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
Thursday, September 24, 2015
The Truth about Cauliflower
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| Cauliflower Fried Rice |
During dinner that night, God began to point out some things to me about this meal. I'd like to share them with you. As you read the bullet points below, consider Matthew 24:4-5 "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."
- The cauliflower looks impressively like rice but it is not rice.
- The cauliflower tastes deliciously like rice but it is not rice.
- The cauliflower has low calories and carbs and will not satisfy hunger like rice.
- Cauliflower and rice are deceptively the same color.
- Cauliflower costs more without the same benefits.
Matthew 24:24 says "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
After reading this, I hope you never look at cauliflower quite the same way. May the vegetable remind you that all things are not as they appear. Be careful with your choices. You can always spit out cauliflower and eat some rice. What you don't want is to get spit out by God. Ketchup looks impressively like blood but it is not!
Seeking truth,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Everyone wears Designer Labels
Have you ever considered you are a Designer Label? Jeremiah 1:5 says "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." How SPECIAL are you? I was born in 1963. Tammy Dennease Parker born October 2, 1963. I was more than one hundred and sixty-three years in the making. Today's top designers like Gucci, Chanel and Louis Vuitton don't even live that long. God prepared me and you especially for our specific days to be born.
Think about it. Before anything was, you were already known by God. You are more valuable than the most expensive name in the world for many reasons:
- You are priceless. No amount of money could have produced your label...only God.
- You are unique. There will never be another you, even twins are genetically different in some way.
- You are an original. You cannot be copied or reproduced, even in a test tube.
- You will never go "out-of-style". Your design is always valuable even when growing old and becoming dated.
- You are "out-of-this-world" perfect. Your design is eternal.
Supremely designed,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
It Could Happen to You
This morning as I lay with Rana, I find myself thinking about all we've been through together and all things that may come. Kissing her precious bald head and holding her weak hand, I soak in this moment as she nuzzles closer to me to find comfort and safety. Tears of gratitude stream down my face as I pray silently to God on her behalf as waves of nausea pass. I know God hears me because I feel his presence. Laying my hand on Rana, I claim victory in Jesus and I thank him for walking with us in this season. I rebuke Satan over and over again because I am faithfully believing God is able to heal her to his glory. I will not give up the fight and I will not stop praying because to do anything else is impossible for my heart to understand.
My dear friend Kathy Mashburn wrote this about her sweet daughter Rana just yesterday. As I'm writing this tonight, she is in the ER at T.C. Thompson's Children's Hospital in Chattanooga, TN waiting on fluids to replenish Rana's frail body. July 13, 2015 started out as a normal day but as Kathy watched her daughter grow sicker and sicker, she knew something was wrong. That's the day Rana was diagnosed with HLH, a life-threatening autoimmune disorder. This is Rana's senior year of high school. She is 17 years old.
She receives chemo to suppress her immune system which has caused her hair to come out. She is still glowingly beautiful! Kathy has been widowed about five years. Her husband passed from a long illness with a heart disease. Kathy is one of the strongest and most talented people I know. Two weeks before Rana's diagnosis, Kathy and I were scheduled to have lunch. We rescheduled due to conflicts. I just can't believe how drastically and quickly her life changed.. My heart weeps for this family. They are constantly in my thoughts and prayers.
I wish I could do something great for Kathy and Rana. All I can do is wait on God as they are faithfully doing. I have opened a Pampered Chef fundraiser for them at www.tinyurl.com/ranastrong, 15% of your purchase will go directly to Kathy for expenses. Rana has labwork several times a week and chemo 50 miles from her home. Kathy can't work, Rana requires too much daily care. Cash donations are also accepted via Paypal at tammy.stafford@hotmail.com. If you feel compelled to help this dear mother and daughter, please don't hesitate, do it now!
Our world changed quickly March 2012 when Steve was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease causing pulmonary fibrosis. The doctor flippantly said "You've got 3 to 5 years." The news is like being on the playground on the merry-go-round on an extremely hot day. One minute you're having so much fun and the next minute, you're nauseously ill, wondering when it will stop and praying it never does. So scary and unsure. God is our refuge and strength. He is the giver and taker of life, not a doctor. Please don't neglect to thank God every day for your health and well being. You just never know when something like this could happen to you or yours.
For more information on HLH and Kathy, please click the links in this article. Thanks in advance for your prayers, donations and kindness. Follow updates for Rana on Facebook at RanaStrong or on Twitter using #ranastrong.
Fighting for her life,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
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