Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Exemplifying Christ
Rana Elyse
Mashburn, 17, received her wings Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015, at the Cincinnati Children’s
Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, from Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), an
auto immune disease in which a person’s immune system will attack its own
tissues and organs.
Her mother Kathy writes in her obituary, Rana was a brave and faithful warrior for Jesus Christ, and I'm honored He found favor in healing her of this awful disease. She fought a courageous fight from day one and she never once stopped thinking of everyone else. She participated in several research studies and procedures in hopes others would be successful in like battles. Rana witnessed many times about her love of God and her salvation. She spoke and wrote more than once of talking to God and Randy, and I know she did. I believe she flew swiftly with wings to be with them in God's paradise. I am thankful she is in Heaven, and I praise God for calling her to an eternal life without sickness or sorrow. If anyone should not believe in God, remember Rana's battle, because she lived victoriously and loved unconditionally. She lived #RanaStrong! Celebrate her with love and happiness because that's what she would want. My heart breaks, but my soul sings, "How Great Thou Art!" God is faithful and He has blessed me beyond what I deserve. Rana was a gift I treasured, and I will love her forever!
The picture above shows a couple of things Rana said and asked while she was intubated for several months. "I actually have been praying for a testimony that God would use me." This gives me chills that a 17-year-old would be this wise and forthright about her living (and dying) sacrifice for Jesus. I can only hope to be so selfless.
Matthew 10:37-39
Her mother Kathy writes in her obituary, Rana was a brave and faithful warrior for Jesus Christ, and I'm honored He found favor in healing her of this awful disease. She fought a courageous fight from day one and she never once stopped thinking of everyone else. She participated in several research studies and procedures in hopes others would be successful in like battles. Rana witnessed many times about her love of God and her salvation. She spoke and wrote more than once of talking to God and Randy, and I know she did. I believe she flew swiftly with wings to be with them in God's paradise. I am thankful she is in Heaven, and I praise God for calling her to an eternal life without sickness or sorrow. If anyone should not believe in God, remember Rana's battle, because she lived victoriously and loved unconditionally. She lived #RanaStrong! Celebrate her with love and happiness because that's what she would want. My heart breaks, but my soul sings, "How Great Thou Art!" God is faithful and He has blessed me beyond what I deserve. Rana was a gift I treasured, and I will love her forever!
The picture above shows a couple of things Rana said and asked while she was intubated for several months. "I actually have been praying for a testimony that God would use me." This gives me chills that a 17-year-old would be this wise and forthright about her living (and dying) sacrifice for Jesus. I can only hope to be so selfless.
Matthew 10:37-39
He that loveth father or
mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter
more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his
cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his
life for my sake shall find it.
Rana was a good disciple worthy of Him. She is #JesusStrong. I dedicate this blog to her. May her memory and testimony speak forever. #ranastrong
Rana was a good disciple worthy of Him. She is #JesusStrong. I dedicate this blog to her. May her memory and testimony speak forever. #ranastrong
In loving tribute,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Five ways Jesus "remodels" us
I enjoy remodeling houses. Some people reading this are chuckling under their breaths because that may be an understatement. Our house is 30 years old and I admit to remodeling several times since building in 1985. My problem is I see potential EVERYWHERE and in EVERYTHING! My question to skeptical people who want to leave well enough alone, "Is maximizing potential wrong? Where some see old and used up, I see new life.
Jesus was a carpenter by trade. A carpenter who physically built houses. Jesus works in our lives spiritually and sometimes physically still using his God-given building skills. He...
1. Tears down walls. Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2. Builds up. Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
3. Lays a firm foundation. Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
4. Has building codes. Matthew 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
5. Satisfies the inspector. I John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Jesus uses his master carpenter tools to maximize our potential. You may be or feel old and used up but Jesus can give you new life. Aren't you glad he sees potential in you?
Under construction,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Sunday, October 18, 2015
WARNING: Revelations are addictive!
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reported in 2013, 86.8 percent of people ages 18 and older reported that they drank alcohol at some point in their lifetime. Substance abuse is prevalent but not the only addiction people struggle with. There are also behavioral addictions like gambling, food, sex, video games and work. I'm surprised my picture wasn't beside the definition of food addiction. I see me there in my t-shirt with my bloomers shining digging in the pantry at midnight!
I love the powerful truth in Jeremiah 33:3. Many years ago I began seeking God's revelations. Do you? Read it again and soak it up.
CALL TO ME AND I WILL ANSWER YOU AND I WILL TELL YOU GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS WHICH YOU DO NOT KNOW.
Is that exciting or what? It is THE addiction I don't want to recover from! God's truth doesn't cause any adverse reactions; no hangovers, no fear of overdose, doesn't make me overweight or doesn't cost me money. I don't need a counselor to discuss it with me, God is my counselor!
