Faithful Friday - "I Have Set You Apart"

I've really missed participating in Joy's Faithful Fridays.  I'm back today with a devotion that I read the other morning from one of my favorite devotionals, His Princess (Love Letters from Your King) by Sheri Rose Shepherd.   I just love how personal these devotions are, and they always hit me right where I need it.  :)


Often times I try to "fix things" instead of immediately turning them over to God.  I mean, I suppose when it's something so big that it seems impossible for me, it is probably easier for me to turn it over to God because I know there's NO WAY I can handle it.  But when it's the smaller things, I tend to try to handle it first, before handing it over to God.  He really does want me to just give it to Him from the start, big or small.  That takes so much pressure off me.  I tend to be somewhat hard on myself, so this one hit me right where I needed.  I hope it blesses you as well!

My Princess.....I Have Set You Apart

I have called you to be set apart, just as I called those who came before you.  I know this calling will sometimes come with great cost, but the eternal rewards are priceless and beyond comparison.  Just as I did with Queen Esther, I have given you the ability to walk in such a way so all will see that you are divinely Mine.  Some will admire you for your dedication to Me, and some will want you to fail rather than follow your lead.  You may fall because you are not perfect, but your mistakes can be the tutors that make you wiser.  Don't put pressure on yourself to be perfect.  I'm the only one who can perfect you, My princess.  All I ask is that you let Me set you apart so that I use you as a witness for the world to see.

Love,
Your King who sets you apart

"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb.  Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world."

Jeremiah 1:5

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And on another note, I wanted to pass along some information to my blogging friends.  Many of you may remember Christina of Pendleton Primitives!  She and her husband retired from the military and purchased a farmhouse in Michigan, moved in and began renovating, only to discover later that the health issues her family was having resulted from previous conditions (toxins) in the house (it had been used as a meth lab). Of course, they had to move out, and are having to begin again.  There is a fundraising site set up for anyone that would like to help them along.  Every little bit helps I'm sure!  And please feel free to pass this along!  You can click here to get to the fundraising site.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend!  :)

Blessings,

Tammy 

Faithful Friday - "Trials and Temptations"

It's still Friday....and I'm so happy to join in with Joy's Faithful Friday today! (I always feel defeated when I miss it!)    :(

This is what's on my heart this evening!


Sometimes it just plain hard being a Christian in this world.  Let's face it!  We face trials.  We encounter temptations.  It's easy to think, that as Christians, we should be "above these things", as in not having to deal with them.  Our family was just discussing this the other day.  God never said being a Christian was easy.  If someone says it is, they are misleading you!

The devil works hard and overtime on Christians using trials and temptations.  And it's easy to get down trodden when these things come our way.

The only thing that comforts me in all of this is that even Jesus, as perfect as He was, was tempted.  And we definitely know he faced trials.  So it just makes me think if Satan takes time to pick on a Christian with temptations and trials, he/she must be doing something right for God's Kingdom.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4 (NIV)

And Jesus showed us the way to combat and deal with these temptations - with God's Word.  Jesus threw scripture right back at Satan.  So that's what we can do!  We simply come back with scripture, God's Own Words of promise and comfort.  It reminds me of that quote, "When Satan reminds you of your past, you just remind him of his future!"

One of THE hardest temptations and trials to deal with is thoughts.  Like Joy said the other day when we were talking about this, "you can't get away from your thoughts."  And boy, does Satan try to use that to bog us down.  But....we even have a scripture for that too!

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

So if we allow Him, Jesus takes those thoughts and binds them up right then and there.  We just ask Him to take those thoughts to be submissive and obedient unto Him.

And that's not to say that there won't be more thoughts, more trials,and  more temptations because we are constantly "fighting the fight" and "running the race".

BUT......we just keep on keeping on because we have Jesus and His Word.  We never fail when we start over fresh each time with Jesus because He forgives and extends His grace and gives us the sword, His Word (the Bible) to fight off these temptations.  

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)

Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:10-17 (NIV)  


Be Encouraged!
♥ Tammy ♥ 

Faithful Friday - "The Way, the Truth, and the Life"

Hi there!  It's still Friday, so I'm sneaking in my Faithful Friday post!  I sincerely apologize for missing the last two Fridays.  Gosh, time just gets away from me!  Thanks for sticking with me!  :)


There's a song by Christian Contemporary artist, New World Son, that I just love.  As usual, the tune got my attention first, and then I really focused on the words.  And these words I've read in the Bible many times and heard spoken in sermons, but something really clicked with me one particular time I was listening to it.  The name of the song is There is a Way.


It was like a light bulb moment for me as to what those three words really meant to ME.  First of all, Jesus is the (only) Way.  If you don't know what to do, which way to go, what path you should take.......Jesus is the answer.  To me, not only does this apply to Him being the way to salvation (to heaven), but also in showing us the path He'd have us take in this world, even in the little things.  God's Word says Jesus is the Way. Wow!  It's as simple as that.  We can pray and trust in Jesus because he IS the Way!

