Pressure Washin'

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:26, 27

As I look back over the year that recently passed, I can see how the Lord has led me, and been working in every circumstance. When He led me to start the blog last February, I had no idea how He would bring such special people (you) into my life to share life's lessons. :)

I remember a particular week during last February that was difficult, but the lesson that He taught me is worth contemplating again. Since He hadn't led anyone to the blog during those "early days," I think I'll share the following post with you, in case you missed it~~Especially if you're Under Pressure right now! My prayer is for the Lord to use this to encourage your heart.

Okay...here's what the post was, dated February 26, 2010:

Ever had one of those days when you just wonder "what else in the world could go wrong?" Pressure here, pressure there, pressure everywhere... except where it needs to be (like a tire!?!?) LOL  Yes, we've all had those days when it just seems as if we can't take it any longer. Just when you feel the walls closing in, He's got His eyes on you.  He knows how much pressure you can take.

Well, this week has been "loads" of fun, and I do mean LOADS. . .of laundry! For some reason my washer is putting out so much water during its drain cycles that the old pipes just can't handle the outflow.  So in order to get a load done, I have to stand there, and "patiently" watch and listen for the washer to drain. As it's draining, I can hear the water quickly rising in the drain pipe. When I DO finally see the water begin to peak, I immediately push the "STOP" button. I have to press STOP on the washer to allow the pipe time to drain . . then I pull "start" and let the tub drain, then stop & repeat that process again. You get the picture.  It takes a long time.  And it's not really fun either.  However, if I don't do this, the garage would end up flooded!

"So what is it that You are trying to teach me in THIS situation, Father?"  Well~~"Ask and ye shall receive..." LOL  He showed me something pretty neat:

The Lord reminded me of how He is watching us during our trials and storms. He can HEAR and SEE when we've just about "reached our limit." And before we "about LOSE IT completely," HE WILL PRESS STOP, letting some of that "water pressure" go down a bit. Then He'll pull out the tab and let the water drain some more. . . and keep on pressing STOP and START til the tub is empty.

"Oh Father, I am seeing where You're taking this one now!" Do y'all? He is trying to empty us of ourselves.

 Let that one sink in.

Compare my ridiculously inconvenient washer situation to our lives being drained of ourselves (*our selfish desires, sinful nature). . . that's the first cycle...then it fills back up again~~this time to rinse. Then. . . He washes us (with His cleansing blood) and rinses us off completely in His Living Water~~only to drain us again, little by little! This time, what's draining out (or pouring out) is . . . (drum roll) HIM!  His love, His power, His mercy, His compassion, His forgiveness is pouring out from us to others.   Selah.

"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said,
streams of living water will flow from within him."  John 7:38

Thank You Father for revealing this truth while I'm in the midst of an inconvenience. This was so worth the loads of laundry! And by the way, thank You that we have clothes to wear! Please help us to look, S E A R C H for the special N U G G E T of wisdom that You have carefully hidden in the middle of our circumstances...none of these inconveniences are meant to be obstacles, but a SpRiNg board to higher places. Thanks Father! Wash us, drain us of ourselves today, then fill us back up with Your Living Water... when we've reached the "max line," drain us out---for others to see the cleansed life You've given and the refreshing waters You offer. Thank You, and P.S.--now that I've learned the lesson, can we get the plumbing fixed?? Thanks :) In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Breaking News!

EXTRA!! EXTRA!! We interrupt your day to give you an important update: Local plumber and son, B & C Yates, just released a statement: Main pipe line under house was so clogged they are just suh-prized ANYTHING could get through! To provide proof of this statement, they brought a piece of pipe line which further revealed a line almost entirely clogged by dirt and just overall G U N K! To add further to this development, the joints throughout the entire plumbing system were found to be in similar condition: CLOGGED! Local "Plumber and Son, Co." left with a final statement: "It's just a shock that anything could GO DOWN!" Son added, "Yeah, when my dad said it was clogged with junk, he was NOT KIDDING! Just look at my hands!"

This report brought to you by local reporter, Tammi
Stay tuned for tomorrow's continuing coverage of this story.

