Today's Devotional Scripture

If one has the gift of encouraging others,

he should encourage.

Romans 12:8

Thoughts on today's verse...

Encouragement - that is what I believe our Blog Village is all about.  At least the ones I follow.  I get to share a snapshot (and for some of you that snapshot is literal!) of your life and I more often than not walk away having been encouraged.  I may not always leave you a comment, but I do visit on a regular basis.

In some of your blogs, I am driven to peels of laughter.  In others I am driven to my knees in prayer for a particular situation you are facing.  In still others I feel a genuine bonding of our souls and spirits.  And most of us have never even met face-to-face.

It appears that a number of you leave east of the Mississippi, and I get to vicariously share in your autumn weather with your pictures and apt descriptions.  I do miss autumn in the east, but have to admit that I am not that inclined to ever have to trudge or drive through snow again.  Winter boots and heavy coats are no longer a part of my wardrobe.  However... it is a mere 32 degrees in my area of Arizona this morning.

Today in my blog I merely want to thank you and praise God for the sense of community and the spirit of encouragement I find and feel from you, my blogging friends and neighbors.

My prayer...

Abba, Father... thank You for the friends I have met and made through blogging. I pray a speial blessing upon them this day. Please Father, be with them on this day, guide and protect them in whatever circumstance they find themselves in. May Your loving hand be upon them and protect them from all danger. In Jesus' name I pray ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
Psalm 133:1

Thoughts on today’s verse…

Most of us are old enough to remember the ‘cold war.’ Remember the ‘practice runs’ that were held in our schools? In the event of a nuclear attack, we were to get away from the windows, crawl under a heavy piece of furniture and put our head between our knees. Honestly, it’s a good thing I was a child when doing that practice routine – there is not a chance I could put my head between my knees now, not without substantial assistance!

I remember how frightened I was of nuclear bombs and Russians. I’m not sure why, it was probably the hysteria of the era. As I got older and read more and more, I determined that in the event of a nuclear attack, I wanted to be at ground zero and just vaporized, not having to suffer the effects of radiation as I’d read about with the Japanese survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. How very sad, it seemed to me, that different peoples and different cultures desired to kill off one another.

And now the ‘cold war’ is over and the Berlin wall was destroyed almost twenty years ago. Some of those very peoples and cultures we were ‘at war’ with have now become our friends and allies.

Remember the story in the book of Acts – the early Christian believers thought they had an enemy is Saul of Tarsus, and frankly, the feeling was mutual. Saul was extremely active in persecuting the Christians in Jerusalem and was determined to deal the same harsh blows to the believers in Damascus. But all that changed when Jesus appeared to him and his life was dramatically changed.

However… the believers in Damascus were suspicious of Saul when he arrived and declared he was also a believer in Jesus Christ. What the early Christians witnessed was Saul’s manner of living and the dramatic change that had taken place in his life, even the changing of his name from Saul to Paul. Paul became a passionate friend of believers everywhere.

Have you secretly been at ‘war’ with a co-worker or a neighbor or a family member? Beginning today, make a concerted effort to find common ground with that person. Smile when your instincts tell you to grimace. Psalm 122:9 reads, “For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.” And that is what we as Christians should endeavor to do.

My prayer…

Lord God, Father of all creation – hear my prayer: Forgive me for the times I have experienced anger and frustration with one of your children. Give me strength and endurance when trying to change my attitude towards that person and help me to find common ground. Help me to remember that person (or persons) in prayer. In Jesus’ name ~Amen!

Yours, because we’re His,

Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not
wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.

Psalm 1:3

Thoughts on today’s verse…

I love trees. Yes… trees! I love all kinds of them – tall ones, short ones, full ones, even the skimpy ones. I especially love trees that produce fruit, flowers, colorful leaves, and wonderful scents. I miss trees that lose their leaves in the autumn because I especially loved to look at them bare branched during the winter months with a dusting of snow that contrasts so wonderfully against their stark, dark bark. (A bit of a rhyme, sorry…)

When the winter doldrums hit – those days of grey skies and indescribable grey moods, I would look to those naked trees with their upturned branches. It often appeared that their branches were raised in symbolic praise and prayer. As if they were beckoning to God to be touched with life, once again. And eventually they would be. The snow would be melting, the scent of newness (spring) would be in the air and overnight, buds would appear! It was always so miraculous and yet so expected.

I also love weeping willows. They are almost poetic when brushed by the wind. It’s as if they are brooms gently sweeping the earth, cleansing the area in which they reside.

