TUESDAYS WITH TIZ

God Bless America

This coming Saturday Americans all over this great nation will celebrate the 4th of July. We will celebrate our freedom as a nation. We will celebrate the freedom we have in Jesus Christ.

Thank God, we still have the freedom to openly worship the God of our choice. We still have the freedom of speech. We still have the freedom to openly pray for our President and those in the place of leadership with him. Please, friends, let's unite and exercise this freedom. We are still the greatest nation ever was. I am proud to be an American!!!!!

As we remember our sons and daughters who are fighting for our freedom, let us be mindful of the fact that our freedom is not free!!!!

Enjoy the 4th of July with family and friends as I plan to do.

"Father, I bring our nation and its leaders to your throne room of Grace. We all need your guidance and direction. I pray you will shower our sons and daughters who are fighting for our freedom with your peace, love and protection. Thank you, Father, for the privilege of being a Christian living in the United State of America. In Jesus Name, I pray." Amen

SUNDAY SONGS FOR WORSHIP

SUNDAY SONGS FOR WORSHIP

THANKFUL THURSDAY WITH JC

I'm not a morning person. If it were not for the fact that I must be at work at 7:30 a.m., I would sleep until I wake up. Waking up to an alarm clock just annoys me so over the years I've trained myself to wake up about 15 minutes before the alarm. Well, God is so good to me that my next door neighbor bought a new truck that is loud. Now he wakes me when he goes to work about an hour before my alarm goes off. This arrangement works very nicely except on the days he doesn't work. That is a post for another day. The point I'm trying so lamely to make is that the extra time is a blessing. I can pray, I can read my morning devotion or the Bible or I can pray. Oh, wait, I already wrote that but it still applies. For instance this morning.

Well, let me give you some background for those of you who do not follow my personal blog. I have some dental issues that it appears will require oral surgery. I went to a dental school clinic Tuesday and was told my issues would require the skill of a private practice oral maxillofacial surgeon. The implication is that there may be more going on than I want to think about. Well, this morning I really needed to hear a word from my Father (Abba, Daddy) God.

Here is what I read from the book titled His Princess, Love Letters from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd, "The Lord watches over you, the Lord is your shade at your right hand (Psalm 121:5 NIV). My Princess...I WILL WORK OUT WHAT'S BEST. I know what's best for you, and nothing happens without My knowledge. I see your disappointment when things don't unfold in your life the way you had envisioned. But if you could only lift your eyes to heaven and see My hand moving with eternal purposes, you could better understand. Don't forget that your life here is temporary...in other words. My love, you're not home yet. But for now I want you to trust Me in your disappointments, and let Me turn your pain into a passion to persevere. Wait on Me, My love. Don't give up! Rather, give in to Me and My perfect plan for you, knowing that I only desire the very best for you. Love, Your King and Father who truly knows best."

I was immediately settled in my spirit and mind. Everything that is going on, He knows and He is in control.

Father God, Thank You for reminding me through this devotion that I have nothing to be concerned about because my life is under Your control. You are working all things for my good and for Your Glory and for that I praise You. Father I delight myself in you. I claim healing for my body though the blood and name of Jesus. Let me like David recall all the times in my past when You have shown Yourself strong on my behalf. In Jesus' precious, holy & powerful name I pray. Amen

TUESDAYS WITH TIZ

Old Age

I recently received an email from a friend and since there was nothing written on the subject line, I thought it might be a personal note so that was the first email I opened. It had to do with one of the changes going on in Washington. (I get a lot of those!!!) This one was in regards to health care reform and rationing of health care for senior citizens and since I am a senior citizen I read it!!! (most of the time I do not read them). One senator supposedly had made the statement that "health care reform will not be pain free. Seniors should be more accepting of the conditions that come with age instead of treating them". No, I did not let the spirit of fear attach itself to me!!!!

Next I opened one of the daily devotions I receive. The featured verse of the day was 2nd Cor. 4:16 "...though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day". Now, how neat is that!!! Even though we are aging, we can still build up our spiritual life. Another verse was Psalm 92:14 "They will still yield fruit in old age;"
Do I hear a praise!!!!

I will be mindful in the future to open my devotions before I open the rest of the emails.

"Father, I praise your blessed name today for who you are. I marvel at your perfect timing in my life. With you in the center of my life I can boldly proclaim, that even though today is great, my best years are ahead of me. Father, it is such a joy to know you. In Jesus name, I pray" Amen.

SUNDAY SONGS FOR WORSHIP

THANKFUL THURSDAY WITH JC

God will give you the desires of your heart. I've heard this phrase many times. Sometimes people know where it is found in scripture but most of the time they don't. I've heard friends kinda begrudging wonder why God isn't giving them the desires of their heart. Since God to them is a celestial Father longing to shower down blessings, where are their blessing.

