The "Glad Game"

There's so much I don't understand

That I'd change if I wrote the story

How pain could heal and death bring life

How defeat could bring such glory

You didn't hold back one breath

You even gave Your last one, so I'd live

Chorus:

It's beautiful to me

Your holy mystery

I'm standing here in awe

Of how You make everything

So beautiful to me

And someday I will see

How You hold this wounded heart

And make it perfect & complete

And it's beautiful to me

Beautiful to me

I don't deserve Your suffering

I should be the one who's bleeding

But Your broken body gives

This broken spirit what it's needing

You reached through time with Your sacrifice

Your wounded hands, holding this fragile life

Chorus

This ache, this longing

This heart that I've been searching

This moment while I'm praying...show me

Your plan, Your promise

A pain that has a purpose

Well, I let you in to use it

And just like Your hands built heaven's halls

You're making me so beautiful

Beautiful

It's beautiful to me

Every mystery

I'm standing here in awe

Of how You make everything

So beautiful to me

So perfect and complete

You warm this wounded heart

Someday I will see

And it's beautiful to me

Beautiful to me

Beautiful, beautiful

Beautiful to me 2x

Kerrie Roberts ~ Beautiful To Me

Album: Kerrie Roberts

Ok, so this song is just too beautiful to break up.  The main part that I want to talk about though is the first two lines of the song.  So simple, but if you think about it...so true.  If I had control, (not just the illusion of control), control every single thing that happened in my life, & I was able to redo things that went wrong in my life...would I?

Honestly, there are probably some things I would want to change.  I would probably make sure I kept my balance, & didn't fall into the big fountain we had in our front yard; the one that gave me a big, ugly fat lip & black & blue eye so swollen I could hardly open it.  Yes, I think I'd like to change that...  

BUT, now that I think of it...I was so blessed by my friends during that time, who (even though we were young...& I probably looked pretty weird) showed me such kindness, by telling me I looked beautiful, still asking me over to their houses for "play-dates", didn't stare, but didn't keep their distance.  That might not sound it should be a big deal...friends should do that anyway.  But for me it was a big deal.  I was about 8 years old, & I wasn't a pretty sight...honestly I wouldn't have blamed my friends if they wanted to keep their distance until I was better.  But instead, I was extremely blessed, & can now truly sympathize with people who have something deform their face (whether temporarily like mine, or permanently.)

Ok, so...I'd probably still let that happen to me...

But those times where I said or did something to hurt one of my friends.  I'd change those times!  BUT, if I did, I wouldn't be able to feel the forgiveness I received after apologizing...  Forgiveness that reminded me of what my Savior did for me.  Reminding me that I'm not going to be perfect, but that I can't use that as an excuse for sinning.

Ok, so...I'd probably keep those times as well...

I guess I'd say the same thing for the times that I wasn't respectful to my parents.  I've learned from those mistakes I made...& am getting better & better at keeping my frustration from getting the upper-hand.  I also know the importance of parenting, & am storing all this knowledge for when I become a mommy.

So...my list of "Things In My Past I'd Like To Change If I Could"...is getting smaller by the second as I think about it...

The only thing, I still think I'd change was...feeling way under the weather on my 16th birthday...that's just wrong...isn't it?  BUT...(you knew this was coming =) )  I guess that did show me that it doesn't matter about growing with age...what really matters is how you grow in the Spirit.  Instead of depending on worldly things to give me joy, I should be looking to Him to give me joy.  And reminding me not to take for granted the health & especially the life that I have, because there are some children who are sick on almost all their birthdays, with cancers, & tumors.  Some children don't even reach their 16th birthday.  I really have nothing to complain about, because I have the only thing that matters! A personal relationship with my Abba Father.

I'm not sure how many of you've read that book Pollyanna by Eleanor Porter.  But this sound very much like the "Glad Game".  Looking for the good out of not-so-good situations...

I know that I won't always see the big picture.  But my prayer is that when I do feel discouraged, that I lean on Him who gives me strength.  He who does see the big picture & knows exactly whats best for me.  I pray that we all trust Him druing these times.  Because He will allow us to go through struggles, but--as I've realized--even though we might not be able to see them at first...later we can see the amazing joys & blessings that came from those trials.

I LOVE hearing stories of how the Lord worked something that you thought couldn't get any worse, turn into something great.  If you have any stories like this...about yourself or others please share!!

Au Revoir...Until next time.  =)

Many Blessings!

Tiffani

Blessings In The Post Office...

