God LOVES You

I received such a precious encouragement today that wasn't even meant for me by it's author. Evidently it was meant for me by *my* Author however. :) I just have to share. Maybe in so doing, I can pass the encouragement along.

This encouragement came to me in the form of a text message and brought tears to my eyes. Part of the reason for the tears was because of the young woman who sent this message. A brand new Christian, this young woman has known severe hardships over the course of her life. But she has chosen over the past couple of years to turn and follow hard after Christ. Her sincerity in her faith inspires and challenges my own.

This young woman sent me a message because she has a friend who is going through hardships of her own. She wanted to encourage her, but wasn't sure if this would be the right thing to say and valued my opinion... I responded quickly to let her know that not only was it the right thing to say to encourage her friend, but that I was also deeply encouraged by her words. She gave me permission to share with you.

"I'm sorry how you feel... i know it's hard... But you MUST remember the most important thing is that GOD loves you SO MUCH! What you're going through is called 'hardship' in the Bible. Things about hardship, it's hard and sometimes painful. The Bible teaches no matter how hard life gets, you must never give up or stop doing good because you're hurting or upset. Talk to God and tell Him how you feel, what's on your mind, how you're hurting, that you need His love and his strength, tell Him anything and everything if you want. God LOVES you, even though we can't understand the things He does or why He would, but His reasons are good no matter how we choose to look at it. Don't let this hardship push you away from the one that loves you the most and that is God. I know right now it may not feel like He loves you but He does and you have to remember you're also hurting which makes it harder to believe it. As a friend and as a Christian I also love and care about you and don't want you to give up or stop doing what's good. I will pray for you and I will continue to help you in any way I can."

Simple and Sincere. GOD loves you. God LOVES you. God loves YOU. Anyway you look at it, He's 110% for you. One thing that I have learned over the years is pictured in the song my sisters & I sing when we serve at churches, "The Broken Ones". See, people often cry out to God in hardships and ask where He is in times of their deepest hurts. But I heard a Bible Teacher once say and I whole heartedly agree; God so many times wants to reply back, "Where is My Church? Where are My people? - I Am where My people are.”

Maggie came home one day with a raggedy Raggedy Ann. She said "Momma look what I found in the neighbor's garbage can!" It had a missing left arm and a right button eye - hanging by a thread. She carried it gently up to her room and laid it on her bed... with her other dolls

Twenty years later in a shelter on 18th avenue. A seventeen year old girl shows up all black and blue. With needle tracts in her left arm, almost too weak to stand; She says I lost and I need help, as Maggie takes her hand... and says "Come on in!"

She loves the broken ones, the ones that need a little patching up.
She sees the diamond in the rough, and makes it shine like new
It really doesn't take that much,

a willing heart and a tender touch
If everybody loved like she loves

- there'd be a lot less broken ones.

And if you called her an angel, she’d be quick to say to you,
She's just doing what the One who died for her would do...

HE loves the broken ones, the ones that need a little patching up
HE sees the diamond in the rough, and makes it shine like new
It really doesn't take that much,

a willing heart and a tender touch
If everybody loved like HE LOVES,

- there'd be a lot less broken ones.

Excuse me as I step on my bandwagon for just one moment. Church, it's time we "be the Church". Act as His Body... Serving, Reaching, Loving, Healing. It's not enough to have Bible Studies, talking about what Scripture means and even memorizing it. We have to LIVE it out! That's when we are the Church! When Jesus was here on the earth, serving and ministering with His disciples, they didn't just sit around in the synagogues and discuss the Law and the Prophets. It's definite that Jesus had the knowledge of exactly what Old Testament Law and Prophecies meant and I'm sure He had every word memorized. He definitely taught while on earth as well. But what I love is the few verses preceeding the famous Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. First was the calling of the first disciples, then the following verses... "News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possesed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and He healed them..." (Matthew 4:24) This was the disciples introduction to ministry. Jesus asks them to follow Him and the next thing we see is the sea of hurt, the deep need surrounding them. I believe that Jesus wanted to show them that people are in real pain out there. There is real hurt. Real need. Jesus first met their physical needs and then their spiritual needs. James 2:14-17 says, "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." And yet sometimes there are people with hurts we can't fix. Sometimes just the blessing of a few simple words is all we can do. "I'm so sorry. I don't know why. But I do know, God loves you."

My friend, a brand new believer, hasn't lost her passion for her God, a God who LOVES. A God who HEALS. She doesn't have answers. She doesn't need them. All she knows is God LOVES. And that is enough.

Hannah

hannahseale.blogspot.com

and the thoughts continue

*written Saturday, 10/9/10; posted Tuesday, 10/12/10... so goes my life*

I have a “free” Saturday… okay, well a couple free hours. We have a church youth group from Austin out riding horses and throwing tomahawks right now. Deborah and I spent the morning cleaning over in the guest house and we’re gonna be leaving in a few hours to sing at a Music Festival in Fischer. But right now, I’m going to blog my thoughts. Cause they’ve been many and need sorting.