Next word......the Truth.  In this world we live in, there is so much surrounding us that's not real.  People will disappoint us; people are dishonest; they let us down, and they hurt us.  There's just a lot of deception out there.  But again, we have the privilege of turning to Jesus, because He IS the (only) Truth!  Another big Wow!  We can depend on Him (and only Him) for truth in every situation.  He won't disappoint, deceive us, or let us down....EVER!

And then the third word.....the Life.  That's the best one yet!  He is the (only) one that gives us life.  And the life He gives is the only life worth living!  And because the life He gives, when we accept it, we have an eternal home in heaven!  That's not just happiness here, that's forever happiness!  :)

See how loaded those three words are!  Maybe you have already experienced the fullness of those words, but it was one of those "aha moments" for me at just how powerful those three words that describe Jesus are!  I worry too much, when I have the Way, the Truth, and the Life right here with me everyday!  :)

Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life.  No ones comes to the Father except through me.

John 14:6 (NIV)

Thanks for stopping by today!  Have a great weekend!  :)

♥ Tammy ♥

Faithful Friday - "Walk in My Confidence"

I don't know why I'm ever surprised, but God always gives me just what I need, just when I need it.  I know we all wish we had more at times, or wish we could change something about ourselves at some point, but the truth is God made us the way he wanted us.  And he gives us what we need (and sometimes even our wants) .  And our worth is not in things or our image, but in Him.

This is another little devotional from His Princess (Love Letters from Your King) by Sheri Rose Shepherd.  I hope it blesses you today too!

My Princess....Walk in My Confidence

I know the world whispers in your ear that what you possess defines who you are, and what you look like determines your worth.  This is a lie, My love.  The generations to come will never remember you for the things you accumulate or the efforts you placed in your appearance.  In fact, the harder you strive to collect more things and to perfect your image, the more insecure you will be about who you are and why you are here.  I am in you and you are in Me.  I will give you all that you need.  Now go and walk through your world in the confidence that I've uniquely equipped you with all you need to impact the lives of those around you forever!

Love,
Your King and your Confidence

For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.

Proverbs 3:26

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To link up your own Faithful Friday post, click on the Faithful Friday button above.  Be sure and stop by Joy's blog anyway and check out all the other Faithful Friday posts!  And thank you Joy, for hosting this wonderful way to share our faith with the blogging community!  :)

Have a great weekend!

Be Blessed,

♥ Tammy ♥

Faithful Friday - "Overcomer"

I love Faithful Fridays!  Friday is just a good day anyway and every day is a good day to share our faith!  :) My daughter, Joy, started Faithful Fridays several years ago as a way for us to do just that...... by setting aside one day a week to share something from our Christian walk so we can encourage and bless one another!

This week I've had a song on my mind a great deal.  Maybe it's because Jason had it on replay and I heard it a zillion times while we were working on repainting our hallway.  And then it seems every time I got in the vehicle to go somewhere, it would play on the KLove.  That's a good thing though.  You know the first time I hear a song, the tune and beat get my attention.  And THEN I focus on the words.  And this song has great lyrics!  It speaks volumes!  And it's yet another one by Mandisa.



In this world, we get down.  We go through stuff.  We tend to let circumstances pull us down.  It's human nature.

But thanks to Jesus, we don't have to stay there!  We don't have to stay at the bottom or go under.  God is there to pull us up and He tells us that we are overcomers because of Him.  He has overcome the world and because of that we can rise above any of our circumstances, trials, or tribulations.  We can have peace and even joy because WE are overcomers through Jesus!

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith.

1 John 5:4

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Romans 8:37

Just know you're not alone!  We've all been there.  I've been there many times.  We had some low times this past week.  You might be there today!  It's not hopeless!  You ARE an overcomer!  Don't quit.  Don't give up!  Hang on to His promises!  He is faithful!

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**Note**  This must be something God really wanted to be shared because without knowing it, Joy and I posted on the exact same subject.   And then again, this song and these scriptures have blessed us this week and strengthened us!  :)  I love when God works like this!

God bless you!

♥ Tammy ♥

Faithful Friday - "It's Okay to Cry"

It's Faithful Friday time!



Today, I prayed about what I should share....because I was really having a hard time with what I should or needed to share. You know.......some days you just need a boost yourself and this was one of those days!  So I did what I have done times in the past....I prayed, went to my favorite devotion book, His Princess (Love Letters from Your King) by Sherri Rose Shepherd  because I love how personal this devotion book is and how it always hits me right where I need it.  And God comes through every.single.time.  I asked God to give me exactly what I needed today and what He'd like for me to share.  So this is it.  I even spoke these exact words to Luke today over another issue....it's okay to cry:)  Funny how God uses my exact words to give me His Word for the day!  Thank you Lord for taking time to reveal Yourself to me today!

