The other day, my daughter Abby was working on her math homework.  She is learning measurements  (centimeter, decimeter, deca, hecta, etc).  I noticed she had drawn a line on her homework page.  It was wobbly and bent.  When I read the instructions to the word problem it said:

~ Take a ruler and measure out 3.5 cm to see if it is more or less that 2 inches.~

Looking at the crooked line she had drawn, I asked her…”Abby where’s the ruler you used to measure?”

She started mumbling something about finger digits and holding up her hand to show how her fingertip is roughly the size of an inch.  In her mind, her measurement seemed “good enough”.

Immediately I thought to myself…Okay, hold the phone. Abby’s math teacher is a “by the book” kinda woman.   Fingertip measurements were not gonna fly!  “Good enough” as Abby termed it, would not be “good enough” for her teacher. 

I took a deep breath and realized this was a teachable moment.  The fact of the matter is that there IS an accurate, measurable answer to the problem.  I said, “Abby if you want the answer, the right answer, you must use the right standard.”  When Abby returned with the ruler, we found that she was way off on her guesstimation.  And, in case you didn’t know, two inches IS, in fact, longer than 3.5 cm.

At that moment God spoke to my heart.   “How often have you done the very same thing?”  Looks like this was MY teachable moment.

How often had I gone about my life just accepting what’s “good enough?”

Do you want to know what is the enemy of “what’s best” in and for your life? 

…What’s good enough.

God doesn’t want just “what’s good enough” for me.  He wants the very best for me.  That’s why He has given me a standard for living.  I can find the truth about every choice for my life in His Word, the Bible.   I don’t have to settle for “good enough.”

God tells us in Isaiah 45: 19, “I publicly proclaim bold promises (I love that – it is so absolute).  I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner.  I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me if I could not be found.  I, the Lord, speak only what is true and declare only what is right.”

He is the Author of truth.   He is the source of our answers.  And His thoughts have been recorded for us to live by.  The Standard – The Best.

Settling for “good enough” can have a range of consequences.   On a small scale, the consequences are just a nuisance when things don’t turn out the way we plan.

For instance…I can’t tell you how many times I’ve guesstimated on the size to cut a piece of wrapping paper, only to find that the edges don’t meet.   I know…you’ve done it too, Right?   You would think I’d learn by now but it happened just this past Christmas several times.  And I’m left with a handful of extra pieces that you can’t wrap anything in.

On a larger scale the consequences of settling for “good enough” can have an even greater impact.  I can miss out on the blessings of God simply by settling for what’s “good enough” in this world.

Think of an area in your life that you would qualify as “good enough”.  Go ahead. Be honest.  What I know for sure is that God doesn’t want you to settle on “good enough” for that particular thing.  He has something better.  Are you willing to trust Him for it?  If you are, ask Him to make what’s “good enough” in your life “His best”.  Ask Him to show you how to measure that particular issue by His standard.

Today, it’s my desire to evaluate my life to see where I’ve settled for “good enough.” Whether it be relationship issues, parenting issues, money issues, moral issues – you name it – God offers me a better standard to live by.  He offers me His Best!

MY CUP OF TEA

Today I want to share something I consider a favorite in the kitchen.  I love soup and when I need a quick lunch at my desk, I will heat up Pacific Natural Foods Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato soup.  It comes in a carton so you don’t get that metal taste.  I add a pinch of salt and eat it with crackers.  I love it!  In fact, I’m going to have a bowl for lunch.  I’ve tried just one other flavor from Pacific, but this is my favorite so far.  If you would like to try this soup, comment on today’s blog and you will be entered a drawing win your own carton (4 servings) to enjoy!

And the winner of this delicious soup is…(chosen by random generator)…Sue Sweeney!  Please contact us so we can get it to you!

Who is God and how can we know Him?  This is an innate desire in all of us.  It’s a question we all face.  Some people push it down and say, “There is no God.”  But for the rest of us, this life is spent trying answer that question.  Ask a number of individuals and you are sure to get a number of answers.

People will say that getting to God is all about being sincere.  And, you’ve probably heard it said, “Many roads lead to God.”