It all is still coming from the verses in James and in Isaiah that I listed in my previous post: Caring for Widows and Orphans. Sharing your food with the hungry. Providing the poor with Shelter. Clothing the naked…

We sang a song the other night at a Concert that we sing all the time. “The Broken Ones”. I love the message of the song. I always take the opportunity in introducing it to share what the Church should be all about. About people. About serving, caring, sharing… as in the Isaiah and James verses. And so at this particular concert, I said a few things in introducing, same as always. But after we had finished, I felt compelled to say something different. Because every single time we sing that song, people nod their heads in agreement, some raise their hands, some close their eyes, some cry… but does anyone really do anything with it after the music fades? I told the audience that “The Broken Ones” is a great song… we really love it. But that’s all it is. Just a song. Just good lyrics and harmonies. Until we decide to act and do something with it. Are we just going to let Jesus’ words penetrate our ears? – or our hearts? Are we going to just pray and wish the world could be changed, or are we going to try to do something about it? I mentioned in my last post, “to give till it hurts…” Not just our money, but ourselves. Are we merely trying to survive, or are we ever trying to revive those we come in contact with?

The other day, I was browsing some of the blogs I follow. One in particular that I love is www.kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com and is titled “The Journey”. Katie is a girl younger than I who has left everything she knew and loved to follow the Lord’s call. Going to Uganda to serve and has adopted at least 12 Ugandan children as her own. A single mom in a foreign place among different people, in a different culture. But never am I so encouraged than when I read her postings. And yet I am so pained by the hurt that is so real.

While I was browsing “The Journey”, I found a blog titled “Be the hands and feet” www.servinghischildreninuganda.blogspot.com. As I read the stories and saw the pictures, tears welled up in my eyes. Pain and poverty… starvation… is so real. How many of us understand? I know I don’t. I can’t. I am so blessed. As I read these stories (and I so encourage you to do so as well) I was not only humbled by how much I have, but ashamed at how little I let myself be satisfied by it. I am rich and yet how often do I see it?! And it’s not just in money… but in food, clothes, shoes. We have multiple computers, cell phones, cars… If these people in Uganda… and other places around the world… had only a fraction of what I have, they would feel blessed and exceeding grateful. If they had only half of one of our meals every day, they wouldn’t be starving. The pain they face every single day is not fair! But it’s real. They are real people with real needs. Real pain. Real hunger. I want to be the eyes, seeing needs. The heart, loving and caring for those. I want to be the hands… reaching out to show hope. Or the feet, carrying the news of the gospel. Christ told us what to do. He said “Go into all the world.” He said to clothe the naked, feed the hungry. He told us when we do something for the least of these, we’re doing it unto Him. Maybe we can’t all sponsor. Maybe we can’t all go. But we can all pray. And we can encourage and support others who do go. Who do sponsor.

The other part of this is goes back to what I started on; because it’s not only the lost, the broken in poverty, the fatherless and homeless that need Christ and that need hope. It may be someone who visits your church regularly. Who sits beside you in class. Maybe who is teaching you, for crying out loud! You may be the heart of Christ used to make a difference, to encourage and offer hope to someone who’s lost theirs. Pray about ways you can share Christ’s love and hope to anyone around you. There’s nothing important on this earth than His people. Show them you care.

Hannah
http://www.hannahseale.blogspot.com/

I apologize, I got a little carried away...

So I have this burden and I'm trying to figure out what to do with it. I went to sleep last night trying to think of ways I can give more. I heard someone say a couple of days ago, to "give til it hurts". Do I do that? No. What does that look like exactly? I don't know, at least not for me...

I can't claim to know much about God and what He wants from me, but I believe He means what He says. And what He says in Scripture is what is important to Him and what should be important to us for life. God isn't interested in nice cliches and sweet words with no action. He isn't interested in what we look to others like we're giving or doing if we're not actually giving or doing it; and He's not interested in what we say we believe if we don't actually act on it. (James 2:14-26) (James 1:22) What is Religion? What is Christianity? Is it merely sitting around in our little circles talking about what would happen if someone one day would decide to act on Jesus' words? Is it only breaking down word structures and meanings in ancient text? Is it about going to Church Sunday morning, saying the prayers, singing the songs, listening to words and leaving it all behind in a stainglassed windowed building while you drive back home and back to work to face life again alone? No. I'll tell you what Religion is as Jesus intended...

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27

"Shout it aloud, do not hold back.

Raise your voice like a trupet.

Declare to my people their rebellion

and to the house of Jacob their sings.

For day after day they seek me out;

they seem eager to know my ways,

as if theyr were a nation that does what is right

and has not forsaken the commands of its God.

They ask me for just decisions

and seem eager for God to come near them.

Why have we fasted, they say,

and you have not seen it?

Why have we humbled ourselves,

and you have not noticed?

Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please

and exploit all your workers

Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,

and in striking each other with wicked fists.

You cannot fast as you do today

and expect your voice to be heard on high.

Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,

only a day for a man to humble himself?

and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?

Is that what you call a fast,

a day acceptable to the Lord?

Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen;

to loose the chains of injustice

and untie the cords of the yoke

to set the oppressed free

and break every yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry

and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-

when you see the naked, to clothe him,

and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Then your light will break forth like the dawn,

and your healing will quickly appear;

then your righteousness will go before you

and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;

you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

"If you do away with the yoke of opporession,

with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

and if you spend yoursleves in behalf of the hungy,

and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,

then your light will rise in the darkness,

and your night will become like the noonday."...

Isaiah 58:1-10

How can we read theses verses... and others... and still go around thinking the best we can do is go to Church on Sunday and Wednesday nights? ...Go to Bible Study for 9 weeks on Tuesday nights and finish completely unaffected and unchanged? No! It's not meant to be this way! His Word is life!

