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.

Freedom in His Embrace!

When He calls, I must listen

Where He leads, I must follow

Who He is, I strive to be

He has rescued me

God is so good!  I am crying with joy right now, just, because...I can feel His presence.  

It is such an amazing feeling to know that He is with you!

To know that He is here...right now...at this very moment!

There are times when I feel like I could just burst with joy. 

You know the feeling where you want to just start singing "for no reason".  Ahh, but we do have a reason.  We always have a reason to feel joyful!  We have His love, His peace, His hope...and His joy inside of us!

I feel like I could just go dancing around, but I'm sure the people below us {I live in an apartment} would prefer I did not...

There is nothing that compares to the overwhelming sense of joy and peace as when you've just come out of a trying time spiritually.

I realized a couple days ago, that my life had been sorely lacking in prayer...  I started feeling moody, and dare I say...purposeless.  Ahh, but He is so faithful.  Even through that, I knew He didn't leave me.  No, He carried me!  He ministered to me in ways that only He can.

It is so wonderful to know that we have freedom in Him!  Freedom that lifts us above the chains of this world and lets us soar above.

Freedom that give us the ability to run to His arms whenever we feel weary. 

That was my problem.  I was feeling weary and instead of running to Him, I tried to be a "big girl" and take care of myself.  I know better...you'd think I'd learn my lesson...  Maybe one of these days I will.

But that is the past.  And the present is me running full speed ahead, toward {not away from} my Abba Father's outstretched arms.

There I will stay, surrendered, tucked under His wing, in the palm of His hand.  Resting, trusting, listening, praying...in His 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!  =)

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.

Courageous

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.

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.

Our Provider!

Jehovah Jireh, my Provider

His grace is sufficient for me, for me

Jehovah Jireh, my Provider

His grace is sufficient for me, for me

My God shall supply all my needs

According to His riches in glory

He will give His angels, charge over me

Jehovah Jireh cares for me, for me, for me

Jehovah Jireh cares for me

Jehovah Jireh

(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



You Are My All In All ~ Part 1

You are my strength when I am weak

You Are My All In All ~ Nichole Nordeman

I'm not sure if you remember my post about my wanting to do a 'series' of sorts based on Nichole Nordeman's song You Are My All In All.  It was a while ago...so here's the link in case you forgot or never saw it.

I haven't even thinking about the series lately, but a couple days ago my something happened to me (well, quite a few events happened) and when I started praying this song popped into my head again, and I began to understand the first verse even more.

So...last week was really busy for me. 

Trust me! 

It was busy, stressful, & most of the activities kept me from studying what I needed to for my next CollegePlus! coaching call.

I won't bore you with my entire schedule.  I will get to the point.  =)

 My point is that the only time I felt tired was the end of the last day, when I knew that was finished with certain commitments.  And knew that the next day I would be able to devote entirely to my studies.

I literally drove home from work on Friday (I had stopped at In N'

 Out on the way home, because I felt like I deserved it after my hard week  =P), took one step inside the house and felt like I could've collapsed if I had been next to something soft.  It was the first time I had felt the slightest bit fatigued since those commitments came up. 

I kicked off my shoes, grabbed a plate and went up to my room after saying hello to my parents.  They were on a date (yes, at home =) ) so they had no problem with me shutting myself in my room.

I ended up asleep by 9PM that night...which is early for me, because by the time I get in bed, pray, then finally fall asleep, its usually around 11, 11:30PM.

During that prayer time, (which I'm ashamed to say was probably cut short because I fell asleep,) was when Nichole Nordeman's song popped into my head.

I realized that my merciful Abba Father had given me the strength, energy, endurance & motivation to get me through the week.  And now He was graciously allowing me to be so tired that I would be sure to catch up on the rest that I'm sure I jipped myself of.

What really hit me was the thought that He had given me enough energy to drive home safely (even though it would've made sense for me to feel relaxed knowing that my hard week was over) & walk up the rather large step to the door into the house before the feeling of fatigue overtook me.

