Tag Archives: Unconditional love

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 →

Dream of Direction

Spiritual Encouragement, , , , , , ,

Hello, it has been a while!

A couple of weeks ago, I woke up with 1 Peter on my mind.  I usually don’t dream about specific books of the Bible, so I made a mental note to read and study it.

I was already doing a study on Revelation (Amir Tsarfati’s “Revealing Revelation,” which is one of the best studies I have ever done.)  But, not wanting to get off track, I put Peter off. 

For someone who seems to forget things rather easily, 1 Peter would not go away! I finally began to read it and was not surprised that immediately it spoke to my heart and right where I was emotionally and spiritually.  And as I read on, I realized its theme was hope for believers in their suffering. And as believers, it continue to let us know that we can allow the grace of God to be amplified in our lives.

“Praised [honored, blessed] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ [the Messiah]. By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,[born anew] into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, who are being guarded by God’s power through[your] faith [until you full inherit that final] salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time.”  I Peter 1:3-5 AMP

I have always believed that I was called to be an encourager, thus my participation in particular ministries over the last three decades and these blog posts and books, among other things.  It truly is “in giving we receive”.  Life has often gotten in the way, but I pray that through these trials, “the grace of God has been amplified in…my life.”

As God continued to speak to me through His word, I realized how timely it was several times throughout the week.  After having a couple of conversations with people, I would come upon the very situation we were talking about…you guessed it, right in 1 Peter!

Why even my desk calendar for August 6 was on 1 Peter 5:6-7 AMP “Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, casting the whole of your care[all your anxieties, worries, concerns once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.”

Why does any of this matter?  Because we matter…to God.  He wants to have an intimate relationship with us. He wants to save us! The God of the Universe wants us to know that He loves us, and that He has a plan for our lives.  He wants to encourage us, but as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, sometimes we are too busy…to hear what He has to say.  

We get so “busy” with the things we think we should be busy with and those “good things” that we miss the very Word He wants to speak into our heart for the moment we need it most.

I simply don’t want to miss Him and what He has to say.  He has always been faithful and will continue to be so.  I know that to always be true, even when its hard…even if it doesn’t turn out like I want it to….He is faithful.

I pray He helps me listen more, and talk less.

~Be Encouraged Today

Tammy

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			An Ear Cuff and my Big Head
		

		
		

			Spiritual Encouragement, , , , , , , 					

	


		

		

I have an enormous head. No, not “that” kind of large head…literally, the circumference of my head is so large that if I wear a ball cap, it must have that adjustable part in the back. I am pretty sure it is genetic, but I won’t share which other family members have one too.





But, my ears are relatively small in comparison. Since I am a cool, 61-year-old grandma with a short, sassy haircut that is my natural color and curl, my ears show. And they need adornment in my humble opinion. Haha.





I have a couple of piercings, but instead of a third… I opted for “ear cuffs.” I figure my ears can draw all the attention away from my big head.





All that introduction to tell this story. While running errands today, I came out of a store and took off my mask. I got into my car and flipped down the visor…and low and behold…the left ear cuff was missing. I had lost it somewhere in the store or walking out of it.





I talk to the Father all the time and so I mentioned, “the only way I can find this is if you put that little cuff right in front of me, Lord.” I kept my head down looking as I walked in the store.





I went back to the counter. Nothing.





I retraced my steps. Nothing.





I retraced them again. Nothing.





I headed out the door, figuring that ear cuffs just weren’t meant to be part of my adornment.





I looked down as I went out the very door I had just went in…and there it was. A small ear cuff…waving at me to pick it up.










Many of you are scoffing right now at the fact that my heavenly Father would take the time to help me find this little piece of jewelry. A sheer coincidence, you might be saying. After all, He is dealing with wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, lawlessness, and other things a little more important than my ear cuff.





The best part is that I would not have been upset if I had not found it. I was careless and did not secure it enough on my little ear. A consequence of my own behavior.





But, I learned a long time ago that you cannot put God in a box. Neither can you put Him above it, over it or under that box. You cannot put Him in finite terms, after all…He is infinite. You cannot assume that He is too busy for you and the little things in your life.





He had time for me today. It was a small gesture, allowing my eyes to see the very thing that I had looked for five minutes earlier.





He loves me. He loves you. He is a personal God, and He has time for you today. Even amid your chaos in this fallen world… and even if you don’t find your ear cuff.





Someone needs this today.