Church is a place for several things. 1) A place of Christian fellowship. A place where we can come together and encourage one another... to spur one another on to love and good deeds. 2) A place of building and growth. Where you are held accountable and where you can study Scripture and be taught Scripture by other wise persons who have been there and learned through it. 3) A place of worship, praise and prayer. 4) A place of acceptance. 5) A place of supporting send-off for believers to "go into the world and preach the good news to all creation..."

So let me ask, what good is working out and building muscles and strength if you never lift anything weightier than a pen? What good is studying and training to be a doctor if you're never planning on actually seeing any patients? When we accept Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit who gives us power. And we will be His witnesses. (Acts 1:8) What good is the power of the Holy Spirit if we're only going to sit in our Bible Study classrooms only discussing the lexical meaning of the word "hungry" instead of actually going out and doing something about it?

Ouch.

And so that's what I'm struggling with. That's what I don't get. I want to *do* something more. Am I giving of myself, of my monies, of my time, until it hurts? And then, am I giving for the right reasons? Am I giving because that's what He's asked me to do? Or because I know that's what a good little Christian girl should do? Am I trusting in myself? - in my own capabilities? Or in His power. His strength? What are your thoughts?

Hannah

hannahseale.blogspot.com

To Know You...

This perfectly sums up exactly what has been consuming my thoughts through this past summer and into this fall.

influence

I've been thinking about the word, "Influence" a lot recently. Not neccessarily using the word in my musings, but just pondering the whole concept of influence and everything it entails. Over the past few weeks, looking at what I've been doing I've seen how many opportunities I've had for influence, and for leadership... I've been working in a church office, planning for summer camp, leading girls' ministry and singing and serving in churches all over this area. "Leadership" and "Influence" to me, seems to walk hand in hand, for leading is simply guiding or influencing the way of another.

So, I was browsing on our Digital Bible Library, looking up references in Scripture having to do with influence and I was overloaded with information. But, time and again, I've seen that you don't have to be thrown into a major leadership role in order to have influence on those around you. We've been studying Missions and Missionaries in King's Daughters recently, and I've told the girls over and over again, you don't have to be an overseas missionary, a pastor or teacher in order to "be a missionary" and to influence others. Just the fact that you are living and breathing gives you permission to influence and lead. I read somewhere, that Leadership is not a responsibility afforded to only a few but a privilege given by God to all. And Jesus asked every believer to participate in showing others the way to eternal life. So now, as believers, our permission has been changed to responsiblility. And what a responsiblilty it is. Now, I am one who will often find myself bent out of shape over the responsiblities and expectations I believe have been laid on me. But I have seen that with whatever He has placed before me, He will give me the means to fulfill and He will, Himself be there to help me carry out.

And right along with that, recently also, it's been a burden and passion on my heart for the church to understand we are the body of Christ, wherever we are. And I'm saying this just as much to myself as to any of you who may read this... You may be all alone in your work place, or at your school, the only Christian around, but you are the body of Christ in that place. You may not feel like it, but you do have an opportunity to reach people, to minister to people that your Pastor, your small group leader, your mentor cannot, and quite possibly will never reach. The Lord has given that responsiblity to you. And dear friend, redgardless of how you feel about it. He will equip you to do it.

I heard just this past week, someone talking about our being the body of Christ wherever we are. So often, she was saying, we wonder why He even allows us to participate in His plans for His people. He puts before us a task, that He is completely able to do - without us. And yes, of course He is. But, my friend, He want to use us... with all our weaknessess and failures and downfallings to bring about His purpose. So that we will give Him the glory.

So let's get busy people!! Take this to heart. "You may be the only Bible someone may ever read. You may be the Jesus someone may ever see." Let them see HIM in you!

Can I hear an AMEN?!

Hannah

hannah.blogspot.com

this close to summer already?

Summer is sneaking up on me so fast!!! Seriously? Seriously! Where did March and April go? After I realized what a short amount of time I have left, I went directly home from work at Mt. Calvary yesterday and spent the rest of the day confined to my home office... trying to organize staff, find crafts, come up with creative games and think of Campfire Stories and Bible Studies.

So. Stinkin. Much. To. Do.

Hey... which reminds me. Two things we need this summer. Maybe you can help me out...

1) If you know of anywhere we might could purchase cheap or know of ways to build bleachers for our rodeo arena... I've looked on craigslist and found only a construction/supplier. We'll be looking into that, but if you have experience in bleachers, please call me or my dad! Elisabeth will be leading all our morning Bible Studies with the horses, teaching spiritual life lessons by using her horse training as examples. In years past we've drug picnic tables over, but it's time to take a step up. We also need the bleachers for our rodeo day for parents and families to sit.

2) This might just be a shot in the dark, but I won't know unless I try. I would love, love to find a vine to use for an object lesson this summer. I haven't taken a hike in the woods yet, looking, but it's on the to-do list. Maybe you could too? So. This vine needs to be strong and keep it's curly shape. And it needs to be able to wrap around a branch/stick.... preferrably one I can take in and out... but if they're wound tightly together and unseparate-able, that's okay too. The idea I'm going for is "I am the vine, you are the branches... if you abide in Me...." get the picture? If anyone comes up with anything close, let me know! You'll definitely be my hero! :)

As a side note, I am supposed to be working for Mt. Calvary from home this summer through June and July. I'll be preparing bulletins from my home computer and emailing them to the church by Thursday each week so they can be printed before the weekend. I know it can be done... well, as long as my computer and software don't give me major issues. But I just need the sanity to be sure it is done well with everything else going on at the camp.

