The Describing of Friends...

Hey now you know it's true
After all that we've been through
You can count on me
When it comes down to the end
I will always be your friend
No matter where you go
I want you to know now

Chorus:
I promise my prayers
I promise my heart
I'll be thinking of you
Wherever you are
When the daylight is done
When the night is so dark
When I cannot be there
I promise my prayers

Down each road we take
We're joined together when we pray
No matter where life leads
I will lift you up
You'll be covered by his love
The angels will find you
I'm here to remind you now

Chorus
I'll cover, I'll cover you, I'll cover

Beyond our understanding
His hand is moving and we stand amazed
I pray His love will guide you
I know He's there beside you always

Chorus

Promise My Prayers ~ Point of Grace

In case you have never read T.S. Eliot's Old Possums Book of Practical Cats, my title is referencing one of the poem titles.  He wrote of poem called The Naming of Cats...hence The Describing of Friends...  =)

What is a friend?

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words." ~ Anonymous

"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world." ~ Anonymous

To me, friends are those:

~Who you can text in the wee hours of the morning with a prayer request

~Who will burn their fingers on a curling iron to make sure your hair is "perfect" for prom

~Who will listen when you need to talk something out

~Who lift you up and make you smile without even trying

~Who you've never met in person, but are still 'kindred spirits' in Christ

~Who you can just start chatting with, even if you haven't seen them in a while

~Who don't make you do all the talking, yet never dominates the conversation

~Who asks you how you are and means it

~Who can be totally goofy with you one minute and serious the next

~Who love to watch I Love Lucy with you  =P

~Who's book recommendations you can trust

~Who will laugh with you and tease you {all in good fun of course  =)}

~Who's seen you cry and still thinks you're beautiful

~Who knows your faults and still loves you

~Who will pray for you before you have to ask

These are just some of the definitions of a friend to me.  I would love to hear some of yours!

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."

~Matthew 18:20

"Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
¹⁰ For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
¹¹ Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
But how can one be warm alone?
¹² Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

~Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

So to all my friends, I just want to let you know what a blessing you are to me.  I wouldn't be the same person I am without you!  I thank the Lord that you are in my life!

Au Revoir...Until next time.

Many Blessings!  =)

Tiffani

Everything in this post is Copyright Tiffani-Joi.  Please email me at TiffaniJoi143@gmail.com to ask permission before you use any part of this post or any pictures.

Wrapped in Your Embrace...

This is one of my new favorite songs!

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with  me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

~ Psalm 23:4

Wrapped in Your Embrace

My heart cries out to be heard

My heart cries out for mercy

My heart cries out, in need of a Savior

You wrap me in Your embrace

Let my lips not speak idle words

But give You all praise and glory

My heart cries out, in need of a Savior

And You wrap me in Your embrace

I am undeserving

Yet You are so willing

Your love for me is amazing

You wrap me in Your embrace

You are faithful

You are Light

You hold me in the palm of Your hand

And You wrap me in Your embrace

My days have been numbered my You

You are the Holy God, my Father

You are my Provider

You wrap me in Your embrace

I am fallible

You are unchangeable

You still my heart and quiet my soul

And You wrap me in Your embrace

You are my comfort

I am Your daughter

You are my Rock and my Foundation and my Fortress

My Abba Father

You wrap me in Your embrace

Au Revoir...Until next time.

Many Blessings!  =)

Tiffani

Everything in this post is Copyright Tiffani-Joi.  Please email me at TiffaniJoi143@gmail.com to ask permission before using any part of this post or any pictures.  Merci!  =)

My Valentine...

Love this song, and I thought it was perfect for today =)

"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

~ 1 Corinthians 13:13

 

 

I've never felt like I've missed out on anything on Valentines Day, because I didn't have a date.  Valentines Day has never been a reminder that I'm "alone"  =P

 

 

In fact, its quite the opposite.  My Valentine is always with me, and loves me unconditionally, despite my many, many...many faults.  He is patient with me, He gives me joy and peace that cannot be contained.  He always listens and is always on time...it's my watch that is unreliable.   =)

He doesn't wait until a certain holiday to give me gifts...He blesses me every day.  He has written His name on 'my paper heart'.  {And yes, I have just burst into song...  =P }

 

 

Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.

 

 

Since I was really young, my mom has always talked about how unconditional love, keeps no record of wrongs. (1 Corinthians 13:5) Our Abba Father and our Savior Jesus showed us the greatest example of unconditional love that the world has ever seen...and ever will see!

 

 

We are promised that if we, but ask with a truly repentant heart for forgiveness, He will grant it to us unconditionally.  He loves us that much!

I will never understand why He loves me.  Sure I could rattle off a couple "good points" about myself, but...

 

 

"...For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

~ 1 Samuel 16:7b

 

 

And the honestly the only good thing in my heart is Jesus.  Period.

Although that does make me wonder again about why Jesus would even consider coming into my heart...

 

 

The only answer that comes close to satisfying me is:

"⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ⁹ Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?"

~Matthew 7:8-10

We are His children, and He tells us that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5)

 

 

It all comes back to His unconditional love for us.  The love that we don't deserve.  The love that He freely gives, when we ask.

