IS IT FOR OTHERS????

Focus isn’t how or where we worship but, WHO.

Worship God passionately!!!!

An article was read during youth group called “Should I raise my hands to worship?” As the article is being read I’m drawn to the thought….

Do I worship with my hands raised for others to see or is it between me and God?

One thing I know about myself when I worship is that I put my hand on my heart and pat my heart. It’s during this moment that it’s my heart that’s full of emotion: joy, excitement and sometimes even sorrow. Sorrow in knowing I’ve not been doing the exact things in the exact way I should. Because that moment is when I realize my fault and the floodgates open. But those floodgates are also open when I have joy.

YOU ARE GOD are the words playing over and over in the song and I realize that even with my fault – God loves me because He is good and loves us unconditionally. His words to us are “I’LL LOVE YOU FOREVER” and those words should be instilled upon our hearts that we will love Him FOREVER because He is the Almighty Father.

Glory to God – forever. Let me live for Him – for His Glory. Let me worship for only Him and not for the eyes of anyone else. Whether I raise my hands, pat my heart, clap my hands, stomp my feet or journal as I spend my time with my Heavenly Father. For it’s for His pleasure and Glory not anyone else. It’s between me and my Father.

He is a Father that constantly out stretches His arms to comfort me when I’m in a time of need. A Father who has promised to never leave or forsake me. He is always there…waiting. All we have to do is look to Him for the vision and guidance. So when we come to worship Him let us raise our hands and surrender all the control that we tend to hang on to.

I surrender the control freak within me to become a Jesus Freak!! A freak that will worship Him with all my heart and soul ----- singing, dancing, clapping, and shouting for only His Glory. It doesn’t matter what or how anyone else does when they worship Him – it’s about MY FOCUS and MY one on one time with God.

                                                             Amen

Bo Hayth

01/29/2014

Written at Legacy Life Community youth group during a time of worship

CRUISING DOWN THE CREEK

Recently, I went with a friend to the Charlestown State Park in search of a fishing hole. We’d had a ton of storms so the river was high and we thought we could find a good place to fish.

Driving around we came across a bridge and saw a pond. So we got out to investigate.  It wasn’t a big pond. But, one of decent size.  There were a few small, what I'd call, “waterfalls.”  The sound was hypnotizing, even though small and emptying into a creek.

Then, in the weeds something moved.  I watched quietly wondering what it could be. Then it flopped into the pond and went hiney first down the overflowing waterfall into the creek.

It was a Beaver!  In that very moment I had been blessed.  I had never seen a beaver before, only in pictures in books.

SPLASH! Into the creek it went. Relaxed as could be, it floated on its belly in the see through water. Another, SPLASH!  Waiting….waiting….there it was!  Another beaver had entered the creek.  I was sure they were going to play.  But they didn’t.   

This beaver was different. It didn’t swim to catch up with the first beaver. It swam under the water the entire time a few feet behind the first beaver. 

As they were “Chillaxing” (our young generation might call it)…this scene, this moment got my mind thinking......

When we choose too, we take off and jump in to the pond without much thought and very little worry.  We slide down a waterfall, willing to glide down a stream of water with no destination and no insight of what lies ahead.  That’s faith.  In Hebrews 11:1 it says, “Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see.”

The creek represents, our life.  The first beaver, us. The second beaver, God.  You see, the second beaver never came up for a breath.  It never sped up nor slowed.  Had it not made the splash I wouldn’t have even known it was there.

In life don’t we sometimes go through it not really paying attention and God has to do something to get our focus back where it should be?  God has miraculous plans for us, as we are told in Jeremiah 29:11…”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.”

The Almighty One is always there. Cruising down the creek with us.  He is very present and we will find Him if we seek Him. Matthew 7:7…”Ask and it shall be given, seek and you shall find, knock and it will be opened.”