So, people set up paradigms based on their understanding of who God might be and, out of these ideas, lifestyles are born:

• a life based on good works
• a life dedicated to worshiping man-made ideas about God
• a life lived believing that we are some sort of god

Jesus says, in the Bible, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes unto the Father (God) but by me.” John 14:6

The good news is that the Bible also says,  “God did not send His son into this world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.”  John 3:17.

This truth has been distorted and “watered” down throughout the ages.

When making the mistake of considering Christianity in comparison to “other religions,” (as people often do)  I must say, they cannot be compared.

If I could explain it in allegorical, story fashion, I would say, for me, meeting Jesus went something like this…

One morning a man woke up, readied himself, and set out for his day.  This man walked every where he went.  He walked to the store, to see friends, to work, to the doctor. If he were going somewhere he would get there on foot.  This was not only terribly exhausting for him;  but there were times when the weather would get so bad, he could barely get through it.  There had to be a better way!  If only he could get that car to run.

From as far back as he can remember, there has been a shiny red car sitting in his drive.  He didn’t remember how it got there.  It just always was.  

He had seen people driving in their cars. He knew what it meant.  No more weariness!  You just sit down and rest while the car drives you where you need to go!  He would often dream about what it must be like to have protection in the storms and harsh weather and the confidence of getting to his destination safely.  Just remembering some of the difficult walks he’d taken sent a shiver up his spine.  On some, he wondered if he would even survive.  Oh, how he would love to have the peace and protection of traveling the road in a car!  

 He decided this would be the day he would get in the car and drive.  The words cut the air, “Everything changes today!”

He went to the garage, grabbed a 5 gallon jug and dusted it off.  Someone told him once that this jug would hold what he needed to make the car move.  So, he headed out to the stream behind his house to fill the jug with the fresh flowing water that coursed through it.  He returned to his car and filled the tank.  Jumping in the driver seat he turned the key and nothing happened. “How could this be?  The water I took from the stream was organic.  It celebrated earth and trees.  I dare say that there is not a more refreshing water to be found!  But, I obviously cannot use this water to start my car.”

He painstakingly drained the water from his tank and began again.  “I know,” he said.  “I will go to the sink and fill the 5 gallon jug with tap water.  It’s been filtered through the city’s system.  Certainly, they have gone through the steps to make this water good for me. They MUST know what’s best.  They are looking out for me I’m sure.”  He filled the tank, turned the key…nothing.

At this point he began to get frustrated.  “This is impossible! The water from the stream which was organic and celebrated Mother Earth did nothing. The water filtered through the cities system did nothing!  I know!  I will buy the best of filtering systems.  Only a handful of people are fortunate to have their water filtered this way.  In fact, they all meet once or twice a week to speak of their good fortune.  I will go and ask them where they got there water and buy mine at once!”

He went out right away on foot to find the water that would start his car.  When he found the group, he inquired about how he might obtain the means to have some of their special water for himself.  As they began to share with him, he realized this water they spoke of wasn’t cheap.  It would cost him good behavior, giving to charities, faithfulness to their meetings…the list went on.  He didn’t care about the cost, he just knew he could not live his life on foot.  He must find a water that would start his car.  He paid the cost  and carried the water home.  After repeating the now familiar process once again -  getting this NEW water into his tank -  he closed his eyes, took a deep breath and turned the key.  NOTHING!

This was more than he could take.  After all he had done!  He threw himself to the ground and began to wail.  He cried out, “I have tried it all!  Water from the stream!  Water from the city!  Water from the professional water people! And NOTHING!  How will I ever get my car to start?”  He cried and thrashed for what seemed like hours.  And then, he heard someone speaking to him.

The voice was gentle and calm.  Certainly they could see his great travail!  Certainly they could see he was beside himself!  Why couldn’t they leave him alone to wallow in his self-pity?  And there was the voice again.  Calm and quiet.

“What’s the problem, sir?” The man looked up to see a young man with a kind face.  “I don’t feel like sharing my troubles with this boy!” he thought.  “He has no idea of where I’ve been and all I’ve tried to do to get this car started!  Why won’t he just leave me alone?”

