Reflections - Senior Banquet - Hidden retreat

Let me begin by saying that I have shirked my blogging responsibilities long enough. I'm no longer allowed to use school as an excuse for not writing, so I'd like to start a blogging series. Reflections. I have no idea how many I will write, or what they will all be on. I only know that I'm going to use this as an opportunity to spend a lot of time reflecting on what God has done in my life throughout the past four years. This post may be long, but stick with me. Without further adieu...

Tonight was the senior banquet at my home church for the last eight years. Pastor Jerry began by saying that we should think back for a significant snapshot on our time in WSM. I don't consider myself an overly emotional person; the exception is when I start talking about significant memories. when the nostalgia drops in, my face turns red, I get that tense squeezing in the back of my throat, my voice shakes, and the tears flow. For this reason, I remained stuck to my seat, knowing that I couldn't possibly make it through without crying, and that even if I could, I would be speaking far too long. Knowing that I would regret not sharing what this meant to me, I chose to blog it instead. What flashes through my mind isn't one definite snapshot, it's more like an entire lesson series that my mind remembered in snapshots. Daughter of the King girls retreat in 2012 - HIDDEN. Safe. Secure. Adored.

Through not getting into much big trouble growing up, I felt like I didn't have a deep reason to be there, other than a good time with some ladies. I was mistaken. 
High school for me - and I daresay for plenty of others as well - was a time when everything has a way of making life confusing or difficult. Arguments with parents make you feel worthless. Crushes consume your mind and have a way of making you feel undesirable. Bad grades or bad games can make you feel good for nothing. Being mocked or ignored by the peers you admire leads you into a vicious cycle of conforming and self-loathing. Media paints beauty to be an airbrushed picture we will never mirror. I personally, have been weighed down by every single one of these things. It seems like they are always following me. I'll work and triumph over one problem, only to have three more problems rear their vicious heads. 
The proud person I become when I live without Jesus is convinced that I can conquer things alone if only I am determined enough. Inconceivable! It is with Him I have ever accomplished anything. 
The entire retreat focused on removing any and all masks we wore. One of the several masks I wore was strength: taking pride in doing everything myself, and hiding my faults because admission to sin shows weaknesses.

All through the worship, the slideshow, and the memories other students and leaders shared tonight, my mind kept going back to one particular part of the retreat. 
Around lunch time the second day, I got a phone call from my mom who told me that she missed and loved me, then confronted me about something I did, that she had stood very firmly against. My heart had pounded plenty of other times growing up, but nothing like this. For the first time in my life, I was in BIG kind of trouble. Hanging up the phone I felt terrorized. And having the tunnel vision of a high school teenage girl, I felt like my life was going to end the minute I got home. I felt like a failure. 
I went through the day pretending everything was dandy, sometimes even getting distracted, but then I would remember and my heart would drop again. Finally, at the evening session during worship, God broke the barricades I had built around myself. Helplessly and hopelessly, I let go of the walls. My hands stretched wide. Praising my maker with everything in me, I let the pent up tears flow freely. 
As we found our seats, Bekah reminded us to "let it flow!" because God catches every single one of our tears, whether it be in a cute little jar, or a huge vat. She tells us the get ready, because each of our fathers were asked to write us a letter with three words describing their daughter on the envelope to be read out loud. My dad isn't the kind to write spontaneous letters, so this meant a lot to me. 
I remember my name being the second called, and having trouble seeing the stairs through my watery eyes...finding a place to sit and read my letter... having trouble reading more than a few words at a time because I could barely see through the flood of tears that had previously become so foreign to me... sitting there both overwhelmed by my parents love, and feeling atrocious at the thought of them being disappointed in me... Sarah, on of the pastors wives I didn't even know glancing over at me as she walked in and stopping to ask if she could give me a hug... then the young lady I went with seeing my face and also giving me a hug. Knowing that we didn't need to say anything, we sat together in silent support, grateful for the gift of Christian fellowship. 

All of this to say that God is sovereign, and knows exactly what needs to happen and when. I left feeling adored by my Heavenly Father. I felt secure in knowing that no matter what I ever did He would always adore me. Though still nervous, I felt safe in facing my parents because I knew that they loved me and no matter the outcome I was secure in knowing I was adored by my God, and forever hidden in His love as a Daughter of the King.

My frame was not hidden from You, 

When I was made in secret, 

And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Psalm 139:15

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away. 

Jeremiah 29:11-14

Psalm 21 and 91

You are my hiding place;

You shall preserve me from trouble;

You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.

