Where will your inner star take you???

This past week I went on a trip with the family to Chicago! What a great place to walk around, shop and explore! My girls have been extra excited to explore in the American Girl Doll store! I must say I was very curious to see this place myself! I wanted to check out the Doll hospital, The Doll hairsalon, the you and your Doll restaurant (although we did not eat there, I voted for the cheesecake factory instead!)My girls were amazed at all the clothes and dolls before their very eyes! Two floors full of adventure!

Both of my girls brought their favorite dolls to the store. Mia and Molly. We looked around for each of their dolls. Every doll is displayed with things that make up their story! I felt like I could tell you about each doll after looking at their showcase! We did find their favorites and bought the story books that match their dolls! The books tell a significant story about that spacific dolls inner star!

As we continued on this adventure in this large store, I felt like a little kid myself! I wanted a doll too! BUT something struck me as I was riding up the escalator....... One of those Heather moments! I saw a large writing on the wall that stated "WHERE WILL YOUR INNER STAR TAKE YOU?" That phrase struck me. I then walked a few more feet and noticed a large star with writting in it that stated "AMERICAN GIRL CELEBRATES A GIRLS "INNER STAR" THE WHISPER INSIDE HER ENCOURAGES HER TO STAND TALL, REACH HIGH AND DREAM BIG"........ Now this really got my attention! As I stood next to my two little girls I realized I had the two most beautiful American Girl dolls in the whole store!

As I walked around with them reading all about the inner stars in their favorite dolls. I began to remind them about their "Inner stars" I wanted them to know that God has written a story book for their life too! What an opportunity we have as moms to remind our kids of their "INNER STARS" not only was it a reminder to my girls but for me also! I want to live daily by listening to that little whispher inside me that encourages me to stand tall, reach high and dream big! The only person I know that can whisper such direction to me is God! I pray my girls find how to listen to that inner voice! I know that is what made my star begin to shine!

When we don't have those little whispers you just begin to drift around in the current of todays world. Its only when you discover why God made you and what he wants you to do with your life. Thats when God makes sence. God is the one who shapes our dreams and our childrens dreams. When we step into the story he already wrote for us it allows our INNER STAR to shine!

I pray my girls grow up to be women who make a difference! Let us all try to move with tenacity toward the dreams God has for you! It is never to late! He is a whisper away! Nothing in this world is more important then to get Gods dream for your life. It is the very reason you exist and your purpose for living. Are you living the American Girl doll Dream according to "His" story?

My girls both left the store with a new doll that day. My youngest daughter Alivia bought a doll called "just like you doll" She told me that she is gonna let God write the story of this dolls life! I am glad I was able to INSPIRE her INNER STAR! I hope to see others looking into their showcase someday!

God Bless you friends,
Heather

p.s. remember God wrote every chapter in your book! Even the tough ones!

It is Finished! Good Friday

I have been pondering this past week why such a painful and heart wrenching day would be called "Good" friday. As I was reflecting and teaching from a passage in the bible all this week, it became more clear to me why it is truely a "Good" friday.John 19:28-30"After this, Jesus knowing all things were now ACCOMPLISHED, that scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" Now a vessel full with sour wine was sitting there; they filled a sponge with sour wine. Put it on hyssop, and put ot to his mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said. "IT IS FINISHED!" and bowing his head, He gave up His spirit."

Have you ever came to a point in life when you said "I am Finished!"Finished with the headache of a marriage, loss of job or not finding a job, a never ending health problem, a family or friend relationship that is ended or the loss of a loved one. I know we will all experience sour and painful situations in our lives. These times really leave us feeling thirsty, empty, dried out and weak. It is true that on Good friday Jesus felt the same pain and hurts you and I do. Life can bring on some very challenging situations, that make us want to say "I am finished and I cannot go on any longer."

I looked up the word finished in my hebrew/greek dictionary to get the perspective of Jesus language. It was stunning to me that when Jesus said "It is FINISHED" he was saying IT is ACCOMPLISHED!". So in the middle of his painful, sour and thirsting situation He was saying something was Accomplished!

As I refelected on my past this week I was reminded of a very hrad time I had in my marriage in which I said, "I am FINISHED". I was not thinking at this time that something was being accomplished! It was over in my mind. I also met with many women in the past few months that are in various trials that make them say "I am Finished!"

What a great reminder today that God is taking or Bad situations and turning them into Good! That is why it is GOOD Friday! Jesus Stepped into our finished and desperate situations to bring us HOPE and Life abundant. Take a look at the first sentence in the passage above. It states that Jesus knows "ALL" things. This means that He understands our entire situation. He went to the cross to Work it out for us and make all things GOOD! He is the only one that can ACCOMPLISH something for us in our needy situations. When saten tries to FINISH us off with fear, anxiety, worry, doubt and shame. Jesus steps in and Accomplishes what Satan thiks He is finishing in our lives! It states in the bible that we do not need to be afraid or dismayed and to remember that the battle is not yours but Gods.

I am so thankful that God did a real work in my marriage. What was dead he brought back to life! He took my good friday and accomplished amazing things in my life. My sour and thirsting situation was given HOPE! I believe the Lord wants to accomplish so much for us all. They Key is to recoggnize what He did for all of us today. He wants to do exceedingly and abundantly more then you can ask or think in your life. (Ephesians 3:20).

Take a look at the cross today and realize that Jesue died for your Destiny! He has Direction and a Destination for you! Ask Him and he will lead and guide you in the most personal way! He is so Good!

Remember that when we think it is finished, He is stating "It is getting Accomplished" He works all things together for good!

I hope you have a blessed "GOOD" friday and that this inspried you to dream big with God! He has Big Dreams for you! May you have a Happy easter too!

He is TRUELY RISEN,

Heather Baxter

please check up the spring/summer updated WOW(women of the Word) website: www.hiswow.net

I also am starting a Blog. I will be writing a few times a week to encourage you as God encourages me. Please check it out and let me know you stopped by!

Thanks and love ya all!