The young man spoke again.  “Car trouble?”   Without hesitation, the man angrily spilled out the story of his search for the right water to fill the tank. “I’ve tried it all, young man.  You cannot help me.  There is not a water in this world that will start my car!”

The boy stood there gazing intently as the man spoke and when he was finished there was a moment of silence.  The man waited.  “Had the boy not heard?  Didn’t he get it? The situation was hopeless!  This car will never rev to life!”

Then the boy spoke up. “You are right. Water will never start your car.”  

“What you need is Gasoline.”

A rattling in his head…a sudden jarring of his memory…this was something he’d heard somewhere long ago.

But all of those people – they told him it was always water.

Could it be true?  Could the boy be right?  Would he finally be able to turn the key and bring the shiny metal beast to life?!  Imagine what this would mean!  He steeled himself against the possibilities – careful not to fill up with hope.  He couldn’t survive yet another disappointment.

The young man asked if they could take a walk.  Picking up his 5 gallon jug he agreed and they set out.  Before long they came to a building.  Cars were coming and going.   And on the sign he saw the words “Gas station.”  He’d never seen so many cars in one place.  This must be where the boy worked.  He seemed to know everyone and they all greeted each other with a smile. The man even noticed others arriving on foot with their 5 gallon jugs, just like him.  Somewhere deep inside he knew he must be in the right place…at least he hoped.  He had already decided in his heart of hearts that this was his last attempt.

The young man led him to a pump and he filled his five gallon jug with the golden liquid of promise.  As he carried it home, he began to dream about how his life would change.  It all depended upon this thing called Gasoline.

There it stood, the red shiny lifeless lump of metal in the drive. He could hardly wait to pour the contents of the jug into its tank.  Once the last drop fell, he opened the door, sat down and, without ceremony or fan-fair, he turned the key.  

What happened next was nothing less than miraculous. The car shook to life and the engine roared!  He couldn’t contain his delight!  “The boy was right! The boy was right!  All this time I’ve been searching for water, when what I needed was Gasoline!” His head fell back with a great belly laugh!  He had finally found the answer!  

Indeed, life would never be the same!  He would never again have to travel on foot!  He could leave all of those helpless, hopeless days on the road behind, thanks to this Gasoline!  

In the days that followed, the man drove all over town each day, calling out to the pedestrians about him, “I’ve got good news!  You don’t have to travel on foot anymore!  You don’t have buy the hopeless tale that water of any kind will bring your car to life!  GASOLINE!  That’s the good news!”

And the good news continues to be told.

“I have come that they might have LIFE and have it to the full!”   (Jesus) John 10:10

MY CUP OF TEA 

Today, I’d like to share with you something I found just a few days ago.  How many of you have bought a lip liner at your local pharmacy and once you got it home and tried it on you didn’t like it all?  You might have thought to yourself…”Well, that was a big waste of money!” And into some drawer it goes.  For me, it seems almost impossible to find a lip liner that is not too red, too purple or too dark.  And when I try to go subtle, the color seems to blend in.  Well, look no further if what you want is a perfect neutral shade.  It’s Revlon ColorStay Liner For Lips in Nude (630).  I know I am fare skinned and light complected, but I do believe this liner will work for most everyone.  And you can be entered to win this lip liner for your very own.  Comment on today’s blog and be entered into this weeks drawing.

Thanks everyone for your comments on this week’s post!  Your words of encouragement mean a lot!  I have a winner for this weeks drawing…chosen by random generator…Sherry Pickering!   YAY Sherry.  Please contact us with your mailing address and I will get your lip liner right out to you.

I remember waking up before my alarm on New Years Day.  Perhaps it was because, I fell into bed at 9:30 the night before exhausted from our trip to Texas.  A friend posted their status New Years Eve “Youth beg to stay up.  Parents are forced to stay up and Grandparents dream they stayed up”…uh, grandparents and me.  I figured I’d just greet the New Year at 7:00 AM and that’s what I did.

On January 1^st we were scheduled to sing in Aledo, Texas, a church we always love to visit.  That morning, as the guest speaker approached the pulpit, he began to quote a very familiar verse.

This would be the first verse, from the first message, from the first church service for me in 2012.

And it seemed like God was waiting for the perfect moment to present me with a special gift to encourage my heart.  The speaker began…

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”   John 10:10

I thought to myself as he spoke, “Wow, that’s interesting! He’s quoting the verse we chose to be the theme verse for LifeHouse – the church plant God called us to begin in Townsend, Delaware.”

We are just weeks away from transitioning out of 10 years of singing ministry onto this new horizon.  I can honestly say many questions still crowd my mind.  It’s like Columbus sailing to the new world.  How will I know when we get there?  What’s the food like?  Okay, well not exactly.  I know.  But, you get the point.

Here I sat under the words of a preacher, far from my home, in Aledo, Texas.  And he was sharing a message that confirmed in my heart that we are right on target and God indeed has a plan through LifeHouse Church!

He actually brought a perspective on John 10:10 that I had not considered.  He told us that this verse might possibly be the most definitive verse of the Bible.  In other words, if someone came up to you on the street and said, “Hey, what’s the Bible all about?”  You could say to them,

“See, it’s like this…

Satan came to steal.  But Christ came to give.”

Think about it.  Look at your life.  Satan’s purpose (his mission, his desire, his determination, his intent, his scheme) is to steal from you.  It’s what he does.  It’s who he is.  He’s not trying to get his bachelor’s degree in business on the side.  He exists to steal.

He will steal your hopes.  He will steal your dreams.  He will steal your family.  He will steal your health.  He will steal your integrity.  He will steal your peace.  He will steal your reputation.  He will steal your influence.  He will steal your character.

Maybe he already has.

It’s sobering to think about.  All of the “what ifs”.  It would be a tragedy to stop there.

But that’s not all the verse has to say.  It’s like the ending to any great movie.

The Hero arrives. 

Christ came to give!

His greatest demonstration of giving was to give His life – bearing the expense of eternal life for all who would believe in Him.

If He had stopped there, it would be more than enough. But He doesn’t.  He offers to us a “rich and satisfying life” right now!  I know because…

He’s given me a purpose beyond existing.

He’s given me hope, not in myself, but, in His unfathomable depths.

He’s given me peace even in the troubled times.

He’s given me joy in the many things I once took for granted or overlooked.

He’s given me wisdom to live a full life.

He’s given me mercy by carrying me through the many mistakes I hand over to Him.

He’s given me grace to become the person I was created to be day by day.

He gives and gives and gives.

I am rich…because He gives.

My word of encouragement to you today is that it’s not too late.   Don’t let Satan take another second of your life.  Call on the “Giver of Good Gifts.” Call on Christ.  He’s still giving.

MY CUP OF TEA

Okay, friends.  I’ve got another favorite for you to try.  It’s a loose powder by MAKE UP FOREVER.  I use this to set my foundation and I’ve noticed it tames down any redness and keeps my face from looking shiny for hours.  Here is more on the product: Even on a bare face, this powder still works its magic leaving a soft focus finish that looks amazing on camera and in person. With makeup, it mattifies and “sets” your look making it last all day. One universal shade works for all skin tones.

As usual, if you comment on today’s blog you will be entered to win the drawing for your own HD Powder by MAKE UP FOREVER.   It’s truly a favorite of mine.

And the winner is…. Debby Brown!  – Chosen by random generator.  For those who would still like to give it a try, you’ll find it at Sephora. 

2012  Its a new year.  I would venture to say that every self help book and successful business guru would advise that the best way to enter 2012 is to have a plan.  After all, “Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.” right?

But, for me, as I desire and seek to walk in close fellowship with Christ, I find that His message is altogether different.

Just yesterday morning, in my quiet time, God laid before me a verse that I believe sums up my start to 2012 perfectly.

Hebrews 11:8 ~ It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.

2012 will be a year of new beginnings for my husband, my family, my ministry and myself. Many of you already know, God has called us out of our music ministry to plant a church in Townsend, Delaware. We don’t know what this looks like or what it means to step away from the familiar (more than a decade of traveling music ministry) into the unknown.

As you can imagine, many questions dangle from the sky as we look into this vast open space ahead. How will we provide for our children? Who will come and be a part of this new chapter in our lives? When? What? Where?

