"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! =)
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 whatI 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.
While I was getting ready this morning, these lyrics kept playing through my mind. What's really funny is that I don't have all the words memorized {I don't have this song on my iPod...} I really just know the tune. I couldn't tell you any other lyrics...but these words will not leave my head.
I don't think they need much of a commentary...I just wanted to share with you what the Lord has shown me this morning. =)
The only way we'll ever stand
Is on our knees with lifted hands
Make us courageous
Lord, make us courageous
Courageous ~ Casting Crowns
Album: Come to the Well
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.
{This is one of my favorite songs! It always makes me cry as I remember the extreme sacrifice Jesus made for me. I made this video especially for this version of the song.}
Touch of the Master's Hand ~ Danny Gans Album: Brand New Dream
One of my favorite things to say about God is that He orchestrates things. {As a side note, I am NOT trying to start a debate over pre-destination and free will}
When I hear orchestrate, I think of a compose and conductor of an orchestra. He's written the symphony out and He knows exactly how the notes should be played, what the tempo is, and what key signature the piece should be played in. He's up front, and as long as the musicians look to Him, He is guiding them as they play. The musicians are His 'tools', and He is able to use them to create something beautiful.
During rehearsals, those musicians might make terrible mistakes, over and over and over...and over again. Then throw in those cumbersome and tedious arpeggios or the big dramatic crescendos. BUT He is patient, because He knows what the end result will be, and He is willing to wait for us...I mean the musicians of course. ;)
Some of the musicians are able to help each other get better, but ultimately they look to the composer. He's the One who keeps them on the rhythm, motivated and encouraged. He's listens to the the complaints and the whining, about sore fingers, aching backs and parched lips. He understands, because He's gone through the exact same thing.
They also learn to work together as one. They learn that the piano alone is beautiful, but when played with the harp it sounds so much better. Then add in the violins and the flutes. Only with all the instruments playing together can the make an orchestra. And have you ever heard of an orchestra without a conductor, let alone a composer?
Then on that glorious performance day, we will all be perfect and everybody will applaud and praise the conductor for His great work.
They Lord has been showing me daily that He is in control, and I definitely am not. I can rely on Him alone, and He never fails!
He forgives my mistakes, complaints, and my eagerness to hog the spotlight. He promises to finish the good work that He has started in me. And that can't be easy. But I guess...I know that since He created me, and knows me better than I even know myself, He will be faithful like He always is.
Dear Precious Heavenly Father,
Please search my heart and root out any sin and fleshly behavior that is still trying to hang on to me. Please Father, show me when I'm feeling discontent or too comfortable, because there is always something I should be working on in my spiritual life.
God, I pray for those who are reading this post right now. That they would be blessed and You would use Your Words to give them peace and comfort for whatever struggles they are facing at this very moment.
Your Word tells us that those who believe in You and have received Your Son's gift of salvation are like a body. We must all work together and that none of us are more worthy or important than any other. Please Father, remind me of that whenever I start to become prideful or try to judge anyone else.
I pray that You would use me in Your symphony and that I will daily become more and more like You and my Savior.
And I ask all this in Your Son Jesus' name.
Amen!
Au Revoir...Until next time!
Many Blessings! =)
Tiffani
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.
Am I going to do it? Yes, I am! When I am I going to start? On Sunday! Will you join me?
I am going to to start reading the Bible in a year. When I was about 10 yrs old my mom and I went through the whole Bible chronologically. But I'm very sad to say I haven't done it since...
I always seem to get stuck in the Gospels, the Psalms, Proverbs, Romans, Galatians, Revelation... BUT, I know how important the whole Bible is...so am going to change that!
So, why am I starting on Sunday & not today? Because, I wanted to invite all of you to join me...and I thought I'd give you a day to decide. I will be posting this weeks reading tomorrow, so be looking! =)
This is how its going to work... Every Saturday I'll be posting next weeks reading. That way we can all stay accountable to each other & focus on just the next week, instead of thinking, oh my! A year is sooooo long. =P We will be reading the Bible in a unique way. We'll be reading 2 books at a time. Either a New Testament book with an Old. Or an Old Testament book with Psalms.
I was going to read it chronologically again, but I thought this would spice things up a bit. And give us good breaks between some of the "slower" books.
It's my prayer that along the way you will be posting (if you have a blog) or commenting on mine (or even better, both) about the amazing things God reveals to you!
I am super excited (if you couldn't already tell). I know that the Lord's hand is upon us all.