So anyhow... I would definitely love love any prayers you might be able to offer up for me, for my family, for our staff and for our camp this summer. God is always amazing during the summer months. I know 2010 will not be an exception. I'm really looking forward to what HE is going to do! - And I really want to be prepared on my end!

Blessings and love!

Hannah

hannahseale.blogspot.com

ponder anew

Prayer. Such a beautiful thing. Such an awesome privilege. And yet there’s something about it that I just can't wrap my mind around.

How often have I put God in a little box and "thought" I knew how He should do things? I've taken Him for granted at times and used the "prayer button" when it makes me feel better. I've been guilty of using the right words, saying the right things, praying the right prayers... but not putting my heart 100% behind it. - Not really understanding the power of prayer. You see... I tend to limit God to what I have seen and what I have experienced. I tend to pray what looks like is already going to happen. I pray the probable and it's so easy to forget that God is bigger than the obstacles I see. He makes the impossible, possible!

What would happen if we "got it"? If we just believed Him and took Him at His word. What if we realized that the things we really want most is what He's already promised us. What if we understood that the things that, at the end of the day, that we yearn for, are what He's already told us we can have! You and I both know He holds the bigger picture. He has more for us than we can imagine. – than we can even dream to know. What would happen if we stopped trying to tell Him what we want and let Him tell us what He knows. Seriously people. We know His plan is going to be better than ours anyhow. So step out of the way and let Him do it already!!

Last night I stood in the First Baptist Sanctuary in Houston with several hundred other women, worshiping from the deepest part of my heart. As we sang, "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty", a phrase in the lyrics suddenly hit me and I knelt down to grab my pen and wrote these words on the palm of my hand, "Ponder anew... what the Almighty can do..."

And I thought to myself. Hannah, you've been putting God in that box. There's no need to pray the probable when your God is so much bigger than that! His plan for you will more than likely take you somewhere you can't even begin to dream!

Ponder: To reflect or consider with thoroughness and care.

Anew: In a new and different way, form, or manner.

Almighty: Having absolute power; all-powerful.

My point exactly.

~Hannah

hannahseale.blogspot.com

I don't understand

Last night at Bible Study, Beth said something that really hit home with me. She made the comment, that so many times people, in the midst of deep, real pain and tragedy will ask, "Where is God?!" But in turn, God replies by asking, "Where are my people?! I am where My people are!" It started me thinking... It's so true! There's a lot of hurt outside the four walls of our Churches and so many of God's people aren't giving everything they have to serve and to love that world unconditionally. Instead they're arguing amongst themselves over spilt kool-aid on the carpet and next week's bulletin. I don't understand! When did the Christian life become all about us and our stainglassed Church buildings? We're wasting our time becoming enemies with our own family instead of working together to strengthen and grow it! The Church building should be the place for our send off into a hurting world. We are friends and family meeting together in the Lord, and meant to be a tremendous encouragement to each other so that we can BE the body He wants us to be. HIS body - reaching to HIS world - to the people HE loves. When we get sick and our physical bodies don't work the way they were made to, we feel miserable and all our energy is put into healing what is hurting. My friend, when the body of Christ spends so much time in strife and frustration against itself, it seems to me that it is acting in sickness! It pains me that we would act so amongst ourselves. The battle is not between believers! - That's what Satan wants! We've got to overcome! We've got to stop fighting against ourselves and turn against Satan's schemes. The real battle is out there! Let's ask the Lord to help us heal His body, and put our energy first to do our part to mend relationships within so we can then TOGETHER build relationships without!

My Pastor loves to say, "We are never more the Church than when we are outside these four walls..." Do you agree?

Hannah

www.hannahseale.blogspot.com

Confession

I have a confession to make...

Most times when I sit to write a new blog posting, it's for me. Kinda like writing in my journal. So I can sort out my thoughts and understand a litle better what I believe God is trying to tell me.

Today is no exception.

Earlier this week I felt completely overwhelmed. I knew there was a lot God wanted from me, but it was hard for me to hear His voice and clear direction. I took plenty of time in prayer, I payed close attention to His Word and during Bible study and church, and I sought the wisdom of my Pastor. But just now I was browsing through my blog... looking for updates from my favorite blogsters. I came across two postings that caused me to stop and to think, "Yes. He really does care. He sees me, He's listening to my questions and He knows."

One post was just completely amazing, encouraging and all around inspirational, and really has nothing to do with this post. (The Great Adventure... http://www.traviscottrellministries.blogspot.com/)

The other was a posting from Living Proof Ministries. (http://www.livingproofministries.blogspot.com/)

Beth Moore posted the mp3s to the sessions from the Siesta Scripture Memory Celebration last month. Yes, I was there at the time, but I couldn't resist opening one up and listening as I addressed newsletters this morning. Towards the end of the session Beth read from Psalm 119:105 and I stopped in my tracks, pushed the newsletters aside and pulled out my pen. God knew this was what I needed to hear. "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Okay, I hear you... you grew up in church and know this verse forward and backwards. What's the big deal? Yes, I know. I did too, but Beth was talking about how the psalmist wanted to paint a word picture and then proceded to show what it might look like....

