In the Spirit

This morning, as I continue my chronological read of the Bible (just four days remain...and four more readings), I paused on an expression by John in the book of Revelation and then scanned down to the study note to read that John scripted this expression four times throughout the book: "And instantly I was in the Spirit..." (Rev. 4:2a)

To many, John is an example of enduring nearly the impossible:  boiled in oil.  What a harsh repercussion for standing for the Lord.  Yet.  Following this, he was banished to Patmos where he was given Revelation. Here, we learn how the story ends...and then continues into eternity.  Praises!

Part of me thinks that John would suffer even much more to be "in the Spirit."  Okay...all of me!  Wow!  I can only imagine.  Can you?  To be in the Spirit...to see that old dragon conquered once and for all...to see The One on the white Horse, riding in, to save me...and you...for all eternity.

Just makes you want to raise those hands and begin the praising!

As 2017 comes to a close, I want this scripture.  I claim this scripture:  "And instantly I was in the Spirit..."...through reading His Word, through praying to Him, through fellowship with my Christian brothers and sisters centered around learning The Word ever more.  When I face the questions, the tasks, the stalemates, I want to be so close to Him that He answers for me, that He fills my brain for of His Understanding, His Love, His Knowledge.  Just.  Like.  That.

Several years ago, the Lord began awaking me early...wide awake...as in, no chance or even want-to to return to snoozing under those warm covers.  I, instantly, visualized that first cup of coffee...and spending time with Him in The Word. Over the past three years, I have read the Bible cover to cover, using a chronological Bible.  The best of times, learning more Bible than I previously knew...ever.  (I have also completed several Bible studies, which contributed to my learning also...and I, too, have listened more attentively to messages at church.  Yep.  That really helps!)

I have much to learn.  The more I learn, the more I am concerned I am still drinking milk...and not eating enough meat, as Paul discusses in I Corinthians.  I like milk. But.  I need protein.  I need that meat!  I need that "instantly in the Spirit."  For the times when I am reading The Word. For those in need of a Word who God will plant in my path.  For revelations that occur when I re-read a verse for the upteenth time and finally understand what I did not before.  Yes, I need and want meat!

As this year draws to a close, I am watching for verses to take into 2018 with me....yes, Rev. 4:2a, this one will go with me.

What has been your verse(s) for 2017?  Had God given you any for 2018?  Just ask Him...He will!

Blessings!

God Has a Face

This season, I have spent some time in Max Lucado's Because of Bethlehem and have so enjoyed his perspective...especially on God's choice to have a face; he came as a baby. 

Why?

As we discussed in our youth Sunday School class, Jesus could have come as anyone, as any of our favorite heroes...I chose Iron Man!  Seriously!  Jesus really IS Iron Man! 

BUT He came as a baby.

Why?

He knew that one day I would need to know that He lived and faced and conquered every sin that I will ever tempt me...that He did so and never sinned...that He did so and sacrificed himself just for me.  And you.

Can you image the emotions that Mary felt as she first perused the face of Jesus, knowing who He really was...and is...and will be?

"...and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger..." (Luke 2:7)

I can remember as a new mom, just staring at my baby's face, searching for continual perfections.  Unwrapping the blankets, checking out the toes, inspecting each finger, the ears...just in love with each and every cell.

There, she held The Perfection. Yet.  The mom in her must have searched, touched, loved on her first baby, her son, Baby Jesus. 

This face would change the world.  This face would change me.   This face continues to change me.

Thank you, God, for sending a face to the earth. 

Merry CHRISTmas to me...and you!

Christmas Break Begins

Today...my 26th Christmas break (as a teacher) began...and I spent the day with The Husband...out and about, meeting family, having lunch, shopping some, checking off my Christmas to-do list, the one that I just began today, as this has been quite the busy time, a busy semester, a busy month...just busy!

Speaking of busy...may I backtrack...and share three Christmas parties I attended this week?

