Don't worry about it......

..."I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?...seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all of these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:19-34).


I had the most wonderful opportunity this past weekend to enjoy my Mom and my Dad...at the same time.  As rushed, event filled, and beautiful as it was, I still am in awe of the beauty of which I am blessed.  The weekend began on a plane trip with my Dad (and Jill), 7:10 departing GSP, arriving in Chicago at 7:55.  The joy of my heart glowed as my Daddy listened to music (via an iPod) and sang at the top of his lungs "The Baptism of Jesse Taylor" by the Gaither's.  I almost cried!  What he didn't realize is that since he had the iPod in his ears he had no idea how loud he was singing, and amazingly enough, no one on the plane minded either!


After arriving in "Che-cago", as Daddy pronounces it, we rode with Shelley, Scott, and lil Scotty to Elkhart, IN.  I had the most amazing opportunity to stay with Scott's Mom and Dad.  What amazing people!  Their hospitality, love, and support could never be repaid.  Friday night was the rehearsal party, and then Saturday we attended a bridal shower for Cassy.  Intrigued by her beauty and innocence I watched her open gifts, smile, and enjoy her moment with Shelley at her side.  However, not so far away sat my Mama...so proud and happy to have her three girls near.  I felt my heart sink when I worried whether we were including her and having the desire to want to stand on the table and say, "hey, have you met my Mom?".  She looked beautiful.  


After the shower, we began the orchestrated event of dressing for the wedding.  As I watched...Cassy was putting on makeup and laughing, Mama was smiling and pulling out the flower arrangements she had helped with, and Shelley was...well Shelley was Shelley, she contributed her wit, smile, and warmth.  But most of all our sweet Hannah and Scotty were glowing.  What is it that a wedding really does bring out the best of everyone involved?


After being dressed and ready to walk down the isle, I looked at my Daddy and realized he was crying.  The time had come that his baby girl was walking down the isle, and he would be giving her to the third and last official "Owens Brother" (as Scott likes to refer to himself, Toby, and now Patrick).  As he cried, I looked at Mama and she too was crying, and as I looked at Shelley, I realized we were all three grown up.  Not that it was a mystery, but that the finality of the event we had been dreading (not negatively), looking forward to, and now witnessing had come to fruition...Cassy (that sucked a passy until she was 6, played with Jesse Harris all of her life, and babysat my own children when she was in middle and high school) was getting married.  I really didn't think I would have such difficulty with this life event, however I have.  


You see, I have worried about tomorrow until it has made me ill, I have worried about family, friends, and events that I should have placed in God's hands...never to be taken away from my heavenly Father.  You see, my Daddy did all of this along time ago when he decided to stop drinking...in closing, I want you to read the lyrics of "The Baptism of Jesse Taylor":


Among the local taverns they'll be a slack in business 
'Cause Jesse's drinkin' came before the groceries and the rent
Among the local women they'll be a slack in cheatin'
'Cause Jesse won't be be steppin' out again.

They baptized Jesse Taylor in Cedar Creek last Sunday
Jesus gained a soul and Satan lost a good right arm
They all cried "Hallelujah" as Jesse's head went under
'Cause this time he went under for the Lord.


The reality of knowing that my Mama and my Daddy are not getting any younger (and neither am I) hit hard this weekend.  I still hear Daddy singing, "They all cried Hallelujah as Jesse's head went under".  My Daddy had church on that airplane, all by himself!  


My prayer for you today, is that you find the time to tell someone (just one person) how much they mean to you. I pray that God blesses you and shows you the revelation of His love and power.  Where there is pain, provide peace, where there is self-doubt, provide grace, and where there is hatred, provide love.  The only thing that would have made this weekend any more wonderful would have been for my children and husband to be by my side.  Don't worry about tomorrow, place your worries in God's hands.

Paul & Barnabas....

...strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said (Acts 14:22).

Paul and Barnabas were friends, yet they had somewhat of a "falling out".  During their first journey together in Col. 4:10, they took Barnabas' cousin, John Mark, however he returned home to Jerusalem along the way (Acts 13:13).  Later on a second journey, Barnabas wanted to take Mark, but Paul resisted. In the New Testament, it is clear that there was a "sharp contention" that developed between them (Acts 15:36-41).  They couldn't reach an agreement and they split up.  From that point on they never saw each other again!

