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| ISBN-13: | 9781456738259 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | AuthorHouse |
| Publication date: | 05/18/2011 |
| Pages: | 124 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.29(d) |
Read an Excerpt
It's All about the Heart
By Brenda Rene Headley
AuthorHouse
Copyright © 2011 Brenda Rene HeadleyAll right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4567-3825-9
Chapter One
A Child
A child is a gift sent from above, just as our Savior was. A child has faith without a doubt; this we can learn from their unwavering sight. A child is known by their deeds, if they are pure and right. So let's guide them right as children of light. A child needs fruits and vegetables to make them healthy and bright. Here's a recipe that's sure to delight. Give them a bowl of the fruit of the spirit, with a sprinkle of loving. It will keep their hearts a-glowing. A child can touch our hearts with their warm embrace. Showing us the Father's grace. A child has a sweet face; I want to kiss their soft face. So, dear children, let's be imitators of Christ, searching for His sweet face in all the human race.
Lamentations 3:40–41,NKJ
40 Let us search out and examine our ways, And turn back to the Lord;
41 Let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven.
Matthew 15:8, NKJ
"These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me."
2 Corinthians 3:2–3, NKJ
2 "You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart."
Ezekiel 11:19–21, NKJ
19 Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them; and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and and give them a heart of flesh. 20 "That they may walk in My statutes, and keep them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God. 21 "But as for those whose heart follow desire for their detestable things and abominations, I will recompense their deeds on their own heads," saith the Lord God.
Deuteronomy 6:5–6, NKJ
5 "You shall love the Lord you God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart."
Deuteronomy 8:5, NKJ
"You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the Lord your God chastens you."
Hebrews 10:22, NKJ
"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."
Hebrews 13:9, NKJ
"Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them."
One way that I am encouraged in my heart is to sing praise songs to God.
I also am encouraged when I hear the praises of God's people. It not only builds my faith in Him, but it also reminds me of how He is faithful, strong, and Holy. Here is a beautiful Praise song called Refiner's Fire and also the old hymn Amazing Grace by John Newton (1725–1807).
Refiner's Fire
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold
Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from within
And make me holy
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from my sin
Deep within
Copyright Notice: All rights reserved. Used by permission. Music Services, INC- Print License Composition/Song Title: REFINER'S FIRE Writer Credits: BRIAN DOERKSEN Copyright: @1990 VINEYARD SONGS (CANADA)/ION PUBLISHING (SOCAN)
ADMIN. IN NORTH AMERICA BY MUSIC SERVICES o/b/o VINEYARD MUSIC USA Song Time: License % Controlled by Licensor: 100.00% Per Unit Rate (Based on 100 % Control): 0.7500 Dollar Rate (Based on Licensor's Share): 15.0000
Psalms 32:11, NKJ
"Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart."
Psalm 16:9, NKJ
"Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope."
Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come.
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far,
And Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil
A life of joy and peace.
When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we first begun.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.
Praising the Lord has truly helped my heart. One time when I was praising God at church, I saw my heart as a fertile ground with seeds dropping into it, and a beautiful flower was springing up. I later learned through God's word that this seed is His word.
Isaiah 61:11, NKJ
"For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations."
God directs our paths in this life. I would like to share the scriptures that say this but also tell you about some experiences I have had that have touched my heart.
Proverbs 3:5–6, NKJ
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Deuteronomy 8:2, NKJ
"And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not."
The Heart Walk
One day, I was walking on the sidewalk beside the wall at the beach in Carlsbad, California. A lady was angry because I decided not to move away from the wall so she could walk by me. I said, "This wall is for both of us, you know?" With that, as I walked onto the shore, I repented and asked God to help me love people the way He loved them. Immediately, I spotted a rock in the shape of a heart, and I felt God was telling me to love them and that He loved me. Every time I spot a heart rock, I think of that moment, how He loved me, and how He loves others. I kept that rock for a time and then gave it away. Since then I have collected quite a few heart rocks. And I would like to share some of the stories with you.