Blessings,

Bo

written 7/27/2013

SECRET INGREDIENT

Everyone who knows me… knows… I don’t like to cook!!

There is no secret about it. There is nothing about it I enjoy. Not getting the ingredients together; not getting the dishes/pots/pans ready; not the clean up, and sometimes quite honestly not even being brave enough to taste what I cooked.

I have friends who LOVE to cook. They are always trying some new recipe. One friend makes the best chocolate cake I’ve ever tasted. It’s mouth watering just thinking about it. And chocolate cake is my

least favorite of all cakes because it’s always dry. Not hers!!

Her secret ingredient:

m-a-y-o-n-n-a-i-s-e.

That’s right. Mayonnaise.

It took her a long time to get me to try her cake, years in fact, and had she ever told be before I tried it that there was mayonnaise in it, I promise you I wouldn’t have ever put a piece in my mouth. Now? If she says she’s making chocolate cake…I’m there! 

                                                        It is the moistest chocolate cake I have ever tried.

Is that just crazy? She tweeked her chocolate cake with a secret ingredient and that cake is a perfect masterpiece. Simply divine!!

I looked up the definition of the word divine.

di-vine  à  relating to or coming directly from God.

That’s us!!! Scripture tells us we are a masterpiece of the Almighty God. We were created in His imagine.

So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female.

(Genesis 1:27)

How great is that? We are a masterpiece!!

For we are Gods masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

A MASTERPIECE! You are nothing less of that!

You are not worthless.

You are not ugly.

You are not fat.

You are not a loser.

You are not a failure.

You are not unworthy.

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life with knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.

(2 Peter 1:3)

In fact…………………YOU are simply a DIVINE MASTERPIECE!!!

And your secret ingredient is GOD!

Blessings,

Bo

01/28/2014

A HEART'S CRY

I sat in the floor intensely listening. My heart longed to wrap my arms around her, hang on tight, and say, “It’s going to be okay.”

There’s a feeling of protection Mothers get; to surround their child with their arms and pray the suffering would all go away and the child would find comfort. But, unfortunately, it’s just not that easy. And this is not my child.

Her eyes tell the journey of a path that many will never see. A path I can’t even begin to imagine. She is strong yet she does not realize it. To hear the story of the things she has endured, amazes me. So young…so wise. She has wisdom of things she should have never experienced. I can’t control my tears, even now, after praying and feeling led to journal about her.

Her Mother sits across the room from me trying to contain her emotions. I’m certain if she lets loose of her tears everyone in the room will as well. But there will be no pity for this child, only sorrow. And as one tear flows, several follow. Not all by the same person. Tears because some can relate, some can’t imagine.

Forgive me for calling her a child. She is not a child. She is a beautiful young woman. But in the moment of her telling her story she is a mere child in my eyes. And, she is a child in the eyes of God. We all are.

Courageous…Strong...Loving…Learning…Growing…Determined… Dedicated…Honest…Believer…Kind~Hearted…Driven…Passionate…Special…Survivor……. 

All words that describe this beautiful, young woman who sat in front of me sharing things I couldn’t believe I was hearing. Traits that I’m sure she has no clue others see in her.

FAITH is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 

Hebrews 11:1

Though she has battled trials and tribulations, her past has not defined her. Without a doubt, she is sure of what she hopes for and she is certain of a God that she can not see. But, deep within her soul there is a tiny, tiny seed. A very powerful seed.  One she shall cling to with all her might. A seed of FAITH. Though no one else can see it....her Almighty Father does. And in that moment, that’s when He hears and answers….

A Heart’s Cry.

Blessings,

Bo

01/21/2014

UNSEEN SIGHT by Krista Davenport Deal

99% of the writings I share on this blog are written by me. There are times when I might read something I've found on the internet that I find inspiring and I want to share it with you. When I do that....I ALWAYS make sure you know I did not write it. Let me make this clear....I have NEVER nor will I EVER take credit for something I DID NOT write.