Can you imagine?  Well, I can, being in such a dispute that you never wanted to see each other again?  However, we fall in the pit that when we have this happen we walk around, disappointed, and sad, but what Paul and Barnabas did, even though they didn't do it together, was accomplish MORE WORK for the Lord because of how their disagreement was handled.  

We will never know whether it was Paul or Barnabas that was wrong, some arguments imply that Paul was stubborn, too stubborn to give in, however there was not anything else said about the work of Barnabas and Mark.  I feel a pull toward Barnabas.  How many times do we need a second chance?  

This is proven when Paul even finds John Mark useful in his ministry.  Somethings I would like for you to consider:

1.  Their work did not disrupt the love and respect that Paul and Barnabas had for one another.  They moved on.  In times of struggle, sadness, or down right arguing do you move on and keep your eyes on the prize?  

2.  Personal conflict is openly evident on the pages of the New Testament.  Luke was led by the Holy Spirit to include this part of the narrative.  I know that my instincts, when writing, I want to leave out all of the "bad" things.

3.  There are always lessons to be mastered.

As I close, I want to ask you to examine, who is your hero (it has to be someone besides God or Jesus).  What did that person do to make you look up to them and see them as a hero?  I have quite a few....just to name some of them:

1.  Mary Magdalene---think of the shame and sorrow she went through---did she bring some of it on herself?  SURE!  But she kept her eyes on the prize!

2.  Sonia Sotomayer---she was 8 years old when she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.  In 2009, when she was elected, some questioned whether her "condition" (I love it when people call T1D that, haha!) would affect her ability to serve.  In her climb she studied at Princeton and Yale and then found herself sitting on the nation's highest court.  She is quoted saying "I am an ordinary person who has been blessed with extraordinary opportunities and experiences".  WOW!

3.  Reed Horton---I think this is a given!  Poor fella has been plagued with his first stomach virus since being diagnosed and has been a champ.  Even in his times of weakness, he is such a blessing.  When he is down, he leans heavily on the Father and on his mom.  I have let him down so many times, just as I have let Brooke down, however I continue to keep my eyes on the prize...I know that in heaven my Reed will be healed and have no more needles or pain.  I know that he is young, and his mission is not nearly over.  I also know that when I prayed for him, the night he was born, I asked God, just as Hannah did (Reed's first name is Samuel) to use him for the glory of His name.  Samuel in the bible was a peacemaker and leader....have you met my Reed?

Most of you that read my blog know I love music...I want to leave you with a verse from a favorite old hymn---

Trials dark on every hand, and we cannot understand

All the ways of God would lead us to that blessed promised land;

but He guides us with His eye, and we'll follow till we die,

for we'll understand it better by and by.

By and by, when the morning comes,

when the saints of God are gathered home,

we'll tell the story of how we've overcome,

for we'll understand it better by and by.

Are your children....

I am sure that when you first read the tag line you anticipated me asking if your children were smart, happy, accomplished, healthy?  But nope, I want to know do your children feel blessed?  I think of ways we bless our children and show them favor...but really do they feel blessed?

"Ah, the smell of my son it is like the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed" (Genesis 27:27).  This scripture is about when Jacob received Isaac's blessing.  Jacob deceived Isaac into thinking he was Esau, the older son, by bringing him game to eat and wine to drink.  Since Isaac was very old, he had asked Esau to bring him food, prepare it, and to allow Isaac to give him his blessing.  What Isaac didn't know was that Rebekah was listening (his wife) and she went to Jacob (the younger son) and told him of the request.  She even went so far as telling Jacob that if Isaac didn't believe it was Esau she would take all the blame for it.  How often have you been willing to take the blame for something you put one of your children up to?  Better yet, how often do you plot your child against their father (this is another blog for another day)?