I pray that you all had a blessed Valentines Day.

Au Revoir...Until next time.

Many Blessings!  =)

Tiffani

What you've read in this post is Copyright Tiffani-Joi.  Please email me at TiffaniJoi143@gmail.com to ask permission before using any part of this post or any pictures.  Merci!  =)

Ask...Listen...Follow...

Where You go, I'll go

Where You stay, I'll stay

When You move, I'll move

I will follow You

Who You love, I'll love

How You serve I'll serve

If this life I lose, I will follow You

I will follow You

I Will Follow ~ Chris Tomlin

Tee hee...I'm laughing at how silly my thoughts are at the moment.  I'm nervous about writing my first post for 2012...  =P   That's why I've been putting it off. 

My Abba Father has been showing me so much in these past few months, weeks, days, hours even. 

I'm beginning to fully realize...realize even more that our God is always ready and willing to show us new things about Him.  He's always ready to wrap us in His warm and comforting embrace.  He's always ready to listen and interrupt us if necessary.  He's always there to wipe away the tears that we let escape.

I'm the one holding everything back.  I'm a girl, standing in front of a bridge--a narrow bridge.  There's no way to 'go around it.'  Jesus one step ahead of me, reaching out His hand, encouraging me, beckoning, calling out to me to join Him, follow Him step by step.  I've followed Him this far on our journey and this is just another bridge I need to cross.  But it's not "just another bridge."  This bridge, just like all those in the past, will be a new experience for me.  I will grow in and through Him.  I will learn more about Him and myself.  And I'm standing there...waiting for Him to do something...  To "give me a sign" to move in a certain direction...

He is always ready to speak to me.

All I have to do is ask.

Why don't I ask more often???  Why don't I listen more often??? 

Maybe you ask the same questions...  All I can say is that I can't change what I haven't done in the past, but I can change what I will do in the future.  It's a New Year's Resolution, so to speak...  =) 

So no matter how many "forks" in the road there are, no matter how I look at it, there is only one direction to take...  The one that my Savior is standing in front of.  And it's my fault for being the one who's closed her eyes, expecting to 'stumble' onto the right path or eventually find it on my own.

So to be honest...I don't exactly know where that path is going to lead me...and when those "forks" come along, I most likely won't know which one leads where.  But whichever path He is in front of, is where I want to go.
I just got a flash on the animated Disney Peter Pan movie.  When all the "Lost Boy's" are following John (with his top hat and umbrella) singing "We're following the leader, the leader, the leader.  We're following the leader wherever he may go."  Along the way they go through tall grass (the tops of heads and that umbrella bobbing up and down), over a hippopotamus (I think)...  *giggle*      *sigh*
That's how I want to be, following Jesus (not oblivious to my surroundings  =P).  Joyful, worshipping, willing, determined, without any doubts or reservations.

I long to see my Shepard face to face...  To feel His touch...   To hear His encouragement...  To sing His praises...  To dance in the warmth of His light...  To be still in Him...

My dad just said something the other day...  He didn't make it up...and I'm not who the first person to say it was...

If there were no problems, there could be no miracles.

Feel free to read that a couple times...I did  =)

I pray for there to be an abundance of blessings in your life!  I also pray that through those trials that you're facing, that our Abba Father would perform miracles for you.  That you will grow in and strengthen your relationship with Him. 

"Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." ~ Psalm 106:1

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


Everything in this post is Copyright Tiffani-Joi.  Pleas email me at TiffaniJoi143@gmail.com to ask permission before using any part of post or any pictures.

Almost a New Year!

On the risk of sounding super cliched...I can't believe the year is hours from being over...  I know I say that every year, and every year its just as true.

Last year seemed to be all about seasons...this year...  I'll just have to wait and see.  =)

Tonight we each picked a game that we love and played them 'til 10PM {the funniest thing is that we each won the game we chose  =) }, then we all separated to write our goals for 2012.  We will talk about them tomorrow morning during our devotional time as a family.

This has been an amazing year!  I don't know about you, but there's always a part of me that wants to hold on to the old year.  It seems more safe and comfortable {don't ask me why}.  But the Lord didn't call us to be comfortable.  He's called us to be bold and courageous.  To die to ourselves so we can live in Him. 

And a year is just a year...it's what we've done during the year that's important.  And I can only hope that what I've done during the past year has made the Lord smile and say, "Well done, my daughter."

So while part of me wants to hold on, the other part of me {which will win} is totally ready to "let go and let God," as my Mom always says.  Is ready to grow in Him, face the challenges, live boldly, seek our the adventures and run the race.

My Biggest Goal for 2012:  Daily pick up my cross and follow Him.  And be ready to drop everything to do just that.  I need to be ready for the adventures that will take place and run to His embrace when I feel weary. 

My Life Verse for 2012:  ²⁴ Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. ²⁵ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. ~ Matthew 16:24-25

In closing, I want to pray for you all.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I come before your throne right now in praise for the wonders that You've worked in all of our lives this year!  For the things You've revealed to us. 