A.C.T. Now

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.  I John 2:6

Have you ever prayed about something for so long, seeking an answer from the Lord, and yet for whatever reason He remained quiet?  Day after day, week after week, sometimes month after month, you await an answer...you're simply waiting for God to ACT.   I've been there..in fact, I'm there even now.

For months now I've been seeking His guidance, writing notes as to what it is He may be teaching me through this time of "quiet."  Guess you could say I've been in the wilderness.  It's okay, though, because Nahum 1:3 says "the clouds are the dust of His feet..."  So that can mean one thing:  I may be in a FOG, but at least I know that HE is very nearby---just got to keep looking up.  ;o)

Recently I've felt like a "deer in the headlights" of oncoming traffic.  You know---totally frozen.  So focused on what's coming that I've forgotten to MOVE.  Ever noticed how difficult it is to focus and function on a day-to-day basis when you're facing something scary?   Wonder why?  Well, I think there could be a couple of reasons:  the ole enemy knows just what it takes to stop us "dead in our tracks" once we've started moving forward in our journey with God.  FEAR.  What an obstacle!    Or--it could be our Heavenly Father is trying to purge the dross from our lives in order to reveal to us more and more of our NEED FOR HIM.  Either way, one thing is for sure---God has allowed it, and He wants us to ACT now!

Of course God wants us to wait on Him.  (Psalm 27:14)   But do you think He wants us to just sit still?  Oh ha...I know you're thinking, "Be still and know..."  (Psalm 46:10)   Yes.  But there are a few other things He wants us to do.  He wants us to ACT---Abide in Christ.  (John 15:4)  Continue in our service to others for Him.  "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them."  Hebrews 6:10 (NIV)  While Abiding and Continuing, we need to be Trusting in Him with all our hearts.  (Prov. 3:5)  (Trusting Him is what brings the "stillness" to our hearts.)

Ahhh...the main key is to keep feasting on His Word (see SUP, Success Under Pressure)---Abiding in Christ on a daily basis will ensure the lines of communication will remain open and "unclogged" by sin. 

Then, instead of freezing in our tracks, staring at the big burden or trial, we need to CONTINUE ON in our service to others for God's glory.  I've noticed a pattern....Look at Job 42:10  "And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before." (KJV)  Take a look at II Kings 4:37...The Shunammite's faithful hospitality to Elisha was rewarded with an answer to a SECRET desire of her heart.  God gave her a son.  It seems to me that when we remain focused on OTHERS in the midst of our trials and storms, and continue to reach out and serve THEM, that God will begin to ACT on our behalf.  

The final letter, "T for Trust," really hit close to home this weekend.  God showed me that I have several "little foxes" that are "getting the grapes" in my life:  lack of motivation, fear of MOVING forward.  But it's the root cause of these little foxes that is the main problem:  LACK OF WHOLE HEARTED TRUST in my Father.  Trust in Him wholeheartedly.  For goodness' sakes, if I can trust Him for my eternal security, then why on earth is it so hard to trust Him with "this stuff?"   Oh, immediately I asked for forgiveness for my lack of complete trust in Him with all of "this," and am letting go.  The end result will be whatever He wills it to be.   Since I  know that He works all things out for my good and His glory if I'm called according to His purpose, I have to know that whenever He does choose to ACT on my behalf, it's "gonna be GOOOOD." 

So, let's A.C.T. while we're waiting for God to act on our behalf.  Abide in Christ, Continue to walk forward in our service for Him, and Trust Him whole heartedly.

Oh Father, You are Sovereign and in control of every tiny detail in my life.  I'm so grateful for Your tender mercies and compassion which never, ever, ever, ever fail!   I'm taking the plunge...letting go.  Trusting You with the outcome.  I'm praying for all my friends and even strangers out there who may be suffering from some sort of captivity in their lives...financial, emotional, spiritual..whatever it is, Father, TURN THEIR CAPTIVITY in Jesus' Name...for we know that You are the God Who sets the captives free!!  AMEN AND AMEN!  And all of Your children are saying...Amen!

Mouse Trouble

"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye."  Psalm 32:8

Not been able to update my blog recently due to mouse trouble.  No, not the kind with a long tail and squeaky little voice.....but the computer mouse.   Then after I hooked up the new mouse, our keyboard refused to work for a while.   Hmm.  Wonder what's going on here?  