Dear Precious Heavenly Father,
We come before Your throne of grace & ask that you give us the perseverance to read through the whole of Your Word! I ask that you bless each of us who are going to be embarking on this incredible journey. I pray Lord, that You would reveal to us, those things that You know we most need to hear right now Lord.
Abba Father, I am so excited & I pray that You would ignite us all even more as we get into Your Word. That You would allow us that time of quietness with You, so that we can listen more closely to what You are saying.
I ask this all in Your Son, Jesus' name.
Amen!
Au Revoir...Until next time.
Many Blessings! =)
Tiffani
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.
(Jehovah Jireh is Hebrew. Translated it literally means The Lord Who Sees or The Lord Who Sees To It. It means He is our Provider.)
My parents & I just recently watched the movie Evan Almighty. (Please note: I am not trying to make a recommendation. It is always best to review a movie before watching it, especially when younger siblings are around. I will say that it is one of the very few movies that is not labeled as "Christian" & that has come out into the theaters; scripture is quoted & not misused, God is portrayed as Someone who can call us to certain actions, we can speak with & have a personal relationship with, is there for us, & sees the 'bigger picture'.)
And one of the dialogues that really hit me was the following:
God: Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, do you think God gives them patience? Or does He give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage? Or does He give him opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for the family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings? Or does He give them opportunities to love each other?
That really got me thinking... God knows exactly what we need & what is best for us. It makes sense that when we pray for patience, it just seems like more situations pop up when we need patience.
"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:19
Sure it would be a lot easier if God just 'zapped' us with whatever qualities we asked Him to grow us in... But we wouldn't learn anything. We wouldn't learn patience or perseverance, self-control, faith, trust etc...
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." ~ Hebrews 12:1-3
I pray that we are all abundantly blessed this week, with opportunities of all kinds. Those to practice our Fruit of the Spirit. And also time to spend at His feet. Talking with & worshiping Him who loves us enough to be our Jehovah Jireh; our Provider.
Au Revoir...Until next time.
Many Blessings! =)
Tiffani
This is one of the songs we sang on the workshop night.
A couple nights ago I went to a girls workshop at the church my family & I just started attending. It was called GI Jane: Getting Aggressive About God.
It was a great night; the High School pastor's wife was the one speaking. This is one of the points she made, that I elaborated on in my mind.
We are girls...we love the happy endings, the emotions, the feelings, we're hopeless romantics, we are feminine, we are girly etc... And that's how we're made. But sometimes that transfers into our Christianity. We only see the blessings, we sometimes forget that Jesus isn't just the baby in the manger or our Friend & Savior. He is also the Conquering King who will be coming back to battle in the end days. Christianity: Is it the best thing that's ever happened to us? Yes! Is is the easiest way to live? No! Which is why we need to be dependent on the Lord for strength.
Galatians 3:26-28 says, "26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Now obviously I'm still a female, and I'm still girly, God is saying that is His eyes when it comes to our faith, we are supposed to be the same. The traits that separate men & women life shouldn't apply to our Christianity.
For example, men are usually tougher, more aggressive, they're usually stronger than women. They are the protectors of their wives. That's how God made them. But when it comes to Christianity, men & women are equal.
Girls shouldn't be weaker in their faith; we need to be just as strong, because there is spiritual warfare going on all around us. We need to be right there in it. And we can, because of Jesus. He erased those boundaries in our faith, because it isn't physical strength that's necessary, but spiritual strength. "8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come." ~ 1 Timothy 3:8
The message I heard has inspired me to get more aggressive about my studying in the Word, & continue to grow stronger in my relationship with my Savior Jesus. 1 Timothy 4:10, "For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe."
Au Revoir...Until next time.
Many Blessings! =)
Tiffani
Everything in this post is Copyright Tiffani-Joi. You must ask permission before you use any part of this post or any pictures.
It reminds me of something my dad always says. "We are salmons."
Salmons swim upstream. They don't go with the current. Even though the waters they swim against are strong, they are stronger.
We as believers are exactly like that! The way of the world in all around us, trying to push us its direction. But because of the strength the Lord gives us, we can prevail & swim upstream, against the grain. We might get tired...we probably will, but we need to remember that we were "born for this"! We were meant to stand "apart from the crowd", stand firm, stand with God!
Au Revoir...Until next time.
Many Blessings! =)
Tiffani
PS: The CD that this song is on just came out last month. It's called Music Inspired By the Story. Well known Christian artists sing songs about well known people in the Bible. There are some other amazing songs on the CD as well. I would highly recommend it! Just look on iTunes or Amazon.com
Everything in this post is Copyright Tiffani-Joi. You must ask permission before you use any part of this post or any pictures.