Psalm 32:7

Favorite Winter Things

Being cozy inside and drinking coffee while reading or watching movies

Thanksgiving and Christmas
Making, smelling, and eating lots of food

Bright, cheery lights and the smell of freshly cut Christmas trees

Being the first to walk in freshly fallen snow

Fuzzy socks and flannel pj’s

Wrapping presents and imagining someone’s face as the open them

Surprises and opening presents

Arranging all the Christmas cards in one spot so they can all be seen

Cute scarves and soft sweaters

Friends, family, and laughter

Sledding and being silly, then the feeling of warming up by fireplaces

Perfect snowflakes that land on the window or on your eyelashes

Baking and making the whole house smell good
Going ice skating

Remembering on a Rainy Ride in Canada

Twelve years ago I was riding in a red van on a snowy day in Canada. It is curious that I've found my thoughts wander there on this rainy night, again in Canada and in a grey van not so different from the red one. I was quite preoccupied by coloring with the pencils that were a gift from my grandpa the year before, and blissfully ignorant of what was about to take place. So many things happened in the next moments, my mind can't help but think of everything at once.
"Gerry!" I heard my mom say with an urgency that I felt more than heard. I involuntarily lurched in my seat, and a ride I'll never forget followed: I saw the terror on my mothers face, looking from me to my dad and back again, and felt the cold, wet snow spray mine. I had a feeling of being suspended and terrifying thoughts of dying in a fire flew through my mind. Gripping my seat, I saw what can only be described as "bright" and felt power surround me. Even my six-year-old mind knew that there were forces greater than me present. At some point during our rollover roller-coaster I remember seeing billows of white and what I imagined could only be an angel fighting death for me and my family. I don't remember other details of what happened while we were in motion.
"Did that really just happen? What exactly happened anyway?" My thoughts were spinning faster than the car spinning through the air, "was that really an angel I saw? What..."
"My door is stuck I can't get out..." My mom said, interrupting my thoughts."
All the "important" details after that are hazy at best. Try as I might to remember, all I can think of is silly little things. Details only a six-year-old would care to find important.
I talked to my dad about all my Polly Pockets being scattered across the highway, and about looking for my despised snow boots that I had kicked off some time earlier. We found my boots - after we found a bottle of ketchup that had escaped the cooler somewhere during the spin - and heard my mom calling for her purse and gloves which had apparently jumped-van.
Not long after crawling out of the now totaled vehicle I found myself carried away - quite literally - by a strange man who put me in his car, wrapped his jacket around my shoulders, and placed my tiny toes, which had gotten very cold, into his warm gloves. He sat next to me for a few moments before leaving to do who knows what. I sat there bewildered about everything that had just happened, but mostly I pondered the strangeness of seeing my feet hidden inside the strange man's large gloves.
Some time later I was told that the strange man was actually an off-duty officer who had witnessed our van spin around and roll three times, before coming to rest on its wheels in the freeway median. Caused from being hit by a semi-truck, right outside where I was sitting inside the van. The big huge truck and tiny little me separated only by the metal frame. Well, that and the power of God.
All witnesses said that the three of us should have died, yet we all crawled out without so much as a broken bone.
Why God interceded for us twelve years ago, I don't know. But near death experiences can make one reexamine life and the purpose for living. Even though it happened two-thirds of my life ago, I still remember. I was too young to realize everything God did that day, but I begin to see it now. God is good and He saved my life. Given that life is a gift from him and there are things He has planned out for me to do, I want to live entirely and completely sold out for Him. Trusting Him with my life because quite honestly, it is in His hands regardless.

Blessings,
Tiffany Raye

Rediscovering Love in a Valley

Life has mountains; life has valleys. Often times I believe that in order to feel the presence of something we must first experience its absence. Many Christians - me being the worst - grow up "knowing" the truths about Jesus and His love and forgiveness, but so often never feel His love until after straying and returning. In order to truly know what forgiveness is and how to give it to others we have to first have to have had the need to be forgiven. To feel true acceptance, we first have to have been accepted ourselves; with all our faults, to have been forgiven and accepted. In order to feel real, true love, we first have to have felt and seen what real love does.

Real love is that 1 Corinthians 13 stuff: selfless and relentless. Real love is what made Jesus die on the cross for us wretched sinners. Before we can truly love, we have to know what it is to be loved. To be loved is to be forgiven of all sins and accepted for who you are. Jesus is love and is the reason we have love, acceptance, and forgiveness.

