Hurricane Milton

 Today is a beautiful day in Central Florida. We've had several days of gentle rain, but today the sun is shining and all is right in the world. Hurricane Milton is scheduled to hit us head-on tomorrow evening.

Today I have choices:
1) Do I let the circumstances I'm hearing about on social media change my emotions and attitudes about today?
2) Am I as prepared as possible for anything I know might be coming my way?
3) Am I prepared to help others who might be less prepared or just plain frightened about the future?

These are questions we should be asking ourselves every day. It is my prayer that I do the same. Be safe my fellow Floridians. Thanks for the prayers everyone else. 💓

The Joy of Being "Known"

 Yesterday, I received a cheesy gold frame in the mail. It was in an Amazon box, but there was no packing slip or information as to who may have sent it. In the frame was a picture of an All American Family. Still wasn't ringing any bells for me. Oh well. I just set it aside in my pile of, "I'll figure this out later," stuff.

Last night the doorbell rang. It was our kids. They don't normally come visiting unannounced, but here they were. Jimmy, my son-in-love, seemed very excited to be here. I didn't notice it at first, because they brought my ever-excited grand pups with them. As soon as everyone was settled, Jimmy asked me if I received anything in the mail today. What? Someone knew about my weird delivery???

"Yes, yes I did." I exclaimed. "How did you know?"

"Here, this goes with it." He said as he handed me a large envelope.

It would serve you well, at this point, to tell you that Jimmy carries the most unusual sense of humor in our family. Just to give you an example, we recently took a family photo while in California. Jimmy wasn't with us, but that didn't prevent him from photo-shopping himself into our shenanigans:  

Back to the living room... I went ahead an opened the envelope Jimmy handed me. Inside was an 8x10 glossy of Tom Jones. Jimmy knew that I had been requesting a Tom Jones playlist when the four of us traveled together (much to my daughter's dismay, because she isn't a fan). You see, I was having a very emotional time this holiday season. I had recently lost my father to leukemia. In fact, the above picture was taken when I traveled to California to bury him. My Mom had already made the transition to heaven a few years before my Dad. During this season, I was really missing them both. One of my favorite memories was coming home after school and seeing Mom sitting on the couch watching This is Tom Jones on T.V. while folding laundry. Jimmy had heard this story several times and decided to take it to the next level as comic relief this season. 

Today, Ol' Tom sits on a forgotten shelf in our living room where everyone can see him. I wonder if he has any way of knowing the joy he brings to people like us during the Christmas season? I wonder if Jimmy knows the joy he brings to our family each and every day? 

Our New Home

 

Well here we are. Ready to move into our new home. What a journey!

How do you know when something's right for you? Let me share the circumstances surrounding our new home...

We began our search by asking God if we could/should move to the Mount Dora area. Our "tribe" was going to open a brewery in that area and our personal company already had members living near there. All the pieces in our life seemed to line up in that direction, so we followed the flow. We still weren't convinced that we had heard correctly, but there was joy and excitement in the momentum, so we headed in that direction.

We began the search for a place to call home. My husband and I often have differing ideas and preferences when it comes to... pretty much anything! This is what gives us such extension and diversity in business, but it makes it hard to agree upon a living space. We finally decided to make a list of the 10 most important things we were personally hoping for in a new home (later I found out that Jeff went on to 30 or so items). We were surprised to see how many of our items were identical to each other. This would give us direction and answered the question as to "what" we would be looking for. Now to address the "why" question...

We've been very busy in the six years since we left California. We've had various jobs, homes and even started a new company in the process. We realized we were looking for a place to land and rest. A place to put down a few roots. Our search took us through many "fixer-uppers" and sketchy neighborhoods. We were unfamiliar with the area, so we were feeling quite vulnerable. I began to pray, "What do you think of this place, Lord? Can we have it? If it's not your best for us, make it impossible for us to screw up your plan." This became the place God showed me that life was not coming to a close with retirement, but that He would be restoring all we had lost in years past. Every time I thought we found the right home (and would put an offer on it), it would be sold to someone else. It was hard not to lose heart, but I also believed He was hearing my prayer. A friend of mine reminded me to, "Follow the peace." It's one of the fruits of the spirit (His and mine). This helps me know when I'm on the right course. This gave us safety rails for the process.

Home hunting had become so intense, as we waited for our own property to sell and close. Jeff finally asked if we could stop looking all together until the day we actually had a check in hand for a down payment. 

On the day our home closed, we saw that this house had become available online. It was central to the homes all of our tribe had found. It was also near all the main stores and restaurants in the area. The home, itself, was quiet and the neighborhood peaceful and on a lake. There was land for me to plant and a garage for Jeff to work in. It did, in fact, check every box of our Top Ten items we felt we needed (it checked about 27 of Jeff's 30 item list too). The home seemed perfect for us.

It's a crazy season to buy a home right now. Nothing goes for asking price any more. Everyone is putting in bids way over and beyond what seems reasonable. We prayed about an amount to offer. We happened to be away from home when we received a call that all bids on this house would have to be turned in immediately. We were able to place our bid  just in time. Now we would just wait and remain in the peace we were following.

Long story short, our bid was accepted. We met the sellers for drinks a week ago and they let us know that our bid was not the best they had received by far, but they both felt right about selling to us. We let them know that the home was not only everything we were looking for, but we later discovered that it had so many things we had not even thought to hope for. Items we had desired from childhood and others we had given up when we left California. The sellers shared that they weren't even thinking about moving, but a property near their parents' home opened up and they couldn't resist. Their perfect timing became our perfect timing. 

Hearing God's voice and knowing direction in life isn't a method you can follow. It's as personal as having a conversation with your spouse behind closed doors. Developing a relationship/partnership with the God of the Universe is a big deal, but it's also as tender as a baby receiving a mother's kiss. How do you know when He is speaking? You know the same way you know your child's voice coming through on the telephone. You know because you've spent enough time and energy loving each other.

