Slavery

Today's Verse

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always making mention of you in my prayers, because I hear of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints; and I pray the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ's sake. For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother (sisters!).

~Philemon 1: 1-7

Thoughts on today's verse...

The tiny little book of Philemon is one of my favorites and is one of the Apostle Paul's Prison Epistles written during his first confinement in Rome. Onesimus was one of the millions of slaves in the Roman Empire. He had stolen from his master (Philemon) and had run away. Eventually he crossed paths with Paul, who led him to faith in Christ. This brought about a dilemma for the slave Onesimus - that of putting his new found faith into practice by returning to his master, or to keep on "running". Death was normally the punishment for a run away slave. Paul interceeded by writing this wonderful letter to Philemon, who was also a believer in Christ. Paul expresses to Philemon how Onesimus is now no longer a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother and partner in the ministry of the gospel.

The Apostle Paul often refers to himself as a 'bond-slave' of Christ. This is also a wonderful study of contrasts.

A few notes...

I believe it was actress Bette Davis who said, "Aging ain't for sissies." I agree and neither is illness. Everytime I think I've made some strides then there's a minor set back. The old 'two steps forward, three steps back.'

I have been overwhelmed and humbled by your comments, Ladies. Thank you so much for your prayers and well wishes. The major complaints still stem around the sleep issues. It's 3 a.m. here and I've been awake since 1:30 a.m. Even though the doctor has prescribed a sleeping pill, it doesn't seem to work well. I am grateful, however, as the warnings on the medication speak of it's addictive properties and I don't want that either. Perhaps it's time for Granny's remedy - a glass of warm milk, slightly sweetened with honey and flavored with vanilla.

I continue to walk daily and to give the bike a spin around the block in the evening if the monsoon winds and rain are not prevailing - and we do need the rain in Arizona.

My prayer...

Father God, help me to see my position in You. May I realize that I too was a slave to those things around me that would steal my attention from You. You also sent an advocate to plead my case - and of course that was Jesus who paid the price in full for my redemption. Even so, Amen!

Yours, because we're His,
Tamara

Today's Thoughts

To all my Blog Friends,

I'm going to be taking a bit of a break from posting blogs for a bit. With all the health issues and it seems some emotional issues that have resulted due to the heart attack, I just need some time to get things in perspective.

I so appreciate your well wishes and prayers, but for this time and this space, I just need to retreat to a solitary place and bask in His presence and healing.

I have been having such difficulty sleeping with being awake until 3:30 - 4:00 a.m., and my mind is racing, racing, racing. I will also be seeking my doctor's input about this, too.

Love you all,
Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

Today's Verse

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
~1 Thessalonians 5:11

Thoughts on today's verse...

Often times our own fear and and imagined ignorance will keep us from reaching out and connecting to another person. We can either believe that they (the other person) is bigger, better, smarter, busier, and just plain not interested OR that WE are bigger, better, smarter, busier, and just plain not interested in them and that we have nothing in common.

Even Jesus during His darkest moments in Gethsemane's garden confessed the need to have His friends nearby. If God's own Son needed friends during his hour of crisis, why would we think we didn't?

The scripture verse calls us to comfort, to edify. That may require nothing more than to just be present in the person's life for a specific period of time. No talking, no sharing... just being in the presence of each other's company.

I found a wonderful website regarding the Jewish custom of Sitting Shivah it simply states: Come sit with me awhile and feel my pain, happiness, hope, and fears. I've pagemaked it at http://sittingshivah.com I plan to study this practice and incorporate it into my life.

My prayer...

Lord God, Creator of all heaven and earth - teach me to 'be still' in Your presence and in the presence of those who need comfort and quiet edification. ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,
Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

Today's Verse

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them... Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.

~Genesis 1:27, 31

Thoughts on today's verse...

Creation... creativity... ah, what sets your heart soaring? What healing, therapeutic creative imagining do you love to "dabble" in? Perhaps it's gardening (Marcy? Roxanne?), nesting - fixing up the home and making it comfortable, a class at the local community college for no credit what-so-ever - just let me get my hands in the clay and putter on the potter's wheel!

