Keep on Reading

As I read God's Word this morning there was so much that spoke to my heart, too much to put into words really.

This, I've been pondering on though ....
Many of us have daily Bible reading charts, apps & etc., I do as well. The one thing I've found though is that I don't always feel "fed" after a few chapters. You know, the usually 3-4 chapters a day to read it through in a year? I don't always get something out of those few chapters. Sometimes, I have to keep reading and reading some more for God to REALLY speak to my heart.

Now, before anyone wants to persecute me .... I'm not saying that you have to read 15, 20, 25 chapters a day to be spiritual or to get something from the Lord ... not at all.

But, what I AM saying is that I have found that I don't like to quit until God has spoken to ME! Most days, 3-4 chapters just aren't going to work.

I just want to challenge you not to stop, don't quit reading until the Holy Spirit has given you something, has done something in your soul through His Word. Some days, it may only take a few versus BUT others it may take chapter after chapter of just immersing yourself into the Scriptures. Don't stop until you feel "fed"! It is so worth it AND filling ... there is no better substance!!!

"But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."  Psalm 1:2 {KJV}

Consider Him

Last nights message was entitled "Consider Christ".
Do we really consider Him the way we ought? We make decisions everyday without thought of Him; whether big or small. We should seek Him and ask that He order our day according to His plan & purpose.

Two main thoughts stuck with me:
1) His ways are perfect. 
2) His work is perfect.

Over the past year and a bit there have been many changes in our lives ... so many losses & heartaches, YET just as many blessings & encouragements. In ALL these things, God's ways & works have been PERFECT! Do I understand everything? Of course not, sometimes we just have to trust. Can I take God at His Word and know that He will work it for my good and His glory? YES!!! Why? Because He loves me and has my best interest at heart!

FAITH~ Forgetting All, I Trust Him!

Isaiah 55:8-9, "[8] For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. [9] For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." {KJB}

Blessings,
Sis. Tammy

WHEN JESUS SPEAKS PEACE

When the storms of life come and rage against me and when I'm tossed about and feel completely bruised and battered, I'm so grateful for a loving Father that whispers peace to my heart.

Often times I have wondered even in my darkest hour,

Would His faithful ears still harken to my needs and my desires?

Then I hear His voice so tender, speaking softly in my ear.

I kneel down and pray in my secret place, and I know He will hear.

He's always near.

Chorus:
When He speaks, "Peace", the raging storm must,

New hope becomes new life

When He whispers, "Everything will be alright".

When He speaks, "Peace", the dark night slips away

Like the breaking of the day,

When Jesus speaks, "Peace".

When my friends have failed me and I'm standing all alone,

When my spirit is discouraged and I feel all hope is gone,

There's no need to be dishearted, for I have a friend who cares.

When my faith becomes weak, I can kneel at His feet

And my burdens He will bear.

He is always there.

Chorus:

Refrain:
I feel the dark clouds gather 'round me

And I don't seem to understand.

Then I feel his presence go before me

And I know, He's holding to my hand.

Chorus:

God bless,
Sis. Tammy

Daddy & I

Today marks 7 months since Daddy went home to be with the Lord.  It is still hard to believe he's gone, but I'm thankful that I have the hope of seeing him again!  This picture was taken 4 years ago at the airport while we were waiting to board the plane back to England.

Some days, I think about how much time we missed getting to spend together because of the distance that being on the mission field brings.  Then, to encourage myself, I make mind move over to eternity.  WHAT A PROMISE! 

A New Season In Life

These days, most everyone has Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat & etc., and I have come to realize that these make great places for simple posts but sometimes God lays things on your heart to long to share on these formerly listed places.  Even if no one ever reads this, it feels good to express myself in someway. It's somehow therapeutic.

I have entered a new season of life.  My dad unexpectedly passed away in September of last year, thankfully I was there, and I have been learning to live life without one of my parents.  The Lord knows how difficult that is. 

