"What Did He Say About Me" - "I Will Give You Hope"

Excerpt from my 31 Day Devotional - "What Did He Say About Me"

“Daily Scripture:

Isaiah 61: 7 AMP

Instead of your [former] shame you shall have a twofold recompense; instead of dishonor and reproach [your people] shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double [what they had forfeited]; everlasting joy shall be theirs.

Daily Devotion:

All promises from God are great! This promise however, is absolutely my favorite!!! My pastor recently preached a sermon on hope. When he used this scripture, he defined the word forfeited. Forfeited means, something surrendered due to an offense or error I’ve made. WOW!



Hope is the expectation of good



I’ve heard great preacher’s say, well if you sin; you better watch it, because God will curse you. Yes, I’ve heard that with my own ears! Now don’t get me wrong I believe strongly in consequences to our actions! When we sin there are consequences. However, it’s not God getting you! God has set up both natural and spiritual laws within the earth. He’s given man (and woman) dominion in the earth, but all humanity is governed by these laws. Jesus became the curse for us, so we don’t walk around cursed by God. However, we choose life or death constantly. Anytime we obey God, we’ve chosen life. Just like anytime we disobey God, then we’ve chosen death. The consequences of sin bring a “death” to our life because we can’t experience God’s fullness while we are in disobedience. It’s not God withholding it from us, it is literally our inability to receive what He’s already given us! Sin causes us to have a heart of stone. When we repent, which simply means to change our minds and choose life, our heart then becomes open to God’s way! However, many times, because we feel guilty and ashamed we still are unable to receive the goodness of God! Yet, when we feel guilt and shame, we are really taking upon ourselves, what Jesus already took upon Himself! We are taking back the curse because we identify ourselves by our deeds! Jesus said right before He died, “it is finished,” yet we keep taking what was finished two thousand years ago, back!

If we’ve truly repented; changed our minds and let God into our weakness, whatever that may be, then what we need to do, is identify ourselves by the deeds of Christ. We simply need to agree with what God says!



As a child I was taught not to take the Lord’s name in vain. This was defined by the words “God, Gosh, Geez, etc.” In fact, if I said “Oh my God,” I was instructed that I was in sin and that I needed to repent! Well, years ago as I was training up my child in the way she should go, the Lord spoke to me one day and challenged me with what that commandment really meant. I was like, well God; this is what I’ve been taught. The Lord then taught me something. God spoke to me and said that what that scripture really meant was that anytime we don’t agree with what He declares, we are taking His name in vain. It made perfect sense to me. In order to see ourselves as God sees us, we need to agree with what He says! So when faced with difficulties, life challenges or decisions we must ask ourselves, what does God say about this?

 



Well we know that He says instead of our former shame we shall have a twofold recompense. That means we get double the good for the bad!! Many people will challenge that and say well this works only if someone else had taken something from you or has done something bad to you. I believe that, but that’s not the entire promise. I think it’s easy to believe that things will get restored to you if someone else is the cause, however let’s take a look at the word forfeited! Forfeited means something we caused! That means when we’re the common denominator in the mistake, we still will be restored double when we choose to agree with God! Does that not make hope come alive in your heart? Hope is the expectation of good! Expect good when you begin to agree with what God says!

Tammy L. Dahl

Copyright 2006

What Do I Believe?

The Bible instructs us on what to believe. The preacher teaches us what we should believe. However, only you can answer the question of – What do I believe?

One of my favorite scriptures in the Bible is Proverbs 4:23 NLT - Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.

Your heart is the center of what you believe

Your heart is the center of what you believe. As a young child I did not even know this verse, let alone even think about “guarding my heart.” As a child, the Bible to me was just a cool book (I’ve always loved leather-bound books!) with a bunch of words that were hard to understand and absolutely made no sense at all with all the “thee’s” and “thou’s,” written upon its pages. Furthermore, we mustn’t forget all the “shalt not’s!” I knew what “thou shalt not kill” meant, but what the heck did “covet” mean to a 10-year old? You get my point!

