Hello There!
Here you can find more about My Heartbeat and STory, why I abide, and my statement of faith.
I’m so glad you’re here.
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my Story
I vividly remember the moment it hit me: in order to fully abide in Christ, I needed to accept suffering alongside Him. I lay sprawled on my bed while my two wee ones napped, bible open before me. Tears slipped down my cheeks as I told Him allowed, “Lord, I don’t want to suffer. Help me be willing to suffer with you.”
After this realization and submission, God opened my eyes and my heart to the many verses in the New Testament that talk about suffering–It felt like they sprung off the page every time I opened my worn leather bible. As I read scripture again and again on suffering, my spirit softened and started to change: molded and shaped by His word. God timed this shift in my heart perfectly, for as I soaked in these truths–The suffering came.
My adult life has led me through one characteristically full season of suffering to the next. Loneliness. Miscarriage. Deployment. Threatened Lawsuits. Debilitating Health Issues. Loss.
I’m an Army wife. My husband’s MOS (as they call their career fields) is Armor in combat arms. Combat arms trains constantly, and they deploy across the world on frequent rotations. We average PCSing (moving) every eighteen months. Since marrying eight years ago, we have had four precious children in five years. I have faced miserable symptoms throughout my pregnancies. Our children have faced unforeseen developmental issues that consume much of our time. Amidst it, I homeschool. After struggling with my health most of our marriage, it collapsed in 2020 while my husband served our country across the globe, and I had three children under three including a newborn. Later, I developed neurological issues triggered from living in a moldy base house. They still leave me debilitated most days as I serve and love our young family.
God, in His mercy, has used it all to draw me to Jesus, and to teach me to, closely and deeply, abide in Him. And I would not trade any of it or take it for granted. For what He has taken away or allowed me to suffer, He has replaced with Himself over and over again. He has become my strength and my song. Jesus is not only enough–Jesus is everything. I think so often of Peter saying to Jesus, “Where else can we go, Lord?”
I graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts in English, but at that juncture I never imagined I would write a book. Instead, I focused on serving people through my wedding photography career, and later spent four years teaching high school students online at The Potters School. Now I minister to our own little military family full time, and create in the margins of Motherhood as the Lord allows.
Amidst those margins, where God has established and called me, I’ve written a book and published a planner. I am Praying God will make the next steps clear one at a time, and I would trust Him in the meantime. And I laugh, as I see how He has merged my love of people, my passion for teaching, and my writing all into this one book. The puzzle pieces I thought separate from each other, He intended to fit together all along.
Statement of Faith
*This statement is primarily based on the New Hampshire Confession of Faith.
I. The Scriptures
I believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is profitable for teaching, rebuking, and training in righteousness. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter. It reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
II Tim. 3:16-17; II Tim. 3:15; Proverbs 30:5-6; Romans 2:12; Phil. 3:16; I John 4:1
II. The One True God and Trinity
I believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God. He is an infinite intelligent Spirit, who is the Lord, the Maker and supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love. In the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
John 4:24; Ps. 83:18; Heb.3:4; Rom. 1:20; Jer.10:10; Ex.15:11; Ps.147:5; Isa.6:3; I Pet.1:15-16; Rev.4:6-8; Mark 12:30; Rev.4:11; Matt.10:37; Jer.2:12-13; Matt.28:19; John 15:26; I Cor.12:4-6; I John 5:7; John 10:30; John 5:17; John 14:23; John 17:5&10; Acts 5:3-4; I Cor.2:10-11; Phil. 2:5-6; Eph. 2:18; II Cor.13:14; Rev. 1:4-5.
III. The Fall of Man
I believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state. By consequence, all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
Gen.1:27; Gen.1:31; Ecc.7:29; Acts 17:26-29; Gen.2:16-17; Gen.3:6-24; Rom. 5:12; Rom.5:15-19; Ps.51:5; Rom.8:7; Isa.53:6; Gen.6:12; Rom.3:9-18; Eph.2:1-3; Rom.1:18,32; Rom.2:1-16; Gal.3:10; Matt. 20:15; Ezek. 18:19-20; Rom.1:20; Rom.3:19; Gal. 3:22.
IV. The Way of Salvation
I believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the work of Jesus Christ alone; who by the appointment of the Father freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin. He honored the divine law by his personal perfect obedience, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins. He is risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven; and stands at the right hand of the Father, always interceding for us. He is every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate, and an all sufficient Savior.
