The Uncharted Path

Exodus 13:17-18
“It so happened that after Pharaoh released the people, God didn't lead them by the road through the land of the Philistines, which was the shortest route, for God thought, "If the people encounter war, they'll change their minds and go back to Egypt. So God led the people on the wilderness road, looping around to the Red Sea. The Israelites left Egypt in military formation.”

With three beautiful and healthy children, it seemed confusing and even a bit scary when God called us to adopt a little girl from China. This was an uncharted and unfamiliar path for us. However, God quickly revealed to us that, just as the rest of the Christian life, it had nothing to do with "us" or the ideals that we had mapped out for our life, but rather it had everything to do with His perfect will and the plan He had for our lives.

In Exodus 13, God did not take the Israelites out of Egypt by way of the "road", but He led them instead through the wilderness. As I read this, I think how illogical this would have seemed. I imagine that this would have been dark and even fearful to enter the unknown and leave the charted path of the "main road". But, it was God’s route for His people.

Exodus goes on to give the accounts of all that He miraculously did for His people through the wilderness. He protected them on all sides as they supernaturally crossed the Red Sea. He provided for them by feeding them manna each morning, and even giving them fresh water from a bitter source. He guided them with the pillar of Fire by night and Cloud by day. He met their every need. It was on this journey through the unknown wilderness that He chose to reveal Himself to them.

It’s through the "unknowns" in our lives that God is going to provide, protect, and continually guide us as we obey Him. Whatever the unknown we must walk into right now, will be something altogether different in just a matter of time because the Christian life is one big journey that takes us from one unknown to another. This is God’s design because, as He tells us in His word, the "just shall live by faith". The blessed assurance we have to hold on to is found in Who we are following!

What unknown are you stepping into or walking through right now? Are you allowing it to prepare you for the destination He has mapped out for you? The ultimate destination for all of us is Heaven. The different journeys we all take in this life will each lead to the ultimate day when we stand before our Savior. Will you be welcomed into the Promise Land and into the joy of your reward? Will you have stories to share of His sufficiency and grace that you experienced along the way? Or will you be left wandering in the wilderness because of your unbelief. Or perhaps you will enter the Promise Land, but with a heart of regret because you lived faithless and fearful, unable to move into the realms of the unknown that He mapped out for you, therefore, missing out on the incredible things He wanted to show you?

Just as He said over and over in Exodus, every path we take with Him is "all so that His GLORY will be put on display and others will know that HE is God"! You see, the wilderness was definitely the longer and harder route, but it was God's route and His time table is much different than ours, and His plans and purposes far exceed anything we could ever imagine.

We had no idea in the beginning of the amazing joy we would experience on the other side of the wilderness journey of adoption or the incredible things He would show us along the way. There were many mountains in which God revealed Himself to us, and there were many Songs of Praise He wrote in our hearts.

Aren’t you ready to take that next step into the wilderness with Him, knowing that He is sufficient for your every need?

He strategically and intimately reveals Himself to you, and there is a Promise Land that awaits you at your journey’s end. Ask Him what road of comfort He wants you to step off of and what path into the wilderness that He wants you to begin following Him on. Listen closely because He is alwasy calling us to deeper fellowship with Him and that only comes through a journey marked by faith.

Lord, help me today to follow you into the areas that are unknown and unfamiliar and trust you to provide, protect, and guide me every step of the way. Thank you that you already have the path charted out for me and will not guide me on the paths that I cannot handle. Thank you that you will strategically give me stops at the mountaintops for encounters with you, where I can simply inhale your amazing goodness, and thank you that you will refresh me with your daily provisions. Enable me to follow you today with a heart filled with joyful anticipation and sincere gratitude for all you have already done in my life.



You can read more from Tammy at her blog Steps In Our Journey

Credit Where Credit is Due

“…you treat the potter as a lump of clay. Does a book say to its author,
‘He didn’t write a word of me?’ Does a meal say to the woman who cooked it,
‘She had nothing to do with this?’”
Isaiah 29:16

Wouldn’t it absurd for an art student to go into a Thomas Kinkaid gallery, buy a painting, and then display it in his home as his own masterpiece? What about a woman baking a Mrs. Smith’s frozen pie for her guests, and then claiming that she made it from scratch? We would think that both of these things are preposterous.


The Bible says that we are the clay and God is the Potter. He created us and is molding and shaping our lives to be the Masterpieces He has created us to be. Yet, how many times do we find ourselves gloating in the blessings that He has given? We may not say anything at all, but all too often, if we are honest, we get a little puffed up when it comes to our success, our finances, our home or cars, and even our social status. We get a little too comfortable, prideful, and independent, thinking we can make it all on our own.



For us to take credit for anything at all in our lives is as crazy as a book saying to its author, “he didn’t write a word of me”. When we do this, we are treating God, the Potter, as a lump of clay. We all know that we had absolutely nothing to do with our coming into existence. I would venture to say, that there isn’t anyone who would say that they created themselves.



So, why is it that we are sometimes so quick to take credit for our own financial blessings, our successes, or our talents and abilities?





Even as mothers, we can find ourselves taking “internal” credit for our amazing children or the art of “juggling” all that we do as home managers. However, everything we accomplish, from the smallest to the greatest task, is all because of the gifts HE has entrusted to us. Whether it’s physical, emotional, mental, or social, “every good and perfect gift is from God”.


For example, is it the case that a mother is amazing because she is extremely organized, tidy, and does her job with excellence, or is it that God has chosen to bless her with the gift of organization, the desire to keep her home, and the physical stamina to carry out her calling?


Is it that a man is brilliant when he manages a large company and is financially successful, or did God orchestrate the gifts and opportunities in his life to bring him where he is and to bless him with the wealth he may have?


In other words, everything boils down to one thing and that one ingredient is GOD! We are nothing without him. “All things were created by Him and for Him” and even the things man “thinks” he has invented, came as a result of the brain and intellect that God Himself gave us.