Am I in a rut? Am I just going through the motions? Do I take for granted that I'm saved through the grace of God & the sacrifice of my Savior Jesus alone?
Every so often these thoughts fly through my head... And I have to dwell on the question for a little while... I have to pray, ponder....and then what? How many times do I think about these things, but then just move on with my day...promising myself & God..."Oh, I'll pray about that later when I have more time..." God, You mean you don't have time for ME? "Oh, no Father," I weakly protest, "that's not what I mean at all..." Silence. "Well, I know that's the way is sounds, but You know my heart...You know there's nothing I would rather do than just spend time worshipping You all day long...but I can't". Silence. "Really, I can't..." You can do nothing apart from ME. I AM the One who gave you today, & you don't have time to pray about something very important I've placed on your heart? "Well, when You put it that way..." I reply getting weaker... Silence. I am broken...I know that the Lord is right...as always! And broken is what wants... He wants me to completely surrender to Him, so that He can mold me & show me & lead me, exactly where I need to go...
There's no beating-around-the-bush with God, there's no playing phone tag...there's no voicemail... If we don't answer when God calls us the first time, He will keep calling...and calling...AND calling... Until finally we "find the time" to answer... Sometimes if we wait too long, the Holy Spirit will stop us in our tracks (in our rut, while we're going through the motions) & put that theoretical "phone" right in our face...so that we can't ignore, not hear, or walk by it again...
But I can avoid all of this if I would take action when the Lord shows me something I need to work on in my life! If I just surrender to Him daily it would make my life a lot easier... If I would pray about those fleshly tendencies when they are first shown to me. If I didn't try to make excuses for myself...
That's why out of all the songs I could've chose for this topic, I chose Give Me Your Eyes.
Because that's the example that's being set in the song. There is a problem that is made aware...and there is a prayer... A prayer first & foremost asking for forgiveness...then immediately afterwards is the a prayer of longing... A prayer of wanting to be more Christ like, than we are.
And I know that being completely honest with myself, that's not always going to happen. The Enemy is very good at dangling "little emergency's" in front of us. Those that are just important enough for us get distracted at least temporarily from the One who truly matters.
Dear Precious Heavenly Father,
I come broken before your throne of grace. Broken with shame that I so often put You aside. Make You wait. And I praise Your name & thank you from every crevice of my soul that You are a God of forgiveness. A God of patience. A God of mercy.
Lord, please mold me, make my heart more mindful of when You have something to tell me! Teach me to go through my days totally on fire for You alone! Where the only thoughts that fly around in my mind are pleasing in Your sight. The only words I speak point back to You.
Thank you Abba Father for loving me even though I will never be able to deserve it!!
I ask this all in Your precious Son Jesus' name.
Amen!
I pray that the Lord blesses you abundantly today & that you will feel His embrace forever!
I was logging out of my email a couple days ago...and on the homepage, they were displaying an article about a 20-million ape skull that had just been discovered. Of course, I was curious what possible "evidence", they could be providing for such a ludicrous claim, so I clicked on the link. Surprise, surprise...there was no evidence...no scientific formula as to how in the world they arrived at such a claim....NOTHING. Which they can't of course, but they didn't even try to explain. They take it for granted that our society will believe anything the media tells them. The only intelligent--rather the only anything--an official scientist was quoted to have said was something about this being a great discovery.... I was absolutely disgusted!!
I know I shouldn't read the comments...people say the most ignorant things sometimes...which makes me get riled up... And these comments were no different. One (the one that really got me) said, "I guess this proves that the world really isn't 6,000 years old, like some religious people like to believe."
WELL! I was this close to writing my own comment, something about those scientists showing me their actual proof of the age, and then I'd be able to have a conversation...or something 'smart' like that.... And besides the Holy Spirit, the only other thing that stopped me from writing just that in the heat of the moment, was reading another comment (a couple comments down below), that said almost that exact same thing. Reading even farther down, I noticed at least 10 more comments from that same girl. She was right on in everything she was saying, but no matter how logical her statements were....other people just kept challenging her. Not just about science, but religion too. I noticed about three different "conversations" going on.
I was so close to anger about things that some people were saying about my Abba Father & my Savior. (Psalm 14:1, "The fool has said in his heart, ''there is no God'...") My heart was pounding, my eyes most likely in little slits, my brows furrowed...