All through chapter 27 the common emphasis is on Isaac's blessing for his son.  Do you provide a blessing to your children?  No matter our age, the approval of our parents affects how you view yourself and for ability to pass that approval on to your children, spouse, and friends.  Unfortunately, some people spend a lifetime looking for this acceptance.  This is not only vital to our self esteem, but our emotional well being, and self worth.  Do you, as a parent, struggle with accepting your children for who they are, maybe because your parents NEVER accepted you for who you are.  Maybe your father wasn't home, your mother was never interested in what you were doing, you never felt the "blessing" of your parents.  Now is time to accept that you can't change the past but you can empower the future.

I pray that you will learn to use a meaningful touch, provide a spoken message, and make a commitment to bless your children.  Empower them to know they bless you and others around them.  Savor the smell of your children's skin, the feel of their hair, and the sound of their voice.  Hug them, listen to them (don't talk, listen), and attach a meaningful value to their presence. I have been reading the book "The Blessing" by John Trent, Ph.D. and Gary Smalley.  It outlines how to achieve these elements of the blessings you will receive when you begin to bless others around you.

Remember, "Jesus took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them" (Mark 10:16).

My prayer today is:

God, my everlasting Father,
I ask for you to encourage all of my friends and family to reach out and bless someone.
Give them the courage to begin using the power of touch and promising commitment to become
better parents, wives, husbands, and friends.
Use our voices to praise, our hands to heal, and our hearts to follow You and Your commands.
In your name,

Tammy

The battle of my thoughts....

So many things run through my mind, as does every woman's mind in a split second, much less all throughout the day!  Laundry, children, husbands, errands, grocery list, family, school, homework, dinner...and oh yeah...my devotion time.  Unfortunately, it runs in that order for me sometimes, and I am confident most of you can sympathize with this!  Have you ever really thought about how much does run through your mind....how much of it is positive?  How much of it is negative?  Unfortunately, our natural temptation is to think negatively...it doesn't take any effort.  Effort comes into play when we grasp positive thoughts.

Joyce Meyer states, "Positive minds full of faith and hope produce positive lives.  The opposite is also true; negative minds full of fear and doubt produce negative lives, which can ultimately destroy your life".   In my personal struggles today, I am examining how many times my innate nature is to be negative, and boy, is it a lot!  When I am at wits end, I think negative, when I am frustrated with a loved one, I think negative, when I have had enough with all the children, I think negative.

Why do you think we do that?  In my opinion, it is because of sin in our lives...Isaiah 64:6 says, "We are all infected and impure with sin.  When we display our righteous deeds, that are nothing but filthy rags.  Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind".  Romans 3:23 states, "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God".  Ultimately, what does all of this mean?

It means that we are forgiven, we are made whole, and we can effortlessly come to know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior...does this mean we automatically forget our negative nature?  NOPE!  We have to train our minds to not go that way!!!  We fight things in our mind every single day...every second of the day...so how do we decide to change our way of stinkin' thinking'?  We take a stand and say:  "I'll never give up!  God's on my side. He loves me, and He's helping me!  I'm going to make it" (Joyce Meyer).

I am trying every single day to rewire my brain.  Time and time again I fail, but I know that God is the master healer and fixer!  Discouragement is not my nature, I want to learn to think in a Godly spirit and gradually I will develop His way of thinking, naturally.  This does not mean that I will not ever, never, ever have a negative thought, but this does mean that when I have a negative thought or idea, I will bow on my knees and ask my heavenly father for forgiveness and healing.  I do not want to ever stop trying, nor do I want to give up on my brain, I just want to reprogram it to do better!

Let me pray for you today.

Father in Heaven,
Bless my friends that are reading this right now.
Give them the courage to reprogram their brains to be deterred from negative thinking.
Whatever they are facing or experiencing in their lives right now, give them the strength to face it positively, full force, unwilling to give up on what your desires and expectations are for us as Christians.
If there is any one that is reading this now that does not know you as their Savior,
Lord, I pray that you allow my words to touch their heart,
That they feel the power of your hands on them as I pray for your guidance and expectations for my life to be positively influenced.

In your name I pray,
AMEN!

"You cannot give away something you don't have"...