All growing up I lived in a very "Christian" atmosphere. Going to church, learning right from wrong, and never getting into any real trouble. Extremely blessed by my lack of trouble making I figured I was pretty good in my own right. I got baptized after seeing the Power Team deliver their salvation message. They told me that I had to believe that Jesus died for my sins, that I had to ask Him into my heart, and that He would wash all my sins away. Being the child I was, I knew I believed Jesus died. I mean that's what EVERYONE around me believed and told me I should believe too. So I did. There was never a great moment when I said to myself  "I believe" because I already did and always had. Since there was no time when I didn't believe that Jesus existed and my life never went through the about face so many people's testimonies include, I thought that "when I was a sinner" stuff didn't really apply to me. I had simple faith and asked to be baptized. I wanted the affirmation from my friends and family that I was going to Heaven and hey, who is a seven year-old to refuse attention? I always heard testimonies and Bible stories about God's unchanging, unfailing, undeserved love and forgiveness. But not wanting to confront it I pushed the sin and the Savior into a mental corner. I wanted them to shut up and stop bugging me about how I was doing things wrong and have known better since I was little. The mind doesn't seem to have very reliable corners though because during times when my head was spinning in circles, God jumped out of the corner to make everything complicated and take all the fun out of life.

That was so far from the truth. The truth I could only let sink in after I asked God out of the mental corner I has selfishly stuffed Him in. How hateful could I be?! After knowing full well everything He did for me I still had the cruelty to push Him aside. I knew somewhere in the back of my mind that everything He did for me, He did out of love. Still I favored my own agenda but claimed Him as my Savior.

If someone asked me a Biblical question, I usually had a ready answer. Not because I had experienced it but because that's what I had been taught all my life. It wasn't until I entered high school that I learned what it was to really fail. To feel undeserving. Pitiful and useless, and not good for much. There I felt the absence of God's love. Not because it went away - it had always been there! - but because I chose to ignore it. All of a sudden, all the things I had ever done wrong were staring me in the face. Not being able to ignore them anymore I finally realized that the "while I was a sinner stuff" really does apply to me! I realized exactly what people meant when they said we are undeserving of God's love. And finally! Finally I grasped the fact that I will NEVER be able to grasp just how great God's love is for me. That's when I realized how unfailing He is. So many things could have happened to me during moments of foolishness, yet He protected me. So there I stood at the point where I needed forgiveness desperately. I wanted to feel completely accepted by someone who would never change their mind on me. So I looked up from the grave I had dug myself into. At last I went to God with everything I had. Not keeping one hand lifted in praise and one hand on the steering wheel, but in an "I throw my hands up in the air... sayin' ay oh, gotta let go." and oh what a beautiful place to be!
Praying "Jesus, please forgive me. You've humbled me and now I ask you to accept me as I am. It's all I have to give and I want it all to be Yours."
"You are forgiven child. I love you."

There I felt the love, forgiveness, and acceptance I wanted so badly. The love I had all along but didn't realize was there until I pushed it away. Why must we get so low in our valleys before we realize that we've left the mountain? Whatever our reason is, I thank God that He is richer in grace than I am in mistakes.

Blessings,
Tiffany Raye

Summer Thoughts

So many thoughts drift through my mind as I begin this post, each one tumbling over another, begging to be put to words. Thoughts of all that happened over this summer tied with imaginings of what God has in my future. I don't remember there ever being a season in my life in which I've learned so much.

This summer I went on a mission trip to San Quintin, Mexico then stayed ten days in Temecula, California. Both such stark contrasts to each other, I kept finding my focus drifting to various thoughts about why some people are more "blessed" than others and why everyone can't have both the beautiful friendships of Mexico all inside the wonderful comforts of a typical California home. Why do so many Americans continue on complaining about their first world problems such as not having the pocket change to fix the scratch in their Mercedes while only a five hour car ride going south to a place where people would love to have any kind of car at all! Despite me and my scattered thoughts of life's injustices, God continued to show me that no matter what, He always provides. Not in the same way for everybody, but always He provides, so often with more than enough.

Picture I took in Tadoussac, Canada along the St Lawrence

I want to tell you about everything all at once! As I struggle to continue putting my thoughts of the summer and what happened into words I pause to examine why I desire to put what I feel into words. Why I want so desperately to share with you the experiences that made up my summer. Maybe because I'm the kind of person who thinks good things are meant to be shared. Perhaps it's because I want to share my experiences with you so that you might learn from them. Or maybe even it's because I myself understand things better when put to words. Whatever the reason for my desire to write, God reminded me that in the big scheme of things my words don't even matter; His words matter! No matter what pictures I paint, or sounds I play with my words, they are just noise if His love is not included in them. (1 Corinthians 13) So being successfully knocked off my self-righteous pedestal built by selfish ego I am on my knees in prayer begging God to let you see not me in these words but that you'd see a mirror reflecting my Creator. It is so easy to get caught up in all the "good things" we are doing and completely forget about why we are doing them in the first place. I don't want to forget that the focus of everything I do should be on showing and experiencing God's love.

Honored as I am that you made time to read my silly ramblings I pray you make time to read God's word. Anything I write is simply my commentary on what I've read mixed with stories and life experiences. That said, I have several blog posts coming soon inspired by my summer adventures.

Blessings,
Tiffany Raye

Do Not Worry

While the religious beliefs of Bob Marley might have been radical, he understood something that he wrote-in a simpler sense-in his song Don't Worry Be Happy, that many in our society struggle to grasp.


This Biblical concept that Christ Himself tries to get us to understand, is that if God cares about clothing the grass of the field that is here one day and gone the next, then us as God's crowning creation will be more than provided for. 

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:25-34

Worry is as dangerous for the poor as money is to the rich. A rich man will have greater difficulty entering the kingdom of Heaven, as a camel will getting through the eye of the needle.
And what are all those riches worth anyway? For as you entered the world, so shall you leave. (Job 1:21)

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

Does not tomorrow hold in itself enough troubles that you have to go looking for more? Worry is nothing but trouble. Don't let yourself get distracted by earthly things like money, fancy things, or pleasure. We are intended to live our lives without worry; not by being immune to troubles, but by being equipped with God's grace-we can live in spite or troubles. BECAUSE God created YOU, He loves you. And for those He loves (everyone who yet breathes) He died to give both eternal life, and a life with Himself by your side. If He went through so much trouble for those so undeserving, ought you not accept His gifts?

Come to Me, all of you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

That said, just let it go. God shows Himself in mighty ways when we allow ourselves to lose control and give it all to Him

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Verses for further study and meditation

52 Summer Will-Do's

1. Play in the rain
2. Watch the sunrise
3. Climb a tree
4. Lie in the grass
5. Watch the sunset
6. Stargaze
7. Swim in the ocean
8. Jump from a rope swing
9. Write a short story, song, or poem
10. Build a sandcastle
11. Buy something silly and spontaneous
12. Help plan family vacation
13. Catch a lightning bug
14. Skip stones
15. Start a good habit
16. Make a playlist of summer songs
17. Run through a sprinkler
18. Turn the music up loud and dance with my brother
19. Watch fireworks
20. See a Tigers game at Comerica Park
21. Make s'mores
22. Fly a kite
23. Rollerblade with my daddy
24. Go on a picnic
25. Bike ride someplace new
26. Volunteer selflessly
27. Go to a farmers market or fair
28. Go mini-bowling in Canada
29. Restaurant hop
30. Take a hike
31. Drive to a Great Lake and visit a lighthouse
32. Draw with chalk
33. Help in a garden
34. Go to an outdoor concert
35. Try something new
36. Go to the Woodward Dream Cruise
37. Go to a drive-in movie
38. Light paper lanterns and sparklers
39. Swing high in a park
40. Play frisbee
41. Canoe, kayak, paddle boat, or jet ski
42. Read a comic book
43. Do a puzzle
44. Go for a run somewhere new
45. Try/conquer something new and difficult
46. Make ice cream
47. Read a non-fiction book
48. Witness/be part of a miracle
49. Have a water fight
50. Go on a mission trip to another country
51. Share my testimony with someone new
52. Make an album of all the things I complete on this list

Because this life isn't about me

Life is not about you. There. I said it. Life is about far more than that scratch on your car, that guy/girl that's being difficult, or that overtime you didn't get paid for. Life is about far more. In fact, if you step back (wayyy back) you'll see that the things that we get all hung up on don't mean much of anything at all. 

I don't know about you but this image makes me feel guilty about complaining that my clothes weren't in style anymore. Even more guilty about those times I had complained about being hungry and not liking the food my mother put in front of me. Guilty about saying that my life sucked and I wished for different; these children would do anything to have the life I seemed to hate so much. Should you feel guilty if you were born into a life that is so blessed? "Where I was born and where and how I have lived is unimportant. It is what I have done with where I have been that should be of interest.” ~ D.L. Moody "Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away." Matthew 5:42 
"Why in the world would I want to help them? It's not like they can do anything for me." "Because this life is not about me."