One of the most frustrating, yet most factual things that I’ve known for years is what Pastor Allen Speegle has said over and over again (paraphrased) – “You attract what you are, and what you are is a result of what you believe.” We act upon what we believe. Look at the areas of your life today that are not the way you want them.


Are you broke as a joke? What do you believe about money?

Are your relationships a mess?  What do you believe about relationships?

Are you attracting the same wrong type of person you’ve always attracted?

What do you believe about love?

You get the picture here.

About a year ago, I attended a life mastery weekend workshop. I took part in an exercise that exposed what my beliefs were in the area of love. I had to answer the question – What is love? My answers were things like, “the reason for living, God, the purpose of life”….and on and on I went. As I kept answering this question, I thought I had begun to run out of answers. As I came to the end of my “conscious” answers and began tapping into my subconscious, my real belief was exposed. “Love” to me represented things like abandonment, pain, rejection, instability and the list went on. Well, if I attract what I believe (and I will!), then I will attract someone who will cause or bring about those things. Then, my faulty belief will just be reinforced as my truth again. Well, I certainly don’t want to invite any more pain and rejection into my life (do you?), especially with a life partner, so I have decided to change my truth in that area!!


There are areas of your life that you are going to attract great things, but there will also be areas of your life that you will attract…well…not-so great things! You are always attracting something! Don’t get discouraged when you see the not-so good things! Let me remind you that you are a work in progress! Jesus is your partner! When you are experiencing the not-so good things that your beliefs have attracted, embrace them! Look at them, and examine them from the perspective of “responsibility.” By taking ownership for your part, you become a victor instead of a victim! Know why? It is because confronting faulty beliefs and taking responsibility for them “is” the catalyst for change if you choose for it to be! It really is your choice! When what you really believe is exposed, you can finally deal with it – effectively!!!

I choose not to allow my faulty beliefs to stay that way! With the help of Jesus, my mentors and close friends, I begin to focus my attention on the identity of Christ. I begin making an exchange – what I believe (my view and opinion) for what HE believes (His view and opinion)! I make a conscious decision to focus on His attributes, and not mine! As I persuade my heart by focusing on Him and not me, I begin to change the subconscious part of me. Whatever area that is not lining up with what God says my life should look like becomes exposed to His truth, and not my interpretation. Don’t you think we’ve given our faulty belief systems way too much of our lives? It’s time to embrace a new identity – you have been given one by the God of the universe, who loves you more than you know! Press in to find that new identity, and make the exchange!

In His Grip, Grace, and Strength,

TDahl

When Mis-Trust Causes Poor Judgment of Others

Don't you just love it when you have to pay for other people's character flaws?  What I mean is when people attack your character based on their past experiences with others.  One thing I have learned throughout my 40 year life, is that people are going to think what they are going to think.  At times they will die believing the worst about someone rather than admit the possibility that they have poor judgement.   When you encounter one of these individuals, it doesn't take long to figure out the symptom of why they struggle with any relationship.  They mis-trust deeply!  It's like they are always on guard waiting for the person they are mis-trusting to validate the faulty beliefs they have developed in their heart based on their own life experiences.  It is always very sad to me because for years I lived that way.  I'm incredibly thankful that God brought someone to my life to work that horrible belief system out of my heart.

The person that helped me through that faulty belief system I had, stuck by me when I would lash out in mis-trust.  He was able to separate my behavior from my worth as an individual.  We went through some tough stuff in our friendship.  One day I was sick and tired of being sick and tired of this belief system that kept robbing me of peace and had robbed me of great friendships.  My mis-trust of people consumed me.  I would always have to validate and re-validate my position.  I would need to have other's agree with me, and they would (that area was never lacking) and then I could continue to reinforce my faulty belief .  Meanwhile, the people I mis-trusted were sleeping just fine if you know what I mean.  As I really dealt with my pain and mis-trust issues years ago, I realized something very profound and actually found it in the Bible.  You judge people based on the same things that operate in your own life.  It's true...100% of the time!  It may not be immediately revealed, but it will come to light eventually.  The reason I couldn't trust, was because I myself, was not trustworthy!  OUCH!  Now, don't get me wrong, you don't just trust anyone.  You have to use wisdom.  However, when you've built somewhat of a relationship with someone, when something goes array, you shouldn't automatically assume the worst.  In fact, if you've developed a healthy belief system, you should automatically assume the best, until that person proves themselves otherwise.  I can't tell you how many relationships, good relationships with good people that I've let go because I refused to trust and refused to look at myself in the situation.   