It's amazing how one little piece of hardware can render a computer useless.  The mouse---small, handheld, and simple---yet a very necessary tool to "getting us where we want to be" in "Computer Land."   It's the same with the mouse and the keyboard...both are "told what to do" by humans.  Either we "point and click" or we type in the keystrokes.    If they're working properly, they will respond immediately to our "command."

I wonder, though, are we willing instruments in the Master's hands?  Or are we "out of service?"  Is He able to "Point and Click" us in the right direction with the ease of a quick nudge, or are we "frozen in time?"  (Like our computers sometimes "Freeze and Hang in Cyber Space")

What do You Have to Offer?

Remembering my time as a "K-4" teacher, often brings with it memories of such elementary poems and jingles that paint a picture of the innocent, impressionable minds that once were entrusted to me.   There was one poem in particular that we used to quote around Christmastime.   I'm sure you're familiar with it.

"What can I give Him,

Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd

I would bring a lamb,

If I were a wise man

I would do my part.

Yet what can I give Him?

Give my heart."

(by Christina Rossetti)

It is true---He wants us to give Him our hearts.  But, for a moment, let's take that a step further.  I believe that this "opinion of our hearts,"  if left at this level, is hazardous to our view of the Lord and His majesty, His awesomeness, and our NOTHINGNESS.  Therefore our WORSHIP of Him and the work we do for Him is truly lacking. 

The Bible says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9)   If we view our God in heaven, as Someone Who could remotely accept anything FROM US, apart from Himself, we have lessened Him, and subsequently brought Him to a level beneath the Almighty.   Prior to having His life breathed into us, there is nothing in us worth ANYTHING to Him.  

Just Look at My Hands

Who his own
self bare our
 sins in his own body on the tree,

that we, being
dead to sins,
should live unto
righteousness:

by whose stripes
ye were healed.

I Peter 2:24

Well, as I sit here waiting for yet another load of clothes to wash, I am extremely thankful for the fact that our washer/pipe problem has been fixed!  Yee-HAW!  (can you believe I'm actually EXCITED to be able to do laundry again?  Me neither!  But, as they say, "this (happy-to-do-laundry-feeling) TOO shall pass!")  LOL

If you haven't read yesterday's blog, you may want to read it, or at least the "Breaking News" Part at the very end.  Today's blog picks up from that.  

What do you think when you read the part that said:  Local 'Plumber and Son, Co.' left with a final statement: "It's just a shock that anything could GO DOWN!"  Son added, "Yeah, when my dad said it was clogged with junk, he was NOT KIDDING! Just look at my hands!"   As soon as I read that the Holy Spirit opened my eyes!   "LOOK, Tammi!~~~'the SON added.....'LOOK AT MY HANDS!'  Did you catch that?"   I thought of Jesus, God's only uniquely born Son.    I could imagine, our clogged main pipeline as a spiritual lesson. 

Pressure Washin'

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:26, 27

Ever had one of those days when you just wonder "what else in the world could go wrong?" Pressure here, pressure there, pressure everywhere... except where it needs to be---like a tire!?!? LOL Anyway, yes, we've all had those days when it just seems as if we can't take it any longer. Just when you feel the walls closing in, He's got His eyes on you..He knows how much pressure you can take.

Remember from an earlier post I had written about our dark times are always a time to listen ? ?   Sometimes, trials and tests will come --->from every direction<---  and it does seem like it's just too much. But remember, He's going to teach us a lesson in this storm if we'll only be quiet and listen patiently for His voice.

Well, this week has been "loads" of fun. . .and I do mean LOADS. . .of laundry! For some reason my washer is putting out so much water during its drain cycles that the old slow pipes just can't handle the outflow. So in order to get a load done, I have to stand there, and "patiently" watch and listen for the washer to drain. As it's draining, I can hear the water quickly rising in that pipe. When I DO finally see the water begin to peak I immediately push the "STOP" button. I have to press STOP on the washer--just to give the pipe time to drain . . then I pull "start" and let the tub drain, then stop. You get the picture. It takes a long time. And it's not really fun either. If I don't do this, the garage will be flooded!

So what is it that You are trying to teach me in THIS situation, Lord? Well..."ask and ye shall receive..." LOL He showed me something pretty neat: