Silent Sunday

C-ya tomorrow! A new week and a new outlook!

Being ok with who I am....

Growing up I always wanted to be a nurse. And not just a nurse but I wanted to work with children,help them. When I was 15 years old my younger brother then age 9 was hit by a truck. He died 3 times and was in a coma for a while,when he finally came out (thank God) he was moved to the Pediatrics unit. We spent a lot of time at the hospital with him and I got to see and talk with a lot of the nurses there. It was then that I decided that I was the be a pediatric nurse that specializes in nicu. Now lets move forward a few years.........

I am a young woman and marry my husband we are pregnant with our first child. My whole outlook on life changed. I no longer wanted to be a nurse but I wanted to be a momma and a wife. I felt that was the calling that God wanted for me.

Feeling that God's calling for my life was the be a mom and homemaker was ok until I got around career women. Talk about feeling inadequate,oh did I ever. They were so educated and so successful and from where I was sitting it seemed like they had it all. It was hard for me to talk to them because we really didn't have much in common. They had their careers and family and well I just had my family. They would kind of look down on me for my choices in life. Like I was choosing beneath me. But when I would tell them my desire to be a mom and wife and stay home to take care of my home and children and not the day care down the street. Well that didn't go over well at all to say the least. I suppose you could look at it like I struck a nerve. Some would even admit that they wish they could stay home with their children but they just couldn't live on one income.

I have my moments where I feel less than another woman because she helps provide for her family and is educated. Maybe a small part of me wishes that I would have continued my education and got my nursing degree. But then I ask myself at what degree,when do I set the happiness of my family aside to stroke my ego or finish a dream. No that's ok.

I may not be the most educated woman out there and I may not bring in a 6 figure income but I am doing what I love and what the Lord planned for me and my life. And that's ok by me,my worth will not be measured in my degree or how much I make but rather in the time I invest in my children and having a happy healthy marriage. There is so much more to life than chasing the buck or buying the best or running after that dream at the expense of your family. I know that there are women out there that may read this and think I'm nuts or so far behind in the times, that I sound more like a 1950's housewife than a modern strong woman. If that is what you want to think then that's ok, I know what I stand for and I will not back down from it.

Witnessing to others

Witnessing to others was the topic for last nights youth group,the older group called Fish ,First I Seek Him, I had the opportunity to share my personal testimony and we talked about being a witness for the Lord.

We all know that Jesus tells us to be a witness,but how do we do that. Many times we hear to be a witness but have no idea how to go about it. So what do we do to witness for Jesus Christ?

It's really rather simple,you don't need any fancy words or even a ton of scripture. Sometimes the best witness is your story. Yes that's right your story. What has Jesus done for you in your life. My personal testimony is my way of witnessing to others. What Jesus has done for me is beyond words but I finally told my story last night. I hope to have touched someone or even spoke to someone of the power of Jesus and what he can do in your life to if you only let him.

It doesn't have to be something as big as what I talked about but if you share your personal story or testimony with other of what Jesus has and/or is doing for you in your life then my friend you are being a witness to others.

And sometimes we don't have to say a word,but our actions and the way we conduct ourselves is a way of being a witness. There are way to many people out there that say they are a Christian but don't live their lives as a Christian,so in other words they talk the talk but they don't walk the walk. So when non Christians see them that is how they judge all Christians. Yes sad but oh so true. So when someone comes along and daily lives what they talk about and truly shows the world they are a Christian this speaks volumes to them. The sad thing is if you think about all the people that could have been saved if only they had a true Christian to witness to them. It breaks my heart to think about it.

Please don't let the next time the opportunity arises to witness to someone pass you by!

God Bless,

Sunday

I will be back on Monday!

God Bless,

Quilt Of Holes

I got this in an email and it brought tears to my eyes.

Quilt of Holes

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lordalong with all the other souls.

Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt inmany piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares togetherinto a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticedhow ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled withwith giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that hadbeen difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with inevery day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were thelargest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares.Other than atiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with richcolor and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my ownlife and was disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together,threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held upto the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn,holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all theearthly fortunes. I had love in my life,=2 0 and laughter. But there hadalso been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations thattook from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times.I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow musterthe strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on myknees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had oftenbeen held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each timeoffering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within myskin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and Ihad to accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lifted thecombined squares of my life to the light.

An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the otherswho stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the manyholes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stoodbefore me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time yougave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.

Each point of light in your life is when you stepped asid e and letMe shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ toshine through!

God determines who walks into your life ...it's up to you todecide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuseto let go.'

When there is nothing left but God that is when you find outthat God is all you need.

Well I think that says it all!

God Bless,
Tammy

Sunday

I'll be back in the Blogging world tomorrow!!!!

Happy Pentecost Sunday!!!!

God Bless,

Tammy

Pentecost Sunday

Tomorrow is Pentecost Sunday and our church is holding a special service for the Holy Day!!!! For those that do not know what Pentecost Sunday is here's the formal answer to that question....