I follow a general rule in my heart - 99.999% of the time, people are not out to "hurt" you!  That would just be evil!  When they are out to hurt you, it's based on their own hurt!  Hurting people hurt people.  It's easy to empathize when you realize that its out of one's own hurt that they lash out.  Maybe you are one of those individuals who deals with this faulty belief system in your heart!  The good news is....there is healing in Jesus Christ!  If this is you, it's time to recognize this, because I can promise you  its holding you back from having great relationships!!  Since dealing with my mis-trust issues, I've been blessed with amazing friendships.  Friendships with individuals that allow me to be me!   We can hash things out when we disagree and still have a knowing in our hearts of our  love for each other.  Friendships that you can share you deepest fears and insecurities and know that they are safely kept even in the midst of an all out fight!  I remember a major fight I had with one of my closest friends.  It resulted in her storming out of my house, both of us balling our eyes out while apart, followed by a knock at my door about 30 minutes later, with a mutual greeting... a warm, tear filled embrace and a mutual I'm sorry!  We laugh at that fight today, but what saved our friendship is that both of us had a healthy belief system and a love for each other, coupled with a deep knowing that when the rubber meets the road, we had each others backs and always will! 

Maybe you are asking,....does this describe me?  Well, one way to answer this question is to look at past friendships and see how they ended and why.  Examine if this behavior keeps repeating itself in someway, shape, or form with the result of an ended friendship, etc.  Do you desire deep, meaningful relationships but somehow never have that desire fulfilled?  These are just a few ways to discover and unlock what's keeping you from the great relationships that God desires you have!  Begin to ask God to show you the why's of this faulty belief systems and ask Him to reveal the steps you need to take to create a new belief system!  I never could have imagined the amazing relationships God desired for me, until I decided to take the steps with God to overcome my own hurt and have the willingness to embrace something new.  Mis-trust always causes poor judgment!  Decide now to disrupt what's causing your mis-trust.

In His Grip, Grace, and Strength,

TDahl

...And It Will Be Established For You

Can I just say I love the Word of God!  As I get older, I love it more and more.  I think as we age, we begin to focus on the the things that are truly important.  Things that are eternally focused and not temporal.  I'll never forget a statement my pastor made several years back in regards to material possessions.  He said "just drive by a junk yard and think to yourself, that used to be someone's dream (referencing the scrap pieces of metal and smashed up vehicles). 

I've been evaluating several areas of my personal life (which I do often), but something is different this time.  I'm not exactly sure what the change has been this time, but there has been a change.  I'm looking at how I'm spending my time.  I'm examining how I'm spending my money, even moreso than I ever have (I do this often as well-its a must for me).  I'm really challenging my ideas, thoughts and actions and asking myself...are these eternal minded or temporal minded?  Let me give you an example....

I enjoy "Starbucks!"  Yes, who on earth doesn't?  Hello!  I do not go there often, unless someone has given me a gift card because anytime you pay almost 400%, more, yes, I said 400% more for something than it actually costs the retailer, you know your literally throwing your money away (my sister used to run a "Starbucks" so I know a little about costs here).  However, it doesn't keep me from doing it once in a while.  This last time I went in and paid my $4.65 for my Venti Skinny Vanilla Latte add foam and whip (my mouth is watering) it somehow didn't taste so good.  See, for $4.65 I could have invested that in someone's life in Haiti (I went there on a missions trip).  I could have went and bought a jar of spaghetti sauce and a package of pasta and provided a meal to a family who doesn't know where their next meal is coming from.  I could have sown it into my churches offering to help pay for postage when mailing a CD to someone who has never heard the gospel.  I could have sown it into the ministry network I'm a part of to help support pastor's in Africa that are going to be part of a leadership conference soon.  It's amazing what $4.65 can really do these days!  These are "eternally" minded thoughts!  It almost made me sick that night when I purchased that "Starbucks" and sipped on it, with these eternally minded thoughts rolling around in my mind.  I didn't even enjoy my purchase!  In fact, my mouth has stopped watering just thinking about that night.

