As I sit here thinking over the last week of pain, hurt, confusion, and exhaustion...one thought kept coming back to me ...my one word - Steadfast. I kept asking why and yet You met me with silence. Maybe You didn't think I was ready for your answers and You were right.
Over the last 6 months when I thought about participating in a One Word Challenge, my choices were almost always "kinder, softer, others driven" words. You however kept whispering steadfast and You never gave me peace about any other word until I embraced that. one. word.
I now know (in part) why You gave me steadfast. As an all-knowing, all-loving, all mercy giving God, You knew that I would need to become steadfast during this time. Not steadfast in things (Bible reading, prayer, service, organization, etc) - although those things aren't bad; You knew I needed to become steadfast in You!!
For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know, even also as I am known.
1Corinthians 13:12
Steadfast in communing with You; steadfast in knowing that You are a loving God, steadfast in knowing that Your ways are definitely not my ways and your thoughts are higher than mine and that EVERYTHING You do, has an eternal purpose.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
Isaiah 55:8
For I know that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18
Thank you Lord for your loving knudges, your loving kindnesses, your tender mercies, your steadfastness to me - even when I resist or doubt You.
Abiding in Him,
Tiff
Monday, January 28, 2013
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Absent from the body....
Jan 15, 2013 was horrible ...the second most horrible day of my 41 years. The day I found out my Dad died. He actually died the evening before around 1945 , but of course I didn't find out until I got a call at work the next day.
The day started out well; I had gotten an early morning love note (text ) from my good friend Trudi and from the time I stepped foot at work ...the day went downhill.
I spent the next 14 hours begging God for something ...anything ..to help me deal with the despair and disbelief I feel. God gave me many Scriptures and reminded me of His infinite wisdom...but I still feel LOST!! I Love my Daddy and am heartbroken.
I don't think I will be writing anymore about the passing of my Dad..I can not process it..but if God moves me to write about it...I will.
Abiding in Him,
Tiff
The day started out well; I had gotten an early morning love note (text ) from my good friend Trudi and from the time I stepped foot at work ...the day went downhill.
I spent the next 14 hours begging God for something ...anything ..to help me deal with the despair and disbelief I feel. God gave me many Scriptures and reminded me of His infinite wisdom...but I still feel LOST!! I Love my Daddy and am heartbroken.
I don't think I will be writing anymore about the passing of my Dad..I can not process it..but if God moves me to write about it...I will.
Abiding in Him,
Tiff
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
One Word Wednesdays
Here is the first post in a my year long series (GASP!!) about my one word. Now that I've written this I'm scared!! I'm also testing out the ability to schedule a post - I'm actually writing this the day before I want it to post...hhmmm guess I'll see how this tuns out.
So my word is Steadfast. I choose to use the 1828 Merriam Websters Bible Dictionary and the King James Bible as my tangible sources to study being steadfast.
Steadfast: 1.) fast fixed; firm; firmly fixed or established. 2.) Constant; firm; resolute; not fickle or wavering; steady. 3.) Firmness of standing; fixed in place; firmness of mind or purpose; fixed in principle.
The KJV spells steadfast as stedfast - so I will use these interchangeably.
Therefore, my my beloved brehren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:7
To be honest, I feel overwhelmed and unsure how I should go about my word... as I type this ..it's so like me to feel I have to be doing something in order to be succeeding. However, what I do want to do is to create maybe a canvas or a frame with my word and the above verse to keep it in sight and then find a way to visually work on it or study it... not quite sure how that's gonna work...but I'm willing.
I think I might go online to find a few interesting and creative ways to study and showcase the word the Lord gave me.
**Next post, I'll share some of the Biblical contrasts between being steadfast and what the Bible calls double minded.**
Thank you Lord for the ability to clearly discern what you have been trying to tell me for the last year, but I apparently was more like a 2yr old and stomped my feet and pouted. Today Lord, this minute Lord I am willing .. please help me to be steadfast in this journey.
Abiding in Him,
Tiff
So my word is Steadfast. I choose to use the 1828 Merriam Websters Bible Dictionary and the King James Bible as my tangible sources to study being steadfast.