Question: "What is Pentecost Sunday?"

Answer: Pentecost Sunday is a commemoration and celebration of the receiving of the Holy Spirit by the early church. John the Baptist prophesied of the first Pentecost where Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11). Jesus confirmed this prophesy with the promise of the Holy Spirit to the disciples in John 14:26. He showed Himself to these men after His death on the cross and His Resurrection, giving convincing proofs that He was alive. Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Father’s gift of the Holy Spirit, from whom they would receive power to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:3-8). After Jesus’ ascension to heaven, the men returned to Jerusalem and joined together in prayer in an upper room. On the Day of Pentecost, just as promised, a violent wind filled the house and tongues of fire came to rest on each of them and all were filled with the Holy Spirit. They were given the power of communication which Peter used to begin the ministry for which Jesus had prepared him. After the coming of the Holy Spirit, the disciples did not stay in the room basking in God’s glory but burst out to tell the world. This was the beginning of the Church as we know it.Today, in many Christian churches, Pentecost Sunday is celebrated to recognize the gift of the Holy Spirit, realizing that God’s very life, breath and energy lives in believers. During this service, John 20:19-23 may be the core of the message about our risen Savior supernaturally appearing to the fear-laden disciples. Their fear gave way to joy when the Lord showed them His hands and side. He assured them peace and repeated the command given in Matthew 28:19-20 saying; “as the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” Then He breathed on them and they received the Holy Spirit (John 20:21-23).The celebration of Pentecost Sunday reminds us of the reality that we are all have the unifying Spirit that was poured out upon the first century church in Acts 2:1-4. It is a reminder that we are co-heirs with Christ, to suffer with Him that we may also be glorified with Him; that the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7); that we are all baptized by one Spirit into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13); and that the Spirit which raised Jesus from the dead lives inside believers (Romans 8:9-11). This gift of the Holy Spirit that was promised and given to all believers on the first Pentecost is promised for you and your children and for all who are far off whom the Lord our God will call (Acts 2:39).


In my terms One awesome Holy powerful service!!!! WOOOOOHOOOO!!!!!!

God Bless,
Tammy

HomeMaker?!~

Why don't you just get a job? I couldn't stay home,I would be bored to death! But your children are all in school,why are you still staying home?

Do these questions all look familiar? I bet most of you that are homemakers have had one of these question thrown to you at some point or another. Maybe not in these exact words but close to it.

Why does society believe they can tell us how we should live?! Why is it so "bad" to be a homemaker? Why is it viewed and a thing of the past? Why do people have a hard time believe that you can raise a moderate family on one income and do it just fine?

Yes I have asked myself those questions and I bet most of you have to and then some.

In a world that is striving to push us out of our home and into the work force,I am proud to say I am a HOMEMAKER! I work at home, I care for my family,I care for my home. When my children need me I'm here. When my husband needs me I'm here. When my friends or family need me I'm here. They don't have to call my job to get a hold of me. My family is not next in line for me they are first (after God),not some job. When my children look back long after I'm gone they will know momma was there for us. I take pride in that fact!

God Bless,
Tammy

Easter

Let us not forget the True Meaning for Easter. It's not the Easter Bunny or candy and hunting eggs. It's so much more than that.

Our Savior gave his life for our sins and was put to rest in a tomb where he remained for 3 days and on the Third Day our savior rose again. And so on Easter let us not forget what our savior The Lord Jesus Christ has done for us. For without him where we would we be!

God Bless,
Tammy

My views on modesty

Most of you know that I and my daughter are modest dressing gals. With the many different ideas about what it means to dress modestly,I thought it was time for me to blog about what my views are on modest dress.

First,modest dress is just that dress,not pants or slacks or shorts. Dresses or skirts! That's it period. There are many different type of dresses and skirts out there. We wear only dresses and skirts that hit below the knee. This can be a challenge sometimes with Little C,I get her a dress and it's so cute and she looks so pretty in it and then she grows all of a sudden,and that pretty dress is now to short on her. I can't tell you how many times she has put on a dress just to come out of her room and tell me "Um momma I think this dress is too short now" I look to see that she's right it's above her knees now.

It makes me so happy to see that my daughter values her body as God does. She tries her best to keep herself covered,this type of behavior in a world that if full of young girls flaunting their bodies for all to see is a wonderfully refreshing view. We have also been blessed to belong to a church that shares our views on this matter and Little C has friends there that reaffirm the way she carries herself.

On top of the skirts and dresses. I also watch what kind to tops I wear. No low cut or loose tops,if they are to low cut or loose I will wear a shirt under them for more protection and coverage. If the sleeves are cut to low under the arms I again wear a shirt under it to cover me. If the shirt is a bit to see through for my taste I again wear and shirt under it to cover me.

My hair is long and I do not get it cut unless it is to get split ends trimmed. I believe that my long hair is a glory to God and is to be my covering in prayer. I use to get my hair cut but since the Lord put the conviction of dress over me I have not gotten my hair cut. The same with my daughter.

A lady is a lady from head to toe inside and out. If you look the part act the part. Remember you will get more respect acting as a lady should act. Mind your manners and be respectful. It all goes hand in hand,modesty is the outer and inner woman. The whole package!


God Bless,
Tammy

On my heart/salvation is yours for the taking

It has been on my heart to share with you all about my saviour,The Lord Jesus Christ. How he loves us so very much,so much so that he allows us to have free will. He allows us to choose,choose him or not. And the best part is choosing him opens up doors to a world you could never imagine.

Imagine walking into a room and you feel sure,you feel loved,you feel like you know you are moving in the right direction. That is what it is like walking with Jesus. But so much more. It's like walking with light,the most awesome light you could ever imagine and then some.

He will talk to your heart if you just listen. He will guide you if you will just obey. He will teach you if you will just open your mind to him.

We are all his children and he watches over us daily. His heart breaks when ours breaks. He gets angry when we do wrong. He teaches us lessons when it's called for. Just like a loving father would do.

There's a saying that has helped me out when I was in a troubled place. God does not guarantee that if you walk with him that nothing bad will ever happen to you.But know this if you do walk with him when the bad things do happen he will be there along side of you to pick you up and hold you hand.

The coolest thing of all is that it's so easy for God to forgive us of our wrong doings, our sin. He died on the cross so that we would have this wonderful chance. If you believe that and your feel that feeling like you are being pulled to Jesus but you don't feel like you are worthy to do so. Let me tell you this,YOU ARE! I promise you that.

What do you need to do? It's simple really and doesn't require a fancy prayer. Remember he's our father and we can talk to him like I'm talking to you,he always hears us.

First know that he died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.
Know that in this act of love he granted us the greatest gift we could have ever gotten.
Know that forgiveness is yours if you only ask him for it and want it deep inside. He will forgive you. Confess your sins to him and ask him to forgive you of them. Ask him to help you and guide you and he will. He may bring people into your life that will help you along your walk.

Now if you have done these thing then walk a different walk. You are a new person and as a new person you don't do the things you did before being Saved.

Find a good water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ church and get yourself baptised.

Next seek the Holy Ghost. How do you do this,it's easy you pray until you break through.

If you would like to know more about all that I have talked about in the post then please click here http://cac.us.com/docs/ready_to_be_free.asp

If you have any questions or would like prayer,feel free.

God Bless,
Tammy

StedFast At Home

When you read this term what comes to mind. Is it something bad in your views? Is it something that you relate to times that have long past when women stayed home and stood behind their man and kept the heads down and mouths shut? Or is it something else? I know for many of you what you believe this term means is all together something so very different than what it really does mean at heart.

I was like many of you, when I heard that, my alarms immediately went up. I thought, how dare you say that, I am no man's slave and I have a voice of my own that will freely use. I have a mind of my own and I'm a strong woman in mind,body and spirit. I am not a weak little woman doing what my man says. Does that pretty much sum up what you think when you hear stedfast at home or homekeeper,or even helpmeet?


I no longer see these phrases as I did, now let me tell you why. I began studying the bible alot more closer than I ever have in my life and began to talk to the Lord on a more personal level about what I felt my role was in my marriage and in the world in general. Now I believe the terms I have mentioned in the article as something to be proud of and cherish. I am no lower than my husband. I am not behind my husband. I am however his equal ,I work side by side with him to keep our home and life going. I have my duties and role in the house and so does he. He works outside the house and I stay home. I work hard and don't look down on my work as meager housework or that I'm just a homemaker or stay at home mom. I work very hard to make sure I keep a nice home for my family and that includes cooking good nutritious meals. On top of this I also keep our household costs as low and I can to save us as much money as I can in all categories of our lives. I hold my head high and I'm proud of who I am and what I do. I may not be out in the world working bringing home a paycheck but that does not make my role in my family any less important.


Here are a few bible versus that I have read that has helped me in ventures to be at peace with my choices in my life...
Psalm 128:3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house.
--What does this scripture mean,well to me is says To bare children be fruitful --
Proverbs 14:1 The wise woman builds her house but with her own hands the foolish one tears her down.
-- A wise woman works hard to keep her home where a foolish or lazy woman doesn't.--
Proverbs 31 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good,not harm,all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark:she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a Field and buys it: out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously: her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she hold the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows,she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate,where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.: Charm is deceptive,and beauty is fleeting; but a woman that fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
--Whew that's a mouth full,LOL Meaning work hard for her home and family and don't shame yourself or your family. --
Titus 2 : 5 To be self-controlled and pure,to be busy at home,to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands,so that no one will malign the word of God.
--This is pretty self explained. To show self control and work hard in your home and not be lazy and to help your husband.--

I know that's alot to read but I truly feel as a woman it's worth a good study. As you read this see how it's relative to your own life.

God Bless,
Tammy