Where love like a river flows, peace like you've never known

And joy never ending lives

And a place where faith can find, hope that will never die

Follow me there, come on, follow me there

Third Day ~ Follow Me There

Album: Move

I've been wanting to write about this for a while now, but I guess I just keep forgetting....

My mom & I were at the post office a couple weeks ago.  There was a really long line, but we decided to wait, because my mom had to overnight a package.  I don't remember how it happened, but my mom (who is usually social anyway) started talking with the lady behind us.  And soon the lady behind her (who I was thinking had a "sour-puss" look on her face) started talking with the two of them as well.

I was thinking about Francis Chan's book, Forgotten God, about being emboldened by the Holy Spirit & just talking to people, being friendly, being a mirror of our Savior Jesus.  THEN I started hearing what I was sure was Third Day playing softly over the speakers.  I was kinda confused, but soooooooooo excited!!!  Then when we finally got up to the counter I realized that it was Third Day, but that it wasn't playing over the speakers after all.  Someone (who worked there) was playing a radio. 

So even though the post office wasn't playing the music, it was still really cool to know that someone working there was a Christian & was allowed to & emboldened enough to play the Christian radio station!!

My dad plays the Christian music station in his office...it's so much fun when I go in to work (once a week), because I get to sing along with all the songs as I'm working.

I pray for the post office person who owned the radio...that he or she will continue to be bold & courageous to play God honoring music...even if he or she might suffer persecution for their faith.  Amen!

Au Revoir...Until next time.  =)
Many Blessings!
Tiffani

Traveling Bible

I will be a candle in the darkness

I will be the hand of heaven above

I will be a mirror that reflects your endless love

I will be the hope among the hopeless

Where there is conflict I will be peace

Only by the power of your spirit that's living in me

I will be

Natalie Grant ~ I Will Be

Album: Deeper Life

 

I don't know about you, but I'm the kind of person, if I'm waiting, either in a line, for my computer to restart, or my food to cook, or anytime when I'm out & waiting for...whatever.  I feel like I'm wasting valuable time & that I should be doing something...  So I pick up a book (almost any book) & start reading it.  Then I started thinking why am I not reading my Bible?

Soooooooooo A couple weeks ago I got a smaller Bible that I can fit in my purse.  My other Bible is a huge study Bible...& my purse is already heavy enough with out putting my "sword" in it.

"Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints"  Eph. 6:14-18

So I got a portable Bible, & it's pink!!!  I know...so girly, but my choices were quite limited. Black, brown, PINK or go to different version.  Here's a picture of it:

But since it is pink, it will probably get more attention.  More people will probably wonder what I'm reading, which will open more doors for me to be a witness for my Savior.

Au Revoir...Until next time.  =)

Many Blessings!

Tiffani

I Refuse, Not To Move!

Sometimes I

I just want to close my eyes

And act like everyone's alright

When I know they're not

This world needs God

But it's easier to stand and watch

I could say a prayer and just move on

Like nothing's wrong

But I refuse

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care

I don't want to say another empty prayer

Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself

Oh, I could choose

Not to move but I refuse

I can hear the least of these

Crying out so desperately

And I know we are the hands and feet

Of You, oh God

So, if You say move

It's time for me to follow through

And do what I was made to do

Show them who You are

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care

I don't want to say another empty prayer

Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself

Oh, I could choose

Not to move but I refuse

To stand and watch the weary and lost

Cry out for help

I refuse to turn my back

And try and act like all is well

I refuse to stay unchanged

To wait another day, to die to myself

I refuse to make one more excuse

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care

I don't want to say another empty prayer

Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself

Oh, I could choose

Not to move but I refuse

I refuse

I refuse

Josh Wilson ~ I Refuse

Album: See You

So....yesterday was a pretty exciting day for me & my family... I GOT MY DRIVERS LICENSE!!!!!
I'm just a little excited!!!
My mom & I met my dad at a restaurant to celebrate & my dad told me that I could drive home by myself!!!

So here are a couple pics my mom took of me...driving...without anyone else in the car... =)



Moi, driving out of the parking lot...by myself.





Becaue you can't tell...that's moi in the white car...





Moi...driving...with no one else in the car.



So as I was driving home (by myself =) ) I turned on the Christian radio station... (It's called The Fish...isn't that cute!!)  Anyhoo, I was listening to some people talking about "adopting" orphans in Africa by donating money.  Then the above song started playing.  I was so moved by the song...I had to share it all, with all of you.  

This song really made me think about my life as I continue to grow, physically & spiritually... Because now that I can drive, in my mind it kinda makes me think ahead, to more possible opportunities to be a witness for my Savior.  And I don't want to be a chicken & not talk to someone, when I know the Lord is calling me to do so.