...Imagine standing in a dark cave. You are holding a lantern out in front of you at arms' length. You cannot see the whole path out of the cave. But you can see just where to plant your next step. What really jumped out to me in that moment was this: If we are seeking Him, listening and trying to walk in obedience to what we do know He wants from us, He will show us where to plant our next step. When it's time. And in His time, He is only going to show me the next step. The right now. What right now do I have in front of me? That's all I need to know. And then listen to this, because, if we knew the whole story or could see the whole path, we would not need Him.

Why is it that the little words are the hardest to grasp?

t-r-u-s-t

Hannah

www.hannahseale.blogspot.com

Busier

About a week ago, I was visiting with my brother and sister-in-law. We were trying to find a weekend that was available to go up to Dallas and spend with them. I flipped through my date book a while and finally found a date in May that was open... However, I didn't have a pencil handy, so I made a mental note to add it later when I found one. The next day I was at the office and I took a minute to check my emails and remembered a booking that I hadn't yet put on the calendar. The day looked vaguely familiar. Yep. You guessed it. It was the same one that I *thought* was still open. Negative on the still open.

Busy.

No, worse than busy... Yesterday I had the *privilege* to watch the super bowl with my sister's youth group at our church... Do you remember the commercial... haha and I don't even remember what it was for, but at the end, it stated: Awesome + Awesome = Awesomer...? So, yeah. Worse than busy... Busier? I'm digressing... sorry.

Anyways, I was flipping through my Bible a little bit ago and I came across an index card with this quote written across it: "What God is seeking from us is not more activity, but a deeper relationship."

And so please tell me why we continue to add things to our lives?! - Good things, by all means! - Things we believe the Lord would be proud of us for doing! And yet, He is not so much interested how much we are doing for Him if we are not spending as much time with Him.

Let's be His followers first, then a daughter, son, employee, speaker, singer, wife, husband, mother, father...

Hannah

www.hannahseale.blogspot.com

How much do you love Jesus?

So, I was sitting in the church office looking for a new thought provoking one-liner for next weeks bulletin. I have pages of them to look through. I skimmed around and flipped the pages hoping something would catch my eye. About page number 12, I came across one that made me stop...

...If Jesus were to ask you, "Do you love Me?", most of us would probably respond as Peter did in (John 21), "Lord, You know I love You!" But then if Jesus were to look at you in the eye and ask, "How much do you love Me?", what would you say? Maybe you'd be one to say, again like Peter (Luke 22), "Lord, I'm ready to go to prison and to the death for you."

Take half a minute to reflect on the truth of this statement...

"You love Jesus, as much as you love the person you love the least."

Ouch.

Jesus said, "“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me…whatever you did not do for one of the least of these you did not do for me.” (Matthew 25:36, 45)

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God somthing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking on the very nature of a servant…he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:3-8)

What is holding us back? Bitterness? Pride? Let's take that step to learn to die to ourselves... our own selfish desires... our own feelings... our own pride; and learn to love as Christ would have us to love - unconditionally.

It could be that the Holy Spirit is whispering in your ear, “So you’ll die a martyr’s death for me, but, will you die to yourself to love ____________?"

So, how much do you love Jesus? Who have you loved the least in the last week? Can you sense God calling you to die to yourself in order to love this person with the love of Jesus?

Hannah

http://www.hannahseale.blogspot.com/

Haiti

You’ve all heard the news already. Haiti lies in the wake of unfathomable chaos and devastation. But before we just turn our backs after saying the dutiful prayer that lies far from our hearts, let’s take a minute to think about it. Really think about it. These are real children, feeling real pain. If not from physical wounds, most definitely from the pain in deep loss. Haiti is already one of the poorest countries in the world; and now, after the earthquake, hundreds of thousands of children and families have been sent whirling into a state of shock and unknown futures. What can we do - and especially those of us who have no extra money to give, even if we’d like to? You all know the answer. Pray. And then pray some more. It’s not a trivial thing you’re doing while you’re on your knees. It’s not something that will be easily overlooked. In fact, it’s what they need more than anything right now. The generosity of people’s money, and certainly they are in desperate need of money (– if you can give, *please* do so!!), can fill the stomachs of a few for a short while, but the generosity of a person’s prayers fills more needs than we can fathom and changes more lives than we know completely.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.." Philippians 4:6-7

"Oh I love Him!"

So, I was doing some thinking last night. Reflections of 2009, I guess. I was thinking about how through every season of 2009, God showed Himself to me in a different and perfect, loving way.

January... I was really needing... and craving a spiritual pick-me-up. So God led me randomly to the LPM website where I discovered Beth Moore's Bible Study in Houston. So, there I was, packed up in my little Blazer driving to Houston every week and God really spoke to me... Through Worship. Through the teaching of His Word. Such an awesome time of Spriritual growth for me.

March... We joined Second Baptist Church of La Grange. At a time when we were feeling slightly alone and unsupported, we became part of the family at a church where we felt wanted and needed and at home. The blessings from that decision have never stopped.

June-July... Two months of the most amazing summer camps we've seen here at Camp Winchester. Our campers were wonderful... Our staff were amazing... and our God - Awesome! I could not have asked for anything more!