There was no way I could've made it through that week on my own.  There were times when I wanted to cry (and come to think of it, actually did), scream with frustration, just walk away, but He kept reminding me that He was with me.  That there were other people right at that very second who would much rather be in my shoes, than in their own trials.

That the sacrifices I was forced to make regarding my studies was still nothing compared to the greatest sacrifice that my Savior made for me. 

I got a very real experience of His strength last week.  Because I realized that He not only has the power to give me strength, He also has the power to allow weakness & fatigue to come over me, when it is necessary for me to rest.

I will probably dig deeper with a word study on "Strength."  I just really felt the need to share this (in my mind) amazing example of His hand in my life. 

It always amazes me when He reveals Himself to me like this.  It always feels like the first time...He is unchangeable, but never predictable!

I pray that He reveals Himself to you greatly in some way this week!  In a way that makes you stop & marvel at His amazing power.

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.

Song: We Are the Free

We sang this song at church & I absolutely love it!  It was amazing hearing group of brothers and sisters in Christ singing this song for the Lord!!

This definitely is my song of the week!  Maybe even my song of the month!  =)




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

I Am a Salmon Who Was Born For This

I LOVE this song!!!

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.

Our Everlasting God...

You are the everlasting God, the everlasting God

You will not faint, you won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak, You comfort those in need

You lift us up on wings like eagles

Everlasting God ~ Christ Tomlin

Everlasting: enduring through all time; perpetual; lasting til the end of time.

Above is the Webster's dictionary definition of Everlasting.  Those are all true of God.  And yet, He is even more than, just everlasting.  Because He was here before time even began!  And He will still BE, after time has ended. 

Everlasting: Alpha & Omega; ever was; ever is; ever is to come; infinity; no ending

The above is the definition I thought of while think about our everlasting God. 

Have you ever tried to think about God's existence?  How He created time?  And that there will be a time where there is no time?  I guess that last one doesn't really make sense....  There a will be a "no time" when there is no time anymore.

We will not be bound to seconds, hours, days, years.  We will be with God forever.

That is so beyond my comprehension...  My mind keeps trying to compare "forever" with something that I do comprehend.  I've been alive for 16 years....  So 16 years times...times what?  Times...infinity!  Which is yet another word I cannot even begin to comprehend. 

At first its a bit frustrating...  But then these thoughts comfort me... 

It gives me joy that my God understands the things that I don't!

It gives me joy that I'm not the one "in charge"! 

It gives me joy that I don't have to understand everything! 

It gives me joy that my God is merciful enough to allow me to live in 'time' that I do "understand"!

It gives me joy that my God is so complex!

It gives me joy that even though He is so complex, He loves me!

It gives me joy that even though He is so complex, He invites me into His embrace!

Our God is so good.  I know that even though I pray for wisdom, He won't reveal knowledge to me that I can't handle.  He understands, because He created.  And that...gives me joy!

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.

What Are My Talents?

Not because of who I am, but because of what You've done

Not because of what I've done, but because of who You are

Who Am I ~ Casting Crowns

I have been thinking (I do that a lot)...  And I asked myself..."What are my talents?  What am I good at doing?"

Talent: A natural aptitude or skill.

My prideful self of course took off with all the different things that someone during the course of my life has complemented me on... 

Then the Holy Spirit reeled me back in & told me to ask the question again...and really think about it this time.  So I did...  I wasn't really proud of myself after I got my second answer. 

I am great at being prideful...
I'm get those waves of ungratefulness...
I'm just great at being cowardly...
I'm pretty good at being stubborn as well...
I'm also very good at procrastinating...putting things off...
I'm not always the kindest person...
I'm not always meekest person...
To be perfectly honest I'm always working on all the Fruit of the Sprit...


