Waking up and being 34 years old is not exactly a dream you have as a younger woman!  

Hey bloggers! 

I cannot believe it's been so long since I've posted.  I've been completely swamped with life, the practice, kids, travel, illness, but I'm here now!  Let's spend a moment together reading the Word.

Ephesians 4:10
"He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe."

Have you ever been in a place in your own life where you wondered, "God where are you right now?".  Oh my friends...He is ever present, close by, purposing to be heard, but are we listening?  Can we discern the whisper of God?  (Matt 10:27).  Paul goes on to talk about the gifts that Christ has given and how we as the church are called to One Hope!  We are prepared by HIM!  (Eph. 4:11-13).  Purposed so that the body of Christ might be built up.  This work is taking place all over the world, and the universe is full of His Splendor!  It's not just happening in our neck of the woods!  We're talking the universe here!! 

We can often forget that God's in the business of reaching out.  We reach in, dig in, and hang on.  To one another.  To our comfort.  To tradition, safety, security.....all the things that SEEM harmless, but can easily become bondage.  Are there things you're attached to?  A way of doing things?  A mindset?  A routine?  Well...you might want to consider a bit of change!   

I am under a challenging decision in my life.  You may be too.  But the comfort that I gain is not in what I can do in this situation, or in how I might handle it.  No, my comfort lies in this.  "He who descended (to bear the burden of my sin) is the very one (and only one) who ascended (left this world and broke every barrier that sin had placed on man) higher than all the heavens (there is no place higher than His position) in order (on purpose and on time) to fill (make full) the universe (all of existence)." 

That's just Laura's amplified version that she inserted......but it means something to me.  It means that I know and walk with the ONE who is higher than high, and is fuller than full, in HIS own majesty!  If I follow that, I'm not going to be led astray, down a wrong path, or on a winding road to nowhere.  No....He has filled the universe, and we have a special "position" in that Kingdom work.  

Use your gifts.  Build up the body of Christ around your home, your community, your region, your world!  I can't reach the same people you can.  You can't reach the same ones I can.  But together, we can reach!  How big is your universe?  God filled it all the way to the brim and overflowing with the Love of Christ! 

Expand your thoughts on God's Kingdom.  If you can define it, it's not big enough.  If you can visualize it, you can't see enough.  If you can sense it.....you're right where you're supposed to be!  

Blessings! 

Ok, so maybe I'm the only person who has this happen....but the other day I was sitting at my desk in the counseling office and I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.  I found a much more mature looking, actually sophisticated, woman I hadn't recognized before.  Something about being in that setting, doing what I do....well, it will age a woman!  I'm not sure I know the woman in the mirror at times.  She is being transformed so quickly that I can barely keep up.  

Life is tough.  People go through desperate times.  And right now, I'm doing battle.  I haven't been able to write much lately.  I keep confidentiality at the highest priority in my private practice.  Do you know what people live through?  Are you complaining about little insignificant things that don't amount to much?  Seriously...think it through.  Is what you have to say worth saying at all?  People are drowning in sorrow, despair, depression, anxieties of all kinds, and illness that cannot be contained.  We live in a world that is caving in on itself.  Everything we once knew, we now question.  It's time.  Yes, it's time.  Time to put away the foolish things, and take our stand in the LORD.  Share Him.  Talk of Him.  Please Him.  Honor Him.  People.....today is somebody's last.  Someone else's first.  

Emma, our oldest daughter, is nine and a half.  Yes....still young enough to be counting the half years.  When does that cease to be important?  Somewhere around twenty-one I think.  You may see an emergence around twenty-nine...with plenty of us saying we're twenty-nine and a half (plus a decade or two—wink, wink).  

So Emma's a pretty involved child.  She enjoys a good challenge, mental stimulation, creative works you might say.  Not necessarily the "sports" girl.  And I'm so thankful for exactly who she is.  We have been thrilled with her interest in music.  She recently asked to begin piano lessons and we agreed, given that my sister-in-law teaches out of her home.  No....we didn't get a discount!  It's full price, but still, an easier solution than going across town.  In addition to piano, Emma dances w/ the ballet company at her school, sings in a local children's choir at our alma mater, and is currently involved with a girls indepth Bible Study at our church.  Add to all of this her social calendar, school work, and love of reading....she can get a little "scatter brained" at times.