My Princess.....It's Okay to Cry

I see how hard you try to handle your heart, and I know you want to live a life without heartaches or pain.  I'm asking you to take a step closer to your Father in heaven by crying out to Me when you hurt.  Let Me heal you.  Remember My chosen, King David?  He cried out to Me in his fears, disappointments, and sin, and I answered.  You are also My chosen one, and you are My daughter....so it's okay to cry.  I don't expect you to pretend that pain is not real.  It is truth and tears that will give you the freedom that I want you to know.  Now let go of that part of your heart that only I can heal.  Let your heavenly Daddy hold you while you cry.

Love,
Your King who wipes away your tears

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs o fjoy.

Pslam 126:5 (NIV) 

Be Blessed,

♥ Tammy ♥

Faithful Friday - "Teach Them Diligently"

"Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Deuteronomy 11:19

I love this Bible verse!  It's a great reminder that as parents, we have a huge responsibility to teach our children everyday, from the time we rise until we lie down at night.  We should be teaching our children God's ways - what He's done for us and to trust in Him.  We can't depend on the church to do this.  It is OUR responsibility.  This is a constant daily thing that just takes place naturally as we go about living our lives making the most of every teaching opportunity - explaining choices and consequences as well.  And teach them WHY we believe what we believe!  This is important.

In another place in Deuteronomy it says to do it diligently, "lest they forget".  In today's society, forgetting is happening everyday.  And there will always be someone else or something else to replace what they forget with their philosophies or beliefs. 

It's easy (if you're a stay-at-home mom especially) to think that what we do doesn't make a difference, but we are!  Our children - our family - ARE our ministry and this verse is a great encouragement!  I hope it encourages YOU!  Parenting is a wonderful ministry!  I think it's the best!

We might not change the world but we might be raising a world-changer!  :)

Be encouraged!

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I'm linking with Joy for Faithful Friday.  We'd love for you to join too.  Click on the button above to join or just read more Faithful Friday posts!  And have a great weekend!  :)

♥ Tammy ♥

Faithful Friday - "Weathering the Storm"

Faithful Friday is a day started and set aside by my daughter, Joy, for sharing something from our Christian Walk in hopes of encouraging others.  You can join too and link a post by clicking on the button below.  :)


I think it's safe to say that we all have struggles from day to day, even as Christians.  Just because we are Christians doesn't mean that everything is all rainbows and unicorns.  Our lives aren't going to be perfect.  We will have struggles just like everyone else, BUT we have His promise that He's there to help us weather those storms.

Whether we're a stay-at-home mom or have a job outside the home, our stress level rises and it's easy to feel like we're sinking further and further and just can't rise above our circumstances or dig our way out.  Some days I just feel like things are piling up so much, whether that be reality or things I've let accumulate in my mind, emotionally.

Our children's pastor brought the message at church a couple of Sundays ago and read a verse that is a promise to us, and even printed it on a business card and gave them out to everyone in the congregation.  I've been carrying mine (in my purse) with me everywhere.  It's a promise from God to cling to on those days that we feel like we're sinking or even drowning in our sea of stress, disappointments, or problems.  I want to share it with you.  Print it out.  Post it on your mirror.  Carry it with you.  Let it comfort you and give you the security that you're never alone.  God is there!  He cares!

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 43:2

I don't know about you, but that is exciting to me!  It also reminds me of one line of a song that I absolutely love.  I can't wait to hear that line every time that song comes on.  It always send chills over me and brings tears to my eyes.  (God really uses music to speak to me).  :)  Have you heard Mandisa's song - Stronger?  One line says, "Go on...fall into the arms of Jesus!"  That one line carries a powerful and encouraging message to me.  I imagine the faith of a child that so completely trusts her father that she falls back into his arms knowing 100% that he will catch her....... or she runs into his arms when she's scared or tired and is so sure that she is completely safe and secure then because he is there....he's got her......and everything is going to be alright.  Her daddy will take of her and he'll never let anything happen to her.  That's what I imagine and it's such a security to me.  God does that for us!

So when you feel like circumstances are overtaking you, bringing you down, and you're sinking.......Remember his promise......

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you....... 

Go on.....Fall into the arms of Jesus!  :)


(If you haven't heard the song, Stronger, by Mandisa, you can listen to it here.)

God Bless,

♥ Tammy ♥

Faithful Friday - "The Screwtape Letters"

Have you read The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis?

I'm not finished with it yet, but it is such a great book...a timeless classic.....really an eye-opener as to the many ways Christians are being "tripped up" in our everyday lives!

If you're not familiar with the book, it is written in the form of letters from a "demon" corresponding to his nephew instructing him in wordly-wise subtle ways to "trip up" Christians so as to win them over (or in this case, one particular young man).  He uses tactics such as thoughts, temptations, actions, beliefs, intellect, and much more.