Maybe it's a group of friends, trusted sisters where you can just sit down with a glass of iced tea and spill out "all the things gone wrong in my life, whoa is me, how am I gonna cope group." This is indeed a special group of women, they do not pass judgement. They listen, then respond. When things get ugly (and they often do) they hold your hand, pray with you and offer some alternative suggestions that perhaps you hadn't thought of. The bottom line is this: They take what you say and using a breath of kindness blow the ugliness away. They don't take what was shared to others as gossip or even "prayer requests" - and let's be honest, we've seen the best intentioned prayer requests go horribly wrong.

This is pure and simple problem solving that we women are really good at! We have talents and creativity beyond our imagination. This is God-given creativity that we have been imparted with and it's time we acknowledge our strengths Girl Friends!

My prayer...

Lord God, bring into our lives one woman, one mentor who will lead us in Your path. Someone who will allow us to not be the "perfect Christian woman" but allow us share the warts of living and love us in spite and despite them all. ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,
Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

Today's Verse

Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
~2 Timothy 2:7 NIV

Thoughts on today's verse...

Sometimes in my attempt to be obedient, "holy" and quite frankly acting like a Pharisee, I rush through reading the Bible. What this means is that I've "performed the letter of the law" by having a daily Bible reading but the real issue is, what did I just read? When I ask myself this question and I have no immediate response, I turn off all the distractions around me and read it once again. Then I journal it. It helps me to recall throughout the day what truth I found, and as the noted scripture says, what insight the Lord provided.

I think I've also found that blogging is a lot like journaling. The original intent was to be able to share the daily devotional scripture with the ladies of our Bible study. Slowly, some different "thoughts" and "prayers" have been added to the mix. It's interesting to go back and read some of the earlier blogs and see how this is forming or transforming.

Whether it is blogging or journaling, by writing out these ponderings and thoughts, I'm leaving a record - a trace that I have crossed life's threshold and hopefully made a difference in someone else's life. How about you? Have you made a difference today? A genuine smile from the tips of your toes? An open and honest hug? Just holding someone's hand and not saying a word.

My prayer...

Lord God, Heavenly Father... today, this very day, may I make a difference in someone's life.

Yours, because we're His,
Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

Today's Verse

Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don't depend on your own understanding.

~Proverbs 3:5 NCV

Thoughts on today's verse...

Do you trust the Lord with ALL your heart? I wish I could say that I did, totally... but I often question Him as I try to apply my own unique version of understanding to the particular circumstance.

I suppose I can liken this to my recent medical events. These are now requiring changes to be made in my life. Change is often difficult. (Can I hear an Amen?) Change is neither good, nor bad - it is merely change and our ability to adapt to it - to attempt to understand it. Even by making all these life-style changes it may not guarantee that I will spend one additional day on this earth. I could walk across the street to the mailbox and get hit by a car. .

Ah, but here's where I'm learning to trust Him - I know that He was with me through the terrors of the night (OK, so it was a Medi-Vac Life Flight...), He has allowed this to shape me and conform me into His image and possibly, just possibly to be able to minister to someone who is in or will be in a similar situation! .

I will try not to strive against His all important lessons, but to become more tender, pliable and open to the ministry possibilites He places in my path.

My prayer...

Father God ~ keep me humble, keep me open to Your will and Your direction in my life. You know how often I attempt to rationalize and understand situations - today I simply raise my hands in surrender to Your will. ~Amen

Yours, because we're His,
Tamara

Today's Thoughts

Just a bit of a change up on the post for today. I've been gone for a few days and thought I'd take this opportunity to let you know what's been happening.

My last post was on June 10th, early in the a.m. I reported for work just like any other day and went about my duties. We had an 11 a.m. department meeting/lunch and I left at 1:00 p.m. to go to my last unit library. I experience some physical difficulties going on unit. My heart was racing, I felt as if some one had wrapped an ace bandage tightly around my chest and breathing was labored. I made it across the yard and into the library.

I sat there wondering about the symptoms and decided it was probably nothing more than my allergies kicking into overdrive and developing into an upper respiratory infection. I continued working. I realized a bit later my jaw was aching and thought, "hmmm, the TMJ acting up, am I clenching due to stress?" We women are such wonderful Queen's of Denial - just call me Cleopatra, Girls!