Over the Christmas break, she took a HUGE break from piano.  I didn't say much about it.  Afterall, I don't want her to do things in life "for me".  We talked about getting back in the swing of things and began weekly sessions about two weeks ago.  She's admittedly not following through and I've discussed this with her on a number of occassions.  Classes are on Tuesday afternoons, and tonight she looks at me and says, "I haven't practiced piano at all this week".  My response.  "That's gonna cost you."  She asked me what I meant and I explained that in life........when you commit to do something, you should plan to follow through.  Teachers of extra-curricular activities expect you are interested in what they are doing.  They count on you for their income and their time is preplanned to fit your needs.  So...the life lesson for today is this....."Don't commit to something you aren't willing to pay for.  That is with your time, your efforts, your interest, in addition to your money!" 

Don't waste your valuable life space, just to fill it to the brim of activity.  And teach your kids that follow through is important.  Our agreement with Emma is this:  If she goes another week without practicing her piano, she will have to pay for that week's session.  Yep!  It's going to be her $15, not mine.  If she's practicing and doing what is required, then we're happy to pay for her.  If she doesn't....it's gonna cost her! 

Everything in life comes with a cost.  If you don't follow through, what does that say to others?  How does your behavior match or mirror your belief system?  Are they congruent?  This can apply to many, many situations.  But most importantly, it applies to things we say "YES" to, and have absolutely no idea how we're going to make it happen.  For me, I don't say "YES" all that often.  I say "YES" when "NO" is not an option.  That's when God says to me, "Laura, this is for you."  You have to be careful not to say "NO" out of your own desire to be lazy.  But rather, learning to stay close enough to the Father to know His will for you concerning your life activities.  So....if you've asked me to do something, and I said No.  Don't take it personal.  I only commit to the things I have a clear directive on, and a clear understanding of how it affects those I love most.  We really can live a life of service....to busyness.  And blame God for our tired, worn out lives.  He's saying, "my yoke is easy and my burden light".  Listen to Him.  And the direction He is calling you. 

If life is too busy, too hurried, and too tiresome to breathe.....there's probably something you've picked up and called your own, that was never intended to be "yours".  Lay it down.  Be willing to admit when you're wrong.  And always know that God designed us for seasons of intense work, and peaceful rest.  We tend to leave that latter part out.  Write this one down...."Your closest relationships (those within your own household) are the ones you have the greatest potential to influence."  The ones in your home, are your "captive audience".  Long after the adults in your class disappear, friends move away, and ball teams lose for 3 straight seasons, the audience you are left are the ones you actually "live" in front of.  Transparency may not be desired, but it's a genetic offering! 

Live life to the fullest...and make it count! 
Blessings!

I had one of those life moments today that I think will go down in history....at least in my memory!  

Well, it's official.  For those of you who dislike change, tomorrow morning you're going to have to scratch out '08 on your checks and write '09.  Isn't it amazing how so many things affect our lives, yet we have absolutely no control over them.  It's not as if you can determine that 2008 was a good year and decide to stay there!  No.  We have to move forward.  We get older.  We move through celebrations, memories, and events like a runner who sees the finish line but wants to savor the steps just prior to the close of the race.  Have you noticed?  We take pictures, blog, journal, scrapbook......all so we can preserve a little bit of the "what", "where", "when", and "how" of life!  I love it!  We want to remember.  But in all the remembering, do we leave ourselves time to dream?  

I spent over four hours yesterday organizing my office files, drawers, pens/pencils, old cameras, films, etc.  I went to bed with a "Whew....now I know where it all is" feeling!  But when I came in this morning I realized how much MORE I could do.  I've got all these old home movies on the original formats that probably need to be transferred to DVD.  I've got a bazillion photos that never got printed.  I've got files that have too much information in them to get rid of anything else.  I need a fire proof cabinet for those special documents.  The list can go on and on.  Not to mention the family computer is at the shop!  It crashed on Christmas Day!!  

I think storing, organizing, and remembering can become an obsession if I'm not careful.  You see.  Life gets messy.  Memories aren't always tucked away in the tub for storage.  Sometimes they flood without warning.  As I sit hear listening to my favorite artist for 2008, John Mayer, the lyric says over and over "Say what you need to say".  I agree John.  Share your life.  Spend it in words, actions, and life decisions that matter.  Dream a little.  Believe a lot!  God has given us great purpose in our days.

