Dedra Herod

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messy in the middle

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My sweet friend Sarah Markley recently wrote a post that hit me between the eyes. So true, her take on the fact that not all stories need to be told as they happen.

I don’t want to be one of those writers that thrashes through everything online. I don’t believe that all emotion is pure and I guarantee you that over the last year many of my emotions have been anything but pure or God honoring. I’m tired from and grateful for being able to wrestle this out with God. I’m ready to start dusting some of this mess off.

It’s been a year since all these major changes have taken place and the fog is lifting. It’s been a year since our move and I’m just starting to feel comfortable in my own skin and in our new home and surroundings. It’s been a year of new family living situations. (I am indeed that sandwich generation gal.) I entered into it, not kicking and screaming but certainly not fully aware of the stress and difficulties that come with it.

In this year we’ve celebrated new jobs and promotions, a daughter getting married, stepping out and joining a new faith community, new friendships as well as the challenges of family members with some pretty serious health conditions.

And sheepishly, frankly, timidly and then not so timidly, I’ve told God that I really am done with the high stress levels and I’d really love some relief. I’d really love some peace.

And you can probably guess this part… He hits me with this scripture from my friends at #shereadstruth

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And He follows up with it in the message at church. So I reckon there’s a message in it for me and I should dig in deeper to seek that out. Peacemaker. Not seeking peace, demanding peace, asking for peace. being the peacemaker in order to be a child of God.

Wanna go with me?

you had me at “hey, dedra” ..

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it started with a question.  a casual one.

“hey dedra, does Asbury partner with Lincoln Village Ministry?”

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my answer, casual and simple, “well, i don’t know but if we don’t we should.”

 

that’s what began the 18 month glorious, heartbreaking, knee busting and joy filled journey.

my friend Carter took me over to meet with the leaders of Lincoln over lunch one day.  we sat in the library of the new school that God had provided for them and they shared their hearts with me.  i heard it and saw it.  i heard parts of Mark’s story and Dale shared his heart with me.  the simple, yet tremendously difficult and organic way that this team of believers had moved into a grid in Huntsville was breath taking.  after about 40 minutes we shook hands, said goodbye and Carter and I headed back to work.  it started then.  my heart started to break.  the veil falling from my eyes.

i headed back to my home church and casually started asking questions.  little did i know (i do know so little) God had already been at work for years and years.  it had nothing to do with me. He opened His arms and allowed me to participate in just a morsel of what He is currently doing there.

that was February 2012.  i am unleashing the Gospel through this storytelling of my life.

praying you come back and join me,

Dedra

 

this is not a sponsored post by any means, but i hope you choose to join with Him and support the work of Lincoln Village Ministry.  click here to learn how you can join the fight.

it’s making a difference :: blood:water mission

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This month I have been a part of Blood : Water Mission‘s campaign to raise awareness to projects in Uganda.  $1 provides clean water for 1 African for 1 Year.  Drinking water (mostly) for 40 days didn’t feel like much of a sacrifice.  The team at Blood : Water Mission are so wonderful.  It truly didn’t feel like a sacrifice.  I’m humbled to have been able to raise just a little bit of awareness.  I’ve loved carrying my B:W Mission Kleen Kanteen sport bottle around for the last 40 days.. it’s been more convenient than not.  That doesn’t feel like a sacrifice does it?  On this Good Friday, when the sacrifice of Christ is the focal point of our faith.. nothing seems like a sacrifice.  I’m humbled and grateful to be a part of His hands in Uganda and anywhere.  I’d love it if you would hop over to Blood:Water Mission and make a contribution.  It just takes one drop….

ONE DROP by Plumb (Blood:Water Mission)

40 Days of Water

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Forty Days of Water – 2013 from Blood:Water Mission on Vimeo.

You know that it started months ago.. but God keeps nudging me.  He keeps nudging me to get over myself.  To break free of the American and Christian culture that drowns me of things that I think or have been led to believe that I must have.  Not a need… just a selfish want.  I saw it with my own eyes in Haiti.  No clean running water at the orphanage.  There’s a team of youth raising the money to build them a well.  A team of youth.

So, when I heard about  Blood:Water Mission and their Forty Days of Water Campaign, I jumped in immediately.  Why?  Cause I’ve seen it.  With my own eyes.  I’m giving up every beverage except for my cup of Java from my man in the morning.  It’s one of the ways he loves me every day.  I’m not taking that from him.  BUT..the resources I would normally spend on beverages (which in the past is ALOT) will be journaled and then donated..not for me, for them.  For His children that don’t have the freedom to choose their beverages.  For my brothers and sisters in Uganda who, only because of geographic location of their birth, suffer because they don’t have clean water.