Don’t you want your life to be a beautiful masterpiece that displays the wonder and glory of God? Wouldn’t you like for Him to be able to display your life as a “workmanship that He created” and for Him to receive the honor for it? Let’s acknowledge today that we, in and of ourselves, are nothing, and it is only through Him that we “live, and breath, and have our being”. Today, let’s just give all credit where credit is due!


Lord, thank you for all that you are doing in my life. Thank you for the blessings in my life. Help me today to be quick to give you glory and point people to the real source of my life, success, and blessings.



Your can read more from Tammy at Steps In Our Journey

Are you Thirsty?

“O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.”
Psalm 63:1

During these hot summer months, I am more mindful of our deep need for water. I find myself thirstier and consuming more amounts of liquid during the day. Our bodies need water to sustain our life. It has been said that we can go quite a while without food, but not very long without water. As much as my body needs water, it has not been my “drink of choice”. In the past, I would much rather have sweet tea, diet coke, or even milk over water, but then the weirdest thing happened. I began to force myself to drink water. As I drank water on a regular basis, I found my body actually cultivating a thirst for more. As my body experienced the benefits of water, I began to yearn for more and more of it. Where I used to have to force myself to drink one glass, now I am usually carrying a bottle around with me throughout the day.


This is much like our spiritual life. While we may think that we are able to go without feeding it, we actually cannot go very long without drinking from the water of His word. We will shrivel up spiritually without the refreshing spiritual nourishment of His word. The Bible tells us, “Blessed are those that hunger and thirst for His righteousness”. The only way to cultivate a hunger and a thirst is to digest it regularly. As we absorb His word daily, we will find ourselves developing a deeper thirst for it. We will find ourselves taking more and more of it with us and desiring it throughout the day, not just taking a little dab here and there.


No matter where you are in your journey with Christ, whether you are finding it hard to digest His truth, forcing yourself to partake of it when you can, or enjoying its nourishment each and every day, the truth is the same. If you will take the time and enforce the discipline to get into His Word each and every day, you will find that you not only gain spiritual benefits, but come to a place of deep desire for more.

The psalmist said, “as the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you”. This is where I want my spiritual appetite to be. I want to absorb God’s Word each day and allow God to increase my hunger and thirst for Him. Just as I physically carry water with me and drink it throughout the day, I want to have such a thirst for God that I am consciously taking His word with me throughout the day.

I want it to soak into my heart and life and overflow into the lives of others. Just like I can see others drinking a cold glass of water and feel thirsty or hear someone talking about a great restaurant and get incredibly hungry, I want others to see my life, and Jesus in me, so much so, that they are drawn to Him. I have found the source of living water and I want to gulp it in and share it with all those around me, as well.

Don’t you?

Lord, thank you that you are the Spring of Living Water. Thank you that when I soak in your Word, my spirit is renewed, refreshed, and nourished. Help me to cultivate a deeper hunger and thirst for You and enable me to share the thirst quenching water you offer with those around me.



You can visit Tammy at Steps In Our Journey

Who's Your Best Friend?

“You talk about God being your best friend.
Well, live like it, and maybe it will happen.”
Amos 5:14


Who comes to mind when you think of your best friend? What are the characteristics of that particular relationship that makes it what it is? I have several relationships that I cherish and consider my closest friends. These relationships that we all hold so dear are built on fundamental principles. They are built on trust, time, devotion, and respect. Think about your best friend. You confide in them, respect them, spend time with them giving them your undivided attention, and you are willing to drop anything that may be on your agenda in order to meet their needs should they call on you.

Is this how we are with God? Oh, we claim that He is our best friend, but does our relationship with Him bear the same characteristics as that of our best “earthly” friend? Do we confide in Him? Do we even take the time to talk with Him each day, both sharing our heart with Him and taking the time to listen to His, as well? Do we give Him our undivided attention? Are we willing to drop our agenda for that which He calls us to do or do we complain that things aren’t going the way “we planned”? Do we weigh out the costs before we willingly obey His voice, or are we quick to respond to His prompting, considering His will above our own? Do we respect Him and does that respect display itself through a life of faithful obedience?

This verse tells us to “live like” God is our best friend and then “maybe it will happen”. What does this mean? Living like God is our best friend is far different from merely saying He is our best friend. It is only through living out our relationship with Christ as our dearest friend that it actually becomes a reality.

Take the time today to evaluate the friendship factors of your relationship with Christ. If changes need to be made, it is always on our part because He is the “Friend that sticks closer than a brother”. Let’s make adjustments in our lives today to align ourselves as His best friend. May we not just say “God is our best friend”, but may we live our lives in such a way that it will actually happen!

Lord, thank you that you even desire a relationship with us at all. Help me to be not only the friend that you deserve, but the one you demand if I am to have an intimate relationship with you at all. Enable me to cultivate intimacy with You by exerting the disciplines necessary to build this kind of relationship. Thank you for being the Friend that sticks closer than a brother.



You can follow more Steps in Tammy's Journey at her personal blog

Plenty To Go Around

photo from Flickr
Plenty To Go Around
“Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed are those that trust in Him.”
Psalm 34:8

As I sit and watch the hummingbirds out my window feasting on the sugar water we’ve put out for them, I am amazed at their lack of concern for each other. Let me explain. They come and taste the sweet concoction, but when one of their fellow feathered friends come to share in the joy, they immediately run him off. Even though there is plenty of room for all of them on the feeder and there is an unlimited supply, they still do not want to share. They almost spend more time fighting over what we’ve given them than actually enjoying it. They seem to be so afraid that it will run out or that they won’t get all they want, that they waste a lot of energy keeping the other birds away.

