Life Can be Overwhelming - Prayer is the Answer

Right now, at this moment, if I were to get on my knees to pray, I could stay there for hours, literally. I have family, friends, co-workers, church family, not to mention friends and family of those same family, friends, co-workers and church family that all need prayer, from small issues to very large issues.

We live in a world of turmoil and uncertainty. Lately, I feel myself becoming overwhelmed and frustrated because I see it all around me in the lives of those I love and there is not much I can do to help. The one thing I can do is PRAY. 

Prayer is the tool we use to talk to our Lord. The cool thing is that He is available 24/7. Need to talk to him when you wake up? He is there. Need to talk to him after a tough meeting at work? He is there. Need to talk to him on the way home? He is there. Need to talk to him when you can't sleep at 2 a.m.? He is there. And He is ready to listen and he does listen. He also provides an answer. 

Oh, it's not always the answer we want, nor do we get it when we want it, because of course we want it NOW! But God doesn't work that way. He tells us to come to him, lay our burdens at His feet, and he will give us rest. He doesn't say give it to me, walk away and pick it back up. He tells us to give it to Him and let Him worry about the details for us. He already knows our worries, our fears, our hopes, our trials, our joys and every little thing about us. So why do we act like we are hiding things from Him or like we are telling Him something He doesn't already know?

Prayer brings peace, because we are talking to our Heavenly Father. He is the only one who provides that perfect peace. Phillipians 4:4-7 is one of my favorite verses. It says: " Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The last part is my comfort - my prayers are heard and God takes them seriously. He knows our hearts and He comforts us. 

So when we feel overwhelmed, like I have been, or anxious, like many of us do, or even thankful, which we should every day, take a moment, get on your knees or just close your eyes and talk to God. Trust me, it works, and trust Him, because He loves you and wants to be your Savior.

God bless,
Tam

Living Water

Last Saturday, June 7th, Scott and I got up early and traveled up to Cedar Point for a fun filled day of thrills and chills. All started out well. The drive to the park was problem free and we arrived just after 9 a.m. We entered the park and that is where things got a little strange.

We both headed for the bathrooms and were told they were closed. We found the next ones and the same thing happened. Finally at the third stop, we were told about the water main break and that ALL the bathrooms were closed. YIKES! This was not good for anyone! Thankfully we were able to use one of the restrooms in the offices before they stopped working before getting in line to ride on.

In the next hour we rode three rides and then everything stopped. Rides closed, stores and concessions were closed, and the park was quiet. I asked a ride attendant for some insight on the situation. It was simple: The park had no water and could not operate. They were closed for the day.

No water closed down America's number 1 amusement park not just for a day, but for the whole weekend. Not only did the park close, but so did two hotels and Lighthouse Point (their campground). People had to pack up and leave. No water caused quite the disturbance for thousands of people.

It is the same thing in our walk with Christ. Christ gives us "living water" and without it we are not truly living. 
John 7:38 says "Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

Christ is essential in our faith walk and when we forget to look to Him and His word in our daily lives, we miss so much that He wants to bless us with. When we thirst, He provides through the Holy Spirit, but we have to want it and we have to have that relationship with Him. 

If running water is important in our everyday lives, how much more important is the living water that only Christ can provide?

I am thankful that I can rely on the Holy Spirit within me to guide me and lead me on the path God wants me to walk. What about you?

Until next time
Tam

Back in the Saddle

It is good to be back on my blog. In the past two years I actually had my own website/blog for a while, but that has been discontinued so here I am again. 

I am excited to start a new journey here and share with you what is on my mind and my heart. I would love your feedback and thoughts. 

For this post, I will give you a brief synopsis of what has been going on with me and where I am in my journey of my life. 

I am just three weeks away from finishing my final semester of school. I will have my Bachelors degree in Business and Journalism Studies, and a Certificate of Journalism. I am so excited to finish this huge goal. This whole journey has been God led and without Him and the support of my family and friends, it just would not have been possible to accomplish getting my degree. It was never something I had planned on pursuing and I surely never expected God to lay it on my heart. He did, though and he was very convincing that it was something I was supposed to do. 

