It's Been a Rough Week

It’s been one of the weeks that what could happen have happened. Dealing with these things has taken a lot of my time up, both mentally and physically.  You know when you put your life and your family’s lives in God’s hands, the devil will try everything in his power to bring you down and make you doubt everything you know. That pretty much sums up my week.

I have cried a lot and prayed even more. I have had to go off by myself and just be alone for a short while. I have been shorter tempered than I normally am, I hate feeling like that. I am ashamed that I haven’t held my tongue.   Last night I had a long talk with God, I have asked for forgiveness for not remembering what is most important, for allowing the problems /worries of today affect me so greatly. I know I am human and I make mistakes, believe I make a lot of mistakes, but part of my growth with God is seeing those mistakes and facing them and asking for forgiveness and guidance from him.

After my talk with God I laid my head on my pillow and slept a restful and sound sleep. I try to remember he is here with me at all times. He will help me on the path he has laid before me, I just have to trust in him and allow him to lead me and let go off all the issues that the devil knows he can use to hold me back.

A couple of my favorite quotes:

Yesterday is gone, today is a gift, and tomorrow is mystery.

Our past is forgiven, right now is the beginning and tomorrow is in God’s hands.

 God Bless,

Tammy


I am linked up at: Women Living Well Blog and Time-Warp Wife

Reading God's Word and.....

“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” Deuteronomy 6:5-7 KJV.

 Teaching and reading God's word to our children is something that is so very important if we expect them to continue on with their journey of living for Christ and studying his word when they grow up. Children do what they see. If they see mom and dad indulging in God's word and praying they are more likely to do it themselves. Then if we include them with us, God's awesome mighty word and wisdom will be firmly set within their hearts. This is something that will be with them long after we are gone. When we pray with our children, we are showing them that God is not only our God, our savior but also our friend. They also see that there is more than one way to pray. Sometimes just talking to him like a friend is all that is needed. It shows them that God is approachable and is a part of our everyday life. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” Matthew 6:33 K.JV.

Instilling his word into their hearts is a goal that we take seriously. It is our hope and prayer that they will have a heart to serve the Lord as they grow older. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” Proverbs 22:6 KJV. We see this happening within our older sons. They make us so proud, showing that they have faith in Jesus. They obey his voice when he speaks to their hearts. There are times just as with any of us they don’t obey the first time. I think it’s a human thing to doubt what you are feeling or hearing is truly God. Sometimes we feel the need to ask for more proof is it really in fact him. It’s the carnal side of us all. As we mature in our relationship with Jesus we still struggle from time to time with these carnal feelings. It’s so easy to doubt but to step out in faith is much harder.

 While we know that there are things that we do as humans that are counterproductive in our walk with God, we know that he is mighty and he loves, ready to forgive us.  For our children to see us in our Christian walk and know that we are not perfect, when they see us struggle but in the same turning to God asking him for forgiveness and wisdom. We believe we must be proactive in teaching our children about Jesus and to make God’s word and prayer a part of their everyday life. If we would leave our children to learn these things on their own the results would not be as we would hope. God’s word tells us in Proverbs Ch. 29: 15 KJV “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame”, we have to make God an intricate part of our lives, to make his living word and holy sprite to intertwine within our spirit.

 By making God’s word and daily prayer a part of our children’s lives we are faithful they will be wise in making decisions in their lives for the future as well as the present. “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” I Cor. 15:33 KJV. With a firm foundation of the bible, Jesus and the Holy Ghost, we believe that this is vital in guiding them through their lives.

God Bless,
Tammy

For Today...

For today I choose to smile. For today I choose to look beyond my stressors. For today I choose to not sweat the small stuff. For today I choose to see the lighter side of things. For today I choose to laugh when I feel like crying. For today I choose to give more hugs to my children. For today I choose to be a blessing to a stranger. For today I choose to not ponder on all that is wrong and see all that is right in my life. For today I choose to see things from another perspective. For today I choose to allow myself time to just be goofy with my daughter. For today I choose to allow God’s grace and glory shine in my life. For today I choose to find a place, kneel on my knees and tell Jesus of all my worries and sorrows. For today I choose to sing a song I’ve never sang before. For today I choose to walk away when someone chooses to hurt me and say a prayer for them. For today I choose love over anger. For today I choose to see the good in others. For today I choose to open my eyes to the beauty God has set before me. For today I choose to keep it cool. For today I choose to be the example to my daughter of a Godly woman, with God’s grace and love I can achieve this. For today I choose to stop and smell the roses of life. For today I choose to rethink my thinking. For today I choose to love more. For today I choose to give more. For today I choose to cry for a friend when they need me. For today I choose to be a better person. For today I choose happiness!

God Bless,
Tammy

New Movie from the creators of FireProof!

Four men, one calling:




To serve and protect ...


The next movie from the creators of FIREPROOF is moving forward in anticipation of production beginning in the spring of 2010. Sherwood Pictures continues its commitment to life-changing and life-affirming movies.


Courageous ... honor begins at home!


I am excited about the newest movie from Sherwood Babtist Church. They also created Flywheel,Facing the Giants and Fireproof.




The Happy Homemaker

Our recent Bible study

This week we have been doing an extensive study on what God's word says about dating. This has been a very interesting study and my sons have had many questions. When we talk about dating as Christians,we are not talking about the kind of "dating" that the world promotes. What we are talking about is more like courting than dating. It is in the bible to do this not to play the feild until one sticks. Not to go from one boy/girl to another. To get involved with someone to early and/or moving into intimate phases of a relationship that should be kept for marriage while unmarried or even worse a teenager.

