Hey. . .thanks!

I've got big news y'all (and it's not that I've been reading too many blogs from Texas!). I've been nominated for a Thinking Blogger Award by Rachelle of Seek First His Kingdom. "Colorado Rachelle", as she is affectionately known in our house (to distinguish her from my other friend and blogging buddy, Rachelle, from right here in good old Nebraska), has long been one of my own favorite thinkers. She is not afraid to say what is on her mind and ask the tough questions many of us have a hard time vocalizing. So imagine my honor when "Colorado Rachelle" said of me, "I discovered her about a year ago and I have long felt like we’re soul sisters! Tami writes beautifully about spiritual things, and she always asks great questions. One of my very favorites."

Thank you, Rachelle. I, too, am amazed at how two people who are virtual strangers can "get" each other. Thank you for being honest in your writing and for avoiding lofty platitudes. Do you s'pose we could meet one another some day?

Now, the rules of the game require me to nominate five other bloggers for the award. This meme has been circulating the Christian Women Online blog ring for a while now and many of my favorite sites there have already been nominated, many times more than once. I decided to mention some blogs outside that realm that make me think and share the love. Take a peek at these:

A Life in Pages. This was the very first blog I got hooked on. The thing I appreciate about author Angela Hunt is her variety. Her posts vary from discussing the creative process behind her work, providing links to either the silly or the serious side of life, commentary on current issues, daily frustrations and even pictures of her dogs. I can just imagine her providing fascinating dinner conversation. Too bad she lives in Florida.

A Little of This, A Little of That. Jilian is edgy and raw, a college student who doesn't censor herself, but lets it all hang out. I love it because I often wonder how many girls her age question the same things she does. I have been both fearful for and proud of her as she works out her faith on her blog, but never disappointed. She makes me think about why I believe what I do. I wish she would post more often (Are you reading this, Jilian?).

Diving in. Another busy college student I'd like to see more from is Kara, who reminds me so much of myself at her age. Possessing a great grip on Scripture and its application in real life situations, she always surprises me with her wisdom. I can't wait to see God's plan for her unfold. I will be cheering on the sidelines, Kara! An avid photographer with a great eye, each of her posts is accompanied by one of her own pics--an added bonus.

Surrending to God's Gift of Ellie Grace. Never mind that I am awfully fond of Rachelle. Her blog is full of honest feelings. It was especially meaningful lately when she and her husband were in China getting their new daughter. Talk about tears! This blog is a journey of God's hard requests and a woman with the courage to say yes, despite her fears. I hope she is able to continue sharing her faith stretching even though she now has a toddler in the house. Love you, Rachelle!

Susie's blog. Because I am so easily lost in thought, it is easy for me to miss the main point. Susie's words are so soothing, gently bringing me back to what is most important. She often produces an "ahhh" in me, as if she has ushered me into God's presence.

Think Christian. This site describes itself as blogging about the intersection of faith and culture, an accurate description in my estimation. I am often challenged to think hard about how I can make an impact on my society and love others as Jesus would.

Yes, I can count. I know I fudged and nominated six. (I was a math major after all!) I had a hard time narrowing it down and thought exposing you to all of them was doing you a favor. Have fun!

Pruning Today

"Busyness is not a spiritual gift."
From an interview with
~ Lisa Harper ~

As a sincere love offering to you and to show you how spiritually gifted I am, today I exercise self-control, take one thing off my to do list and write nothing.

Have a fantastic day!



Be sure to visit our host, Christine at Fruit in Season.

Multiplying loaves and fish

I was all ready to post this Friday's Note of Distinction, when I read such an outstanding post only moments ago (okay, am I building the drama for you yet?), I had to change my selection. (In case you want to see the original pick, click on over to Writer. . .Interrupted. It's still a good choice!)