She ended up stopping writing anything more after a different man wrote that he agreed with everything this lady was saying, but said that this is what these people are believing at this moment, & nothing we personally can do, will change their minds.
That was so wise...because no matter what "right" words we speak, we are not the ones who will change a persons heart. The Lord allows people to have a veil over their eyes at times. And He alone can remove that veil.
2 Corinthians 3:16-18, "16Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."
That is not to say that, we shouldn't tell people the truth, & be a witness for Him...we must remember that no matter what we say, in the end it is only Him who created that can reveal the truth. The Lord reminded me that I'm not the judge of those people. (Matthew 7: 1-5) They still have a chance to repent. That I'm not supposed to agree with them, but I'm also not supposed to ridicule them for their ignorance. That He will still forgive them for what they said, when they repent.
At that moment, I no longer felt anger, but sorrow for those people. Because I know whenever they do repent they too will feel the guilt of what they spoke/wrote against Him. I cannot even imagine the guilt I personally would feel...I don't want to!
Father, I pray for those who do not know You yet. Who haven't experienced Your love. I'm so sorry that I judged them....because I'm certainly not perfect and I have no right! I praise You for the day when You do remove the veil from their eyes... I rejoice in the day that will come when they will turn their hearts to You and You alone. Please Holy Spirit, remind me the next time I start to judge someone else for not knowing the truth. Pray through me for their salvation & let me have only love and compassion for them. Jesus, teach me to mirror You, so that I can grow in You each an every day. Father I ask this all in Your Son Jesus' name, Amen!
I hope you all are feeling His love & comfort as this week is coming to an end. May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Au Revoir...Until next time.
Many Blessings! =)
Tiffani
Chorus: Children of God, sing your song and rejoice
For the love that He has given us all
Children of God, by the blood of His Son
We have been redeemed and we can be called
Children of God
Children of God
Bridge: We are the saints
We are the children
We've been redeemed
We've been forgiven
We are the sons and daughters of our God
Third Day ~ Children of God
Album: Move
Why is it that we as humans are so focused on ourselves all the time. Maybe not all the time...but most of the time... I find myself thinking about me, so often. My problems, my dreams, my life....
NO!!! It's NOT about me.... I live solely, because of my God, my Savior Christ Jesus, & my Helper who lives within me. I called Him, mine, just now.... But that's is not how it is.... I live for Him, I am His alone, He is all that matters. No matter how "big" my "problems" are, they are NOTHING compared to what the biggest problem is...my sin. No matter how "big" I think my "sacrifices"are, they are NOTHING compared to the greatest sacrifice of all. No matter how "important" I think my opportunities are...NOTHING is more important than living for my Savior.
But why is it that we as humans are so forgetful of those facts? Sin. Our flesh.
It makes me sad to realize that sometimes I need such a large wake-up call to realize when I'm starting to think about me too much. I know I'm never going to be perfect, but I want to be. I want to live like Jesus lived. I strive to be like Him. And when I fall short...I'm disappointed in myself. Until I realize why I fell short.... I thought I could do things on my own. Not consciously, but the result is still the same...
Yet, the Lord is merciful. He has given us the Helper. He gives us subtle & not so subtle reminders about Who is really important. He gives us second chances again & again & again. Sometimes I wonder, Why in the world does my Abba Father love me so much?
But then I receive an answer. Amazing & miraculous as it is! Because I am His child first...& then He is my Abba Father...my Daddy. The BEST Daddy! (John 1:12) With unconditional love that cannot even be described. Mercy that abounds & follows me all the days of my life. Love...God loves me! He loves you! He encourages us, He's our biggest cheerleader!
Psalm 95:6-7, "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. 7 For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand."
I am His sheep, & He is my Shepard. I am to follow Him, for He knows the Way. (John 14:6)
Daddy, I wish there was a better word than 'thank you'!! Thank you doesn't come close to being enough. Even if I praised You constantly, 24/7 for the rest of my life, You would still be worthy of infinity times more!! Please, Father, help me to daily surrender to You! To let You lead me, without any "help" from me. Please make it exceedingly clear when I'm speaking too much or not listening enough! Help me to always trust You, especially when the road gets rocky & I can't see the 'big picture'. Father I pray for those who are reading this right now. That You will bless them abundantly!! That You will fill them with Your overwhelming peace, joy, & love. Father, You know our hearts...You know how much we long to serve You faithfully. Continue, please to teach us Your ways & how to better serve You & Your children. I ask this all in Your Son, Jesus' name. Amen!
