Memorial Day...

Yesterday, a dear friend of ours lost his father.  We grieve with him and lift him up in prayer as his family gathers together, and we think of his mom, lost without her husband of so many years.

Today is Memorial Day.  A day set aside to remember those who have fought for our country and our freedoms and sacrificed so much for each one of us.  We attended a memorial service this morning; it always touches my heart to see the men and women in uniform, so proud of their country.  Tears always pool at the thought of those who could not be there today because they gave their lives for our country.  I am forever thankful for my husband, who established this tradition of attending these services on Memorial Day many years ago, when our children were little.

But when I got home today, I started going through some old pictures.  And Memorial Day took on a different meaning then, as I found pictures of my own dad, who succumbed to cancer more than 27 years ago at the age of 39.

And then, amidst the pictures, I found this newspaper article, written about my dad.  Judging by the ages of my sister and I as mentioned in the article, this must have been in 1978.  And as I read it, it brought a smile to my heart and laughter to my lips, as I remembered the dad I grew up with.  So, I thought I'd share it with you today.  My own children never knew my dad; I have a wonderful step-dad, whom I love dearly, and my children have always called him Grandpa; but perhaps through this article, they will know a little bit more of the man I knew as "Dad"...

Anyway, on this Memorial Day, I want to remember my dad.  I love you, Dad - I miss you still.

Love,

Tammy

Facebook...

I have found that there are two things to discern from reading other people's posts on Facebook:

1.  They are living a fantasy life via Facebook, where everything is wonderful but in reality it is falling down around their ears, or

2.  They are who they really are on Facebook, and they have forgotten who is reading their posts!  In other words, they say, do, act as one person - particularly on Sundays - but the rest of the week their lives just don't match up with the person you see on Sunday.

I'm a Christian because Jesus saved me from my own wicked sin, and I accepted that free gift and made it my own.  The Holy Spirit dwells within me, 24/7 - there is no part of my life from which He is excluded.  Therefore, being a "Christian" is not something I DO - it's who I AM.  There is no "secular" (non-Christian) sections of my life - ALL of my life should be that which pleases God and brings glory to Him.  No part of my life should be lived in such a way that an unsaved person would not be able to see a difference between my life and theirs.

I'm not talking about being "weird" or dressing weird or "Bible thumping".  Having said that, however, I do believe God would not want me to explode in anger, or wear immodest clothing, or fail to share what he does in my life (which may very well include quoting or reading scripture).  But it grieves my heart, for instance, to hear on Sunday how someone is so desperate for "good, uplifting, godly music" for themselves and their family, but then the highlight of their week seems to be watching American Idol and gushing over some rock star on Facebook.

Now, don't get me wrong - it's not like I've never watched American Idol.  My point is that if you truly want to live a surrendered, God-honoring life, then you do it 24/7.  You don't put yourself in positions, you don't fill your mind with things, that will draw you away from the Lord.  Is it easy?  Of course not!  Is it even possible?  Absolutely not!  Not on our own.  We need God's help.

How do we get God's help?  Well, do you take time EVERYDAY to read your Bible?  Just a verse or two - just to get you thinking about the Lord?  And what He requires of you?  How can you strive to be like someone you don't even know??  Do you take time EVERYDAY to pray for wisdom, strength, guidance - or do you only pray when there's a crisis?

We're good at excuses, and Satan is eager to feed them to us.  If you're saved, every part of your life should reflect that you belong to Jesus.  Don't quote scripture on one profile feed and praises for ungodly, unsaved people on the next.  

And if I've "stepped on your toes" with this post, I hope you'll consider this:  If I've said something that is untrue, then please come and talk to me about it.  If not, then it may be time to take stock and do some honest soul-searching.

My goal in writing this post is not to "bash" anyone, but rather to cause some thought to be given as to what we're doing in our day-to-day lives.  I see so many Christians struggling to be "successful" in their walk; and this is just one of many evidences that highlights WHY they cannot claim the victory Jesus has already promised.

If someone were going to try to arrest you for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?  Or would there be a hung jury?  Think about it.  

~Tammy~

No Whining!

I really didn't think this morning's study on the Sunday School lesson was going to amount to anything...but, God in His wisdom, had other plans...


The lesson this week is on whining, based on Philippians 2:14-15:


"Do all things without murmurings and disputings..." WHY?  "That ye may be blameless and harmless (not fake), the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world."


The more I think about this, the more convicted I become.  I "whine" or complain about so many things!  Things at work, things at church, people in general - like crazy-stupid drivers - the weather...oh, my.  How much time and energy have I wasted with my whining?!?  It's useless anyway - it will never change the weather, the drivers, my boss, my job, or my circumstances  - it is just so purely a waste of time!  Time I could spend rejoicing and being a "light" for the Lord!

• Praise God I have a job!
• Praise God I have a car to drive - and am able to drive!
• Praise God for the rain, the heat, the humidity, the wind, the ice, the cold!
• Praise God that he didn't make us all exactly the same - for if He did, who would teach me piano?  Who, besides God himself,  would challenge my thinking?  Who would show me another point of view?  Who would love me just as I am?  Who would encourage me when I'm ready to quit?

No, I've spent enough time whining.  Lord, help me to focus on YOU, to praise you and thank you  - and let me "shine as (a) light(s) in the world."

~Tammy~

Lessons Learned

God has taught me a couple of things this week that really caught my attention...

#1 - Circumstances do not need to control me.  

One morning this week I got up at my normal time to workout and was disappointed to find that the room I workout in was 83 degrees!  (We haven't turned the A/C on yet).  It was WAY too hot, and it made me feel sluggish before I'd even started.  I did workout, but it didn't feel very effective.