Christmas 2020

 Here it is, the day after Christmas and I'm scrolling through all my friends and family's Christmas photos and holiday wishes. I'm noticing all the beautifully decorated homes and living rooms full of presents. I begin to think about our Christmas, our year, our life...

We have an unusual Christmas tradition of going to the movie theater on Christmas day. It began many years back when our middle child, Tiffany, was spending some time in a State Hospital. Tiffany dealt with a rare disease (San Filippo Syndrome, Type-A). She went through several stages which ranged from extreme hyper-activity, ability to survive on 2 hours of sleep each night, Pica (a compulsive eating disorder in which one eats nonfood items... plants, paper, nails...), all the way down to eventual immobility and loss of major organ functions. It was during the "Non-sleeping" period of her life that we required extra assistance with her. On Christmas day, our little family would drive to Porterville and pick Tiffers up for the day. The only thing open was the movie theater and McDonalds. Since both of those were two of her most favorite places to go, that would be our family Christmas. Tiffany has been gone for 6 years now, but the tradition continues (minus McDonalds, lol).

I noticed our decorations were sparse. Jeff and I moved right before the holidays, so our focus was on "fixing" rather than "decorating" our new accommodations. We are fortunate enough to live in a community which is very festive, so we enjoyed our neighbor's decorations and the holiday golf-cart parade that puttered past our home just before Christmas Eve.

Another thing that has changed over the years is the pile of presents under our tree. As our Christmas tree grew smaller, so did the number of gifts under it. Jeff and I only exchange a few items. We find it more fun to spend our money on adventure. It seems our kids have similar lifestyles, so often times we "adventure" together instead of exchanging a bunch of gifts. It was fun to look back on the entire year and see how "gift giving" has been an ongoing practice. It usually appears as meeting the need of a friend, encouraging those around us, and simply "cheer-leading" those we love. Life has definitely become much simpler and a lot less commercial.

This was a strange year for everyone, given the current COVID-19 epidemic. Last Christmas season, a strange sickness (we didn't know about COVID yet) ran through the church I worked at, infecting most of us who did life together. We were all sicker than we'd ever been, but still we moved forward. My father-in-law was down with pneumonia recently, but tested "clean" for COVID. Other than that, we've been most fortunate in the health category. Our prayers have been with those less fortunate. 

We live in Florida, so our living situation has faired so much better than most states. Most everything here is open with very few restrictions. We've become accustomed to masks and social distancing, but we've managed to avoid the "lock-down" many of those we love are experiencing. We even managed to enjoy the beautiful California wedding of our daughter to our housemate, Jimmy. We had to get very creative to accomplish this, but it was one of the more beautiful events I have ever had the pleasure to attend.

All in all this has been a different kind of year. As I get older, my life changes. I think I like the way it's morphing. I'm glad we celebrate tradition, but we are always open to new adventures. I love getting gifts, but I'm certainly enjoying helping others more. I take way more time to laugh than I do getting stuck in a puddle of tears. I am truly blessed, but I also make sure it's the blessings I focus on and not the short-comings. 

This week, my husband and I will set aside some time to come up with a few dreams and goals for next year. We set them loosely. One thing we have learned from our life is that everything can change at any moment, however, if you have nothing to look forward to, you never know if you're accomplishing anything. One thing we will always do, as individuals and as a family, is to "celebrate everything." So from our house to yours... Happy Adventures to you and plan to enjoy this coming new year!

Enjoy the Journey

This is a very special week for our family. My youngest daughter will marry her best friend on Saturday. We’ve spent months planning and preparing. The big event is days away. Every young bride has hopes and dreams she invests into this moment of her life. My constant prayer for my daughter is that she will enjoy the journey, before and after the wedding, so that her joy may be full. 

I heard the word “ecclesia” yesterday. I had never heard it used before, with the exception of the elongated version in the Bible, Ecclesiastes. What does it mean? It can mean one of two things: 1) A political assembly of citizens. 2) The members of a church. Now that I know the meaning of this strange word, I wanted to re-read Solomon’s opening thoughts as his mind and emotions collided with the following realization… What’s the point of getting everything you want?  Where does that leave you?

So as not to derail you from your journey-to-the-goal track, let me expand on my epiphany. Creating a dream destination isn’t the problem. The problem presents itself as you near the “end game” and you realize that it’s all about to be over. It’s like coming to the end of a very good book. What now? What’s next? I see it like a hamster on a wheel that suddenly stops. No one likes the jolt of a dead end.

We’re nearing a national election in which both definitions of ecclesia will be participating. The tight-rope between politics and church will be stretched to the point that no one can let go without causing everyone to crash in the mud. Our focus has been distorted by the “end game.” We have lost sight of the journey before and after the vote. We have lost sight of the fact that we’re all on the same team… as American citizens.

Many years ago, I remember an election in which the man I voted for lost. I had been sure he was the right person to lead because he lined up with my spiritual and moral plumb line. I was devastated by the results of the election. The next morning the sun came up and shown as it always did. The people got up and went to work as they had before. America survived and life went on. This year, rather than praying for a particular candidate to win, I’ve been asking God how to pray for each candidate. What does each man need during this stressful journey he is on? How can I intercede so that the tension of the tugging and pulling, as seen in ads and debates, can give way to using the rope for more constructive purposes? What is God doing in America and who is the right person for this time in His plan? If God can use Pharaoh to bring about liberty for the Israelites, what other kinds of secret plans does He have in mind for us? How can I participate in America’s journey before and after the election? How can I side with unity rather than division? The questions go on and on.

For today, I will look forward to the exciting week set before me. I will celebrate the moment I am in and rise higher to see what lies after each event. I will remember who I put my trust in and I will look for new and creative ways to love those around me in this journey we call, "Life."