August... found us tucked tightly and happily in our Expedition headed for Orlando Florida! We hadn't had a "real" family vacation since Abigail was born and this was purely for fun and relaxation. We did both. :)

September... once again needing a spiritual refill after a busy summer... I found myself again at 1st Baptist Church of Houston, sitting under the Bible Teaching of Beth Moore up to my ears in the study of Revelation.

And all the way through December - Singing, Praising, Worshiping.

Flipping through the pages of my journal from this past year I find this one common theme written over and over again...

"Oh, I love Him!"

www.hannahseale.blogspot.com

A Christmas Story

I generally wouldn't post an email like this, but this email I got this morning struck heartstring for me and I just so wanted to share. I got lovely gifts this year, and I am so thankful... but to me, this story shares the real spirit of giving at Christmas. If I didn't *get* anything for Christmas and others were able to receive because I did not, I would hope and pray that I would be filled with true joy. Because Christmas is not about me. It's about love and about sacrifice. And about the ultimate sacrifice made because of love. May your heart be filled with joy and with love this Christmas day. Be thankful and blessed!

Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means and then never had enough for the necessities. But for those who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him that I learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from receiving.

It was Christmas Eve 1881.. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enou gh money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted for Christmas. We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible.

After supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read Scriptures. But Pa didn't get the Bible, instead he bundled up again and went outside. I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn't worry about it long though. I was too busy wallowing in self-pity. Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night ou t and there was ice in his beard.

"Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight."

I was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see. We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what.

Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up this sled unless we were going to haul a big load. Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off and I followed. "I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said. Here, help me." The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the high side boards on.

After we had exchanged the sideboards, Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood - the wood I'd spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all Fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something.

"Pa," I asked, "what are you doing?"

"You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked.

The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight. Sure, I'd been by, but so what?

Yeah," I said, "Why?"

"I rode by just today," Pa said. "Little Jakey was out digging around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt."

That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him.. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, Pa called a halt to our loading, then we went to the smoke house and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait. When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand.

"What's in the little sack?" I asked.

"Shoes, they're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in the woodpile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy."

We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen's pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I w ould have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy? Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us; it shouldn't have been our concern.

We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible then, we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, "Who is it?"

"Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt, could we come in for a bit?"

Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp.

"We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sac k of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children - sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last. I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out.

"We brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said. He turned to me and said, "Matt, go bring in enough to last awhile. Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up." I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and as much as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too. In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks with so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak.

My heart swelled within me and a joy that I'd never known before filled my soul. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference.. I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people. I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us.

"God bless you," she said.. "I know the Lord has sent you. The children and I have been praying that he would send one of his angels to spare us."

In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth. I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on it. Pa insisted that everyone try o n the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes. Tears were running down Widow Jensen's face again when we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see that they missed their Pa, and I was glad that I still had mine.

At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here, hasn't been little for quite a spell." I was the youngest. My two brothers and two sisters had all married and had moved away.

Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I don't have to say, May the Lord bless you, I know for certain that He will."

Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said, "Matt, I want you to know something.. Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough. Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that, but on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had to do. Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand."

I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Now the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three children.

For the rest of my life, whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life.

Merry Christmas!

Love to all,

Hannah

hannahseale.blogspot.com

My new favorite Christmas ornaments

These are two of my new favorite ornaments on our tree this year... Let me tell you about them... Studying missions and taking a journey around the world with "Pray 4 Kids" in Kings Daughters this fall has just thrown my heart into a most beautiful passion for the precious people and children in other countries. So often I feel like we get so wrapped up in the neatness of our own homes and churches and fall into such pity parties for ourselves for what we don't have or what we can't afford - especially at Christmas! But this Christmas, being aware of the Operation Christmas Child ministry, and the missionaries who are having to come home because they can no longer be supported overseas, my heart is burdened. Burdened for these people I've never met. Burdened for some child, or for some elderly adult who will not know Jesus before they die, and maybe because our economy is tight in the States. Or maybe because we paid no attention and whispered and fidgeted while the Missions video played on the screen at our church. Or maybe because we think we can't make a difference or it's not really our responsiblilty.

That's why I love these ornaments.

This one we made yesterday at our King's Daughters Christmas party. It's a world globe ornament that says, "Pray 4 Kids". Prayer changes things. If we do nothing else, we can pray. That's what we're learning with the girls. - and also among things we *can* do, such as OCC - which they loved! Anyhow, we made these balls to remind us, especially at Christmas time, 'God sent His Son, Jesus, for *all* the world.' We can pray that they will *all*come to know Him and experience His love and His care!

And this one was a gift from some sweet sisters who come to King's Daughters. It's an open Bible, and it came with a card from Samaritan's Purse. - One to tell us that this family had bought a Bible to give to a child in our honor.

"Give This Christmas Away". That's what it's about. Have you heard the new Matthew West song by that name? I suggest you listen to it. It's not about what we *get* this Christmas. It's about what we can *give*. Because of what HE GAVE!!!

love to all and a very Merry Christmas!!!