This reminded me of us, as believers. You know the Bible says we are to “taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed are those that trust in Him”. Many of us have tasted the goodness of God and experienced the blessings that come from trusting Him, but sometimes, even without us realizing it, we are so busy protecting what we have, our own dreams, plans, and ambitions, and enjoying all that God has given to us, that we ignore the needs of others around us. It’s almost like these little hummingbirds that are clueless to the reality that this sugar water really cannot run out. You see, sugar and water are two things that you can always find here at our home, so these little birds can have as much as they want and we will continue to supply all that they need. In other words, the hummingbirds can’t out-drink our supply. It’s the same way with God. His Word says that He supplies all of our needs “according to His riches in glory”. His supply of grace, strength, peace, and joy never runs out.

Let take the time today to not only “taste and see that the Lord is good” ourselves, but let’s invite those around us to join us in the blessing, as well. Let’s bring them to His endless supply of grace. Let’s not hoard the sweet Savior we know all to ourselves while we are busy bumping into so many thirsty people around us, but rather, let’s use all of our resources, time, talents, and energy in sharing Him with others, knowing that there’s plenty to go around!

Lord, thank you that you are all sufficient. Thank you for the sweet grace, mercy, and peace that you offer to us. Help me today to savor the sweetness of my relationship with you, but also share it with others by inviting them to taste and see how sweet and good You are! May I remember that to not share, is to hoard it. Remind me as I come in contact with others today to be mindful of their need for spiritual nourishment and may I be quick to direct them to the You.

In Him~


You can read more from Tammy at Steps In Our Journey

God's Light Show

“Just look at the lightening, His sky filling light show, illuminating the dark depths of the sea! These are symbols of His sovereignty, His generosity, His loving care.”
“And, yes, it’s God who fills clouds with rainwater and hurls lightening from them every which way. He puts them through their paces – first this way- then that, commands them to do what He says all over the world. Whether for discipline or grace or extravagant love, He makes sure they make their mark.”
Job 36:30-33; 37:11-13

We’ve probably all sang the children’s songs about the rain. Songs like, “Rain, rain, go away, come again another day.” I’ve heard it said that when you see lightening and rain along with sunshine, it means the devil is beating his wife. These are just silly things people have come up with over the years. People with too much free time on their hands, I might add.

As I read these verses in Job, I couldn’t help but smile and wonder how often we actually see rain and lightening as “symbols of His sovereignty, His generosity, or His loving care”. Sometimes rain can be inconvenient, as it can altar plans that have been made. Sometimes, it can be dangerous, causing flash flooding, and, we all know, that lightening can be fatal. Unless you live in Georgia these days, however, how often do we see it and think of it as His “grace or extravagant love” for us?

Job 27:13, speaking of lightening, says “whether for discipline, grace or extravagant love, He makes sure they make their mark”. At first glance, we could wonder why He would choose these three words together as a description, but as I pondered it further, I came to realize something.

We all know what extravagant love is. We may not all be able to comprehend it, but we understand what it conveys. Grace is us getting what we do not deserve, and, again, I can understand why it would go hand in hand with extravagant love. Then there’s discipline. For many of us, discipline doesn’t bring the same “warm and fuzzy” feelings that extravagant love and grace bring. Discipline is a strong word that denotes authority and power, but Hebrews 12:6 says that “God chastens those He loves”. I smiled as I was reminded that discipline, although it can be harsh, is something God does that conveys His love to us. I discipline my children because I love them and want what’s best for them. Even more so, Christ does the same for His children.

It made sense to me. I could see why the writer would say that lightening is a symbol is His sovereignty, His generosity, and His loving care,” and then emphasize it with the reminder that “whether for discipline (which is always done in perfect love), grace, or extravagant love, He makes sure that they make their mark.” He is sovereign, He is generous, and He loves us extravagantly. We can see it through His grace, and, yes, we can see it through His discipline.

So, next time you see rain or lightening, take a moment to enjoy God’s “sky filling light show”. It really doesn’t get better than that and there is no admission fee!

Lord, thank you for your Sovereignty. Thank you that nothing catches you by surprise. Thank you for the symbols, even in the storms of life, that remind us that You are in complete control and you deeply love us.

In Him ~

Faith or Facts

Faith or Facts?
But when it was all done, David was overwhelmed with guilt because he had counted the people, replacing trust with statistics. And David prayed to GOD, "I have sinned badly in what I have just done. But now GOD forgive my guilt—I've been really stupid."
II Samuel 24:10

Up in Hamilton, Ontario, the workmen were trimming some trees. On a low hanging limb which was to be cut off, they found a bird's nest with young birds in it. The workmen were troubled. Some of them insisted that the limb must come down, while others pleaded that it be left until their next trip when the birds probably would be gone. After some discussion, the limb was left. Some months later when the tree trimmers came again and cut off the limb, and the nest was torn up, they noticed a little piece of paper, which had been woven into the nest. They examined it and found it had been taken from a Sunday school paper. On it were these words, "We trust in the Lord!" These workmen didn’t want to cut down a limb for fear that it would destroy the birds, however, the Bible is clear that even the birds do not fret over where their next meal is coming from or where they will rest. Although we know that these birds didn’t intentionally take this paper with these words on it, it is an incredible reminder of how we should trust in the Lord.

In II Samuel chapter 24, David is tested in the area of his faith. It appears to be a harmless decision at first as David orders his men to go and take a head count throughout the country. He wanted to know just what he was working with. How much power did he have at his disposal? But, we notice in verse 10 just how fatal a decision this was when David says, “I have sinned badly in what I have just done. God, please forgive me for I have been really stupid”. The Bible says in this verse that David replaced trust in God for statistics. God makes it clear to us in this chapter that this is not only a stupid thing to do, but it is sin and it is costly. The consequences for David were that 70,000 people died throughout Israel. God was merciful and showed compassion, but there was a definite price to be paid for David’s lack of faith.

