“Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

These words, spoken by Martin Luther King, have been familiar throughout America for over 40 years.  They are some of the most powerful words portraying the stand and the emotions of a human being. Webster defines freedom as the condition of being free of restraints…liberation from slavery or from the power of another.

So often we find that we are held in bondage.  For some it is an attitude of the heart; for some, an old habit that will not die; for others it is that they have yet to find the Truth of Jesus Christ.  “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”  Freedom from the power of sin; freedom from the influences that surround us, freedom from the evil one who wants nothing better than to silence us.  Scripture tells us that we are free in Christ (John 8:31-32). 

And if Christ has set us free, are our words and actions ringing loudly?  Are we boasting in the One who empowers us through the Holy Spirit? (Acts 1:8)  Are we portraying our freedom through righteousness (Romans 6:18)?

Freedom to live in the Spirit; Freedom to speak boldly of your faith; Freedom to tell others about the saving grace of Jesus; Freedom to overcome evil; Freedom to resist the world; Freedom to proclaim the promises of God; Freedom to stand firm under the pressures of the world; Freedom to shout from the rooftops “Jesus Is Lord”.  Freedom that comes only when you relinquish your desires to God; when you fall to your knees at the cross; when you say “not my will but Yours.”  This is a freedom that can only be found in Christ (John 8:36). 

Oh, what freedom!  What a glorious day it will be when all those in Christ will  Let Freedom Ring!

I am thankful for the ability to breathe in the freshness of each day.
I am thankful for the yellow finches that eat at the feeder outside my window along with the sparrows, the cardinals, and even the wee little mouse that feeds on the seeds that fall to the ground.

I am thankful for a loving and kind family, who walk with the Lord.
I am thankful for children who ask me to pray for situations in their lives.
I am thankful for a husband who holds me in prayer and supports my dreams and calling.

I am thankful for friends that encourage, guide, and bringing light to what seem to be bleak moments.
I am thankful for the opportunity to connect through Facebook and Twitter, making new friends and reaching lifelong friends.

Most of all, I am thankful that God has granted me forgiveness and washed me clean from who I used to be. Without His touch none of this would have meaning. God has given me an abundance of mercy and grace. He has opened doors I never knew existed. He has blessed me in ways I never thought possible. He has called me His own. Life could not be better than this.

Is there something you’re thankful for?  How has God blessed you? Won’t you leave a comment and share?

 So what did I do that was so freeing you ask?  As insignificant as it may seem to some,  I emptied all of my email boxes…without pouring over  601 unread email that have been accumulating during this past semester, while I concentrated on studies, papers and tests.  Yup, I hit that delete key without even reading what was there. 

Now many wouldn’t think that such a great accomplishment.  That’s okay.  But my email is my social network of authors, publishers and leads for my writing submissions and it is my heart’s desire to become successful in that.  However, when I began to think of the heavy load I carried just thinking of the unanswered, unopened, ignored email that sat in my inboxes (yes, plural), and the time it would take me to sort through it all, it hindered my advancement.  I finally knew it was time to start fresh.  It is exhilarating to say the least!

Each day is new with the Lord too.  I rejoice in that.  He brings us new life, new vision, and renews us, if we will only push the delete button and release the burdens we carry.  God is amazing and I reflect today on the love, mercy and grace He has extended to me.  May I never forget the price He paid and may I always be ready to share that with others. 

Blessings,  Tammie

Life seems to be zooming by like my sewing machine on the high-speed setting (which, I might say has not been used recently either).  Spring has sprung and the flowers are so beautiful.  Everything is green outside my new bay window, and of course the dandelions are in full bloom too.  Enough to make dandelion soup (I keep threatening my youngest).  Who, by the way turned 17 years old in April.  My Nicholas is 17, the baby…my “Forever Five” child.  It amazes me.

God has been working in my life too and I hope in yours.  Strength is rising as I seek new directions in ministry, listen longer and harder for His direction and put into action those things that He has been telling me.  His strength is perfect every time.  God continues to etch new directions onto my heart, a phrase, a scripture verse, a thought.  He tells me that someone needs an extra prayer today, someone I haven’t thought of in years.  He reminds me that He’s in control…thank goodness, because I would just mess it up.  I’ve taken my hands off the steering wheel and pray daily that I don’t take it back.