If you've been looking for something to improve your quality of life, THIS IS IT! One of my favorite, all-time can't forget sermons by my favorite, all-time can't forget pastor is entitled "Are you addicted to Jesus?" YES, I AM! I crave his enlightenment. I live for his joy! I have withdrawals if he doesn't tell me great and mighty things! I have to have his fix! Try Him. Before you know it, you'll be calling on Jesus every day to guide you to make life-changing decisions or complete simple everyday tasks and then you'll be giving him praise every time YOU call and HE answers!
That same pastor used to say "I know a few things!" He'd go on to tell that Jesus had told him some things and you wouldn't change his mind about it unless Jesus told him different. I understand what he means. Jeremiah 33:3. I know many great and mighty things which I did not know until Jesus told me. Godly revelations are nothing short of amazing. I'm gonna call them a..... "Hi from the Most High!"
Jesus is THE BEST addiction ever. Are you addicted?
Not gonna recover,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Re-prioritizing Busy
We, the self-proclaimed God-followers, have gotten some things turned backward from the way the Bible instructs. We have been taught by our religious entities or church that serving God includes working our fingers to the bones on programs, dinners and such. In short, busywork! Is "busy" what God wants from us? Does he want us to feel guilty saying no to church work?
Luke 10:1-9 tells us Jesus sent 70 laborers into the field because the harvest is great. These appointed workers were instructed to go into a house, empty-handed and speak peace upon the house. Whether peace is there or not, remain in the chosen house eating what is offered. Go not from house to house. Heal the sick in the house and tell them "The Kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." Here's the things I notice about these paraphrased scriptures and maybe how we should apply them today:
- The workers went to the people. They weren't told to go to church and wait for folks to come to them. They didn't go to church and pray or hope that God would bring new people to them. God sent them to the people.
- They went empty-handed without purse, bag or shoes and were told to not speak to anyone on their way. I believe this allowed the workers to remain anonymous and humble so when the workers left, the people of the house wouldn't remember them but rather remember they had been visited by God. Sometimes we are so adorned with "stuff" that's all people see.
- Visit with the people of the house you're in, whether they are at peace or not. Stay awhile. You want Jesus to take time with you, right? I do! I want him by my side in the sunshine and the rain.
- The people of the house feed you. Hot dogs and hamburgers weren't advertised to get people to God. Rather, God went to the people and they were deservingly fed for their labor.
- Heal the sick. Can we heal? Absolutely. The power of God through his Word can heal. These laborers simply said nine words, "The Kingdom of God is come nigh unto you."
Still busy? Still struggling to put some of the church work aside? Still feel guilty saying no because Jesus would be disappointed? Ask yourself this question: Are you disappointing Jesus, yourself or someone else? Then, let's look at the end of Luke 10 where Jesus visits two sisters, Mary and Martha. MARTHA IS BUSY! She even tattles on Mary hoping Jesus would tell her sister to get up and help her. Instead, Jesus tries to show Martha that it is more important to seek his words and sit at his feet than all her busywork. Mary chose that good part which is needful and cannot be taken away from her. Can we effectively serve God by SITTING at his feet? Yes!
We need to re-prioritize and quit all the busywork. I used to run around like a crazy person trying to help keep everything going at church. Don't get me wrong. God's church needs workers. I'm just not sure we're going about it correctly. And, God can keep things going with or without us. It became a pride thing for me which is sinful. "I did this and I did that and I did that too!" Jesus does the work, not "I" or you. We can't work enough to please Jesus. He doesn't require it. Salvation is guilt-free.
If we don't remove our own guilt, sit at his feet enjoying his majesty and rest a bit, we may find ourselves like Peter and the other disciples. When Jesus needed them most, in a garden at the most critical point of his short life, we'll be exhausted and asleep! I would hate to disappoint Jesus when he is counting on me and hear him say "What, could ye not watch with me one hour?"
Re-prioritizing,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Never heard of it!
I shared a story recently about Rana Mashburn who was just diagnosed with HLH or Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis. I had never heard of this disease until she was diagnosed in July 2015. She continues to fight for her life at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Follow her journey on Facebook. #ranastrong
Not everyone enters this world healthy, safe or loved.
I had never heard of Patience Brewster and their cause. The backbone of this company lost a dear family member to Stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. At 26 years old, Holland, a beautiful son and brother lost his battle with this aggressive cancer.
I bet this family had never thought about blood cancer, researched them or knew how to spell lymphoma before the Stage 4 Hodgkin's invaded their world and changed their lives forever. September is Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month. In honor of Holland, I want to help raise awareness about this disease by introducing you to Patience Brewster and the special Christmas ornament Holland's mom makes every year to raise funding to find a cure for blood cancers.This years ornament is Huck Raccoon. It's so darling we all need one or 12 for our tree!
Please click over and take a moment to read their story and purchase an ornament. You never know when Leukemia or Lymphoma may become the center of your attention. You may have never heard of it, but trust me, when you do, it will become your all-consuming passion just like the passion Patience Brewster embraces for raising awareness and funding research in memory of Holland.
Supporting LLS Awareness,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
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