I could go on, and on...and on...  But then suddenly my thoughts like that stopped.  And the Lord reminded me that He doesn't want me to dwell on my faults...  That's not going to make me improve.  Every now and then, we need to be reminded of what we were without Christ.  We need to be reminded that we're not perfect.  We need to be reminded that without Him who created us...we are nothing...but with Him we are sons and daughters of the King.  Children of the most high God.  Who loves us despite our many, many...many imperfections.

I can now say that I am talented, because God made me (special, and He loves me very much...Bye! (Sorry!  Had to throw VeggieTales in there...I couldn't resist!  =P )) 
I'm good at being His child.  And not because of anything I did, but because of the love, grace & mercy of our Abba Father.

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

Prayer...Immediately

All those people goin' somewhere

Why have I never cared?

Chorus:  Give me Your eyes for just one second

Give me Your eyes so I can see

Everything that I keep missing

Give me Your love for humanity

Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted

The ones that are far beyond my reach

Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten

Give me Your eyes so I can see

Give Me Your Eyes ~ Brandon Heath

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!

Au Revoir...Until next time.

Many Blessings!  =)

Tiffani

One Lovely Blog...

Whatever is true, what ever is noble...whatever is right

Whatever is pure, whatever is lovely...it can be in might

If there is anything good in this world...Just think about it

Just think about that

Think About That ~ Janna Long

(Also found in Philippians 4:8)

I am quite joyful right now...I was tagged by Sierra at His Handmaiden. 

I am supposed to tell you all 7 things about myself and then tag 15 other blogs!

Ok, here it goes:

1~ I love acting onstage.  It gives me such joy to entertain people, I also love the spontaneity of theatre as well... You can't call "cut" in the middle of a show...I know it probably sounds weird, but I actually like it when little things go wrong...it keeps me on my toes (so to speak).  =)

2~ Those of you who know me, know that I am the biggest fan of I Love Lucy, now you may beg to differ...but I'm completely serious.  My dad says I'm "freak-ish" when it comes to I Love Lucy.  In the most loving way of course...  =)  I own all the seasons & have seen each episode at least 20 times... My absolute favorites probably more than 100 times...and I'm not exaggerating.    =P

3~ My favorite theatre play is Cats.  I'm planning on buying myself a ticket as an early birthday present to me, when it plays near where I live in January.  =)

4~ I own one cat named Wiggles (or as I like to call him...Caluba...long story...and I don't even know if I remember why I call him that, anymore).

5~ I am a hopeless romantic... (Ok, so not hopeless!)  I just really, really like happy endings...especially the ones that make me cry or make say "awwwww".

6~ I call my mom, Anya.  You know what happens when you're in a big group of people and you call "mom"...  My mom never hears me...and even if she does, she doesn't know it's me...  So I call her Anya (it means mommy in Hungarian (and yes, I am part Hungarian  =)  ))

7~ I love tea parties.  Whether it's just me and my mom or a sweet sister in Christ or one of the very girly ones.  Where the table is set up just so...there are the fancy tea cups, you get dressed up & of course talk in your best British accent!  =)

Wow, that was harder than I thought it was going to be...

So the blogs I'm tagging...

Sierra ~ http://www.hishandmaiden.com/

Melanie ~ http://www.foreverhisservant.blogspot.com/

Alexandrea ~ http://www.basketsandbaking.blogspot.com/

Cassie ~ http://www.abridepreparing.blogspot.com/

Miss Bethany ~ http://www.secureinhisarms.blogspot.com/
Grace-Home ~ http://gracehopeslegos.blogspot.com/

I know that's not 15...unfortunately I don't follow that many blogs...  Also, I know some of you have already been tagged, but I still think your blogs are lovely!

Au Revoir...Until next time.

Many Blessings!  =)

Tiffani

Praying For Compassion...

What boundless love,

What fathomless grace

You have shown us, O God of compassion!

Each day we live

An offering of praise

As we show to the world Your compassion

 

Keith & Kristyn Getty ~ Compassion Hymn

Album: Awaken the Dawn

 
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

Children of God...

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