Well, today we had to go to London. It was time for Caleb's passport to be renewed and we like to keep it up to date just in case of emergencies. You never know what is going to happen or when you might need to make an unexpected trip, so . . . .
We were up early this morning. I wanted to cook breakfast so that we would have a good start and it would hold us awhile. It seems like whenever we have to go off like this somewhere, we are always wanting to nibble. It worked.
We left the house at 8:30, but our appointment at the U.S. embassy wasn't until 2:00. We were going to go to the next town and take the train to London because it was cheaper to leave from there, but we got about 15 minutes away from home and the traffic was awful. Evidently there were a few Tractor trailers in an accident right where we needed to go and all the other traffic was diverting. If we had carried on we would have missed our train so we ended up going right out of Kettering. It was more expensive, but . . . .
We got to the train station just on time with only a few minutes to spare. We caught the 9:35 train. We only live about 20 minutes from the station, that is how bad the traffic is. You might ask why we didn't drive down to London, well lets just say you've must have never been to London!!!! LOL I think only the insane are crazy enough to try that!! It's bad enough trying to walk around town let alone get into a car and drive!!!!!!!!!!!!!! London only has about 10 million people you know and in a very small land space I might add.
You're probably wondering why we left so early? It just takes time to get from point A to B. We even got to walk in a huge circle. FUN!! We got to the embassy about 11:00 and they will only let you go in so early, but they are doin' some construction so we wanted to make sure that we knew where we needed to be and when we should get there. We still had to go and get Caleb's U.S. passport photo done, so we heading to the place where we always get them taken. Caleb does not like strangers and by the looks of his photo you would think he had a gun held to his head, either that or he was having his mug shot taken!
After we had his picture taken we had about an hour to kill so we headed to McD's, which by the way was back around the circle that we had just walked. I do believe I earned quite a few Bonus Points today!!! Not to mention all the Tube (the underground, the subway) steps that we had to go up and down along our journey. We didn't make it to McD's, it was further down Oxford Street than we wanted to go, so we went in to KFC and had a drink to kill some time, AND to sit down for a few minutes!!!
We headed back to the embassy and got in at about 1:15. The employees are on lunch until 2, but they will let you go in and sit down. All in all, after we were seen the first time at about 2:10 we were there for maybe 30 minutes. You want to talk about alot of money that had to be spent for just 30 minutes. And last month they changed the law, so now both the Mother and Father HAVE to be present. We could maybe have saved some money on train fare and tube passes if Caleb & I were the only one that had to go, but we all had to go. We don't have anyone to watch Rebekah so it is a day out for the whole bunch of us. An expensive day to say the least.
After we left the embassy we walked down to Regents Street to Hamley's Toy Store. If you have never heard of Hamley's you just wouldn't believe all those toys. It has 7 floors of toys. YES, I said 7. It was started in the 1700's and held the record for the worlds largest toy store for years, but my husband told me that he thinks maybe N.Y has one a bit bigger now. Anyway, I have never seen so many toys in one place before. Amazing. They had different people out on the shop floors demonstrating different toys. I now know why all those guys want to work there. They get paid to play!!! LOL That must be a great job to have.
We left for home on the train at about 7:30 and got back to our car at about 8:35 p.m. Talk about some whooped puppies! Mercy, am I tired. I sure hope the children sleep at least until 7:30 tomorrow. HA! HA!
Well, now that I've bored you to tears I better let you go. Have a wonderful evening!
Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy
Wednesday 27 February 2008
Monday 25 February 2008
My "Little" Man is 5
Wow! It is so hard to believe that my little fella is already 5 years old. It seems just like yesterday he came home. Where does the time fly? How can it move so fast? NOT FAIR!!!!
He is growing up and maturing so quickly that it truly amazes me. He has days where he is just the proper little guy and then there are days when you think he might still be about 3! LOL I have been so blessed.
Caleb takes his first grading in Karate. I'm not real sure how he is going to do with these strangers. He is very confident at home and in familiar surroundings, but out of that he is very shy and DOES NOT like strangers. When we went to his first class, my word, you have thought we were asking him to walk the plank or something. But, he really needs to build his confidence among other things. Now, he is really doing good and we work on it at home during the week. He enjoys going and he burns off some much needed excess energy. Praise the Lord! HA! HA!