COVID-19 Communion

This is a very strange and fascinating time in the history of the world. People have been forcibly isolated due to COVID-19. Social distancing has become a household phrase. Churches are losing contributions as well as membership. Sometimes it's hard to see the secret treasure hidden beneath all this darkness, but it's there.

Last night, while delivering a few face masks to a couple of dear friends, we were asked to participate in something very special. This was Maundy Thursday and families all over the world were taking a moment to celebrate communion, privately in their own homes, to remember the Passover feast Jesus had with his friends before he was led away to be crucified. Our friends had been preparing for this world-wide event as well. They would be connecting with a family in another state, via video chat, to have communion together. They invited us to join them.

What a precious time we had. The family we connected with had two young boys. The father was taking time to explain to them the story from Exodus of the very first Passover. I'll never forget the wide eyes of one son as he listened carefully and the sheer hilarious boredom of the other. The father patiently finished his teaching and my husband was handed the baton to continue.

Jeff painted a picture, for those of us listening, of Jesus in a room with all his best friends. He reminded us that Jesus gave thanks for the privilege of being the One, the final sacrificial lamb, choosing to move forward in all that was about to happen. He told the boys that Jesus' best friends didn't understand what was about to happen and would eventually all leave him. One would run away so fast that his clothes would fall off (I later asked where that was in the Bible because I had never noticed it before ~Mark 14:51-52). Jeff went on to share that when Jesus hung on the cross the next day, he asked his father, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do." Jeff shared that one school of thought was that Jesus was asking his father to forgive us all the way back to Adam and Eve. They did not know what they would set into action with their disobedience. Forgiving "them" would wipe out that sinful nature once and FOR ALL. It would set us all free, not by who or what we are, but by who and what He did. Everyone became quietly entranced. Jeff continued on by giving thanks and breaking the bread. What a special night communing together, It will be forever etched into my mind.

This night would never have happened if COVID-19 didn't strike. Satan was rendered powerless with the final sacrifice of the lamb over 2000 years ago. The only weapon the enemy now has are the lies he can talk us into believing. God is showing us how to walk in the power of all he conquered so long ago. Pick up the COVID-19 sword and use it against the enemy yourself. Jesus wants to come back to a beautiful and strong bride. His kingdom will have no end.

As you maneuver the waters of this historical moment in time, find places to be thankful. Share with others the testimony of what God is doing through your life and family during this time. Remember how to stay connected. This is the time to reclaim the territory promised to us.

Once and for all!

Have you ever woke up with a thought and it set the tone for your whole day? Last night, I had a dream about someone famous being interviewed. He was sharing, with the world, about his recent prognosis and his impending death. For whatever reason, I was standing next to him as he spoke. In front of him was a shallow box with rows of rolled up washcloths. Each cloth represented something he would share with the world. As he spoke, I listened and prayed.

Eventually, this man's story became something that I knew would break his mother's heart. Not because he did anything wrong, but because his life and death would impact her so powerfully. I asked him to hand me the cloth his hand was on as he continued with his narrative. I knew his Mom would need my prayer.

When I woke up, there was a strange and seemingly unrelated phrase running through my mind, "Once and for all." How odd, I thought. What did that phrase have to do with my dream? I began to recall places, in the Bible, where that phrase is spoken (Hebrews 10:10, Romans 6:10, 1 Peter 3:18). Then I let myself imagine the vast possibility of what that phrase could mean.

Once: On one occasion; For one time only.
And: Used to connect words that are to be taken jointly.
For: A person or thing that something is sent or given to.
All: Every one; the complete amount; the whole.

Holy Spirit began to speak to my not yet fully awake state of mind, "What if the Good News really was good news? What if it was better than you thought?"

We go to church and hear phrases that eventually become cliche',  "Jesus is the good news." "The Bible is the good news." What if the whole thing, the story of Jesus, as told through the Bible, really is good news? What if it's better than we thought?  Just take a moment to consider what that could mean...

Jesus became a final  (one time only) sacrifice for everything we ever did (or would do) wrong. AND he did it as a gift for everyone (the good, the bad and the ugly). It was documented that death could not hold him and he is alive to this day. Do we really believe everything this indicates? Do we really believe that everyone has already been given this gift even if they don't understand it, make use of it, or jump through any hoops to receive it? Do we really believe that it means we will be clean forever and that even if we die, we will live on? What if this is actually the true meaning of grace?

Suddenly I see how my dream, the wash cloths, the gift we have been given and the heartache of a mother all fit together. This is the Christmas story. Today... celebrate it for ALL it's worth!

Merry Christmas

What's In a Name?

The definition of a name: A word (or set of words) by which a person is known, addressed or referred to.

A name (or word spoken over your life) carries authority, destiny and vision.

In our family, the name Tramel meant something. Builders in Fresno and the Tri-counties area of California knew they could get quality steel work from the Tramel family. In our family, the name "Buck" meant something. We were Buck's kids. At one family reunion, we even wore shirts that said, "Buck's Kid" so people would know who (and whose) we were. In our household, I could use the phrase "Mom said so," and it held weight. A name carries authority.

In the Bible, David received a word from Samuel. It was one word... king! This word gave David hope and an ability to carry on. David knew Goliath couldn't kill him because he had not yet become king. A word carries destiny.

One of Jesus' disciples had a powerful name change. Simon's name became Peter when Jesus declared, "On this rock I will build my church." A name carries vision.

What does your name mean? My name, Tam, means, "Palm Tree." Ugh! I didn't think that was very exciting until I discovered that my favorite character in the Bible, Deborah, sat under a palm tree as she judged the nation, Israel. To judge, in those days, was an honored position. People came for advice, to have matters settled, and trusted the wisdom she carried. Being part of that kind of story isn't a bad thing,

A few years ago, God gave me a new word. The word was MORE. Words are a funny thing. They are just as easy to miss as they are to catch. As the word MORE began to grow, it morphed into a name. M.O.R.E. became the name of our ministry and our life calling. God showed us that there will always be MORE!