Daddy was diagnosed with Stage 4 Throat Cancer in the summer of 2016.  He had very invasive surgery on Sept. 8th 2016.  They had to cut him from ear to ear.  He couldn't eat for many months and had a tube to feed from.  He underwent Radiation & Chemotherapy simultaneously from Oct -Dec.  He had just started to regain some of his strength when he felt unwell, around April/May time.  By the time we arrived in country, August 7th, he was once again feeding from only the his tube. 

A couple of Dr.'s visits later and it was thought that he had severe scar tissue that was not healing and needed removed, as well as a few other issues that needed to be addressed.  He went into surgery again on Sept. 6th 2017.    This is the last picture I have of me and my Daddy together ... it makes smile & cry at the same time.  He hated having his picture taken but he did it anyway ... for us.  I'm so thankful for these photos.  I will treasure them for ever & always!!

After surgery he was doing so well!  They'd removed his scar tissue and found a bit more cancer which they had removed to viable tissue.  They had him up the first day and he was feeling pretty good, tired, but doing great! 

The 2nd picture is the last picture I have of Daddy.  He was a bit tired because they had plugged his Trach and he was getting a bit congested.  When he'd had his previous surgery the year before he'd had a bit of cancer on his carotid artery, which they had scrapped to remove.  As you can see in this picture, he had a LOT of swelling in his mouth and throat.  They'd had to remove some of his jaw and replace it as well.  It was a very invasive surgery.   His carotid artery was just too thin and he coughed really hard a few times and that caused his artery to rupture.  Not going into all the details, it's just not necessary.

My Daddy went home to be with His Lord & Saviour at 10:28, Friday September 8, 2018;  exactly 1 year after his 1st surgery. 

By God's grace & design, He allowed me to be present & in country.  Never in a million years would I have dreamed that our short furlough would include the funeral of my precious Daddy.  It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do thus far in my life.  But in saying that, God has been the most precious Comforter imaginable.  His grace & strength have definitely been sufficient.  Even though I have not yet come out on the other side of grief, I know that He walks beside me and is holding me up when I feel that I might just crumble.   On days when the grief hits so hard that I feel I can't even breathe, He is there!!  I couldn't make it through this life without Him.  He takes care of His own!

Thanksgiving with the Tooley's

Well, Thanksgiving went well for us.  We got together with about 2 dozen others and had a wonderful time.  Plenty of food and fellowship and I ate too much as usual.

One of the families (the Rooney's) littlest boy came down with a sickness bug on the Wednesday night.  He, his mom and the baby stayed home.  The only problem was .... the 'bug' didn't stay home with them! UGH! Caleb ended up with it on Friday night and so did I.  Roger and Rebekah had it yesterday. Needless to say, we decided that it's best to stay home today from church so that we don't 'infect' everyone there.  All of the Rooney's ended up with it and 2 others besides us that I know of.  Not my idea of a good time, but Praise the Lord it didn't last that long.  Thankful to be on the mend.

Praying everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Blessings,
Sis. Tammy

"The Great Danger"

"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the sone of perdition." II Thessalonians 2:3

William Booth (1829-1912), the founder of the Salvation Army, was asked what he considered was the greatest danger to the church.  He succinctly replied, "Religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, justification without repentance, salvation without requirements and Heaven without Hell."

From my humble vantage point the foundation of the problem and the precursor to the spiritual decline or falling away in our day is the fundamental fact that many are satisfied with a religion that is null and void of the power of the Holy Spirit.  Many have so mechanized the ministry that they have ceased to be moved by that which is spiritual.  They believe with modern techniques, social media, man-made motivational gimmickry, and etc., that God's work can be expected to go forward. It can do nothing but fall flat on it's collective face with a "Christianity" that forgot its founder -- JESUS CHRIST.  We have become too "man-centered" and not Christ-centered.  We have become "seeker-friendly" and not focused on the Father.  We have condoned sin and neglected sanctification.  many have trod the road of Hollywood and neglected the path of holiness.

ENOUGH, I SAY!!!  The falling away has begun, but it is incumbent on us to stand, and stand alone, if necessary. -- T.G (Evangelist Tim Green)

~Taken from the Baptist Bread daily devotional~

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME!