• Making Choices Bible Study...dinner with my Jesus Gal Pals.  This one time, we have dinner, play Dirty Santa with ornaments, and laugh...and laugh.  A good time!  These seven ladies bless me...all the way to my soul.  
• Then, on to Wednesday evening and Christmas with the children and youth at church, where we made snowflake ornaments and discussed how God made us...all different yet the same.  Goodness, were these kiddos hyped up!  Used that energy to make those ornaments to place on the now full tree!
• On Thursday evening, the Women's Ministry Team provided dinner for the pastors' wives in our church association, followed by a paint party, hosted by self-trained me.  We painted one I entitled "He Grew the Trees."  Yes, He grew the very trees on which He and the two thieves would one day hang.  

A blessed season this has already been.

Yet...I am so looking forward to the next two weeks, for I so need Matthew 11:28:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

I need sleep.  I need to not talk.  I need to cook (and clean!).  I need hours at home with nowhere to go.  I need snow.  (AND this awesome white stuff is in the forecast...multiple times!  Yay!)  I need rest.

God's timing is just perfect, isn't it?  Just when I need this rest, He provides two weeks just for me...(well, and every other teacher across the land!)  He is just BIG that way! 

Today...Day 1...I have enjoyed...and then on the way home, The Husband shared...reminded me...that this year's Christmas Eve Hayride will be the 25th year.  Wow!  He wanted a sign...I envisioned a painting, a real one, that we might keep and hang as a souvenir, so the idea was planted and is already coming to fruition, for he found the board, and the painting has begun...finished product to be chatted about in a future post. 

A very good day!

Hope you find rest this season.  Merry Christmas!

Less Is More

This has been a liberating season for me.  May I share?

For years (literally!), my calling at my church has been to fill in...just wherever I was needed.  The problem?  Once I begin something, though, that event, project, endeavor becomes my baby, and who likes throwing out the baby with the dishwater?  (From wherever did that saying begin?!)

Then, a series of serious events (at least to me!) begin to happen...until the straw broke (yes, I do seem be full of cliches this evening!).  As I accepted the broken straw...over a span of minutes...maybe a few hours?...there came a liberation from the Lord to give up.  Not to give up.  To just begin doing my part.  This week has been just that, a time to reflect and to share, to choose, to let go, to begin doing less, so that I might begin doing more.

My prayer request this week to my prayer team has been that God grant me wisdom as I listen and He continues to guide.  Would you pray that prayer for me...that wisdom be given to me, that I use only His Wisdom?

I really need to do less so that I might do more.

I need more time with the Lord:  time to be in His Word.  This year I will complete only my second reading of the Bible cover to cover.  Shame on me!  I should have been doing this for years!  Much is to be said about reading the Bible chronologically and absorbing the narrative of His Coming...from Genesis to Revelations. 

Yes, slowing down and reading less is also important.  Choosing a study and landing there to marinate in The Word.  Slowing down and re-reading verses, chapters, even books of the Bible, absorbing the answers as He speaks through the pages of my several Bibles.


I really need to do less so that I might do more.

Being over involved simply means that I am stretched too thin, resulting in my never quite accomplishing much to my potential.   Yes, many activities occur, fellowships are hosted, events occur....but am I also hindering others from working for The Lord?  I hope not.  I certainly do not want to one day hear, "Lord, I would done more for the church, but Tammy...she just took care of things."  What?!  No!

I really need to do less so that I might do more.

More with my family.  The Husband has been diagnosed with a rare form of arthritis in his feet.  The Girl, who is doing well, well...I am not willing to give up these years anymore and miss time with her.  Some weeks, I am gone 4-5 nights a week for other activities.  This week, for instance, three nights were spent attending three Christmas parties.  Fun!  So...okay...we should not judge based on this week!  It's Christmas!  Yay! 

I am interested in focusing more on my Bible study group...of ever learning The Word with them.  This group of ladies bless me every time we meet.  Every time.  I am also so blessed by the studies He has sent us toward.

My dream...yes, to do less so that I may accomplish more.

I could go on...and will, for I have chosen the word less as by 2018 My One Word.  Or did The Lord choose this word for me?  I am so enjoying the peace that has come with this word.  If you know me, you are saying right now...yes, I can hear you!..."This must be the Lord, for that Tammy is always busy, and she wants to do less?!"

Yes, I am ready to do less...so I may do more.

What word is He giving you for 2018?  To what is He leading you to do...or not to do?

Blessings!