I have started following Joyce Meyer's blog, and tonight it just so happens, while watching American Idol I decided to click through her website and I can honestly say WOW!  God is amazing!  She has a section about loving God, yourself, and others.

This spoke to me because I don't have a problem loving God, however loving myself?  Wow that is a tall task somedays, and then to throw into the equation loving others?  To understand love, I want to look at Webster's definition of love:

Love-noun 

1.  a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person

2.  a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection for a parent, child, or friend

3.  sexual passion or desire

4.  a person toward whom love is felt; beloved person; sweetheart

5.  used as a term of endearment, affection, or the like

Love-verb

1.  to have love or affection for

2.  to have a profoundly tender, passionate affection for (another person)

3.  to have a strong liking for; take great pleasure in

4.  to need or require; benefit greatly from

5.  to embrace and kiss (someone)

The commonalities in the word love for me are tender, passionate, affection.  Whether we look at it as a noun or a verb, God tells us to love.  Deuteronomy 6:5 provides us with this commandment, "you shall love the Lord your God with all your mind and heart and with your entire being and with all your might." With every single element of your being.  Showing God how we love Him is difficult sometimes.  It requires our obedience.  It is a commandment...not an option.  

To love yourself...to love myself!  "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31). Maybe not for you, but for me I fall short on this one.  While evaluating myself, I saw the quote "You cannot give something away that you don't have in you".  Then I thought back over quotes I have heard, and another hit me in the face..."to the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world".  How can I be the world, I am Tammy...and then I said, "Tammy, think of one person you don't love"...and I can't think of anyone I don't love...I may not like them, but I love them.  I love people!  Therefore, I have to love myself.  To love myself, do you think that means I like myself 100% of the time?  Nope, nope, and nope! I have faults, I have cellulite, I have glasses, and I sometimes have bad breath!  But you know what, I do love everybody...so I have to love me!

When I think of this, I realized that God's love is a gift, and we are commanded to "love out loud" (Joyce Meyer).  With Valentine's Day coming up, I want to challenge you to think of someone you need to love. Think of ways to show your love and to let His people see how you love GOD!  There is truly only one happiness in life, to love and to be loved.

Easy, huh?  Nope!  How many times do you feel unloved?  How many times, as mom's do we feel taken advantage of?  How many times do we feel not pretty enough to be loved?  I will answer, with the energy of love in my life, I want to be motivated to be healed by God to love people, even to love people that do not want to be loved...God is love and you cannot, I repeat cannot give his love away if you do not have it to give.

Put your love in action---reach out and love others.....

True Friendship...

What does it really mean to have a true Christian friendship?  I have learned over the past few weeks how it feels to be alone, yet lifted up by wonderful and amazing friends that have given unconditionally to our family.

In John 15:13 it says, "Greater love has no one that this, that he lay down his life for his friends".  Jesus' love for us is unconditional, sacrificial, and never selfish.  By valuing what your friends need the most, you are well on your way to love like Jesus.

Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times"....sure a true friend does.  They pick up the phone to make sure you are okay during times of loss, sickness, sadness, or just to see how you are doing.  They don't necessarily want anything from you in return, and are always willing to listen...knowing all along that they may need your shoulder someday also.  In a true friendship, you build each other up.  You receive strength, encouragement, and love.  They listen when you talk, they cry when you cry, and they laugh when you laugh. "As iron sharpens iron, one man (or in my case woman) sharpens another."Proverbs 27:17.

This blog today is being written after sitting at choir practice, watching the new friends I have met, and with one special "old" friend (and her hubby) that I "got" in my divorce from my ex-husband...we actually laugh about this all the time.  I have studied about relationships...real relationships...I have read articles about when we surround ourselves with people of like minds we begin to think and act alike.  How do your friends influence you?

Do you feel like they are bleeding the life out of you, or are they laying down their life for their friends?  We have had the opportunity the past two weeks to be in need of help from our friends, some just a gentle reminder that they are there, others the fact that they asked off work to attend a funeral was unforgettable.

Tonight I want to say thank you...