When we moved into our home here in Arizona, there was a huge Mulberry tree growing from the side of the canal behind our house. It was well over 100 years old, displayed the scars of lightening strikes and because it was the southwest, I called it the ‘hanging tree.’ (It probably wasn’t, I just called it that…) It housed a family of owls. I enjoyed hearing them calling out in the evening. Sometimes in the morning, I would find remnants of critters they had caught and were taking back to the nest, only to drop them in the yard. As disgusting as that was, I hoped the baby owls didn’t have to go without food during the night.

That century old tree was strongly rooted next to that canal. That’s how I want to be – strongly rooted in my faith – like a tree firmly planted by streams of water. And just like the ‘hanging tree,’ that takes time and seasons and even the storms of life as evidenced through the lightening strikes. Growth often seems slow, but it is happening, as long as we pursue it. We must faithfully seek the Lord, study His Word, and fellowship with like minded believers. We must also talk to Him and allow Him time to speak to us.

My prayer…

Lord, thank You for trees that speak to my heart! Help me to slow down and admire your creativity. May I grow into an oak of righteousness. May I not become so rigid that I break, but may I retain some of the qualities of the willow, that of being bendable and malleable. May I have the joy of watching my loved ones benefit in the shadow of my shade due only to Your goodness. In Jesus’ name ~Amen!

Yours, because we’re His,


Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

Thoughts on today's verse...

Bruce Catton was a great Civil War historian who wrote numerous well-known books, including A Stillness at Appomattox. In the opinion of former Congressman and U.S. ambassador Fred J. Eckert, Catton had a wonderful way of dealing with his errors.

It seems that when Eckert was a high-school sophomore, he read one of Catton's books, This Hallowed Ground. Moved by it, he sought out other books on the Civil War. In one, he discovered Catton had made a mistake in This Hallowed Ground. He had transposed the names of a first and second officer.

Ecker's teacher encouraged him to write Catton about the mistake. When he did, Catton responded by sending him autographed copies of several of his books, including a copy of This Hallowed Ground. In it he wrote, "To Fred Eckert, who caught me napping at Fort Donelson."

Eckert said he learned a valuable lesson from this experience: "If you always do your best, you probably won't make too many serious errors. And when you do slip up from time to time, the best thing to do is acknowledge it and move on."

How often do we spend time and effort trying to justify or cover up our sins and mistakes? The truth is, it's much easier to confess those sins, ask God for forgiveness, to seek the forgiveness of others involved and then move on in a forward manner.

It is human pride that hinders us from acknowledging our mistakes, and perhaps that is the reason pride is considered the chief of all sins... it keeps us from repentance, which cuts off our intimacy with God.

My prayer...

Lord God, Father of all heaven and earth, hear my prayer! Forgive me for all that I have left unforgiven. Help me to make amends as may be needed. Then give me the strength and courage to get on with the business of living the life You have called me too! In Jesus' name I pray ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

Weekend Edition

The Hairbrush

For those of you who do not know Beth Moore, she is an outstanding Bible teacher, writer of Bible studies, and is a married mother of two daughters.  This, purportedly is one of her experiences.  I have not been able to substantiate the story via Snopes, but it remains a wonderful account. 

April 20, 2005, at the Airport in Knoxville, waiting to board the plane, I had the Bible on my lap and was very intent upon what I was doing. I'd had a marvelous morning with the Lord. I say this because I want to tell you it is a scary thing to have the Spirit of God really working in you. You could end up doing some things you never would have done otherwise. Life in the Spirit can be dangerous for a thousand reasons not the least of which is your ego.

I tried to keep from staring, but he was such a strange sight. Humped over in a wheelchair, he was skin and bones, dressed in clothes that obviously fit when he was at least twenty pounds heavier. His knees protruded from his trousers, and his shoulders looked like the coat hanger was still in his shirt. His hands looked like tangled masses of veins and bones.

The strangest part of him was his hair and nails. Stringy, gray hair hung well over his shoulders and down part of his back. His fingernails were long, clean but strangely out of place on an old man.

I looked down at my Bible as fast as I could, discomfort burning my face. As I tried to imagine what his story might have been, I found myself wondering if I'd just had a Howard Hughes sighting. Then, I remembered that he was dead. So this man in the airport... an impersonator maybe? Was a camera on us somewhere? There I sat; trying to concentrate on the Word to keep from being concerned about a thin slice of humanity served up on a wheelchair only a few seats from me. All the while, my heart was growing more and more overwhelmed with a feeling for him.

Let's admit it. Curiosity is a heap more comfortable than true concern, and suddenly I was awash with aching emotion for this bizarre-looking old man. I had walked with God long enough to see the handwriting on the wall. I've learned that when I begin to feel what God feels, something so contrary to my natural feelings, something dramatic is bound to happen. And it may be embarrassing.

