When the devil attempts his little attacks in our lives, we should respond the same way the Lord does...with laughter at how ridiculous he is. But too often, we given in with hurt, anger, defeat, depression, or whatever else you respond with. Lets give the devil a black eye today and not give in. Laugh at him and know he is already defeated!
Because 1 John 4:4 says "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, BECAUSE HE WHO IS IN YOU IS GREATER THAN he WHO IS IN THE WORLD!" And Isaiah 54:17 says, "NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST YOU SHALL PROSPER..."
Keep this in your heart today and meditate on it. When the enemy comes roaring in like a lion retaliate with the WORD and by not giving in to him. Because the ways of the Lord lead to everlasting life.
Dear Lord, please remind me today when those attacks sneak up to use your word and not respond the way the world does. Help me Lord to remember that I am a child of God and I have all authority over the devil. I dont want to give away my authority to him today in any way, through my attitude, my speech, my thoughts....nothing!!! You are God Almighty and Lord over my life and I want it to reflect in everything I say and do! Help to respond to my family correctly and be the best mom/wife I can be according to your word! Thank you Lord for all you do! AMEN!
Ps 37:12-13 "The wicked plots against the just and gnashes at him with his teeth. The Lord laughs at him, For He sees that his day is coming." When the devil attempts his little attacks in our lives, we should respond the same way the Lord does...with laughter at how ridiculous he is. But too often, we given in with hurt, anger, defeat, depression, or whatever else you respond with. Lets give the devil a black eye today and not give in. Laugh at him and know he is already defeated!
Because 1 John 4:4 says "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, BECAUSE HE WHO IS IN YOU IS GREATER THAN he WHO IS IN THE WORLD!" And Isaiah 54:17 says, "NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST YOU SHALL PROSPER..."
Keep this in your heart today and meditate on it. When the enemy comes roaring in like a lion retaliate with the WORD and by not giving in to him. Because the ways of the Lord lead to everlasting life.
Dear Lord, please remind me today when those attacks sneak up to use your word and not respond the way the world does. Help me Lord to remember that I am a child of God and I have all authority over the devil. I dont want to give away my authority to him today in any way, through my attitude, my speech, my thoughts....nothing!!! You are God Almighty and Lord over my life and I want it to reflect in everything I say and do! Help to respond to my family correctly and be the best mom/wife I can be according to your word! Thank you Lord for all you do! AMEN!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)