What is it in your life today? Are you looking at the statistics or facts of your finances, your future, or your health instead of trusting in the Lord? Maybe you are like me and waiting through the process of adoption. How easy it is to substitute our faith for the facts that are laid out before us. God wants us to be knowledgeable; however, He does not want our faith to be in our own understanding (Prov. 3:5). We are called to trust in that which we cannot see (Heb. 11:1). I want to build my life and my home on the foundation of faith in Christ. It is my prayer that when my life is over and I am on the other side of eternity and people sift through the remnants I am leaving behind, that they, too, will find my life clearly marked by those words, “We trust in the Lord”.

Lord, help me today to pass the tests of faith that you will allow into my life. Enable me to stay focused on You and not on the statistics or facts around me. Build my home and help me to live my life in such a way that others looking in would clearly see that we trust in You.

In Him ~


You can read more from Tammy at Steps In Our Journey

God's Amazing Love

He Loves Me! He Loves Me!
“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called you by name. You’re Mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end – Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you:…That’s how much you mean to Me! That’s how much I love you! I’d sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.
Isaiah 43:2-4

Have you ever sat thinking about the one you love and, perhaps while you were dating, wondering if they really loved you? We’ve all seen it before. The young girl holding the beautiful flower, plucking one petal at a time, saying, “he loves me, he loves me not”.

As I read these verses in Isaiah chapter forty-three, I found myself reflecting on the reality of God’s love for me. Besides John 3:16, which clearly tells us how much Jesus loves us, these verses are screaming of His deep love for us. Word after word, it says to my heart, “He loves me, He loves me, He loves me”. Read over it again. It says, “He is our personal God, our Savior”. He paid a huge price for us. Why would He do that, we might ask. His word clearly replies, “that’s how much we mean to Him”. “That’s how much He loves us!”

Do you remember the song Jesus, Loves Me?

Most of us probably learned this as a child and could still sing it today. For most of us, it’s probably been a long time since we found ourselves singing this sweet melody, but I am grateful for the reality that we can never outgrow the love of Jesus. If anything, this precious song that we learned as a child should be even more meaningful to our hearts as adults, as we grow in the understanding of the incredible depth of His love for us. Take a moment to sing this song, and allow God to whisper to your heart through each phrase, “I love you, I love you, I love you”!

Jesus loves me this I know
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
For the Bible tells me so!

Lord, thank you that you love us. Thank you that you not only tell us in your Word, but you have shown us with your life that you deeply love us. Help me to be mindful of your love and may I experience the breadth, test its length, plumb the depths, and rise to the heights of your love for me (Eph. 3:19). Thank you that nothing can separate me from your love.

In Him,


You can read more from Tammy at Steps In Our Journey

Showers of Stress

“Meanwhile, friends, wait patiently for the Master's Arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time.”
James 5:7-8

I was blessed recently as I read the book of James. James 5:7-8 seemed to wash over my heart as I reflected on it and on the life God has entrusted to me. The phrase "patiently letting the rain do its work" seemed to jump out at me. Often times we can see the storms in life as things that God uses to push us to His loving arms (if we "patiently let them"), and certainly they do, however, the word used here in this verse is "rain". I thought of the song by Mercy Me, Jesus Bring the Rain, and began to contemplate the term rain. Rain comes with storms, for sure, however, it also comes with simple showers. Showers can be aggravating (especially if you are parked outside and have to go somewhere with a decent hairdo ~ha!) or they can be refreshing on a hot summer day. I thought of the song, Showers of Blessings, and how blessed I truly am. I have received showers of blessings, but I have also experienced in recent days the showers of "rain". Oh, not "storms", like most of us would think of. I haven't lost a child, gone through a divorce, or hit a financial crisis. I have, however, felt the "showers" that come from people hurting you or taking advantage of you, unexpected hurdles that cost time and money, parenting challenges, and life decisions that just weigh heavy on your heart and mind. These are what I call "showers of stress", if you will. None of these things are "storms" or even "big problems" in the big picture of life, but they are often times annoying and energy zapping things that Satan can use to suck the life out of us.
These verses reminded me that God desires to use even these "smaller showers" in our lives to remind us of just how dependant we are on Him.

We truly need Him for everything! We cannot let the showers "soak" us and weigh us down. We have to "patiently let the rain (whether a storm or a shower) do its slow and SURE work", by staying covered in the Word each day. I want to allow even the "showers of stress" that sometimes fall around us (OK, they daily fall most of the time), I want them to do their work in my heart and life. I want to become more and more like Jesus!

Just like the earlier verse in James 1:21, which reads, "In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life." I am far more blessed than I deserve and I deeply desire for God to cultivate a garden in my life that will bring glory to Him and enrich the lives of others, as well!


Lord, thank you for being our Gardener and for tending to every detail of our lives in order to make us a beautiful display of your Glory. Enable me to see the showers of stress as reminders of how completely dependant I am on You! Enable me to be patient and to allow them to do the work you desire them to do in my life. Speak to me as I am in Your Word each day and enable me to remain steady and faithful to you. Thank you for the showers of blessings that you always intermingle with the stress to remind me of your sweet presence! You are so good, all the time!



You can read more from Tammy at Steps In Our Journey

Watching for Road Signs

Watching for Road Signs

“…If those who ignored earthly warnings didn't get away with it, what will happen to us if we turn our backs on heavenly warnings?...”
Hebrews 12:26

Do you remember taking the required tests to get your drivers license? First, you take the written test (that you hopefully study for), making sure you know the signs on the street, the correct speed limits, and the rules of driving. A year later, you take the driving test where you drive with an instructor who critiques how you follow the driving laws. Teenagers study, or should study, for this test and they look forward to the reward that comes from passing, which is the freedom to drive. From this moment on, we drive countless hours throughout our lifetimes. Whether we are taking a long road trip or just driving to work each day, we must continually follow the signs of the road. We follow the directions of the street signs to get to our desired destination, we follow the speed limit signs in order to avoid a ticket and a fine, and we obey the signs and signals for our safety, as well as, the safety of those around us.