I immediately began to resist because I could feel God working on my spirit and I started arguing with God in my mind. 'Oh, no, God, please, no.' I looked up at the ceiling as if I could stare straight through it into heaven and said, 'Don't make me witness to this man. Not right here and now. Please. I'll do anything. Put me on the same plane, but don't make me get up here and witness to this man in front of this gawking audience. Please, Lord!' There I sat in the blue vinyl chair begging His Highness, 'Please don't make me witness to this man. Not now. I'll do it on the plane.' Then I heard it....'I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to brush his hair.'

The words were so clear, my heart leap into my throat, and my thoughts spun like a top. Do I witness to the man or brush his hair? No-brainier. I looked straight back up at the ceiling and said, 'God, as I live and breathe, I want you to know I am ready to witness to this man. I'm on this Lord. I'm your girl! You've never seen a woman witness to a man faster in your life. What difference does it make if his hair is a mess if he is not redeemed? I am going to witness to this man.' Again as clearly as I've ever heard an audible word, God seemed to write this statement across the wall of my mind. 'That is not what I said, Beth. I don't want you to witness to him. I want you to go brush his hair.'

I looked up at God and quipped, 'I don't have a hairbrush. It's in my suitcase on the plane. How am I supposed to brush his hair without a hairbrush?' God was so insistent that I almost involuntarily began to walk toward him as these thoughts came to me from God's word: 'I will thoroughly furnish you unto all good works.' (2 Timothy 3:17)

I stumbled over to the wheelchair thinking I could use one myself. Even as I retell this story, my pulse quickens and I feel those same butterflies. I knelt down in front of the man and asked as demurely as possible, 'Sir, may I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?' He looked back at me and said, 'What did you say?' 'May I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?' To which he responded in volume ten, 'Little lady, if you expect me to hear you, you're going to have to talk louder than that.'

At this point, I took a deep breath and blurted out, 'SIR, MAY I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF BRUSHING YOUR HAIR?' At which point every eye in the place darted right at me. I was the only thing in the room looking more peculiar than old Mr. Long Locks. Face crimson and forehead breaking out in a sweat, I watched him look up at me with absolute shock on his face, and say, 'If you really want to.' Are you kidding? Of course I didn't want to. But God didn't seem interested in my personal preference right about then. He pressed on my heart until I could utter the words, 'Yes, sir, I would be pleased. But I have one little problem. I don't have a hairbrush.'

'I have one in my bag,' he responded. I went around to the back of that wheelchair, and I got on my hands and knees and unzipped the stranger's old carry-on, hardly believing what I was doing. I stood up and started brushing the old man's hair. It was perfectly clean, but it was tangled and matted. I don't do many things well, but must admit I've had notable experience untangling knotted hair mothering two little girls. Like I'd done with either Amanda or Melissa in such a condition, I began brushing at the very bottom of the strands, remembering to take my time not to pull. A miraculous thing happened to me as I started brushing that old man's hair. Everybody else in the room disappeared. There was no one alive for those moments except that old man and me. I brushed and I brushed and I brushed until every tangle was out of that hair. I know this sounds so strange, but I've never felt that kind of love for another soul in my entire life. I believe with all my heart, I - for that few minutes - felt a portion of the very love of God. That He had overtaken my heart for a little while like someone renting a room and making Himself at home for a short while.

The emotions were so strong and so pure that I knew they had to be God's. His hair was finally as soft and smooth as an infant's. I slipped the brush back in the bag and went around the chair to face him. I got back down on my knees, put my hands on his knee and said, 'Sir, do you know my Jesus?' He said, 'Yes, I do.' Well, that figures, I thought. He explained, 'I've known Him since I married my bride. She wouldn't marry me until I got to know the Savior.' He said, 'You see, the problem is, I haven't seen my bride in months. I've had open-heart surgery, and she's been too ill to come see me. I was sitting here thinking to myself, what a mess I must be for my bride.'

Only God knows how often He allows us to be part of a divine moment when we're completely unaware of the significance. This, on the other hand, was one of those rare encounters when I knew God had intervened in details only He could have known. It was a God moment, and I'll never forget it.

Our time came to board, and we were not on the same plane. I was deeply ashamed of how I'd acted earlier and would have been so proud to have accompanied him on that aircraft. I still had a few minutes, and as I gathered my things to board, the airline hostess returned from the corridor, tears streaming down her cheeks. She said, 'That old man's sitting on the plane, sobbing. Why did you do that? What made you do that?' I said, 'Do you know Jesus? He can be the bossiest thing!' And we got to share.

I learned something about God that day. He knows if you're exhausted, you're hungry, you're serving in the wrong place or it is time to move on but you feel too responsible to budge. He knows if you're hurting or feeling rejected. He knows if you're sick or drowning under a wave of temptation. Or He knows if you just need your hair brushed. He sees you as an individual. Tell Him your need!

