Saturday, July 13, 2013
The Duty of Church
Why do you attend church? Because your parents taught you to go? Because it makes you an upstanding citizen? Because it's the "right" thing to do? Do we truly understand church or just go out of duty? I was blessed to spend the last seven days in London and Paris. I visited some of the most renown churches in the world; Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral and Notre Dame. The reverence of the people in these churches were moving. My group enjoyed communion at Westminster. It WAS the highlight of the entire trip for me!
I think we too often forget God desires our selfless sacrifice to him. Redemption is not a boastful state. It is a humble, giving, sacrificial way to the heart of God. It is being the heart of God in human form. How many times have you attended church in the last month or year out of duty? How many times have you bowed on your knees before God (maybe not even in a church building) and soaked in his glory with selfless surrender? I believe lighting a candle in the presence of our fellow man shows our commitment to Christ and belief in his absolute power. The lighting of candles is an offering to God. What are your thoughts? and more importantly, what have you offered God lately?
Loving "The Light",
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Leave me a comment with your thoughts about going to church out of duty.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
The Top 10 Things I Learned in London
First of all, I don't purpose vacations to learn. But, if you travel to a foreign country and don't bloody learn something, you're pretty sad! Here's my top 10 list from London:
1. I've been on many riverfront tours and stood on many wharfs; Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, New York etc. and maybe this just got by me or maybe Americans just don't know it. WHARF is an acronym for WareHouse At RiverFront! Who knew? Did you?
2. I've navigated a lot of subway systems in the U.S. but I have never stood beside so many tall men as in the tubes of London. I mean my breast to his butt cheek! One time it was almost cheek to cheek! I learned quickly how to stand to the outside of the train facing the window or grab the first seat available.
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4. God's Presence is real in Westminster Abbey! Approaching the High Altar in the nave (a new word for your vocabulary), I got cold chills up and down my entire body! No, the priest wasn't hot or I didn't have a random cold shiver. God was there! I felt his presence. We were blessed to be in the church at noon to take communion. The priest placed Christ's body as a small piece of bread in our outstretched hands as we bowed at the altar. Then we received his blood from another priest. The priest served everyone a small amount of REAL WINE from the same cup. My best experience of the entire trip!
5. I cannot afford to buy anything in Harrod's Department Store!
6. Covent Garden is not a garden at all. It's an English cultural experience. You will find markets, restaurants, live entertainment and more at the Garden. We saw a man performing a comedy act in a tutu. I knew my unmarried aunt was either desperate or delirious when she said "He's got pretty legs!" My camera battery was dead or you could judge for yourself!
7. English toilet paper is thick. I didn't separate a sheet and count but I'd venture to say it's at least 6 to 8 ply. I wasn't inclined to ask why it's so thick so I'll never know. You would think thick toilet paper would be a pleasing experience but it was like trying to cram a paper towel up your nose. Ever done that?
8. The London Eye isn't scary even if you are afraid of heights. You can stand up or sit down on your ride moving at a snail's pace while experiencing breathtaking views. Well worth the 19.20 pounds it cost to enjoy one trip around.
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9. The Brits fish 'n chips ain't cool! They're cooked with the skin on the fish, quite tasty, but my defunct American taste likes Long John Silvers better. However, the pubs you eat the fish in are super cool! They have "coves", basement-like structures with low ceilings and cozy rooms. The one below is where we ate our fish 'n chips.
10. Did you know the bridge that everyone thinks is the London Bridge is not? It's Tower Bridge. I learned the original London Bridge resides in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Below is a pic of Tower Bridge.
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London is a welcoming eclectic city with varying architecture and thousands of years of history. People are friendly, it's easy to communicate and the weather is nice in summer.
Schooled London style,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Leave me some comment love. You probably know some things about London you can share with me!
Monday, July 8, 2013
We Came, We Saw! Day 1 & 2 of London & Paris...
Here we go...London skyline at sunset
Chicken & Potatoes for dinner with the rest of our group of 44.
After dinner, we ventured out to the London Eye
High atop the eye, the view of Big Ben was awesome!
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Leave me a comment and tell me what you like most about London? Come back tomorrow for Day 3 of our adventure - Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London.
Still feeling all British,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Kids speak Wisdom!
Sunday School Photo Day at FBCC 2013 (that's me back there in the purple and my daughter beside me)! We love these chitlins! This past Sunday Sydnee and I supervised "Little K" after Sunday School. If you've never gotten involved with children's programs, you should, if for no other reason than to meet some wonderful young personalities! I guarantee you'll leave with a smile on your face and a higher spring in your step. We had two such personalities in class this week, two of the cutest, sweetest, sharpest, well-behaved boys ever!
I always like to ask kids the same question, "Do you know who Jesus is?" The five-year-old said
Monday, June 24, 2013
Why I want to be called "Grandmom"!
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