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 If you woke up tomorrow with only what you thanked God for yesterday, what would you have? 

My desire and sincere goal is to show how thankful I am for God's blessings by giving and loving everyone I meet, in every way I can, in every moment I am given. It can be difficult but I want to love not just my friends and those who can benefit me but everybody. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Matthew 5:43-47

National Prayer

On Thursday the third day of May, over some four hundred people gathered on the lawn of the Michigan capitol building for a National Day of Prayer. With the steps of the capitol building being their stage, many students read passages from the Bible relating to the songs sung, prayers said, and speeches recited by officials and pastors. They also offered things such as booths offering prayer and games for children.

Prayer has been a vital part of America’s heritage. The first official call to national prayer came from the Continental Congress in 1775 when they proclaimed a day of “humiliation, fasting, and prayer.” be held on June 20th. In 1992, congress voted (unanimously) to establish an annual day of prayer that was later amended to be on the first Thursday of every May.

 "Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees." ~ Corrie ten Boom

Ephesians 6:18 "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints" 

James 1:6 "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a sea that is driven and tossed by the wind."


James 5:16 "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 


James 5:13-14 "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord."

Prayer has proved its power in the Bible, in this country, and in other people's lives. Have you given prayer the chance to show its power in your life?

The picture is of me, photo credit to www.lansingstatejournal.com

He always answers

I've heard people say that God doesn't answer their prayers. That God has forgotten about them or thinks they are not important enough to bother with.

God died for you. On a cross. I promise that no matter who you are, He adores you.

And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. Matthew 21:22 I've misunderstood this verse many times to mean that if I were to ask God for a car He would have one in my driveway or that if I asked Him for a boyfriend I would have one the next day. Because God loves me so much, He won't give me something that will harm me, even if I beg Him for it. He has a plan bigger than what I can see and often my silly little human wants do not fit into that plan.

You have just taken a tray of cookies out of the oven and your four-year-old son Elijah gets excited and reaches for one. You would obviously tell Elijah no because you know he will get burned if you give him a cookie now. But he doesn't understand that the cookies are hot; he wants a cookie now. Little Elijah may cry and say that you don't love him. Maybe he'll say that you're a mean mommy or daddy but in truth, you told him no because you know more than he does. You didn't tell Elijah no because you want to keep all the cookies to yourself; you said no because you don't want him to get hurt. You told him no because you cared enough.

We, as children of God ask for "cookies" all the time. We think our prayers are being ignored or that maybe God doesn't love us. But that is not the case. God may not have dropped a new car in your driveway this morning, or transformed your ranch home into a colonial mansion-that doesn't mean He hasn't heard your prayers or that He doesn't love you. In fact it's exactly the opposite! He loves you so much that He sometimes tells you no. We, as children of God, have somebody to look out for us when we want things that will harm us. We, as children of God often mistake His love and lose faith in Him.

I and many others have done this but take heart for God has not abandoned you. Your prayers are being heard and whether the answer is that wonderful yes, or a no you don't want to hear... rest assured that as long as you earnestly seek Him, He is orchestrating something beautiful that will bless you and bring Him to greater glory in your life. He always answers prayers so rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Wait on Him and His timing...He could be waiting for the cookies to cool so He can give them to you next to a glass of milk-or in my case coffee.

In Him,

Tiffany Raye

Talents

If you choose to hide your talents rather than work and refine them, don’t be surprised when you are in the same place in twenty years as you are right now. I have been pondering a certain parable Jesus tells and how it relates to me, my future, and my unique talents-this got me doing some serious thinking. God gifted us each with special talents uniquely our own. God gave me talents unique to me just like He gave you talents unique to you. Now I would like to tell you a story…*

“A man, who was going on a journey, called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.” We are not all gifted equally but we are all accountable for how we use the talents we have. “The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.” I am personally guilty of burying my talents because I am worried about getting hurt or I allow my shortcomings to cloud my view of all the things I COULD do. “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’

His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

“The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’

His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” Wonderful things happen when we work hard and use the gifts we have been given! Likewise bad things happen when we fail to have faith and give into laziness. “Then the man who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

“His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest” And if that weren’t bad enough, the master goes on to say, “‘Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have in abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”

It hardly needs to be said that we each have unique talents. I have heard it said that I make an awful imitation of others but I am the only one who can be Tiffany Raye as well as I can. The same goes with every single other human being God breathed life into. Are you breathing? Guess what… you are talented too!

