At His Feet
Posted by Tammy on Monday, February 8, 2010 at 10:00am
There is a beautiful account in the book of Ruth about her marriage to Boaz, her 'kinsman redeemer'. There is a lot of tradition in the story that may sound strange to us but my favorite part is that actual phrase, 'kinsman redeemer'. Boaz was her protector and advocate and his 'redeeming' her is a picture of Christ. The entire book of Ruth is only four chapters long and is a wonderful way to spend the few minutes it take to read. In the third chapter, she follows her mother-in-law's direction and lays at Boaz feet as he sleeps. Later in the chapter, he awakes to see her there and they have a touching conversation about Boaz being her kinsman redeemer. As I said before, I don't completely understand the tradition and symoblism of her actions but the humility is a beautiful picture. A tiny bit of this happens at our house on many nights. No, Steve doesn't 'require' me to lay at his feet! When Webb wakes up at night, usually to have a drink of sweet tea, most of the time he won't go back asleep unless I stay in there for a while. Since it is the middle of the night and I'm sleepy myself, I want to lay down, too. If I lay beside him, it seems to bug him and sometimes he grabs at my face and unintentionally scratches me. So, I lay at his feet. We have even joked sometimes that I lay at his feet because I am his servant. I'm not nearly that humble and I actually get pretty frustrated sometimes but I love Webb and am more than willing to help him with his difficult life however I can. These are a couple of pictures of laying at someone's feet that touch me and one more came to mind a night or two ago as I was going to sleep. In our study on the book 'Crazy Love', we have been encouraged to read Isaiah 6:1-5 and Revelation chapter 4 before going to God in prayer. It helps put things in perspective as you approach the King of kings. Verse one tells us Isaiah 'saw the Lord seated on a throne high and exalted, and the train of His robe filled the temple' and in verse 4 it says, 'at the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke'. In Revelation 4:2, 3 & 5, it reads: 'At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the apperance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.' Wow! Even though our human minds can't possibly imagine what all this looks, sounds, smells and feels like, our little brains are all we have to give it a try. Back to where my thoughts went as I was drifting off to sleep, I tried to see all this in my mind's eye and just imagined myself laying at God's feet. I love the fact that at the most powerful place in the entire universe where there is lightning, thunder, smoke, and more, there is still such peace because of that power. Even though His holiness is completely beyond humans, because of that holiness, He can provide salvation and one day I will see these beautiful, awesome sights with my own eyes and join those in the chorus, 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come'. I pray my heart will always be humble enough to see myself 'laying at His feet'.
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When Small Things Become Huge
Posted by Tammy on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 10:09am
Webb slept all night Tuesday night!! What's the big deal, you might ask? Well, he almost NEVER sleeps through the night. Obviously, it's nothing he can help and I try really hard not to whine about it. It's just a part of my life that I've gotten used to. So, sleeping through the night for most people is a small thing but in my life, it is huge. It is a wonderful, wonderful blessing. There are other people that appreciate it - usually ones with infants who have been sleep deprived for months or for those having medical issues that prevent good sleep. For the most part, though, most people don't really think about it. I love when God helps us to be thankful for small things and realize what a gift from Him they are. Well, let me rephrase it to say things that we believe are small things - nothing God provides is small. Just because we don't sit around and think about something a lot doesn't make it small. Like, I don't know, breathing, for example? Unless you are struggling with it, you don't give it a thought. God provides that miracle for all of us every day that we live. I'd say breathing is pretty huge! Another example of small/huge that has been brought to my attention lately is with my friend Jayne that I have mentioned to you and asked you to pray for. She is still in ICU and struggling to do the smallest of things. When she is able to blink her eyes or squeeze her loved ones hands, we are all so excited. We realize these small things are absolutely huge in her situation. She yawned three times this morning and it was literally cause for celebration! Something we do many times and never give a second thought to thrilled her family and inspired hope. Another small thing becoming huge. I would ask that you continue to pray for Jayne and her continued struggle and recovery. Please also pray for her family as I know they are getting so tired and worn out in every conceivable way - physically, emotionally, even spiritually. Also, please take time to thank God for the small things that, because of Him, are huge. Ask Him to help you not take anything He gives for granted, including (as my sweet husband says when he prays) 'the very air we breathe'. Thank you, Lord for helping me appreciate the small things that are actually huge gifts from You. 'Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.' James 1:17
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No Sweat
Posted by Tammy on Monday, February 1, 2010 at 6:05am
Does a perfect and holy God experience frustration? I can't pretend to know the mind of God but if He does, I think our lack and faith in His power has to be a time when that happens. He is all powerful and His Holy Spirit lives within us. So why do we try to live life on our own not accessing that power? I frustrate myself, for sure. Since I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in this, I looked up a few verses that shout to me that God has it all handled - it literally falls under the 'no sweat' category! That's not lovely, spiritual language but what I mean is, He created the universe and keeps it running just because of who He is so I know He handles my life and every big and small thing that I fret over. Read through these and I'm sure you'll realize there's NOTHING in your life He can't handle. Genesis 18:24 reads, 'Is anything too hard for the Lord?' This verse is in reference to Abraham and Sarah who were way too old by the world's standards to have a baby yet God promised them they would. Is giving a child to a 100 year old man and 90 year old women too hard