I've really been thinking and pondering lately on my life's purpose.  The reason why I'm here, right now, for just this time.  God chose me to be here on this earth at this time in history!  Why?  You cannot get a temporal answer on that question - it can only be answered from an eternal perspective.  God's KINGDOM perspective!  This is what I know...God gave each of us gifts and talents.  I believe with all my heart that He also chose that our gifts and talents would also be our earthly provision.  It would be how you made a living to support your family, and expand the Kingdom.  We are part of a Kingdom!!  A Kingdom so big that it's eternal!  It's forever and ever!!!  Let that sink in for a moment.  Foolishly, we've built our own kingdoms that have very little to do with eternity.

Now, I am not saying don't ever have a "Starbucks" or don't ever go out to eat, etc.  I'm not saying don't live in a nice house, and have nice things.  It is more than ok to prosper!  God desires prosperity for His children.  What I am saying is lets closely evaluate our investments into Kingdom things and compare them to our investments in earthly things.  We need to be Kingdom minded and then earthly minded!  Many of us have put Kingdom mindedness in last position, when it should be in first position!  MYSELF INCLUDED in that statement!

As I was reading the Word this morning I went to one of my favorite scriptures...Job 22:28.  However, as I was reading, the Lord prompted me to read the verses above that scripture....let's take a look together.

Job 22:21-28 [I've noted several translations]

21.   Agree with God, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you. [Revised Standard Version]

22.   Accept the teaching He gives; keep His words in your heart.

23.   If you return to the Almighty, you will prosper. If you put wrongdoing out of your tent (home) [God's Word Translation]

24.   Throw away your gold; dump your finest gold in the dry stream bed.

25.   Let Almighty God be your gold, and let him be silver, piled high for you.

26.   Then you will always trust in God and find that He is the source of your joy.

27.   When you pray, He will answer you, and you will keep the vows you made. [Good News Translation]

28.   You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; And light will shine on your ways.    [New American Standard Version]

I'm reminded of my Aunt Rosemary who pretty much gave up all her earthly possessions and served as a missionary on an Indian reservation in Nageezi, New Mexico.  She was there for 5 years.  She had to draw her own water for baths.  Her bathroom was an outhouse and she lived in a little trailer.  She believed God for everything she needed.  God gave her the desire to serve and her focus was Kingdom minded (it would have to be to live in those conditions and LOVE what you do) and she lived on the financial support of those who had "Kingdom" thinking!  I've asked myself...what am I willing to give up?  I am choosing to exchange my "earthly" thinking for "Kingdom" thinking!   I don't think we're giving up anything to be honest, because we are gaining so much more!  As I read the above scriptures, I have embraced these verses of scripture as a whole and say "God I want to trust YOU, and not me anymore!"  

My hearts desire is to be a successful music artist in both the secular and Christian markets-AND I WILL BE!!!   However, I want to have Kingdom minded thinking in my decisions.  My hearts desire is to touch the world with my gifts and talents that God has given to me and to leave a legacy that lives beyond myself, pointing people to Jesus Christ!  I want to invest more in my church financially!  In fact, I'm saying it right now, that my heart's desire is to build the housing for single parents that is part of the vision and mission of my church.  In order for me to do that, I need to be Kingdom minded on the receiving end as well as the giving end!  That means it begins now, in the small things.  I have to open my heart to receive incredible prosperity (that is a mindset) and to also develop the mindset to sow incredible prosperity back!  It starts with me declaring and then watching it be established "FOR" me!  What is your declaration?  

In His Grip, Grace and Strength,

TDahl 

When We Struggle...

I want to talk about something that all of us deal with from time to time....STRUGGLE

Dictionary.com defines struggle like this:   to contend with an adversary or opposing force.