I got on my own flight, sobs choking my throat, wondering how many opportunities just like that one had I missed along the way ... all because I didn't want people to think I was strange. God didn't send me to that old man. He sent that old man to me.

John 1:14 'The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.'

Tamara’s Note:

If, in fact this is a true account, it was a “God-Thing,” wasn’t it? Have you ever experienced something of this nature? I would like to encourage you to keep a journal and write down three “blessings” every day and to record the “God-Things” that happen in your life. During our times of “quiet”, when we feel God is so distanced from us we can flip back to those pages in our journals and recount when He blessed us by allowing us to be His vessel.

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

Today's Devotional Scripture

We do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Romans 8:26

Thoughts on today's verse...

Perhaps you've been so ill, or so distraught that you just didn't know how to pray. I have, on numerous occasions. There have been times in my life where the pain of living has been more than I have thought I could bare. All I have wanted during times like that are just a word from God... just the affirmation that I am His and that He is mine. Sometimes, I couldn't even pray, but found myself just crying while trying to pray. All I could get out were the sobs of despair.

It is during those times the Holy Spirit Himself will intercede on our behalf. The Message Bible phrases it this way: "If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans."

I don't know about you, but I find this so comforting. God speaks my language even if it's one of "wordless sighs" and "aching groans." The Holy Spirit can (and does) turn all of that into prayers of intercession.

My prayer...

Abba, Father... when I don't know how or what to pray, thank You for Your Spirit who intercedes on my behalf. Sometimes the pain is too deep, too overwhelming and all I can do is come before Your throne in tears. It is during those times I need a 'touch' from You and You deliver, always and abundantly. In Jesus' name I pray ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

For God so loved the world, that He gave…

John 3:16

Thoughts on today’s verse…

The word “lifestyle” has been popular for several decades. In simplest terms, this word means how we live from a financial standpoint, the possessions we choose to buy and how much money we have to spend.

A lot is being written lately about the ‘simple life’ – down sizing or down scaling, especially with the current state of the economy. Yet at the same time, we see an ongoing exaltation in our culture of all that is “excessive.” As a people, we seem to love peering into the Robin Leach ‘lifestyles of the rich and famous.’ We might even envy the rich and famous. And every few minutes television commercials are telling us to buy more and better possessions, more and more things. (And these commercials will increase soon as we are entering the holiday season.)

Those two paths – one toward a materially leaner life and the other toward a materially fatter life – are like opposite lanes on a highway. We are either traveling one direction or the other. We are seeking to discard and down size, or to acquire and add.

God’s Word calls us to neither a Spartan nor an opulent lifestyle, but rather, to a lifestyle of generosity – a life without greed or hoarding. A life of giving freely, a life of putting everything we have at God’s disposal. Our lifestyle is not about how much we earn, what we own, or where we travel and reside. Its how we relate to other people and how willing we are to share what we have with them.

Today, as you walk through your home, touch your various possessions throughout the day – from the appliances to your clothing and your vehicle – ask yourself, “Would I be willing to loan, give or share this with other people?” Written in the margin of my Bible is this, “One can give without loving, but one cannot love without giving.”

My prayer…

Lord, help me to see those areas of my life and lifestyle that need to change. Help me to exchange my myopic vision to that of global vision. In Jesus’ name I pray ~Amen!

Yours, because we’re His,

Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

Jesus said, "You should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, help us to honor your name."

Matthew 6:9

Thoughts on today's verse...

One of the reasons it's important for us to talk to God is that prayer implies trust. It's our way of saying to God:

• I believe you are in control.
• I believe you love me.
• I believe you make everything work out for good no matter how things may appear.

Even the very first words of the prayer Jesus taught his followers were, "Our Father." And doesn't that imply an intimate relationship? An invitation to come as a child and curl up on our Father's lap and tell Him all about it.

Once again, in my mind's eye, I see a little girl, not more than a toddler, dressed in her denim bib overalls with blond pigtails struggling to climb into her daddy's lap. As she struggles, her daddy reaches down to help her into his lap and once there, she buries her head in his chest. It is a place of comfort and trust. A place where she can relax and fall asleep if she so desires. She is with her Daddy... her Abba... her Pappa... her Father.

Sometimes when we approach God, it's as if we treat him like he's our boss, apologizing for being late or not quite "on task." So tell me, when was the last time you curled up in your boss's arms and shared your heart? You get the picture.

With God as our Father, we are invited into a relationship of absolute trust and to draw close and near to our Father's heart. And that is intimacy at it's finest.

My prayer...