Today, take a moment to ask God for a single word, a name. It may be one you already know, or it could be something that's been waiting in the wings for you to discover. Either way, it will carry authority, destiny and vision. It will be the seed of something much bigger. Go ahead and plant your seed and see what happens. The world is waiting to see the fruit you bear.

Jesus Teaches His Disciples The Value of Women

Matthew 15:22-28

A Canaanite woman came to Jesus while he was with his disciples. She needed a miracle for her daughter who was tormented by a demon. She was desperate.

At that time, Jewish men didn’t even regard woman important enough to be counted when they recalled an event.  A Canaanite woman wasn’t regarded at all because she was not Jewish. This woman plowed through all these obstacles for the one opportunity to see her daughter delivered. Her love for her daughter was bigger than her fear of men.

At first, Jesus seems to ignore her.  The disciples become uncomfortable and want to send her away. She persists. Next, Jesus says something to her that sounds a bit demeaning. He says, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." She begins to worship him. Hmmm.

At her next request he says, “It is not meet (proper in Jewish culture) to take the children’s (what is meant for the children of God) bread and to cast it to the dogs (puppies that hang around the table). The woman refutes that even the puppies get the crumbs that fall from the master’s table.

I wonder if Jesus created an intentional display more for his disciples than for the woman. He seemingly ignored her, but the pause grabbed the disciples' attention. Jesus then pointed out two very important Jewish beliefs: 

   1) Woman and non-Jews had no value. 

   2) Only descendants of Jacob received blessing. 

I believe that Jesus was about the change the culture of his time. He was going to demonstrate to his disciples that everyone (every gender, every nation) was called into the fullness of The Father.

Next, the woman worshiped Jesus. She understood where this was going.

Jesus then says, “O woman…” He calls her by the very thing that would have disqualified her by tradition. He continues with, “Great is thy faith.” This woman knew what God could do. She worshiped the God she believed, and she pursued him as one who realized her value and deserved his blessing. Jesus then declares, “Be it unto thee even as thou wilt (desires).”

This woman had been granted her every desire, right in front of the Jewish disciples! They would never be able to forget this day. The foundation of those who followed Jesus would be changed forever. Let's never forget the lessons we've been taught. Let's keep digging for the gold beneath the surface.

Stage 4 Cancer

I have a friend who was healed of stage 4 cancer years ago. It was in his esophagus. He wasn't a believer (at the time), but a child laid hands on him and prayed for him. When he went back to the doctor for an x-ray, there was a bright light where the cancer had once been.

Recently, I shared this testimony with a new friend of mine who was dealing with stage 4 cancer in her stomach. She had been going through all the procedures prescribed by her doctors. We all watched as she became increasingly thin and weak. One night, she came to our C.A.S.E. (Celebration Academy of Spiritual Empowerment) class and we all prayed over her.

The students had been learning how to listen to Holy Spirit and declare what they believed He was saying in any given situation. They began to declare God's goodness over my friend. Some moved in the authority Jesus has given us to tell sickness to leave (God is bigger than any of the enemy's weapons). They continued to intercede and love on my friend until they felt God say, "It is finished." Last week, we heard that my friend's positron emission tomography (PET) scan came back with NO SIGN OF CANCER.  She went from stage 4 to stage 0!

So, what does all this matter? When someone is healed like this, a seed is created. This seed can be planted in others and faith grows. The definition of testimony is: Evidence or proof provided by the existence of something. When you have proof that God did something, you have evidence that He can do it again. He isn't a respecter of persons. He makes this available for everyone. He came to give you life... life more abundant. It's the enemy who comes to rob, kill and destroy. Let's figure out whose camp we're hanging out in.

So, what about those who aren't healed? My own mother died of cancer and my daughter died after many people prayed over her. I'll be the first to admit that I don't have those answers. Rather than get offended at what I don't understand, I'll choose daily to partner with what I do see God doing. I'll thank Him for every little thing that demonstrates His goodness and His will for us all to prosper and be in good health. I'll side with Kingdom... the winning team.

We're taking back territory now.

Armor of God

When I was little, I loved going to Disneyland. Now that I'm older, it's Disney World I spend most of my time visiting. Seeing the same place over and over can become tedious unless you have your eyes trained to notice things that are new or different. I can experience a whole new adventure as I look deeper into the details of what I didn't notice before.

The same is true with the Bible. We get used to seeing the same familiar verses, but believe me, there's gold under those words if you take the time to dig a little. 

This week, I was finishing my study in Ephesians. I got to the all familiar verse about the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). I pulled out my Greek translation and began to dig. What is the meaning behind the meaning? What kind of revelation did God hide in those verses for hungry people, like me, to uncover? I was using my Mom's old Bible, so I pulled her notes together with mine. Then I took a step back to see what kind of treasure I had discovered. Here is what I found...

...Take up and use the complete armor of God, so that when the day of slanderous deceit comes from the enemy you still be able to withstand all that is coming at you. After you have done everything to set up a place to get balanced, then stand firm. Jesus has been revealed to you through Holy Spirit. That revelation will be like a belt wrapped around the areas representing procreation, and all which you pass on to others. Your heart will be protected by the integrity and virtue of Jesus. You are being fitted and prepared through the teaching of Good News by those you trust. Those lessons will bring you tranquility and peace. In addition to all of this, you will have a conviction of truth with which you can use to ward off the accusations of the enemy and those under his influence. Remember that it is the hope in Jesus that protects your mind and the living voice of God which will give you the discernment needed to separate what is useful and that which can be discarded. Process all of this with Holy Spirit. He will also guide you in how to pray for those around you...