By 4:00 p.m. I lock up the library and attempt to walk back across the yard to exit. Twice on the way out I have to stop and sit down, I am so weak. On the final sit down, a female Sergeant asked, "Ms. Swerline, are you OK?" I told her I wasn't feeling well. She advised the Lieutenant and they contact the Medical Unit. Two nurses arrived, took my vitals and said I wasn't leaving unit I agreed to either go see my doctor or to the ER. I opted for my personal physician and said I could drive. They informed me I couldn't drive, someone had to take me or go by ambulance. I opted to let an officer drive me and my vehicle there.

By 4:30 I'm in the doctor's office explaining the symptoms to his nurse, he steps in and says they're going to do an EKG and steps back out. The nurse provides him with the data and he steps back in and says, "Get dressed, I'm driving you to the ER!" Now, how crazy is that? My own doctor driving me there?

All things being said and done, blood tests showed I had a cardiac event. I was life-flighted to Tucson Medical Center via helicoper and had a cardiac catheritization the next morning. All things being said and done, I had excellent care and treatment and a lot of time for reflection of and on my life style.

I've been a smoker for a number of years and all of the health symptoms listed above have been self-imposed. I have done this to myself and there is no one else to blame.

On May 30th of this year, we had our ladies Bible study here in our home. One of the things we talked about were the things that kept us from the Lord. I felt it was time to share with my Girl Friends about my smoking and how I didn't want that to seperate me from Him any more. What a wonderful time of sharing and praying we had. Barely 10-days later God interviened in a way only He could!

Not smoking in a hospital when you are "interfaced" with all sorts of electrical monitors is one thing, but coming home to the same routine is yet another. Some changes are needed.

This morning when I awoke, I prayed and said, "Lord, how I am going to do this?" Immediately this verse about the cost of discipleship came to mind:

Matthew 16:24 - Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after
Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me."

And denying myself is the cost… for all He has done, I can take up His cross and this cross daily, hourly, moment by moment. Amen!

In the meantime, I'm wearing a rubberband around my wrist and snapping it when I want a cigarette. I have welts... And the new lofat/lochol diet/losodium diet - the motto is, "if it tastes good, spit it out!"

I'm still here, I'm still kicking and God is still on the throne!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

Today's Verse

He has made everything beautiful in its time.
Ecclesiastes 3:11

Thoughts on today's verse...

I saw something so beautiful last night. It was the sunset and it was gorgeous. I think there's just something special about Arizona sunsets. Sunsets (and life) are richer, deeper, and more vibrant when there are clouds. We're heading into our 'monsoon' season now, so the sky was filled with dark storm clouds.

A sunset with no clouds turns the sky a soft, pink color. It's beautiful, especially when reflected off our nearby mountains, but it's nothing special compared to a sky with patches of dark clouds that extend over the horizon. Those clouds reflect back the full and glorious colors of the sunset. The sky becomes streaked with various hues and intensities of the spectrum: deep purple, hot pink, velvety gray, flashing crimson, vivid violet, and myriad upon myriad of other colors that all work in harmony to take our breath away!

Perhaps that's why we are allowed to have the 'storm clouds' in our lives, so that we can reflect back something beautiful, just like the verse in Ecclesiastes says - in its time.

My prayer...

Lord, it rained during the night. Thank you for rain in the desert and for the wonderful smells it brings and for all the new life that will soon be visible. ~Amen

Yours, because we're His,
Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

Today's Verse

Outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
~2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV

Thoughts on today's verse...

This verse is saying something about the aging process, isn't it? So maybe I'm not "wasting away" as much as I am "expanding my horizons". I have clothes in my closet that I wistfully look at and think, "maybe next year I can wear that again...". I have more "laugh lines" around my eyes now and I wonder what's so humorous about them... I'm slower than I used to be, too. I find my energy level depletes much quicker than I expect. And menopause - oh Girls! Let's not even go there! Suffice it to say, I prefer to call it a "power surge" rather than a "hot flash". And I can't go anywhere without a pair of tweezers for all the "surprise" whiskers that just appear on my face during hours of sleep! What's up with that? Yes, it's the outward and it is wasting away.