Abba... Daddy... Pappa... may my trust grow more and more as I draw close to Your heart. As I spend time in Your presence, may my trust grow, even when things don't go as I've planned. Oh Daddy... let me rest in the bosom of your care. In Jesus' name ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

Weekend Edition

A vast number of us in Blog Land are mothers.  We often share the good, the bad and sometimes the down right ugly side of mothering.  A number of years ago (almost 40, now...), I read this poem in a book titled "America's Best Loved Poety."  I donated the book to the library I manage and it was stolen... go figure?  It is a prison library after all.  Fortunately, with the internet, all one has to do is a query and lo and behold - the item is found.  The wonders of technology.

Motherhood
by Agnes Lee


Mary, the Christ long slain, passed silently,
Following the children joyously astir
Under the cedrus and the olive tree,
Pausing to let their laughter float to her-
Each voice an echo of a voice more dear,
She saw a little Christ in every face.


Then came another woman gliding near
To watch the tender life which filled the place.
And Mary sought the woman's hand, and spoke:
"I know thee not, yet know thy memory tossed
With all a thousand dreams their eyes evoke
Who bring to thee a child beloved and lost.


"I, too, have rocked my Little One.
And He was fair!
Oh, fairer than the fairest sun,
And, like its rays through amber spun,
His sun-bright hair.
Still I can see it shine and shine."
"Even so," the woman said, "was mine."


"His ways were ever darling ways" -
And Mary smiled -
"So soft, so clinging! Glad relays
Of love were all His precious days.
My little Child!
My vanished star! My music fled!"
"Even so was mine," the woman said.


And Mary whispered: "Tell me, thou,
Of thine." And she:
"Oh, mine was rosy as a bough
Blooming with roses, sent, somehow,
To bloom for me!
His balmy fingers left a thrill
Deep in my breast that warms me still."


Then she gazed down some wilder, darker hour,
And said - when Mary questioned, knowing not:
"Who art thou, mother of so sweet a flower?" -
"I am the mother of Iscariot."

Today's Devotional Scripture

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Philippians 1:27

Thoughts on today's verse...

What if I fail? What if I lose? What if she hates me? What if she yells at me?

These are the types of questions that often go through our minds when we are facing a difficult decision or a trying circumstance. If we speak up and say the wrong thing, how will we ever repair the damage? If we act too hastily and then fail, how can we ever look people in the eye again?

A new manager faced one of those fears soon after she assumed a supervisory position. She realized that many of her staff were not being paid as much as other employees in a different department who were basically doing the same type of work.

As a new supervisor, she knew it was risky to challenge upper management. What would they think of her? Yet, for the sake of her staff she felt compelled to overcome her fears and act on their behalf. How could she do that?

She asked herself a more important question: "What is the worst that could happen if I..." Well, someone could get angry - but that would eventually pass. Raises could be refused - but she would have at least tried. She could even lose her job - but she was confident that God could supply another.

Trusting God for a good outcome and refusing to give in to her fears, she decided to approach upper management about the discrepancies in wages. When she did, they not only took her concern seriously, but began to do something about it.

No matter what situation we find ourselves in, God is with us and will help us to sort it out and look at it from different angles. Then, when we act according to His will and trust Him completely we can expect a good outcome.

My prayer...

Abba, Father... may I live my life Your way. I wish to grow in grace and strength. I wish to know Your will and direction for my life. Please, dear Lord surround me with Your favor! In Jesus' name I pray ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

P.S. I know... I'm so late today, but I slept in and it was wonderful!  I'd also like to encourage you to visit Johanna's blog at http://allthingsnew-joannah.blogspot.com/ .  She could really use some encouragement!

Today's Devotional Scripture

Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.

Joshua 24:15

Thoughts on today's verse...

The story is told of a rabbi who summoned the townsfolk to meet in the square for an important announcement. The merchants resented having to leave their businesses. The farmers could scarcely see how they could leave their fields. The housewives protested against leaving their chores. But, obedient to the call of their spiritual leader, the townspeople gathered together to hear the announcement their teacher felt was so important to make at the time.

When they had all gathered together at the town's square, the rabbi said, "I wish to announce that there is a God in the world." And with that, he departed.

The people stood in silence - stunned, but not bewildered. They understood what he had said, with an understanding born of a heartfelt conviction. They realized they had been acting and living as if God did not exist. While they observed rituals and recited the correct order of prayers, their actions did not comply with the commandments of God. Their daily bread was sought and taken with little thought or reverence for God.

We may not openly deny God, but we try to confine Him to some remote corner of our lives. We keep Him away from our daily doings, associations, obligations, experiences, joys, heartaches, and all the commonplace things required to keep body and soul together. The fact is, however:

• There is a God in the world you call your neighborhood.
• There is a God in the world you call your workplace.
• There is a God in the offices you frequent, the hospitals and doctors offices you visit, the airports through which you travel, the shops in which you make your purchases, and the dozens of places you walk through and in during the course of a day, a week or a month.

There is a God...and He wants to be a part of everything you do.