Hannah

hannahseale.blogspot.com

Thanksgiving Reflections

As I write, the table from our Thanksgiving meal has long since been cleared. Leftovers have been properly stored and await several meals to come; dishes have long ago been carried to our 3 deep sinks to be soaped, rinsed and sanitized under proper Camp kitchen procedures; and I think at least five pies and a giant tray of gingerbread sit on the other side of my office door on a piano-top turned counter. My Grandparents, Aunt and Uncle packed up several hours ago to make it back to Austin in time for the big Texas vs. A&M game. Dad unhitches the horses from the trailer and unloads blankets and canvas chairs from our horse-drawn ride down and around the lane. The girls are finishing up a ride on matching palominos in the arena. I fell asleep listening to Travis Cottrell singing praise and worship. It seemed fitting that he do so today. :) Thanksgiving. It’s been such a busy day. Yesterday I was denying its nearness. Tonight I ponder its memories. But at some point during thanksgiving, I always want to try to pause and take some time to be thankful. And to praise the Lord for His goodness! It’s been rolling around in my head now for a couple of days that I should post a blog entry with some of the things I am most thankful for in my twenty-five years of life. (note… I was going to try to list 25, but by the looks of the length of this, I’d be better off sticking to 10!) :)

1) My incredible family. Of course we’re not perfect, but we sure love each other. My parents have been so great to encourage me in every stage of life. To raise me in a way that is godly, honoring and pleasing to the Lord. My brother and sister-in-law in Dallas. They have many, many times been there for me on the other side of my phone, listening, encouraging, counseling. And the bond I have with my sisters is one I am sure is near un-matched. ;) They are always there for me, always listening… ready to be silly or serious, ready to laugh or cry with me, ready to offer their thoughts or just to sit with me and see what’s next. I SO love you. You know that!

2) My wonderful friends. I want to name all of you, but my list would be entirely too long and I’d probably still miss someone! - You all know who you are! You encourage me to be who I am and so much more! Whether you know it or not, the Lord is and has used you to keep me accountable in daily life. I’ve seen it over and over again as time passes. Thank you for that!

3) The ministry we have as Seale Sisters. I cannot tell you a time we have been sometimes more stressed before and yet so much more blessed after, then when we are taking a trip together to sing to, serve and worship our Savior with families and bodies of believers… sometimes non- all over Texas! What an honor it is!
4) The Camp ministry we have here at Camp Winchester. So much blessing is wrapped in serving. I cannot begin to tell you how much. I treasure the times we have with our girls at girls’ retreats, the dizzying heat and yet lifetimes of memories made at summer camp and the friendships found and relationships built in our family camps.
5) My King’s Daughters! God knows how much I love these girls! Precious, precious lives. Sweet times together in discipleship… learning and growing together. – because I am most definitely doing both of these things right along with ‘my’ girls!

6) The twenty-something trips I’ve taken into Houston on a Tuesday night for a Beth Moore Bible Study and time of um-matched worship on this wide of Heaven. I’ll always be thankful and always keep these memories as some of the sweetest. <3

7) My INcredible Pastor and his wife, Ellis and Jerrie McKenzie. What a Godly, Godly couple. Some of the most caring and loving people you’ll ever meet. I have counted on my Pastor so many times for prayer when a request burned on my heart, but I know he prays for me even daily. That is something to be most thankful for.

8) Our wonderful friend and voice teacher, Blake Northam. The nearly roll-on-the-floor laughter we’ve had over the silliest of things. The serious talks we’ve had, over more than music. The counsel he’s given; the music and harmonies he’s taught us. I love you so much Blake!

9) Times of struggle and testing that have shaped me to who I have become and am becoming. We all know how painful they are… but looking back, oh, how thankful I am.

10) My God, who’s allowed all of these people, all of these circumstances to come my way. He’s writing my story. He’s got a plan and a purpose in mind. I sincerely pray that I will never stand in the way!

And these are my Thanksgiving reflections!

Love & blessings to you all!
Hannah

Operation Christmas Child

We have been studying missions and countries around the world this semester at King’s Daughters, our twice a month girls’ ministry. (www.sealesisters.org/ kings_d_home) I had come across a notebook at a resale shop at some point last spring and became super excited to use it as a launching for the curriculum I am putting together and calling “Pray 4 Kids”. We’ve been talking about the environment and culture children around the world live in, eating some of their food, playing some of their games and making crafts specific to their country; learning more about them so that we can learn more about how we can pray for them. The notebook I found was written by Franklin Graham, president of the “Samaritan’s Purse” organization. It’s a prayer journal and he asks that we pray for these children that we’re learning about. But this Christmas I challenged our girls to become more involved. We decided to participate in “Operation Christmas Child”. This is a ministry branching out from the Samaritan’s Purse organization. Their focus is to deliver gift-filled shoe boxes and Christian literature to millions of children around the world each year. I thought it would be a huge thing for us, as the King’s Daughters club to come together and be able to send shoe boxes this Christmas with Operation Christmas Child to help make a difference in some child’s life. So last Tuesday we did just that. The girls had been collecting shoeboxes and items to fill the boxes for several weeks and during our meeting this past Tuesday we turned on the Christmas music, pulled out the wrapping paper and construction paper and prepared boxes for children around the world. That in itself for me was a beautiful thing... just seeing 13 girls' happy faces as they packed gifts and wrote cards for a child who needed a merrier Christmas. But the most precious thing was, just before we began, I gave instructions and then asked if we could all pray for what we were about to do. Pray for the boxes; pray for the OCC organization; pray for the children who would receive the boxes; pray that God would use us to bless other precious little ones. Thirteen little girls bowed their heads and a few of them volunteered to pray. My own throat was constricted with emotion. I am so grateful to live in a country and in a family where we can celebrate Jesus and His birthday. I am so thankful that I know about Jesus and I so want to be used to share Him. We all wanted each box to meet the needs of each child who recieved them and for them to see Jesus' love through ours. That was our prayer and still is.

