Tag Archives: Jesus

Do You Feel the Pressure?

Spiritual Encouragement, , , , , , , , , , ,

Have you ever seen one of those ice crushers at work?

Place the ice cubes in the container, turn it on….and look out!

-The machine pushes, punches and spins forever, until every last piece of ice has been crushed. Those cubes are no longer cubes, and it is unsure if they can find a way out of the machine. The ice is not alone, and it will be used again, just in a different form. But what pressure those ice cubes were under!

That sounds like a silly illustration, but it almost describes the pressure so many people seem to be experiencing these days. I will just say it out loud….life can be tough, and the pressure is on! It almost seems surreal, the battles that are raging in individual lives. And with that pressure comes heartache and pain.

You may choose to disagree, which is your option, but I believe we are in the last days and the battle has intensified. I am so thankful for Jesus and the word that provides us comfort as we walk through these days.

This scripture is just one of many that the Father is using in my life right now, and my prayer is that it will encourage you in your battles and pressures!

I am so thankful that JESUS that is constantly at work in those of us that trust Him.

2 Corinthians 4:8-12Amplified Bible

8 We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; 9 hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed; 10 always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly [experiencing the threat of] being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced in our mortal body [which is subject to death]. 12 So physical death is [actively] at work in us, but [spiritual] life [is actively at work] in you.

Lap Dogs

Spiritual Encouragement, To Rest in Christ, Unconditional love, , , , , , , , , , , ,

 *********Our sweet boy passed away yesterday, February 20, 2023.  He was almost 12 years old and taught us so many things worth repeating.  The Father used him in so many ways.  RIP Sweet boy, our hearts are broken, but how grateful we are to have had you in our lives.********

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My pup and I have a routine we go through every single night. And if I am not where I am supposed to be, sometime in the evening I have to get there…no matter the hour. Continue reading Lap Dogs →

Valley Fever Journey Chapter 4

Spiritual Encouragement, Valley Fever/Sweets Syndrome Journey, , , , ,

Today is October 12.  One year ago I had to go to the ER.  I was the sickest I had been in my entire life. Fever, coughing, pneumonia, pain.  I had blisters and lesions literally from head to toe.  I think every doctor in the hospital came to see the lady with all the strange skin nodules. 

I laid in the hospital ER for eight hours while they tried to figure out what was wrong with me and get me admitted. The daytime hospitalist was afraid to admit me, and I was going to leave, “come what may.”  The ER doctor begged me to stay, as he wanted to try to get me admitted by the evening hospitalist, so that he could get me to a larger hospital in a metropolitan area two hours away.  

He was able to do so and I was able to get to there within two days. He dedication to getting me to the hospital made all the difference. They tested me for so many things, TB included and I was in isolation because of it.  The ambulance ride at 3am wasn’t something I had on my bucket list, but I put it on so I could check it off!

Fast forward a year later.  I got a hair trim today and went shopping alone.  As I listened to my Gaither Vocal Band CDs (what I listened to in the hospital for the 11 days at Barnes), looked at the beautiful blue sky, drove my own car with the windows down, walked on my own without that walker I used for two months… tears flowed down my cheeks.

Valley Fever is a disease that will alway be a part of my life. Simply by breathing in a small, microscopic fungal spore that became a parasite in my body. My ID doctor said I was “at the wrong place and the wrong time.” It happens in the Southwest region of the country more than we know.

 My CT scan from last week did not show any shrinkage in the lesions, nodules or cavities… but that also means there was no growth.  I still have blood work to do, and hopefully it will show the disease is dormant, but even if it doesn’t, I am better.  I am more myself.  I don’t have severe fatigue every single day.  I am walking 2-3 miles most days. 

I just spent the day thanking the sweet Lord for another year of life.  A life that is far from perfect, but a life He has given me.  It all seems surreal in a way.  If I talked to you in those 13 days, I may literally not remember it.  Evidently, that did happen quite often.  

But I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your care, your prayers, your calls and texts.  Many of you still check on me and that is precious, I know so many of you are dealing with your own trials in life, and I don’t take that lightly.

I am reminded of this story and that fiery furnace from Daniel 3:16-18

“Even if” the nodules, lesions and cavities in my lung don’t shrink or go away,  “Even if” Valley Fever stays with me the rest of my life, “Even if” I have days that I am hurting and am fatigued….

I will still love the Lord and worship Him with my whole being. He is my peace, my grace, my heart, my salvation and my life.

I pray He is yours.

Even if.

Be Encouraged Today~

Tammy