Tyler's Heart
When Tyler was five years old, I told him that I collected heart rocks at the beach. He said, "I want to go on a heart walk with you." When he was six years old, he was visiting me one day. Tyler saw my beautiful amethyst heart rock. He asked, "Did you get this at the beach?" I said, "No, Grandpa bought that for me, because he loves me." Tyler wanted to hold onto it for a while.
When I noticed a rock by his picture on my mantel, I said, "Do you remember that you found that heart rock and gave it to me?" He said, "No, but can I have it? I will take it home and put it in a box." I said, "I guess so, but now I don't have a rock from you." Tyler then said, "Well, take me to the beach, and I will find you another one." I said okay.
Then I was driving him to go visit his cousin Callie. I showed him a red heart rock that Grandpa had given me. He held it, looking through it, and then said, "Jesus is in my heart, and I'm not scared. One day I was at Justus's church in a room, and this lady sang a song for Jesus to come into my heart, and He did."
I told Tyler that I didn't have Jesus in my heart really until I was older and in trouble. He asked, "Why were you in trouble?"
"Because Jesus wasn't in my heart."
He told me, "I'm not in trouble, and Jesus is in my heart."
We went to Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica, near San Francisco. I decided to take a walk and also look for a heart rock. I just felt I would find one on this day. As I walked along the shore, I thought about the news I had heard about a diver who died and washed up on the shore there, something about his air tank. I also was reminded of the sign I had just seen concerning the shark that had recently been spotted by surfers.
As I walked along the shore, I noticed a cross on the beach a-ways up. I was surprised to see this memorial set up for what appeared to be many surfers who had died. There were pictures and some items that appeared to have belonged to them. Rocks were all laid out in the shape of a huge heart. I became misty, knowing God loved them, too. I saw that others were also showing their love with heart rocks. As I left the memorial, I still hoped to find my own rock. I did, and it is a beautiful heart rock.
The dream about Mom's death
In memory of my mother I would like to share a poem I've written about her. But first, I would like to tell you about the dream I had of her before her death. I kept trying to contact her, but we kept missing one another. A week before her death, I kept having this feeling that she would die. I visited a cemetery and thought about how I would feel and react when I heard the news. Then I had a dream. I saw her with her suitcase in hand and boarding a bus. The bus started going down into a pit with water, and it was swirling around and around. I knew she was dying. A few days later I got a call that she had just died. Minutes had passed when they called me. I asked my niece to put the phone to her ear. I told her I loved her. I was hoping that she could hear me, and I told her good-bye. Later, I was told that she did have her suitcase packed and her outfit on the bed and did in fact have another trip planned. I knew the Lord showed me things to come—helped me with my grief. My heart still misses her. She used to ask me, "Will you remember me when I'm gone"? I would say, "Of course I will." So this is in memory of you, Mama.
I Remember Laura
A little orphan girl born to a world of rejection;
With big dark eyes, and a heart filled with affection.
Contracts and negotiations were a part of the sad situation—
She was made to ride the trains to her destinations.
It was like jumping off a train at the end of the track
—this was a sad fact.
Such fear and loss for one little heart to endure,
But the Lord swore He'd see her through.
The Lord taught her to care for many, and gave her eleven children
—this was plenty.
I remember Laura, in the morning light with her smile so bright.
She packed her bags, going to the City of Lights.
Heaven bound was her final flight.
A Flower Blooms
There are many scriptures that show when God makes a promise He is faithful to keep it. He still does miracles and healings. The miracle happened in our marriage; God healed it.
I remember one of the miracles He did for me was with a flower. I was so depressed at the time, I was telling God all about it. As I looked out my patio window, I was crying and telling God, "Nothing good grows here." I looked down at the ground and said, "See, even the flowers I planted a few years ago still haven't bloomed."
The next morning as usual I looked out that window. I couldn't believe my eyes—there was this beautiful, tall, pink flower in the very spot I had been talking to the Lord about. I felt like the Lord was saying that He would make my life and marriage fruitful, and that He loved me! I was so excited and ran and got my son to see the flower and to tell him all about it.
The flower died that night, but not His promises.