The Bible says in Hebrews 12, “If those who ignored earthly warnings didn’t get away with it, what will happen to us if we turn our backs on heavenly warnings?” God has given us His guide book. We are called to study it and obey its content. He has spelled out in His Word directions that will take us where we need to go, but also warnings that will protect us and those around us. If you are like me, you can think of times when you were driving, rushing to get to your destination, and going a little faster than you should have been. You pass a police car and quickly press your brake to slow your vehicle to a more appropriate speed. Why do we do this? Of course, it is because we want to avoid getting a fine and having to pay for our violation of the law.

If we will keep our spiritual eyes and hearts open, God is flashing His warnings and His clear directions to us everyday, but we must choose to respond appropriately. The cost for disobeying God’s law is far greater than any monetary fine we would incur from a speeding ticket or traffic violation. We are driving through life with the “Instructor” (God) watching our every move. He, just as the driver instructor, is watching how we appropriate the laws He has laid out for us. The fines for failure can be great, but the reward for obedience is freedom. Freedom to live the abundant life He has created us to live. Oh, and the destination is Heaven. If we will follow His Word, we will not only end up in the “joy of our reward”, but we will have life and have it more abundantly along the way.

So, how’s your driving lately? I mean your spiritual driving. What are the signs God is revealing to you today? Is He telling you to slow down long enough to hear His clear direction because you are moving too fast in a certain direction? Is He flashing you a bright yellow “Yield” sign because you are driving too close to forbidden territory in a certain area of your life? Maybe He is attempting to wave a warning flag at you because you are dangerously close to making a decision that He knows isn’t best for you. Whatever it is, take the time to “brake”, receive His word, and follow His direction. The destination promised will be sweet, and the journey full of joy!

Lord, enable me today to listen to you. Help me to keep the eyes of my heart open to Your warnings and clear directions. If I am unsure about which way to go, help me to simply stop and ask you for directions. Thank you that you are with me every mile of the journey and when I am with you my journey will protected and full of joy!



You can read more from Tammy at Steps In Our Journey

Sweet or Sour

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Psalm 19:10

A man invited his skeptical neighbor over to his orchard to try some of his prized apples. But his friend did not come. He contacted his friend and said, "I suppose you think my apples good for nothing." His neighbor replied, "Well, yes I have tried your apples and I think they are the sourest things I have ever tasted." "Oh," said the first, "I thought so. You see, I planted the sourest trees I could find around the outside of the orchard, for the benefit of the boys who would steal them. But if you come into the center of the orchard you will find some quality fruit, sweet as honey."

I read this story recently and it reminded me of the sweetness of being in the center of God’s will. It seems that when we drift from the place God calls us, we find things “sour” in every area of our lives. We loose our joy, our perspective, and our spiritual stamina.

However, when we are in the center of His will, we enjoy the intimate fellowship with Him that is “sweeter than honey”. Even when life is hard and we are faced with sorrow and hardship, we still find the sweetness of His presence invading our life. It is only here, in the center of His will, that the fruit of fellowship with Him overflows into every aspect of our life and affects the lives of others.

God’s plan for us is amazing really! He calls us to personal intimacy with Himself above all else, and when we are inhaling all that He has to offer to us personally, we find ourselves consumed with Him. We find ourselves ministering in the unexpected places and we see supernatural fruit flourishing in and through us.

What about you? Are you too busy to notice? Have you taken the time to stop long enough and examine what you are “feasting on”? When you survey your life over the past month, are things “sour” because you are choosing to venture into territory just on the outskirts of His will for your life? Are you choosing to eat of the fruit that leaves a bitter taste in your “spiritual mouth”? Or, are you enjoying the sweetness that comes from walking in intimate fellowship and obedience with Him? Do you taste and see the goodness of the Lord in YOUR life?

Take some time today to examine that which you are feasting on and either rejoice in the sweetness of our Savior and His nearness to you, or repent and take the steps back to the precious arms of the Savior who has never moved from where you drifted from. No matter where you find yourself today, you can find comfort in the reality that our glorious God, even as He produces fruit in and through each of us, both for our own benefit and the benefit of others, is always waiting for us to “taste and see that He alone is good”.

Lord, enable me today to put my own agenda aside long enough to evaluate the fruit I am bearing, as well as, the things I am “feasting” on. Help me to take the steps necessary to be in the center of Your will for my life, knowing that it is only there that I can taste the sweet fellowship with you and that others can taste and see Your goodness clearly in my life.



You can read more from Tammy by visiting Steps In Our Journey

Dino Shaped Lunches and Divine Shaped Lives

Dino Shaped Lunches and Divine Shaped Lives

I admit I once lived by rumors of you; now I have it all firsthand – from my own eyes and ears! I’m sorry – forgive me. I’ll never do that again, I promise! I’ll never again live on crusts of hearsay, crumbs of rumor!”
Job 42:5-6

Sometimes when I make my kids sandwiches, I cut away the crust and make them into shapes. The sandwich cutter precisely trims the crust and creates a fun shape. I package it in the baggie or serve it on a plate and wipe away the crumbs. It never fails when I do this, my little guy will come to me after school and say, “Thanks for the dino shaped sandwich today!” This small extra step communicates love to my children.

As I read this phrase in Job 42, I couldn't help but think of these fun shaped sandwiches. I would never consider serving my kids a plate with just the crust or the crumbs from the counter, and yet how many of us have woke up to the reality that spiritually we have been living on the crust and crumbs.

We go to church, listen to great preaching, we hear testimonies of the greatness of God and it feeds us. It’s good, but have you ever considered that this is just the crust, that there’s more? So much more! Why do we often settle for the crusts and the crumbs spiritually?