Please pray for him if the Lord reminds you. I would really appreciate it.
Have a good and godly day!
Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy
He is growing up and maturing so quickly that it truly amazes me. He has days where he is just the proper little guy and then there are days when you think he might still be about 3! LOL I have been so blessed.
Caleb takes his first grading in Karate. I'm not real sure how he is going to do with these strangers. He is very confident at home and in familiar surroundings, but out of that he is very shy and DOES NOT like strangers. When we went to his first class, my word, you have thought we were asking him to walk the plank or something. But, he really needs to build his confidence among other things. Now, he is really doing good and we work on it at home during the week. He enjoys going and he burns off some much needed excess energy. Praise the Lord! HA! HA!
Please pray for him if the Lord reminds you. I would really appreciate it.
Have a good and godly day!
Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy
Saturday 23 February 2008
"Spiritual Renewal"
"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
When we get tired and weary in our physical life, we take a vacation (holiday if your from the UK) for a time of renewal and rest, a break from the ordinary. But, what about our spiritual life? When we are tired and dry spiritually and need renewing, Isaiah tells us to " . . . mount up with wings as eagles . . ."
The eagle sees a storm approaching, locks his wings and starts to soar above the storm. When the storms of life come, we don't have to be hindered or discouraged, but we can lock-in our faith through prayer, godly fellowship, and focusing on God. We will soar to a new spiritual height.
The eagle soars above the annoying noise makers, the hawks and crows. Sometimes Christians are the easiest to get offended, but if we get closer to God, we will begin to soar above the person that offends us and the less offensive they will become (Ps. 119 vs. 164-165: Seven times a day so I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.).
The eagle seeks a high, secure place for rest and to raise their young. As Christians, when we need to rest from the "noise" of our lives we need to spend time alone with God and abide secure in His presence and rest in Him.
So, if you're tired, weary and feeling spiritually dry; focus on God, pursue His presence, and He will allow you to mount up as eagles.
Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy
When we get tired and weary in our physical life, we take a vacation (holiday if your from the UK) for a time of renewal and rest, a break from the ordinary. But, what about our spiritual life? When we are tired and dry spiritually and need renewing, Isaiah tells us to " . . . mount up with wings as eagles . . ."
The eagle sees a storm approaching, locks his wings and starts to soar above the storm. When the storms of life come, we don't have to be hindered or discouraged, but we can lock-in our faith through prayer, godly fellowship, and focusing on God. We will soar to a new spiritual height.
The eagle soars above the annoying noise makers, the hawks and crows. Sometimes Christians are the easiest to get offended, but if we get closer to God, we will begin to soar above the person that offends us and the less offensive they will become (Ps. 119 vs. 164-165: Seven times a day so I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.).
The eagle seeks a high, secure place for rest and to raise their young. As Christians, when we need to rest from the "noise" of our lives we need to spend time alone with God and abide secure in His presence and rest in Him.
So, if you're tired, weary and feeling spiritually dry; focus on God, pursue His presence, and He will allow you to mount up as eagles.
Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy
Monday 18 February 2008
Thirteenth Anniversary!
Well, today was our anniversary. It is so hard to believe that we have been married for 13 years. It seems just like yesterday.
We have had a very interesting day to say the least. Last night when we went to bed the light switch in our room would not work. It had been messed up for awhile, but it had had its day so gave up the ghost. Now, neither my husband nor I are electrically inclined one iota. Sounds interesting doesn't it! LOL
I had school as normal. I tidied up while my dear hubby went to run some errands and get the new light socket. I was in the garage sortin' the laundry when I hear someone calling for me.
Roger calls out the upstairs window telling me that the plaster around the light socket is crumbling away. OH JOY!!! I might mention that neither my husband or I are any good at plastering either!!! As a matter of fact, we have never tried it and I sure didn't plan to start today! LOL
Now, I am a little more DIY (do it yourself) inclined than Roger is. He is the computer person. But I had never tried dealing with elelctrics and such. Should be fun. I head upstairs after I get my load of washing started. Sure enough, the plaster is crumbling. It is not Roger's fault I might add. When they built the house evidently they set the metal casing to far back into the wall so they had to actually put part of the outside cover for the switch into the wall itself and plaster around it. Sounds complicated and it was. When Roger pulled the switch cover out, the plaster just crumbled around it. AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Anyway, we got the cover switched out, AND IT WORKED!!! No, we did not have to call 999 (British version of 911) for electrical schock! We actually remembered to turn off the mains. HA! HA! Now we just had to find screws to fit and some way to fix the plaster. No easy task I might add. Sooooo, off to the hardware store I go. . . . I find the size that I need around but they were too long. And guess what? I found a finger plate to go around the light (it helps protect the wall from dirty fingerprints). GO ME! I went to the check out, my debit card is declined. TWICE!!! I knew that there was money in there, but I couldn't work out why it wasn't acceptin' my card.
