September 9th, 2012

I am sure many of my friends are getting used to the new schedule of their teenagers being away at college. I know I am trying to acclimate to Aaron's. Between school, work and church I rarely see him during the week. But it is all good. He is happy, so momma is happy! Hope all you parents are getting adjusted to the change as well.

Okay, confession time!

Don't get to excited there is nothing too juicy!

I know I wrote about life changes a few blogs ago, but over the last couple of weeks, the Lord has really been convicting me with some much needed heart changes. He has been prompting me to reach out to who and what He places on my heart, and to really look at and accept things outside "my box" that maybe I was not so open to before, things that God wants to bless me through, but maybe I wasn't so willing to bend for. 

 Aaron and I have often debated over these comments that I have spouted out a time or two: "Well, I am who I am!" or "I am too set in my ways!" or the ever-popular " I am too old to change now." 

 I realized how sad it would be if that were really true. We should welcome the change that our Heavenly Father wants to do in us...especially the heart change. Without the heart change there would be no transformation. We wouldn't grow spiritually, let alone emotionally. So the confession...I have some changing to do! We all most likely have some changing within us that needs to take place.

Praise God, I am not who I once was, I am made new in Christ (Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come. 2 Cor 5:17). So, "I am what I am" doesn't really apply any longer. Amen! 

I don't want to be set in "my" ways. Lord knows, that can steer me right off course. Psalm 18:30 tells us God's way is perfect. Not just okay, not just good...but perfect! And He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him. Stay humble now, it doesn't mean you are going to be perfect! 

Friends, we are never too old to change. We should seek a constant heart change through our Heavenly Father every day of our lives by striving to love without boundaries, forgive without conditions, and always help and encourage those who need it. 

(Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2) 

Many times to bring about the true change that God desires to take place in us, we have to remove the scales that are weighing us down or holding us back. We have to be willing to hear, see and feel through our spiritual ears, eyes and heart, and not care about what others will think as we are going through the process, only seeking the approval of the One who brings about the true transformation. I recently came across a quote that resonated with me: "God is far more interested in what you are than who you are." In the eyes of God you are everything! 

I have been so blessed that through the many changes I have gone through and still continue to go through, the Lord has also surrounded me with family and friends that have showered me with unconditional love and compassion and in the process that has changed my heart to be that same way with others who are walking out their own transformation.

The process isn't always an easy one. It requires dying to our flesh and surrendering ourselves in a way that can make us feel, at times, very vulnerable....but the reward is nothing short of spectacular! The change within you and the freedom that it brings is a rare treasure that brings about a soulful satisfaction that nothing can compare to...not this side of eternity, anyway!

As always I thank you all for your love, support and never-ending encouragement. My heart runneth over with much love and gratitude for you all.

Forever Grateful, 

Tammy 

November 15th, 2011

Hello sweet family and friends,

Hope you all are doing well! I am not sure I have told you this in a while but I appreciate your constant love and prayers in my life as I continue to rebuild and heal! You rock!

I wanted to share with you about a Wednesday morning journey I have been on for a couple of months now.

I have felt so blessed to be able to attend a woman's Bible study at Celebration Church on Wednesday mornings called Sisterhood. Those of you who know me well know I love me some Bible studies and fellowshipping with other women. When I think back to that first Wednesday a couple of months ago, I can remember feeling a little apprehensive about attending and committing to a new study. I was little startled by the way I was feeling, but I thought I would give it shot, go when I could, meet a few new ladies, and get through it. Ha! I should have known better than that!

We have been studying a series called "Ancient Wisdom, Modern Life", a study of 1 Corinthians. I always take a lot of notes, but I remembered writing down, underlining and highlighting something Pastor Kerri said that has stuck with me throughout this study, she said "Find God's rhythm for your life." I think that resonated so much for me because it made me realize that I had gotten out of rhythm in my own life with a few things.

In many ways, the past couple of months at this study had allowed me to recognize just how out of sync I was. I hadn't been engaged in studying the Word as diligently as I had before, I hadn't been fellowshipping and building new relationships, and I hadn't been planting fresh seeds. As we near the final study this Wednesday, however, I'm amazed at how much all of that has changed since diving back into the Bible. It was purely a case of bringing the body and having the mind follow.

I really just positioned myself in a place where God could speak to me, and I was blessed by meeting some incredible women and being fed wisdom that I could apply to my life. It was an awesome experience, one that allowed me to be in an environment where I could grow spiritually and even leave my comfort zone a little bit. I was right where I was supposed to be on Wednesday mornings!

Giving God the opportunity to move in your life through studying His word can help you get in tune with His rhythm. It can help you feel that balance spiritually, emotionally and physically. This doesn't mean life won't come without it's share of disappointments, but we can better equip ourselves to handle them when they do.

As I continue on this journey I am constantly reminded that my Heavenly Father provides a warm blanket of love and protection for me, (for all of us) daily. That even through the sorrow of loss God will shine through and bring hope and life.

 Be encouraged! 

Blessings Always,

Tammy