It reminded me to be more aware that there is spiritual warfare going on around me constantly, and that I have to stay anchored in Jesus and His Word and be on guard to the Temptor's guiles and ways.

Here's an excerpt from what I read this morning that especially caught my attention (The uncle demon, Screwtape, is telling his nephew demon, Wormwood):

"Think of your man as a series of concentric circles, his will being the innermost, his intellect coming next, and finally his fantasy.  You can hardly hope, at once, to exclude from all the circles everything that smells of the Enemy: but you must keep on shoving all the virtues outward till they are finally located in the circle of fantasy, and all the desirable qualities inward into the Will.  It is only in so far as they reach the Will and are there embodied in habits that the virtues are really fatal to us."

Wow!  Keep shoving the virtues out - this is exactly what is happening!  This is our culture today.  Also the Bible is being pushed to the "fantasy" circle where it has become just stories - instead of accounts from history!  Oh, there are so many ways this is true!

If you haven't read this book, you really should add it to your reading list.  Satan really is working over-time and we don't even have a clue as to all the ways.  This book is an eye-opener! 

We CAN overcome though!

 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

 

John 16:33

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You can link up or read more Faithful Fridays posts on Joy's blog by clicking on the Faithful Friday button above! 

 

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great weekend!  :)

 

♥ Tammy ♥ 

Faithful Friday - "Exercising Faith"

For the past couple of weeks, I've been reading the book, God's Smuggler, aloud to Joy.  It has made me realize just how weak my faith really is.  This guy (the author - known as Brother Andrew) worked behind the Iron Curtain smuggling Bibles into those communist countries during the height of the Cold War.  I admire him so much and praise God for men like "Brother Andrew".

It is amazing to me how strong his faith was (and still is) and how he exercised it to the greatest extent, fully expecting God to come through for him, which of course, God always did.....from getting him through security checks into countries where Bibles were in clear sight in his suitcase or vehicle - yet he was allowed through.  Many times Andrew would pray, "Lord you know those Bibles are in clear view in my suitcase or in my little Volkswagen.....would you please let them be hidden from their eyes", and there are amazing stories of how he made it through time after time.

Then there were the times when he needed an exact amount of money for his ministry, for tuition, to print Bibles, etc.., and it was so exciting to see how God provided exactly what he needed, sometimes at the very last possible moment, when most folks (including me) would be ready to say that it just wasn't going to happen this time.  But he also tells of the times when God urged him to do something that he really didn't want to do, like giving away money to a homeless person who would "probably just blow it in a tavern", because he knew he needed that money for his mission field.  Yet he did what God said, and God turned around and immediately blessed him with what he needed when he needed it.

And then there was the time Andy prayed for a wife - a helpmeet to him - one that would love him and understand and put up with his life as a missionary....... and God gave him his precious wife, Corrie, who has been by his side all these years as they live out their ministry to God.

I can't even scratch the surface of the many times Andrew exercised his faith, fully putting his trust in God in the smallest and largest of circumstances.  This book has brought tears to my eyes many times as I read how God provided every.single.time.  And it was also fun to see that Andy was like me in a way - always trying to guess how God would provide - and God with his sense of humor, never did it the way he would guess, but always His way - a way Andrew called The Royal Way (the way only a King would do - never stooping to lowly ways).  :)

I've enjoyed sharing these stories, or experiences as I prefer to call them, from the book with Jason on our walks in the evenings as we talk about our desire to live out that kind of faith - to exercise it to its fullest extent.  It seems so hard, yet I know that what God did for Andrew, He can and will do for me.  After all He's the same yesterday, today, and forever!

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

 

Hebrews 13:8

And God will do the same for you too!  Wouldn't it be great to exercise our faith to the fullest every day and just see what God can do? 

Do YOU have a special testimony or story of a time that you fully trusted and exercised your faith and God came through for you?  It is encouraging to share these stories with each other!

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Thanks so much for joining me today for Faithful Friday.  For more Faithful Friday entries, click on Joy's button above, and better yet, link up your post! 

Have a great weekend!  :)

 Blessings,

♥ Tammy ♥

Faithful Friday - "Free to Love "

It's been a really busy week.....our last week of "official" school, although we never really cease school, since it is an atmosphere of learning in our home around the clock.  But....... we ARE finished with Algebra 1!  Yay!  This is truly a day to celebrate!  :)

For Faithful Friday, I want to share another devotion from His Princess (Love Letters from the King) by Sheri Rose Shepherd.  These devotions never cease to bless me!  I hope this one does the same for you!

