Sharing The Playground

This is a follow up to Jesus on Your Playground...

I've titled this blog "Sharing THE Playground."  Notice there is a significant difference in the word YOUR and THE.  I wanted to bring this to your attention first thing because YOUR playground is YOUR playground!  Your playground, as I previously mentioned, will not look like anyone else's playground.  Why?  Because there is NO ONE like you!  Even when someone operates in what appears to be the same gifting and talents you may possess, they are not you, and you are not them!  I'm attempting to drive that so deeply into your mind, that you never forget!!  

Years ago - 1999 to be exact, I was trying to be someone other than myself to attract someone I was interested in at the time.  God spoke to me clearly and directly and this is basically what He said...."Tammy, you rob yourself and others of the gift of you, when you're trying to be someone else.  I've created you and fashioned you with a purpose.  The way I've put you together, needs to be lived authentically, for you to touch those I've called you to touch, and develop the relationships I've planned for you to develop, and to make the impact I've called you to make!"  It hit me so hard when God spoke that to my heart!  It's also then, that I made a conscious decision to live authentically, no matter what! 

So lets talk about "THE" playground.  Erica had made a reference to something by a comment she made  (see Jesus on Your Playground) that was so true.  She said "Too often we get caught up in "Who is the greatest among us" and miss that Jesus is playing with the kids."  Now one thing I know, from raising a child myself, is that kids are usually selfish by nature, but especially when they are playing with others.  There are a few kids that have this supernatural gift of selflessness, but I have not seen many!  Parent's are constantly trying to teach their kids to share their toys, or let someone else have a turn crossing the monkey bars, etc.  You get my point, even if you don't have children!  Just observing them tells you everything you need to know.  I'm thinking back on how every Summer my daughter would go to her godparent's home for a few weeks.  Being a single mom for well, basically the whole time of raising my daughter, I tried very hard to surround her with a healthy traditional family environment (mom, dad, kids, etc.) so she could be in the mix of how one operates.  Well, her godparents have 4 kids and well, my daughter is an only child so for the first few days Mikayla would be struggling to be the center of attention because that's what she was used to at home, being an only child! It was quite interesting actually to watch a child fight for attention using all kinds of tactics.  I'm laughing just thinking of that!  What's not funny, is when we as adult "kids" of Father God, still wrestle with that "center of attention" complex and use all sorts of tactics that in the end hurt others, deeply!  

I for one, do not want to ever hurt anyone, but the fact is, I do, I will, and probably will again, several more times as long as I'm alive!  It's called "not being perfect!"  I do however like to share "THE" playground.  I've always been for the "underdog" for lack of a better term.  I've found at times that kicks me in teeth, but the bottom line is, I want people to integrate "their" playground into "my" playground and see THE playground!!  My heart for building community has been developed over the years.  It started when I was a little girl.  As a child, I was part of a church that was very judgmental.  In fact, if you did something wrong, you were used as the "example" from the pulpit of what not to do.  Even if you weren't used as the example, you were shunned by the "leadership" if you weren't living up to their expectations.  I saw many people walk away from God, leave the church building, and ultimately leave community!!  It hit my life like an arrow as well, because we were one of those families that walked away!  That's why now, when I see a family or someone leave a "church" family I run after them!  In my previous 2 churches, when people left, I literally looked them up, one by one, and went after them!  No one knew I did that!  I didn't advertise it all over the place.  You may ask, why did I do that?  The answer is simply because I wanted to be sure they had community!!  Listen, I don't care when someone chooses a different church home, I just want to know they are building community with others and not isolating!  Jesus left the flock to go after the one!  It is imperative we are part of community!  Being part of community does present its challenges because there are times when "I" gets in the way of "We."  There is a "Who is the greatest among us" complex and we miss that Jesus is playing with the kids, as Erica shared.  "We" is always more powerful than "I." 