I feel that even when we are not met with huge "struggle" we continually have an opposing force in our lives...its called being human.  We make decisions throughout our daily lives to either respond or react to circumstances that oppose our ideals and desires.  For example, there are moments when I just want to react to someone's stupidity instead of respond maturely.  There are things that get under my skin, such as people being late all the time, or making sarcastic comments directed toward me (just freakin' tell me to my face rather than dance around an issue), or being one way to my face and 2 seconds later talking about me behind my back, because someone else has another opinion.  Can I just say get get a flippin' life already!  We can choose the high road, or lower ourselves to that person's level.  And yes, I said lower, because we need to have a standard operating in our own lives that we are unwilling to compromise on, for anyone!  So there are struggles we face on a daily basis that don't put us into crisis mode, but can get the best of us at times.  Hopefully we are mature enough to apologize when we react instead of respond to these types of things.  I want to talk about what we do when we face big struggles.  Life changing struggles and how we should respond to those struggles.

Can I just say that I am one who knows struggle!  I've been a single parent for 16+ years (that's huge).  I've had financial struggles for most of that time.  I've had people judge me because of my past (Christians no less).  I've had people judge my parenting style.  I've lost everything and had to start over.  I've had friendships dissolve in front of my eyes because I've had to take the high road on some issues.  I've lost jobs.  I've been sexually assaulted.  The list goes on and on.  So, I know struggle. 

Over the past few months, I've had to purposely "fix" my attention on some areas that, if not dealt with, could have literally taken me so far off course in life.  The struggles have seemed to nail me from every direction - family, personal, parenting, friendships, relationships, music, and the list goes on.  My way of dealing with life struggles is to withdraw for a period of time from the sources of the pain, and surround myself with what I call, "My Core."  This consists of individuals who have known me for many years, are solid in Christ, and LIVE the WORD obediently!  Included in "my core" are also individuals that have known pain themselves and have overcome.  I think its super important to have relationships with people that really identify with the things in which we struggle.  Its very difficult for me, not impossible, but difficult for me to open my heart to someone that cannot identify with my struggle.  Unless of course, its one of my spiritual father's.  There is something about having that "Spiritual Dad" that can just make things clear!  (I encourage you to find one or several.) 

I want to give you some keys in which to deal with personal struggle, so you are able to rise above the circumstance, identify your weakness and begin the process of exchanging it for God's strength!  

1.  Deal with bitterness and FAST!

Whether its others that have judged you, or you feel mis-understood, or you even feel that God isn't rescuing you (we feel this people...let's be real) and making things better, don't get bitter!  I had a conversation with a woman recently that is having huge issues in her church and she is dealing with bitterness.  Listen, bitterness causes resentment and resentment causes us to have a critical spirit!  When we become critical we cannot see things clearly!!!  A critical spirit robs us, not anyone else, of life! 

2.  Choose the TRUTH!

Look, even if you are frustrated with God because you feel He's not helping you in the time you are requesting it, you need to persuade your heart!  God is ON YOUR SIDE!  You must be completely persuaded on that issue!  God does not react to our temper tantrums.  God responds to our situations and struggles.  His plan will not fail!  I am reminded of some song lyrics...."sometimes He calms the storm with a whisper peace be still, He can settle any sea, but it doesn't He will.  Sometimes He holds us close and lets the winds and waves go wild.  Sometime He calms the storms and other times He calms His child."  I love this song, and while I don't agree with all of the lyrics because I don't believe God brings pain to our lives, I do believe He brings divine discontent so we see doors of opportunity He's preparing for us.  See, sometimes we get so comfortable and miss where He wants to bring us.  We need to know our identity in Christ and we also need to know the power of Christ within us.  He will cause us to overcome!!  No if's, and's, or but's about it!!! 

3.  Understand that rejection is not personal.

Rejection is a painful place and is usually very personal to us.  Refuse to let it be!    We as human beings can miss it so much!  Every single one of us!  We are far from perfect, but we have a Savior, who in His perfection, can identify with rejection! Jesus was rejected! 

4.  We have a race to run - get rid of the baggage!           

As a former track runner in high school, I would get the lightest weight, running shoes and seriously light weight spandex when I was competing.  It's no accident when you see runners wearing as little as possible when they are in competition.  You don't want anything to hold you back and slow you down.  Its the same in our race that God has ordained and set before us.  Identify the baggage that is holding you back and deal!   