I go home, and I had forgot it was about time for my daughters piano lessons. We were already a few minutes late leaving so off we run. Talk about a mad house! We stopped by McD's on the way back into town since they were going to bed early so Daddy and I could have a nice quiet anniversary dinner. Roger's debit card had worked so I knew something had to be wrong with their machine at Focus.
We stopped back by Focus (DIY store) and this time my card worked, it was a different machine though. Thank the Lord!! Got home, had to saw the screw down so it wasn't too long and finished the light switch. HALLELUJAH!!!
AND IT STILL WORKED!!!! You would never know that the plaster is messed up some underneath. The finger plate covers the entire area. I am extremely thankful for the small things. I'm also glad that God cares about small things.
Needless to say, this is not the nice quiet stress free day that I was thinking it would be. But, we have had a nice evening. The children were in bed early and we had an Indian takeaway. A nice splurge since we are both on WW. Back to the grindstone tomorrow. By the way, we couldn't even eat it all. Something much be working.
Just one exciting and sometimes frustrating day in the Tooley household. I pray you all had a good and godly day.
Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy
We have had a very interesting day to say the least. Last night when we went to bed the light switch in our room would not work. It had been messed up for awhile, but it had had its day so gave up the ghost. Now, neither my husband nor I are electrically inclined one iota. Sounds interesting doesn't it! LOL
I had school as normal. I tidied up while my dear hubby went to run some errands and get the new light socket. I was in the garage sortin' the laundry when I hear someone calling for me.
Roger calls out the upstairs window telling me that the plaster around the light socket is crumbling away. OH JOY!!! I might mention that neither my husband or I are any good at plastering either!!! As a matter of fact, we have never tried it and I sure didn't plan to start today! LOL
Now, I am a little more DIY (do it yourself) inclined than Roger is. He is the computer person. But I had never tried dealing with elelctrics and such. Should be fun. I head upstairs after I get my load of washing started. Sure enough, the plaster is crumbling. It is not Roger's fault I might add. When they built the house evidently they set the metal casing to far back into the wall so they had to actually put part of the outside cover for the switch into the wall itself and plaster around it. Sounds complicated and it was. When Roger pulled the switch cover out, the plaster just crumbled around it. AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Anyway, we got the cover switched out, AND IT WORKED!!! No, we did not have to call 999 (British version of 911) for electrical schock! We actually remembered to turn off the mains. HA! HA! Now we just had to find screws to fit and some way to fix the plaster. No easy task I might add. Sooooo, off to the hardware store I go. . . . I find the size that I need around but they were too long. And guess what? I found a finger plate to go around the light (it helps protect the wall from dirty fingerprints). GO ME! I went to the check out, my debit card is declined. TWICE!!! I knew that there was money in there, but I couldn't work out why it wasn't acceptin' my card.
I go home, and I had forgot it was about time for my daughters piano lessons. We were already a few minutes late leaving so off we run. Talk about a mad house! We stopped by McD's on the way back into town since they were going to bed early so Daddy and I could have a nice quiet anniversary dinner. Roger's debit card had worked so I knew something had to be wrong with their machine at Focus.
We stopped back by Focus (DIY store) and this time my card worked, it was a different machine though. Thank the Lord!! Got home, had to saw the screw down so it wasn't too long and finished the light switch. HALLELUJAH!!!
AND IT STILL WORKED!!!! You would never know that the plaster is messed up some underneath. The finger plate covers the entire area. I am extremely thankful for the small things. I'm also glad that God cares about small things.
Needless to say, this is not the nice quiet stress free day that I was thinking it would be. But, we have had a nice evening. The children were in bed early and we had an Indian takeaway. A nice splurge since we are both on WW. Back to the grindstone tomorrow. By the way, we couldn't even eat it all. Something much be working.