Please Father as we go into the new year, make us even clearer images of You.  Let there be no mistaking us for Your followers.  Let it be that when people look at us, they see only You.  Let us decrease daily so that You can increase abundantly!

Help us to be the tools in Your hand and work through us!

Father I pray for those reading this right now, that You would bless them immensely and cover them and wrap them in Your embrace.

Father I ask this all in Your Son Jesus' name.
Amen!

I will talk to you in the new year!

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

P.S.
My Daddy sent this picture to me a couple months ago and I absolutely loved it!!! I think it goes perfectly with this next year!! =)

Everything in this post is Copyright Tiffani-Joi.  Please email me at TiffaniJoi143@gmail.com to ask permission before using any part of this post or any pictures.

Our Christmas Day

Here is my second favorite Christmas song! =)

²¹ And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”
²² So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ²³ “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, “God with us.”   ~ Matthew 1:21-23

On Christmas Day we went to my grandparents house on my mom's side.

Here are some pictures...  All the dishes were done, my grandma pointed out that as usual we hadn't taken any pictures of the food...  =P

But I got plenty of pictures of all of my grandma's nutcrackers!  =)

See all the nutcrackers in the background?  You'll be seeing more
of those soon...

My Grandma has over 130 nutcrackers!  They take live in a
walk-in closet when they're not being displayed at Christmas.

My Mom and a new teddy bear my Grandma got recently  =)
They match...and they didn't even call each other to coordinate.  =P

My Mom and Daddy

My Grandma and Grandpa

I had such a good time!  I always love spending time with family!

Usually I'm shooed out of the kitchen when it comes time to do the dishes (I'm serious), but this time I was able to help my grandma do the dishes while my parents talked with my Grandpa.

It was special to be able to spend that time with her...even if we were just doing dishes.

But God is with us all the time, and any time spent with family whether opening presents, talking, or doing dishes is special.  And I'm so grateful for all the blessings He's given me this year!!!  And I thank Him every day for the greatest gift of all...His Son and my Savior Christ Jesus.

I hope you all had a wonderfully blessed time with your family and were able to find peace in His arms while celebrating His gift.

Au Revoir...Until next time!

Many Blessings!  =)

Tiffani

P.S.  I would love to hear what you did for Christmas!!



Everything in this post is Copyright Tiffani-Joi.  Please email me at TiffaniJoi143@gmail.com to ask permission before using any part of this post or any pictures.

Our Christmas Eve

I know that Christmas is now over, but I wanted to post my very favorite Christmas song!

I hope you all had a blessed Christmas.  I certainly did!  =) 

I cannot believe that this year is almost over!  Although I must admit I say that every year. =P  But it's just as true this year as it was in the past years.

I think this Christmas has been one of my favorites and yet one of the oddest as well...  
I love to hear about people's big family Christmas's!  I love to hear about the not so controlled chaos, loudness, tons of food, and fun time spent with family that isn't seen very often. 

Almost all of my dad's relatives live in Eastern Canada, so I've actually only had one big Christmas like that.  And my mom's relatives are kinda scattered all over the place.  So my usual Christmas is 5-6 people.  Believe me its not quiet and there is plenty of food and fun time with family.  It just amazes me sometimes how different families are.  How different traditions are.  And mainly how different each of our families celebrated this Christmas.

For example:  on Christmas Eve this year we had a day of rest.  I love my daddy so much and he works so hard for us and is a great provider for my family!!!  And my mom has so much on her plate as well and is still able to be the best mom in so many ways!!!  So I was glad that both my parents were able to take that day to rest in Him. 

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” ~ Matthew 11:28-30

We made crêpes (or skinny pancakes my Grammy always called them) for breakfast on Christmas Eve.   {As usual, my mom and I make that batter and my daddy cooks them  =) }

This is my daddy!  =)

Choices, choices...

My masterpiece! 
(It's Christmas!  I'm allowed to have whipped cream!)

I will post a couple pictures from Christmas day soon!

Au Revoir...Until next time!

Many Blessings!  =)

Tiffani

Everything in this post is Copyright Tiffani-Joi.  Please email me at TiffaniJoi143@gmail.com to ask permission before using any part of this post or any pictures.

We Give Thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

My prayer is that on this Thanksgiving day, we are reminded of the abundant blessings the Lord has provided us with!!

I pray that the Lord will give us opportunities to talk about Him, while we are with family and/or friends who might not be believers yet!!

I also pray that our time will be blessed with wonderful fellowship & praise to our Abba Father!!

There are so many verses that I wanted to write down about "thanksgiving," but here are my top four:

"Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms."

~ Psalm 95:2

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name." ~ Psalm 100:4

^"6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, ⁷ rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it^[ with thanksgiving." ~ Colossians 2:6-7

 

^"2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; ³ meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of..." ~ Colossians 4:2-3

Au Revoir...Until next time.

Many Blessings!  =)

Tiffani

P.S.  I would LOVE to hear how you all celebrated Thanksgiving, so feel free to comment away!

Everything in this post is Copyright Tiffani-Joi.  Please email TiffaniJoi143@gmail.com to ask permission before you use any part of this post or any pictures.