Monday, November 23, 2009

Prayer Needed

Would you say a prayer for my son, Ryan. He's in a very dark place right now.The battle for his soul is growing stronger.
Thank you for your prayers.

Tammy

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Morning Has Broken


At the sound of the bell...well, not literally.

Dad pretended to be the bell that would sound off..."Ding, ding" for the wrestling match that was about to take place. My sister and I would shuffle to left, then to the right, pause for a moment to size each other up before we made our next move. Within seconds, we'd go round and round in circle until one of us got the perfect hold to bring our opponent to the ground. At that moment, dad would declare the winner...my sister!

Oh....this last month, I've been in a wrestling match and my sister was not the opponent. I've been going back and forth, round and round with doubt. My prayers felt like they were falling to the floor. I was searching His Word daily and coming up dry. I was telling God that I want more of Him yet I felt no connection. I started to compare myself with other bible teachers, bloggers and it seemed that every time I spoke, I was saying NOTHING! Satan was using some great moves. He almost had that perfect hold to bring me down. I was ready to throw in the towel. To step away from the abortion recovery ministry, to stop teaching our womens bible study at church and not be so vocal about my story (God's story)... but then GOD stepped in.


 Jeremiah 17:7-8 But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
       whose confidence is in him.  8 He will be like a tree planted by the water
       that sends out its roots by the stream.
       It does not fear when heat comes;
       its leaves are always green.
       It has no worries in a year of drought
       and never fails to bear fruit."
 I had become relaxed in my walk with Him. Even though I was meeting with Him everyday, my roots were just laying on the surface. I wasn't trusting God with my whole heart. I started to believe that if I wasn't getting something amazing out of His word, that He was done using me. I had stepped into the enemy's arena and doubt had it's grip on me.

James 1:5-8 ( Amplified Bible) If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.
    6Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind.
    7For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord,
    8[For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides].
I started listening to the lies, then I  believed them and came very close to stepping over the line. Then God placed this on my heart...My  Word is amazing every time you read it.

It was God who placed these ministries in my life, to serve Him and the enemy wanted nothing more then to destroy His plans. I confess that this isn't the first time I've been doubled-minded but it was the darkest. 

I think there was two reasons God asked me to write with "no comments." First, was I going to be obedient. Second, the emails I've received, I was shown that this blog has always been about Him and I've just been the vessel. Receiving comments is His way of showing us that we are on the right path.

So, give Him the glory and leave a comment.

Thank you all for your prayers!

Tammy

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Lies Women Believe...

Let's talk about Priorities in Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Set Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.


All quotes are in blue from the author Nancy Leigh DeMoss.


1. I don't have time to do everything I'm supposed to do.
2. I can make it without consistent time in the Word and prayer.
3. A career outside the home is more valuable and fulfilling than being a wife and mother.

For the longest time, my priorities were completely out of order. First came my career, the dance studio, and  everything else took a backseat. My marriage suffered with one ending in divorce and another about too. There was more times, then I would like to admit, of being out of town because of a dance competition. My career so important to me that I was willing to miss my son's birthdays. It's pretty sad wishing your son "Happy Birthday" on the phone and telling him you wish that you could be there, while on the other end he's crying " Its okay, Mommy." I had no time for my family and no time for God.

Satan knows that if he succeeds in getting us to live independently of the Word of God, we become more vulnerable to deception in every area of our lives.

Instead of the normal layout, God lead me in a different direction. He brought me to Luke 10:38-42  the famous sisters, Mary and Martha. As I was reading, I thought what if Martha had taken a few minutes at the feet of Jesus. Things might have gone smoother and Mary, most likely would've been by her side helping with the meal.
Martha could have removed the pots from the fire, they would've stayed warm. She could have covered the rolls with a piece of cloth to keep in the heat, then joined her sister at the feet of Jesus. But instead, she worried about getting every thing done, with no help from Mary, of course. She became so agitated, she even came to Jesus saying "Lord, doesn't it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work?" Was she as implying that what Mary was doing was unimportant?  Maybe she was asking for permission to put "her" priorities before Him.