I'd love to hear what kind of treasures you are unearthing in your studies.

A Bridge From Heaven to Earth

I was reading Galatians, in my Mom's Bible, this morning.She had several Bibles throughout her life. When she died in the spring, I went through her Bibles and chose to keep the one she had when she began to learn about and walk with Holy Spirit. This was in the late 70's and early 80's. This was when she sowed her desire for "more" into me.

I love how Mom underlined, highlighted, and gave definitions from the Greek for particular verses all throughout her Bible. She was hungry for God to give her revelation, so she spent time, every morning, waiting on him so she could receive all He had for her. The gold hidden between the lines of her Bible are priceless. This morning I felt like I was having devotions with her.

I was noticing, in my reading, how Paul seemed to have the same experience. When he was converted, he began to go directly to God for revelation. Paul didn't rely on the other apostles. In fact, he didn't even meet them until years later. Paul wanted to know God through a direct relationship, not one he received through others. He reminded others to seek revelation for themselves and to remember the gospel they had been taught... Jesus came in the flesh (living in the limits of humanity so he could become the perfect sacrifice to redeem what Adam lost). Jesus represented Kingdom and Kingdom could be found on earth ("On earth as it is in heaven," and "The kingdom of God is at hand"). Paul wanted his followers to stay pure even when others began to pile on rules and traditions that may lead them astray. Remember the basics you received at your salvation.

As I read on, Paul mentioned, "And they praised God because of me." (Gal 1:24). I love this because it represents something we often trip over. God chooses to use people who are willing to be in partnership with Him. This is a continuation of the purpose of sending Jesus in the flesh. God is constantly bridging the gap between God and man... heaven and earth. People praised God because Paul brought attention to all God was doing. Man saw Paul, but they praised God. God showed off what He was doing through Paul so that people would have a bridge to come to Him (yes, I just said the same thing, several different ways). He always uses people. He created us for this purpose. This is a great picture of the prayer Jesus prayed in John 17:21), "...that they may be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Today, I will remember that He lives in Me, just as He lives in Jesus, just as He lives in my Mom. What will that look like? What kind of glory will He receive today because people see me? What part of heaven will touch earth today because I said, "Yes," to this partnership? What will be the potential for tomorrow? This is what I believe Paul was referring to. This is where we say goodbye to status quo Christianity and say, "Yes!" to MORE.

A Tribute To My Mom 1/4/1941 - 2/13/2019

It is said that you can best know a person by the fruit they drop along the way. Everyone who knew Janet Tramel, can probably identify some kind of fruit my mom left in your path. As for me, some of this fruit became seed and the resulting roots run so deep that the fruit I now drop can be traced directly back to her influence in my life. Three of the attributes, I now carry because of her, are an overwhelming love for everything Disney, an eye to see every obstacle or opportunity as an adventure, and a deep connection to the third person of the trinity… Holy Spirit.

When we were little, my mom had all the latest Disney albums. She played them constantly on our stereo. I was an official member of the Mouseketeers at age 3, but my biggest memory was the giant Disney jar she kept on her dresser. We were always wanting to go to Disneyland, so mom empowered us to get involved in the planning by having us clip out coupons when we went grocery shopping. Every amount we saved on groceries was turned into coin and placed in the jar until we had earned enough to go. I don’t think we ever earned enough ourselves, but in doing this, mom was such a representation of God in my life. She was empowering, encouraging, and she inspired us to find creative ways to set aside our childish impulses to go after what was truly important. I even learned to make bread so we could save the money it would have taken to buy it. She, like God, never showed me the price she paid, herself, for the flour, sugar and yeast it would take for me to succeed. She just praised me for partnering with the plan.

The fruit of adventure came when my sisters, our daughters and I would travel with mom to Women of Faith each year. During the trip we would inevitably get lost somewhere along the way. The moment we did, my mom would say, “Well, it looks like we’re on an adventure.” At first, I hated that phrase, but after years of hearing it, I began to see every obstacle and opportunity as a door to adventure. I could either get stuck in it or choose to go through it and see where it would take me. Jeff and I raised our three children, Jeremy, Tiffany, and Cody not only to embrace life’s adventure, but to also take it a step further and pursue it. Find the adventure and follow it. You never know where it will take you.

The third and most important fruit my mom dropped in my life was Holy Spirit and all the fruit that comes with Him. I grew up knowing God and learned all about Jesus in church, but Mom and Dad went after Holy Spirit and taught me how to do the same. Since I lived away from home, from the time I was 18, Holy Spirit was where mom and I have always remained connected. No matter where I was or what I was learning, I could call and process it all with her. She was as hungry as I was for MORE, and we couldn’t wait to hear the new revelation we each were receiving each time we talked. This connection became a supernatural one for us. We would uncover new attributes of Holy Spirit at the same time, even though we lived miles apart. We could even sense things going on in each other’s life even though we weren’t in close proximity, and we often knew how to intercede for each other even though we hadn’t spoken. I’ll never forget the afternoon I called my mom as I held my own daughter in my arms after she had just passed away. Mom didn’t say a single word. She just cried on the other end of the line with me. We were, at that moment, together through the power of Holy Spirit. During the last year of her life, she never lost touch with that connection. Just like the author of the famous song, she could say, “Whatever my lot, though hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well, with my soul.”

Today, I live 10 miles from Disney World. I work at a church and school introducing people to Jesus and the power of Holy Spirit. My life is one huge adventure. Mom would get a kick out of seeing a group of spirit-filled Presbyterians, from a church inspired by Disney, change the world for Christ. But it’s my guess… she’s already seeing it.

Kingdom Fun

Testimony is the seed that God uses to grow faith. Last night, we watched miracle after miracle happen at a community church service involving all the churches in the area. I'd like to share some of them with you now.