Thank you for being there when I needed you, and even when I didn't
Thank you for being there through the good times and the bad
Thank you for being the one to encourage my sadness and my happiness
Thank you for catching me before I fell down
Thank you for wiping away the tears when I was crying
Thank you for cheering me up and making me laugh
Thank you for the great memories
But mostly thank you for being you!!!!!

You all know who you are, but most of all I hope this encourages you to thank your friends and remember that sometimes when they need you the most, you need them too.  I am praying for all of you...my friends, because yes, it is not often I ever admit this, but I need you too!

If I had to do it again....

If I only had five minutes more
The things I would have shared
The thank you's I would have said
I never got to tell you how much you meant to me
Or that you were the best father-in-law,
Better than any man could be.
The last time I talked to you
I wish I would have know
I would have said I love you
And held your hand alone.

If I only had five minutes,
I would give you one last hug
I would not complain of cooking you a well done steak
Or frying you a piece of chicken
I would tell you we won't like living without you
And tell you that I will miss you
More than you would ever know.
I would pick you up and take you to where ever
you would like to go.

Before we knew it
You were standing at heavens door,
Now God has called you
To drink pepsi at the Pearly Gates.
It is time to get your wings
To leave this world of pain behind
And all of heavens angels are singing
Because you have arrived.

I have had two angels fall in my lap
That would make me laugh when I was down
To fix my heart and made me smile
You have wiped my tears with your gentle hand
I knew that no one would ever understand
But you said it would all be ok.
You showed the love that never dies
Yet you have gone ahead.

I know will see you again
So be waiting for me to come
Just be patient, my friend,
The best is yet to come.

We love you, Poppy....

I can't really express my words for this wonderful man that left a legacy longer than I could ever express.  I am so grateful to be part of his family...

The habits of happy people!

What makes you happy?
First of all, money is not in the equation, it does have an influence, but let's remove this factor.  According to David Myers, a professor of psychology and author of The Pursuit of Happiness: Who is Happy and Why?, "We are social animals.  We come with a deep need to belong.  So people who have close, supportive, intimate relationships with others are more likely to report themselves as really happy people".

I received today the Phoenix Focus (the alumni publication from the University of Phoenix) and an article in the magazine was about happiness.  It suggests these 12 tips for a happier life:

1. Count your blessings.  Be aware of all the good things in your life and express gratitude for what you have.
2. Cultivate optimism.  Make an effort to see the upside of a situation and surround yourself with positive people.
3. Avoid social comparison.  This is a tough one in our aspirational culture, but it's well worth cutting down on how often you dwell on your problems and compare yourself with others.
4. Practice acts of kindness toward friends and strangers.
5. Nurture your relationships.  Don't take your friends and family for granted.
6. Do more activities that really engage you.  This increases what psychologists call the "flow" state where you're totally absorbed in what your doing.
7. Savor life's joys.  Go over them by wither writing them down or thinking and talking about them.
8. Commit to your personal goals.  Pick at least one significant goal and devote time and effort to pursuing it.
9. Develop coping strategies.  Practice ways to get through or get over stress or trauma.
10. Learn to forgive. Letting go of old hurts and resentments frees your mind and heart.
11. Practice religion or spirituality.  Research shows people who do so are happier.
12. Take care of your body. Exercise, meditation, and laughing all count.

Now when I read this the very first thing that jumped out at me was to count my blessings and to practice religion.  This comes from a secular school that at no point during my studies (even in a religion class) implied there was any faith at all!  The excitement flooded me when I read this because of the 1000's of people this may have gone to!  All of the alumni at UOP receive this!!!!  Wonder how many read it?  

The bottom line is that happiness is a choice.  One of the quotes in another article discussed approaching life from a point of abundance rather than a point of lack.  How many of you all approach happiness, life, or business this way.  A quote I found in the internet that explains my IPhone....

"I keep the telephone of my mind open to peace, harmony, health, love, and abundance.  Then whenever doubt, anxiety, or fear try to call me, they keep getting a busy signal and soon they'll forget my number".  If we make it a habit to think happiness, abundance, and love then maybe it is true...doubt, anxiety, and fear may eventually forget my number....

I pray each of you had a blissful holiday season and am excited to see what 2012 brings for our family.