I have only three more weeks in this semester at school.  Looking forward to a break and some summer fun and relaxation.  I hope I find time to be creative in my writing and quilting because in that I usually have the quiet to hear Him speak, and that never fails.

For now, dear friends, enjoy the sights and sounds of spring.  Enjoy the beauty of nature and the wonder it brings.  Enjoy the grace of God and may He bring peace to your heart overflowing.♥

It’s a joy to have them home really.  I love it when Josh plops down in the chair near my desk just to talk for a bit.  All the while I’m saying to myself, “make time, Tammie, he’ll be gone before you know it.”  Josh bought his first car this week and he is so excited.  I still remember my first car…paid $500 for an AMC Hornet…YIKES!  It was brown and a long time ago. 

But really, I wanted to share with you that even in your chaotic moments, God is there listening to your heart and answering your prayers.  That is what I found this week in our craziness.  He is faithful even when we are neglectful. 

Maybe it’s because I’m looking at “love” in a different way.  Since Sunday’s church service, I’ve been thinking deeply about the meaning of love as described in the sermon…a consuming passion.  Looking at it from that perspective, my heart does a flip-flop when I think of those who don’t know the Lord or someone who is just plain having a bad day.  I have an urge to share the love of Christ and give someone the hope that Christ has given me.  The Apostle Paul prayed for the church at Ephesus, “… that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you…” (Ephesians 1:18). That glorious hope, consuming passion and the power of the resurrection has filled my life.  Oh, how I need to share it with the people He places in my path.

My prayers have been a question on how much I need to open up on my blog; how much of my life do I share with anyone who happens to drop by.  Within the next few weeks, I hope to share on a deeper level, a more personal aspect, and begin to share the way God has touched my life through my son, Nick.  My “forever five” child…

Until next time, keep praying, keep listening, and don’t worry about the chaos, God will speak above it.

Blessings,  Tammie

What a wonderful day in the Lord!  I am so excited to be learning so many new things and actually putting them into action.  It helps to know that there are Christians out there in cyberspace that are willing to help, give advice, pray for you and just cheer you on.  I’ve never had my own cheerleading section before and I am in awe of how wonderful it is.  I pray the Lord’s blessing upon the women of God who are out there ministering to all of us.

“The LORD bless you
and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace.” Number 6:24-26

Unfortunately, as I sat at my desk there was an ugly reminder of how disorganized I have become. Where did all this STUFF come from? It’s good stuff (I think). Buried among the ruins I see the sample tube of hand lotion I was looking for the other day. There’s my assignment book…let’s see last entry was on January 3rd. Okay, so I’m behind in writing everything down. What else can I find? There’s the pen that my son, Nicholas (son #2) gave to me. A GIANT sunflower attached to a pen with florist’s tape; a memory of Mother’s Day and a cheery reminder that brightens my day. Somehow, I can’t part with it.

My cell phone is under my last edition of America Family Association’s Journal. I haven’t had time to read that yet. I’m sure there will be a great article…seems like global warming is on the cover. Multiple Post-it notes with Joshua’s (son #1) work schedule. Rebate to mail in for my dear husband, Tim. Oh, there’s something I can throw out, a reminder to take the quiz for my online course…DONE!

Yes, that is really my mess! Sad, isn’t it?

But, I have been reading and learning. I’ve been listening and observing. I know all about organizing and keeping things tidy. I know all about…

The truth of the matter is no amount of learning or education will prepare me to clean up my act. I just have to do it. I have to stop relying on myself and look to God who is the ruler of my life!

Have you ever found yourself in my predicament? Oh, I hope I’m not alone. Struggling to “learn” yet never having time, energy, or organization to put it into action? I’m just an ordinary woman, with an ordinary life, that has been called by God to do extraordinary things for Him. I have yet to reach the status of the Proverbs 31 woman, but more important is that I keep trying, striving, seeking, and acknowledging that I am nothing on my own and that God is the leader of my life. His Spirit will be my guide.

Well, it’s about 1-1/2 hours later, as I finish up this post. I got up, got moving, and got my desk organized. I threw out all the junk, filed all my important papers, put Joshua’s schedule on a central calendar, organized my writing notebook, work notebook, and even have the rebate envelope stamped, ready for tomorrow’s mail. See, I can get it done when I set my mind and my heart to it. Tomorrow I will be much more productive as I start my day with this load lifted.

Sometimes we just need to take little steps to get ourselves going again, remembering that along our jumbled lives, there is a God looking after us and loving us through it all….