With that being said.....it is on my heart to share something written by my cousin, Krista Davenport Deal. It is a life changing event happening to her, not me. These are her words, not mine. She has been so gracious in giving me permission to share her personal story.

Hope it inspires you or someone you might know going through something similar.

Blessings,

Bo

UNSEEN SIGHT

By Krista Michelle Davenport Deal

January 17, 2014

   

July 16, 2013 started out just like any other day. After my normal morning routine of a shower, coffee, and a couple cigarettes I was off to my job as an RN in Scottsburg, Indiana. Usually my 10 hour shift flies by because I love my job and I love my patient. Caring for him was never like work. However, this day was starting to be a little different. Around 10am I started getting a headache, which isn’t all that unusual for me. But this headache kept getting worse and worse and wouldn’t let up no matter what I did.

I have suffered from migraines for years but this was different. I had never felt pain like this before. The strange thing was it was only half of my head that was hurting. By the time I got home that evening I could hardly hold my head up because the pain was so intense. Kelsey asked me if I needed to go the hospital. But I kept saying no because, well, because….I’m just that stubborn. I finally told him I felt like my brain was shriveling and at that point the decision to go to the hospital was no longer mine. I was going whether I wanted to out not.

Thank God Kelsey never listens to me. When we arrived at the hospital my blood pressure was 228/128. Unbelievably high!!!  (normal rate is 120/80). After pushing some meds they immediately sent me for a CTscan of my brain. The results; I had had a stroke. Even, now while writing this, I can feel myself starting to panic and the tears are rolling all from one sentence. I had a stroke.

There I was 42 years old. What?? Are you kidding me??!!!! I’m only 42! I’m a nurse! I’m not sure why I thought either of those things were the reason for not having a stroke but at the time that was my rationale.

I spent the next 4 days in the hospital with uncontrolled blood pressure. They went through different combinations of medicines until they found a combination they flet would work. The next few weeks were full of follow up appointments with a neurologist (brain doctor), and an eye doctor.

My stroke wasn’t extremely severe. I had no paralysis or weaknesses and no speech problems. I was and am very thankful for that. However, the side effect I was left with was vision problems. I lost 98% vision in my right eye because the stroke was on the left side of my brain. I also lost approximately 45-50% vision in my left eye, partly because the stroke was slightly towards the center and partly because my left eye automatically stared to over compensate for my right eye. So now, months later, I’m down to 35-40% vision in my “good” eye and 0% in the right one. This is a major adjustment for someone who had 20/20 vision before the stroke.

Luckily after a couple weeks off I was able to return to work. I didn’t tell my boss about my vision problems. I felt like I could still do my job. And, at the time, I could. My patient didn’t require a lot of medicine and I knew exactly what he took without even looking. As time went on and my vision got worse I had to tell my boss about my eyes. She wanted me to pick up shifts for another patient and I just didn’t feel confident with my sight. I would never do anything to put someone in danger and I was afraid I would unintentionally hurt them if I couldn’t see properly. So, after many discussions and follow ups with my eye doctor I agreed to stop work, apply for disability and have a few eye surgeries to see if they could correct the problem. Seems simple, right? It wasn’t for me. Although I knew stopping work was the right thing to do I felt like it was tearing me apart.

I didn’t go to nursing school until I was 35. I was a single mom with 2 boys and I went back to school full time. It was a big step. And it was hard. But, I did it. And I was proud of myself. I worked my butt off in school and graduated 2^nd in my class with a 3.7 GPA. Who woulda thunk it. Me? A Nurse?! But I did it and I didn’t want to give that up. I felt like it was the only thing I’d ever accomplished and I loved my job and felt like I made a difference with my patients. Now they wanted me to stop nursing and take a chance the surgeries would work and I’d be able to go back. But, what if the surgeries don’t work? What if I can never be a nurse again? Then, what?????