Eph.2:3, Matt. 18:11, I John 4:10, I Cor.3:5-7, Acts 15:11, John 3:16, John 1:1-14, Heb. 4:14, Heb. 12-24, Phil. 2:9&14, II Cor. 5:21, Isa. 42:21, Phil. 2:8, Gal. 4:4-5, Rom. 3:21, Isa. 53:4-5, Matt. 20:28, Rom.4:25, Rom. 3:21-26, I John 2:3, I Cor. 15:1-3, Heb.9:13-15, Heb.1:8, Heb. 1:3, Col. 3:1-4, Heb. 7:25, Col. 2:18, Heb. 7:26, Ps. 89:19, Ps.34
V. Justification
Christ secures justification to such as believe in him and accept his gift. That justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestoId not in consideration of any works of righteousness which w have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood and his perfect righteousness which is freely imputed to us of God. This faith brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
John 1:16, Eph.3:8, Acts 13:39, Isa. 53:11-12, Rom5:1-2, Rom. 5:9, Zech. 13;1, Matt. 9:6, Acts 10:43, Rom. 5:17, Titus 3:5-7, I Peter 3:7, I John 2:25, Rom. 5:21, Rom. 4:4-5, Rom. 6:23, Phil. 3:7-9, Rom. 5:19, Rom. 3:24-26, Rom.4:23-25, I John 2:12, Rom. 5:3, Rom. 5:11, I Cor. 1:30-31, Matt. 6:33, I Tim. 4:8
VI. Free Salvation
I believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept by genuine confession, and obedient faith. Nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
Isa. 55:1, Rev. 22:17, Rom. 16:25-26, Mark 1:15, Rom. 1:15-17, John 5:40, Matt.23:37, Rom.9:32, Pro. 1:24, Acts 13:46, John 3:19, Matt. 11:20, Luke 10:27, II Thess. 1:8
VII. Grace in Regeneration
I believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again. That regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel. It’s proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
John 3:3, John 3:6-7, I Cor.3:14, Rev.14:3, Rev. 21:27, II Cor. 5;17, Ezek. 36:26, Deu. 30-6, Rom. 2:28-29, Rom.5:5, I John 4:7, John 3:8, John 1:13, James 1:16-18, I Cor. 1:30, Phil. 2:13, I Peter 1:22-25, I John 5:1, Eph. 4:20-24, Col. 3:9-11, Eph. 5:9, Rom. 8:90, Gal. 5:16-23, Eph. 3:14-21, Matt. 3:8-10, Matt.7:20, I John 5:4, 18
VIII. Repentance and Faith
I believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior.
Mark 1:15, Acts 11:18, Eph. 2:8, I John 5:1, John 16:8, Acts 2:37-38, Acts 16:30-31 Luke 18:13, Luke 15:18-21, James 4:7-10, II Cor. 7:11, Tim. 10:12-13, Ps.51, Rom. 10:9-11, Acts 3:22-23, Heb. 4:14, Ps.2:6, Heb. 1:8, Heb. 7:25, II Tim. 1:12
IX. God’s Purpose of Grace
I believe that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners. It is at the same time perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, and it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable. Iit utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy. It encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel, that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
II Tim. 1:8-9; Eph. 1:3-14; I Peter 1:1-2; Rom. 11:5-6; John 15;16; I John 4:19; II Thess. 2:13-14; Acts 13:48; John 10:16; Matt. 20:16; Acts 15:14; Ex. 33:18-19; Matt. 20:15; Eph. 1:11; Rom. 9:23-24; Jer. 31:3; Rom.11:28-29; James 1:17-18; II Tim.1:9; Rom. 11:32-36; I Cor. 1:26-31; Rom.3:27; Rom. 4:16; Col.3:12; I Cor. 3:5-7; I Cor. 15:10; I Peter 5:10; Acts 1:24; I Thess. 2:13; I Peter 2:9; Luke 18:7; John 15:16; I Thess. 2:12; II Tim. 2:10; I Cor. 9:22; Rom. 8:28-30; John 6:37-40; I Thess 1:4-10; Isa. 42:16; Rom. 11:29; II Peter 1:10-11; Phil. 3:12; Heb. 6:11
X. Sanctification
I believe that sanctification is the process by which according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness and prepared for glory. It is a progressive work that is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.
I Thess. 4:3; I Thess. 5:23; II Cor. 7:1; II Cor. 13:10; Phil. 3:12-16; I John 2:29; Rom. 8:5; Eph. 1:4; Pro. 4:18; II Cor. 3:18; Heb. 6:1; II Peter 1:5-8; John 3:6; Phil. 1:9-11; Eph. 1:13-14; Phil. 2:12-13; Eph. 4:11-12; I Peter 2:2; II Peter 3:18; II Cor. 13:5; Luke 11:35; Luke 9:23; Matt. 26:41; Eph.6:18; Eph.4:30
XI. Perseverance of the Saints
I believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end: that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special providence watches over their welfare, and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
John 8:31; I John 2:27-28; I John 3:9; I John 5:18; I John 2:19; John 13:18; Matt. 13:2021; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9; Rom. 8:28; Matt. 6:30-33; Jer. 32:40; Ps.121:3; Ps. 91:11-12; Phil. 1:6; Phil. 2:13; Jude 24:25; Heb.1:14; II Kings 6:16; Heb. 13:5; I John 4:4
XII. The Harmony of the Law and the Gospel
I believe that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; that it is holy, just and good; and that the inability which the scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy law, is one great end of the gospel, and of the means of grace connected with the establishment of the visible church.
Rom. 3:31; Matt. 5:17; Luke 16:17; Rom. 3:20; Rom. 4:15; Rom. 7:12; Rom.7:7,14-22; Gal.3:21; Ps. 119; Rom.8:7-8; Josh. 24:19; Jer. 13:23; John 6:44; John 5:44; Rom. 8:2-4; Rom. 10:4; I Tim. 1:5; Heb. 8:10; Jude 20&21
XIII. The Gospel Church
I believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his word; that its only scriptural officers are bishops or pastors and deacons whose qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
I Cor. 1:1-3; Matt. 18:17; Acts 5:11; Acts 8:1; Acts 11:21-23; I Cor. 4:17; I Cor. 14:23; III John 9; I Tim. 3:5; Acts 2:41-42; II Cor. 8:5; Acts 2:47; I Cor. 5:12-13; I Cor. 11:2; II Thess. 3:6; Rom. 16:17-20; I Cor.11:23-24; Matt. 18:15-20; I Cor. 5:6; II Cor. 2:17; I Cor. 4:17; Matt. 28:20; John 14:15; John 15:12; I John 14:21; I Thess. 4:2; II John 6; Gal. 6:2; Eph. 4:7; I Cor. 14:12; Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; Acts 15:22; I Tim. 3; Titus 1