a letter to learn from: impact

"I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers,

because I hear of your love and of the faith that 

you have toward the Lord Jesus and all the saints..."

~Apostle Paul to Philemon

Philemon 4,5

Recently I have done a Bible study about becoming a disciple of Christ and making disciples who make disciples who make disciples.... 

In some ways I think those around me wish I hadn't done that study because it has had such an impact on me that I just want to share it with others (or pretty much any living thing that will sit still long enough to listen......) 

One of the comments made that really challenged my heart and opened my eyes to see and understand an element of my relationship with Christ differently was this: 

"God has called us to a personal relationship

with Him,

not a private one."

While some may argue that we are not all created to be evangelists and preachers, we are all called to 

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you..."

~Jesus Christ

Matthew 28: 19, 20

In this letter to Philemon, Paul is encouraging his brother by letting him know that his faithfulness has had an impact as he has sought to live a life of love toward others. It is clear from this acknowledgement that the faith Philemon has is not something he has kept to himself. He lives life out loud so those that cross his path will hear the melody of his soul. 

We live in a culture that justifies mediocre Christianity with the noble excuse of 'not offending' or 'not being pushy'. We have believed the lie that we must be tolerant of all views at all times and at all cost. This mentality carries with it harsh and real consequences, the main one being a watered down relationship with the One that bled for the iniquity of the very people that are embarrassed to speak His name in case they 'offend'. 

Jesus Christ has called us to "Go and....." 

We have been called into a personal relationship with the God and Creator of all this has been, all that is and all that will be. 

The Bible tells us that 'while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us...' (Romans 5:8)

He did not die for you so that you could hoard this gift. Quite the contrary actually. 

He, in his mercy, has reached down to save you from the pit of darkness and sin and shame so that it would change you and free you from the fear that holds you back. 

When we begin this journey of faith as a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), we will see that God through us has the power to change lives, impact others and mend the broken souls that are all around us. It is not about the gifts you have or the good you are capable of....it is quite the contrary actually. 

It is the God of healing at work in you and through you. 

It is the God of boldness freeing you from the fear that keeps you quiet and speaking words through your human tongue. 

It is about God in us and through us. 

As I walk with God and understand the person of God in a more profound way, 

the desire I have to stand on the mountaintops and share with any breathing thing, is not something I can resist. 

After all, God has called me to a personal relationship...

not a private one. 

I am determined that Him through me will have an impact on thosr around me. 

I pray that it would be said of me, 

"I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers,

because I hear of your love and of the faith that 

you have toward the Lord Jesus and all the saints..."

To HIM be the glory and the power and the honor

forever and ever. 

impacted. 

tiffany 

a letter to learn from: gratitude

"I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 

because I hear of your love and of the faith

that you have towards the Lord Jesus and all the saints,

and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective

for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.

For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother,

because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you." 

~Apostle Paul to Philemon

Philemon 4-7

For the three and a half years before we were married my husband and I were long distance dating. One year we were TX to MN, the second year we were country to country--Honduras, C.A. to the US, the third year were TX to MN again. During this time, we spent a lot of time writing, both e-mail and hand written letters. I still have every one. 

I have printed the e-mails and put them in a three ring binder. About once a year, we derive much joy and laughter as we sit and flip through these love letters from these young kids who knew one thing and one thing only--they were crazy about each other. I smile as I look at this man and see the newest 'smile lines' and the few extra pounds and I realize that I love him more now than I did the day I used to spritz perfume on the letters and seal them with a kiss. 

Finding an old letter or note of encouragement is like finding $20 in your coat pocket from last winter. 

For me, the book of Philemon is that. 

I am excited to jump into Paul's head as the Spirit penned this letter through human fingers. I pray that as you join me, you will find the Spirit of encouragement and challenge and they will impact your heart. 

Paul is opening this letter with a deep expression of his gratitude. He is setting the stage for the main body and ultimate purpose for the letter, but it is critical that he start with gratitude. 

This is not to 'butter' Philemon up or to flatter him for the sake of manipulation, but rather for the purpose of recognizing the grace of God that is already actively at work through Philemon and to encourage his heart by acknowledging the fact that it is having an impact beyond what Philemon may even recognize. 

Too often we go through life admiring people for the example of faith or integrity they are, but rarely express that to them. While there is another purpose in Paul's letter, he is taking a moment to express his love, admiration and gratitude for this brother in Christ. 

As I look at my marriage, I remember the confrontations well. Those moments when my husband is more aware of where he falls short in my eyes than he is of the evidences of God's grace that I see at work in his life. What a tragedy! When this is what our relationship becomes, I am akin to a Pharisee--a self righteous ruler of the Law, one that is quick to condemn and slow to be gracious. 

Now hear me, this is not to say that we turn our eyes away from hurtful or abusive behavior and call it 'grace'. That is a whole other ball game. I am speaking to those of us who live day to day with a sinner we call our spouse as we forget that we too are a sinner in need of grace. 

As we take a look at our most intimate relationships--our spouses, our children, our families--are they aware of the evidences of God's grace we see in their lives? When was the last time we told them, "I give thanks every time I pray for you?" 