God Is Near the Brokenhearted
I was trying to praise God at church one Sunday, but I kept crying because I was so grieved. I felt like my heart was broken. Someone I love was rejecting me. As I tried to praise God, He spoke these words to me: "Don't let this sadness overtake you. Give Me your joy, and praise Me in the things in which I am doing in your life." Later, that day I read Isaiah 61 and it touched my heart like never before. Within a few weeks the Lord spoke to me once again. Here is some of what Isaiah chapter 61 says, as well as what the Lord said.
Proverbs 12:25, NKJ
"Anxiety in the heart causes depression, but a good work makes it glad."
Thought
As the scripture shows, depression is from anxiety in the heart. I know I was depressed, and I felt hopeless. Yet, I had the God of hope. I believe He cared about my wounded heart and wanted to give me His love. That miracle of the flower blooming touched my heart so much. That was His handiwork, and it sure made me glad! I believe it's through the tough times and the trials that God shows His compassion on us. His tender mercies and love are so great. It has been His love in my heart that has helped me so many times. I think it's better to love and risk your heart being broken than never to have loved at all. God is near us when we are broken and weak. He is our strength and our healer. He is faithful in helping us to keep our vows.
Isaiah 61:1–4, NKJ
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound. 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, 3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, That He may be glorified." 4 And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations.
Isaiah 61:5–9, NKJ
5 Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, And the sons of the foreigner shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. 6 But you shall be named the priests of the Lord; They shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, And in their glory you shall boast. 7 Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs. 8 "For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering; I will direct their work in truth, And I will make with them an everlasting covenant. 9 Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles, And their offspring among the people. All who see them shall acknowledge that they are the posterity whom the Lord has blessed."
Isaiah 61:10–11, NKJ
10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth brings forth its bud, As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
The following pages are the combined work of my husband Hal and me.
God's unfailing heart To heal marriages.
In this section we will discover several things about God's word in the healing of marriages. His heart is absolutely in favor of our marriage. Many questions arise when there is a divorce or separation in marriages and many, many people are affected. Not only are the spouses affected, but there are children, there are schools, there are churches, there are family members, there are friends, there are finances, there are financiers, and on and on the list of those affected goes.
Today let's talk about whether or not it is God's will to heal your marriage.
God said that He would redeem us from the hand of the enemy. Psalm 107. If He would heal one marriage He will heal all marriages! His word says that His healing comes quickly. He looses the chains of injustice and unties yokes. He sets the oppressed free! He breaks every yoke; He'll satisfy the needs of your marriage, finances and your spiritual walk. He'll satisfy the needs of everything in your life which includes marriages.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from It's All about the Heart by Brenda Rene Headley Copyright © 2011 by Brenda Rene Headley. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
Contents
Acknowledgments....................viiIntroduction....................1
A Child....................5
Refiner's Fire....................12
Amazing Grace....................15
The Heart Walk....................19
Tyler's Heart....................21
The dream about Mom's death....................24
I Remember Laura....................27
A Flower Blooms....................29
God Is Near the Brokenhearted....................31
God's unfailing heart To heal marriages....................35
Standing In Prayer For Your Marriage....................41
What Words Do I Pray?....................47
Prayer....................51
The Married Heart Priorities....................53
God's Priorities....................55
Don't Give Up....................57
A Still, Small Voice....................61
Matters of the Heart....................63
A Heart Potato....................65
Callie's Heart....................67
Lily's Heart....................69
Annaleah's Heart....................71
Sofia's Heart....................73
Luke's Heart....................75
Generational Blessings....................77
God Connections....................79
Heartbeat Within Me....................81
Our Hearts Beat As One....................83
My Heart Belongs to Jesus....................85
Spiritual Junk Food....................89
The Parable of the Sower....................91
I Will Bless You One Hundredfold....................93
Seat Reserved for Brenda....................95
A Friend....................97
H-E-A-R-T Check:....................101
Journal, Sunday 8/19/07....................103
Journal, Friday 10/25....................105
Lemons....................107
R.O.C.K. Ministries, International....................108
About The Author....................111