A wise man I know once told me this: “If you want something you’ve never had before you must do something you’ve never done before because everything you already have is result of what you’ve already done.” I need to stop burying my talents, hoping to leave my mark on the world. Instead I must start putting them to better use.

Changing gears a bit, I want to point out that because of a thing called inflation, that original talent of money decreased in value. You may think that not using your talent isn’t that bad. Think again. Hiding that talent deep down is like robbing God of what was His. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to be that third guy who lost everything.

Let us not forget that we live in a country that still remains free. Freedom of speech would be wasted if those gifted in writing neglected to take advantage of it. You may be musical, academic, athletic, giving, thoughtful, good with cooking, or friendly. All the parts of the body are important-so are all the different talents important.

I beseech thee, (yep. I really wanted to sneak that in someplace) reflect upon your life and see what talents you might have hidden. God bestowed upon you, talents. Talents to be used for purposes only you can truly fulfill.

Blessings,

Tiffany Raye

*The parable above is found in Matthew 25.

THANKSGIVING

With all the baking of desserts, prepping the turkey, mashing potatoes, and worrying a out which relatives you have to deal with for Thanksgiving we forget the reason we are doing this at all.

Autumn 1621 the Native Americans and the Pilgrims put aside their prejudices, came to the same table, and feasted together.

Let us take their example this Thanksgiving, put aside all our prejudices, and focus on the real reason we have this day of feasting.

God has richly blessed us. Today, I will focus only on the things God has blessed me with; selfishness and grumbling absolutely not allowed.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 107:1

"Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift." 2 Corinthians 9:15

Life or Fire?

With words God spoke this earth into existence. With words He filled the depths with water and peppered the sky with stars. Words I say in passing could come to replay in someone's mind giving them the motivation to persevere. But they could also replay in their head daunting them. This doesn't only apply to me; this applies to every man that has breath.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue" Proverbs 18:21. With the words “Get up and walk” Christ healed a paralyzed man. With words I can give people the boost they need to keep going through the day, the determination to pursue a certain goal with vigor, and remind them they are loved. On the other hand, my words have the potential to destroy. Just as it takes only one spark to start a blazing inferno, it takes only one callous phrase to wound someone at the heart.

People also say that it doesn't matter what you say or do as long as your heart is right. This may be true however, only God sees your heart while men only see your actions and hear your words. “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

The tongue can start a fire of destruction. James 3:6, 8, "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell... no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." So, if our tongues are so destructive and cannot be tamed why bother at all? Because God is more powerful than our out-of-control mouths: “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3.

That said, out words are powerful but it is up to you whether you let them be heinously destructive or beautifully life giving. Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

In Him,

Tiffany Raye

You Have Filled my Heart with Greater Joy

Serving has become a huge part of my life and is one of the most enjoyable and spiritually rewarding things I have ever done. When People say, "Blessed is the giver more than the receiver" they aren't kidding!

I began volunteering [at Woodside] with singing in the choir at age eleven and have since done anything from packing shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child, to leading groups of first graders through Kreative Kids Day Camp. Whatever the occasion I love volunteering. God has filled my heart with greater joy through volunteering and, though it seems backwards, I have become more outgoing through meeting people who share the same goal as I have; to reach out to the world as the hands and feet of Christ. Christ not only commands us to be His hands and feet but He came to set an example.* It is this example that makes me rush to AWANA every Wednesday to greet the precious faces of my Cubbies. I have learned more from their innocent hearts than I ever imagined and they never fail to make my day with smiles and laughter.

The friends I have made while serving have become some of the best. I would not be who I am today without these friends, or the experiences we’ve had together while serving. God calls us each to serve and there is a place for everybody. He wants to fill your heart with greater joy!

*Matthew 20:26-28 "...whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

John 13:14-15 "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."

Birthdays and Blessings through Black Stuff

These summer months have been extremely busy for me. Beginning in early June my little bro turned 10! WHAT?! 10?! Oh my...

Though he loves pranking me and is a little smarty pants; my life would be extremely dull without his creative (yet often devious) little mind.