My verse for 2008 was Romans 8:1, "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus".  I needed to know this.  All year long.  There is nothing that can separate me from His love!  I once was condemned by my sin.  But Christ covered that....and released me from the power of that sin.  You see, my salvation was secured.  But my doubts were not answered until I meditated on this truth!  Everytime I began to repent of sins of my past....God would remind me, "there is no condemnation over those Laura.....but look toward today....let's deal with those things too!"  It's easy to get bogged down in the past sins.  The ones you think are atrocious.  But the ones from today, often give the illusion of not being "that bad".  God began to release something in me.  The recognition that my condemnation was no longer, but my humility for current sins was welcomed and favored by God. 

My verse for 2009 has yet to be determined.  But one that I love is:  Eph. 3:17b-19 "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Oh, be blessed in this day.  My prayer is that I, you, and they might be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God!  Whew.....can I get a witness?  Life is moving.  Christ is coming.  The door is open for today.  Make a difference!  May we walk expecting His arrival.     

Blessings!

  

Have you ever noticed that the more photos you have on your hard drive, the less you want to organize and store them properly?  I've been saying for over a year that we needed to find another solution for photo storage.  We used to have an online account where we uploaded and stored photos, but little did I know that when you no longer purchase prints, they end up deleting your photos too!  We had copies, so no worries.  

I woke up today and decided this was the day I was going to do something about my photos.  And yes, I know.  I probably should have done this before now.  Anyhow, I checked myself into hotel "Photoshop Elements" and decided to camp for a while.  It's been 3 hours, and I'm nearly finished!  Three DVDs, proudly labeled "My Catalog 2004", "My Catalog 2005", and "My Catalog 2006" are neatly tucked away in their protective cases and ready to be taken to the lock box.  That thing hasn't seen me or my key in over 2 years.  So, I guess it's not a bad idea to take time to visit.

But I'm having a hard time realizing the last 4 years are stored on 3-5 DVDs.  Really?  Is it that simple?  I wonder how many DVDs it would take to get my whole existence on file?  And I wonder if there are people out there who think this is how God operates?  Maybe there is an idea that because this is how we store information, then God does that too.  We're categorical, historical, and logical thinkers.  We even like color-coding!  Ok, maybe that's just me! 

I was once taught (as a child) that God was kind of this way too.  The idea was that my whole life was going to be projected onto this huge screen for all to see.  My good, bad, ugly, and everything inbetween!  And I would feel incredibly remorseful for all the things I hadn't done correctly, or things I had missed in God's kingdom.  My parents didn't teach this.  It came from an evangelical pastor at my local church.  As I think back, it's almost like I'm still sitting there.  I most likely rededicated my life that night.  I think it was revival.  I might have been 10 yrs. old.  I continued to live the better portion of my next 20 years believing (to some extent) that this "theory" made sense.  Even when Scripture didn't exactly match up with this notion, the message was so powerful, some portions of it "stuck" in a very, very "sticky" way! 

At the conclusion of my story, I'll tell you that I no longer believe that about God.  I stood in front of the ocean this past summer (2008) and glanced out at the pitch black sea.  It was nighttime and Aaron and I were just standing there.  I began to cry as I thought back to that church service.  With this black nothingness in front of me, and the thought of my life passing before me on the big screen for all to see, that haunting feeling rushed in.  I turned to A and said, "Do you really think it will end that way?"  (We had been talking about this memory for a while.)  And my husband began to recite what seemed like a hundred Scriptures that directly combatted such "bondage" provoking theology.

The Scripture that said it all for me was, "Love keeps no record of wrong"  (1 Cor. 13).  A looked over at me and said, "What about Jesus has ever led you to believe His purpose is to embarrass you?"  I had to think about that.  And I confidently said, "Nothing".  Jesus has never embarrassed me.  Made fun of me.  Made me feel like I am unlovable.  Or held a record of wrong over me.  All those things came from my bad choices, words, thoughts, and the schemes of a very present enemy.  When I looked out at the ocean again......it was as if I could walk on water.  I kept waiting for the clouds to part, the noises to grow silent, and for Jesus Himself to appear.  In A's arms, with my mind on Christ's love for me.....I knew salvation had come once again!  In all of my doubts, Jesus is and has always been the answer.  His Word is my counsel.  His sacrafice, My Only Hope.  And His forgiveness is rooted in eternity. 