We need live in the awareness that Jesus playing on our playground is personal, and intimate, and reserved for us as an individual!  We also need to live in the awareness that Jesus is playing with the other kids on their playgrounds and it will look different, and be different, and is personal and intimate to them!  We need to live without comparing the playgrounds!!!  There is absolutely no comparison!!!  We also need to live with the awareness that just because someone elses playground looks different from ours, doesn't justify selfishness!  We then need to integrate our playgrounds and play together - giving and receiving from each other!  There is so much we have to offer each other as brothers and sisters in Christ!!  Look, if God didn't create another fingerprint like mine, and He didn't create another fingerprint like yours, don't you think He wants us to share with each other to get the full benefit of Him?  We are the body of Christ!!  Some of us are hands, some of us are arms, some of us are legs, some of us are feet, some of us are mouths, etc.!  We are all moving parts of ONE body, yet each part is important for the other to function.  I'm reminded of the scripture that says where one can put a thousand to flight, two can put ten thousand!  I don't know about you, but I'm ready for authentic multiplication in the body of Christ!  

Let's play nice!  Let's appreciate what each other have to offer!  Let's look at the power of multiplication!  The harvest is ripe, but the laborers are few!  Lets link arms and break down the ministry walls that tend to separate, and co-labor together to integrate!!  

See you on THE playground!

TDahl 

Jesus on Your Playground

So yesterday, I'm having this conversation via a Facebook status I posted, and my friend Erica responded with something that revolutionized my world in the blink of an eye.  You know how you can hear a message that someone preaches, or listen to a teaching of some kind, and what you're taking in, is good stuff, but then after a few hours your emotions settle and you go about your daily life?  You know what I'm talking about!!  Then there are other times that someone says something or writes something and your heart explodes and you know like you know, something just happened that would literally make a change in you and the way you view something!  Well, I had that moment I just described, yesterday - 11.28.2012! 

Here is the feed...

Erica Amalfitano:  Tammy the answer to where do you go to church is...I am the church. I'm in it everyday, all day long! You are about the Father's business! Community--people, not isolating yourself to one group, but giving and loving everyone. I'd say you hold church pretty well yourself!


Tammy Dahl:   That is so incredibly true Erica! You know what's super funny?  Darin saw this in me years ago! LOL LOL LOL!! He would be proud!!!! :-)

Erica Amalfitano:  I am a little "Darin" disciple. LOL!!! Actually He saw in me, a heart that sees the bigger picture. Too often we get caught up in "Who is the greatest among us" and miss that Jesus is playing with the kids.

Tammy Dahl:   LOL!!! I love him and I so love you!!!! :-) Right!!! I love love love that analogy....Jesus is playing with the kids! I feel so alive.....

Erica Amalfitano:   Keep dreaming, keep loving, keep believing for what you do not see!

Erica Amalfitano:  You are in a great place.

Tammy Dahl:   I just got a huge revelation Erica....everytime we use our gifts and talents for God, and follow the desires of our hearts....it's really Jesus, playing on our playground with us. The playground changes as we grow older, but its still "our" playground!!! We were meant to enjoy our gifts and talents, and use them to expand the Kingdom! WOW WOW WOW....Jesus is on the playground with me!! I'm balling my face off right now....LOL LOL LOL!!!

Erica Amalfitano:   He LOVES being with us and He LOVES when we truly operate in what He gave us. People have too small of sight. It's unfortunate that we do not like to see others enjoying God because we are envious that its not happening with us.

As that revelation in my heart exploded, God gave me something I never really identified with via experience.  I obviously had a head knowledge, but experiencially I couldn't really identify!  That something was a father on the playground with his kids.  I never had that!  I never had a father who was really actively involved in my life.  When Erica said that, my heart came alive in an instant!  My head knowledge, immediately became heart knowledge!  I began to think back and remember specific moments of my life that mean so much to me.  Moments when I was a little girl, running outside every morning at around this time (5:00 AM), riding my pony (that was my playground).  Moments that I went to gymnastics class and through practice, mastered my round off, double back hand spring, and my cartwheel on the balance beam.  The moment at my track meet when I jumped the gun because I was so excited that my mom could be there.  The time I delivered a flawless performance, singing "Memory" from Cats (that people still talk about - and it was 26 years ago).  All the things I've enjoyed my entire life!  Even writing this blog, this morning, knowing this is one of my playgrounds and Jesus is hanging with me on that playground! 