Job came to the stark realization that he had been living on what He had heard. Oh, don’t get me wrong, it was truth. What he knew about God was true, but it wasn’t personal, firsthand experience. He realizes that He had been missing the intimacy, settling for the “crusts of hearsay and the crumbs of rumor”.

I’m sure that none of us want to be satisfied with the crusts and crumbs, but rather we want the real sweet center of intimacy with Christ. I want to take the extra time to get to know him firsthand. I want to walk in obedience, so as to see His faithfulness firsthand, and I want to take the time (as Job said) to “listen, and let Him do the talking”, so I can learn from Him firsthand!

Just as it takes more work for me to make the dino shaped sandwiches for my kids, it takes more work to grow in our personal walk with Christ. Just as my heart shaped sandwiches communicates love to my children, so me taking the time to get to know Christ intimately shows my love for Him.

So, next time we carve the crust off that Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich, may we ask ourselves this question, “Have I carved out the necessary time for Christ today, so that I don’t live of the crust, but on the sweet God shaped life that comes from a personal relationship with Christ?” It’s only through this firsthand walk with Christ that He can shape our lives into something beautiful for His glory and for the advancement of His Kingdom.

Lord, thank you for the testimony of Job and how you clearly reminded Him of Who you are. Thank you that we too can know you firsthand and we don’t have to live off of the crusts and crumbs. Thank you that you desire to fill us with the sweetest part of your goodness and shape our lives into something more wonderful than we could imagine all for your glory!



You can read more from Tammy by visiting her on her personal blog at Steps In Our Journey

Pulling the Weeds

"And the seed that fell in the weeds—well, these are the ones who hear, but then the seed is crowded out and nothing comes of it as they go about their lives worrying about tomorrow, making money, and having fun.”
Luke 8:14

Isn’t it amazing that weeds can grow with no attention at all? They can come in all different shapes and colors, and some even look harmless. They don’t have to be watered or cared for in the least and yet they can overtake a lawn in no time at all. On the other hand, if you want your grass or flowers to grow, they have to be cultivated. You must water, fertilize, and diligently care for them. It takes work to have a beautiful lawn or garden of any kind. The same is true of our lives as believers. It takes work to cultivate an intimate relationship with Christ that bears fruit.

Luke 8:14 tells us that the seed, which is referring to the Word of God, fell in the weeds. The truth of God was crowded out by the cares of the world. The Word was clearly given, but it had no room to grow because of the weeds of worry and the pursuit of success, money, and pleasure.

I could give you a beautiful plant or flower bush to plant in your yard, but unless you take it, prepare the soil, plant it, water it, and nurture it, it will never grow. It will eventually wither and die if it isn’t transplanted into deep soil and diligently cared for. The same is true of God’s Word. We can hear the truth Sunday after Sunday and even read it day after day, but unless we rid ourselves of the weeds that distract us, we will never give the Truth adequate place in our hearts to take root and grow. It doesn’t take work on our part to have the weeds of worry, the pursuits of money and pleasure, and the many cares of this world to take root and crowd our lives. Left unattended, they will grow and take over every area of our lives, leaving no room at all for the fruit and beauty that Christ offers.

When was the last time you walked through the lawn of your heart and pulled the weeds? What are the things that are distracting you? Is it a desire for more materially, the pursuit of pleasure, or worry about what is to come? Do you sit down to read His Word in the mornings, only to be distracted by your emails, your upcoming agenda for the day, or the piles of laundry and dishes that await you? We must take the time to clear our hearts and minds of every distraction in order to really hear and grasp the amazing truth God has for us. The Son is shining bright and it is a great day for some gardening. So, take the time today to pull the weeds from around your heart and mind and give Christ the room He not only requires, but deserves, and let Him fill the lawn of your life with His beauty for all those around you to enjoy!

Lord, help me today to exert the energy and discipline necessary to rid my life of every weed of distraction that is keeping me from cultivating Your truth in my heart. Enable me to keep the soil of my heart watered daily with your Holy Spirit and enriched by the Fertilizer of Faith that comes from your Word. Thank you for the beautiful work you desire to do in my life if I will only yield myself to it and take the time to cultivate a deep relationship with You!



You can read more from Tammy by visiting her on her personal blog at Steps In Our Journey

The Glory of God

The Glory of God

“When they hear what you have to say, God, all earth’s kings will say ‘Thank you.’ They’ll sing of what you’ve done: ‘How great is the glory of God!’ And here’s why: God, high above, sees far below; no matter the distance, he knows everything about us.”
Psalm 138:4-6

Who could even begin to touch on such a vast topic as the glory of God? It goes so far beyond what our human minds can comprehend. The Bible tells us that the “heavens and the earth declare His glory”. His glory is shouted in a sunrise. It is whispered in a sunset and roared in the ocean’s waves. His glory is clearly seen in every part of His creation. From the minute ladybug to the grand Mt. Everest, His creation definitely sings of His glory, but as I read Psalm 138, His glory is spoken softly to my heart.

God has done great things and He, Himself, is great. Our hearts sing his praises and we shout “Hallelujah”, but why? Do we praise Him because He created all things. Does the sunset itself make us want to shout? Do the oceans’ waves or the splendor of the sea make us want to praise Him? Yes, it most definitely does, but what stirs our heart to praise Him with our lives is not merely the glory we see through His creation, but what we clearly see through His intimate interaction with His creation, with us.

Psalm 138 says, “How great is the glory of God! And here’s why; God, high above, sees far below; no matter the distance, He knows everything about us.” He knows everything about us, and yet He loves us. He sustains us. He desires intimate fellowship with us. He has saved all those that put their faith and trust in Him.

I praise Him that He created the heavens and the earth. I praise Him for the beauty of creation. I praise Him that He is the creator of all things and He is ruling all things from His throne high in the heavens. But, oh, how I praise Him because He sees me from where He is. He knows everything about me, and yet He loves me and gave His life for me. He talks with me and reveals Himself personally to me.