Another exciting part of June was Kreative Kids Day Camp hosted at my church. It never ceases to amaze me how God uses six-year old's to teach me invaluable lessons while I am supposed to be teaching them. One of the lessons that struck me was the one involving "dirt". It began with telling the kids that things aren't always they seem and that God always knows what is better. I then pulled out a cup of what looked like dirt and showed it to my campers. Assuring them that it was good to eat and that I would never do something that would hurt them I asked if any would like to taste it. I love the simple belief exhibited by first graders as they willingly held their hands out toward me. I proceeded to scoop this "dirt" into their hands and the looks on their faces were incredible as it dawned on them that it was actually crushed Oreo's.

The entire demonstration was to show them in simple terms that though things may look like dirt, God is really giving us Oreo's. We just have to trust him.

In Him,

Tiffany Raye

My Path Leads Home

I saw a winding road that was edged with trees of green. Just above the road and trees were clouds unlike any I've seen. The road twisted and turned and made me think about my Christian walk. Twisting and winding up to mountains and down through valleys. All through the crazy

winding road, Jesus was there with me. As I look above the road the clouds all puffy and white; yet dark and thin. It was like the clouds were in layers and there was a gap between the upper and lower. Beyond the clouds was the glow of sunshine. Promising and beckoning. All I could imagine was heaven, just beyond the clouds. The floor of heaven is the clouds we see above us.
So many mysteries lie waiting just above. So close I want to reach out an touch; but so far that only Jesus can bridge the gap. This is what I imagine I'll see when I meet my maker. The clouds will lower themselves into a grand staircase. Jesus will be waiting at the top for me. I'll run up to Him. Home. All this came to mind because of a winding road and some clouds.

Tiffany Raye-September, 2010

Wearing My Heart on My... Hand?

"Are you married?"

"No, I'm not."

"So why do you have a ring on your wedding finger?"

"Umm.. well, I uh..."

This is a conversation I've had on many an occasion with the curious first graders I volunteer with. Such a simple question I could answer so many ways. Usually I answer with something like: "I wear it on my ring finger because my future prince is that important to me."

However, here is a more elaborate version:

My purity ring represents not only a promise I made to my future Prince Charming(guys: Cinderella), but, in a way it also represents my heart. Although it has met some hard times, and has gotten scratched and bruised; it's still all there. Whole. Here's a mental picture: if I were to give in to temptation now it would be like cutting a piece of my ring out and throwing it away. Cutting a piece of my ring out would be foolish simply because it would become sharp and poke at me. Just like cutting a piece of my heart out would be foolish because it too would become sharp and hurt at me. To be completely honest, giving your heart to someone you think is "the one" at seventeen is a silly thing to do: even sillier when you change your mind and re-give what's left of your heart to the next "the one" two weeks later.

Think about what kind of reaction you would get if you took the piece of your ring that you cut out and gave it to the same person you gave the piece of your heart to. Would they value it and say, "Oh thanks! I'll treasure it forever!"

Or would they say, "Wow, how useless." and simply throw it away. Even though it's not all that meaningful to them, it sure hurts you.

If you asked me, "What if I've already given away these pieces? Can't I get them back?"

I would have to tell you no. You can't get them back. And even if you did, all you'd have is pieces. However, in all this gloominess there is hope. God came to the earth and died on the cross representing a heart/body so beaten and cut it was unrecognizable. By doing this, He built a bridge to God-the Master Jeweler/Heart Mender. Although God won't bestow on you a new heart, He will help you put all the pieces back together (because in Him you are made new.Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.2 Corinthians 5:17 . But only if you're willing to give up control and let Him do His perfect work. He will also help your future Prince Charming/Cinderella look past your past, and love you for the precious person you are. If this person doesn't want to be with you because of your past, he doesn't really love you. If this is the case, you should wait patiently until God sees it right to introduce you to you real Prince/Princess. "I charge you brethren, do not awaken love until it so desires." This is so important, God wrote it not once, not twice, but three times in Song of Solomon.

I pray that my ramblings mean something to you; and if you read this all the way through, thank you. :) If you ever have a topic you'd like me to write about, leave a comment!! And if you don't want me to know who's asking, write to me anonymously!

In Him,

Tiffany Raye

From My Heart to Yours

Merry Christmas Bloggers!!!!!! I'm not feeling to inspired or original to give you some stirring piece of advice that will make or break your Christmas. I'm not feeling Funny to give you a joke that will make you laugh long after your relatives go home. So, what's left... I'm feeling very friendly and loving and I want to give you a Christmas wish that will stay with you even after all the food is gone. So, from my heart to yours I'm wishing you the best, warmest, most loving and amazing Christmas wherever you find yourself and a blessed 2011 designed by God.