Recognize He is with you wherever you go today. The knowledge that He is with you and that He is interested in every detail of your life will bring joy and peace to every experience.

My prayer...

Father God - how often I do place You in a box and confine You only to religious ritual? Forgive me, I pray. May my eyes and my heart be opened to the possibilities of You being a very real and present part of my life on a daily basis. So my Lord... I ask You to be a very real presence in my life on this very day. May it be seen and felt by not only me, but by everyone who I may come in contact with today. In Jesus' name I pray ~Amen!

I am adding additional prayers for Janine from Sniffles and Smiles who is having surgery today.  I so appreciate all the comments and prayers from our neighborhood - you ladies are awesome! 

So Lord, I do lift our sister Janine up to You at this time.  I pray that You give her a sense of peace and calm.  Guide the surgeon's hands and give him wisdom.  Then Father, may she recover and be back with us in blog-land soon.  ~In Jesus' name - Amen!

We women are a resilent lot... we can live without our breasts, we can live without our hair.  What we can't live without is hope.  October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Consider this a reminder for a self-exam all my bosom buddies!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

Today's Devotional

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Matthew 25: 34 - 40

Thoughts on today's verses...

A question I often ask is, "Who is the least of these brothers of mine?" In our society, that is a difficult question to answer when there is a person panhandling on virtually every street corner in America. Who truly is the person in need?

I'm reluctant to give someone money, but I am inclined to buy them groceries or to take them somewhere for a meal. I recall one such time my husband was traveling with a group of men to a Promise Keepers event when they stopped at a 'Golden Arch' establishment. There was a man asking for money, my husband approached him and said, "Come with me, I'll buy you a meal." The person refused and almost became combative. He wanted the money... for whatever reason... alcohol or drugs.

So, how can we tell if someone is the 'least of these?' I trust established agencies that assist these persons. My favorite is The Salvation Army. They have soup kitchens, shelters and provide clothing. They have outreach programs to assist the down and out by helping them to become job ready, to address substance abuse and half-way housing for released inmates. This is only one such agency, there are also our community food banks and Community Action agencies.

I'm not telling you not to give to someone standing on the corner, but just be aware of what may become of the money you give them. Maybe rethinking what you give by carrying an emergency supply in your trunk for such occasions - bottled water, fruit bars, trail mix or easy open canned goods. Even soap and toilet paper and other personal items. Maybe taking them or directing them to the local Community Action or to the bus stop and purchase a ticket for them.  This is especially good if the person is a young adult (teenager, runaway).  I realize this post is going to be controversial, to say the least...

These are just some of my thoughts as we approach the coming holiday season. One of my favorites is the Angel Tree program. One year when we took our note off the tree I began to cry as I read the items the child asked for; underwear and a book. No toys, not several books, not expensive tennis shoes...

If you are like me, you may remember the "poverty years." Those times when you couldn't rub two nickles together. They are actually some of the best memories I have. We had to depend upon the Lord to make ends meet. I recall one such time in church. We had our tithe of a whole $20 to give. My husband looked at me and said, "If we give this, we have nothing until next pay day and we're almost out of milk." I told him to give it anyway. As we were leaving church, an elderly woman approached my husband as if to shake his hand and pressed (you guessed it) $20 into his hand! She said the Lord just impressed upon her the need to do that. Ah, such amazing grace!

My prayer...

Lord, I'm late posting today. This verse and all the memories have touched my heart. I've even put our Compassion Kids pictures here. Lord, keep me ever sensitive to You and Your Spirit. Fill me with so much of You that I can't help but know who the "least of these" are and to reach out my hand to assist them in their need. In Jesus' name I pray ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

Today's Devotional

Jesus wept.

John 11:35 NIV

Thoughts on today's verse...

As humans, we are uncomfortable with tears. We apologize to people when we cry, we often don't know what to do when someone is crying. Why is this? Why do we feel the need to apologize for crying? Perhaps we look at tears as showing a weakness in our character or a vulnerability we don’t like. Maybe we’re uncomfortable or think our tears are making others uncomfortable.

In today's very short verse, Jesus wept. This weeping was over the death of his friend Lazarus. It is comforting to me to know that Jesus experienced grief and tears. Tears will be a part of our life until we no longer walk this earth, then we are assured that there are no more tears in heaven and that they will be wiped from our eyes.

One of my favorite verses in scripture is Psalm 56:8: You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book? I believe for all the tears I cried over heartbreak, sorrow, disappointment will be poured out of that bottle and the big picture will be explained to me.

