Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Five Things Christians Should Learn From Veterans
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| photo credit: rodlamkeyphotography.com |
Thank you to each and every man or woman, past and present, who has served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces. I personally can never repay you or thank you enough for your sacrifice.
As I reflect on Veteran's Day this November 11th, 2015, I quickly recognize so many things Christians should learn from veterans. Please allow me to share five:
- Train for your service. Soldiers have to make it through Basic Training before they enter the battle. 2 Timothy 2:15 says "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." You cannot battle the enemy without adequate training.
- Willing and ready to fight. A true soldier stands armed and ready to do their job. Philemon 1:14...., that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
- Unashamed. Soldiers don't challenge orders and act responsibly. Psalm 119:6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
- Stick together. Once a soldier always a soldier. There's a special bond between the band of brothers. Psalm 34:3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
- Love their fellow man. Soldiers love people above themselves even unto death. I John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
Happy Veteran's Day!
So thankful for freedom,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Friday, November 6, 2015
Nobody Comes
Rana Elyse Mashburn (12/03/1997 - 10/22/2015) continues to impact my life daily. I followed her recent journey with HLH from Day 1 - July 13, 2015. The calendar makes her journey seem short. Rana's courage and words make her journey everlasting.
I read this note written by Rana shared by her mom on September 24th. (Please take a moment to read the entire passage if you did not already.) I felt the anguish Rana was experiencing trying to understand and cope with the situation, her circumstances. Hundreds of miles from home in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people, except her Mom. Her words won't leave me. "Nobody comes."
You and I know what Rana meant. People were coming. I saw visits posted on facebook. She knew people were coming also. Those closest to her were there every possible time they could be. Her mother never left her. I believe Rana was sad because her extended family and friends didn't visit her for whatever reason. It was a critical time in her life. She knew more than us. She couldn't wait.
God used Rana's words to show me his heart. He said, "She's right. Nobody comes." As I began to ponder the phrase, the magnitude of "Nobody comes" enveloped my mind and sank into the depths of my heart. Jesus shares...
Every time people worship me in public places, those closest to me are there every possible time they can be. I am sad because those who need me as Savior, those who have accepted me but not totally dedicated their lives, those who have turned their back on me, those who say they know me but don't, those I died for never comes. Nobody comes. My Father has never left me.
It is a critical time in all our lives. Praise God. Jesus waits...
Lovingly,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Trunk or Treat Idea: Alice in Wonderland
We're All MAD Here!
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| Alice, The Queen of Hearts and The Mad Hatter |
What you'll need for The Trunk:
- a psychedelic brightly colored fleece blanket or towel
- stuffed white rabbit
- teapot, sugar/creamer and a couple of tea cups with saucers
- printed directional signs taped to a cardboard post (see pic below)
- bucket with rocks to stationary cardboard post
- cardboard and white paper for clock
- string of 50 Christmas lights (optional)
- large butterflies or flowers (My butterflies are about 10 years old. They were so pretty I hated to throw them away so I stapled them to our garage wall. I KNEW they'd come in handy one day!)
- printed cheshire cat taped to cardboard for stability
Here are some examples of our trunk:
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| Before adding the sheet that doubled as a tablecloth, the tea pot and lights. |
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| The trunk lighted after dark with my precious granddaughter enjoying the ambiance! |
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| The homemade costumes added extreme excitement and some fright to our trunk. |
So MUCH Fun!
A brief summary on making the Queen of Hearts costume. I took an old long skirt slit the front and sewed in 2/3 yards of the silk "royal" looking fabric I found at Walmart for $3. I took an old black t-shirt and sewed in the pouf sleeves using a rubber band to keep them in place. You can sew or glue the felt heart on the front. The red gloves are from Walmart Halloween section. Added some costume jewelry, a crown, makeup and red paint on my hair. I got the skirt to look full by wearing my daughters' stand out slip (kids size 10-12). I didn't think I was a hoarder until I pulled that slip out of the cedar chest!
I hope this gives you an idea of how to create your own Alice in Wonderland Trunk or Treat. If you have questions on any of this, please feel free to email me at tammy.stafford@hotmail.com or comment below. I'll be happy to help you create your own fairy tale any way I can!
Not coming out of the Rabbit Hole,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
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
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