While spending time in today’s passage of My Utmost for His Highest, a couple of sentences really jumped out at me,

“Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He won’t (necessarily) tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do; He reveals to you Who He is.”

So let me get this straight…
God, you want me to walk into this new year without a plan?
Yes, it’s called living by faith.
And, Will you show me what is ahead?
No, I will show you WHO I AM. That is enough.

THAT IS ENOUGH. Why? Because HE is GOD!

So, instead of putting together a plan for
“self-promotion” or
“self-improvement” or
even “self-preservation”,
God wants me to commit my heart and life, my dreams and desires to Him.

He says in Prov. 16:3 Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.

No, I’m not counting on “a plan” for 2012.  I’m not banking on my abilities or aspirations.  I’m counting on a Person.

His track record is astounding.
His attention, undivided.
His abilities, unparalleled.
His love, eternal.
His plan, perfect.

As you forge on into this new year, will it be business as usual?

Have you set up for yourself yet another list of new year’s resolutions hoping that THIS TIME you will actually follow through?

Maybe God is waiting on you to come to Him as you begin your year, not to find out what He can do, but to find out Who He Is.

Now that sounds like a plan!

MY CUP OF TEA – I want to share with you something I came across this summer.  I seldom have time to do my nails and, when I do, I only get to enjoy them for two to three days before I see the polish begin to chip.  While traveling in Tennessee, I purchased a bottle of top coat called “Out The Door”.

I mainly bought it because it claimed to dry polish quickly.  What I noticed is that my polish stayed on double and triple the time it did ordinarily.  In fact, I played a lot of volleyball this summer and my polish held up to the sun and sand.  I think everyone should try “Out The Door”.  And, of course, if you comment on today’s blog, you will be entered to win a bottle for yourself.

If you are planning on giving this product a try, I recommend applying one top coat after the nail color and then apply another coat later when you get a minute to ensure that the polish will last.

And the winner of this week’s drawing is Pamala McMorrow! Please contact us so we can get your bottle of “Out The Door” right out to you!

I want to share a photo with you of my brother, sister and me with some very special friends. This stuffed Frosty and Rudolph have been in our family since I was a very little girl. In fact, we’ve had them since before Stephanie was even born. My mom and dad would put them out every Christmas morning and not before. It just made Christmas seem that much more magical.

On Sunday – Christmas day, while visiting with my parents, we were talking about how small Frosty and Rudolph now seem. It still warms my heart to see them since they remind me of the many special Christmas’s over the years. I trust you’re making this Christmas a special one too.

For now, Have a wonderful Christmas week and a Happy New Year!

I didn’t want to start writing this blog unless I knew I would keep it up.  I remember when I began the Tammy On Tuesday blog just several months ago.  I prayed and said,

“God, this blog is meant to inspire and encourage people to truly live.  It’s meant to illuminate lives. Putting together thoughts for each week is a big task but I don’t want them to be my words.  I want them to be Yours.” 

So, I trust each week that the blog is speaking to someone about something in particular and helping them to find Light and Life.  This week, while reading one of my favorite devotionals – My Utmost for His Highest,  I was inspired to write something a little more like an allegory.  I hope it speaks to you.

FREE INDEED – An Allegory

I remember my prison cell:  four small walls – it was a simple box I was existing in.  I would decorate, try to make it seem like it wasn’t so bad.  But the company was almost unbearable.

I was imprisoned with…my selfish thoughts, my worries, my bias’s, my insecurities, my guilt, my criticisms, my questions, my doubt, my unbelief.  Often they would gang up on me and give me a good beating.  To say the least, I was barely existing.

Although it had seemed I was making a life for myself, there in that tiny space, I knew in my heart there had to be more to life than just this prison cell.  I just didn’t know what I was missing since I couldn’t see outside my four walls.

When people would pass by, I had always been pretty good at looking fine.  “It’s not so bad in here,” I would say to them.  “I mean, who doesn’t have troubles now and then.  I like my cell.  I feel independent.  It’s my world and I’m the one in charge.”

But the truth was, I was facing life without parole and then death by execution.

That was my life before something extraordinary happened.  Someone came to the jail one day and purchased my pardon.  He set me free.