Our prayer team was asked to be available to pray with people who may have been affected by a very recent tragedy involving one of the local pastors who was supposed to speak during the service. We gathered as a team to ask Holy Spirit how we should prepare. He said, "Let's do a treasure hunt." This seemed like a strange response, but Holy Spirit is the embodiment of  Power, Hope, Joy, Fun, Creativity... Why would I expect anything different to come from Him? We began to change our focus.

A treasure hunt is a game played where you ask Holy Spirit to give you "clues" so you can find the treasure Jesus wants to touch at any given time. We prayed. Each of us heard a list of items ranging from color to gender to age and ailments or situations people might be dealing with. We wrote what we heard, shared our lists with each other, and took them into the service. Then we watched.

One of the team heard items from her list mentioned by not one, but two of the pastors who were speaking during the evening. She was able to pray with them after and they received what Jesus wanted for each of them. Another team member took the phrase, "funny bone" that another person heard, to mean that God wanted to take a painful situation and turn it into joy. In speaking that interpretation out, she changed the course of the evening in the service. My husband was watching for a woman in a red and white horizontal shirt. His clue was that she would be sitting in the "front" row. He stood in the back and watched. During the service, a family came in and sat down in the back. One of the members, a woman, wore a red and white horizontal striped shirt. Holy Spirit showed him that she was in the row right "in front" of him. She was the treasure Jeff was looking for and Holy Spirit was beginning to get creative. 

My list said, "Boots, pre-teen, boy, yellow and sadness." I felt instructed to fold under the last word and keep it just between Holy Spirit and me, but to pray joy (the opposite spirit) over the boy if I found him. We walked into the service and immediately I saw the target. A boy wearing a yellow shirt and a bright yellow sweatshirt sat next to his teenage brother near the front. After the service I got to share my list with him and told him that he was the treasure Jesus told me about before he ever arrived at church. He seemed unaffected when I prayed, but later his mom said he became emotional over the word and came up to give me a big hug. We can't always go by what we see. We just have to trust that Jesus is doing what He wants to do in the lives He directs us to.

There was more fun that happened during the evening. I prayed over a woman who was crying as she filled out a card with prayer requests. I asked if I could pray over her while she wrote. The prayer was generic, but at the end I felt Holy Spirit to call her, "A lighthouse on a hill, a beacon that others would see and come to." She began to laugh so I stopped praying. She said, "You said God 'sees' me, then you called me a lighthouse on a hill. That's the church I go to and 'beacons' are what the women are called at the church. You would have no way of knowing that, but God does and He Sees Me!"  My husband and I prayed over a worship singer who was dealing with chronic back pain. Nothing seemed to change until he said that the pain was caused by his feet, legs and hips. Jeff asked if one of his legs was shorter than the other. He said, "Yes!" We sat him in a chair and gently pulled his legs out straight to measure them. His heals seems to line up, but his ankles were about an inch off. I placed my fingers on his ankle bones and Jeff began to pray. We watched as Jesus moved his ankles to line up right before our eyes. The man said, "Something's happening!" Sure enough, something did.

These are the things that follow those who believe (Mark 16:17-18). These are the things that happened with a tiny group of believers last night. Imagine the seeds handed out to all those Jesus touched. Seeds that will grow miracles of their own, fruit which will be produced by Holy Spirit and paths created which will lead people back to a good, good Father.

Trinity

I often get to visit with people who are confused about the three persons of The Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Usually, they fall into two categories: 1) They are afraid one one of them and therefore choose to ignore it. 2) They are worried that one is getting more credit than the other. I was contemplating this dilemma this morning as I prepared for work.

The thought occurred to me... My husband refers to me in different manners. He calls me "Babe" when he's talking to me as a husband or lover. He calls me "Mom" when it's something involving the kids or they are around. He calls me "Tam" when we're in business or ministry mode. Every time he uses one of those names, I know he's addressing me by the trait he needs to draw from. He is never confused or afraid of any of the above terms, and often makes up other names as needed. This is endearing. It's also a great way to communicate. I know what part of me he needs at any given moment. I am still me.

I wonder if it's the same for God. He is three in one, yet three very distinct parts. I don't think He gets offended if we use one name more than another. I love that each name has something I need desperately. He is God the Father: Creator, provider, protector and the one who gives and builds up my identity. He is God the Son: The only way to His heart, Lover, Friend, Confidant. He is God the Holy Spirit: My counselor, comforter and source of all His fruit. I refer to the part of Him I am in need of when I talk to Him.

Today, be aware of Trinity. Explore what He's saying to you about Himself. Encounter the freedom of intimacy with Him and let Him share with you his revelatory treasures.

How To Be An Influence

I recently heard the phrase, "Tapping the rudder," used to describe the means of which you slowly turn a huge vessel so that it moves in a new direction. This phrase often bothers me, not because it isn't true, but because I realize that the process is slow. When I feel a change is needed, I'm all about "repentance" which means to change the way you think... immediately.

A friend of mine reminded me, today, that I am a seed. I had posted the following illustration on Facebook:

She reminded me that I have already had a living, breathing example of this happening in my own life:

When we first moved to Abu Peak Ranch, this tree was a tiny plant, not unlike the one pictured above. Years went by. We didn't notice the work that was happening inside the rock. We only saw the tree as it grew. One day, years later, the roots of the tree had gone so deep that it broke the rock. The piece that fell off is visible in this picture.

This is how we influence. We let God plant us in the places He wants us. Then we grow. We allow him to water and feed us as we go "deep". We don't push and pull, we just grow. The slow and steady work, He does, causes the hardest of rocks to break... eventually.

The Importance of Testimony

When and where do we get to share the testimony of all God is doing? These are the stories that bring life to the tasks set before us. These are the seeds that grow faith in others. The examples of what God is willing to do again and again.