Hi Everyone,

It has been a long time since I've posted on my blog.  Sorry!  We have been very busy in the ministry and time has just flown by.  I can't believe it's been about 2 years since my last post.

We are headed out on a 7 month furlough in less than 2 months.  Not sure I'm ready for that!  It is wonderful to be able to see family & friends, but this is home and it's going to be interesting to try to home-school on the road.  Praying for God to use us to be a blessing and encouragement to the many churches we will be in while stateside.

Please keep us in your prayers as God reminds you, I'd really appreciate it!  Thank you!

Until the Shout,

Tammy

I'll Give Myself

I'LL GIVE MYSELF

(Tune: Amazing Grace)

Amazing Grace how sweet the sound,

To those who know the Lord.

But what of those who still are bound,

And do not have His Word?

The many dangers, toils and snares,

Through which we daily go,

Are nothing much when they compare

With what the heathen know.

Ten thousand years to sing His praise,

Bright shining as the sun,

While lost men suffer endless days,

Their torment never done.

Since grace has meant so much to me,

What would it mean to them?

I'll give myself, Oh, Lord, to thee,

To bring thy grace to them.

I was looking through some old papers and found this song. I'm sure it came from a mission conference we were in somewhere. The words are potent and hit home to the fact that their are so many lost souls what don't know or understand what the grace of God can do for them and how it can change their lives so remarkably.

I'm thankful for grace, how about you?

Until the Shout,

Sis. Tammy

Abide In Christ Day 9

I had been reading this book and it was such a blessing, but being busy and all, I set it aside. I almost feel like I need to start all over again. It is a good, yet very deep book. It's not just one that you can skim over and go on. You have to really take your time and think about what it's saying in order to grasp the meaning. I really wish that I could put the whole days devotion here because it is all so good, but that would take up a lot of space.

Abide in Christ-Day 9

"As your sanctification"

"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom,

and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption."

I Corinthians 1:30

Christ is made of God unto us sanctification. Holiness is the very nature of God, and that alone is holy which God takes possession of and fills with Himself. "And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth" (John 17:19).

To illustrate this relationship between the measure of the abiding and the measure of sanctification experienced, let us think of the grafting of a tree, that instructive symbol of our union to Jesus. The illustration is suggested by the Saviour's words, "... make the tree good, and his fruit good..."(Matt 12:33). I can graft so that only a single branch bears good fruit, while many of the natural branches remain, and bear their old fruit -- a type of believer in whom a small part of the life is sanctified, but in whom, from ignorance or other reasons, the carnal life still in many respects has full dominion.

I can graft a tree so that every branch is cut off, and the whole tree becomes renewed to bear good fruit; and yet, unless I watch over the tendency of the stems to give sprouts, they may again rise and grow strong, and, robbing the new graft of the strength it needs, make it weak. Such are Christians who, when apparently powerfully converted, forsake all to follow Christ, and yet after at time, through unwatchfulness, allow old habits to regain their power, and whose Christian life and fruit are but feeble.

But if I want a tree wholly made good, I take it when young, and, cutting the stem clean off on the ground, I graft it just where it emerges from the soil. I watch over every bud which the old nature could possibly put forth, until the flow of sap from the old roots into the new stem is so complete that the old life has, as it were, been entirely conquered and covered by the new. Here I have a tree entirely renewed -- emblem of the Christian who has learnt in entire consecration to surrender everything for Christ, and in a wholehearted faith wholly to abide in Him.

Christian, fear not to claim God's promises to make you holy. Listen not to the suggestion that the corruption of your old nature would rend holiness an impossibility. In your flesh dwells no good thing, and that flesh, though crucified with Christ, is not yet dead, but will continually seek to rise and lead you to evil. But the Father is the Husbandman. He has grafted the life of Christ on your life. That holy life is mightier than your evil life; under the watchful care of the Husbandman, that new life can keep down the workings of the evil life within you. The evil nature is there, with its unchanged tendency to rise up and show itself. But the new nature is there too -- the living Christ, your sanctification, is there -- and through Him all your powers can be sanctified as they rise into life, and be made to bear fruit to the glory of the Father.