I already had to give up driving and reading and doing things that everyone takes for granted. What am I going to do if I can’t be a nurse? I still struggle with that question, even today. It’s scary not knowing if you will ever be able to support yourself again or be independent. People even have to read me the mail now. And though it shoudn’t, it makes me feel so useless….and I don’t like it!

I don’t like being afraid of what I can’t see and of falling and bumping into things. I don’t like asking for help. I don’t like feeling like a burden to anyone. I don’t like having to ask the cashier what the debit card machine screen says because I can’t see it. I wonder if she thinks I can’t read? I don’t like having someone else read me the menu at a restaurant so I can decide what I want to eat. Don’t mis-understand, I’m extremely thankful for the help I receive. I just want to be able to do it myself, without having to ask for help. That’s just me. It’s what I do. I take care of people; my kids, my family, my patients, my friends. It shouldn’t be the other way around.

It feels like the only thing I’m good at has been taken away. And it sucks, big time. There is no other way to describe it. It just sucks!! And there is nothing I can do about it. Yes, I know that’s most of my problem. I’m a control freak and if I’m not in control I feel like I’m losing my mind. I have to deal with what’s on my plate right now because I can’t deal with the control issue. After all it’s not going anywhere.

So, now I’m here with all this time on my hands with not enough to do. I decided one day to start practicing being blind just in case it’s how I end up. I began by arranging the bottles in the shower in the exact order that I use them, making sure to put them back in the exact same place every time. Then I started on our closet. I made sure all our clothes were separated; Kelseys on the right mine on the left. Then I made sure there were 2 empty hangers in the middle so I could tell where each side started. I then rearranged my chest of drawers. I got rid of anything I didn’t need or use and I put like items with like items, left to right. Next, I started counting. I counted steps. Every step. How many steps does it take from the couch to the kitchen counter (6), from the couch to the doorway of our bedroom (4), then from the bedroom doorway to the bathroom (17) and back. I counted every step everywhere I went in the house, over and over and over again. Finally I practiced. I closed my eyes and walked to my room, opened the closet, got out an outfit, walked to the chest and got underwear and socks. I walked to the bathroom, started the shower and undressed. I washed and conditioned my hair, bathed, shaved my legs, turned the water off, dried and dressed. All with my eyes closed. Sound silly? Try it!

Seem how many things you run into. It’s not as easy as it sounds.

I did bump into to things, but I took my time,and I counted my steps, I felt for my surroundings and I took a shower without help and without sight. It’s a small feat but I did it and I’ll keep doing it until I can do it without putting my hands out for feelers and without bumping into things. Next I’m going to try cooking a meal with my eyes closed. I might very well starve to death but, at least I will be clean. LOL

Maybe this is Gods way of humbling me. Maybe I’m being broken down so I can be build back up to be stronger than ever. Maybe it’s His way of making me ask for help. Maybe it’s His way of showing my family that I’m not always going to be able to take care of them and they have to step up and take charge. I don’t know what God has planned for me. All I know for sure is I am His child and I am not useless. I will deal with whatever comes my way.

It’s not easy. I still have days that I’m sad and days that I’m angry. But, I am thankful that I have days at all. I am here. I can walk, I can talk, and I have full use of my mind. I am blessed. I’m even blessed to be going through this trial. Sight or not, I will learn from all this and some way, some day, I will help someone else.

God promises that He will never leave me and He will never put more on me than I can handle. Some things just take a little longer for me to figure out how to handle them. There’s that control thing again. Maybe it’s not for me to figure out. Maybe I am going to be a blind old bat. But I’m going to be the cleanest, hottest, blind old bat around!!!!

UNDER PRESSURE

Recently, I’ve had some things that have tested my heart. Things that made me feel like a pressure cooker ready to explode. Unfortunately, someone didn’t loosen the steam valve and all that chaos under pressure – exploded. That someone was ME!