But inwardly, if I continue to read the Word, to fill my Spirit with His Spirit, to commune with Him and surround myself with the truly "good things", then I am being renewed day by day.

My prayer...

Lord... less of me and more of You. Fill me with your Spirit so that I may rightly grow in grace.

Yours, because we're His,
Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

Today's Verse

"My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord.

~Isaiah 55:8

Thoughts on today's verse...

I think it is a very good thing that God doesn't listen to my advice or council on how the world should be run. All too often I find myself telling Him, "Smite them, Lord!" And, I probably would have destroyed and re-created the world a number of times over. Patience and forbearing are not my strong suites.

Today's scripture verse reminds me that even though His thoughts and ways are not the same as mine, I need to bring my thoughts and my ways more in line with His. Which brings us to prayer...

My prayer...

Lord, help me to have my Father's eyes, so that I may see past the "here and now" and keep a glimpse of eternity on the horizon. May I be more forgiving, more loving, and more compassionate towards those around me, but never compromising your Word. ~Amen.

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

Today's Verse

You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.
~Acts 2:28

Thoughts on today's verse...

Do you remember the childhood game of "Mother May I"? The acting "Mother" will give you a task such as, "take three baby-steps forward," and those playing will have to ask, "Mother, May I?" Then "Mother" will respond, "Yes you may" or perhaps in the negative, "No you may not." Your actions are determined by your listening skills and obediance to the response. In my eagerness to "play" I would sometimes get sidelined for not actively listening. That was discouraging as I would have to sit out the remainder of the game and watch the others complete and compete. It was, however, a simple child's game.

Today's verse made me think of that childhood game and actively listening to and for the Word of God in my life. If we use the roadmap and are following the path that's been set before us and are actively listening for the clues in the direction we are to take, then we will be filled with joy. We won't be sidelined for going off in our own direction.

My prayer...

Lord, fill me with Your Spirit that I may discern the path I am to follow, then open my ears that I may hear. ~Amen

Your's because we're His,
~Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

Today's Verse

Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

~John 20:29 NRSV

Thoughts on today's verse...

Thomas (the doubter) needed proof to believe. A simple man, a disciple of Christ but he needed that proof, the seeing is believing, the let me put my hands on it kind of belief. In verse 28, Thomas answered Christ and said, "My Lord and my God!" He had come face to face with the resurrected Jesus and finally recognized His full deity. This radically changed Thomas' faith in how he lived out the remainder of his days even to the point of martyrdom.

In the last portion of the verse, Jesus is talking about "us". Those of us who have come to faith who have/had not seen Him (literally) with our own eyes, but yet believe. Further back in the book of John, chapter 17 is Jesus' prayer of intercession for His disciples and for all who believe. In verse 20 of this chapter, I have a hand written note, "Jesus prayed for me!" I remember the first time I ever read this chapter, it was an epiphany - the Holy One, Christ, prayed for me before I was ever conceived! And He prayed for the unity of His believers.

My prayer...

Lord, how humbled I am to know you thought of me before I was ever formed! Like your prayer in John 17, I too pray for the unity of all believers. ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,
Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

Today's Verse

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

~Psalm 46:10 NIV

Thoughts on today's verse...

Oh those first two words: Be still! This is so difficult for me. I can sit down with the Word, study, pray... but when it comes time to just 'be still' before God I have problems. My mind wanders to things I 'should' be doing instead of basking in His presence. Am I alone in this? I want so desperately to hear a 'word' from God, but I don't give Him an opportunity to 'speak' to me when my mind is racing so.

I think listening to God, being 'still' in His presence is a discipline and something I need to practice more of. It's like practicing the piano or violin - a practiced discipline. I think I need to remember my piano lessons of yore... all the children's tunes, practiced scales and time that was set aside each day to practice, practice, practice.

Sometimes silence can be deafening, especially when you pray and hear or receive no response. But contemplative listening may require me to turn off the music, the phone, the television and communication and just be quiet before the Lord God.

My prayer...

Lord, speak to my spirit... in the quietness of my soul I will seek You.

