tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83500692726657080832024-03-13T14:30:14.761-07:00Learning to LiveLIFE......begins in death.....emerges uncertain, fragile.....suddenly bursts forth, exclaiming joy...Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.comBlogger244125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-29805699601949613322012-01-29T18:13:00.000-08:002012-01-29T18:13:18.648-08:00<div class="heading passage-class-0">
1 Peter 1:22 (NIV) <em>Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.</em></div>
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I have been thinking about this verse the last couple of days. THEN God put it on my heart to have a very BIG SCAREY conversation with someone I love very much. I did NOT want to have that conversation but it went so well, and my love was purified. God is so good. I love following Him. He is such a good leader and teacher. ♥Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-49476062785871618912012-01-27T12:22:00.000-08:002012-01-27T12:22:34.057-08:00Whew, 2011 was an interesting ride! And since I got laid off from my fun job that made lots of money (for part-time) I am going to try and start blogging again since I have more time and it is free! Hope to have something more deep and spiritual to share soon...Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-72044705932503524532011-04-24T11:04:00.000-07:002011-04-24T11:10:02.798-07:00An Old Newsletter Article From 2005<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><pre style="line-height: 17px; white-space: normal; ">Happy Easter Everyone!<br /><br />I am so thankful I can say that now. I grew up so religious that we couldn't celebrate any holidays! I didn't know what I was supposed to be celebrating anyway. I believed in God, because He made more sense than the Big Bang theory and I did not want to go to hell, but I did not understand why Jesus had to die. I didn't even realize He is God. I thought He was a perfect man that God created to be a good example to us. But I explained to God that if He really wanted this plan to work, He needed to have made us perfect as well, and He didn't! <br /><br />The resurrection didn't make much sense to me either 'cause didn't that just put Him right back where He started? And why did Jesus have to die, anyway? Couldn't God have come up with a better plan than that? I asked my mom about it, and she said it was so we would know how much God loved us. I thought "He didn't have to go to those extremes, He could just give me everything I want and that would work just as well, if not better!" :) I wasn't taught about holiness and sacrifices and all of the vital information we need to know about His plan. I didn't know know that Jesus lived and died just so He could be WITH me! What a revelation when someone explained the Trinity to me and I realized WHO Jesus is and what He has sacrificed for me!<br /><br />My favorite thing about Easter is thinking about Jesus' followers. They must have been so grief stricken and disappointed! I am sure there was some serious depression going on! Imagine the hope that flooded their souls when they heard "He is risen!" I get a little taste of this when I get really discouraged about something and then remember or read a verse that reminds me of God's faithfulness and power and that, this is about Him and His plan, not about me and my weaknesses. I also love that Easter is in the Spring, because I really don't like Winter very much and the first sign of Spring fills my heart with that same hope...New Life in Jesus!<br /><br />May we all experience ~ Renewed Life in Him ~ this Easter Season!</pre></span>Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-17143440652497946102011-04-15T15:49:00.001-07:002011-04-15T16:20:52.882-07:00Can we worship without emotions?<div>So, I am reading a book by a "spiritual director" and he says something I find very disturbing. </div><div><br /></div><div>He writes, "Am I supposed to have the same emotional feelings for a God I cannot see that I have for my closest friend? Even on my best of days, that doesn't seem possible." </div><div><br /></div><div>What?????? Aren't we supposed to be WORSHIPING Jesus? Wouldn't worship be a stronger emotion than friendship?? Wouldn't worship include friendship, (since Jesus says we are His friends) but at the same time transcend friendship to something we can only truly have with one person? </div><div><br /></div><div>I will do things for Jesus that I would not do for my husband or my kids or my best friends. Why? Well, because first of all, He is never wrong, He is never selfish and I want to please Him more than I want to please anyone else, even myself, (on <b>my</b> good days). Sometimes what the people around me want aren't good things, and sometimes, I would selfishly rather please myself than please them. Shouldn't worship motivate us in a way that friendship or marriage or parenthood would fail to do? Isn't worship the strongest emotional feeling we can have for anyone or anything? Isn't that part of what makes it worship? </div><div><br /></div><div>There are times I don't have many feelings for God but those are usually times I don't have any good feelings about anyone else or anything else either. I am usually feeling sorry for myself, or exhausted or hungry or worn out or feeling defeated. In those moments, I would not say I am worshiping God either. I would say I have lost sight of Him and am completely focused on myself.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am so glad God is emotional and created us to have emotions for Him as well!</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't think I am going to finish this book. </div>Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-55323983364589987902011-03-22T09:59:00.000-07:002011-03-22T10:00:46.890-07:00Reminder for myself...