Now, I don’t know if you’re familiar with or have ever cooked with a pressure cooker. I, personally, have never cooked with a pressure cooker but grew up with my mom cooking with them so I understand how they work.

It’s a different type of pot. When you lock the lid in place there is a rubber seal that becomes the barrier holding the pressure built from steam between the pot and the lid. On top of the lid there is a little pressure valve that needs to be adjusted to allow the steam to release. Depending on what’s cooking the speed of the steam being released is mark by a tick…tick…tick…rattle sound. However, if you don’t loosen that tiny valve on top that pressure will build inside and at some point release itself by LITERALLY by blowing the lid off the pot! The lid just isn’t capable of holding all that pressure – it builds and just becomes too much for the pot and lid to contain.

There were a lot of circumstances that I was “cooking in my pressure cooker.” Unlike one BIG thing that might cause you to blow; there were several things happening at the same time:

            *someone hurt their back

           *insurance didn’t cover some medical expenses

*serious health issues with a dear friend – with no insurance. So why was I fretting over a minor bill my insurance didn’t cover?

*…and the list goes on…

Scripture tells us in James 1:2-4… Consider it pure joy, brothers and sisters, when you face trials of many kinds. Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Although, I “thought” I was finding joy during trials and circumstances, deep within I wasn’t releasing my troubles or pressures to God.

That pot and lid….resemble our body and mind.

The contents within the pot….resemble every day “life” circumstances.

The pressure….resembles the tension building inside.

The valve….resembles our relationship with God.

If we don’t have that open relationship the contents will create the pressure and the pressure will become so unbearable we explode.

As flesh we are not created to control, nor handle, all that pressure. You’ve heard the day old saying “Don’t sweat the small stuff” …well, DON’T! 

All that small stuff will build inside and at some point blow the lid off.

I know you’ve heard the saying…  SHE HAS FLIPPED HER LID!

I just wonder…what did you envision when you hear that statement? I always envisioned a pressure cooker exploding.

Every person’s pressures are different.

Every person handles pressure differently.

But, God wants us to call on Him to help us during these trials.

He promises if we seek Him we will find Him.

He tells us to have the faith of the tiniest of seeds. The Mustard Seed.

Matthew 17:20…  He said, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

Proverbs 3:5-6…  Trust in the Lord with all your heart; don’t rely on your own understand. Seek Him in all you do and He will lead your path.

2 Chronicles 15:2…  The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with Him! Whenever you seek Him, you will find Him. If you abandon Him, He will abandon you.

So, what’s cooking in your pot?

Did you remember to open the valve?

God’s waiting to hear your…tick…tick…tick…rattle.

Blessings,

Bo

1/18/2014

The Beauty of A Bridge

            I love old bridges!        

   

If they could talk, I wonder what kind of stories they could or would tell. How much fishing has been done off the side of this bridge? How many people have walked its length? How many people have stood on it and had a long passionate kiss?

I encountered this bridge in August 2013. Its beauty mesmerized me and I was able to capture it on my camera. One lane. High rails. Complete protection during the crossing over the water that flowed beneath. And how could I forget the smell of the trees surrounding it? That calming aroma of wilderness that makes you inhale ever so slowly. If you have ever come upon an old bridge like this I know you know exactly what I’m describing.

This picture is extremely comforting to me. It reminds me that no matter how narrow the road to my travels may be; God is sturdy. He is the strength and the protection that guides me along my path.

It’s encouraging to know I can reach what awaits me at the other end of that bridge. My hopes and dreams are protected by a foundation that stands firm. A foundation that is filled with stories and promises that will deliver me at the end of my journey to a miraculous place.

God is my foundation of strength and protection.

The Bible is filled with the stories and promises.

Heaven is the miraculous place in which I will arrive at the end of my journey.

How blessed I was at the sight and beauty of this particular bridge. I pray you also find comfort in the picture captured through my lens.

Blessings,

Bo

01/16/2014