Yours, because we're His,
~Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

Today's Verse

Jesus said, "Love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy."
~Mark 12:30 MSG

Thoughts on today's verse...

In my devotional today, Nicole Johnson (Fresh Brewed Life) said she has a friend who says, "The deepest question of our lives is not 'If you died tonight, do you know where you would spend eternity?' That's a good question, and one that must be settled, but the deeper question is 'If you wake up tomorrow, do you know how you will spend the rest of your life?'"

That question struck a chord... is what I am doing today (and tomorrow, and the day after that...) going to matter eternally? Oh, I have a passion for the "work" I am doing - working with inmates in a library environment, getting them to read books they've never considered. Offering a program called Fatheread where they read books to their children and I record them on DVD... but in the scope and expanse of eternity will any of this have made a difference? Maybe... maybe not.

When I am hurt, disappointed or angered I try to stop and ask myself, "In the scope of eternity, will any of this matter?" It's a good question for putting things in perspective. In the meantime, I need to think about how I am "spending" the rest of my life.

My prayer...

Lord, help me to see what matters most. Help me to rightly discern how to invest my time and my life. ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

~Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

Today's Verse

Your hands have made me and fashioned me.
~Job 10:8

Thoughts on today's verse...

Do you remember the old cartoon "Popeye"? He would say, "I am what I am." Well, we too "are what we are" and that by the grace of God.

Well, just in case you aren't completely sure who you really are, consider this list of verses as a daily reminder of what God thinks when He thinks of you - which, by the way is constantly. Let these verses lift you up and open your heart to see your true identity.

1. I am God's daughter. (John 1:12)
2. I'm a friend of Christ. (John 15:15)
3. I'm God's coworker. (1 Corinthians 3:9)
4. I'm God's workmanship. (Ephesians 2:10)
5. I can't be separated from the love of God. (Romans 8:35-39)
6. I am free. (John 8:31-32)
7. I am forgiven. (Romans 8:1-2)
8. I can do all things through Christ. (Philippians 4:13)
9. I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing. (Ephesians 1:3)
10. I have Christ's mind. (Philippians 2:5-7)

My prayer...

Father God, help me to remember who I am - in You. Not by my strength, but by Yours! Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

~Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

Today's Verse

Think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.

~Philippians 4:8 NCV

Thoughts on today's verse...

I believe I should adopt the above verse as the criteria I use for watching television and movies. Often after-the-fact I find that the program or movie I've watched was in total opposition of the above verse and it leaves me cold and disappointed with myself for allowing the "media" to try to use their specific medium to influence me. Have you noticed how many programs involve the occult, or portray Christians as weak-minded individuals or even try to promote a specific political agenda?

Most movies have resorted to the use of the four letter vulgar slang. It makes me wonder about the intelligence of the screen writers. Do they think we all use this language?

I think I use television as a drug when I get home from work. A mindless exercise whereby I can escape for a period of time. Perhaps I should declare a moratorium on the television and find something more worthy of my time...

I think it's a simple as the children's song, "Be Careful Little Eyes What You See, Be Careful Little Ears What You Hear..." "For the Father up above, is looking down with love, so be careful ..."

My prayer...

Lord, may I honor You with those things I occupy my time with. ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,
Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

Today's Verse

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.

~Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV

Thoughts on today's verse...

A time for everything... alas, it seems I generally don't have enough time, or at least the duration to accomplish what wish to! And it seems the older I get the faster time (and seasons) seem to come and go. I will get those things accomplished, even if they haven't been penned or scheduled in my daily planner, but maybe not quite as fast as I had hoped.

Oh, and I'm giving up my "TO DO LIST"! I'm going to exchange it for a list I'm going to call, "WHAT I ACCOMPLISHED TODAY!" I think that has a more positive ring to it, by golly!

My prayer...

Lord, sometimes I just need You to slow me down so I can enjoy and savor the moment. The clock is ticking, moments spent can never be gotten back. But the memories can be savored. Remember the elderly woman in the Express Lane at the grocery store? You know the one, she was carefully counting out her change and glanced my way and apologized... Thank You for my response. I told her that sometimes situations like this is what God uses to slow me down. Bless her wherever she is today.

Because we're His,

~Tamara