I was in a Theology Book Club for about 2 years...I just had to stop recently.  =(  Well, one of the books we read was Forgotten God by Francis Chan.  It's about the Holy Spirit...  One of the points that fascinated me, was that the Holy Spirit is the one who whispers for us to go & talk to someone. 

One of leaders in the CBS ((Community Bible Study) that my mom & I go to) had an experienced a little while ago that reminds me of this song.  She was running (on a hiking trail) & she saw this teenage girl sitting up a-ways on the hill to the side of her...she kinda waved to the girl & kept running.  But then she felt the Holy Spirit telling her to go back & talk to that girl.  She admits that she tried to get out of it...she was going to look so silly running back & then trying to clamber up the hill.  Besides the girl might not even be there when she went back.  Someone else would probably come along & talk to her.  BUT this lady is a woman of God, strong in her faith & in the end she decided to go back & talk to this girl.

She talked to the girl for a little while, nothing "miraculous" happened, the girl didn't ask to become a Christian....BUT!!  the Lord can use many different people in one persons life.  Maybe another person did end up coming by & talk to that girl & because a seed was already planted about our Savior, the girl asked to know more.  I can think of many more scenarios that could have happened.  But the main thing is, this lady was emboldened by the Holy Spirit & she refused, not to move.  Afterwards, even though she probably did look silly, she felt spiritually satisfied, because she knew she heard the Holy Spirit, listened to the Holy Spirit & acted on what He told her to do.

I pray that the same thing will happen to me.  That when the Holy Spirit whispers...or shouts for me to do something; that I will do exactly what He asks of me!

Au Revoir...until next time.  =)

Many Blessings!

Tiffani

Graduation

It's your life, whatcha gonna do

The world is watching you

Every day the choices you make...

Say what you are and who...

Your heart beats for

It’s an open door

It’s your life

Francesca Battistelli ~ It's Your Life

Album: My Paper Heart

Some very dear friends of mine graduated a couple days ago... It was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo exciting seeing them up onstage, knowing that soon all our lives will be changing with new seasons.  It was such a blessing being part of the celebrations!!!!

It was a bitter-sweet moment.  I don't know about you, but I sometimes feel like I wish things would just stay the same...it would be a lot easier.  BUT, that's not God's plan for any of us, now is it.  And then the more I think about it, it would be pretty sad & dull if everything stayed the same.  I would never meet new people, do new things, never get married, never become a mommy...in the long run, things probably wouldn't be that much easier. 

So CONGRATULATIONS to my graduated friends...you know who you are.  =)  I will be praying for as you continue to walk with the Lord's guidence.  I can't wait to see what He has in store for you lives!!!!

"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you."  Philippians 3:13-15

You Are My All In All

You are my strength when I am weak

You are the treasure that I seek

You are my all in all

You Are My All In All ~ Nichole Nordeman

One of my mom’s favorite songs is Nichole Nordeman's You Are My All In All. I was always amazed at how simple the words were, yet how much meaning, inspiration & truth were packed into them.  The more I started thinking about the song, the more I felt called to study out the verses (of the song)...

So I'm going to do that and post my "ah-ha's" & epiphanies...here!  My prayer is that the Lord will fill me with His Spirit, inspire me, & change me during this study.

I invite you to do this with me.  You can post comments of what the Lord is showing you.  I would LOVE for you to share, share, share!!  =)

Quiet Time...

This is the stuff, that drives me crazy

This is the stuff, that's gettin' to me lately

In the middle of my little mess...

I forget how big I'm blessed

This Is The Stuff ~ Francesca Battistelli

Album: Hundred More Years

I'm sad that I haven't been able to write for so long (over a week)...I've been wanting to...really I have...but I'm sure you all know how busy schedules get...so...

Why does it always seem like I'm "busy", but never seem to get enough done during the day.  My mom always says she can tell when she hasn't been spending her sit down quiet-time with the Lord.  I'm getting to realize the same thing.  I can tell when my flesh seems to be controling my emotions, thoughts &; actions.  It's hard to describe...for me something inside me just doesn't feel right...&; it doesn't start to get better until I stop, pray, & ultimately surrender.  I feel lost, uncertain, my head seems to be spinning in all different directions.  No, its not a pleasent feeling...it gets even worse when I try to fix things on my own.  Because I can do nothing apart from Christ. ("I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5)  Thankfully, our Father has given us the Helper...who is perfect at reminding us of this fact.

Au Revoir...until next time.  =)
Many Blessings!
Tiffani