To Honor You

To Honor You

To honor you, I get up everyday and take a breath.

And start another day without you in it.

To honor you, I laugh and love with those who knew your smile

And the way your eyes twinkled with mischief and secret knowledge.

To honor you, I take the time to appreciate everyone I love,

I know now there is no guarantee of days or hours spent in their presence.

To honor you, I listen to music you would have liked,

And sing at the top of my lungs, with the windows rolled down.

To honor you, I take chances, say what I feel, hold nothing back,

Risk making a fool of myself, dance every dance.

You were my light, my heart, my gift of love, from the very highest source.

So everyday, I vow to make a difference, share a smile, live, laugh and love.

Now I live for us both, so all I do, I do to honor you.

borrowed from Connie F. Kiefer Byrd hwo penned this 

In Loving Memory of her son

 Jordan Alexander Kiefer

8/24/88 – 12/13/05

Time is Short

Good afternoon friends,

We pray this message finds you well and preferably cool :)

Well, with last minute fabric donations and many willing helpers we were able to complete and deliver a car load of colorful fleece blankets to the 51 foster care children (ages 6- 12) attending the FBCW Royal Family Kids Camp.

Last Tuesday, my granddaughter and I set off to deliver the furry wraps and then go home but instead, we stayed all day fellowshipping with the campers by way of attending a girls grand tea, (which included a full out dress up, makeup, hairstyling and fashion show event all rolled into one!)

While the girls indulged in fruit, a chocolate fountain, delicate finger sandwiches, and baby pink punch, the boys did the same (well...not so much pink punch and make up) but all the rest while being outfitted in white Karate gear and garnering life training Mr. Miyagi would be proud of. Oh what a joy to see the delight these activities brought to each campers life.

After the tea it was more swimming, fishing, canoeing and cool down, before a spaghetti dinner, more games and evening service by way of Shine ministry. By 8pm we were calling each child by name to pick up their blanket.

On a side note: As my grandma use to say, it was 'hot as blazes', sweaty flesh in every direction, yet by all the fuss you would have thought we were giving away ice cream cones and water slide rides, not hot and heavy fleece blankets.

We shared with the group how each blanket was hand made, prayed over and surrounded with knots of love by loving folks made especially for each one them. We also made it clear while each of us did not know them personally by name and face, God surely did and that any time they might need a God hug, a big ol reminder of how crazy He was about them to wrap their selves in their blanket.

As we called each camper one by one you would have thought a rock stars were in the house, this is no exaggeration. With each name called applause broke out and we were met with thousand watt smiles that simply melted our hearts and humbled our spirits. God is so incredibly good y'all!

Looking back into the patiently waiting (and sweltering) crowd we spied smiling boys and girls bundled up in colorful fleece relishing Gods tender embrace that very night! Would that each one of you could have shared this presentation with us. Life changing, kingdom building moments y'all.

You all I know how I love a good photo or two (three or three dozen :) to share with a post, but sadly we are unable to take photos on our own as there are actually children attending these camps who have been abused by photography - so trust me when I say my words are so inadequate in describing the delight and joy expressed by these young ones.

Over the weekend Mary and I were contacted (again) by the director of the RFKC of Athens, Georgia. The Athens director was at the blanket distributions Tuesday and is very prayerfully asking that our group might provide blankets for their 50 foster kids. This group hails from Fulton, Delkalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, Athens-Clarke, Greene and other Georgia counties.

We have explained the lack of funds and material currently on hand, and asked them to pray that resources be provided to meet this need.

We ask that each of you prayerfully consider sending blankets or funds for us to purchase fleece so we may be a blessing to yet another tender group of young ones needing physical reminders of their Heavenly Fathers love for them.

Time is very short and we apologize for the extremely short notice. Please give in some way yourself and be sure to share this with those in your own circle of influence so they may take part in this kingdom building blessing.

Much love and many blessings,

Tammy and Mary



"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." 1 Peter 5: 2-3

Unlikely Mothers

Recently, a friend of mine shared a poem she was ask to pen in honor of Mother's Day.  As I read her prose, my heart overflowed and images filled my mind as I reflected on some of the unlikely mothers I know, love and am blessed to call friend. 