We grow and change.  We learn new things.  We age and can no longer do some of the things we used to, but our playground consistently changes and Jesus is even more excited than we are, that He gets to hang out with us!!  To really be aware of His presence and the enjoyment He and I get, together!  There are times throughout my day that I'm on autopilot!  I'm no more aware of His presence than the Man in the Moon!  Yet, to pause and really get an understanding that He's there - with us, enjoying our life moments!  Just meditate on that for a minute.  Think about your "playgrounds!"  Everytime your heart comes alive to something - be it serving someone, using one of your gifts or talents, loving someone, spending time with a friend, drinking an amazing cup of coffee and writing a blog (like I am right now).  Wow....it just keeps exploding in my heart!! 

I am someone who really enjoys my "alone" time.  I love peace and quiet.  I enjoy being with myself I guess you could say!  I enjoy me!  Well, Jesus knows I love that time and so there are many times He doesn't speak until I initiate the conversation.  I can just see Him sitting next to me, quietly, yet squirming in His chair, just waiting expectantly for my first word!  I think of the many times, I haven't spoken the first word and just go on about my day as if He doesn't exist.  Let's be real people!  I can see Him being disappointed that He didn't get to spend time with me!  Then I think about the times I've made it a "religious" practice and really don't get the full benefit of just hanging with Him.  At times it almost can become like a to do list and that is so not how God wants His time with us to be.  But what if, just what if we went about doing the things we loved, and lived with the constant awareness that Jesus is right along side of us, doing it with us and loving the time He gets to spend with us? 

What about the times you don't want to go to the playground?  Maybe you're dealing with a major loss in your life!  Maybe things are really tough right now financially, or emotionally for you and you just don't want to play.  I've been there several times in my life as well.  He'll hold you in the pain of life!  He's there to bring you through it.  He never leaves so just determine to live with an awareness that He's there!  There are times that I've felt a tangible presence.  A particular moment that I'll never forget was during a time in my life that my heart was just broken into pieces.  I was on a ladies retreat and I went back to my cabin and just began sobbing.  I literally felt Jesus crawl into bed with me, wrap His arms around me and I laid my head on His chest.  What's really crazy is I heard His heartbeat!  I didn't want to play on the playground, I needed something different in that season and God showed up in a personal, tangible way! 

I reflect once again on the book "Love Does" by Bob Goff.  There is a chapter entitled "Memorizing Jesus."  It begins with this quote..."I used to think I could learn about Jesus by studying Him, but now I know Jesus doesn't want stalkers."  He goes on to say later in that chapter these words...

"What I like about Jesus' message is that we don't need to study Him anymore to know Him.  That's what the religious people at the time were promoting.  Collecting information about someone is not the same as knowing a person.  Stalkers are ordinary people who study from afar the people they're too afraid to really know.  Jesus said that unless you know Him like a child you'll never really know Him at all.  Kids don't care about facts, and they certainly don't study each other.  They're just with each other; they do stuff together.  That's what Jesus had in mind."

Jesus is on your playground!  Your playground doesn't look like anyone else's playground!  So, go enjoy your time with Jesus...in a new way, on YOUR playground!! 



Hangin' with Jesus On My Playground,

TDahl

Liberated from Fear

I'm beginning to believe that I can almost call myself an expert in the area of life transitions, yet, I'm finding that I have so much to learn still...sigh!  For myself, and my particular personality bent, it is very difficult for me to let go of things in my life, to embrace the new things God is calling me toward.  I will rationalize and make excuses, even for others, to stay in my organized and structured world....because of fear!  About a year ago, God confronted me about an area I was walking in fear in, and had been nearly all my life!  He said plain and simple, "Tammy, you'll never accomplish what I've called you to do if you keep holding yourself back."  UGH....I so did not want to hear that!  He began to take me on a journey that was really painful to confront!  Really painful!!   

 

I compare it to my relationship with the ocean.  We have a love hate relationship actually.  I find it beautiful to look at as well as listen to.  I'll even step out and get my toes wet, then maybe I'll go ankle deep, but no deeper than the knees, because this girl wants to see the bottom and everything around me!  It's quite humorous actually.  God created me and I think He laughs as He watches my baby steps.  God knows however, what it takes for me to make serious life changing decisions and so, He begins to stir in my heart, what I refer to as, "divine discontent."  He's given me this gift, that sometimes I call a curse; and that is the gift of being unable to ignore my heart!  That makes for a very painful journey at times, but it also yields the fruit of an authentic life journey.  See, God wants to take us to the deep waters!  The unknown! 