As I stated, Paul had another purpose in this letter and we will see that later, but first, he is expressing gratitude and love. 

Perhaps we need to do the same. 

Take a moment away from the agenda, the productive purpose of the conversation, the home work lesson or the phone call, and express the love and appreciation you have. Tell your children how well they did at cleaning their room, obeying promptly or how they blessed you by the way they treated their sister earlier that day. 

Wives, call your husbands at work and thank them for providing. 

Thank them for the way they love you. They way they kiss you. The way they please you between the sheets. 

Husbands, tell your wife she is pretty and you desire no one other than her. 

Thank her for doing the laundry, preparing the meals, caring for the children and loving you. 

Be specific in your gratitude. 

If your parents are still alive, call them and thank them for (insert a special memory here) or for those hard life lessons you learned through their examples. Perhaps you have a tumultuous relationship with your parents--there is still something to be thankful for even if it is only for carrying you and birthing you, knowing fully well that abortion is always an 'option'. 

The point is--we are taking our focus off of the agenda or the short comings and putting it on the blessing of gratitude. 

Gratitude and the expression of it, will not only change your life but could very well change the lives of those around you. 

And I am certain that you will find that when it comes time to make your request, your request will be heard through ears aware of your love rather than through ears of resentment in need of encouragement. 

thankful.

tiffany 

in a manner worthy

"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, 

urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling 

to which you have been called,

with all humility and gentleness,

with patience,

bearing with one another in love,

eager 

to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. "

~Apostle Paul

Ephesians 4:1-3

To be honest...

I know I am called. 

Without a doubt, I know that I have been called. 

I have been called to "Come, and follow Me...and I will make you a fisher of men." 

I have been called to leave all others and cling to my husband. 

I have been called to train up my children in the way they should go so that when they are old they will not depart from it. 

I have been called to teach my children the principles of God's Word so that they too will go into all the world making disciples and teaching in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. 

Truthfully, 

it is really hard. 

God has opened the door for me to work in youth ministry. 

It is a great love of mine. Young people in the throws of adolescence, hormones, dating drama and college choices...I love it. But it's hard. The pain is great. The family strife is heart breaking. The dress is immodest and the drama is real. 

But the joy is great. The blessing is tangible and God is doing great things. 

I love it. even though it's hard. 

I am blessed to stay home and educate my children. 

It is no one's blessing but my own to see their minds wrestle with a new concept. 

It is no one's reward but my own to hear the celebration in their voice when the wrestling match is over and they have begun to take hold of the concept. 

It is a great privilege to hear them play together, imagine together, learn together, read together...pray together. 

The sacrifice is high. 

My hours are not my own and I would be remiss to say that there is not a draw in the school bus some days. The days when the laundry is piled high, the paper work needs attention, my girlfriends are enjoying late morning coffee or my body is pleading for a nap. 

There is a diploma waiting for me....

But I have been called, and so I will walk worthy and trust that at the end of the day, 

He will call me faithful and my children will rise and call me Blessed. 

Mrs.....

I love this title. 

There are few joys in life that I savor more than burying my cold feet in the warmth of his body as I drift off to sleep. 

There are few sounds that I love more than the gravel beneath his tires as he pulls in the driveway after a long day at the office. 

With every new smile line, body ache or milestone reached, I rejoice in the days we have had together.

But I am sinner married to a sinner. 

Marriage is hard. 

Did I mention the piles of laundry? the paperwork pleading for attention? the diapers that need changing? the tired body in need of a nap...or a complete night's sleep without the heel of a child in your face? 

While marriage is blissful in part, it's true joy and true challenge comes in the day to day love in life. 

"Therefore....walk worthy of the calling to which you have been called....with humility, gentleness and patience....bearing with one another in love....eager to maintain unity...."

The calling of youth leader, mother, wife...and friend. 

As I abide in the beauty of His presence, 

and take shelter in the shadow of His wings, 

I will find the strength to walk in a manner worthy of this blessed calling. 

Won't you join me? 

blessings, 

tiffany 

a moment

Helloooo!

When I have been out of the saddle for so long it can be hard to know where to begin...
so I will just say that God has been doing some really incredible things in my heart and I am eager to share them with you in due time.

It is not acceptable to have stepped away for so long, especially when my church asked if they could 'advertise' my blog in their January newsletter.....oh dear.

I also sent out our family Christmas card with the blog address on the bottom of the page....

But, I will say that I have really been working on prioritizing my time and making each moment count (or should I say, God has been working on it). I do so many things through words and I am learning that God is slowly quieting my soul (laugh if you may) and I am thankful for that.

I used to feel this sense of panic almost about not blogging, but as God is answering my prayer to bring balance and perspective to my life, He is slowly removing this sense of panic and replacing it with a sense of peace.

With that said, I will begin blogging next week and I am eager to share with you what God has been sharing with me.

Until then, stay in the Word dear friends for that is the best advice or counsel I could ever impart to you. Ever.

blessed.
tiffany