We put together twentyfive boxes and took them to a drop-off point in Sealy. I am so excited about God's work!

Blessings and love to you all,

Hannah

push that boulder

I have an office now. The only thing it is lacking is high-speed internet. Or any internet for that matter. And also Klove. I can’t reach it in my office. :( Yet another reason for high-speed... And so I still must come to the camp office/computer for my online needs. But, it is a start. I used to work from my room. Propped on my bed with my laptop in front of me, books and papers both stacked and scattered all around. Nights were depressing because I had to stack my “work” everywhere to go to bed as there was no real place to put it away. My office here is quiet and tidy. Praise & worship plays softly through speakers on my desk. My Bible sits an arms length away and my study books as well as various notebooks and journals stand neatly in a corner. I’ve set pictures along the wall along with phrases and quotes to encourage me throughout the day. It is peaceful and gives me plenty of space for thought.

I have been thinking a lot recently. Life tends to get crazy for the Seale family and I tend to become discouraged in the ministry by things happening or not happening; or things I want people to say and they don’t; or things people do say and I wish they hadn’t. And so I imagine God has been asking me, “Hannah, why are you doing this? Why are you here? You are loved and appreciated by Me, no matter the circumstances around you, or what someone else may so, or not say. I am the reason. Remember Me.” There is a story I’ve heard many times over the last year or so, but recently it has been working its way to my heart…

God spoke one day to a man, “Son, do you see this boulder? I want you to push this boulder.”
The man wanted to be obedient and he wanted so much to please the Lord, so day after day, he would go out and push on that boulder with all his strength, but try as he might, the boulder would never move. He felt he was making no progress, and he wondered what the use was. But still he remained faithful and continued to push.
Then Satan approached him one day as he was pushing. In a mocking voice he spoke to the man, “Do you honestly think you are making a difference pushing that boulder? It’s not going to move. Surely you see that. You’re definitely wasting your time.” And he laughed at him.
The man was hurt and frustrated. So he went before the Lord. “God, I have been faithful to do as You have asked. I have gone out, day after day and pushed that boulder. But God, it has not moved an inch! I do not understand!”
The Lord looked down at him and spoke softly, “My son, I did not ask you to move that boulder. I have only asked you to push the boulder.”

Recently I have felt like that man. We are in a slow season here at the camp, both financially, and in our programs and I tend to find myself wondering what the use is. Are our efforts even making a difference? Maybe I have misunderstood Him and this is not where He wants me after all. And so I went before Him and brought my frustrations before Him. But He, in His love, showed me that it is not about the programs, or how many people we have here. It’s about working with what we do have and who we do have to grow the Kingdom of God. He’s not asking me to move the boulder. He’s only asking me to push it with the strength and means He has given.

“Now finish the work, so that your eagerness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.” 2 Corinthians 8:11-12

I pray you may be encouraged as well.

Keep pushing that boulder.

Summer Reflections

I love summer camp. I love everything about it. The dizzying heat, the sunburned parts from french braids, the smell of sunscreen, the campfire smoke in my eyes, the smell of it on my clothes, the hugs from campers, the refreshing Dr.Peppers in the afternoon, the early morning staff meetings & the coffee to get us started and to keep us all awake, the Bible Studies & wide eyes the campers give when they "get it".

We have just finished our summer camp program here at Camp Winchester. 7 entire weeks now behind us. I already miss it so much. Where does the time go?! It seems just yesterday we were stressing over wondering if everything was together, if all the needed purchases had been made... if the camper registrations were all in and overflows were worked out. And now, we're left cleaning up left behind crafts, storing used programming tools and filing schedules, registrations and assorted papers. An incredible summer behind us has left wonderful memories behind, new friends to keep in contact with, new commitments to keep and new challenges to face with new resolve. Let's do it well!

This summer we were talking about delight, from Psalm 37, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Truly it was awesome to see the girls understand that the Lord is for them. That He loves them in a real and personal way. We shared delight stories about what the Lord will do and has done just to see us smile and to laugh out loud for joy in Him! The best thing was having a couple girls come to me and thank me for sharing. That that was what they needed to hear. And then to even recieve email follow-ups from one about what the Lord has done already to show her His love and delight! - I am so pumped! But then the question comes to me, why? Why me? Why Camp Winchester? Why does He choose to use this place to recieve His glory. It truly humbles me and I pray He always recieves the glory, the honor and the praise. I love Him so.

These would be some of our summer volunteers... love them all!

STGMA Convention & Horizon Group Award

We (the Seale Sisters) just returned from the South Texas Gospel Music Association Annual Gospel Music Convention. Praise The Lord! It was an incredible weekend! We met so many wonderful people and were inspired by great music and the passion of the songs from the hearts of HIS children! The 'Horizon Group of the year' award was an added bonus. - Yes! The Seale Sisters were awarded with the "Horizon Group of the Year"!!! GOD IS SO GOOD!! Just when you start to wonder if you fit in with all the amazing talent, God, gives you a boost to say, "No, this is where I want you, and don't forget that I am with you." It was totally unexpected and an incredible honor...

Just thought you'd want to know...