Just one exciting and sometimes frustrating day in the Tooley household. I pray you all had a good and godly day.
Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy
Sunday 17 February 2008
" . . . all your need. . ."
"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19
Many times when we read this verse we instanstly think of our financial needs or maybe a specific need that we have right then. But my favorite part of the verse is: " . . .all your need. . ." I think we miss out on so much freedom in Christ when we limit this verse.
When God says that He will " . . . supply all your need . . .", that means ALL. And just to name a few:
Many times when we read this verse we instanstly think of our financial needs or maybe a specific need that we have right then. But my favorite part of the verse is: " . . .all your need. . ." I think we miss out on so much freedom in Christ when we limit this verse.
When God says that He will " . . . supply all your need . . .", that means ALL. And just to name a few:
- Emotional: We are all human. Women, especially, are emotional creatures. We tend to run with our hearts and then think about everything after we've calmed down or what not. There are menfolk out there who do this, but for the majority it is us ladies. When we face certain circumstances and when our emotions are all tangled up and we are not thinking as clearly about a situation as we ought to be, we need to remember that God has said He will supply this need. He is our strength. Psalms 73 v. 26 says, "My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."
- Mental: Our minds are battlefields on their own. Many have been defeated because they have not let the Lord supply the need in this area. That is not to say that we are just to let God do it all, we must help ourselves also. We must be in the Word of God, praying, studying, meditating, etc., etc. By fulfilling our end (so to speak) we are going along way in allowing the Lord to be able to do His part. We must keep our minds focused (make a concious effort) on right and godly things. Philippians 4 vs. 8-9 says: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, THINK (emphasis mine) on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."
- Physical: We have all had a physical need at sometime or other I'm sure; whether it be a cold or something that goes far beyond simple things. For us as Christians, we must realize that God cares about the cold just as much as a major physical problem. He wants us to rely on Him for EVERYTHING. I remember when right before I had my daughter I got sick. I ended up with bronchitis for about 3 months because I was nursing her and they didn't want to give me anything. You talk about tired of coughing and sounding like a bull frog!! I told my husband that Rebekah wouldn't even know who I was once I got better because I would sound so different. LOL! That was a small thing, at least it seems that way now (but it didn't in the middle of it), but I still learned that I needed to rely on the Lord to help me everyday not to get discouraged and to do things that I didn't actually feel like doing because I was so drained physically. But I can sit here today and tell you that God did "supply all [my] need." He gave me the strength that I need to get through each day and finally He touched my body and allowed me to get well. Hebrews 4 v.15-16, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come bodly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
- Financial: Money is probably on the number 1 spot of the top 10 things that cause worry in most peoples lives, not to mention the most friction in marriages. But, even in this we are suppose to rest in the Lord. If we are doing what the Lord wills for us to do, such as: tithing, giving to missions and any extra offerings the Lord impresses on our hearts, then we are obeying God and He will fulfill His part. When we first came to England we were working with another missionary. There was a young couple in the church whom we had become friends with. Well, we had them over to dinner one night and they started talking about tithing and such. They said that they had worked out their finances on paper and could not see how they were suppose to give 10% when they didn't have it. My husband and I tried to explain that you give the tithe first and let the rest figure out itself. It never works out on paper, but it always works out. Amen! My husband even told them, "Look, I'll make a deal with you. You give God the money that is rightfully His for the next 6 months. If God does not meet your needs and the bills are not getting paid, let me know. I will personally reinburse you the money you have paid in tithe." Well, that has been 11 1/2 years ago now and they still have not asked for their tithe back. Psalms 37 vs. 25-26 says, "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed."
- Spiritual: At one time or another we struggle spiritually. We may be having growing pains, which means that the Lord is showing us new areas in our lives that we had not seen before that are ready for improvement because we are maturing in Christ. Then, there are times that we must do some weeding. The time for weeding comes when we have slowly let back into our lives things that maybe the Lord has already dealt with us about, but we have gradually slacked up on. We have all been in one or both of these stages at different times in our lives. We may get frustrated and think that we are past this stuff, but as we should remember the Christian walk with God is all about growth and weeding. It is a day to day discovery with the Lord. Just about the time we think we have it licked, our Heavenly Father shows us another area that may need a bit of work. NOT because we are failures, but because we are human and in continual need of help from above to be all that we can for Christ (Phil. 3 vs. 13-14). But in all this, Christ is there to supply our spiritual need. He is encouraging us through His holy Word. Hebrews 4 vs. 15-16, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come bodly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
These are just a few thoughts that have been a blessing to me. I'm so glad that God has promised to " . . .supply all [my] need . . . !"
Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy
Saturday 16 February 2008
Building Cathedrals
"Every wise woman buildeth her house . . ." Proverbs 14:a
I'm invisible.....
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible.
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Pick me up right around 5:30, please.'
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude ---but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going .. she's going ... she's gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean.
My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.'
It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'
In the days ahead I would read -- no, devour -- the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals -- we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.'
And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.
I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrificeto that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand-bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
I hope you all recognize yourselves as builders of Great Catherdals!
God Bless,
Sis. Tammy
I'm invisible.....
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible.
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Pick me up right around 5:30, please.'
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude ---but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going .. she's going ... she's gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean.
My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.'
It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'
In the days ahead I would read -- no, devour -- the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals -- we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.'
And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.
I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrificeto that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand-bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
I hope you all recognize yourselves as builders of Great Catherdals!
God Bless,
Sis. Tammy
Thursday 14 February 2008
A Life Of One Sentence
James 4 v.14a: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life . . ."
The Bible often summarizes a man's life in one sentence. Please consider these few examples: "David . . .served his own generationn by the will of God. . ." (Acts 13:36),
". . .they chose Stephen a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 6:5),
"And Enoch walked with God" (Gen. 5:24), and
"Joseph dreamed a dream . . ." (Gen. 37:5)
What would your life consist of if it was reduced to just one sentence? If your life was summed up in one statement what would it be? "Susie, she's a critical old curmudgeon" or "Francis, is a compulsive gossip" or . . . you get the picture. If one sentence was the compelling comment of God about my sojourn on this planet, I hope it would be something positive and spiritual. And that my life enhanced the work of God in my sphere of influence.
Suppose you faced God this year and you were required to express in one sentence why you should be allowed into Heaven. I trust your answer would read something like this: "Because the blood of Jesus Christ has been applied to my life" or "I repented of my sins and trusted Christ as my Saviour." There are no contrasting answers that will garner an access to Glory. The son writer said: "I need no other argument, I need no other plea, it is enough that Jesus died and that He died for me."
Until the shout,
Sis. Tammy
The Bible often summarizes a man's life in one sentence. Please consider these few examples: "David . . .served his own generationn by the will of God. . ." (Acts 13:36),
". . .they chose Stephen a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 6:5),
"And Enoch walked with God" (Gen. 5:24), and
"Joseph dreamed a dream . . ." (Gen. 37:5)
What would your life consist of if it was reduced to just one sentence? If your life was summed up in one statement what would it be? "Susie, she's a critical old curmudgeon" or "Francis, is a compulsive gossip" or . . . you get the picture. If one sentence was the compelling comment of God about my sojourn on this planet, I hope it would be something positive and spiritual. And that my life enhanced the work of God in my sphere of influence.
Suppose you faced God this year and you were required to express in one sentence why you should be allowed into Heaven. I trust your answer would read something like this: "Because the blood of Jesus Christ has been applied to my life" or "I repented of my sins and trusted Christ as my Saviour." There are no contrasting answers that will garner an access to Glory. The son writer said: "I need no other argument, I need no other plea, it is enough that Jesus died and that He died for me."
Until the shout,
Sis. Tammy
Tuesday 12 February 2008
The Lord has said, "YES!"
Well, it looks like I'm going to be headed to the States. We have been praying about it for the last 6 months and the Lord finally opened the door and when I say He finally opened the door, I mean it was all the Lord's doing.
To give you a bit of back ground I'll start at the beginning. My husband, Roger, had said that he would like to send me back for my birthday (which was in January). So, the next obvious step would be to look at the price of tickets, right? Well, we did and then it seemed that everything fell apart! We started looking for tickets in late September. Just about the time we found one that was affordable the pump on our boiler went out and to fix it would cost the same price as a ticket. Imagine! We left it for a couple of months and then started talking about it again and the brakes on our car went out. Not just the brakes, but the discs AND the rotors. How much did it cost? You guessed it, the price of my plane tickets. Sooooo, after that I wouldn't even think about it let alone talk or look for ticket prices.