The post I read this morning came from the The Internet Cafe of the Christian Women Online E-zine. This is a fairly new blog featuring a different author each day, many of which have their own blogs I read often, kind of a best of the best. Anyway, if you feel time pressures and worry about how you're going to fit it all in, you've GOT TO read Cyndi's post called Loaves and Fish, Days and Weeks. (By the way, Cyndi's personal blog can be found at One Day More.) Why haven't I ever thought of this connection before?!

Losing the Spotlight

"If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?"
~ David Livingstone ~

Have you ever watched The Princess Diaries? Do remember the scene where Mia and her grandmother, the Queen, roll down the hill right into the trolley? Everyone is having a hissy fit until the Queen compliments the police officer and trolley driver for their service and goes goo goo about the wonderful job they are doing. On the spot, she makes up some "award" to bestow upon them (I believe she calls it the "Order of the Rose") and knights them with the faulty emergency brake which caused the accident in the first place. The award means nothing, is not even real, yet after the Queen's dubbing, these men soften considerably, stand up a little taller and are the envy of the witnesses. Why? They've been recognized. They've been honored. Their service has been deemed well done by a Queen in front of lots of people.

But a commission from our Heavenly King most often involves NO recognition whatsoever. No one applauds the mother who chooses diapers and sticky fingers over business lunches and raises. The man who consistently writes his check to support the ministry is never congratulated. There are no accolades for the woman who faithfully prays for many who are never aware of her intervention. Is this why we think it a sacrifice, because we do it for God's glory alone, without expectation of receiving honor?

What's worse, our King is not always recognized as a king, which sets us up for people misunderstanding us too. It's not that we don't think it an honor to serve our Lord. We do, and we love Him, so we do it. But we know our human longings for validation and recognition will be given up if we are to serve Him well. That is our sacrifice.



Check out Laurel Wreath for more takes on this quote.

Mulling over honesty

Is there such a thing as being too honest? Are some things better left unsaid? If a friend came to you and asked your honest assessment of her, would you give it? Would you hold anything back? Can "iron sharpen iron" if the whole truth is not revealed? Are we humans capable of gentle tact? And is tact or tempering our answer real honesty? Are there times we are not able to handle the truth? Should our opinions hold any weight with others? Is a true friend one who says it all or one who knows how to keep her mouth shut?

Help me out, people. What do YOU think?

If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it. . .

Do you ever wonder if you're missing something? Do you pause in the busyness of the day to soak in the beauty God has placed all around you? If you were going about your daily routine and a world class musician were playing on the street corner, would you notice? This week's Note of Distinction goes to Ann of Holy Experience for her post entitled Unframed Art. If beauty is not framed, not pointed out, is it less beautiful, less noticeable? Should it be? Read Ann's post and share your thoughts with me.

Ancient, but Never Old

Though he was trying to be compassionate and supportive, it had been a long week for me and his words only ticked me off. What he was saying was too cut and dried, too simple. Life is just not that easy and I couldn't let him be right. I found myself being belligerent just for the sake of showing him he didn't have all the answers. By the time we finished talking, I had to leave the room to cool off.

Two days later in church, I still felt grumbly about the whole scene. Our pastor was preaching out of 1 Timothy 2. Reading verse 8 he said, "I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing." It zinged straight to my heart. It was not right to feel this animosity. The man I bantered with was in that very room. How could we be unified and "lift up holy hands" together in worship when all I wanted to do was prove him wrong? God's Word was telling me to make things right.

I wish I could say I did it that very day, but I didn't. I wasn't sure what to say to him. I wasn't sure he even knew how angry I had been, so I decided to take some to pray about it (a euphemism for dragging my feet?). But God didn't let me off the hook. He told me exactly what He expected when my reading "fell" into 2 Timothy 2. The interchange between God and I went something like this:

God in 2 Timothy 2:14: ". . .Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen."

Me: Okay, I'll quit trying to prove him wrong.

God in 2 Timothy 2:15: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved. . ."

Me: Did You not approve of my behavior the other night?

God in 2 Timothy 2:23-24: "Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful."

OUCH! Okay, I was not right, but God wasn't finished. He brought the point home when He showed me Colossians 3:12-14:

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all the virtues put on love which binds them all together in perfect unity.


"Ancient Words, ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
O let the ancient words impart."

~ Lynn DeShazo~

God's ancient words never lose their relevancy. They convict, they transform, they change those who listen and take them to heart. Try them for yourself.



Visit Joy in the Morning for more impressions of this quote.

In the Stands and Cheering Loudly

I am so blessed.

Easter, several years back, I kept vigil outside the room of my friend's sick baby, praying he would survive the night. Now he's a happy, active eight-year-old who keeps up quite nicely with his older siblings. Wow, God, look what You did.

I watched my mother care for my father in his last days even though they'd been divorced thirteen years. Wow, God, look what You did.

As she walked down the aisle to marry the man who clearly adores her, my lip trembled and eyes filled recalling our many conversations about waiting on God's timing. Wow, God, look what You did.

I worried she would self-destruct and wondered if she would survive these years, all the while trying to convince her God has plans for her life. As the new year began, all the prayers uttered in her behalf were answered when she suddenly gained new strength to fight. Wow, God, look what You did.

We prayed over the phone at two o'clock in the morning because she was so scared her marriage wasn't going to make it. And now, three years later they are together and better than ever. There are still fears for his salvation, but God has given her glimpses of His work in her husband's life. She chooses to trust His plan and tries her best to be patient. Wow, God, look what You did (and look what You're doing).

I choked back sobs as her husband explained that the dead baby his wife delivered that day was a girl I knew they desperately wanted to add to their family of three boys. A few years later, God has given them TWO beautiful little girls for their sons to show off and all to enjoy. Wow, God, look what You did.

Lying in bed next to the most amazing man, I remember myself decades ago, a shy, fat girl fearing this would never be my life. Wow, God, look what You did.

After two YEARS of paperwork and delays and doubts and fears and much trepidation and prayer, she walked down the long hallway carrying the precious Chinese girl she now calls her daughter, smiling proudly, an image that will be forever etched in my mind. Wow, God, look what You did.

And now, this weekend, I remember the greatest miracle of all. The Son of God came down to earth and said, "We don't want to lose you," and gave His life to spare mine. Honestly, I have the hardest time comprehending what He did. I don't understand all the ramifications of it, but I get it enough to think Wow, God, look what You did.

God is still in the business of miracles, people. I pray we recognize His hand.

Happy Easter!


Photo Credit: markybon.

More Than a Label

I guess I am what you call a SAHM, but I almost resent the label. I do so much more than stay at home and be a mom. It's hard for me to answer the question, "What do you do?" (For a while I deflected it by shaking my head and soberly saying, "Nothing. I don't do anything." People don't quite believe that, but tend to drop it after you say it. I was going for mystery and intrigue, but I'm afraid it screamed LOSER instead.) My days are very full, sometimes too full. I often wonder how in the world I'd have time for a job! I feel no calling to do anything differently with my time. My husband thinks I am doing exactly what I should be. Yet, occasionally I feel misunderstood by society. Sometimes I feel very boring and unimportant, but never unsure of my calling. Maybe this is why Christine's post about the life I could have had touched me. I give it this week's Note of Distinction. Fruit in Season is new to me and I am only beginning to savor its juices. Can I tempt you to take a bite yourself? I promise no eternal damnation!

Along for the Ride

As darkness turns to light before my very eyes I am almost sad my quiet time this morning is nearly gone. The day must begin, WILL begin whether I am ready for it or not.

I read Jesus' prayer in Gethsemene this morning and was struck by His words: "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am and to see my glory. . ."

Mmmm. . .me too, Lord, me too. I want to be with You and see Your glory. With You no day will be ordinary. With You TODAY will not be ordinary. Thanks for letting me join You. The ride is never dull. What's on tap for this day?

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us--
Yes, establish the work of our hands."
Psalm 90:17

Have a great day, my friends.



Photo credit to nevrlndtink1226.