So as I sit here and wait for my last DVD to verify and complete......I am eternally thankful that Christ alone paid the price for my entire DVD collection!  He's got the right to remember every snap shot, but He's chosen to leave the particularly "dark" photos out of my compilation set.  He's only interested in the pictures that capture my best.  You know the ones.  The ones of your kids that you carry with you, post on Facebook, or upload to your blog!  Well, He's got a similar affection, with much more "awesomeness" attached!  

At the end of this day, I'll have a few years of photo DVDs compiled.  But at the end of my existence.....I'll have two things that matter.  Christ's blood covering my multitude of sins, and my name in the Lambs Book of Life.  I wonder if Jesus enjoys "scrapbooking"?  What picture might He include next to my name?  Ha!  What a fun thought! 

Blessings!
Laura

The Horton Family 2008



Emma (age 9), Hannah (age 5), Will (age 2)

 


Aaron and Laura—our 14th Christmas together! 

I can't think of any time of year that says "I love you" quite like Christmas. 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Blessings!

I'm in the midst of one of the most difficult seasons of my adult life.  Have you been there?  Life is completely blessed, God is moving, I'm listening, and BAM.  The attack comes.  For me, the attack is relentless.  Without a break.  Forceful.  And purposed to throw me off course.  The grand scheme of my enemy has been forged.  Oh.....LORD, how I want to be released.  But in every moment of self-doubt, fear, and anxiety, I am learning to rely more heavily upon you.  I am reminded in Ephesians to "Stand" and again to "Stand Firm".  My feet are planted, now you just keep my body upright.  

I recently visited a cardiologist after being free from arrhythmias for 15 years.  I have some nuisances that I've lived with, that ultimately point to some other areas of concern.  All will be fine, and I believe God healed me many years ago.  But now, He's just showing Himself powerful enough to Heal Again!  I've got to be vigilant and purposeful in this endeavor, without being fearful.  I know where this road leads.  In utter dependence on God!  Oh, may I never have to relearn this one! 

In the same time period that I opened the counseling ministry, sought licensure for my profession, and began a full swing attempt to pursue what God had laid before me, God also began prompting Aaron to consider PhD programs.  He's done wonderfully well on his GMAT.  Had an awesome interview process with a university with lots of prestige.  And now is having to consider the "what if I get accepted" reality.  This adds a bit of stress.  One of the universities is 3 hours from home!!  Do you guys realize I live on a family farm with all three sets of grandparents within 10 miles?  With three babies (age 9, 5, and 2) I think I'd be nuts to leave this place.  Besides the fact that I'm in the home I grew up in, and where A and I have been for almost 12 years!  Not something I can just put on the market and ride off into the sunset!!  But oh Lord, if you'd be gracious enough to provide another way.......please give it!  Let the university in town accept Aaron.  Let it be.  I want your best......and will submit in every way to accept it.  But I'm still asking!!  Let it be a 20 minute drive, not 3 hours.  Please!!  And all of my licensure requirements, please don't let them go to waste.  I have a 3-year window of opportunity that has already opened.  If you're closing that endeavor, do it quickly!! 

Do you see my "tornado" that has engulfed?  Probably a good indication why the blog hasn't been updated in a while.  I've been a blubbering idiot in an emotionally dysfunctional state!  Ha......and I'm the counselor!  No, actually God is the counselor.  I just show up and say Hello.  He really has to do all the work. And by the progress being made by a few of my clients, God is awesome at this thing!  He really gets them, and He's doing things in their lives that I never dreamed possible. 

I know God is not the author of confusion.  So, I'm having to be careful in staying level headed.  Some things just don't make sense.  One thing I have reconciled is that God's call on my life is never dormant.  No matter where I am, and how I'm using it.....He's in the midst of making me who I am supposed to be.  Many of you know how difficult this has been for me.  But I'm always willing to take a detour, if it's HIS detour.  I prefer the roadsigns Lord.  Can you make them all neon green?   

Life is Difficult.  Seasons of Difficulty come.  But my God.....He always IS, WAS, and IS TO COME.  Life is not all about me.  It's about them.....the ones who need to know.  Those who need to hope in Jesus.  To believe.  And to stay hopeful.   May my eyes be opened........so that I may see.  And may I see something remarkably healing in the process.  Lord, I feel your grip. 

Blessings!