As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us.   Hebrews 12:1 [Good News Translation]

5.  Look at the opportunity, not the problem!

It's easy to be overwhelmed with the problem, but I encourage you to look at the opportunity.  Whatever you are dealing with, it's an opportunity to trust God!  Focus on the opportunity!  Focus on the fact that God will rescue you - it's His Word!  Don't take your problem into your own hands.  Your strength is futile in comparison to God's.  Choose to exchange your problem for God's opportunity!  Your weakness for His strength.  You are just one choice away from resolving your struggle!  Leave it in the Master's hands and continue to run your race!  There is a finish line and it's gonna be a celebration when you cross that line!

In His Grip, Grace and Strength,

TDahl

It Takes a Village

I think they need to have a national support group for single parents to keep us from A. going crazy and B. thinking we're crazy.  Hi my name is Tammy and I'm a single parent...Hi Tammy, thank you for sharing. 

The journey of single parenting has been the toughest of all my journey's!  Not kidding!!!  When I was pregnant with Mikayla, I had a huge support system - the beginning of my village.  I was living with a family that took me in because I literally left my daughter's father at nearly midnight on August 16th, 1994 - barefoot and pregnant.  The next day, I showed up at what I call "The Heisey Haven."  I was able to see how a healthy family operated for the first time in my life.  I had a year of "training" with them. 

While pregnant, I began attending a church in Orlando in December of that same year.  My friend Richel attended there and she was one of the first real friendships I had in my life, that had literally been put together by God.  She has been one of my mentor's for years, and of course one of my dearest friends.  As I attended this church, I was learning about the importance of having an earthly father (which for many people, that means an earthly "spiritual" father) that could teach us how to have a relationship with "THE FATHER."  This was kind of a foreign thing for me because I had seen my father's (biological and step) abandon the relationship with my mother and thus abandon the relationship with me.  So in my heart and belief system, father's always left.  Not to mention, the God I learned about as a child was mean and angry and more like the godfather, so to trust Him as a father was really a journey.  With the love and guidance from my pastor and his family (Pastor Mark Evans and Mama Crystal) I began to learn and try and fail and learn and try and fail, but get back up, dust myself off and try again to trust.  Pastor Mark took me under his wing and would speak into my life as a father should.  Sometimes it made me angry!!!  Sometimes it would make me melt!!  Sometimes I would get in his face with pride and be a rebel!!  But he kept nurturing my heart!  He kept speaking life into me and over me.  He would correct me with a gentleness, push me with firmness and somehow I would always walk away feeling loved.

During the course of my pregnancy, I was able to save enough money to take 12 weeks off of work after Mikayla was born.  This bonding time was crazy good for me and her!  Mikayla was like the best baby on the planet.  She slept through the night at 4 weeks old.  We had the same sleeping schedules, which was incredibly good as it helped me be able to function after I went back to work.  Me and no sleep do not go well together!  Trust me!!  I've always been an early to bed early to rise girl - apart from about 2 years of craziness prior to my getting pregnant.

The caregivers that God sent for Mikayla were always the best!!!  She was surrounded from birth with godly families who lived, ate, and breathed God in a good way!!  This was wonderful for me as well, because for the first time in my life, other than life at the Heisey's, I was seeing God as a Father.  Not just some genie in the sky I was talking to asking for help all the time.  Which by the way...is very very very difficult for me to ask for help!! 

For years Mikayla and I grew together.  God surrounded her with "spiritual" daddy's from the time she came into this world.  I knew that this would be absolutely necessary for her to become a well balanced, healthy individual.  The one that has been in her life the longest - Sameer, was always taking her to water parks and having a blast with her.  Speaking life over her, praying with her, helping her.  Teaching her how to blow bubbles with her bubble gum.  Making a sandbox for her in my back yard.  The stuff that Daddy's do! 