Make sure you don't get too caught up in what you did or didn't get, or get frustrated when your family embarrasses you to no end, and remember why we even celebrate December 25. There's a popular Christmas card greeting that says, "Jesus is the reason for the season" and there are bounds of truth in the statement. Jesus came to give Himself as the greatest gift ever given, and I want you and I to remember that in your heart until next Christmas... when all the hustle and bustle will begin again and we will have to re-focus our minds and hearts on what really matters.

Here are some verses that I especially liked this Christmas:

Psalm 98:4Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth;
Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises.

Sing Christmas carols this year for Jesus!!

Isaiah 9:6For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

The greatest gift

One of my favorite verses in the Christmas story is

Luke 2:14“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a blessed 2011!!!!

Love and peace,

Tiffany Raye

The picture above is a Thomas Kinkade I found on Google. :)

Beautiful Creator

Do you think you are beautiful? Whether you say "yes" or "no" I have something to tell you.

If you said yes, then I think you have great self esteem and that's great! Just don't let it go to your head. Make sure to remember to give the credit for being beautiful to your Creator and all is well.

However, if you said no, I have much more to tell you. But this verse sums it up: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Did you know that when you say "I'm not beautiful" or "I'm ugly" you are calling God a liar and ugly. Not only that but you hurt His feelings; He created you BY HAND! He didn't just throw together a bunch of features and say "that'll do." He created you with love and care, giving attention to every little thing. God is more beautiful and more perfect than anything else. Ever. He created you in His image which means that you are beautiful too. When someone gives you a compliment don't counter back with "You're just saying that" or "Well, what do you know." Take the compliment and send it to God where it belongs.

Here's a video I like that goes with my post.

I hope my little ramblings gave you a little food for thought, and that you might appreciate yourself and your God even more.

In Him,

Tiffany Raye

Before You Meet Prince Charming

A friend of mine started a purity study for a couple friends and one of the things we did was write example letters. Here is mine:

~I feel so lonely. All of my friends have boyfriends. I'm trying to get guys' attention by texting, Facebooking, and emailing them. But I still don't have a boyfriend. Doesn't anybody notice me?~

~I just want you to know right now that I'm hurting for you! It's not easy or fun to be ignored.

First things first, you need to remember that God has designated someone special just for you. And that God will put you together when He is good and ready. God is never late, but he is not often early.

Secondly: even though it seems like all your friends are on their way to the ark the way they are paired up, it's okay to be single. Right after you accept Jesus you are complete in Him. You don't need someone else to "complete" you. The bible says "the two shall become one", not "the two halves shall become whole".

Last, but not least: the guy God made for you will love you for who you are. He doesn't need help noticing you, God will point you out to Him. Just as God will point out your prince to you.

Now, to elaborate on the pre-stated points: God designed someone special just for you. There are song lyrics that say And what if your prince comes riding in/While you're kissin' a frog /What's he gonna think then? Until then, get to know a lot of people in groups-not as potential dates, but as friends. You never know who God has planned for you. He could be someone you've known since preschool. If that's the case, do you really want him to stand by and watch as you chase all the boys in your social group? And if you meet him for the first time in college, do you want all the memories of past boyfriends to come to mind while you're with your new friend?

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 7 - I want you to be free from anxieties... the unmarried woman is anxious about the things of the LORD, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things... I say this for your benefit, not to lay a restraint on you but to promote your undivided devotion to the LORD. Besides what Paul said, God has called us to be "set apart" so purpose in your heart to be different.

You know how when you're looking for something and you can't find it so you give up. That's when you find it. In a way, that's how you should think about princes and boyfriends. I'd also like to point out that while there's nothing "wrong" with having a boyfriend in high school; there's nothing really "right" with it either. I'm not telling you that you can't have a boyfriend in high school, because that's not my business. However, I don't recommend dating the entire basketball team looking for one. Simply keep your mind on the LORD and all other things will fall into place. Paul said in Philippians 4 - I have learned in whatsoever state I am, to be content. I know it's hard, but be patient.

Basically, you should wait on God because his timing is perfect. Purpose in you heart to be "set apart" and Focus on God no matter what. God is way more fulfilling than having a boyfriend anyway.~

The song quote is from "Princes and Frogs" by Superchick. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfYNi9WRJb8

I know that this is prob not much use to anyone who reads this and is already married, but I really enjoyed writing this and if it get's a good response, I have something else I could post that is similar to this.

In Him,

Tiffany Raye