One of the blogs I follow is All Things New by Johanna. In her most recent posting, she shares of her Grandmother's passing. A question she asks is, "How is it that a heart can be heavy and light at the same time?" My dear, dear Sister - that is one of the mysteries of God. Johanna is a teacher and married to Michael. They are weathering a difficult storm as Michael has been diagnosed with kidney cancer and they haven't been married all that long. My friend Johanna has probably shed her share of tears most recently. I hope that Psalm 56:8 becomes very real for her. I ask for your prayers for Johanna - in fact put her on your prayer list!

My prayer...

Lord, sometimes our tears fall as rain and our hearts are heavy and sorrowful. But I know that You are mindful of them and of the condition of my heart. I love the picture of You collecting them in a bottle and making a notation in Your book! Sometimes, my dear Lord, I feel so much better after crying, as if relief has just been released over my entire body and spirit.

Today My Lord, I lift my sister Johanna and her family up to You. Her precious Grandmother is now in Your presence, and yet the parting is bitter-sweet. Comfort their entire family during this time and be a very real presence to them. In Jesus' name I pray ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

Today's Devotional

Thoughts on today's verse...

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. ~Ephesians 5:1 NLT

That's a rather tall order, isn't it? Imitating God. It's a frightening one, too! What if I don't do it just right? What if through my imitation of God I would actually turn someone away from Him or Christ?

Perhaps when this was written, God wanted us to recall children and how they often play dress-up or imaginary games where they are the adults... When children do this, they are imitating us and it is preparation for life, as we know it, as they know it.

I sometimes laugh at our grandson as he tries to walk in Pawpa's motorcycle boots. He even pulls Pawpa's "do rag" off his head and tries to put it on his. When he has access to the motorcycle, Zachary will climb up in the seat. That tells and shows me that he wants to be like his Pawpa. His Pawpa recognizes and realizes that he has an awesome responsibility in the example he sets for his grandson.

A saying that sprang up in social service networks was, "Children live what they learn." And they do - good or bad. Let us live carefully then, so the children who imitate us will have a good example. As we do that, let us also imitate our Heavenly Father.

My prayer...

Lord God, Father of all heaven and earth - hear my prayer! Lord, fill my being with Your Spirit. Allow me the privilege of imitating You and may I do so in such a way that others are drawn to You. Help me to be a good and positive example to our grandchildren. And Lord, the true mark of character is not so much what you do when people are watching, but what you do when they aren't. In Jesus' name I pray ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

Today's Devotional

Give, and it will be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over. ~Luke 6:38 NASB

Thoughts on today's verse...

Much of our day is spent in 'getting'. We get up in the morning in order to get a good breakfast before we get a ride to work. We get in gear and get the job done so we can get a paycheck that will pay for a weekend getaway so we might get rest to get a jump on the coming week!

Yet the Gospel encourages us to become a people who are more concerned with giving rather than getting. Giving sounds so noble, and we know in our hearts it's the "right thing to do," but in practice, giving is difficult. Genuine giving involves concern for others, and ultimately it requires the demolition of pride and self-centeredness. Giving is a sacrifice, letting go of at least part of that which we believe to be "ours."

The greatest mystery is that in giving, we get. What we get may not be what we had originally intended to get. Yet those who are generous in their giving repeatedly say what they get in return is always far more valuable and meaningful than what they gave or what they had originally intended to get.

One of the most giving persons I've ever known was a little widow named Mary Castor. I used to call her "Camel Knees" as she was such a prayer warrior. She was not wealthy in the sense of having money, but when you were with this woman you felt as if you were in the presence of the Lord. In her poverty (and she didn't know she was poor) she supported several missionaries besides tithing to her church. I learned much from Mary early on in my Christian walk.

So, today I'd like to challenge you. Find a way to give something to someone in need, whether of your money, time, talent, effort, service, tears, laughter, ideas, or possessions. Give freely and generously, not motivated by a payback. Oh, the payback will come, but let its arrival be a joyful surprise in your day!

My prayer...

My Lord and my God! You have blessed us with so very much in this nation, in this country. Now, may we attempt to be Your messengers in this world and to bless others as You have so generously blessed us. May we give not out of our surplus but of that which is sacrificial. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we may discern rightly where it is You desire us to give. In Jesus' name ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

Weekend Edition

"The Lord's love never ends; his mercies never stop. They are new every morning . . .” Lamentations 3:22-23 NCV

This weekend, nine of us women traveled to Phoenix to attend a Women of Faith conference.  Now, I must be honest and tell you that for some reason, the week before the conference - I just didn't want to go.  I told the Hubs about this feeling and he said, "There must be something or someone there you are supposed to hear since it seems you want to stay away..."  So I went.  Curiously, I told a friend about the feeling of not wanting to go and she expressed the very same feelings! 