Then, when it come time for breakfast, the coffee pot was empty, so I had to make some more.  Not a big deal, it just took time I hadn't planned on spending.  Meanwhile, I'd let the dog out, and she'd disappeared.  I had to call for several minutes before she finally came back.

Next, I fixed my morning oatmeal and it "boiled" over in the microwave.  So now I not only had a mess to clean up (in the microwave and all over a now sticky bowl), but I didn't get to eat it all!!

As I was walking back to my bedroom to get dressed for work, I found myself thinking, Great.  THIS is going to be a fabulous day (insert heavy sarcasm here) - I can already tell!!  But then, that still, small voice whispered, "It's just circumstances.  Is that where your joy comes from?"  

Well, no, I thought.  Of course not.  My joy comes from knowing YOU, Lord.  Who I am in You.  "Yet, that's not the way you're acting - you've already given up on your day - because of circumstances - but I haven't changed."

And I realized what I was doing.  

So, mentally "shrugging off" those annoyances that had already occurred, I started counting my blessings and realized it was going to be a GREAT day - because God was in it!  And I did have a great day - not because anything stupendous happened, but only because I'd changed my attitude and my outlook - with God's help.  

#2 - God doesn't call me to do everything.

Earlier this week, there was a need in our church family that was brought to my attention.  The Lord impressed upon my heart a way to address that need, so I offered it to the person involved.

Well, it turned out that the offer I made was not necessary, as God had already worked out a solution.  My first reaction was frustration - here I was, ready to help, ready to make a few small sacrifices in order to meet a need, and I wasn't needed!  In fact, to be honest, this wasn't the first time I'd offered help to this person and been turned away (always in the most gracious of ways), and I was tempted to have a little pity party.  Is it me? Have I said or done something that would cause this person not to trust me in this?  Why is it that others seem to be able to help, but I can't?  

And then, once again, God whispered in my soul.  "This is not your ministry right now.  I have not called you to this.  You can pray - that is your help right now."  And, I confess, joy burst through my heart!  Because I realized that, yes, God wants me to be willing, and yes, God wants me to offer - but He is not going to use me every time, not in that exact way.  Others may need the blessing right then.  Others may need to be used.  Others may need something to learn - just like I needed to learn this:  God doesn't call me to meet every need I see, but He does want me to be willing.

I left my offer on the table to be available for any need that should arise in this situation, and promised to continue in prayer.  God knows my heart - He knows I am sincere.  And I know He has a perfect plan, just for me.  :-)

~Tammy~

Look Out!

My Sunday School lesson this week is on Philippians 2:1-5.


The lesson starts off by asking the students to list 5 things that would be part of their "ideal day".  When they're done, we look at the lists to see who is the focus of each list.  Chances are, the focus is themselves, not others.  For example, it is doubtful anyone will have listed "Helping Mom clean the house" as part of their ideal day!


We don't need "help" or encouragement to look out for our own interests - that comes naturally.  But God wants us to "look out" for the interest of others as well.


I was convicted to realize that had I made my own "ideal day" list, my list would probably have been just as self-focused as my 4th-6th graders' lists.  Obviously, this is not very Christ-like!  Just when I think I might be getting somewhere in my Christian growth, God shows me another area where there is still room for improvement - sometimes, more room than I'd like to admit.  :)


But rather than be discouraged by this, I find that I can rejoice - because it means that God has not given up and is still willing to work on me!  


Yelling "Look out!" may keep someone from getting hurt, but God also wants me to "look out!" for the needs of others.  With his help and by his grace, I'm praying my "ideal day" list will change to become more focused on others than on self.


What's on your  "ideal day" list?


~Tammy~

Humility

I've been doing a word-study on "humility" - which includes the word humble.  Here is what the Lord showed me this morning...

1 Peter 5:5-7 - "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder.  Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you."

First of all, what does it mean to be "clothed with humility"?  

Clothing:

• Covers us
• It's visible to others
• It shields us 
• It conveys a message

So, if I am clothed in humility, that humility ought to:

• Cover me - it ought to be the one outstanding quality that overshadows all others
• Be visible to others - it's probably not humility if no one else can see it and you have to proclaim it!!
• Shield me - by it's nature, humility will shield me against pride and arrogance
• Send a message - the message that it's not about me, it's about the Lord.

And then there are verses 6 & 7.  So often we like to tear the two apart and quote them individually.  But in reality, verses 6 & 7 are one thought - notice that the end of verse 6 is NOT the end of the sentence.

Because God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble (verse 5), we should humble ourselves under God's authority, so that HE can exalt us; and as we humble ourselves, we will also cast all our cares (all = any kind of care!) upon Him:  "Here, Lord - I'm tired of carrying this burden; you do it!" - because he cares for us.  He wants to take that burden from me.

I don't believe you can be truly humble and still try to care your burdens, your cares, yourself.  It's a dichotomy - you can't be humble and still say, "I can do this by myself!  I can handle it.  I can solve it.  I can deal with it."  It's a package deal.  In order to be truly humble, you also have to admit that God and God alone can handle what troubles you.  It's part of being humble.

~Tammy~

God

We have as much of God as we want.

~Tammy~

Hell has Enlarged...

I would be remiss, I think, to ignore the recent news of the death of Osama Bin Laden.  


Currently doing a word study on humility, I came across these verses this morning in my study, and could not help but think of this man...


"Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure; and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.  And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled:  but the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness."  Isaiah 5:14-16


Whatever he thought while alive on earth; whatever his goals, beliefs, desires - Osama Bin Laden now knows the truth.  For he has stood before the One, the True, the Living, the ONLY God - and now understands he will forever spend eternity in Hell.  


I rejoice in God's righteousness, knowing He is, indeed, in control of all things.  The victory is God's.  And while evil men may appear victorious for a time, God will prove the ultimate victor, according to His perfect will.


~Tammy~