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><h5>The Cost of Following Jesus</h5> <span class="Apple-style-span" >Luke 9:</span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-25359" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">57</sup> As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”<p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-25360" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">58</sup> Jesus replied, <span class="woj">“Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”</span></p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-25361" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">59</sup> He said to another man, <span class="woj">“Follow me.”</span></p><p> But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-25362" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">60</sup> Jesus said to him, <span class="woj">“Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”</span></p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-25363" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">61</sup> Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-25364" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">62</sup> Jesus replied, <span class="woj">“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”</span></p></span>Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-18819745785959382102011-03-15T07:04:00.000-07:002011-03-15T12:04:24.222-07:00Safety Check<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; "><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">I realized something this morning...</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">I don't need to feel insecure EVER. Because <strong>God created me, Jesus saved me, the Spirit is transforming me, </strong>I don't need to worry about who I am.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">I still need a lot of work. God is not even close to done making me good. I lied to one of my friends yesterday and had to fess up. (And she loved me more for it, which is so wonderfully sweet.)</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">But I <em>am</em> safe.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">Not from pain, not from trials and tests, possibly not from bodily harm, even though I told God I would love it if He keeps me healthy and strong and free from physical harm so I can focus on serving Him, (physical pain is so distracting to me! smile, cough) to feel free to make that happen! But nothing can harm my soul. Nothing will take me out of the hands that formed me and know me and shape my future. Not even my own mistakes. He will never run out of love or patience, grace or power. His heart is my safe place and His heart is always open to me. ♥ I am safe in the only way that matters in the end.</p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><br /></p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "> </p><p style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">John 8:51 <em>I assure you: If anyone keeps My word,he will never see death—ever!</em> ~ Jesus,The Messiah</p></span>Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-24011303499080751252011-03-06T20:47:00.001-08:002011-03-06T21:03:24.863-08:00Endings and Beginnings...I can't believe tomorrow is my last day of work at TRF. I thought I would be there until I was a very old lady. It is funny how quickly life can change sometimes. I woke up on a Sunday morning about a month ago and knew God wanted me to say good-bye to all these people I love so much and a job I have loved so much and follow Him...somewhere. He hasn't exactly shown me that part of this story yet. But I have learned that is the way He leads ~ one step at a time. I am not afraid. Tonight I am sad. Tomorrow will be worse. I have to say good-bye and turn in my key. I know I will stay in touch with some people, but some others I will not really get to hang out with again until we are in heaven, where we will all have plenty of time. I am so thankful for all my years at TRF. For all of the people who have touched my life, my heart. For the women I have had the privilege to love and serve. For the good times and the hard times. I have grown through it all. I have been loved and led and changed there. No Regrets. God is so good...<div><br /></div><div>I really don't think we were made for endings.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-62838258270348740822010-09-08T06:37:00.000-07:002010-09-08T06:41:17.468-07:00Wow, this is intimidating for sure...<em>And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God</em>,<br />~Titus 2:12<br /><br />Doesn't that sound so grown up??Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-39902091105903698042010-09-03T12:22:00.000-07:002010-09-03T12:39:44.579-07:00RighteousnessWow, there are a lot of verses that have the word "righteousness" in them! This is going to be a much bigger study than I thought.<br /><br />I have been thinking about righteousness because of this verse, <em>But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.</em> (Math 6:33) The NLT translation says it this way, <em>Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. </em><br /><br />I have loved this verse for a long time, but I have overlooked the part about righteousness. Probably because even the word righteousness intimidates me. A lot. It used to scare me to death, before I realized Jesus gives us HIS righteousness because He knew we couldn't be righteous on our own. But even after realizing that, I tried to ignore righteousness because there seems to be so much responsibility in it and such potential for failure. I feel my heart changing about righteousness though. ONLY because God has put His Holy Spirit in me, I can learn how to do what is right. Right by God's standards, not man's.<br /><br />Is righteousness just doing what is right by God's standards? Is it that simple? I do so want to please Him...Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-39128243644087299562010-08-30T06:05:00.000-07:002011-03-15T12:03:53.901-07:00Blogging again...It has been a long, hard summer. But good. God has done some amazing things in my family. I really wish it didn't take pain and tragedy for us to draw closer to Him. Well, it doesn't always, but that does seem the usual route. I have been thinking a lot about righteousness lately. What is it exactly? What does it mean to be righteous and live righteously? I am hoping to have time to really dig into this subject and blog about it soon. :)Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-85905781644879041342010-06-03T20:32:00.000-07:002010-06-03T20:37:26.902-07:00I am so glad Jesus said this:“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish."Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-7575183991511245112010-05-29T11:09:00.000-07:002011-03-15T12:05:42.231-07:00Loving Him...My family is going through a very hard time right now. I don't want to go into details publicly. I just want to say how amazing God is. He keeps showing up in so many little ways. The other day I was wishing there were more birds in our yard. Right now, I am sitting at my kitchen table while a pair of doves build a nest in our wisteria, right outside the window. And He knows doves cooing are one of my favorite sounds. I have been all stressed out about which purse to buy (not that I am super concerned about that now that we are in crisis) but my friend sent me one that I love, unexpectedly. And the sun is shining with the wind blowing just a little bit, which is my favorite weather. But most of all, I feel my God teaching me to trust Him more. Trusting that He loves me and delights in my love (as small as it is) and has good plans for my life and for my family, no matter how painful they are. And that makes everything right.Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-54674990444663188812010-05-20T07:52:00.000-07:002010-05-20T08:03:30.578-07:00Why do we reject God's ways????I keep thinking about these verses: <em>This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. </em> (Is 30:15) I could be living with a quiet, trusting, restful, strong heart and mind. I have moments of that, but I don't LIVE there. And I could. It is a choice. I want to learn to make better choices. I don't want to neglect the repentance either. That is were it all starts. Instead of freaking out in insecurity because I am sure I am sinning or afraid I am sinning, I can go straight to my Savior and start this beautiful repentance process. I can do it all day long, if I need to. He is big enough. And patient enough. And loving enough. And He wants us to live in strength and dignity. He died so we could be free and in fellowship with Him. I want to choose LIFE!!!!!!!!Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-46602056948554925082010-05-14T09:56:00.001-07:002010-05-14T10:09:50.879-07:00Under Whose Influence?<span style="font-size:100%;">So, I don't like revelations that make me see the ugly parts of me as much as I like revelations that show the wonderfulness of God. </span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">The good thing is He is willing to exchange our ugly for His beauty if we are willing to cooperate. </span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">I have realized lately that I try and "steer" people a lot. Only for their own good, of course. (insert eye-roll here) I am guessing that another label for that could be arrogance. Ugg, I feel like banging my head on the wall just writing that. </span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">I have gotten better, because I used to try and "steer" people into doing what I wanted and now I try and steer them into doing what I think God wants. I have realized He is perfectly capable of guiding His people without my help. </span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Well, actually, there are times when He does call me to influence but I want to influence under His command, not my own wisdom. My own wisdom does not see the whole picture, only a tiny piece. If He tells me to speak I want to obey, whether it makes sense or not. If I don't feel prompted by Him, I want to keep my mouth shut and my heart pure and trust Him to lead His people however He sees fit.</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">I am hoping not too many of you are jumping up and down, praising Him for revealing this to me. :)</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"></span>Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-44437153053172526192010-05-03T15:27:00.000-07:002010-05-03T15:35:24.336-07:00Not worthy, but so grateful.I have to blog about this because I don't ever want to forget it. And I don't want anyone to think I am bragging because I am humbled to the core (right now, anyway) and so amazed at God's mercy and love. Keep in mind my daughter has one of the sweetest hearts on earth as well.<br /><br />Laney: Mama, you're the best mom on earth!<br /><br />Me: You mean for you, right? I know there are better moms out there than me!<br /><br />Laney: No, I mean you are the best mom on earth.<br /><br />Me: Baby, I am not even nice!<br /><br />Laney: Mom, I don't know how to say it. (thoughtful pause) It's not who you are as a mom, it's like who you are as a person, even though you <strong>are </strong>crabby a lot!<br /><br />I never thought my kids would esteem me so highly. Not ever. I am so grateful. And I know the teen-age years are coming, so I am treasuring this moment.Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-6313531319572320302010-04-30T07:32:00.000-07:002010-04-30T07:35:28.413-07:00:)I am feeling very full today. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Satisfied</span> with life. I am going to enjoy it like crazy. I am LOVING the new Breaking Free study, although I am driving myself to distraction trying to decide if I am really free or not. But today I am just going to believe that I am. I am alive and free because of what Jesus did for me! He is making me like Himself and He will not fail. And I am going to be choose to be content with where I am in the process. Today. At least this morning. :)Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-26957808325317934332010-04-22T08:19:00.001-07:002010-04-22T08:25:37.562-07:00Obsessing about SaltFunny how it took me a couple hours to realize that Salt and Light go together. :) <br /><br />I read this yesterday morning and am still thinking about it: <em>Luke 14:31 “Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? 32 And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. 33 So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.<br /> 34 “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? 35 Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”</em><br /><em></em><br />Now, we have heard teachings on salt but I still think it is weird that Jesus is talking about counting the cost of being His disciple and then He starts talking about salt. And it isn't like they started out talking about salt, or food, or preserving stuff and came back to it. He just jumps right into talking about salt. Could it be we are only truly salt after we have given up everything that we think we own and followed Him obsessively? Lots to ponder...Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-77023740615098697582010-04-20T12:47:00.000-07:002010-04-20T13:13:09.577-07:00Longing for Light<em>Luke 11:34 34 “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is bad, your body is filled with darkness. 35 Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. 36 If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.”</em><br /><em></em><br />I really want to know what those verses mean. I am wondering if they are about how we look at situations and people in our lives? If we see them in God's light or not? In the light of His love or not? In the light of His truth or not? <br /><br />I want my whole life to be radiant! <br /><br />Here's my hope: <em>Psalm 18:28 You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.</em> Yay!Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-40795802717291374232010-04-18T12:04:00.000-07:002010-04-18T21:08:29.769-07:00Time's A-flyin'<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvOL20GKkqQSn00KguG5AEv3dmUc-WGmYOTyYfK4KTfeJbMqVx095OyEwI61flTgD9elbTK0rX-Dc1udB9C2AhWEE4hww6J99AZ5PWvARsSiYnX8P9xT9KgYyDdPI-Md703ZyPHPRokCC/s1600/walking+into+water.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461695537371951506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvOL20GKkqQSn00KguG5AEv3dmUc-WGmYOTyYfK4KTfeJbMqVx095OyEwI61flTgD9elbTK0rX-Dc1udB9C2AhWEE4hww6J99AZ5PWvARsSiYnX8P9xT9KgYyDdPI-Md703ZyPHPRokCC/s400/walking+into+water.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Whew, I can't believe it has been a week since Retreat already. It went by so fast. I am still observing the changes that God has made in my heart. I feel stronger in a quiet, peaceful way. And that is good because crazy things started happening before we even left Camp Bradley!<br /><br />I think my favorite thing about the Retreat was seeing the women relate to each other. I have never seen them appear so comfortable and open with each other. My prayer is always that they would minister to one another because that is what the Church is all about. This year, they did. The baptisms were unforgettable and will be special to me for eternity, I believe.<br /><br />Today the weather is beautiful, my husband is patiently (yes, a small miracle) teaching Devin how to mow the lawn and I am about to go get groceries and then we are going to go to my brothers and eat the small number of morel mushrooms that we gathered from our all-day search in the sunshine yesterday.<br /><br />I love Spring. I love God. I love it when everything feels good and right. I have learned to enjoy those times...</div>Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-42190865531224377782010-04-08T12:28:00.000-07:002010-04-08T12:33:40.120-07:00My prayer at the moment, thanks Tammy!<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span class="ecxApple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">"O Lord, work powerfully, creatively; move in majesty. Send the Divine communication of knowledge, send the impelling mental force of the Holy Spirit acting within us to overshadow our intellect and personalities. Come in power, for Jesus' sake. Amen" </span> ~A.W. Tozer</span></span>Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-17775472813094354762010-04-01T06:36:00.001-07:002010-04-01T07:01:20.377-07:00Kinda strange but I like it!I have been running very hot and cold with the blogging lately. Sorry about that. Our Women's Retreat is in a week and a half and I have been super busy. I wanted to get on here this morning and write about a verse I can't quit thinking about though.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+85:10&version=ESV">Psalm 85:10</a><em>Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. </em><br /><br />I have been on a quest for peace the last month or so and I keep thinking about this verse. What does it mean Lord? The only thing I have come up with is that from His unfailing love and faithfulness, He gives us His righteousness and His peace, if we are His. It may mean more, but that is what I have been thinking about.<br /><br />I keep picturing righteousness and peace being strong enough and comfortable enough to kiss in my soul. And yes, I do find that a little weird but what a wonderful thing to think about. For so long, I did not understand that Jesus gives us His righteousness and I was in despair, knowing I would never have any of my own. And as far as peace goes, that would be just as impossible without Him. If you know me at all you know I am not a peaceful person on my own. <br /><br />I LOVE how He gives us what we are so desperate for! And that is after He makes us desperate for the truly good stuff in the first place...