~By Andrew Murray~

And this is only a small portion of the days devotion. Can you see what I mean about being so good, yet so deep? This is what I call 'good stuff'. Amen and Amen!

Until the Shout,

Sis. Tammy

James

This is the year of the Bible (400th anniversary) and as a family we are endeavouring to memorize the book of James.

It is so important to hide His Word in our hearts. We are taking 2 verses a week and working on them. It has been fun doing this as a family. We have gotten up to verse 6 completed. This week we start on verses 7-8.

James 1:1-6

1. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraided not; and it shall be given him.
6. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

My husband went to a Christian High School and in order for them to graduate all the seniors had to memorize this book. He has forgotten a lot of it, so we are all pretty much on even ground (excluding the fact that children's brains work faster than ours, lol).

I'm really enjoying it and pray that most of it will stay with me after this is done. I reckon I'll just have to keep repeating it for how ever many years the Lord gives us on this earth! Hahahaha

Well, time for church . . . be in your place!!!

Until the Shout,

Sis. Tammy

Answer to Prayer

I'm so thankful that I serve a God who answers prayer! Yes, sometimes it's a NO. Yes, sometimes it's a WAIT. Yes, sometimes it's a YES, but He always answers.

We are often bad about given our Lord the credit that is due Him. Just because the answer is not necessarily what we want, doesn't mean that He is not concerned about us. He is concerned enough that He will do what is best even when it isn't what we want.

I'm glad that the Lord saw fit to answer a specific prayer that I had for someone else. Only the Lord knows how burdened my heart has been these last months, but I do praise Him for the victory, no matter how big or small.

Until the Shout,

Sis. Tammy

CT Townsend - I have been blessed

Heard this song today and I just want to say . . .

I HAVE BEEN BLESSED!

Busy!

Today, I have been glossing the skirting boards (base boards) and doors in the kitchen. After that I worked on getting the dining room put back together. Still have a few things I need to hang up and a mirror to get to go over the piano, but it's coming along. I have to finish glossing in the hallway and up the stairs. Should be interesting. NOT!

Sometime soon I have to redo Rebekah's room and then work on the bathrooms at church. I have a good bit of stuff that I'm taking to the church to use in the bathrooms to 'pretty' them up a bit. It's just all go at the moment. When I get the house put back together I will post the before and after shots! Should prove interesting!

Until the Shout,

Sis. Tammy

What a day!

Today started well and has ended well, but the in between was a bit of a bumpy ride.

You just can't trust some people in this day and time. We bought a used hoover (vacuum) through ebay about 2 weeks We used it once, then I was busy painting and with everything gathered in the middle of the rooms I didn't have the time to try it again. The woman kept pressuring Roger to put feedback on, so after trying it we did.

Today as I was trying to put the living room back together it started to smell and make funny noises, then just died. It stunk up the entire house. I looked through all the hoses and nothing was clogging it (although I knew that already). I took the filter off and the black foam at the bottom was all tore up and mostly missing. I'm wondering if it got sucked into the inside somehow and messed it up?

We contacted the woman and she was very nasty. Basically said it was our problem. It sure isn't nice how unscrupulous people are, especially when you pay for something and it works all of about 10 minutes.

Evidently once you put feedback on there you can't change it. We definitely won't ever be pressured like that again. We will reserve judgment until after we've had time to properly have a look at the item and get some use out of it.

But in all that, I'm glad the Lord knows and He sees all. He'll take care of it. We have a friend who has a friend that is going to look at it and see if he can fix it. Wouldn't that be a blessing?

Learning Lessons,

Sis. Tammy

Glossing

Well, it looks like today is going to be spent doing the glossing or rather trying to get it all finished. My house is a total wreck and has been for about 3 weeks now. It looks like we are moving, UGH! And in some ways that might have been easier. LOL

All the furniture in the living room and dining room is shoved to the middle of the room and we have only a love seat that is available to sit on. The poor kids have been having to eat sitting on the floor since Thursday! I'll take some pictures and post them. I'll try to make sure I get some before and after shots. Like, before the clean-up and after!