I know my family was dissappointed, but the Lord was saying, "NO, not now!" I didn't understand it, nor did my family but I knew that He had given a definite, "NO!" We were not even going to think about moving ahead with it when the Lord had made His will so completely plain on the matter. I have since realized why the Lord may have been saying to "WAIT."
Around the middle to the end of January my sister, Amy, was rushed to the hospital with pnemonia and sceptic shock poisoning. She was in the hospital for 3 to 4 days and is still suffering problems with her lungs and needs to see a pulminary specialist because her lungs are not healing properly. You're probably wondering what this has to do with me, but if I had went to the States when I was planning to, my sister would have been too sick and we would have been unable to really enjoy ourselves like we want to (although I would have liked to be there for her while she was sick). So you see, God has a reason for everything even when we don't know the why and how of it.
Now me, I am perfectly content to be where I am. I tend to be a homebody for the most part. Furlough was something else to say the least. But, that is a whole other story. LOL! We are not the type of missionaries that go back to the States for anything and everything. In May we will have been on the field for 12 years and I have only been in the States for a totol of 18 months. Our last furlough was 3 years ago and that was the last time I was stateside, saw 90% of my family (my parents visited 1 1/2 ago), had a good chinese buffet, a fountain coke with cherry syrup (you know, all the important things in life, LOL), etc., etc.
But seriously, when we are on furlough we travel pretty much non-stop and that does not leave alot of time to spend in one place, so we don't see our families often (at least not for more than a day or 2) and my husband thought that it would be good if I could go and spend some quality time with mine. Even my sister asked me where I was going to be. Whether I was going to be there with them or traveling. Well, I can't preach so it looks like they will have to be stuck with me for the whole time.
God is so good to me. I am amazed in the ways He chooses to bless me.
Psalms 103 vs. 1-2:
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is withing me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
AMEN!
Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy
To give you a bit of back ground I'll start at the beginning. My husband, Roger, had said that he would like to send me back for my birthday (which was in January). So, the next obvious step would be to look at the price of tickets, right? Well, we did and then it seemed that everything fell apart! We started looking for tickets in late September. Just about the time we found one that was affordable the pump on our boiler went out and to fix it would cost the same price as a ticket. Imagine! We left it for a couple of months and then started talking about it again and the brakes on our car went out. Not just the brakes, but the discs AND the rotors. How much did it cost? You guessed it, the price of my plane tickets. Sooooo, after that I wouldn't even think about it let alone talk or look for ticket prices.
I know my family was dissappointed, but the Lord was saying, "NO, not now!" I didn't understand it, nor did my family but I knew that He had given a definite, "NO!" We were not even going to think about moving ahead with it when the Lord had made His will so completely plain on the matter. I have since realized why the Lord may have been saying to "WAIT."
Around the middle to the end of January my sister, Amy, was rushed to the hospital with pnemonia and sceptic shock poisoning. She was in the hospital for 3 to 4 days and is still suffering problems with her lungs and needs to see a pulminary specialist because her lungs are not healing properly. You're probably wondering what this has to do with me, but if I had went to the States when I was planning to, my sister would have been too sick and we would have been unable to really enjoy ourselves like we want to (although I would have liked to be there for her while she was sick). So you see, God has a reason for everything even when we don't know the why and how of it.
Now me, I am perfectly content to be where I am. I tend to be a homebody for the most part. Furlough was something else to say the least. But, that is a whole other story. LOL! We are not the type of missionaries that go back to the States for anything and everything. In May we will have been on the field for 12 years and I have only been in the States for a totol of 18 months. Our last furlough was 3 years ago and that was the last time I was stateside, saw 90% of my family (my parents visited 1 1/2 ago), had a good chinese buffet, a fountain coke with cherry syrup (you know, all the important things in life, LOL), etc., etc.
But seriously, when we are on furlough we travel pretty much non-stop and that does not leave alot of time to spend in one place, so we don't see our families often (at least not for more than a day or 2) and my husband thought that it would be good if I could go and spend some quality time with mine. Even my sister asked me where I was going to be. Whether I was going to be there with them or traveling. Well, I can't preach so it looks like they will have to be stuck with me for the whole time.
God is so good to me. I am amazed in the ways He chooses to bless me.