This was a topic of conversation with a group of friends recently. Not to pat myself on the back or anything like that at all but the truth is God does give me the desires of my heart. He not only puts the desires in my heart; He fulfills the desire. WHY? Is this? Actually this was a question put to me by a church friend. To be exact the question was, "Why are you so blessed and highly favored?" You see I tell people that I'm blessed and highly favored whenever anyone asks "How are you" or "how you doing". My answer is always the same, "I'm blessed and highly favored." (I believe I am what I say. Proverbs says as a man/woman thinks in his/her heart so is he/she.)

Now I do know that Psalms 37 is the scripture reference for God giving us the desires of our heart so we turned to Psalm 37. Go ahead, get your Bible, I'll wait. The secret of God giving you the desires of your heart lies right there in the very first word of Psalm 37:4. I'm looking at Amplified version but I suppose it probably says the same in other versions. Are you there? See the word? DELIGHT!!

Delight yourself in the Lord & He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

There it is in writing. I delight myself in the Lord. I expect to see his wonders on a daily basis. I don't get caught up in things I don't understand.

My friends know this is true. I asked them the same as I'm asking you. Are you delighting yourself in the Lord? If not maybe NOW would be a good time to start. Not to get anything from God but because you love Him with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. I invite you to enjoy the peace, assurance, and joy from delighting yourself in Him.

Father God, I delight myself in You because I want to. No other reason. I just love to see Your wonders. You are so good to show me something new every day. I expect to see You in small ways and big ways. Thank You for giving me the desires of my heart and then fulfilling those desires. Thank You for helping me to mature in my relationship with You. My heart's desire is not longer for things but for You. All of You, all that You have for me, I desire. Thank You for each reader of this post. Father I share things about You here. Father I pray I share that which You desire to be shared. In Jesus' precious, powerful and holy name I pray. Amen.

TUESDAYS WITH TIZ

Love is.......

For a long time I have been drawn to 1 Cor. 13 - The Love chapter, especially Vs 4-8. However, I had a problem because I never felt I measured up to the definition of love. And I was right, I did not measure up but Jesus inside of me did measure up!!!!

This scripture not only describes the love I can have for you; it is a description of how God loves me!!! After all, HE is LOVE. Substituting the words "God is" instead of "love is" let's read:

"God is always patient with you. God is always kind to you. God does not envy, He does not boast, He is not proud. God is not rude to you, He is not self-seeking, He is never easily angered with you. God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. He always protects you, always trusts you, always hopes the best for you, always perseveres with you. God's love for you never fails" 1 Cor. 13: 4-8

"Father, I thank you that you have shown me that not only do you love me unconditionally but you also accept me. You delight to call me your Princess. I pray that each person reading this post today will comprehend your great love for them. In Jesus Loving Name, I pray" Amen

THANKFUL THURSDAY WITH JC

Today, I got home a little earlier than usual and caught part of a TV Show. The TV host had a panel of people on the show. The show title was Spirituality 101. The two men had Rev. in front of their names and I didn't catch the woman's title. As I listened, I became concerned with what I was hearing. One of the Rev's called homosexuality a gift from God. The other said that Spirituality and Religion were not the same. In many religions, homosexuality is definitely not seen as a gift especially not from God.

This show has me thinking about what is spirituality and what is religion. I went to the dictionary and one of the many definitions of spirituality given refers to religion as in scriptural references to spiritual warfare. But, there were many references to what I call "New Age" thought or theory. The notion that whatever you believe is o.k. God is love (true) and there are many ways to achieve God enlightenment and Jesus is just one of many ways. HUMMMM!

Then I looked up religion. Among the many definitions given under religion are all the different world organized religions. Christianity was in there somewhere. I noticed that under Christianity much wording was given not to Christ the person but to the different kinds of churches (Baptist, Methodist, etc.)

There is even a website that claims to tell you the difference between the two words but what I found were a lot of articles that didn't explain either word to me.

I've heard many people tell me that they are spiritual but not religious. As a matter of fact, I think I've even agreed with them. Because when I think spiritual, I think Jesus the Christ. God's one and only Son that went to the cross of Calvary and paid my sin debt. A debt I could not pay. Well, my dear reader let me put this as clearly as I know how, I AM A CHRISTIAN. What kind of Christian church I attend is as unimportant as the order of the service. I am not spiritual and I am not religious; I am a CHRISTIAN.

