Christ

Win Himalayas

/ Gina Haney / 3 Comments

The first thing that captured my attention when I first saw winHimalayas on Instagram was that Pastor Haron seemed to always be on his knees. The more I get to know him the more I can see that even while standing tall, the posture of his heart is always kneeling. This man is anointed. He has said a brave, “yes!” to a sacred calling on his life. He is truly a reflection of Christ’s love and humble service.

When he responded to my invite with a desire to write an Easter post my heart sang.
Last year for Lenten our family ‘gave of’ rather then ‘gave up’. The idea behind it came from “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.” Proverbs 19:17
This verse left me wondering how could I lend to the Lord when it’s already all His. My human brain is still baffled by Gods amazing reasoning.
I decided to ‘give of’ rather than ‘give up’ because that’s really what Jesus did isn’t it? He gave of Himself.
I am thankful to the Himalayan missionaries and grateful my eyes have been opened to the needs of this area. I pray you agree.

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Dear family and Friends,
Greetings to you from the Land of Mt Everest!

As I reflect on Easter this year 2015, my heart is worried. I can’t help but think about the millions of people who are living without Jesus Christ in the Himalayas. It is heart breaking to hear of the spiritual oppression, self-mutilation and blood sacrifice that is happening throughout Himalayas. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, yet millions of people have still never heard His name and are living in desperate physical and spiritual poverty.
As we celebrate Easter (God’s love for us), I want to take a moment to thank you for showing your love to the “least of these”. You’ve truly helped bring a “living hope” to so many without hope, and blessed those who need it most with life-changing relief. What an incredible testament to the power of your compassion.

Will you consider giving towards this Easter by delivering lifesaving relief and hope to the most vulnerable children and families in the Himalayas. Our faith calls us to reach the poor, the hungry, the sick and the orphaned—just as Jesus did. This Easter season, RISE UP and HELP children rise up to a new place of hope and promise,

May God bless you, your family, and fill your hearts with joy,

Pastor Haron

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What better way to celebrate Good Friday (the day Christ gave of Himself) then by giving of, and lending to the Lord!       ~Gina

DONATE A BIBLE $5
SPONSOR LUNCH $3
EVABGELISOUTREACHES $4001200 http://www.reachhimalaya.org

Reach Himalaya Ministries is a compassionate ministry working among the indigenous people groups of the Himalayas, reaching thousands of remote villages by providing much needed resources and sharing the love of Jesus Christ.

ReachHimalaya.org

How to Really Live

/ Gina Haney / 12 Comments

For thus saith the Lord unto the house of Isreal, Seek ye me, and ye shall live. Amos 5:4

There is a whole world full of people chasing after life… Dreams… Goals… Achievements… Recognition… Hopes… Love…

It’s hard to turn on the t.v., the radio, the computer, flip open a magazine or drive past a billboard without seeing someone amazing. There are globe trekkers, actors, singers, athletes, photographers, doctors, lawyers, businessmen, survivalist… mattering.

Once upon a time there was a girl who told her 8th grade teacher she wanted to be a mom. That teacher told that girl that she needed to choose a real career. She needed to choose a real job. A real life. So she chose her second interest, beauty.

She accomplished it but it wasn’t until she became a mom that she felt she was really living. Like she had found the calling on her life. Like she was created to cook, clean, cuddle and point tiny humans toward Christ. It felt like holy work. Purposeful… Mattering.

But… Words like songs, are hard to get out of your head.

So that girl who’s now a mom isn’t sure she’s really enough. The world is full of chasers, maybe they are leaving her in the dust?

When someone asks what you do,
and they ALWAYS DO, you again put on a brave face only to be greeted by their face becoming disinterested. Disapproving. Even disgusted. So rather than turn another face you save face and say, “I am a hairstylist.”

“Do you keep busy?”
“Oh heavens yes.”
Inside you know that the reading lessons, kissed boo boos, spelling test, science experiments, trips to the park and play dates aren’t what they are referring to, but let’s just leave it be.