Steadfast: 1.) fast fixed; firm; firmly fixed or established. 2.) Constant; firm; resolute; not fickle or wavering; steady. 3.) Firmness of standing; fixed in place; firmness of mind or purpose; fixed in principle.
The KJV spells steadfast as stedfast - so I will use these interchangeably.
Therefore, my my beloved brehren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:7
To be honest, I feel overwhelmed and unsure how I should go about my word... as I type this ..it's so like me to feel I have to be doing something in order to be succeeding. However, what I do want to do is to create maybe a canvas or a frame with my word and the above verse to keep it in sight and then find a way to visually work on it or study it... not quite sure how that's gonna work...but I'm willing.
I think I might go online to find a few interesting and creative ways to study and showcase the word the Lord gave me.
**Next post, I'll share some of the Biblical contrasts between being steadfast and what the Bible calls double minded.**
Thank you Lord for the ability to clearly discern what you have been trying to tell me for the last year, but I apparently was more like a 2yr old and stomped my feet and pouted. Today Lord, this minute Lord I am willing .. please help me to be steadfast in this journey.
Abiding in Him,
Tiff
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Tickled Pink...Orange...Yellow...
I'm soooo tickled pink...yellow...orange..red...and whatever else color that tickles my fancy!! I was able to add my One Word Button and its so pretty!!! Yaaay!! I've also been to remain steadfast with my documenting of 1000 Gifts.. God is so good!! He knows exactly what we need to encourage us!!
I also was able to open my new CTMH catalog and wowzers... all I can say is my wish list keeps growing. BUT the Lord has also reminded me that I need to be a good steward of what He has already given to me. During the last month of the quarter (Dec. 2012), I was able to spend a little bit of Christmas money that I got and get some goodies and I can't wait to actually start to create with all of it. I'm debating whether or not to rename my crafting blog to Red Letter Krafts... not sure, but anyway, I've also been thinking that I should at least attempt to post something if I plan on using it as a future marketing tool.
In the next few days I will try to post a few nuggets that God has given me as I study more about being Steadfast.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2Timothy 2:15
I'm excited for what the Lord has laid on my heart and that I'm attempting to stay focused on what He has guided me to... not the fact that I want to do a lot but get so easily frustrated and discouraged when I think I don't measure up and that I'm not as "spiritual" or "creative" or "godly" or as "reknown", or "have a huge following" .... it doesn't matter - God didn't place the desire in my heart to be seen of man.. but to express my love and gratitude to Him. I can not adequately express my overwhelming joy and peace knowing that the Lord has given me a desire to create for me, my family, and to bless others. I know I'm NOT Nearly there... but I Will remain STEADFAST in trying!! Thank you Lord for TODAY.
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ..
Philippians 1:6
Abiding in Him,
Tiff
I also was able to open my new CTMH catalog and wowzers... all I can say is my wish list keeps growing. BUT the Lord has also reminded me that I need to be a good steward of what He has already given to me. During the last month of the quarter (Dec. 2012), I was able to spend a little bit of Christmas money that I got and get some goodies and I can't wait to actually start to create with all of it. I'm debating whether or not to rename my crafting blog to Red Letter Krafts... not sure, but anyway, I've also been thinking that I should at least attempt to post something if I plan on using it as a future marketing tool.
In the next few days I will try to post a few nuggets that God has given me as I study more about being Steadfast.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2Timothy 2:15
I'm excited for what the Lord has laid on my heart and that I'm attempting to stay focused on what He has guided me to... not the fact that I want to do a lot but get so easily frustrated and discouraged when I think I don't measure up and that I'm not as "spiritual" or "creative" or "godly" or as "reknown", or "have a huge following" .... it doesn't matter - God didn't place the desire in my heart to be seen of man.. but to express my love and gratitude to Him. I can not adequately express my overwhelming joy and peace knowing that the Lord has given me a desire to create for me, my family, and to bless others. I know I'm NOT Nearly there... but I Will remain STEADFAST in trying!! Thank you Lord for TODAY.
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ..
