Writing the Family Code
Write Your Family Code
This throwback piece was written on June 30, 2010 after a conversation I had with my dad about wanting to move back to my hometown in Phoenix from a 2 year stay in beautiful Colorado.
He asked me why I wanted to move back home to AZ....
I referenced the conversation we had about a month ago about me having the ability to "Write the Code" and it hasn't left me.
To which he so kindly responded,
“You will write our code. It’s YOUR code. No matter what happens, or where. It’s your turn. It’s your life. Just try to write a story that makes YOU proud, and we’ll all support you! You are all of us combined and new and improved, and taking us into the future.....”
Hearing this kind of support from the man that gave you life is an overwhelmingly amazing feeling! I love that I am so supported and can rest in his confidence in me! This, at the bottom of every woman's heart, is the EXACT thing she needs to be sure of....that indeed, she's capable of continuing the legacy! That she has all that it takes to be the woman she was raised to be and can raise her children in confidence as well! And there are two major sources whose affirmations can satisfy this need in her soul....her daddys!
How disgustingly common it is for a rift to be placed between a family. One person having the ability to break the family chain, causing distance, hardship, resentment and a lot of underlying and unspoken pain. In just two words, "I do" can mean the death of all that family has come to know.
“You are not just marrying a husband (or wife), but choosing a father (or mother) for your children. When you marry, you do not choose blessings or curses for you alone; you choose for the generations after you. Your children’s and grandchildren’s lives will be directly affected by the man (person) you marry.”
Why isn't the impact of marriage and parenthood viewed with such seriousness?
Perhaps if more people chose to adopt this mentality, they'd make more wise decisions before agreeing to dedicate their life to another, and for all the family involved; present and future.
Statistics show:
8% of women married for the first time by the 18th birthday
25% married by the 20th birthday
76% married by the 30th birthday
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Department of Health and Human Services
"Cohabitation, Marriage, and Remarriage in the United States" Series 23, No. 22 [ Page 11]
As a society, we've placed more value on the WEDDING than on the MARRIAGE.
“...so if you focus on a magnificent wedding versus cultivating and planting the seeds for a magnificent and long-lasting marriage, you might get the wedding day of your dreams and the marriage of your nightmares.”
Anointed Kingdom Leadership is vital in times of intense spiritual warfare. Christian Leader, Heather Ferroni shares a word of wisdom and encouragement on how to identify Kingdom Leaders who are called to lead in inflammatory spiritual warfare.
In a super-charged culture of opposing views, thoughts, beliefs and opinions there are problems. Cultural hot topics like politics along with our own personal problems make it challenging to navigate our feelings and relationships. Christian Leader, Heather Ferroni shares a word of wisdom and encouragement on how to use critical thinking to develop wise and informed responses in a culturally critical world.
In the wake of a rather risque Superbowl 2020 half-time performance by JLo and Shakira, many Christians are struggling with how to respond. Join this healthy, Kingdom-building, legacy-leaving conversation as we explore healthy ways to process in prayer!
INTIMACY⠀
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= in.to.me.you.see.⠀
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I don't care to be "Well-Known"....⠀
I'd prefer to be KNOWN-WELL. ⠀
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Don't we all?⠀
Deep down, yes. This is a deep inner heart need we all have...but here's what I've observed...⠀
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The spirit of fear and the conditions of our culture have us filtering, pretending, striving, exhausted...there's an identity crisis happening. Constantly looking around us to gauge if we're measuring up...under the weight of pressure to present ourselves all polished and pretty, right?⠀
How many other people out there want to love God and serve His people? ⠀
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I know celebrity christiandom is modeling a culture of striving for spotlight...but what if we took a moment to take our eyes off "them" and instead looked to Jesus and asked, "Hey, Jesus...whatcha doin'? How can I partner with you today to bring life, hope and love to those you place in my path today?" ⠀
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Or here's another:⠀
"Hey Jesus, what do you think of what we've made of the modern church?....Will you show me what Your Kingdom priorities are and how I can align with Your vision in this time?" ----That's a risky question...He may share some things you weren't prepared for!