I love what Jesus says to her " My dear Martha, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it — and I won't take it away from her."

What are the priorities in your life?

Are you consumed by the things of this world? Are you serving the Lord but have become  more focused on the details?

The things that consume us will only cause frustration, and worry when we put our priorities before His. True peace comes when your heart has been prepared by your Maker.

The Truth is, it is impossible for me to be the woman He wants me to be apart from my spending consistent time cultivating a relationship with Him, in the Word and prayer.

Tammy

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Lies Women Believe...

Let's talk About Sin, I know, its not high on the conversation list. As Christians pointing out sin, some will say you are judging, you've offended them, or that certain sins aren't so bad. Nancy Leigh DeMoss, the author of Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free, gives us great insight and speaks some hard Truth.

All quotes are in blue from the author Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

1. I can sin and get away with it.
2. My sin isn't really that bad.
3. God can't forgive what I have done.
4. I am not fully responsible for my actions and reactions.
5. I cannot walk in consistent victory over sin.

All deception is deadly. But no lies are more deadly than those Satan tells us about God and about sin. He tries to convince us that God is not who He says He is and that sin is not what He says it is.

Deciding on what to watch, read or listen, I would ask my daughter to check to see if it has a little dog poop in it. If you have never heard that phrase, take a moment, and click on Brownies...I'll wait. Now do you understand?  That little bit of dog poop is the first brush with sin that eventually leads us down the wrong path.


Its not easy talking about what is right or wrong, moral or immoral because the simple fact is; it taste sweet and the first touch is very pleasing...for a short time. But here's how Nancy puts it:

The Truth is that sin is dangerous, deadly and destructive.
The Truth is that we will reap what we sow.
The Truth is that every choice we make today will have consequences.
The Truth is that if we play with fire, we will get burned.
The Truth is that "sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death" (James 1:15).

I think at times we put sin into categories. Meaning, your disobedience isn't as bad as your neighbors but God says that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 8:23). Yes, we are all sinners but once Christ comes into our lives we are not to stand shoulder to shoulder with sin.  

Ephesians 5:3-7 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.  Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.  You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.  Don’t participate in the things these people do.

How do you feel about going to a baby shower for a unwed mother? In today society, no one blinks a eye when invited to a bridal shower for those who live together or a baby shower for an unwed mother. A few years ago, I struggled with this decision when someone I love, and care about found herself pregnant with her second child and no husband, claiming to be a christian. Now, before you get too upset with me, please hear me out. First, I'm so grateful that she didn't aborted either child and  made the right choice, to give these children life.
Some said "It's not the baby's fault." They're right. But when you think about it, the baby has no idea whats going on in the first place. This was also said to me, " We need to show this woman that we love her, support her and help her with the necessitates in raising a child."
I responded with, "I do love her, support her and will help her in raising this child but I cannot participate in the celebration when there was no lifestyle change." This is always a difficult decision for me whenever I'm invite to a shower but its one that I must stand by. After the baby was born I went for a visit, along with  bearing gifts.

I have to admit  this has not been a easy subject to write about, so I will leave you with this:
If only we could see that every single sin is a big deal, that every sin is an act of rebellion and cosmic treason, that every time we choose our way instead of God's way, we are revolting against the God and King of the universe.

Every time we choose to give in to the flesh, rather than yielding to the Spirit of God, we allow sin to gain mastery over us. On the other hand, every time we say yes to the Spirit, we give Him greater control of our lives.

Sin has been around for a long time, in fact, from the first moment Eve decide to put her feelings ahead of the Truth. God was not surprised by her rebellion and He's not surprise by mine. That's why He has made a way through His Son, Jesus Christ, to be forgiven and live eternally.


Walk and Live in Victory:
1. Seek the power of the Holy Spirit and read daily the Word of God.
2. Stay away from tempting situations
3. Seek help from the body of Christ to make you accountable and to pray for you.

This is the reason you will not find a place to leave "your comments." Can I be honest, this time the no comments might be a good thing. :)


Tammy