Well, it turned out the Hubs was right - there were speakers, music and topics I was personally meant to hear.  Some things ministered to the very heart of my soul and spirit, others brought tears and some of the music just made me dance in place!  Nicole C. Mullin just makes me want sing, praise and dance!  She is so very full of talent, energy, and passion.  Patsy Clairmont made me laugh so hard and then brought me to tears as did Sheila Walsh.  There were skits, comedy, music, ministry and fellowship.  Lisa Harper, a gifted Bible teacher shared pertinent biblical truths through humor and story.  Lisa Welchel (The Facts of Life) was one of the weekend speakers.

It was a good weekend and we ordered our tickets for next year!  I encourage you, if you ever have the opportunity to attend a weekend conference - do it!  It will bless your soul!  It's as easy as following this web link:  http://www.womenoffaith.com/events/

Hugz to you all,

Tamara

Today's Devotional

Today's Verse

We love because He first loved us. ~1 John 4:19 NIV

Thoughts on today's verse...

God loves me! Isn't that crazy? He loves me! He also loves you. God desires for us to love ourselves and accept ourselves just the way we are. He doesn't want us to go through our lives 'faking it' and wishing we were someone else. He doesn't want us to compare ourselves to those super models in the magazines and then to become dissatisfied with ourselves. He doesn't want us to compare or compete with others at work, spending our time wishing we had their job or their life... In His love for us, He wants us to be comfortable 'in our own skin' and to love ourselves.

Now mind you, we all have those 'ugly' moments, those times when we are not at our best behavior. Even the apostle Paul said, 'that which we don't want to do we find ourselves doing and that which we want to do, we don't do' (Romans 7:19). That is why simply being ourselves is the hardest battle we face.

My Women of Faith sister, Lucy Swindoll recommends ten areas she works on when she gets bogged down and forgets to love herself:

1. Be content with what you have.

2. Stop comparing.

3. Count your blessings.

4. Quit personalizing every comment.

5. Maintain a servant spirit.

6. Do the unexpected for a loved one.

7. Keep a heart of gratitude.

8. Don't be negative.

9. Respect yourself.

10. Take God at His word.

I've heard it said that the problem with today's society is that we love our neighbors as we love ourselves and the truth is, we don't love ourselves very much. So today, why not do something special just for yourself? I am. I'm going to Phoenix with a group of women to attend the Women of Faith conference. It's tonight and all day tomorrow.

My prayer...

Father God, hear my prayer. I pray that today, I will love myself.  No, not being selfish and prideful, but to honestly love myself as You love me. Then, as I begin to fill up with love for myself, may it overflow and pour onto others so that they too may 'feel the love'! In Your precious name I pray ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

Today's Devotional

Today's Verse

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God— ~Hebrews 12:1-2 MSG

Thoughts on today's verse...

WOW! Sometimes I just love the Message Bible and they way a verse or verses are phrased. Today's is one of those. I like to use http://www.biblegateway.com/ enter the scripture verse and then check out all the various translations.

There was a song a number of years ago by a contemporary Christian singer - Steve Green and it was entitled, "Find Us Faithful". It's a wonderful song and in the beginning it speaks of being 'surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses'. Immediately, in my minds eye, I can envision all those faithful Christians who have gone on before us, somehow being able to see us in our 'here and now' and cheering us on, encouraging us to finish the race.

Since I began walking on a regular basis, I've determined that someday, sometime, I will do a marathon. Nothing spectacular, just a marathon. I may not finish first and I may not finish last, but I am determined to finish the race!

That's how it is supposed to be in our Christian walk. We may not be able to keep up with the 'others' who are ahead of us in spiritual maturity, and we may be more advanced than those who are just beginning their faith walk. But we are to continue walking. When another brother or sister comes upon us in our walk, perhaps they will have the voice of encouragement and say something, just a word, that will help us to continue on in our race... our marathon.

I cannot tell you how many occasions I've had, where I've been struggling with something, ready to walk away from the 'faith' when a stalwart Christian has come to me with a word of encouragement. It is during times like that when I know that I am His and that He is mine!

Oh, and I think it is important to remember, this walk is a marathon - not a sprint. We need to 'finish' the race, not burn out before the end of the marathon... You know, when I'm on my early morning walk and I just think I can't do it, can't finish the walk, I have some words I repeat to myself, "I've done it before, I can do it again!" Silly, I know, but it helps me to finish the course.

My prayer...

Lord God, Creator of all heaven and earth, Lover of our souls... hear my prayer! You who formed us know our weaknesses... and You also know our strengths. Send us encouragers along the way, like those who line the streets during the Boston Marathon, those who shout encouragement to the participants of the event, encouraging them, giving them the gumption to carry on, to finish the race!

Then again, dear Father, allow us to be encouragers too. There are those among us who need a word of encouragement to continue on in their own marathon... fill us with Your Spirit so that we may be able to discern when someone needs to have a word of encouragement spoken. In Jesus' name I pray ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara