Wednesday, September 17, 2014

10 Reasons to Keep Singing


psalm 103
photo credit: revival.com
Listen to the song 10,000 Reasons here, before you read any further. The song is based on Psalm 103. 

The first five verses are:

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

We sang this Sunday. The words "all that is within me" embedded in my being. What is within me, within us? A network of arteries, vessels, blood and organs? Yes, but that's not all. We have a soul designed specifically to praise our Creator! I believe Matt Redman, co-writer of 10,000 reasons, sings to Jesus like never before with all that is within him. Do we? We took communion Sunday in remembrance of Jesus. I started recalling events in my life that caused me to praise God with all that was within me, not holding anything back, totally consumed, giving him all of me because he gave his all for me. I'm sharing 10 reasons my heart finds to keep on singing, then I challenge you to reply to this email with just one reason for you to sing that I can share next week. 


  1. Beholding his glory at the top of the Swiss Alps. I praised Him and felt like I would be transported on to heaven like Elijah.
  2. Singing the last line of the 3rd verse of Blessed Assurance with complete realization of what it means to be "Filled with his goodness, lost in his love."
  3. Having his light shine upon me until his glory dawned while singing "O Beautiful Star". Sing it and you'll see.
  4. The night I knelt beside my bed, asked forgiveness for my sins and Jesus saved me.
  5. The pure love I felt the day God blessed my union to my husband and best friend Steve.
  6. The sweet relief I felt when Sydnee had all her toes. The worry-free feeling I had about Sloane's toes!
  7. My desire for everyone to have a personal relationship with Jesus.
  8. My longing to show Lisette who Jesus is.
  9. The thankfulness that explodes in my heart to have celebrated my parents 50th wedding anniversary six years ago!
  10. Being one of the lame he made walk.
What's your reason? Leave me a comment. 

Singing a new song,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
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Monday, September 15, 2014

Mom-ism Monday #16

Do you believe everything you hear or read? If it's on that internet, it's gotta be true, right? That internet being a trusted source is a running joke at our house! My Mom and husband are somewhat skeptical. They take most things with a grain of salt with one eyebrow cocked as if it were some kind of truth-seeking device. Instead of innocent until proven guilty, it's false until proven true!

Neither my mom nor my husband would ever want to say or admit aloud that someone was purposely telling an untruth. That's not nice! So my mom, in her best lady-like southern style would say instead, "Now, that's just.....

too thick
photo credit: dirtylaundrykitchen.com
In other words, what you're saying is just too unbelievable for her to believe! If you've ever made icing too thick, you understand. Thick icing keeps rolling up and won't cover well. It may even tear your cake or pastry enough to need repair. Thick icing can be watered down to make it easy to spread. I suppose stories could be watered down to be more believable too? But, too thick icing is like a too tall story. Hard to swallow!

Have you ever heard Mom-ism #15? Mom has said it all my born days! Leave me a comment about it. It's akin to another mom-ism she uses. That's just too fishy to smell good!

Someone yell for the water girl?
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
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Thursday, September 11, 2014

Does your Internet Provider give you Rewards?


It's Thursday and that means time to save some dough! My local telephone and internet provider Windstream just came out with a nifty new program. Designed to "Thank You" for your business by giving you a "gift" for accumulated points. If Windstream is your carrier, you can sign up for the program here. Here's how it works:

It's Easy. Get Points for: Account Services, Loyal Customer, Interact with Windstream Online
Use points for rewards: Account Credits, Gift Cards, Gear & Equipment, Plus More
My favorite reward is ACCOUNT CREDITS! I might also save up for a gift card or two. Windstream can't thank you unless you join. If your carrier isn't Windstream, call and ask if they have a rewards program. If they don't, you should surely suggest it! Mention what Windstream is doing to make their customers happy! Saving money and great communication services are a win/win! BA, BA, BA, BA, BA I'm loving it!

Get money, Be happy,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap 


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Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Weirdly Weary

photo credit: learntocookbadgergirl.com
I am weirdly weary this week, are you? So much going on in the world. My community suffered 5 tragic deaths from auto accidents in the last two weeks, one of the victims was my cousin. I had another cousin to pass away yesterday, in his early 30's. Sickness all around. Court battles. Divorce. Terrorists. Pandemic scares. Weak leadership. Paperwork confounding progress.  I'm sure I've left something out that may come to your mind.

Michele Obama mandated Chickfila sandwiches be taken out of school lunchrooms because they are 90 calories too much for a meal. Never mind the special needs and budgetary gaps the profits from the sandwiches filled. Have you seen the junk served in school cafeterias lately? Approved by The White House. I had an awful thought last week. What if the Obama's are trying to raise a weak, sickly generation who are too weary to fight a wicked administration.

Now, when I get to thinking these things, things must be pretty bad. Alas, weary travelers, there is Hope with a capital H! The Bible says in the famously quoted scripture of Isaiah 40:31 "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."  Jeremiah 31:25-26 reminds us "For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul. Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep was sweet unto me."

The battle marches on. Good soldiers never quit. Fuel and refuel that weary body, mind and soul with words of victory from scripture. As Winston Churchill said "Never, never, never give up!" And as June from last week's newsletter said "I've read the book. The good guys win!"  Please, please, please make sure you're on the winning side.

Be sure to read the miracle below that was shared by Denise Griffin. Thanks so much for sharing Denise! If you'd like to share your very own miracle and have it published here next week, please email me at tammy.stafford@hotmail.com.

As told to me by Denise:

After a devastating time in my life when I lost my husband, I thought I was at my wit’s end.  After most of the emotions of the grieving process, I finally told God, if this is the way you want me to live my life – alone – then I will just trust you God.  It was all I had left.  I had cried and prayed and cried and prayed to the point of exhaustion.  And when I turned it over to God, he sent me Tony Lotspeich.  I didn't know how blessed my life was going to be – but God knew better.

In my heart, I know without a shadow of a doubt, that this was my miracle, and it makes me cry to just think about it.  Only God could have orchestrated our meeting – we didn't even know each other.  Tony followed only what he knew to be God’s direction in contacting me for no other reason than to watch his house while he was out of the country and he knew I walked by every day.  He didn't know me – just knew that I was an honest person and that I came from a good family.  But God knew that we needed each other.  After talking through messages for about 5 weeks, we finally met when he came home from Nova Scotia.  All it took was one touch of a hand to know that this was meant to be.  God is so good!!!!!!!!!!!!

Renewed,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
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Saturday, September 6, 2014

"Extra" Words in Our Crazy Made-up Family Language Epparksford


The word of the day = "x-tree"

Before you get all concerned, no, we are not against trees or trying to eradicate trees. Our family loves trees! We live in the middle of several 100+ year old hardwoods. We should probably cut them down so they don't fall on our house but we just can't part with them. We are definitely "for" trees.

But, we do take a little xtree cream in our coffee and wish we had a little xtree spring in our steps! Xtree is our slang for extra. I'm not sure how this happened in our family. Every time someone says a word incorrectly, backward or just plain southern, the new word form becomes the norm around our gang. So.much.fun. Like my Dad calling my mom One-nater instead of her proper name Juanita.

My favorite "xtree" phrase is "Do you have any xtree change?" Talking about money of course. Who carries a specific amount of money with them so they might have extra to change larger bills or even coins (if the need arises)? Not me, for sure. I never have any xtree money, do you? I wish money did grow on trees then we would have xtree for sure!

Does your family use this word? Leave me comment and tell me your family slang for a common word.

Xtree crazy,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
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