Yes, He is Creator, my Creator! He is God, my God! He is Savior, my Savior! He is Redeemer, my Redeemer! I sing of the glory of God because He is my own, intimate God and has chosen to reveal His glory to me! I praise Him for the glory I see in His majestic creation and glorious works, but my heart shouts because I see the glory He reveals through His love and intimate fellowship with me.

Thank you for the awesome wonder of your creation and the works of your hand, but oh, how I praise you that you see me from where you are and you have made a way for me to have fellowship with you. Thank you for your glory that is revealed in the still quiet moments that I spend alone with you.



You can read more from Tammy by visiting her at Steps in our Journey

The Fourth Man

The Fourth Man


“Suddenly, King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in alarm and said, “Didn’t we throw three men, bound hand and foot, in the fire?...But look! I see four men walking around freely in the fire completely unharmed! And the fourth man looks like a son of gods.” Daniel 3:24-25

I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall in King Nebuchadnezzar’s castle on this day. To see these three Hebrew boys talk smack (respectfully and boldly) to the king and take a stand for God would have been amazing. Just reading this story fuels my faith. Doesn’t it yours?

I can just imagine King Nebuchadnezzar enjoying the sight of everyone bowing down to him, only to have his vain moment of glory interrupted by these three Hebrew boys who refused to worship any god other than the one true God, Jehovah. They are called out by the king and he “graciously” gives them another chance to bow down to him at the sound of the trumpet, to which they confidently told him that the band didn’t even need to wet their whistles. They had already purposed in their hearts where their devotion would be and they weren’t budging. We know the story, Nebuchadnezzar had these three boys bound and thrown into the fiery furnace, which was turned up seven times hotter than normal. I am not real sure why it says that it was turned up. I mean when you think about it, fire kills no matter how hot. Anyway, suffice it to say, the furnace was hot! So hot, in fact, that the Word of God says it consumed the guards that threw the boys in.

Can’t you just see it? Just as the king began to relish in the “I showed them” thoughts, he catches a glimpse into the window of the furnace. Once again, his heart skips a beat and he “jumps up in alarm”. (vs. 24) Not only does he see four men walking in the fire, but we are told that they were “walking around freely and unharmed”, and the fourth man obviously had a distinct look of deity because he says, “the fourth man looks like a son of gods”.

In the middle of these three boys’ darkest hour, God showed up and walked with them. Oh, they were full of faith, but I don’t think for a minute that they were any different from you and me. I don’t think the story is meant to portray three boys of incredible bravery and unquenchable faith, but rather three young men that had a powerful Source as the object of their faith. They believed that either way, in life or in death, God was able to see them through and get the glory through their obedience.

Don’t you want to have a life like this? We all face furnaces in our journey of life and some are “hotter” than others. It may be a financial furnace, relational furnace, a physical furnace that deals with our health or that of a loved one, or even death. Whatever it may be, we can look at the fire and say with confidence, “My God is able!” We aren’t walking through the fire alone and there are always people on the outside watching our journey. Some may simply get a glimpse into our furnace and others may stop long enough to actually peer inside and observe the drama unfolding. It is my desire to walk through the furnaces that God allows in my life in such a way that those passing by will be able to see the “Fourth Man” walking with me!

Lord, thank you that you are Able. Thank you that we can trust you and, whether you lead us around a furnace or straight into the fire, we can follow you with confidence that you are with us every step of the way. Enable us to walk in such a way that others can see You walking with us and the freedom, peace, and ultimate safety that comes from only You!




You can read more from me and the Steps In Our Journey Here

Signal Strength

Signal Strength

“Look! Listen! God’s arm is not amputated – He can still save! God’s ears are not stopped up – He can still hear! There’s nothing wrong with God – the wrong is with you. Your wrongheaded lives caused the split between you and God. Your sins got between you so that He doesn’t hear you.”
Isaiah 59:1-3

Have you ever been in the middle of a conversation on your cell phone and had the call disconnected? If you have a cell phone, you have most definitely experienced this frustration. Often times, if the call is important and we know a dead spot is ahead, we will even pull off the road until we are finished talking just so we aren’t interrupted. For me, it is usually in the middle of a very important or really interesting phone call that the signal is lost. Sometimes I can look at my phone and see that it is the caller on the other end of my phone that lost signal because my phone will clearly show full signal strength. Other times, my phone will read “call signal lost”, undoubtedly showing me that my signal is to blame. Either way, it is frustrating, but even more so when it is my phone signal that is the problem. When the issue is my signal strength, I have to wait until I enter into an area that gives strong service before I can attempt to regain the call. Other times, it may be that I have signal, however I have failed to charge my phone and the battery is low, in which case, I must quickly plug it into its power source.

Sometimes in our walk with Christ, we may find ourselves frustrated and feeling disconnected to Him. We may feel like our prayers aren’t getting any further than the ceiling or we simply have little strength. This verse in Isaiah fifty nine clearly tells us where the problem lies. If reception is low or communication is lost between us and God, it is always a connection problem on our end. When the lines of communication are down spiritually, it is always an indication that we have wondered into an area with little or no signal strength, or not spent time with our “Power Source”, and it is up to us to quickly get to a place of full and clear reception or plug into Christ to regain strength. Since it is our sin that separates us from God, we much search every area of our life to see where we are veering off track. Sometimes it may be something we are doing, but often times it can also be something we aren’t doing. Sin is obviously doing that which God clearly tells us not to do, but disobedience is also not doing that which He tells us to do. There may be something He has clearly called us to do and we have refused to surrender our will to Him.