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2:13&version=NLT">Philippians 2:13</a> <em>For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.</em>Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-21039218412332983732010-03-17T05:24:00.000-07:002010-03-17T05:36:43.642-07:00Everything We NeedSaturday morning, the sun was streaming into my living room and kitchen and it made me so happy. I was talking to my kids about it and Laney says, "Mom, we don't like the sun as much as you do." And I said, "What???" She said, "I like the sun, but you are like a <em>sun freak</em>!" And Gabe says, "Yeah Mom, the sun sorta hurts my eyes." First of all, I was surprised because I thought everyone loves the sun like I do and then I thought it was funny that my daughter put it the way she did. But it was really neat because when we went to church on Sunday, I think every worship song we sang said something about the sun. We sang that "Glorious One" song that says, "Light of the world, You outshine the sun." This morning, I read Psalms 84:11 which says, "For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right." I love that He can warm up our soul the way the sun can warm up our bodies. That we need Him to grow and flourish in any way that matters. I love that He shines His face upon us and it is all we need. Since, you know, He is also the Living Water and Bread of Life. ♥Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-62408611838015982432010-03-10T06:58:00.000-08:002010-03-10T07:08:19.438-08:00First Correction of Last PostI don't believe Jesus was saying we shouldn't <em>want</em> food and clothes and laughter and riches. In speaking of these things as often as he did, he was more saying he <em>knows</em> those are the things we will want. But he is telling us, "There is something better than those things, don't focus on what you don't have on this earth, don't work and strive for these temporary things, live for the Kingdom of Heaven. You won't be sorry if you give up your life and wants and wishes, for my will."<br /><br />He is so wonderful and wise. My heart is singing to Him right now. But my sick, whiny kids are about to get up, don't know how long it will last. Because, you know, I haven't learned to live beyond my circumstances very well yet. :)Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-14261395577128826052010-03-10T05:57:00.000-08:002010-03-10T06:30:05.459-08:00Do we live like we believe this?So, I just finished reading Luke 6 and realized how much I am <em>not</em> living this out. To think this is what we are supposed to <em>desire</em> is shocking to my system. Kinda turns everything all upside down:<br /><br /><div align="left"><em>20Looking at his disciples, he said: </em><em>"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.</em> (I always thought this was for poor people, not for me, so they could feel better about their circumstances, very embarrassing admission.) <em>21Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.</em> (I hate being hungry and find it very annoying and painful) <em>Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.</em> (I much prefer laughter to weeping) <em>22Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man</em> (I thought we were supposed to live in such a way that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">no one</span> can find any fault with us, let alone call us evil! ) <em>23"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy,</em> (I more picture myself bawling on the floor under these circumstances) <em>because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how </em><em>their fathers treated the prophets. </em></div><div align="left"><em></em> </div><div align="left"><em></em> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><em>24"But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. </em><em>25Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. </em><em>Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. </em><em>26Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false </em><em>prophets.</em> (This is more how I see American Christian, myself included, living our "lives of faith")</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">It seems to me that we pray for the direct opposite of what Jesus was saying here. And I don't think we need to whip ourselves and start wearing hair shirts, life has many <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">opportunities</span> for suffering. I just realized how much of my time and energy and focus is on having all these things that Jesus tells us we should do without. Whoa. Scary moment!</div>Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8350069272665708083.post-69009782492915368932010-03-08T06:08:00.000-08:002010-03-08T06:16:03.148-08:00Wonderful Wirlwind WeekendThis weekend was so fun. It was Delayna's 11th Bday party. The kids went rollerskating and spent the night at Julene's since it was also Riley's 11th Bday party. And I farmed the rest of the kids out, so Jason and I had our (I think) 4th night/day alone in 14 years! Kala also unexpectedly came to town and surprised everyone which was so great because we have been missing her so much since she moved up to Timbuktu (Wallawa County). So we all went to Porters and spent way too much money but it was yummy and it was so wonderful to all be together again. AND Jason and I finally got cell phones, so make sure you get my number if you want it. Incoming calls are free. So I may be able to stay under my minutes. :)Tawnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270659139850945400noreply@blogger.com0