In 1999 my mom and I had built a house in Eustis.  We wanted to move back in together because my mom was an integral part of "the village."  She would pick Mikayla up from daycare for me and spend tons of time with her.  She bought her cool things like the dollhouse that sits in our back yard.  She helped with the financial end of making a cool playground for Mikayla as a child.  All the kids came to our house when she was into all that stuff.  We would dress up and have tea parties in her dollhouse and read books together.  We had a blast! 

It was also during this year that I was introduced to Family Bible Church in Eustis through my daughter's pre-school teacher.  I prayed about making a change for nearly 2 years.  I loved my church in Orlando.  I loved the people, I loved the relationships I had, I loved being a part of the worship team, and loved being able to help others too.  I left NWC in 2001 but was open to new things that God wanted to teach me as a Father.  He had been showing me the grace message during these 2 years in my alone time with him.  My first official day at Family Bible Church was on "Father's Day!"  Imagine that!

One of my priorities in making the change, was that Mikayla would add to her "spiritual" parent family!  Well, it obviously was God's priority too.  Mikayla was able to build relationship with another set of spiritual parents - Rod and Jill.  They were crazy about her, spent time with her, have made tons of memories with her throughout the years.  The funny stories they tell just crack me up!  Mikayla has had nothing but the best! 

Nothing could have prepared me for the shock of the teen years.  It seemed like it just happened one day...and the feeling it left in my heart was indescribable.  I asked myself...who are you and where is my daughter?  Where is the one that has been my shadow for all these years?  Where is the one that likes to spend time with me?  She doesn't like me anymore!!!  She thinks I'm the dumbest thing on the planet!!  It seemed as though things were just out of control and I was in panic mode this past year as a parent.  However, God reminded me quickly to "employ" the forces!

Enter "The Village!!!"  The Village is crucial!!!  The Village is mandatory!!!  However, what I didn't realize is that the village could be so painful....sniff sniff.  It is incredibly difficult watching everyone else be the hero in your child's life!  You see the areas you just don't cut it.  You see what you're not!  You see what you can't be!  You see what you can't offer and have to depend on someone else to show the way because otherwise its the blind leading the blind. After you get out of the pity party....You see how your child's heart flourishes!!  You see your child becoming strengthened and solid.  You see them come alive in the midst of some of the most difficult years in their own lives.  I mean after all, they have to figure out who they are, what they want, etc., and battle insecurities, navigate friendships and potential relationships.  It's crazy for them. 

God keeps adding to the village too!  Now we have some newbies to "the village" - Seth and Lori (Mikayla's youth pastor's). Mikayla has known Lori since we went to Family Bible Church, but now Lori is grown, and has a family of her own.  We have Danny and Rae, who helped navigate the painful year when Mikayla just didn't want to be a part of church anymore.  We still have all the other spiritual parent's that have been in place since birth.  And then we have me....and although I don't appear important at this point in her life,  I know that God gave me wisdom enough to know and understand the importance of other's coming along side to support, and fill the gaps, and in some cases gaping holes (no father) to bring up a child.  God knows my weaknesses and He brings along those that can be a strength.  It's hard to accept the help sometime because you feel so "less than" I guess.  But in a gentle reminder from MY HEAVENLY FATHER... "Tammy, just trust me, I know what I'm doing and you've listened to Me.  Mikayla is ultimately Mine (God's) and I (God) will see to it she is steady and secure." 

Don't let anyone tell you different....it takes a village!!! 

I'm very thankful for my village!!! 

TDahl

     

The Truth Is...

Recently, I've had reason to question why we as the human race, allow someone elses opinion to become our truth.  Personally, I have pondered why I believe the things I do.  I mean, after all, what I've learned in life has been, apart from me opening the Bible, myself, and depending on Holy Spirit to teach me, is based the opinion's of someone else, or my own opinion formulated through my own life experience. 

For example, I learned how to fold a towel as a child based on how my mom taught me - her opinion was to fold the towel in half, fold it again, and then fold the long piece over twice.  It makes everything look pretty when it's in the cabinet. 

The truth is...all of our personal opinions are our truths!  Key word "our"....it doesn't mean it is "the" truth! Do we ever challenge those opinions?  I know I do!  I think we have to in order to become what we are meant to be.  So, with that said, this blog is about the opinion of others and how we let if affect our lives and hold us back and why!