God tells us in his word to pray and find a wife/husband. Not to maybe sometimes pray when the mood hits me or maybe not pray at all or promise to pray and wait for God's choice for you but then run with your flesh as soon as someone comes along that tickles your fancy. The earliest example that the bible gives us on courting is in Genesis 2:18 It is not good that the man should be alone;I will make a helpmeet for him. The Lord didn't tell Adam hey go play the feild and be full of lust of the flesh and act on it. He made him a helpmeet from Adam's own rib. She was perfect for Adam because Eve was chosen by God for Adam. This is still true today,how do I know. Well first off  the bible tell us God is the same yesterday today and forever. So if he has not changed why would you think that his views on the proper way to find your future husband/wife would change. Why do you think he is going to turn his head and not look while you do things that you know you should not do as Christian young men/women.Young people today are making horriable mistakes by giving of themselves to whomever they feel an attraction to for the moment. How sad is it that our sons and daughter believe this is just how they are suppose to do things. When Jesus himself has made someone just for them and when they don't trust in him to bring he/she into their lives when the time is right,well why should he reward the weak in faith with a prize of the RIGHT man/woman.

God made marraige to protect us. God made marriage to keep us from fornication with the opposite sex. Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honorable in all,and the bed undefiled:but whoremonger and adulterers God will judge. In other words going from boy/girl to boy/girl and doing things you know is meant for marriage is a sin we all know it. But the world wants our young people and parents to believe this is normal. Noone courts anymore dating is the norm. How is someone suppose to find a wife/husband if they don't date around? How about praying?! God has a mate for our sons and daughters if only they show obediance to him and us (the parents) and be faithful. Keep themselves pure for their future husband/wife.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the worlds way of finding a husbadn/wife is not working it's a very broken system. Based on feelings and attractions that are led by the flesh not the spirit are leading our young people into very dark places. Divorce rates in America are rediculous. According to divorce rate.org the first marriage that ends in divorce in America in 2010 is 41%,wow and we are only 4 months into the year. But if a second marriage is in the work the rate goes up to 60% and a thirld 73%. I think we can see it's not working. Wanting to have a husband/wife is natural but going with the world and following your flesh is very much the wrong way to do it in my honest opinion,and from what I read daily and see on the news I think I'm right for believing this way.

There is a way to insure you are going to have the right person the first time. Pray,parents pray for your son/daughter to, for their future husband/wife. Children listen to the widom of your parents. Jesus tells us he is the way the truth and the light,why on Earth do you think he would ever steer us wrong. Have faith he will reward you with a happy lasting marriage.

The Happy Homemaker

Merry Christmas Everyone

Jesus is the reason for the season!

1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. 21And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

Happy Homemaking

Thursday at my house

The above picture was taken by John's brother and his wife while on vacation on year. Though I don't remember what city they were in,I thought this was such a neat picture. I wonder if we would get a free meal if we went to that resturuant,maybe if we showed our ID to prove we were Johnny and Tammy. LOL

Life has been busy around our house,as it is for many of you I would suspect. I have had so much going on that I feel like my mind is going 100 miles per hour. I had such great plans to bake and bake and bake and bake this year,sad to say I have bakes nothing. Yes that's right nothing,I have been so busy with the kids things and then church and we have had some family problems to deal with. It's just been a very hard year for us all around and this month has been no different,but God is good and still in control.

We finally got our shopping all finished and all things with the help of my dear husband are wrapped,THANK GOD! I have to say that I'm not a shopper but I hate wrapping even more,LOL. But it's all finished up and I am very happy about that.

Carissa is doing great at the Christain school ACA,her test scores are all awesome. Makes me feel so good to see her excelling. The boys are all doing so well,they are keeping their priorities straight which is a big things nowadays. Jason has seen first hand what can happen when you get careless,a friend of his is going to be a dad at the ripe ole age of 16. So sad!

Brandon had his very first high school varsity wrestling match last night,well he actually had 2 and he won both of them. He did so great! We are so proud of him. He has really dedicated himself to this sport and he loves it. He gives God the glory for all he does and he has been blessed for it.

Well it looks like I am out of time so until next time,God Bless.

Happy Homemaking

Stop complain,God is in control

Have you ever prayed for something and then when God answers your prayers you complain about it because it's not what you wanted? How many times have we been complacent with the Lord because we don't feel like our prayers are being heard? How many times have we gotten upset because we wanted a different outcome from a prayer than what we got?

 God answers your prayers 1. in his time,not ours and 2. to his will,he has a plan for all of his children. When you pray for something maybe God has bigger better plans for you and to answer your pray the way that you would like to see him answer it at that time,would interfer with his greater plans for you.


So many times we act like spoiled rotten children. We rant and kick around when we don't get out way. So what if you didn't get that promotion at work or raise.  What if the loan didn't go through for that bigger home?


Maybe the Lord has a better job just around the corner for you and if you would have gotten what you wanted from the last job you wouldn't go where he wants you to be. And even though the Lord didn't give you the home you wanted maybe he has a better one for you,that will fit your budget much better. We so often think we can just do better on our own and time and time again we are shown that we need Jesus in our lives. To guide us and protect us.


Try this little exercise with me......


1.pray daily not just for the things of your heart but for others. Talk with Jesus he's our father and our friend.


2. this is going to be a tough one for most of us. Practice patience. Just because you don't get what you want when you want it doesn't mean that the Lord doesn't want to bless you in his time.


3. Give God the Glory no matter what happens in your life. Praise him through the good and the bad.


4. Think of others before thinking of yourself,pray for your neighbor and show kindness to others


5. Even when things don't work out the way you had hoped trust that God is in control and soon his plan will reveal itself to you.


It's only 5 little things to practice but these 5 little things but if we all practiced them on a daily basis,just think of how we would benefit. And our relationship with Jesus would be so much closer.

Happy Homemaking