He set me free! 

I have to admit, I was afraid to step out of the cell.  It’s all I’d ever known.  Who’s to say I’ll find anything better on the outside?  He beckoned me to come.  So, I had to make the choice.  Would I go or would I stay in my familiar pitiful existence.

I CHOSE to step outside my cell!

Immediately, I saw rolling meadows of peace and resolve.  I felt a huge burden lifted from my shoulders and I was able to run in the wide-open spaces. I somehow knew inside that THIS was what I was created for.

He gave this gift to me.  He showed a love that I still can’t understand. I was ashamed of my long rap sheet of disappointments and failures.  I thought of hiding it from Him, for fear He’d change His mind.  But he already knew and told me it was me he came for, exactly as I was.

I had nothing to offer Him in return except my willingness to go with Him and still He helped me escape! But He’s not finished!  Peace, joy, hope, wisdom, power, righteousness – He wants to give me all of this everyday of my freedom!  Wow!  He wants to put these gifts into my life to replace those prison companions.  He said HE would do it!

Realizing He offered all of this, I took Him up on it – receiving from Him all of this and the boundless joy of God.

Now that I have begun to experience this joy, certainly I would never return to my chains!  Right?

Honestly, that’s what’s so shocking!  Sometimes, fears and doubts creep in and I choose to doubt His love – after all HE’s done, I choose to doubt Him!   I think back to the familiar life of my cell.  Sure, it was a pathetic existence, but it was secure.  That’s when I begin to feel the chains again!

Although I’ve found myself in this place more times that I desire, He remains patient and gently reminds me – Wherever the joy of God is not present, (Wherever you are not giving Me access to your life to break the chains that hold you captive) the death sentence is still at work.  I realize now, that, even in my freedom, I have to choose to walk away from the chains that bound me.

I have to tell you…Pardon can only come one way.  Christ’s death is the pardon.  If I say to myself that I do not want to come by His way – admitting I am in trouble -deserving of the cell and the sentence, then I have chosen my chains.

Back when I lived in my cell, my cellmates talked about this Person who could pardon.  They’d say He was cold and uncaring, making them admit that they needed His help and, without Him, they were doomed.  Instead, they chose to convince themselves that their cells and their independence were all they needed.

They were right about part of it.  He DOES command that we come by one way alone.  But, amazingly, this way is a boundless entrance into freedom – full pardon and forgiveness.

HE is freedom.

If I could ever go back and tell them the truth, I’d say God doesn’t go about pretending we are all right when we are all wrong.  Instead, He goes about making a way for us to become ALL RIGHT…and  SET US FREE!

So, my life has been about making choices – beginning with the one I made, when I left my cell that day.  Now, I daily choose to cast off the shackles and weights from my past – as the Bible calls them…”sins that so easily beset us.”

For those of you still in the cell, life out here is more than I ever hoped for – greater than I can describe to you.  All I know is that I’m free.

I am free!

Today is a day meant for freedom.  If you aren’t living in it, you can!

MY CUP OF TEA

I mentioned above, that I enjoy reading from a devotional called, “My Utmost for His Highest”.  I have enjoyed this devotional since college and still continue to read it almost every day.  Those of you who comment on today’s blog will be entered into a drawing to receive your own copy of “My Utmost for His Highest”.

 And the winner of their very own copy of “My Utmost for His Highest” (chosen by random generator) is…Christina Thomas.  Please contact us with your mailing address and I’ll get this gift out to you right away.  Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and comments!

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With Christmas upon us, I have been thinking about my usual approach to Christmas shopping for those on my list.  I am a “type A” kind a girl and so I am always over thinking what I should get for each person.  It’s like everything in the universe depends on me making the right choice for them…the perfect gift. 

I know I’m confessing here and I hate to admit it, but there’s more.   When I’m pulling something off the shelf at a store…I usually bypass the first several items and go for one in the back…one that’s been untouched – to ensure I’m getting the best possible version of that product.  I think to myself, People handle the items at the front…no reason I should take any chances on something being messed up…I’ll just go for the back.  Okay, now, some of you must admit you do the same!  I call it “Quality Control”.