Psalms 103 vs. 1-2:
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is withing me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
AMEN!
Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy
Monday 11 February 2008
Tabitha's Helping Hands
Acts 9 vs. 36-42:
¶ Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
My son, Caleb; and I were doing his Bible class in A.C.E. this morning and this passage really gave me pause for thought. In verse 36 it says that Tabitha [Dorcas] was a woman full of good works (we DO NOT work to be saved, but work because we ARE saved). Then in verse 39 it tells how "the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas make, while she was with them."
It made me realize that althought this lady was only mentioned in the scriptures for about 6 verses, she left a lasting impression:
¶ Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
My son, Caleb; and I were doing his Bible class in A.C.E. this morning and this passage really gave me pause for thought. In verse 36 it says that Tabitha [Dorcas] was a woman full of good works (we DO NOT work to be saved, but work because we ARE saved). Then in verse 39 it tells how "the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas make, while she was with them."
It made me realize that althought this lady was only mentioned in the scriptures for about 6 verses, she left a lasting impression:
- In her life: Tabitha loved her Lord and showed it in maybe the only way that she could or knew how to, she sewed. Tabitha touched many lives with her willing hands. She was able to make life easier for her fellow man (or woman as the case may be).
- In her death: Tabitha was loved by many as a result of her love and service for the Lord. She was deeply mourned (for a short time anyway, AMEN) when she died. The Bible does not say anything about her family, but if she had any they would surely have felt the loss. But, she was also mourned by many others by whom had received kindness by her handy work.
What this made me think about was:
- How many lives do I touch?
- And in what kind of way? As an encouragment or does it in anyway hinder anothers walk with the Lord?
I wonder if I were to go home to be with the Lord this very hour, would I be mourned in such a way? NOT because I was some great person or whatever, but because I had allowed God complete control of my life and He was able to use it to the fullest potential.
Definitely something for me to think about!
Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy
Sunday 10 February 2008
I'm glad I don't always get what I pray for!
Exodus 16 vs. 2-3: And the whole congregation of the the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth inot this wilderness, to kill this while assembly with hunger.
As I was reading this portion of scripture I started to realize how often the children of Israel were wishing to be back in bondage. They had forgotten once again how much the Lord had already done for them and the terrible situation He had delivered them from. Not to mention the fact that God was their protector and guide. He had also promised them a land flowing with milk and honey.
Many times I, too; get caught up in my circumstances and only see the here and now. I forget the victories that Christ has already won in my life and get discouraged. In times like these I tend to pray in the here and now. I sometimes forget to look ahead and be excited about seeing how the Lord is going to "work this one out." I just want to be OUT of whatever is going on at that particular time.
The children of Israel felt this way on many occasions as well. It caught me by suprise that while reading this I got tired of listening to them complain. How much more must the Lord be tired of ME?
They said, " . . . would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt . . . " Not a very smart thing to be saying. God could have surely granted their wish, but in His mercy and love He did not. How many prayers have I (we) prayed in the midst of some trial or heartache that would have been very detrimental to me, my family or friends; that God kindly did not answer? I sudder to think of the amount.
I'm so relieved that the Lord in His kindess sees these prayers for what they really are: A plea for relief from the situation that we have found ourselves in. I'm thankful that the Lord knows what is best for me and even though I don't always understand, He choses not to answer in the way that I think He should. He answers in the way that is best for me and in the long run with hindsight I am so very glad that I don't always get what I pray for!!!
Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy
As I was reading this portion of scripture I started to realize how often the children of Israel were wishing to be back in bondage. They had forgotten once again how much the Lord had already done for them and the terrible situation He had delivered them from. Not to mention the fact that God was their protector and guide. He had also promised them a land flowing with milk and honey.
Many times I, too; get caught up in my circumstances and only see the here and now. I forget the victories that Christ has already won in my life and get discouraged. In times like these I tend to pray in the here and now. I sometimes forget to look ahead and be excited about seeing how the Lord is going to "work this one out." I just want to be OUT of whatever is going on at that particular time.
The children of Israel felt this way on many occasions as well. It caught me by suprise that while reading this I got tired of listening to them complain. How much more must the Lord be tired of ME?
They said, " . . . would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt . . . " Not a very smart thing to be saying. God could have surely granted their wish, but in His mercy and love He did not. How many prayers have I (we) prayed in the midst of some trial or heartache that would have been very detrimental to me, my family or friends; that God kindly did not answer? I sudder to think of the amount.