 

When life transition moves into your world, and in my case, from all angles - family, church, work, you find out quickly what God has equipped you with on the inside!  You also find out the areas of your heart that are led by fear and which areas are led by faith!  And, finally, when you choose to take action, you find out who is really standing WITH you.  It can be very painful, but it is also very rewarding!  It's a double edged sword really.  I'm reminded of a sermon TD Jakes preached entitled, "Comrades, Confidants, and Constituents."  YouTube it, take notes, and save it in your favorites to revisit often!  My dear friend Mandy and I had a recent conversation about this sermon; can I just say I love that girl!  I've been struggling with engaging in a particular arena for quite some time.  She confronted me about it around the same time God did (imagine that).  Well, recently when I made a huge life decision, and began embracing what God has built me to do on a whole other level, she came to me, looked me in the eye, held my hand, and said, "Tammy, I am with you!  You don't have to worry about stepping on my toes, or holding yourself back, because I am with YOU!"  I can't tell you what that did to my heart, it's absolutely unexplainable in words.  She knows me well enough to know that I will hold myself back, to accommodate another. 

 

I'm one of those people that tries to take into account every person's heart.  I almost have to be forced to take my own heart into account.  Some may call that a weakness, I however would like to refer to it as a strength (I think I'm in denial - LOL).  In all seriousness though, I would like to refer to it as compassion.  Compassion is definitely something this heart of mine is equipped with because of my life experiences.  The bible refers to it as "one who is forgiven much, loves much!"  This girl has been forgiven of much throughout this life.  I think there is a point though that this characteristic can become a crutch because I can't solve another person's insecurities.  Only God is equipped for that job!  I've recently discovered that many times throughout my journey in life, I will hide my lamp under a bushel so to speak, so that another won't feel insecure or intimidated...and people that is just not healthy!!!  Well, God is setting me free from that!  I'm a work in progress and I have 3 best friends that are stuck to me like glue holding me accountable when they see me begin to do that!  I'm doing heart work in this area, and I've seen this particular characteristic in my life since I was a little girl!  I haven't wanted to look at it for what it really is, but I'm facing it head on!  What I won't become, is arrogant, because God's gifted me with a compassion that will never go away!  You don't forget the kind of roads I've traveled and you sure don't forget those who God sent along the way to mine the treasures in you!   

So I leave you with this thought - one that has resonated with me for years, but now has come alive in my heart, like a fire!!!  It's a quote by Marianne Williamson: 

 

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?"  Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We are all meant to shine, as children do.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.  And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

 

Now go and shine bright - free from fear!!

TDahl

Into Me See = Intimacy

The last week has been an emotional whirlwind for me, for so many reasons!  The number one reason was the news I received about my friend Darin Hufford who is literally fighting for his life as I write this blog this morning. 

When I connected with Darin several years ago, it was through my ministry Out of Exile.  He had heard my story and if I remember correctly he reached out to me.  We talked on the phone several times and I remember thinking to myself, is this guy for real?  Something was different about him than from any other person I had talked to or connected with my entire life.  Throughout our conversations we would joke about things, laugh about stupid stuff, talk on levels that were so deeply engaging that it literally would freak me out!  I was so guarded at that time when it came to men in general because of the intense hurt I had come from, but it was like this guy could read my heart and calm my fears in an instant. 

He then sent me his book - "The God's Honest Truth."  When I read that book, I experienced so many moments of freedom in my heart regarding my relationship with God.  It was crazy good!  The book has been retitled to "The Mis-Understood God" and I would encourage you to pick up a copy!  Soon after we had begun conversing via the phone, he had a speaking engagement in Florida.  I invited him to stay here at my house while he was in town.  Seeing as my mom and I reside together, it was appropriate to offer my home.  When he arrived, I picked him up at the airport, and we stopped at a restaurant to eat dinner.  We just chatted as usual.  My mind was racing in all these different directions (you know when you're trying to pay attention, but your mind is just evaluating someone, taking them in, questioning things, etc.) and I kept telling myself to FOCUS!  There was just this presence about him unlike anything I had ever experienced before.  He was engaged in conversation and made me feel like I was worth listening to, I guess you could say.  Have you ever talked to someone and you're sharing your heart and then they just kinda glaze over mid-conversation and you feel like, excuse me, I'm talking, listen to me, I'm opening my heart to you and sharing something?  With Darin, I assure you that you will NEVER get that kind of response.  He is so engaged and so interested that you almost feel uncomfortable.  It's like you feel your heart has been stripped down to the raw and its just out there, vulnerable, for the world to see!  You can't help it!  You can't stop it!  You have no control over that - and can I tell you its freaking scary!  In my case, terrifying! During that time with him though, I was forced to confront my demons of having a rejection based mindset and share with him....AFRAID!  Listen, Darin doesn't do casual when it comes to relationships!!  