Have you ever taken an item to the register and found a hole or snag so you went back to get another?  No one wants to purchase something sub-par when they have the option to have the item without any flaws.

Think about all of the retailers and the companies that make the items we buy.  Ideally, they want us to buy their products, so they put forth their very best.  I imagine a “quality control” conveyor belt.   I wonder what it must be like to have that type of job.  You stand there looking for something that seems out of sorts, anything that doesn’t represent the company’s standards, and you pull it from the belt.  End of story.

God began to speak to my heart about the care I took in purchases.  I put so much emphasis on quality control.  But, there was a much more important area in my life that needed Quality Control – My thought life.

When it comes to the millions of thoughts that overwhelm my mind each day, sometimes I’ll let just any ole junk in.  Then I suffer from feeling defeated, discouraged, disillusioned, guilty, worried.  You name it.

The other day I began to imagine how much better my outlook would be if I refused to allow the wrong thoughts to enter my mind.  Just toss them off the belt.  Practice Quality Control.

I am reminded the verse,  Philippians 4:8.  It says,

“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ⁹ Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”

What are you thinking about today?  Have you allowed junk to fill your mind?  Maybe it’s time for you do some quality control?

I’ve decided to be more proactive in establishing a healthy thought life.

As described in Philippians I want to think on things that are…

• true (Have I been believing lies?)
• honorable (Are my thoughts pleasing to God?)
• right (Have I been banking on only half the story?)
• pure (Am I thinking the proper thoughts about those around me?)
• lovely (Have I been counting my blessings?)
• admirable (Am I thinking of ways to make a difference?)
• excellent and praise worthy (Am I putting others before myself?)

Once I began to discard the negative thoughts in my mind, I was able turn my attention to thoughts that bring life, joy, hope and peace.  Now that’s a great gift to give your self this time of year!

As you go throughout this day, be aware of the thoughts coming down the conveyor belt of your mind.  It may be time for some Quality Control!

My Cup of Tea

This time of year, I love to wear scarves!  I wear them often.  I love tons of colors and I find that they offer a pop of color to an otherwise boring outfit.  When it comes to scarves, I try not to get too matchy-matchy. I just pick a color that I like and around my neck it goes. Over the years I’ve acquired quite a collection.  Since the weather outside is frightful (kinda), I am giving one of my scarves away.  Just comment on today’s blog to be entered to win.

And the winner is…  Joanie Fauth, chosen by random generator.  Congratulations.  Please contact us with your mailing information.  I’ll get your scarf right out to you!

Black Friday…It’s named for the hope that retailers will end the year in the black instead of the red on their record books.  Yet, the name seems all the more fitting to describe the mood and behavior of so many who shopped on Black Friday.  There have been lots of stories in the news about Black Friday altercations.  No doubt tensions were high and I guess I witnessed it first hand.   I ventured out on Black Friday against my better judgment and happened upon an angry mother with two young children.  She was giving a Starbucks employee a piece of her mind for not pouring enough coffee in her cup.  She got so worked up she demanded to see the manager.    The employee behind the counter looked tired and frazzled and it seemed this complaint was about to do her in.

I began to get a little angry myself, at this ridiculous display.  In my mind I was thinking of how I would step in and take care of the situation.  I began running through options in my head:

A.  I would go over and tell the lady she was being ridiculous and making a fool of herself in front of her kids.  (I believe the others waiting would have deemed me the hero of the day and applauded my efforts since, by the look on everyone’s face, we all seemed to feel the same way about this lady.)

B.  I would go over and ignore the lady and talk directly to the frazzled employee.  I’d stand there and tell her although her day had been long and probably thankless, I appreciated her hard work.  

Or… I could go to the third option…This option is the one I call “other”.  It’s the option listed just after all of my options have been exhausted.

It’s like when you are filling out a form and A or B don’t fit so there is an “other” option.

  (Notice I didn’t say “c” because in situations where the word “other” is used, it is to describe something all together different from what’s stated in “a” and “b”. )

What I’ve learned is that God works in “other”.

When faced with everyday situations, I usually have a couple of ways I think I should handle a situation and then there’s God’s way.  It usually is quite different from what seems the obvious choice to me.

