BIAY Days 22-28

Exciting!  We're starting a new book of the Bible this week!  Remember I said it was a Gospel...  And now for the "grand unveiling"!  *drumroll*

Tomorrow: Mark 1-3 & Pslam 18:28-50

Day 23: Mark 4-6 & Ps. 19

Day 24: Mark 7-9 & Ps. 20

Day 25: Mark 10-12 & Ps. 21

                                                                Day 26: Mark 13-14 & Ps. 23
(I know Psalm 22 & 23 are flip-flopped.  I did this on purpose because of the length of the readings.  =) )

                                                               Day 27: Mark 15-16 & Ps. 22

                                                         Day 28: Refection Day/Make-up Day

So this week we will be reading all of Mark!  I'm excited to start reading about my Savior!

We're back to the Old Testament next week.  Hint: After Genesis (of course) and before Joshua.

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 posts or any pictures.

BIAY Days 1-7

I really excited!  No, I'm serious...I'm SUPER excited!  Did I mention I'm excited?

Here are days 1-7:

Tomorrow: Genesis 1-2 & Psalm 1

Day 2: Gen. 3-5 & Ps. 2

Day 3: Gen. 6-9 & Ps. 3

Day 4: Gen. 10-11 & Ps. 4

Day 5: Gen. 12-14 & Ps. 5

Day 6: Gen. 15-17 & Ps. 6

Day 7: You Choose

(This can either be a reflection day, where you re-read a chapter or section that the Lord is prompting you to.  OR maybe you missed a day during the week, this can be a time for catching up.  OR maybe your so interested in something you were reading that you might want to read ahead.  I'm not going to interfere with God's plan for you, so this is a day to do whatever He leads you to.)

 

This week we'll be going from Creation through God's covenant with the newly named Abraham.  Plus reading some amazing Psalms (but I suppose they are all amazing  =) )

Please feel free to comment on anything the Lord reveals to you during the week!  I would love, love, LOVE to hear the epiphanies.  I'm sure I will be sharing some of my "a-Tiffani's" (as my sweet friend Cassie calls them <3 ) with you.  =)

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

Will You Join Me?

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.

Girly Christianity?

Chorus: Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) ~ Matt Redman

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.

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

Moments

We laughed out loud til we cried

And the tears were sweet

Midnight melted to morning

A moment faded to memory

All these days just slip away through our fingers

Chorus:

So... Don't let go

Hold onto every moment

Always know

Hold on to every moment that you can

Joy Williams ~ Every Moment

Album: By Surprise

I told you I'd be back soon!  =)

I thought I'd just share some things that have been going on in "my little corner of the world".

Congratulations to my grandparents (in case you were wondering...it's my mom's parents).  They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last month.  But we just had the party for them last Saturday.  I'll post some pictures later. 

It was so much fun!  Hearing my grandparents reminisce about the "good old days".  Things like riding their bicycles for miles, (no cell phones, no predetermined destinations) & their parents-never for a minute-worried about where they were.  Seeing all their friends that they've had since junior high & high school.  It was fun to see my grandparents so happy.  =)  I don't know when I've ever seen them smile...or cry so much in one evening.

I'm getting excited for our Community Bible Study (CBS) to start again!  So far we have 13 (including me), 7-12 graders.  My mom is the teacher.  =)  It's going to be so fun to be in a group with people my own age again.
Last year I was a helper in the K-6th grade class.  I had a TON of fun...but it could never take the place of the fellowship, that I missed terribly from my old CBS...  With my all-girl group of sweet sisters.  (You know who you are =)  )
We are studying Revelation this year.  I've studied it before, but I'm excited to be studying it again, with a new place, new people, & new spiritual growth!!!  I'm just a little bit excited....in case you didn't already notice...  =P

I would LOVE to hear what you're studying right now....or if you go to a CBS, what you'll be studying this year!!!

Unfortunately I must go.... BUT I will return!!

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

I Refuse, Not To Move!

Sometimes I

I just want to close my eyes

And act like everyone's alright

When I know they're not

This world needs God

But it's easier to stand and watch

I could say a prayer and just move on

Like nothing's wrong

But I refuse

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

I don't want to say another empty prayer

Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself

Oh, I could choose

Not to move but I refuse

I can hear the least of these

Crying out so desperately

And I know we are the hands and feet

Of You, oh God

So, if You say move

It's time for me to follow through

And do what I was made to do

Show them who You are

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

I don't want to say another empty prayer

Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself

Oh, I could choose

Not to move but I refuse

To stand and watch the weary and lost

Cry out for help

I refuse to turn my back

And try and act like all is well

I refuse to stay unchanged

To wait another day, to die to myself

I refuse to make one more excuse

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

I don't want to say another empty prayer

Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself

Oh, I could choose

Not to move but I refuse

I refuse

I refuse

Josh Wilson ~ I Refuse

Album: See You

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

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



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





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





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



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

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

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

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

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

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

Au Revoir...until next time.  =)

Many Blessings!

Tiffani

You Are My All In All

You are my strength when I am weak

You are the treasure that I seek

You are my all in all

You Are My All In All ~ Nichole Nordeman

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

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

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