Darin and Angie Hufford



This morning as I sit here, I am so thankful for his amazing wife!  I would think that most women would struggle having their husband travel to another state, stay in the home of a woman she's never met and totally be ok with that!  One day, if marriage is part of God's plan for me, I so want to be that kind of woman!!!  A woman willing to do what it takes for her man to accomplish his mission in Christ!  Angie, even though I've never met you - you've inspired me from day one!  Darin was used as an instrument of God to touch my life with something new - its called intimacy - INTO ME SEE!  Another friend of mine, Gene McConnell, describes intimacy using that description and it is so incredibly appropriate!  Because of Darin's example and of course his heart for God, his willingness to take my heart on an authentic journey to my God, it literally opened up the path for me to be intimate with God!  My life was changed because God connected me with him!  I continue the journey and now I freak people out because I want to know them deeply, and I care authentically!  There is nothing like intimacy with God that overflows into having intimacy with others! 

 - INTO ME SEE -

Darin and Angie, I love you!  

TDahl 

Dare to Dream

I had to share this because I just get so excited at the possibilities in life!  For so many years I was afraid to dream.  I was afraid to get my hopes up for them to just be dashed again and again.  For years the scripture in Proverbs that says "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick," was my life mantra!  It wasn't until I really looked at that fear head on and decided to deal with it, that I truly realized change was imminent!   So for nearly 7 years now, I have been diligent in persuading my heart of not only God's promises, but also the proper placement of my hope in those promises! 

Proper placement of our hopes and dreams begin with partnering with God!  He should be our "hope / dream keeper!"  I used to place hope in things or people, however that is when my hopes and dreams had a negative impact in my heart, which continued a cyclic chaos, that brought forth an "I give up" result!  

When I finally got sick and tired of being sick and tired, I made a decision!  I said, God, my Bible says I was not designed to live this way, and although my experience has contradicted what Your Word tells me, I'm choosing to believe You, over me and God, you need to show me how to make this journey with You!  This brought on an extraordinary journey of doing things afraid and believing God that good would come from the brokenness of my heart!  There were a lot of broken places in there that needed God's redemption and restoration!  As God and I have made the journey together, and I've invested His word in my heart, and talked with Him about my fears, and crying my eyes out more times than I can count, as well as surrounding myself with a plethura of leaders, teachers, mentors, etc., that can encourage me, I can say, my heart is well in this area now!  I want to keep it well so I keep investing in myself to not only maintain it, but to also expand my heart and dream bigger! 

Listen, God often leads us by the desires of our heart and the desires I have welled up in there, need my partner, God!  He is my hope keeper!  He is my dream keeper!  If you are depending on people to make your dream happen, change your way of thinking!  Depend on God to make it happen and He'll bring the right people to accomplish His dream for you!!!  You know when you follow God, it's His dream for your life!  Looks a little differently when you begin to see it that way, doesn't it? 

One of the dreams I believe God has for me is to travel!  I want to do huge concerts and have inspiring conferences that infuse people with possibility!  I want them to dare to dream and dare to hope, but trusting in the right ONE to make the dreams and hopes possible!  Not everyone will understand why you dream what you dream!  The right people will however!