I’m just an ordinary woman, with an ordinary life, that has been called by a magnificent God, to do extraordinary things for Him. To God be the glory.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

©Tammie Swaney 2010

She toddled around the Sunday school room.  Gracie’s dad was teaching the class, slightly distracted by her actions.  Gracie had been passed to several members of the class, as entertainment or a pacifier we didn’t know which.  We all smiled at her curiosity, wondering which pen or gadget would be her next prized possession.  Unseen to Gracie, her mother had walked into the room.  Coming up behind Gracie, mom lowered her hand.  Instinctively, little Gracie’s hand reached up to meet that loving hand, to be led to the nursery and onto her next adventure.

That picture reminded me that every day of our life, the Father meets us.  In good times and in bad, He meets us right where we are.  He reaches out his hand and holds on.  He picks us up when we fall.  He answers us when we call.  Do you hear him?  Can you feel His hand in yours? 

When we are hit with life’s tests, trials and troubles what is our instinct?  Do we cry within or do we cry out to our heavenly Father?  Do we reach for a pacifier or do we reach up and take the hand of our Savior.

 Sometime mid scenes of deepest gloom, Sometime where Eden’s bowers bloom,
By waters still o’er troubled sea, still ‘tis His hand that leadeth me! 
He leadeth me, He leadeth me, by His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful foll’wer I would be for by His hand He leadeth me.
 He Leadeth me – J. H. Gilmore, 1862

Today, reach out and grasp hold of the hand of the One who loves you.

©Tammie Swaney 2010

Photo by Tammie Mitchell

Imagine driving down the road of life when you see a sign “Highway Home.” You pause for a moment, consider your options, and head in the other direction. How sad the day when you find you’ve gone the wrong way.

Too often we look for an alternative route, we venture off the highway looking for something new, different, maybe more adventurous. Isaiah prophesied that this highway home will be called “the Way of Holiness; the unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way…” (Isaiah 35:8) – that way is Jesus. He is our Highway home.

As Christians we are called to holiness (Leviticus 11:45) and reminded often that we are to conduct ourselves in a way that is Godly. Are you on the right path or are you veering off in another direction? Jesus is calling. He is the way the truth and the life (John 14:6) and has given us the road map to the Highway home.

Another highlight of my day is the arrival of my mail.  For some this is a dreaded moment, but I do most of my banking online so I receive very few bills via traditional methods.  Most of my mail is ads, newsletters, credit card invitations (which I quickly destroy), a new quilting catalog or better yet…the newest issue of Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting magazine, now that’s the JACKPOT.  But there are some disappointing deliveries also.

Today was one such day.  You see, I had a Kindle on my Christmas list.  An expensive gift, but one of those gadgets I just HAD to have.  I held one in my hand and from that moment on, I fell in love with it.  I would be able to download e-books and enjoy them at my leisure.  I had been debating for some time before I wrote my letter to Santa.  Is this really what I want for Christmas?  Yes!  That was my final decision. 

Alas, no Kindle was found under the Christmas tree and now I know why.  The envelope was stamped “Return to Sender”.  Santa never received my request. Sad as that may seem, it really was a blessing in disguise.  Instead I got an IPod Touch for Christmas. 

What a powerful little device.  I wondered if I would use it often, but I am finding myself downloading podcasts, music and keeping up to date with my Facebook friends.  It’s very cool to be able to get up-to-the-minute news. I also downloaded the Kindle app so it works as a reader (just a bit small).  So far, I love my new IPod Touch.  I even was able to plug it into my car AUX and away I went with my favorite tunes today. 

Only two negatives to date…you need to have access to Wi-Fi.  Not too bad, but the other day when I was on campus, I tried logging in but had forgotten my password to enter their system.  That’s a memory problem on my part, ya think? 

The other is a woman thing…I have acrylic nails (okay, so I like my nails and as much as I’m beating on my keyboard, they’re a lifesaver).  Touch doesn’t work with your nails, just the little pads of your fingers so sometimes my mobile tweets and FB posts have a few misspelled words, for which I’ll ask forgiveness for right now.  Oh, but I found a solution, they have a stylus that I can get to type in my messages.

I haven’t ruled out getting a Kindle eventually, but for now, my IPod Touch is my newest toy and I’ll stick with that for a while.  Any thoughts on either?  Good, bad or ugly, I’d like to hear from you.