Philippians 1:6
Abiding in Him,
Tiff
Thursday, January 3, 2013
My New Year
So my old year has ended and the new one begun.. and I'm determined to be better this year. As Christmas was drawing nearer and nearer, I was so confused and tired and felt overwhelmed by life. But then I went to a friend's house for a bit of fellowship and boy what a night we had!!! I felt rejuvenated! The time spent with other ladies in song praising the Lord and fellowshipping over food was just an incredible reminder that I am not alone and that He always makes provision for me. Thank you Lord.
I also decided that this year I will take more time for me - for who the Lord called me to be. I know where my spiritual gifts lie and I know how He has directed me to cultivate them to bless others for His glory. And in doing so, I've determined to focus on one attribute in my life that God has told me in no uncertain terms..."heya girlie... this is in desperate need of repair!!" The word is Steadfast!!! Ouch ..like I didn't know I needed help in that area (look at my blog..hehe). So I have joined a community called OneWord365 - not the Ali Edwards program (One Little Word) and a sweet lady named Melanie was giving away customized blog buttons with your personal one word!! That Melanie (www.OnlyABreath.com) is a GEM!!! Thank you Melanie and she will be hosting a link up every 15th of the month. I've also determined that I will participate in a psuedo - Ann VosKamp One Thousand Gifts type of dealie - o!! I realize that part of the reason I didn't continue last year was because the prompts (at times) seem contrived.. some were awesome and I could readily identify multiple blessings to fit within the prompts and other days I spent so much time hunting for blessings to fit into the prompts that I was left discouraged instead of thankful for what I did see as a blessing. So this time around, I will count 3-5 blessings that the Lord has impressed upon me and not to care how they seem to others. WHEW... what a relief!
Lastly, I just finished reading Unglued by Lysa TerKeurst; that was an awesome read; the poor book is dogeared as if I've owned it forever. Next I will be reading A Sudden Glory by Sharon Jaynes. I'm so excited for all that God is showing me ...I will be taking the time to bless my husband, my home, my family, myself, my friends, and my others (ya know... the others that rub you like concrete against your knuckles)!
I will not compare my beginnings (in anything) to another person's anything - whether it be their beginning, middle, or established years. I will not feed into my insecurities and allow that voice to convince me that I'm not enough. I will attempt to be thankful for the lessons God will provide for me as I embark on my journey to being STEADFAST!!
Thank you Lord.
Still Abiding in Him,
Tiff
I also decided that this year I will take more time for me - for who the Lord called me to be. I know where my spiritual gifts lie and I know how He has directed me to cultivate them to bless others for His glory. And in doing so, I've determined to focus on one attribute in my life that God has told me in no uncertain terms..."heya girlie... this is in desperate need of repair!!" The word is Steadfast!!! Ouch ..like I didn't know I needed help in that area (look at my blog..hehe). So I have joined a community called OneWord365 - not the Ali Edwards program (One Little Word) and a sweet lady named Melanie was giving away customized blog buttons with your personal one word!! That Melanie (www.OnlyABreath.com) is a GEM!!! Thank you Melanie and she will be hosting a link up every 15th of the month. I've also determined that I will participate in a psuedo - Ann VosKamp One Thousand Gifts type of dealie - o!! I realize that part of the reason I didn't continue last year was because the prompts (at times) seem contrived.. some were awesome and I could readily identify multiple blessings to fit within the prompts and other days I spent so much time hunting for blessings to fit into the prompts that I was left discouraged instead of thankful for what I did see as a blessing. So this time around, I will count 3-5 blessings that the Lord has impressed upon me and not to care how they seem to others. WHEW... what a relief!
Lastly, I just finished reading Unglued by Lysa TerKeurst; that was an awesome read; the poor book is dogeared as if I've owned it forever. Next I will be reading A Sudden Glory by Sharon Jaynes. I'm so excited for all that God is showing me ...I will be taking the time to bless my husband, my home, my family, myself, my friends, and my others (ya know... the others that rub you like concrete against your knuckles)!
I will not compare my beginnings (in anything) to another person's anything - whether it be their beginning, middle, or established years. I will not feed into my insecurities and allow that voice to convince me that I'm not enough. I will attempt to be thankful for the lessons God will provide for me as I embark on my journey to being STEADFAST!!
Thank you Lord.
Still Abiding in Him,
Tiff
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