Do you remember the movie "Pretty Woman" with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.  It is one of my favorite movies that I never grow tired of watching.  There is a particular scene where Richard Gere's character "Edward" says to Julia Robert's character "Vivian" - "I think you are very bright"  and Vivian replies "The bad stuff is easier to believe."  That part hits me like a brick everytime I watch the movie.  Why?  Because that is one of those "opinions" that I've had to overcome.  I've come such a long way in many areas of my life - knowing "THE TRUTH" which is found in Jesus Christ.  However, there are still areas that someone else's opinion of me can wreak havoc in my heart!  I recently encountered this and have had to literally pull myself in a cocoon and "deal".... because if I don't, it could potentially cause a detour in my life.. and listen, I have absolutely no time for detours!!

So I've asked myself...does this person's "truth" about me matter?  NO it does not.  Why then would I ponder a detour?  FEAR!  Fear of what?  Rejection!!  Plain and simple!  The "R" word has raised its ugly head in my heart once again.  UGH!!!  Rejection is painful people!  We all tend to run from that because it causes such a brokenness!  We were never designed to be rejected and our hearts were never designed to be broken.  Unfortunately, in this world, there is brokenness.  This is an area, that I need to, and we all need to conquer - once and for all.  

You can ask anyone this question and get the same answer.  If 100 people tell you that you are great and 1 person says you're not so great....you will remember that 1 person for the rest of your life.  You will remember what they said, what they did, what they wore when they said it, where you were, etc.  It's that whole "the bad stuff is easier to believe" crap!  Anyone who tells you that they don't care about someone elses opinion is straight up lying to you!  We do care about other's opinions!  However, caring about those opinions versus letting those opinions define you are two totally different animals here!  So, in the words of a dear friend of mine reminding me of what I already knew...God's opinion is what needs to override any and all opinions!  His truth is the final authority!  If we choose HIS Lordship in our lives then we must submit to HIS truth.  I'll go a step further....His opinion needs to OVERWRITE "our" truth! 

This is a process, but it can be done.  I've had to overwrite many of my own truths with His truth.  His truth brings a freedom so life defining and life changing!  You can guage your progress when that other person's opinion no longer brings an emotion to your heart!  That's when you know you've conquered it with a power greater than yourself!

We've got lives to live and destinies to fulfill!  We do not have time for detours!!!  Let's overcome and live the lives we were destined to live and NOT HOLD BACK!  God's on our side!  Our lives are meant to make a mark that cannot be erased.  It is not about us!  It is about something far greater than ourselves!  It is about God creating you, for just this time, to make an eternal impact for HIS KINGDOM!  Time cannot be wasted....let's get on with it!

TDahl

I'm Back....

It's been forever since I've posted, but I kind of took a "break" I guess you could say. A long break! Since my last post in 2009 (LOL) I have begun a journey to re-embrace my dream of music! Yes...music! This is something that has always been off and on for me. There are so many reasons why. Yet, its been the passion of my life. A dream that, for lack of better words, just would not leave me alone! So, with that stated....I finally just embraced it!

Since my last post, I've created a new website - www.tammydahl.com - so please take some time to visit!

I've also recorded a 4 track worship album in Nashville, TN in March of this year. It became available on May 5th! You can order it via my website!

The recording experience was phenomenal and taught me so much. I mean, seriously, I was able to work with some of the best musicians on the planet! Not to mention, I was also able to bring one of my dearest friends with me - Ms. Mandy Jones! She brought her melodic background vocals to this project and it's off the chain! She was also a huge huge huge support for me. Boosting my confidence, encouraging me, etc. Seriously, talk about feeling small next to people that are flippin' amazing "musically." Wow!!! I was also blessed with a young man writing an original song for the project. Cody Michael Troesch wrote the music and we co-wrote the lyrics together to the song "Beyond My Limits," the Title Track of the album! You can hear this track just by visiting my website!

So, as life allows me, I will post more! Life is about to get even more exciting than it has been.

TDahl