Hello cute people,

I am FINALLY writing my first blog! Yea! I wanted to take a minute and share why I chose ‘arrows’ as the title of my blog.

Some of you may have already heard me share this at the 2009 Shine Conference. As most of you know, our 17 yr. old son Caleb went to Heaven after a car accident on July 14, ‘09. It absolutely was and still is beyond our belief.  Our hearts have a hole the size of Texas, and the pain in still very raw and real. Yet, we are basking in the unchanging love of God and depending on Him as we move forward to carry out His purposes .  Anyhow, shortly after the accident, I was roaming thru the house, as you do, and Rob was watching the movie ‘Prince Caspian’ on TV – I passed by the room at the very moment Susan, the oldest Chronicles of Narnia chick, was shooting her quiver full of arrows at the enemy who had surrounded them. She was shooting them so quickly… one right after the other… successfully contributing to the destruction of the enemy. She had been given this quiver full of arrows from Aslan in the last movie. These gifts were to be used as tools to help in times of need. So, as producers are so good at doing with cinematography, some of the arrows went flying thru the sky in slow motion. And as I saw that picture, all I could think of was that verse in Ps. 127:3-5 -” As arrows are in the hand of the Lord, so are one’s children in their youth. Happy is the man whose quiver is full of them… for because of them, your enemies don’t stand a chance against you.” My heart skipped a beat. Outraged, I literally yelled out to God, “But I have one less arrow God – my legacy -one that I just knew was going to go far, is gone now – He was such a strong leader – I hate this!!” But the sweet Holy spirit reminded me very quickly of a few things. Some thoughts that were meant to personally help heal and encourage my broken heart and others that were for those He knew I would be ministering to.

First, to my heart, He assured me that Caleb was safe in Heaven and that he wasn’t sitting around on a cloud somewhere. His earthly destiny might be over but he is continuing his eternal destiny and will ever increase in his strengths there in Heaven so that by the time I get there he will be leading in powerful ways beyond my imagination. But, He also encouraged my heart that He has given me many arrows - just not of birthright, but in our church and beyond that I have been given the opportunity to pour into… young people and others who will be targeted to destroy the enemy’s work for generations to come and will continue my legacy in a sense. Those words are forever imprinted in my heart and seriously encourage me in this journey every day, because my passion is to see this next generation go farther than ours and truly carry out His plan for their lives with purpose and victory!

But also, God spoke to my heart, that every single one of us, as His children, are His arrows. Is. 49:2-3 says- ” In the shadow of His hand He hid me; He made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in His quiver. You’re my dear servant, thru whom I will SHINE.” Wow! God has a specific destiny and purpose for which He created each of us – we are His kids – HIS ARROWS!! (There are several purposes for arrows which we will discuss over the coming weeks and months) But arrows are typically used for hunting & combat. To destroy an enemy. So, He, as the Creator/ Chief Archer, WILL shape and form us into the arrows He desires… and then He will position and set our course to be a part of the solution to hunt down & destroy the works of the enemy… namely every injustice that we see affecting/ devastating the precious people that God so dearly loves and died for.

Bottom line is that we are God’s arrows! And He has carefully placed us in His quiver (His hands & heart) and is strategically aiming us directly into the souls of humanity that so desperately need His love and grace. And the good news is – He will Shine thru us no matter how broken or wobbly our arrows / lives feel.

Thru this blog, my intention is to simply share my life with you. And prayerfully, you will be able to learn a little bit  from my story that will help you to become the polished and strategic arrow God uniquely crafted you to be for His honor!

Concealed in His Quiver,

Pastor Laura

Hey everyone – we are wrapping up a 6 part series on Heaven, at Shoreline, that has been absolutely beautiful.  Heaven is real, it is unending, and it will for sure be lovely beyond anything our finite minds can conceive.  As Rob and I have walked through this new heaven focused time period, we have experienced a fresh understanding of our Forever Home. It would take too long to re-preach all of the messages, but I wanted to share a few highlights with you over the next few weeks.

Heaven is Real

One day – one out of one of us are going to die and go to one of two places. I prefer Heaven… how about you? Some say earth is real and Heaven is foggy, ghost or phantom like, but scripture tells us differently. Earth is actually just a shadow of the very REAL place called Heaven. It will be very much like earth, only expressed in a fully redeemed way. It is going to be amazing: gorgeous landscapes (mountains, oceans, sunsets…much like what we see here), ongoing opportunities to learn and develop (learning institutions of all sorts), all of the arts, music (you can be a rock star if you want to) , and creativity of our magnificent  Sculptor, displayed for our enjoyment!  There will be banquets and on going parties (with the yummiest food and drink, with no calories of course). Animals to play with and an assortment of hobbies for us to master. (I can’t wait to watch Caleb dunk that basketball again.) And since we will “rule and reign with Him forever,” we will surely  help God manage and govern the Universe in ways beyond our capacity to embrace.  (So if you want to come visit the planet I will be helping to rule, I’d love visitors anytime).

And one of the grandest splendors of Heaven will no doubt be the long awaited reunions we will have with our loved ones.  Just a few weeks ago our family to a restaurant to celebrate Caleb’s ‘would be’ 18th birthday. We sat by a large group of people who were also having a birthday party. One by one a loved one came in and shouted, “Surprise!” Then came the hugs, laughs, cheers and tears of joy.  My first thought was disappointing, ” I will never have this kind of celebration with Caleb here on this earth ever again.”  But just as quickly, the Holy Spirit prompted my heart to the reality of what it WILL be like one day when we have the greatest family reunions of all time.  They will certainly be more heart warming than any we have ever known this side of Heaven. Rob likes to tell everyone we know, ” we will be glad to see you there, but don’t look for us for the first 1000 years, cuz we will be with our boy.”  I dearly look forward to that day. Bottom line – Heaven was created for people & to be spent with people, those we have known and others we would like to get to know better. Therefore, since time began – Heaven has been adding people one by one, day by day, year after year. Heaven is populated with people, so we will have the privilege of spending time with those we love for all of eternity. (Fulfilling my lifelong dream of late night chats & endless slumber parties.)

However, the most precious of all the wonders of Heaven will be seeing Jesus face to face! Finally sitting at the feet of the One who, our whole lives long, we’ve been pouring our hearts out to, putting our trust in, laying down our lives for, and receiving love from!!! WOW! I can’t begin to fathom the pure joy that will continually flood our entire beings. What could be more satisfying than forever being in the presence of the King of Heaven? With the One who has faithfully walked with us through every season of life? With He who is and always will be head over heels in love with us? As the apostle Paul said, ” the prize – the goal – is that I may know HIM!” And that day, the day we enter paradise – we will have that very opportunity to know Him as He really is,   and the cool thing is – we never have to leave. I can’t imagine the thrill!

Heaven IS real…. and only a breath away… may our hearts be stirred with a bit more longing for our final destination, our final home – HEAVEN.