Time to arise and shine the light of His glory into every crack and crevice of this earth.⠀
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THIS is YOUR invitation....⠀
Let's do this in alignment with Jesus and the times we're in...let's get creative...think outside the box...get out of the seats and into the streets...after all, we're given the mind of Christ, right...let's study how He did things during His 33ish beautiful, precious years walking the earth...let's try that! ⠀
Have you ever been through an intense, soul-crushing, shattering season full of confusion and pain? Of course you have, you’re human. In these times of pressing and crushing, God is making NEW WINE out of you. Here I vulnerably share my story of overcoming hardship and how God loved me back to life.
Many have asked, so here it is! 11 of my favorite Christian Marriage Book Recommendations!
If you haven’t already, check out the first part of the series: Best Christian Relationship Best Christian Relationship Books for Singles
For so long, I was confused and even somewhat critical about the gift of prophecy. I would search the scriptures and try to figure out the "proper way" we as The Church under the New Covenant should outwork this gift. Sometimes even making bold judgments (due to my immaturity and limited understanding) about how it should NOT be used and fearful that it could be used in harmful and manipulative ways.
Over the years as I’ve ministered, coached and counseled people, many people have reached out and confessed their confusion and curiosity for this gift as well. Maybe you’re in this category. If so, I welcome you to read on!
For those who have faith enough to believe in a God of hope, hope is simply a trust-worthy promise yet fulfilled. But for those who have seen their hopes dashed, or have never had the opportunity to hope, it is a word that can be shunned and despised. Samantha Miku shares an encouraging message on HOPE.
After 18 years of blogging, I'm wondering...who even reads them anymore? In our fast-paced scrolling world of social media, I'm wondering if reading is even a thing?
How to heal and recover from church hurt. A prophetic word of encouragement and hope for those who have been disappointed by church leadership and are processing pain.
25 all-time favorite, must-have Beauty, Fashion, Makeup, and Home Goods, and Health products to buy on Amazon, Summer Edition
God has been working some things out in my heart about the beautiful role as a wife and a woman of God and I feel strongly to share this as a word of encouragement for you!
There’s so much more that could be said on this subject and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Have you ever felt like you were under the pressure to be someone you're not? I totally relate.
Maybe you're feeling the tension of trying to fit in when you know you're made to stand out.
This video/blog is inspired by a very vivid vision I received last year in 2018, at a time where I sensed that I was being held back, criticized and even rejected. God was good to reposition me in a new place with leaders that have loved and mentored me as I am without trying to make me to be someone different.
Though we all have the same commissioning, we don't all have the same calling. I encourage you to pray and persist and purpose to align with leaders that will coach, train, champion, cheer and celebrate your calling and all God has created you to be. Kingdom-minded, Christlike leaders understand the honor and responsibility they have to partner with God to shepherd, mentor and train you to become all GOD created you to be. They will not try to pressure you into conforming to their comfort level. They will embrace your uniqueness and help you to emerge and flourish.
Have you ever been in the process of pursuing projects and plans that God has put on your heart only to sense that He wants you to wait?
Those moments can be confusing and even disappointing, right?
There are moments in our life when we set out on a path by our own will and determination and then realize, “Uh oh, something isn’t right here.” Or maybe you need to hit pause because unavoidable circumstances arise…other times you hear clearly from the Lord with what He wants you to do and you trust God and obey…only to find later it seems He changed His mind or is asking you to hold off, wait, focus on other things or give you a new assignment entirely.
These moments can create a tension between our soul (mind, will and emotions) and our spirit. Sometimes it causes us to question our own sanity. Sometimes it even makes us question God!
Alright Single Sisters…here it is…12 of my favorite book recommendations for relationships. These are all books I personally own and love. They’ve all deposited in me such encouragement, wisdom, revelation and preparation. Have a look!
♥ H
Do you feel God is calling you into the ministry?
Which, by the way, is all of you who profess Jesus as your Savior and Lord! 🙌🏼 I have a simple message of encouragement as you are processing your big dreams, visions, and prophetic words about futuristic plans to be on that platform with a mic ministering to many.