I'm so relieved that the Lord in His kindess sees these prayers for what they really are: A plea for relief from the situation that we have found ourselves in. I'm thankful that the Lord knows what is best for me and even though I don't always understand, He choses not to answer in the way that I think He should. He answers in the way that is best for me and in the long run with hindsight I am so very glad that I don't always get what I pray for!!!
Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy
Introduction
First, I'd like to introduce myself. I was born and raised until I was 16 in Dayton, Ohio (don't hold that against me, I can't help it). My family did not attend church until I was almost 15 yrs. old. You want to talk about a shock to the system. They preached against everything I was doing and somethings I'd only thought about.
The church had very high standards and convictions (no trousers, shorts, sleeveless tops, TV's, etc., etc.), which I agree 100% with today and then some. As the weeks passed I knew that these people had something that I did not have. One night my brother went forward, well I didn't want to be left out so I went also. I made a profession, but I didn't have possession.
The summer after my 16th birthday we moved to Tennessee. When I was 20 my home church was having a revival meeting with Dr. Sammy Allen. He had a man out of his church driving him that was on deputation to England. Well, to make a long story short, Preacher played matchmaker and Roger and I were married in Feb. of 95.
After we were married God started to deal with my heart. He was convicting me and I was terrified. I had made a profession and thought that I was alright, but I had doubts and fears. Our pastor (Bro. Allen) was preaching in Florida and we were there. He preached a message on "Sliding into Hell from a church pew, calling Jesus Lord." I knew that night that I was in trouble. I was so afraid that while we were traveling we would have an accident or the Lord would return. It was the most awful 2 months of my life. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. It didn't matter to me what people thought. You know, "She's suppose to be a preachers wife"; "She's a missionaries wife", etc. I was the one going to spend eternity in Hell, and it wasn't worth worrying about what others thought. I bowed and asked Christ to save me, take away my doubt, sin and everything else I could possibly think of.
Praise the Lord, He did....!!!!
I have failed Him many times, but I can say without any qualms that He has NEVER, NEVER failed me.
We came to England in May of 96, I was 23 years old. Talk about green. I've learned alot in these last 11 1/2 years, but still have much more to learn. God is good all the time. Amen!! I am also the mother of 2 beautiful children. A daughter, Rebekah, aged 81/2; and a son, Caleb aged 5; which I home educate.
This is me in a nut shell. Thank you for coming by. Stop again soon and share my journey.
Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy
The church had very high standards and convictions (no trousers, shorts, sleeveless tops, TV's, etc., etc.), which I agree 100% with today and then some. As the weeks passed I knew that these people had something that I did not have. One night my brother went forward, well I didn't want to be left out so I went also. I made a profession, but I didn't have possession.
The summer after my 16th birthday we moved to Tennessee. When I was 20 my home church was having a revival meeting with Dr. Sammy Allen. He had a man out of his church driving him that was on deputation to England. Well, to make a long story short, Preacher played matchmaker and Roger and I were married in Feb. of 95.
After we were married God started to deal with my heart. He was convicting me and I was terrified. I had made a profession and thought that I was alright, but I had doubts and fears. Our pastor (Bro. Allen) was preaching in Florida and we were there. He preached a message on "Sliding into Hell from a church pew, calling Jesus Lord." I knew that night that I was in trouble. I was so afraid that while we were traveling we would have an accident or the Lord would return. It was the most awful 2 months of my life. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. It didn't matter to me what people thought. You know, "She's suppose to be a preachers wife"; "She's a missionaries wife", etc. I was the one going to spend eternity in Hell, and it wasn't worth worrying about what others thought. I bowed and asked Christ to save me, take away my doubt, sin and everything else I could possibly think of.
Praise the Lord, He did....!!!!
I have failed Him many times, but I can say without any qualms that He has NEVER, NEVER failed me.
We came to England in May of 96, I was 23 years old. Talk about green. I've learned alot in these last 11 1/2 years, but still have much more to learn. God is good all the time. Amen!! I am also the mother of 2 beautiful children. A daughter, Rebekah, aged 81/2; and a son, Caleb aged 5; which I home educate.
This is me in a nut shell. Thank you for coming by. Stop again soon and share my journey.
Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy
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