My Princess.........................You are Free to Love

I have set you free to love others, so don't let people who have caused you pain paralyze you from experiencing the joys of love.  I know there is always a risk when you give a piece of your heart away, but I've created you to enjoy the gift of special friendships.  Choose wisely the ones that you invest your time and energy in, and also give those you love the freedom to fail.  Remember that no one will love you as perfectly as I do.  If you let Me take the disappointments that come with relationships, you will be free to give and receive love unconditionally.  Remember, My princess, most people need love the most when they deserve it the least. 

Love,
Your King who is Love

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

 

1 Peter 4:8

 





If you're naturally a people pleaser (as I am), then you know that it can have its share of trials and disappointments.  I'm so glad I serve THE God of Love!  :)

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Faithful Fridays are a day to share Jesus and encourage others.  If you'd like to participate, or just visit other linked posts, click on Joy's button above.  :)  If she hasn't gotten her post up yet, just check back.....we are finishing up school today, so she's running a little behind.  Thanks!  :)

Thanks for stopping by today!  Have a great Memorial Day weekend.  Since this coming Monday is a holiday, I will not be hosting the Pinned it Made it Monday because I will be on a mini vacation.  :)However, I will be back the following Monday.  I've decided that if ONE person enjoys Pinned it Made it Monday, even if there are no participating linkers, it's really ok.  I received a very encouraging email (thank you Carol) and I will be continuing Pinned it Made it Mondays!  God bless you, Carol!  I will be emailing you back!  :)

God bless you all real good!

♥ Tammy ♥

Faithful Friday - "The Highest Calling"

It may not feel like such an honorable "job" when we're caught up in the busy(ness) and sometimes craziness of home from day to day, but I truly believe that being a mother is one of THE highest callings.  God loans us our children and raising them to trust and serve Him is a huge responsibility and blessing! 

I count it a blessing that even though I'm not out in the world making a difference, I am making a big difference when I pour myself into our home and raising our children.  My children, husband, and home are my ministry.  I take this seriously.  I'm far from perfect at it, but I love the standard God gives us mothers to follow, as far as striving to be a virtuous woman and mother.

Who can find a virtuous woman? She is far more precious than jewels...
Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle.
Her sons rise up and call her blessed.
He husband also praises her:
Many women are capable, but you surpass them all!
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.

  ~Proverbs 31:10, 25-30 ~

Who knows, we just might be raising the next Billy Graham, Amy Carmichael, Mother Teresa........  I think about THEIR mothers and how THEIR mothers helped shape who they were. 

I love these words of encouragement.  We can really use these words of encouragement as mothers!

Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
Don't' worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving; let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

~ Philippians 4:4-7 

And I love this one because it even tells us what to do with our thoughts.....  :)

Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of a good report - if there is any virtue and if there is any praise- think on these things.

 

~Philippians 4:8 ~ 
 

 Adding children to our family didn't come easily (or quickly).....they were all quite a journey.  I thank God for the gift of motherhood!  I stood on and believed this scripture for each one of my children.  As a matter of fact, it was posted on my mirror.  (I liked the idea that it was plural too). 

He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD.

 

~ Pslam 113:9  ~ 

 

Our 3 blessings

 

And I thank God for MY mother who helped shape me into who I am.  She invested her life in her home and children and I am so thankful.  She gave me my favorite scripture and instilled it in me.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him,

and he will make your paths straight.

 

~ Proverbs 3:5-6 ~

 

My mother

 

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!  Remember YOU do make a difference!  You are special!  God bless you all!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

 

 

For more Faithful Friday posts or to link your own Faithful Friday post, visit Joy (Doodlebug )

here.

Have a great weekend!

 



♥ Tammy ♥

Faithful Friday - "Don't Give Up"

Do you ever just get discouraged and sometimes wonder when your prayers are going to be answered?  I know I do.  Waiting is never easy!

I was just thinking the last time we were teaching in children's church (we teach every 3rd Sunday during both early and late services) that one particular little boy just isn't giving up on his prayer.  Every single time he asks for prayer that his daddy will quit smoking.  And I tell him....you don't give up and I can't wait until the day you tell me and the class that your daddy has quit smoking!  That's a huge thing to this little 7 year old boy!

And that got me to thinking about an example of this in my own life.

This is my mom and dad.  If you've been visiting my blog for awhile, you've probably seen pictures of them before.  They are wonderful examples to me.....in life....in marriage....you name it!

Well there was a time growing up when my dad wasn't a Christian and had no use for attending church at all.  My mother, brother, and I prayed for him all the time and we never failed to ask him when we were leaving for church if he would go with us.  He always declined and he avoided the preacher like the plague.  There were many times the preacher was going to stop by and see him and my mom would "warn" him ahead of time and he would leave the house until after the preacher left! 

Fast forward many years later when I was a young teenager.........Well one particular evening, he had done this very thing....left the house and gone riding around waiting on the preacher to leave.  Well he drove by the house and decided he wasn't going to be run off from his OWN house by a preacher.  So he stopped and came in.  To his surprise, the preacher wasn't pushy and even had another man with him in jeans and a cowboy hat.....very casual and down to earth and they both talked to him about hunting and fishing.  And the other man proceeded to tell my daddy the kind of man he used to be and what God had done for him.  And that was simply it.  Nothing threatening here, but the seed was planted.