The Unlikely Mother

She stands alone with none to call her own

Barren, unmarried, or her moment has passed on

Whatever the case she is crowned with grace

For Isaiah says many will fill her empty place

She always opens her door to just one more

If there is nowhere else, they can sleep on the floor

Her words are as strong as the confidence she carries

Not for a moment being thought of as just ordinary

She is a wisdom provider, mercy giver, and Christ lover

She is blessed among women; she is the unlikely mother

She may not have given birth to her child

But she will stand in the gap to keep them undefiled

She cradles her children with unconditional love

Because her heart understands they were sent from above

She is a truth seeker, Word speaker, secret keeper…maybe even a cover

But above all else, she is the unlikely mother

She has enriched my own life, So I reach out to another

To embrace the responsibilities of the unlikely mother

Thank you Kate Stoker for allowing me to share your lovely poem.

By and Through Him Eternally Connected

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms"

1Peter 4:10

The following poem is reprinted with permission from the author;
 Lora Lovin Osburn, Poet Laureate extraordinaire!

When asked if I'd share a dotty ditty

My first thought was, "Oh no! What if it's not pretty?"

What if it's like what I heard in Houston? Purse on a Chain...

Oh my, I can just imagine the disdain.

What if I stand and say: I'm Lora from By the Lamp Light

I can't speak because I'm too insecure and filled with stage fright.

So started my conversation with the LORD

About sharing here, something I thought I abhorred.

LORD, YOU know my knees will knock.

And then, Oh my - What to wear? Capri's or a new party frock?

I'll be just one lonely dot at this Siesta party,

And You know LORD, I am not a smarty.

My heart started racing in a thousand directions

Without seeking HIM with thoughtful reflection.

So in my mind while I'm walking to the podium and taking a tumble,

In quietness at night, I heard Him speak like a distant rumble,

"Read the book and then just tell your story.

I will do all the rest and get all the glory."

I knew immediately which book He meant for me,

Beth had been smiling from the shelf at Walmart (somewhere near aisle 3)

He said, "Dear One, I'm bringing other dots

Tonight to this party, to this very spot.

Don't be insecure and think you are alone

Among the many dots, you can feel at home.

As each lovely dot connects

And views the other with respect,

A lovely picture they will see

The body of Christ in Me.

I've brought each dot on their own journey to this very place,

An act of gracious mercy and abundant and tender grace."

But LORD, I so want to know the final picture.

He says, "Rest, don't speculate or conjecture.

You may not know in full your earthly destiny

But will you dear one, just rest in ME?

As I direct, in faith, go from dot to dot

The journey with Me is part of our story plot.

Hold our time together dear.

Be attuned and ready to hear.

Do each thing I ask you to

Don't question; just do.

I will be with you when your life looks like it has no purpose or form,

When you feel discouraged, one dot, alone and forlorn."

So as I read, at times I thought it was my own story written upon the page;

But God graciously and tenderly took me through the journey, stage by stage.

When I read about those who "never fulfill their destinies because of their own insecurities",

It was like God drew the circle clearly and solely around me.

I would recommend this book to anyone; but along with a tissue box

Because it's not a fairy tale, like The Three Bears and the trespassing Miss Goldilocks

Our enemy too long has encroached on our holy ground,

And as dots we unite and say "he is no longer welcome to hang around!"

This book required action, change and work

And I'm certain, it is why so long, I avoided it with a shirk.

As dots read it and do it, we are changed.

No longer a single dot, but in His plan we are already eternally arranged.

The tears and pain this book unearthed,

I am confident, are fertile soil for His new works to be birthed.

Because deep within me as sins were uprooted, I know,

That as I released insecurities, HIS Spirit within me did grow

The freedom and the joy of saying so long to insecurity

To some of the *things* that for years have tormented me,

And made me feel like one isolated and totally disconnected dot

Has brought me, us, each dot, here tonight, to this very place and spot.

Dearest Jesus,

We turn our fears into

WE TRUST YOU.

Send each dot through Your cleansing wash where our sin turns to passion

And insecurity is totally washed out and no longer in fashion

We pray, that more of You we will intimately know

As on our dotty path, with Your security now, we go.

Connect us LORD,

as the unified body of Christ,

And help us be willing to make personal sacrifice.

The enemy CAN NOT take what we've been given

So in the Mighty Name of Jesus we say,

"So long insecurity and hello abundant living!"

Amen

 

You Took my Place

A few Easters ago, my family and I were joined by some bi-annual church going friends for morning service and a brunch to follow.  The parking lot at church and sanctuary were running over as they  usually are at Christmas and Easter.  Once inside, the service was incredible as the Holy Spirit seemed to fill the deepest crevice of every heart.

A bit later as our group met up at the restaurant for brunch, the following conversation took place:

"What an incredible service, the music, the worship, the message, one was better than the next"  started one Church Regular.

"And the crowd?  Good grief that was insane trying to get in and out of the church not to mention the parking lot" added Bi-Annual Number One.

"Yah, the parking was brutal. Your church members were pretty aggressive when it came to getting out of there.  I almost got hit and ran over by several anxious to get to lunch I guess", replied Bi-Annual Number Two.

"Yah" with laughter Bi-Annual Number One chimed in, "and I bet they had that little fish symbol or better yet," haaa, haaa "a whole school of little fish on their bumper".

The Bi-Annuals were having some fun now.


I asked our guest how were they so sure it was the regular church membership behaving so poorly and not some folks like themselves of the twice a year crowd? 

That led us into a conversation about Believers can't claim perfect, just salvation by God's grace and anyone claiming to be otherwise is admittedly a hypocrite.

Sadly, I had to concede, we as believers all too often set ourselves up for such criticism when we brand our bumpers, t-shirt and handbags, mistakenly believing no one should hold us to a higher level of accountability, when they really should.

Believing friends, you may have read the following story before, even so, with another high attendance Sunday upon us, take another look.

One day, a man went to visit a church. He got there early, parked his car and got out. Another car pulled up near the driver got out and said,

'I always park there! You took my place!'

The visitor went inside for Sunday school, found an empty seat and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated,

'That's my seat! You took my place!'

The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.

After Sunday school, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said,

'That's where I always sit! You took my place!'

The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still He said nothing.

Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change.

Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out,

'What happened to you?'

The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye, 'I took your place.'

When you read this, say a prayer.

Ask the Lord to circumcise your heart, that you may yield to the Holy Spirit's urgings as we get too centered on self and cease seeing the greater good and glory God might reveal through us in these situations.

Instead of focusing on self, focus on Him; then share a smile and give gentle answer and shine your Light that whole world all may see Him in you!

He took our place!

Hallelujah, I'm so glad He did!

            Happy Easter!

"The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live"    Deuteronomy 30:6

Discipline: Oh the blessing of it!

My niece Jessica is my eldest brothers’ child. Jess and I have spent a nominal amount of family time in each other’s company, yet we share so many similarities one would think we came from the same womb.
A while back I invited Jess to guest blog on one particular topic she and I regularly battle, weight: more specifically maintaining a healthy weight. Jess wrote an excellent post, “I Will Not Be Enslaved”
This past month I was encouraged by my friend Robyn’s post on the same struggle.
God has used these gals and a bunch of other things to begin training me up in the way He would have me go. To my great surprise I find myself in some of the sweetest dialogue with my Heavenly Father and NOT about weight, but discipline.


dis·ci·pline (ds-pln) n.

1. Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement.
2. Controlled behavior resulting from disciplinary training; self-control.
3. a. Control obtained by enforcing compliance or order.
b. A systematic method to obtain obedience: a military discipline.
c. A state of order based on submission to rules and authority: a teacher who demanded discipline in the classroom.
4. Punishment intended to correct or train.
5. A set of rules or methods, as those regulating the practice of a church or monastic order.
6. A branch of knowledge or teaching.tr.v. dis·ci·plined, dis·ci·plin·ing, dis·ci·plines

1. To train by instruction and practice, especially to teach self-control to.
2. To teach to obey rules or accept authority. See Synonyms at teach.
3. To punish in order to gain control or enforce obedience.
4. To impose order on: needed to discipline their study habits.


Discipline, has been a word I have vastly misunderstood. To my way of thinking, discipline was chiefly connected to punishment and NOT training….especially gentle training.

Every New Year instead of listing resolutions, God lays a theme on my heart, something He plans to train me up in throughout that year. Last year it was obedience and let me tell you, what a glorious year in obedience we had! Never have I known such joy, peace and blessed humility as God led me along, taking much care and His precious time while blessing me in so many ways. Obedience is a very good thing and always brings blessings!

“If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:” Deuteronomy 28:1-2

In 2010, God made it clear; this would be the year of discipline. I admit to a bit of trepidation, but reflecting back on "The Year of Obedience", I felt safe in my Father's care, looking forward with great anticipation for the sweet communion He and I would share during this year of discipline.

Oh the blessing of it!

"Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For He wounds, but He also binds up; He injures, but His hands also heal." Job 5:17-18