As a CHRISTIAN, I imitate Christ not the world. I am not ashamed to proclaim my faith in Him as my Saviour. I am not ashamed to call Him Lord of my life. How about you?

Father God, Abba, Daddy, Holy is Your name. I praise You and worship You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made to serve You, to adore You, to give myself totally and completely to You. Father forgive me for every stupid and silly word I have spoken out of ignorance. Lord let me not be lead astray by false teachers with Rev. in front of their name. Father I pray for each reader of this post that You will quicken their spirit to the truth that is found only in You. Not the universe, not themselves, not transcendental anything but in You and You alone. Lord any part I may have unknowingly played that would lead anyone astray please forgive me. Show me the true way that I can walk in it. In Jesus' precious and powerful name I pray. Amen

TUESDAYS WITH TIZ

His Workmanship



"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus" Eph 2:10

Think for a moment with me about how special you and I are to our King. The above verse says we are HIS workmanship. Some translations say God's masterpiece. We are not just anyone's masterpiece. We are HIS masterpiece. We are HIS prize, HIS treasure, HIS showpiece. We are a piece of the Master!!!

He created each of us individually "in Christ Jesus". Now, friends, how precious is that!!!!! Imagine Him holding you up and saying "Look, this is my priceless treasure who I created in Christ Jesus". I am typing myself into the Glory Zone again!!!

This day I choose to focus on who he created me to be and how special I am to Him. Please join me, OK?

"Father, I praise you today as my Abba Father, my daddy. I choose this day to sit on your lap with my head on your shoulder and experience your precious love for me, knowing that this is where my spirit will rejoice and my mind, will and emotions will be at peace. In Jesus loving name, I pray". Amen

SUNDAY SONGS FOR WORSHIP

THANKFUL THURSDAY WITH JC

I spent yesterday with a group of students who will be graduating from high school in 2010. We went for a tour of some Birmingham landmarks and did a walking tour of UAB (University of Alabama in Birmingham). These young people are at a crossroad. It is now that they must make decisions that will affect their future. Where will they go to college? Will they go to college? Will they go into the military? What branch or National Guard? Will they go to work? Will they go into a technical trade. Some are still 16 some barely 17. Can they make these kind of decisions on their own? Some of them have been in the program I direct since sixth grade. They have had an opportunity to visit six different college campuses and been exposed to at least that many different career opportunities. Is it enough. Some may get discouraged and drop out of high school. I pray not but it happens too often.

They are at a crossroad. We (my staff) can only go so far in what we can teach them, we can't teach them what is truly important. Separation of church and state you know. We can only discuss faith when the child opens the door. Sometimes they do but not often. Oh, how I wish we could. From us they learn how to explore different career options, search for scholarships and other financial aid, how to apply for college, how to make a budget, the importance of community service.

They are at a crossroad and my heart aches for them. Do they know that God has a good plan for their future? Do they know how to call on Him? Do they know how to live life so that God can lead, guide and direct them? I didn't at their age. I didn't have a clue.

If you have someone in your life who is at a crossroad, don't assume they know what is best. Take a chance and ask them if they know the ONE who holds their future in HIS hands. If they look at you cross-eyed then consider yourself blessed. They may just thank you one day for caring enough to inquire.

Father God, holy is Your name. Worthy are You of my praise, my adoration, and my worship. Father God help me to know what to say to teenagers to guide them in the right direction. The direction that leads to Your Son. The enemy is so cunning in His devices, the world will tell them all kinds of things. Lord I don't want to be an adult that is on the sideline letting them go the way of the world without putting up a fight for their future, for their souls, so show me, teach me, guide me and every person reading this post how to communicate the TRUTH to teenagers. In Jesus' precious, holy and powerful name. Amen.

TUESDAYS WITH TIZ

Good Hands



We hear that we are "in good hands with Allstate" and "Nationwide is on our side" and "like a good neighbor State Farm is there". Do you find real security in any of these claims? You very easily could where the insurance industry is concerned.

A friend of mine, who works in an Allstate office, recently had an insured tell her, "that, in these times, it feels good to be in "good hands", to which my friend replied, "and it feels better to know we're really in THE GOOD HANDS, referring to Jesus Christ. Her customer totally agreed!!!!

Listen with you heart to the claim the Bible makes about HIS GOOD HANDS. Jesus Himself said in
John 10:27-28 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give eternal life to them and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of MY HANDS." Now, friends, I find security in that claim in good times and in bad times.

"Father, I thank you that I am eternally safe in YOUR HANDS. You are my rest and you are my Peace no matter what is going on around me. I pray that everyone reading this post today will trust you as Eternal Life and will find total rest in you. In Jesus Precious Name, I pray". Amen