The only major downside, well other than it being a mess, is that I rolled the cabinet in the dining room that holds school test and records 'under' the table to keep it from getting messed up and now Rebekah is having to go ahead in her other PACE's and come back to 1 of 2 tests. I'm praying she doesn't forget it all. Hahahaha

Hope everyone has a good and godly day!

Until the Shout,

Sis. Tammy

Hope In Him

Psalms 39:7

"And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee."

Hope is a wonderful thing. It gives courage for some to go on, strength in hard times and so much, much more.

The definition of hope:

1. to wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment.
2. to have confidence; trust.
3. to look forward to with confidence or expectation.
4. to expect and desire
5. something that is hoped for or desired.
6. one that is a source of or reason for hope.

I put in bold the definition for today. I am so thankful that my hope is in the Lord-one that is a source of or reason for hope. Many times things/people come and go, switch and tur, but GOD

is always there (Hebrews 13:5b- "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."). He is a friend that sticks closer than any brother/sister/father/mother ever could. He's a faithful friend & confidante!

I am wondering today what you are putting your hope in? Is it true and loving Lord or is it in a sin-sick and disillusioned world? Jesus is our only hope. We put our trust in so many different things and people then, when they fail, we are disappointed, frustrated and angry; but God is worthy of our trust. Psalms 118:8 says, "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man".

Being as how God is perfect, how can He fail? I'm glad that I have put my hope in a righteous and holy God that I know will always do what is best for me instead of trying to rely on myself, someone or something else. Because at the end of the day I am just flesh and bone and I will

fail, others will fail me (not necessarily on purpose, but they too are made of the same flesh as I am), situations & circumstances will fail me, BUT MY JESUS WILL NEVER FAIL!

How about you today, what or who are you really trusting in?

Until the Shout,

Sis. Tammy

Hi!

The New Year has started with a flurry of paint! Yes, I said paint. I've been painting the interior of the house for a few weeks. Other than having to redo Rebekah's room and sort out the glossing it should be finished this week. Next week, glossing and etc. Then to clean the carpets. Spring cleaning will be finished early at the Tooley house. YAY! Hahahaha Make that 'winter' cleaning. But, it all needs done and no time like the present, right?

Roger and I have started our diets. So far so good (well, it is only the first day, lol). It is called the Metabolism Miracle. It is similar to Adkins, but it is a temporary jump start for the first 8 weeks. They use the rule 5X5. No more than 5 carbs every 5 hours. After the first 8 weeks you can start to had things back into your diet. Instead of your pancreas having to produce and give out insulin to make your body burn those carbs, it uses the stored fat for energy instead. If your body gets more than those 5 carbs in that digestive time limit the pancreas has to work and use insulin, but as long as it is under that then we use excess fat. This helps to boost the use of your metabolism. Where before it didn't have to, now it does. We have quite a few friends that are doing it and they have really done well on it, soooooooo . . . here we go.

Until the Shout,

Sis. Tammy

Busy, Busy, Busy

This month is proving to be a VERY busy time. It usually is hectic, but this is bordering on crazy.

I'm going to just put up our schedule for this month. I'll probably be referring to it myself so that I can keep up with what is going on. LOL

December Calender:

1st- Decorated the church for Christmas

3rd- Decorated the house

4th- Carol Service at Orchard House Care Home and then a few of the ladies at church and I are going to a Ladies meeting in Newbury. I am the guest speaker and also have to play the piano.

5th-Regular service plus the Carol Service at the Willow's Care Home.

6th- Meeting friends for Christmas shopping in Milton Keynes

11th- Karate Grading

12th- Carol Service at church plus our annual Church Christmas Party after the service.

14th- Home schooling Christmas party in Birmingham. I am making Christmas Tea and Buckey Bars with the older students.

19th- Candle Light Service in the evening.

Well, after just typing that I'm tired. Off to relax and enjoy some ice-cream.

Christmas Blessings,

Sis. Tammy