Last night, Jeff and I got to serve with some amazing people. We were asked to form a prayer team to minister at a worship night the young adults were putting together at our church. The group leading was made up of people in their late teens and early 20's. Since there is no Junior Holy Spirit, it was easy for me to get up under their leadership. Learning to serve whomever Jesus raises up is key to being part of the adventure.

The music was amazing. The stories shared between sets were raw and vulnerable. The atmosphere had been strategically set for Jesus to move. This is the place when The Father's love is thick and Holy Spirit draws on the hearts of those who are ready. I love not only participating, at times like these, but I also enjoy watching all that's going on as you see The Spirit move in and out of the crowd. This is what it looked like:

In the front, near the stage, kids were unashamedly worshiping. They didn't care what they looked like. There was no one there to tell them they were doing it "wrong" (lol). This must have been how David appeared as he worshiped daily before God. In the middle of the church, one young lady was reaching over the chairs to lay hands on a man in the next row back. His friends joined in on the prayer. Up in the crow's nest, where the behind the scenes crew hangs out, a man was comforting a boy who had just lost his own father. Laughter and tears were everywhere and the music continued.

As for me, I was approached by two boys who came up for prayer together. They looked to be about high school age. I almost missed them because I was moving to the other side of the room at the time. We have to keep our eyes open for these kinds of opportunities. I thought it odd that they would come up together. It is my experience that boys, especially this age, tend to be private if they are wanting to become vulnerable. Instead of questioning it, I just asked Holy Spirit where he was going to go in this situation. One boy began to share, "I just need 'change' in my life." He wasn't specific. The other boy said that he felt stuck in some things he couldn't seem to break through. This is how it begins. I tuned into see what Holy Spirit was showing me behind what the boys are saying. Now I knew where to begin.

I asked the boys if they were Christians. Had they allowed Jesus to come in and become part of their lives. They both answered an emphatic, "Yes!" Now I knew that this was going to be fun. "I'm going to do something a little different," I began to share with them, "I'm going to activate the two of you so you can pray for others." I had one lay his hands on the other while I followed Holy Spirit's lead. When this happened, I saw a whole plan laid out for this young man. Heaven had a lot in store, so I prayed that a spot light would be shined directly on him. Tears began to stream down his cheeks. I continued to share all I saw as I drew on heaven's "movie" I saw streaming his future. I reminded him that David was able to fight Goliath because he held on to God's promise that he would one day be king. This boy cried harder as he grasped his new hope and future.

When the roles were reversed and it was time to pray for the other boy, I felt that the thing keeping him "stuck" had to do with his family. I asked the first boy to place his hand on the back of the other boy's neck, right where it connects to the back. This is where our past seems to hang out, so that's where we went in. As I reminded this boy of all Jesus did on the cross, I was able to begin declaring that all his past has been crucified with Christ. He didn't have to be held back by anything that may have been passed down from one generation to the next. The boy got excited. We continued on wherever I felt Holy Spirit was taking us. In the end, I had one boy crying over God's goodness and one jumping for joy. Jesus does what he wants to do. It doesn't have to line up with my logic or reasoning. I just remain open and listen carefully for my role in the partnership. Who wouldn't want to be part of that?!?

Both boys left knowing that they now had a new promise and new assignments. They were activated into being able to pray for others on their journeys. This is how we grow people up in the kingdom. This is what Christianity gets to looks like... people loving on people and hope restored. I'd love to hear your testimonies so we can continue to pass out these seeds of faith.

Wake Up Calls In The Middle Of The Night

You know those times when you wake up in the middle of the night with something completely consuming your mind? I had one of those moments last night.

I am beginning to consider that these early morning "wake up" calls may be from heaven. Often times they come as answers to a question I've been asking. Sometimes they are directional and I can determine which part of a fork in the road I should pursue. Last night, I felt like a porthole to heaven had been opened. 

I woke with a thought. What if this is that moment when every possible healing I'd been going after was available. In my sleepy state, it felt like an advertisement... "For one moment only, you can have any healing you would like to ask for." Immediately, several other thoughts came, "You're just dreaming. This is silly. It isn't really happening." They came so fast, it felt like balls being pitched in a batting cage. There was only one way to stop them... Start swinging!

Once my brain cleared, I went back to pondering the thought that originally woke me. What if it was true? What if I really could have any healing I asked for in this moment? What if Jesus really meant it when he said, "You have not because you ask not. I only do what I see The Father do. Greater things will you do."?  What did I have to lose by believing that all those things were true? I began to ask. 

My mind became a parade of family and friends who needed Jesus to heal them. I asked for each ailment to be healed as I saw it go by. I noticed that a lot of the problems people dealt with had to do with "tasks" they felt obligated to perform. Isn't that interesting? Could the feeling like you had to do something actually bring on pain? Do we sometimes take on the role of a martyr when we endlessly serve in our jobs or in the lives of others? Could bitterness attach itself to something that started off being good? Maybe at some point we stopped thinking of how this could help someone else and we began to be consumed about how it was hurting us (taking away our freedom, our choices, our self being in the #1 position).

Danny Silk, in his book 'Keep You Love On', describes this kind of activity as being a "rescuer". We feel powerless unless we can find a place to rescue someone by taking on their tasks, cleaning up after them or finding other ways to meet their needs. This is actually an unhealthy co-dependency. It's not wrong to help others, but it is possible to go too far by taking on the entire burden ourselves. The results can leave the other person powerless, unable to handle their own issues and becoming totally dependent on us for their happiness, comfort and peace. At this point, haven't we just replaced God in their lives? We've become their savior. It comes at a price for us as well. We were never meant to carry such a heavy load. Our emotions are consumed, so our bodies respond... in pain. What a mess!

There is a solution. Become powerful and empower them to do the same. It's easier to give someone a "hand up" than it is to carry them on your back. Sometimes we need to teach others to do those things we've been doing for them. Sometimes need to stand by while they figure it out, ready to coach when necessary. Sometimes we just need to repent about having stepped into the role of God in the lives of others. There are lots of options.