Now fast forward a few weeks from that visit.......All this time, daddy had been doing some thinking of his own, pondering things, and while he was working alone out on a service call, he accepted the Lord as his Savior.

So my point is this, we (my mom, my brother, other friends and family members and I) spent years praying for my daddy to accept Jesus as his Savior.  We never gave up! 

Don't give up on those prayers or those people you've been praying for!  God is faithful to those prayers!

But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 

2 Chronicles 15:7 (NIV)

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 

Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  Matthew 7:7-8 (NASB)

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For more Faithful Friday posts or to link one yourself, click on the button above to visit Joy's blog!  It's all about sharing something from your Christian Walk to encourage others!

 

 Blessings,

♥ Tammy ♥

Faithful Friday - "Family, Faith, and Inspirational Movies"

If you're like us, you get discouraged and even disgusted with the content and language in movies these days.  I know that we're always on the search for movies that we feel good about our family watching.  We want movies that build faith and character and inspire us to live our lives in a way pleasing to God.

I thought I would share some of these.  I know we're not the only ones looking for family, faith, character-building, or inspirational movies!  (Thanks Susannah for inspiring me to share these)!  :)

Some of these movies we have rented from Redbox, some are from Netflix, some we've purchased from our Christian Bookstore (Family Christian or Lifeway), and a few from Walmart as well.

** Subject matter in some of these movies may not be suitable for young children.  As the parent,  please use your own judgement for what's best and appropriate for your family. **  There are a few on here that contained subjects that we weren't ready for our little one (5 years old) to be exposed to (especially the 180 Movie). 


First I'm going to share the ones we've watched.  Here they are, in no particular order.......

Upside
What If
The Woodcarver
Gifted Hands 
Rust
Abel's Field
October Baby
Courageous
Facing the Giants
Flywheel
Faith Like Potatoes
New Hope
To Save a Life
Fireproof
Seven Days in Utopia
Beware of Christians 
One Nation Under God 
The Ultimate Gift
Letters to God
Last Ounce of Courage
Home Beyond the Sun  
The Grace Card 
Safe Harbor
Uncle Nino
Miracle in the Woods
First of May
Lost and Found Family
Sarah's Choice
Escape
Amish Grace
180 Movie
Flag of My Father
The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry
The Perfect Game
Monumental
Island of Grace
A Greater Yes
Love Comes Softly Series
Marriage Retreat
Me Again
The Shunning
Fifth Quarter
Meant to Be
Marriage Retreat
Brother White
In the Blink of an Eye
Beyond Gates of Splendor
End of the Spear
Children of an Lac



Here's a list of some on our list to watch........

Heaven is Waiting
Backroads and Lilies
Disconnect Reconnect
The Last Brickmaker in America
What Katy Did
Accidental Activist
The heart of Texas
Hidden Places
Fallen Race
The Runner from Ravenshead
WWJD
The Miracle of the Cards
Second Chances
Unconditional
Just Where I Belong
Behind the Mask
A Mile in His Shoes
Ring the Bell
Though None Go With Me
Paper Dream



If you know of anymore you'd like to add to the list, please share!  :)


It's so nice to watch movies that build up instead of tear down.  And it's wonderful to have good things to ponder.  :)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  

 

Philippians 4:8

 

 

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For more Faithful Friday posts, click on the Faithful Friday button above.  Or if you'd like to share a Faithful Friday post, you can also link up with Joy there! 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!  :)

 

♥ Tammy ♥

 

 

 

Faithful Friday - "Grow Where You Are Planted"

For Faithful Friday today, I'm sharing (again) from one of my favorite devotion books, His Princess (Love Letters from Your King) by Sheri Rose Shepherd.  

A wonderful devotion book!  :)

These devotions just seem to speak to me especially when I need them.  I hope they do the same for you!  :)


My Princess.......Grow Where You Are Planted

I know you sometimes wonder if your life has any real worth.  But I assure you that I can use you to impact those around you.  Just as I used Paul in prison, I will use you wherever you are or whatever circumstance you are in.  Let me water you with My holy Word, and you will begin to bloom wherever you are planted.  Come to Me in prayer and let Me empower you with My spirit.  Even if you can't see the harvest of your hard work now, I promise that others will one day look back at the time you were in their lives and remember your acts of kindness, words of wisdom, and love for them.  So for now, My valuable princess let Me help you blossom in a world that is searching for the meaning of life.

Love,
Your Kig and Gardener of Life

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

 

Romans 8:28

 

 

We may never know how many folks lives' we personally make a difference in, but we have God's promise that He will use us right where we are.  We just need to be faithful to letting God use us and just bloom right where God plants us!  :)

For more Faithful Friday posts, click on the button above.  Joy started this linky party so others could share and encourage from their Christian Walk. 