What is Sozo?
SOZO is the Greek word translated “saved, healed, delivered.” Sozo ministry is a unique inner healing and deliverance ministry aimed to get to the root of things hindering your personal connection with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. With a healed connection, you can walk in the destiny to which you have been called.
A Sozo session is a time for the Sozo team to sit down with you and with the help of the Holy Spirit walk you through the process of freedom and wholeness. Sozo is not a counseling session but a time of interacting with Father, Son and Holy Spirit for wholeness and pursuing of your destiny. (Source).
I’m doing it. Breaking alllll the modern marketing rules. Rebelling against analytics and returning to the simple marketing methods of Jesus: “Come and see/Go and Tell”
A social psychologist recently published a report claiming that “unmarried, childless women are happier”. Is this truth or subjective reasoning? Here are some words of hope to unmarried/childless women who deeply desire for a future family as well as encouragement for those that are married with families.
I had the honor of being invited by Pastor Isaiah Bosc as a guest speaker to Ignite Youth in Avondale, AZ on May 26, 2019.
Students submitted questions via social media that they would like to discuss for this Q+A session:
Why do people suffer from depression?
Is it scary being an adult?
What is marriage all about?
If there are thousands of other planets and galaxies, why would God choose us when we’re so little compared to everything else?
How can I deal with my friends leaving me behind and lying to me?
How do I avoid dry seasons in my life while still being committed to the things I’m committed to?
How can I encounter God personally?
Have you ever been processing through the tough stuff in life and found yourself feeling a bit isolated and alone? So have I. And many others. Let's talk through it and discover how it can be healthy and holy and when it could be risky and destructive.
Assumptions are silly and can really destroy relationships. It's a tactic of the enemy, known as The Accuser to get us to partner with him and against one another.
A look inside a creative mind —>
Is there enough natural light?
Is there high energy allowed in the space?
Is it too cluttered or are there distractions that will take away from my creative flow?
Is it a free open space for me to move around?
Can I be messy during my creative process?
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These are just a few elements I sort through when in the creative zone. I’m a complete nut 🥜. Anyone relate?!
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My office space was so uninviting for my creative flow. It was hard to focus and have freedom to flow in my nutty creative brain. So, I decided to creatively transform my workspace to inspire more creativity. It’s a creative work in process but I’m liking it. Feels SO good to know I’m right where God called me to be And doing just what God has called me to do...all while knowing, it’s just the beginning! Someday one day I’ll have a whole creative team with a massively inspiring creative space where all of us creative nuts can create creative creations for the glory of God! 😁
In a culture where everyone is trying to "make a name" for themselves, I've never wanted to be more nameless. Celebrity Christiandom has become a real thing that many people strive for. But what if we became less so Jesus gets all the glory?
Spiritual warfare is real but thankfully we are overcomers through the power of Jesus! In this video we discuss authority in the storms and how to maintain your peace by faithfully believing in the promises of God.
In today’s blog, Heather Ferroni shares 5 Christian Books she’s currently reading this summer. Come have a browse through titles such as Without Rival by Lisa Bevere, Culture of Honor by Danny Silk and the LifeWay Women Summer Study, God of Creation by Jen Wilkin.
Have you ever moved away from “home”, away from your family and friends and everything you’ve ever known? In my early twenties, I packed my car up and moved to Denver, Colorado. I spent 2 glorious years there growing up, adventuring, making new friends and learning some MAJOR life lessons I share with you here today!
How to build with a generational, legacy-leaving mindset while breaking off generational trauma, drama and wounds and embracing inner healing through the ministry of Holy Spirit
Reflection Question:
What parts of your "family code" do you wish to write into future generations? What parts of your family code do you wish to rewrite?
Ever wonder about God's will for your life? What if it's more simple to find it than you think? As we enter the new season of Fall, the Season of Gratitude, let's be encouraged to rejoice always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances. Download this free 4x6
Fall floral printable to post as a reminder. (Also makes a great phone screen wallpaper).