And if your getting the idea that I’m on the opinionated side of women/moms staying home… You’re wrong. The proverbs 31 woman worked.

There needs to be christian voices in every industry.

We may be a salesmen or a janitor or just a mom, but as Christians our main occupation should be seeking God.

This question may be the litmus test to determine if you are ‘really living’.

Are you hearing God, and are others hearing about God from you?

Amos made it clear that this is the measure of really living.

Holy living is wholly living.

Everything we ever are is only granted to us as opportunity to honor God. Without that, we will just be another sad ending to a “successful” life. Surely, if anything, Hollywood has taught us that.

And this is [really living], that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 17:3

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Born a Momma

/ Gina Haney / 7 Comments

I’ve never forgotten the pleading and howling. I’ve never forgotten the lamenting and groaning and yes, sometimes – whining and pouting.

I haven’t forgotten the day the stick said I was, but I said it couldn’t be, I couldn’t be, and I chuckled like Sarah, because I’d like to tell you I’m full of faith bone deep, but that’s not me. No, I had to have a nurse… and a doctor confirm it.

There is an ache soul deep when a momma needs to be a momma. No, I didn’t misspeak. It’s a very common thing to be born a momma. It’s also common in our broken world to give birth and never be a momma – really.

I spent 3 years asking God why not me. Then He gave me the marvelous wonder of motherhood, and I’ve spent every day since asking God why me.

You know where I see pretty babies all the time?

Pinterest.

And Instagram.

And Facebook.

And Twitter.

There is a constant stream of adorable babies. Have you noticed? I promise you the 6.7 million women battling infertility notice.

No, battling wasn’t a poor choice of word either. There are people battling cancer, poverty, Aids, depression, addiction and… infertility.

Don’t think cancers the only thing that can eat away at your insides, or that addictions or depression affects you neurologically but not infertility. And don’t think for a minute that Aids and poverty are the only socially isolating issues.

Becky said, “our hurts seem so small comparatively.” Haven’t we all been there? It’s not a bad place to visit. We all need reminding of how blessed we are. Thank God He isn’t into comparisons. There’s enough God to tend to the cancer, Aids, and us without compromising the other.

Social media can be a hurtful place for those battling infertility. Lucky for me, 8 years ago social media wasn’t a thing. Or at least wasn’t a thing I knew about.

I snuck in for a bath in the jacuzzi the other day. That’s where I shed most of my tears and whaled most of my infertility prayers. I stared up at the ceiling and memories came flooding back.

Memories of how I felt so alone and forgotten as everyone else was having their first, second… fourth babies. I felt like I was forgotten. God where is mine?

Infertility left me feeling broken and ugly. If I was fearfully and wonderfully made then why am I broken, and unable to conceive?

I felt like I was striped of what made me a woman. Like I slipped down the conveyer belt and missed the quality control inspection.

Forgotten.

Or maybe punished?

Friends and family? Well, the ones I felt comfortable talking to didn’t know what to say. They meant well. It’s hard to know what to say to hurting people period, but especially if you’ve never been there. I would hear things like:

-You want kids? Take mine! -Maybe it’s just not meant to be.

-Don’t worry. Just relax and it’ll happen. -Your trying too hard.

-Why don’t you just adopt?

-It must not be Gods will and you wouldn’t want anything that isn’t in Gods will for you would you?

While there is some truth to some of these, and total truth to the others. Hurting people only hear of one more way they are a failure.

They hear of one more way they weren’t blessed and highly favored.

One more way they are blowing it.

Today is her birthday. But, Inside I feel like it’s my birthday too. Not in a steal your thunder kind of way, but a remembering the thunder that tore me open and made us belong to one another.

No it isn’t when I came, but when I became – the only thing I’d spent my whole life dreaming of being.

So today I’ll celebrate her birth.

I’ll celebrate my becoming Mommy.

I’ll save the wishes for her and I’ll make the prayers. I’m praying that all those women born Mommas find their babies. image