 

Have a great weekend!  :) 

 

Blessings,

♥ Tammy ♥

Faithful Friday - "Studying the Bible"

Our Life Groups began last night at church to cover a series called 40 Days in the Word, which will be done over a period of 6 weeks.

There were just a few ahah moments for me that I'd like to share with you today for Faithful Friday.  It was such a simple idea but yet loaded with so much umph.


First of all have you ever thought about what the purpose of the Bible is?  I mean I know I've thought of it as God's wisdom and guidance for us.  But what's the purpose? 

The ultimate purpose of the Bible is to change our lives.  That's a powerful thing....something that can change our lives!

Then we talked about the 5 basic priniciples of Bible Study.  Now I wonder how many of us have been guilty of just opening the Bible randomly and pointing to a scripture (first one it fell open to) and seeing what God had to say for us? I've done it!   Now, I'm not saying that doesn't work because God works in many ways, and He's given me something I needed at that moment.  But, we should study the Bible much more systematically than that to get the most from God's Word and to really grow spiritually. 

In our family, and also personally, we've/I've read the Bible usually a chapter or two at a time.  Right now, our family is reading through the Old Testament and we are just beginning Deuteronomy.  One of us reads it aloud, then we discuss it afterwards.  There's nothing wrong with that method.  That's good.  And we learn alot like that together.

But back to those 5 basic principles of Bible Study.  Here's what we talked about last night and I like this guideline:

1)  Ask the right questions.
2)  Write down your observations.
3)  Don't just interpret it, apply it.
4)  Study it systematically.
5)  Read it over and over again.

And then this:  You can summarize the devotional study method in one word: Meditate.

Now that's not like new age meditation, but it's more like the cow chewing its cud.  You know how they bring it back up later and enjoy it over and over?  (Kind of gross I know, but it's a good analogy).  Meditation of the scripture is like that - reading a passage over and over again, then thinking about it and concentrating on it in different ways until you have digested its meaning.  And then you can apply it to your life!

And the very first method of Bible Meditation that we talked about I just love!  Its called the "Pronounce it!" Method.  So I just have to share this with you.  Maybe you already do this, but studying a scripture in this manner just awed me because I love words and doing this gave made God's Words such simple yet special meaning to me.

Here's how it works:

Take this scripture.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.  Colossians 3:16(a) NIV

Now you read the verse over and over again, but each time you emphasize a different word in the verse one at a time.  After each word, you stop and write down your thoughts, even if it's just a word or two.

For example, here's mine.  (My thoughts are in parenthesis afterwards).

LET the word of Christ dwell in you richly.    (Allow; make a choice)

Let the WORD of Christ dwell in you richly.  (wisdom; guidance)

Let the word of CHRIST dwell in you richly.  (Jesus; not culture or society)

Let the word of Christ DWELL in you richly.   (take residence in;  move in; live in; inhabit)

Let the word of Christ dwell in YOU richly.     (just for me personally!)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you RICHLY.  (extravagantly in a way that brings beauty)


So when I take a look at that scripture now, I see:

Make a choice to allow the wisdom and guidance of Jesus (not culture) to take residence in me personally in such an extravagant way that it brings beauty to my life and others!

Wow....now that's something to take and use, isn't it?   And we were asked to take which word from that verse had the most meaning to us personally.  I liked them all, but for me it was LET.  And that's because it all starts with me making the choice to allow God to do those things in me! 

Oh, and one more thing......how many folks do you hear say that they believe the Bible?  Well it's not enough to SAY that I believe it because actually....... I only believe the parts of the Bible that I actually do.  Now just think on that!  :)  For example, if I say I believe in tithing (giving God the first 10% of our increase) but I don't give my tithe, then I don't really believe it.  If I do it, then I believe it.   That's the applying it part.  :) 

I was just so excited today that I wanted to share this simple, but wonderful way to study the Bible and make its great wisdom and truths come alive to you so you can apply it to your life!

It's easy and you can do this with a scripture in just a few short minutes.  So I'd like to challenge you too.....try taking a favorite verse from the Bible....and use the read it over and over method, meditating, emphasizing, or pronouncing a different word each time and write down your thoughts on that word.  Then see what it has to say just for you!  :)

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Be sure and check out other Faithful Friday posts by clicking on the button above. 

I hope you all have a beautiful weekend!  :)  Thanks for stopping by!

♥ Tammy ♥

♥ Luke's Recitation ♥

Our homeschool group has recitation once a month, many times with a theme such as Bible memorization, book reports, musical, etc.  This gives the kids a chance to practice being in front of a group with memorization and speech skills.  Luke has been working on memorizing the Old Testament books of the Bible for a few months now.  We just informally work on it throughout the week and especially on the way to church adding a few more once he has mastered the ones preceding it. 