So.. it’s easy really, let’s get over ourselves for Forty Days … drink some refreshing and nourishing water and be part of what God’s doing in Uganda.  It’s also Lent.

Just sayin’.

beyond what my soul expected

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IMG_1419_2I thought I was prepared.  I prayed and worked hard to stay surrendered and open to His hands over our daily-ness.  Then these 19 humans came crashing with grace and mercy into my life as we joined our hearts together.  We boarded and exited planes, vans and trucks only after praying and surrendering and giving all glory to Him.

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It quickly became comfortable.  This new Haitian family.  Their laughter and teasing, their hugs and smiles. The hands of sweet girl friends willing to braid hair and serve breakfast. The hands and feet of strong, humble men preparing coffee, leading spiritually and protecting.  What grace.  Sweetness.  Mercy.

And it began.  The breaking of my heart even more than these last months.  I had no idea.  No idea that so much would change and so swiftly.  Our first night at New Life was welcoming and safe.

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But oh, how He is safe and yet Untamed.  These servants rescue special needs orphans from the jungle.  They bring them to a warm landing spot that feels like His lap. My tears flow quickly and warmly down my cheeks.  I immediately begin to feel and think that they are not well cared for.  Why are they here?  Where are those caring for them?  I was not prepared for what I truly do not and did not see.  Open my eyes.

Father forgive me for trying to be You.  Your love and care is PERFECT.  These are your beloved ones.  You protect and love with such precision and care. Give me the mind of Christ, the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, I trust you Lord.. guide me.  My eyes flew open and heart was laid bare as He proceeded to overwhelm me with His Presence. Already receiving more than my hands and heart can give.. how and why do You LOVE so BIG?

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And we had not even made it to our destination.  This was, after all, our travel day.  So much more to come… and still so unprepared.

 

Here we go…You banner over all is Love.

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I’m on an airplane flying to Haiti. This trip has been bathed in prayer and looked forward to with great anticipation. The team from Long Hollow Baptist Church has been kind, welcoming and so funny. I don’t feel like an outsider at all.

I’m trying to listen, look, pray and be mindful of Christ. I’m trying to breathe in Peace and exhale Grace. I want my heart to look like His before my feet ever touch Haitian soil.

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We’ve already experienced some minor 1st world problems : bad battery pack on the first plane, new plane called to replace the first one causing a 40 min delay. Atlanta’s airport needed to juggle some flights so we hung out on the tarmac for about 15 minutes. We landed with plenty of time to spare. Second flight had some minor auxiliary power issues causing us to sit on the tarmac for about 20 minutes. We are cruising in the air just fine now. Again, all minor 1st world issues and only indicate to me that God is about to continue to change my heart.

I don’t have any expectations. I promise. Well, except one. I want to see Him at work in a new and heart changing way.

“Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not ⌊only⌋ for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death even to death on a cross. For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
(Philippians 2:3-11 HCSB)

Praying for our hearts not only on this trip but during this Christmas season. Thank you for coming to earth for me Jesus. Your sacrifice is beyond my capacity to understand. I love you so.

31-ish days to paring down the possessions

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I had a blast joining The Nester last year for the 31 day link up.  I wasn’t perfect in writing and posting every day, obviously not much has changed as it’s October 2nd.  My plan is to work through this month in real life with you. All 6 of you know that I’ve embarked on a year of fasting from the excess in my life. 

It’s not just a “hip/faddish” thing with me.  Jen Hatmaker’s book did come along at a divine time.  It’s not the only reason why I’m going there with God this year.. but it certainly is a wonderful model.  (I’d encourage you to read her book and pick up the Bible Study when it comes out. )

It’s more about being done with all of the things of this world that I have chosen to be entangled with. Some of them are good, some of them I will have to sacrificially let go of, some of them are just plain stupid.  Never the less, I’m spending this month looking at my possessions, what I’m holding onto and how to let go of what needs to go.  I’ll hope you join me this month.  It’s sure to be hilarious, real, vulnerable and on sale at some point.

what in the world are you up to?

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My sweet friend, Suzanne Matthews interviewed me for her Spot On series this month.  What a joy to spend some time with her recounting what God’s done this year in my life.

Here’s an excerpt and how you can read more ::

How do you handle all that you do?
I have a constant conversation with God all the time. When I’m struggling or revert to trying to make it about me or my strength I’m trying to replace my thoughts and actions with His. Scriptures like… “because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am. And I’m not about to let His grace go to waste.” I Corinthians 15: 10 The Message have become some of my new favorites to call back to Him.

Head on over to ctandthee to read more!