Let me give you an example. Several years ago my daughter, Abby, was being bullied at school.  When I heard about it, my blood pressure began to rise (call it a passion for justice) and I began to think of ways I would HANDLE the situation.  I would don my cape and TCB  – that means Take Care of Business.  I began to work through my options in my mind:

A. I would give this bully the evil eye when I saw her that would let her know I was on to her.

B. I would track down her parents and ask if they were aware that their girl is being hateful to others and offer them a book on parenting.

C. I would give Abby some good comebacks to really put this girl in her place next time she began bullying her.

Once I’d exhausted my ideas I was left with the option of  “other”.

I prayed and said, “God, I know you tell us not to seek vengeance.  I’m sure you also know that I don’t want to see Abby bullied in school.  If you don’t think any of my options are the best way to solve the situation…then I guess I want to hear yours.  What is it?”

His answer was a big resounding “OTHER” as I mentally saw it being checked in the box.

Guess what He said?

Love her. 

“Love her – this hoodlum child?  Love her?  God, I don’t even often see her.  How could I possibly show love to this girl?”  Why would I ever do something like that?!?!”

Have a sleepover. 

“Oh, God, that will never work. I would have to talk with her mom and I rarely see her mom at pick-up time.  What if her mother is as mean as she is?  Besides, what if Abby doesn’t like that idea!”

Silence.
“Okay, Lord, if you want her to come for a sleepover, there are some things to be worked out…

• Her mom will need to be there the same time I am at pick-up.
  
• Abby will have to be okay with this idea.

I left my concerns with God and moved forward that day with my plan.

Now, I’m not making this up.  When I approached the school door for pick-up I was shocked to find the bully’s mom right in front of me.  Before I could speak a word to her we both looked and saw the girls walking out together.   (Here’s where it gets really crazy.)  Abby pipes up and says,  “Mom, we had a talk today and we decided to be friends, can we have a sleepover?!?!

Cue Tammy…It was my turn to speak.  At first, I was tongue-tied, but I finally found my voice and said, “Well, since you mentioned it…” I turned to the girl’s mom and asked if it’d be okay for her daughter to sleep over.

She was a guest in our home that Friday night.   While she was over, we talked to her, showed interest in her and, for lack of a better word…just “loved” on her.  And guess what, Abby hasn’t been bullied since.

I know it’s a crazy story and this type of thing doesn’t happen everyday. The point I want to make is this.  As you are faced with frustrating situations and frustrating people this Christmas season, know that you can always choose the option “other”.   But remember, God’s option always involves love and loving others is not always our first choice.

It’s easy to say, “Let’s love each other.”  Especially when things are going our way.  But today’s blog is food for thought.  The next time you find your feathers ruffled, (long lines, heavy traffic, rude people, change of plans), as you’re thinking of how you will “handle” the situation…consider “other”.

Thinking back to the incident at Starbucks, I actually don’t know how things turned out.  While they were waiting on the manager, I was already heading out the door and on to my next “thing.”   I got into my car with “options” still running through my head.  As I thought, a still small voice said, “You could have tried love.”  It’s true.  I’ll never know what good it could’ve done.  But Love always “does good”.  Imagine the difference if we all would choose the option… “other”.

 My Cup of Tea

Today I want to share with you something I’ve used quite a bit lately.  Dry shampoo.  You know how you have those days where you don’t want to wash your hair but you are afraid of how it might look at the end of the day?  No body wants dirty looking hair.  Dry shampoo has actually given me a day of rest with hair washing.  It’s great!  I apply it right to the root of my hair mostly at my crown, temple and nape of the neck.  I let it dry for about 15-30 seconds and then comb through.  Another great use for dry shampoo is for body and lift.  There are many types of dry shampoo on the market and I’ve tried several.  I noticed that TreSemme’ does as good a job as any and it’s the least expensive I have found.  Those of you who comment on today’s blog will be entered into a drawing for your own TreSemme’ Dry Shampoo.

And the winner is…Kathy Matheny!!!  Chosen by random generator.  Kathy, please contact us with your mailing information and we’ll get your dry shampoo right out to you!