The other night I was outside in parking lot of the church I attend.  My pastor had just taught and in his teaching he shared about a pastor in South Africa believing God for a larger home.  At the time he lived with his wife and child in a tiny 1 bedroom apartment.  When people would come over he would say "this is my master suite, this is the guest bedroom, this is my office, etc."  He literally would just be turning around in one place, pointing at areas in this tiny apartment. A few years later, someone built this huge home for him and his family!  So as my friend Michele and I were talking about this, I pointed to the parking lot and said, "Michele, look at my huge tour bus!  It's everything I wanted.  It's black with big silver swirls (I love black and silver) and shiny wheels.  The master suite is mine, but there are plenty of bunks for all of us.  We can all switch the master suite every week so we all can enjoy it!  Oh, you'll have to deal with my dogs too.  The dogs go with me on the road!  See the big TDahl written on the side there?  Well, Michele, let's get on the bus, its time to ride!"  Just as I finished speaking that, no joke, a big tour bus that was black with silver swirls passes right by the church!  I flipped out and started jumping up and down and screaming with this hope that exploded in my heart!!  The bus missed its stop because it didn't turn around and pick us up, but hey, the fact is, I saw a glimpse of the dream and it made my heart soar with excitement!!! 

So can I just encourage you to get on board with God and dream big!!!  HOPE HUGE!!!  The possibilities are limitless with God!!!

TDahl

Leading By Example

I will preface this blog with a sincere thank you to those who speak into my life!  Your leadership and guidance has been and continues to be priceless in my life. 

Those who know me pretty well, know that leadership is something I study, read about, attend workshops on, etc., because God created me to be a leader.  Hindsight is 20/20 and I can honestly say that I was born a leader!  I didn't recognize that as a young girl.  I just knew that somehow I influenced others in both good and bad ways.  As a teenager, my friend's parents even recognized that my influence was very strong and tried to keep their children away from me at times.  Lets just say I was not the most compliant individual when it came to authority!  I was never afraid to stand alone when I was standing up for something that was right.  Guess what?  That still hasn't changed, when it comes to standing up for something that is right!   

When I re-committed my life to Jesus on August 17th, 1994 I began learning about godly leadership through the guidance of Dad and Mom Heisey.  I lived with them during my pregnancy and until Mikayla was about 6 months old.  Dad was the leader of their home and he exhibited a godly example in both love and truth!  He was not afraid to confront things, yet he still made you feel loved in the process.  I remember watching Dad study his Bible every morning for a few hours before his day started.  I would sometimes sleep in his office (there was a bed in there) just so I could wake up to the light that was on his desk shining to illuminate his Bible and notebook.  I watched him intently.  He knew I would wake up at about 5:00 (even though I had been awake watching him for about an hour and he didn't know it), so about 5 minutes before, he would stop his studying and go to the kitchen and make me a cup of coffee.  He would set it next to the bed and go back to his studying.  I would awake (lol) and sit and drink my coffee and talk with him about what he was studying.  Can I just say his influence with actions was, and still is, so powerful in my life.  Dad's leadership, coupled with his servant's heart has influenced my life so much!

I began to study leadership.  I even completed a 2 year internship with my former pastor and then was formally ordained as a minister in 1998.  I was in leadership at my church and served them for 6 out of the 8 years I attended there.  I started a non-profit ministry and began to minister to women in the adult entertainment industry.  I preached on Monday nights at my church for a period of time as well.  It was in my heart to lead people.  I didn't just want to lead people, I wanted to be an effective leader!  That meant living what I was learning, and for sure living what I was teaching!!  I'm far from perfect, and I make a lot of mistakes - however I have set strong boundaries for myself and I continue to evaluate those boundaries as I learn more and more about leading people.  

Recently, I had a conversation with a few individuals and I was livid as to what they were sharing with me regarding leadership issues.  I had to really watch my tongue and harness it with great care.  I've been meditating on the things they've shared and thus prompted my blog. 

I think there is a deception that is running rampant within the body of Christ.  The body of Christ is beginning to look like the world!  They have tried to fit in to draw people, rather than stand out and have people say "I want what you have."  If you say anything, then you are accused of being judgmental.  I accept people as they are, but I can tell you, they would not be placed in a position of leadership if there wasn't a higher standard operating in their personal lives.  If someone in a position of leadership has a failure, then they should be removed so they can be restored.  It's setting a boundary, and placing that person's healing above everything else, as well as protecting those they are influencing!  It's addressing issues head on, as uncomfortable as that may be - it's the responsible thing to do!

There were many conversations I had with Dad Heisey over the course of my time in his home.  There were conversations of correction, advice, affirmation, physical hugs and I love you's!  There were times he stood up to protect me when others had differing opinions.  There were times he sat me down and declared boundaries in his home!  His leadership was and still is priceless in my life!!  It's the reason I choose the mentors I do, in my own life! 