for Him? Nope. No sweat. Job 38:4-7: 'Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone - while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?' The beauty, complexity and awesome-ness of creation speaks for itself. It is beyond our human thought what it took to create the universe and keep it running. And, think about this - we have only seen a teeny, tiny part of it! There aren't enough numbers to measure the size of the universe and then consider Heaven - there's nothing here to prepare us for what we will enjoy there. God created it all....no sweat. Matthew 19:26: 'Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."' Salvation is only possible through God. Some people get all out of sorts when you tell them that but He IS the boss of the universe, after all. He made all the rules and I have no problem with that. He is perfect, after all so who else has the authority to provide the blueprint for the world? I am so thankful He loved the world enough to even provide a means to salvation. I suppose since 'no sweat' is the theme of this, you can say that applies here, too but on the other hand, giving Jesus as a sacrifice I believe was the hardest thing He ever did but His overwhelming love for us drove Him to do that. In Luke 1:37, Gabriel is telling Mary that she will be the mother of the Savior. She understandibly had some questions! Gabriel said, 'For nothing is impossible with God.' Nothing, nothing, nothing is impossible with God. I need to just drill that into my head and heart especially on the days when I 'fret' over things. I heard a preacher say once that He feels the virgin birth and earthly incarnation of Jesus is the greatest miracle in all the Bible. I suppose everyone has their own opinion on that but it really is hard to get our brains to process. King Jesus, ruling the universe with His Father becoming a tiny, helpless baby....amazing. But, again, God accomplished this without even a strain because He is God. Whatever comes your way, God can handle it. It may not turn out the way you planned but don't ever rely on your plans as the best way! He knows what's best for you and has everything under control and it's not even tough for Him. Obey, obey, pray, pray and seek His face and His guidance. He's got this. No sweat.
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A BIG 'OLE PRAISE!!
Posted by Tammy on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 8:11pm
We were giving praise reports tonight at church thanking God for recent blessings. That's one of my favorite parts of our Wednesday night service. I raised my hand and said, "I have a BIG 'OLE PRAISE!" Our sweet friend Jayne that we have been praying for woke up this afternoon! She still has a long recovery ahead but we are so very, very thankful that her family and friends were able to look into her beautiful, responsive, understanding eyes. What a moment that must have been for them. I got a text from her best friend soon after it happened and was just thrilled. There have been so many people praying for Jayne - some that know her and some that do not. I just love that about the family of God - we can and will lift others up that we have never met if they are in need. After I shared my praise, others were asked if their's were 'just regular' praises or 'big 'ole ones' and we had a good time with that. I know that many of you have prayed for Jayne and I love you for it and thank you so much for lifting my friend's name before the Lord. I hope to be able to send you some good reports and updates as she recovers. 'For You have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on You, You brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise You.' Psalm 71:5-6
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Blessed Weekend
Posted by Tammy on Monday, January 25, 2010 at 6:44am
The Smiths had a wonderful weekend! On the one hand, nothing really 'special' happened but on the other, God is so good and sends us so many blessings that I try hard not to miss them. Every day events are truly wonderful blessings from Him. If nothing else, think of your own seemingly uneventful weekend in comparison to the suffering in Haiti and you will know you are truly blessed. Friday was Delaney's birthday - she's 14! Time really does fly when you're having fun and she is a LOT of fun . She has always been such a 'go-getter' and when she was still very small, I found myself thinking that I wished I was more like her. Some of the nicknames she was given when she was little were 'Sunshine' and 'Bulldozer'! Sunshine is kind of obvious (and yes, her daddy used to sing 'You are My Sunshine' to her) and Bulldozer is because she never went around anything....always over or through it! We are so thankful for her and the joy she brings our family. Sunday we celebrated 'Sanctity of Human Life' day. We had a 'parade of life' which is just all our sweet little ones marching into the sanctuary, balloons in hand and beautiful faces beaming. It was so great. Most of the balloons ended up floating to the ceiling but that just added to the fun. The year Delaney was born, I can remember seeing something on television about the celebration and I just looked into her beautiful little face wondering how anyone could abort a child. I will say that I have never been in a situation where it would have been considered but simply can't understand the taking of an innocent life. Bro. Tommy preached for the second time since his heart surgery. He looks so great and is getting stronger and stronger every day. He preached a great sermon from Job on questioning God. That's something we've all done but really have no right to do. I wrote down something he said: 'Why? Usually means why me?' If you're feeling mistreated by God, read through Job 38-42 for some perspective! We had a nice family celebration Sunday afternoon to wish Delaney and Steve's brother Joey a happy birthday. We had a good time visiting and eating! It was a wonderful afternoon. On Sunday nights at ABC we are doing a class on a book called 'Crazy Love' by Francis Chan. It is great. I will probably be saying a lot about this over the next few weeks. The first chapter talks about getting a better understanding about who we are and who God is. Here's a great quote from the book, 'The wise man comes to God without saying a word and stands in awe of Him.' A good way to do this is to read Isaiah 6:1-8 and Revelation 4 before praying. Meditate on these scriptures THEN go before Him. Completely changes your perspective...which is probably a good thing. Why in the world does God bless me like He does?!? I definitely do not deserve it but because of His great love, He chooses to. I know He blesses you, too so take time to be thankful for His endless love and blessing.
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