He was supposed to be able to finally recite the entire Old Testament books at recitation this past Tuesday at homeschool group but we had to miss because of sickness.  And that just happened to be the last one for this school year.

So, I told him I would video him and he could recite them to blogland.  :) 

Had this been Colt or even Joy (1st and 2nd child), they would have been dressed for the occasion before I would have ever started recording.  But as they say, you get really laid back by the time the third and children thereafter come along.  It's true....Luke had his bath, put on his pajamas last night before we decided to do this, and I'm not worrying about it.   He's reciting in his pajamas, wiggling all the time.  :)

Now it's time to start working on those New Testament books!  Thanks for being his audience!  :)

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For those that stopped by, I was wondering if you could do me a favor?  I've had someone recently and someone a few months ago tell me that they had trouble reading the text on my page....that it was small and blended into the background.  It doesn't appear that way to me or to any computer in my house.  I've asked a few blogging friends and they say it looks clear and readable to them.  So I'm wondering what you see?  Is it clear and readable or are you having trouble reading the text in some way?  (Thanks for your input).  :)

♥ Tammy ♥

Faithful Friday - "I'm With You in Times of Trouble"

Friday is here again!  That means it's time for Faithful Friday.  If you would like to link with Joy and share something for Faithful Friday, you can do so by clicking on the button.  :)


I'm really loving the devotion book, His Princess (Love Letters from Your King) and I know how much they hit home for me, so I'm sharing another one from that devotion book this week.

My Princess.......I'm With You in Times of Trouble 

You never need to doubt if I am in the midst of your circumstances.  No matter how hot the fire seems, the flames will not scorch you as long as I am present.  Just as I was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in their fiery test of faith, I am here now with you, ready to cool you off and keep you calm as we walk through this trial together.  You may not see it now, but you, My princess, will someday be like precious silver that has been refined by fire and purified in My presence.  Remember, I did not put you in a fire to burn you out.  Trust Me with your troubled heart, and watch Me do wonders for you in the midst of the hottest flames.

Love,
Your King and your Refiner

The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger.  I trust in Him with all my heart.  He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.

 

Psalm 28:7

 

 

Be Blessed!  Have a great weekend!

 

♥ Tammy ♥

 

 



Faithful Friday - "I Will Work Out What's Best"

It's Faithful Friday time. :)


First of all, I used random.org to choose the winner of The Bible Mini-Series companion book giveaway. 

And the winner is...........

#1!  Hollie of A New Beginning.  Congratulations, Hollie!   :)

And next, I want to leave you with another wonderful devotion from His Princess (Love Letters from Your King) by Sheri Rose Shepherd.


My Princess.....I Will Work Out What's Best

I know what's best for you, and nothing happens without My knowledge.  I see your disappointment when things don't unfold in your life the way you had envisioned.  But if you could only lift your eyes to heaven and see My hand moving with eternal purposes, you could better understand.  Don't forget that your life here is temporary....in other words, My love, you're not home yet.  But for now I want you to trust Me in your disappointments, and let Me turn your pain into a passion to persevere.  Wait on Me, My love.  Don't give up!  Rather, give in to Me and My perfect plan for you, knowing that I only desire the very best for you.

Love,
Your King and Father who truly knows best

The Lord watches over you the Lord is your shade at your right hand.

Psalm 121:5 (NIV)

Have a great weekend!  :)

♥ Tammy ♥

Faithful Friday - "You Are a Vessel For Honor"

It's Friday and that means it's time for Faithful Friday...................... :)


My Princess..............You Are a Vessel For Honor

I am the Master Potter, and you are the clay.  I know your desire is to be shaped by Me - to be used by Me.  That is what I created you for - to be a vessel of honor.  I want to fill you up with My love, My hope, My blessing, and pour you out to quench a thirsty world.  Even on those days when you feel broken and empty, I can still use you - as long as you are firmly held in My grasp.  I chose you because you have seen your own brokenness and have given every shattered piece to Me.  No one can become a vessel of honor by sitting tall and pretty - filled to the brim with pride and self-confidence.  Don't be afraid to empty yourself of what you think is valuable, and let Me fill you up with what is invaluable.  Let Me hold you, Let Me fill you.  Let Me pour out My blessings, through you, and you will experience overflowing joy as My vessel of honor.

Love,
Your King and your Creator

 

If anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

 

2 Timothy 2:21

 

 

Source:   His Princess (Love Letters from Your King) by Sheri Rose Shepherd



Thank you for joining me today for Faithful Friday.  If you'd like to participate, you can link up with Joy here.

Have a great weekend! 

Oh, and if you didn't see and are interested, you can sign up for The Bible (Mini-Series) Companion Book giveaway here on this post.  :)

♥ Tammy ♥