You've just had a peek inside my mind. My thoughts are all over the place. And they move so fast... I'm a girl...so that explains it. =)
I really do hope you are blessed by this. The Lord has had this "topic" pressing on my heart for a while, & I think tonight...or rather this morning....He has let it all pour right out.
One last thing before I go. I love 1 John 3:1-3, "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."
Au Revoir...Until next time.
Many Blessings! =)
Tiffani
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!!
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
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.
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!
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!! =)
I recently heard the author Francis Chan give this great spiritual analogy that spoke to me so much, it inspired me to start this blog… (I will be paraphrasing it (adding some details that pop into my head), because I don’t have the video in front of me.)
So you’re at a football game (please keep reading even if you aren’t a sports fan…=) In my opinion, this is one of the greatest analogies I’ve ever heard!)
So you’re at a football game…you’re so excited! You’re there to root for your team & you’re sure they’re going to win. They’ve got the best coach, the best assistant coach, the best uniforms, the best equipment…how could they lose?
You wait with growing excitement as both teams huddle up & discuss their plays. You can tell even from where you are that your team is excited…they’re like horses chomping at the bit, pawing at the ground ready to go. They do their “On 3, go team” thing. Then the whistle blows…and instead of getting in their formation your team goes & sits on the bench. Naturally the other team is surprised, but they don’t miss the opportunity to score a touch-down.
Then comes time for the next huddle. You can tell that your team is really excited again, then the whistle blows...and again instead of facing off the other team they go off to the benches.
This goes on for so many points that soon it becomes time for your team to make a serious decision. They need to start playing the play their coach is calling or they’re going to lose. They need to be unified, listening to their coach & courageous…or they might as well not play at all…
I’m sure some of you’ve already seen the connection to our lives, but I’ll go ahead & explain…
We as the body of Christ are the team…we have the best coach (our Lord God, Abba Father), the best assistant coach (our prescious Savior Jesus Christ ), the best uniforms (we are clothed in God’s armor Ephesians 6:10-18, God’s), & the best equipment (the Holy Spirit is our Comforter & Helper). What more do we need???
We get in our huddle as we go to church & Bible studies, small groups. We get excited as we pray and feel the Lord’s presense with us. We make a plan or hear the Lord’s voice telling us to do something. BUT, then “the whistle blows”, it’s time for us to go out into the “real world” & actually do something. Challenging things that take strength, courage, boldness, we don’t. We take the easy way out…& sit on the bench. We who should be on fire! We who can do all things through Christ who gives us strength! (Philippians 4:13) We who house the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God!
The “other team” whether it’s a pre-believer who we’re being called to talk to or Satan, attacking our life straight on or anyone in our life who opposes our spiritual or moral beliefs; they will not wait for us to sum up the courage…we need to be ready.
How many times though do we as believers take that easy way out. Sit on the bench, because we’re scared.
The Lord is SO willing to give us the strength we need…all we need to do is ask for it!
We as believers need to realize the cross-roads ahead of us. We need to take the road less traveled, pray for the strength & play the play.
Please do not think that I claim to be perfect in this. I constantly find myself in times that I’m not surrendering…ugh!!!! I don’t expect to be perfect…BUT perfection is the what I’m striving for…
My mom & I have been reading a book by Andrew Murray called Absolute Surrender. It’s a great book so far & I know I’ll be quoting from it in the near future. Aaannnd…now that I’m flipping through it…I see a section that goes right along with this analogy:
“You know in daily life what absolute surrender is. You know that everything has to be given up to its special, definite object and service. I have a pen in my pocket. That pen is absolutely surrendered to the one work of writing, and that pen must be absolutely surrendered to my hand if I am to write properly with it. If another holds in partly, I cannot write properly….
“And now, do you expect that in your immortal being, in the divine nature that you have received by regeneration, God can work His work, every day and every hour, unless you are entirely given up to Him? God cannot. The Temple of Solomon was absolutely surrendered to God when it was dedicated to Him. And every one of us is a temple of God, in which God will dwell and work mightily on one condition—absolute surrender to Him. God claims it; God is worthy of it; and without it, God cannot work His blessed work in us.
“God not only claims it, but God will work it himself.” ~ Chapter 1
I will say farewell on this note…this section is a lot to think & pray over (I know it was for me…=) ); so I will let you…
Au Revior…until next time. =)
Many Blessings!
Tiffani
PS: I heard Francis Chan tell this analogy in the Study Guide DVD set for his book Forgotten God.