God doesn’t change! He can still save and He can still hear. His signal is always strong. So, how is your communication today? Are you in a strong signal area spiritually or are you entering a dead spot? Perhaps your lines of communication were lost some time ago and you are just stewing in your frustration. Maybe it has been too long since you have spent time with Christ and charged your relationship spiritually. Wherever you are, the good news is that you don’t have to change your service provider; you just have to change your location or position, or reconnect with your power source. The service provider, Jesus, is reliable. Align your heart and life with Christ today, surrender to His will, and reap the incredible reward of intimate communication with Him! The Creator of the Universe is on the line, and I am sure that is one call none of us want interrupted!

Lord, thank you that you are still mighty to save and you can still hear. Thank you that when we have ourselves aligned to Your will, the lines of communication with you are open. Thank you that when we get off track and the communication with you is broke, you have made a way for us to regain strength, if we will confess our sins to you. Help me to obey you, spend adequate time with you recharging daily, and consistently check my signal strength spiritually.



You can read more from Tammy by visiting her at Steps In Our Journey

I Need Thee Every Hour

“The Holy can be either a Hiding Place or a Boulder blocking your way.”
Isaiah 8:13

One day as a young wife and mother of 37 years of age, Annie Hawkins was busy with her regular household tasks. Suddenly, she became so filled with the sense of nearness to the Master that, wondering how one could live without Him, either in joy or pain, she wrote the words to the famous hymn, “I Need Thee Every Hour”.

As I read this verse in Isaiah chapter eight, I was reminded of this incredible hymn. Oh, how we desperately need Him every hour! We need Him so much more than we could ever comprehend. This verse revealed to me just a few of the ways we need Him.
I have always heard, and often times claimed, God as my Rock, my Shelter, my Hiding Place, but I was reminded through this verse that God can also be a Boulder. He is a Hiding Place and a Rock in whom I take refuge, but He is also a Boulder blocking my way. Many times we find ourselves facing difficulties or trials and discover Him to be our Rock in whom we take refuge, but have you ever considered that he is a Boulder blocking your way? Blocking your way from what, you may ask. I found comfort as I was reminded in this verse that, as I am seeking God and finding refuge in Him as my Hiding Place, He will also become the Boulder that keeps me from wickedness. He can prevent me from “presumptuous sins” and foolishness. He can also be the Boulder that prevents evil and harm from getting to me. He will allow trials to befall me, and will be my Hiding Place during such times, but there are even more times that I believe He is, in fact, a Boulder blocking my way. He is my Protector on all fronts. He hides me in the Shadow of His wing when I am hurting or afraid, and He protects me from myself and my own wicked heart, as well as, from that which could bring harm to me.

He is able to move the boulders in my life that I cannot deal with on my own, but He graciously makes Himself a Boulder in my life to prevent me from falling and to protect me from harm. The more I read His Word and uncover all that He reveals of Himself through it, I find He is so much more than we could ever imagine. He is more to us that we can comprehend. He is ever present and all knowing. Even when I do not see what He is doing, I can rest assured that He has my best interest at heart and He is everything that I need. I echo Annie Hawkins and sing,

I need Thee ev'ry hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.

I need thee every hour,
in joy or pain;
come quickly and abide,
or life is vain.

I need thee every hour,
teach me thy will;
and thy rich promises
in me fulfill.

I need Thee, O I need Thee!
Ev'ry hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Saviour!
I come to Thee.

Lord, thank you for all that you are to me, both that which I recognize and the many things that I don’t even see. Thank you that, whether in joy or pain, You are sufficient. I come to You with all my heart, recognizing my desperate need for you.



You can read more from Tammy by visiting her at Steps In Our Journey

In Over Our Head

<strong>“If you quit listening, dear child, and strike off on your own,
you’ll soon be out of your depth.”
Proverbs 19:27

I can remember when my children were really small and we would be enjoying a refreshing day at the pool. They couldn’t swim yet, so they would play with their toys right on the water’s edge as they stood safely on the steps. I would warn them over and over to be careful explaining that one step too far would put them in over their head. It never failed, that one of them would eventually get distracted with what they were doing and make that dangerous step that would send them sinking just under the surface of the water. They would stare at me from under the water for those brief seconds just waiting for me to see that they had gone too far. Like any mother, I would jump to their rescue, hold them close to calm their fears, and then remind them of the importance of following instructions.

The Bible says that when we “quit listening and strike off on our own, we will soon be out of our depth”. There are many instructions God has given to us. Numerous commands we are told to follow and areas we are to avoid, yet somehow, we often times get so engrossed in what we are doing that we find ourselves just under the surface, looking up to find that strong arm that will pull us back to safety.

I can think of so many times that I have become distracted doing “my own thing”, only to find myself in over my head. I am grateful for our Loving Heavenly Father, who never misses a step I take. No matter how deep I fall, His arm is always long enough to rescue me, wrap me in His love and calm my anxious heart, and He always reminds me of the importance in following His instruction.

You see, the depth itself is not a bad or even dangerous place to be when you are with the Master of the Sea. It is when we “strike off on our own” that we find ourselves “out of our depth”. I want to be a person that follows God to the depths of His love and grace for my life, knowing that it is there that the real treasure is found. If I am going to go into deep water, I would much rather enjoy the view as I follow Him, walking on the water’s surface, instead of the fearful view from below.

What about you? Are you in over your head today? Have you taken that dangerous step that has left you feeling out of breath and fearful? He is waiting to pull you to safety. If you will just look up, you will find His mighty arm there waiting and ready to save. Let Him pull you to safety and warm you with His love. Listen to His careful instructions and follow Him. He will lead you in the depths of His love where the view is breathtaking, life giving, and the treasures are untold!

Lord, help me today to stay close to you. Enable me to follow your instructions and not get distracted with my own thing. May I be mindful of each step I take, knowing that just one step away from you and your will for my life can be life threatening. Thank you that you are mighty to save and your love can reach me no matter how deep I may have fallen.



You can read more from Tammy by visiting Steps In Our Journey