For His Glory

I’ve never been a big fan of roller coasters. I remember as a kid there was only one roller coaster I would ride. That was “The Racer” at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio. There were two “Racers”. They did just that….they raced. One went forward and one went backwards. I preferred the one that went backwards just so I didn’t have that feeling of “I’m going to fall out of this seat” or “This car is going to flip over itself” just as I saw the downward hill. I only had to see the sky as the thrill of plunging downward began.

I don’t know if there is much difference in the experience of riding the coaster forward or backward….. Either way your stomach ends up in your throat! At least it always did for me. HA!

I’ve attempted to try a few other coasters in my 49 years….but, yeah….for me...the thrill…not so much! I can live without roller coasters.

But, life itself is a roller coaster. Ups, downs, Sometimes we think we’re going forward when actually we’re going backwards, and then the loops and turns and…..shew…I need off already.

I can truly say God led me to a new amusement ride about three months ago. He guided me in starting a photography business. Now, I had dabbled for a couple years, but it was just that…dabble. It took a couple of months with me battling Him and literally screaming at Him, “Are you crazy?” But, He kept bringing it before me. Finally, I bowed down and became obedient.

I knew, without a doubt, that the business name would have to do with blessings. Beautiful blessings from God. So I went with Beautiful Blessings. When I went to get a domain name….it was taken. Trying to stay on the same track, I thought I’d do Bonita Blessings, since my given name is Bonita and it means beautiful in Spanish. However, that, too, was taken.

Now, I was discouraged. I couldn’t figure out what it was supposed to be called and I didn’t want just any ole name. I hit my knees in prayer and in tears. Begging I asked, “What? What am I doing wrong? If this is supposed to be why is coming up with the name so difficult? Why? I don’t understand.” I prayed and I prayed and I prayed some more.

Then one night about 3:30am I sat straight up in bed and said, “I got it! Why didn’t you say that in the first place?!” I had the name all along.

Heartbeats From Heaven.

Heartbeats From Heaven are Beautiful Blessings.

By the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another. James 1:16

From that day forward, my business has been all Gods doing. It’s not my business, it’s His. I’m just the vessel capturing His beautiful blessings.

It's for His glory!

I’m still not so sure what He has planned but I can say, “This ride has been exhilarating!” I know His plan will be magnificent no matter what.

“For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

What has He been speaking into you? Are you kicking and screaming and asking Him if He’s crazy? What would happen in your world if you just trusted Him and became obedient?

Have a little faith and enjoy the ride. I’m certain He has something wonderful planned. Let it be for His glory.

He loves you, you know!?!

Blessings,

Bo 

11/20/2014

If you’d like to see the beautiful blessings I’ve captured through my lens you can find my work at www.heartbeatsfromheaven.com and on Facebook at Heartbeats from Heaven Photography. I’d love to hear what you think!

Not By Chance

The text message read…“GOD’S NOT DEAD.” I knew exactly what that meant and why I had received that text. However, I didn’t recognize the number. Not that it really mattered who sent it but it did matter they thought enough of me to include me in their shout out. 

This is my cousin, Zach, who sent the original message. 

Thanks, Zach for following your heart and sending that text!!

If you’re reading my blog and don’t know why I received that text message then I encourage you to see the movie “God’s Not Dead.”

As I watched my phone blow up with responses of people saying things like “He is Good”, “He is surely alive”, and even “who is this?” all I could do was smile.

Then I received a text from someone I didn’t know. They wanted to know who the original sender was because they didn’t know the number. So I explained who sent the message. The next text read, “I think I was a wrong number.”

"Indeed you were NOT a wrong number!!!! Apparently God intended for you to receive that message” was my reply.

As we text back and forth I found out it was a young lady who was going through some tough struggles and just didn’t know which way to go. Yet…there was her answer. A text from a perfect stranger saying “God’s not dead.”

It was not by chance that she received that text.

God knows exactly when we need to hear His ever soft whisper. 

He knows when we need to see His sign. 

He knows when we need to feel His presence. 

Sometimes…we just need to be still and look up.

I think of that young lady often and pray for her every time she comes to mind. In those moments I send her a text just to let her know I’m praying for her. I never hear back. I often wonder if my simple text is being received right when she needs it. Because it certainly is Not By Chance that she is on my mind.

Where ever you are… know that God’s NOT dead and those small subtle things that happen are not by chance. They are His way of saying….Be Still and Know I am God and I am here for you.

Blessings!

Bo

10/14/2014