I have learned that when God speaks, I listen. If I don't, there is no peace or comfort until I obey. He gives me what I need when I need it. He also takes me out of my comfort zone and He seems to be doing that more and more as I continue my life journey and my faith walk with Him. 

I don't know yet what I will do or where this degree will take me, but I will be open to what God has for me. I would ask for your prayers on this subject.

My faith has increased so much in the last year. I am standing firmer on His Word and getting my foundation back. It has been a telling year for me. I see what I had lost and now what I have gained. It is not always easy to follow Christ because he does take me out of my comfort zone. He does that to each one of us. But knowing He will always be there for me and that He has the details all worked out definitely gives me that sense of calm and peace that passes all understanding.

I look forward to sharing with you. I look forward to what the future brings.

Until next time, 
Tam

FEAR

I went to the Image of God conference this past Saturday with a friend.  It was awesome.  I have been to many conferences in the past but this one was a little different.

First of all, I heard speakers that I was not familiar with and one of them is a local news anchor.  I heard some serious preaching.  I felt God touching my heart.  He gave me the peace and comfort of reminding me that He is indeed with me always.  HE KNOWS MY NAME!  How cool is that??  The master and creator of the universe knows little old me by name.  He loves me and He cares about me and what goes on in my life.

Knowing these things means I have to move.  I can't stay still for too long in this place because God has bigger plans for me.

The biggest hurdle for me is getting over my F(alse) E(vidence) A(ppearing) R(eal).  That's right, it's fear.  I get scared of what isn't there.  It can paralyze me and it can stop me from doing God's will.  What do I think is going to happen?  If it is God's will, how can I fail?  He doesn't promise a perfect road with no trouble, but He does promise that He will not leave or forsake me.  He will provide all I need.

This is just one of the lessons I was reminded of, but it is a big one.  When I wake up in the middle of the night, or am in a spot that I am not feeling all that secure, I know I can go to the One who protects me and watches over me.

What will you do the next time you have fear?  Run to Him or away from Him?  I hope you choose running to Him.

Here I go

Well, here I am, doing what I love to do - write down and share my thoughts.  I don't know what will come of it, maybe nothing, maybe something, but I am excited to finally be able to start somewhere, no matter what.

Let me start by introducing myself.  My name is Tammy and have lived in Ohio for most of my life.  However, I grew up moving too many times to count and by the time I graduated from High School I had attended 13, yes 13 different schools. 

I am a Christian and love Christ with all my heart.  I of course am not perfect, but He knows that and He keeps working and doesn't give up on me.

I am a huge sports fan.  Football, baseball and gymnastics.  My husband says he is the luckiest hubby ever because I love it as much as he does.  We just had the blessing of going to the home opener of our beloved Cleveland Indians for baseball. 

We have two cats, Drifter and Noel.  They both came to us as strays.  Sadly, we had to put Drifters baby, Oatmeal to sleep at the young age of 3 1/2 due to kidney failure.  They are cute and adorable and wonderful company.

I am the oldest of four kids in my family.  I have a beatutiful daughter, 19 and handsome son, 17 and an absolutely amazing husband.  I have one sister and two brothers and they all have great families.  I am blessed with a great brother-in-law, 2 sisters-in-law, one niece and four nephews.

My parents sadly have both passed away and that is one of the reasons I decided to start this blog. I want to share what I have learned in my life from my parents and how important your family is.

Another reason I started is because I have a friend who started her own blog the other day and it made me decide to go for it.  She inspired me.  What do I have to lose?  NOTHING.

So if you read this or decide to follow, I hope you gain something out of it and I would love to hear your thoughts.

That's all for now, I hope to post again soon.  In the meantime, have a blessed day and tell your family you love them.

God bless!