So, whatever happened to the dream like state I was in? I actually fell asleep as I sent all my friends and family through the porthole of healing I was seeing. I woke up this morning with everything I just shared with you. I hope it helps.

Your Mistakes Don't Define You

This week, Jeff and I get to speak to a group of young parents about marriage, family, and raising kids from a spiritual perspective. The invitation, itself, made me chuckle. You see, I was not the poster child for this kind of model. I found ways to mess up each of these areas as I lived through them. There are many times, in my life, when I get to see God bring something full circle for no other reason than to let me bask in the glory of His transforming power. He demonstrates to me two amazing truths when He does this: 1) What He did on the cross changes everything. I can now live in the freedom I received from that moment rather than focusing on my shortcomings; 2) God is HUGE. I'm just not big enough to screw up His plans.

As a young wife and mother, I wanted my family to be perfect. Being a Christian, I figured I had a set of rules that would help. The 10 commandments was a good place to start. In fact, the Bible was filled with all kinds of rules I could use to govern my new little family. My heart was searching for ways to please God. I was tying my family up in knots and making a huge mess of our life. I was striving to be someone I didn't have the power to be and I was putting all those same expectations on my husband and children. It wasn't until years later that I realized the purpose of all those laws. They were to show me how impossible it is to be righteous on my own. I would always fall short. I needed to grasp what it meant to have a savior who had already done all that for me at the cross.

So last night I went to sleep wondering... What in the world am I going to share with this group? I woke up this morning seeing how God was redeeming all my former mistakes in the life He has now set before me. I constantly have dreams of raising children who aren't my own. I am now beginning to understand those dreams. I get a chance to show others that there are better, more joyful, ways to be a family.

Years ago, Jeff and I started a non-profit called M.O.R.E. Ministries, Inc. (http://www.moreministries.rocks). When we began learning about all Jesus did (and still does), we noticed that as soon as we learned something, there was always something more to learn just ahead. Life was no longer about rules, but instead became about opportunities to partner with Holy Spirit to see The Kingdom of Heaven touch Earth.

M.O.R.E. was designed to launch new ministries and raise up leaders to advance the kingdom culture Jesus refers to in most of his parables, "The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand". M.O.R.E. is an acronym which stands for several things:
   Moving Out Radically Encountered.
      Moving Out Relationally Encouraged.
         Moving Out Responsibly Equipped.
            Moving Out Richly Empowered.

It was in seeing who we are and what we do now that I realized that this is not only how you raise up leaders and change a culture, this is also how you build a healthy marriage, raise a family and prepare children to be adults. All people need to be given opportunities to be radically encountered by Jesus. He's going to be the one to awaken their true identity. Our entire family needs to be surrounded by those who are willing to foster healthy relationships. Feeling loved and encouraged keeps us moving forward and helps us to avoid becoming critical and judgmental. As parents, we acquire tools we can  share with our children. We need to find creative ways to partner with our spouses so we can equip our young apprentices to use these tools. And finally, we need to realize that our home (and church) should be a huge "play-pen". We need safe places to try out all we have learned. We need places we can fall down and be lifted back up to try again. This is how we become confident, joyful and are finally ready to be... sent out.

Jeff and I have an apostolic calling on our lives. We now get to be fathers and mothers to many. We have also been presented with lots of fun opportunities for healing with our own children and marriage. Each time we learn something new, God continues to show us "There's Got To Be M.O.R.E."!

Relax! Be Who You Are.

You know those days when everything hard catches up with you?  Waves of inadequacy can crash in from all sides. Life looks really big and we question whether or not we have what it takes to compete, survive, or ever make a difference. This week, I had a one of those days.

Anytime a new opportunity comes my way, I seem to fall into a pattern. First, I get excited. Next, I step back and take a look at the big picture. Finally, I panic! It is this unhealthy "rut" that often prevents me from being able to risk being a part of something new. I freeze up, afraid to join the adventure. Fear becomes my partner and I fold under the lying accusations of the enemy. "You can't do this!" "You are nothing." "You will embarrass yourself and never be able to face people again." The list goes on and on...

This morning I was considering my children, all of which are brave and wildly adventuresome. I was remembering how one of them was able to influence hundreds of people without even saying a word. Our daughter, Tiffany, had a relationship with God that was different. She was completely disabled physically and mentally, but she carried the love of Jesus and the power of Holy Spirit everywhere she went. Wherever she was, lives were effected and changed. We never really understood how or why this happened so easily with her, but we watched it transpire time and time again. She has since passed away, so I decided to go back and watched her memorial service to remember how God can use us, just as we are, to accomplish great things (http://ladybugtiff.com). There were many testimonies being shared, but one story really stood out to me.

Tiffany was in the hospital room unconscious and presumably dying. A friend, who had never met her, asked to go into her room alone and spend some time with her. He was angry at God. Two of his children had died in a terrible plane accident years before. All he had left from that incident was his pain. This is what he carried into that tiny, machine filled room to see our child slipping away as well. The pain was more than he could bare.

We don't really know what happened in that room. I'm not sure our friend could clearly articulate the event either, but he shared what he could of the story at her memorial twelve years later (Tiffany did not die that day). Because Tiffany knew how to host the presence of God, His spirit was able to transform people around her, even when she was unconscious. She was a willing vessel. His power didn't depend on her ability. Jesus encountered people in her midst even as her mind and body lay disengaged, safe within his arms. Our friend went into that room angry and came out a new creation. His life would never be the same after that day.

This is the kind of life that inspires me. One that wasn't consumed by striving. Tiffany never worked at being Tiffany. She just was. God used her right where she was being just who she was. I need to grasp that kind of lifestyle. I need to relax and just be available. Responsibility is responding to His ability. How easy is that?!?