Let me tell you first hand - I DO NOT HAVE "YES" PEOPLE IN MY LIFE!  The people I've chosen to surround myself with and given them the authority to speak into my life, are those who are not afraid to communicate the truth with me and be completely authentic in that communication.  The people in my life do not have to walk on eggshells with me!  I feel this is very important for growth - both personally as well as in leading others!

There is another area in which I feel is incredibly important!  Making big decisions!  Decisions affect others!  When you have decisions to make that have the potential to impact a great deal of people, I follow the advice I received from a very wise man.  He said, "Tammy, whether you're married, or running a business, follow this rule of thumb...if you have to make a high impact decision, consult with others who have, A. made the decision in the past and can advise you of the high's and low's, and B.  No matter what, don't make the decision until your spouse, or board, or core (whatever you want to call them) are totally on board and in agreement - with absolutely no arm twisting or persuasion from you."  Can I tell you that piece of advice has saved me from making so many bad decisions.  I can also tell you that I've ignored that advice and have had to reap consequences of those decisions and it hasn't been fun!

Leadership is a responsibility I feel many don't take seriously enough.  That's my personal opinion of course.  There are so many areas in which, I personally want to become a better leader!  I will continue to study, grow, and learn in this area!  I will continue to lead by example and hopefully influence others to do the same!  When I fail, I know I've surrounded myself with wise, experienced individuals that will stretch out their hand to help me up, brush off the dust, and help me begin again - a wiser, more experienced individual myself!

TDahl



The Sarah's

The Sarah's...What Does that Mean?

So here's the story...About 3 1/2 years ago now, I read about an audition for a lead singer for a band that was forming.  I called the number and reached Michele Troesch (Drummer).  I had absolutely no idea this phone call would change my life, in so many ways. 

I had just re-embraced music.  Something I had run from for so many years.  My journey has not been easy at all.  I always knew that I had this gift, but nothing ever prepared me for the times it would leave me alone and rejected.  I've been singing since I was like 5 years old and when you're a small kid, people embrace you and say things like "awww that's so sweet," or "aren't you just precious."  However, when you reach the adolescent years people become cruel and mean.  I remember trying out for a solo back in 7th grade.  I can't remember the name of the song, but here are a few lyrics I remember..."The lone wild bird in lofty flight."  I can't tell you how true that lyrical line has been for my life.  I didn't get the solo part that day, but the girl who did, sure rubbed it in my face and had an ego as big as Texas (probably bigger).  It seems that I've been around people with huge ego's my entire life and it truly nauseates me to be honest.  Can I just say that those with huge EGO's are usually the most insecure people I've ever known!  Ego is false confidence and it tries to make others feel small and insignificant!  That breaks my heart, because we are all significant in God's kingdom and no one should make anyone feel less than, so they can feel better about themselves for a moment! 

There are so many stories I could tell you in my musical journey, but one thing I'm thankful for, looking back now, is I feel life has taught me an attitude of gratitude!  Because of my own personal journey and the things I've gone through, the rejection I've experienced, the mistakes I've made throughout life, I feel God has given me a passion for people! Especially those that are cast off and rejected!  Those one's are the treasures and I'm a treasure seeker for Christ!  

So back to my phone call with Michele.  We set up an audition time and I can say I was a bundle of nerves.  So I show up and the piece I had prepared was "Shadows of the Night" by Pat Benatar.  I love that song and I can nail the vocals comfortably, even when I'm nervous. There were also a few others there that wanted to jam with their guitars.  Can I just tell you that I knew I had a connection with Michele when we saw the "EGO's" in that room.  It was like each guitar player was trying to outshine the other one.  It was crazy!  We just kind of looked over at each other with this expression on our faces that were screaming..."REALLY??"  It was hilarious, but sad at the same time. It turned both of our stomachs!! 

Michele and I kept in touch periodically over the next 2 years.  We connected again when her son, Cody, competed at the fair.  So we got to catch up a little bit.  Then one day, Cody shows up to worship practice at the church I attend, to play drums for us.  I was like...what?  That ignited the journey.  Soon after that, I was asked to start leading worship on Wednesday nights.  I really wanted a drummer, so I called Michele and asked her to play for me.  She agreed!  I was so excited!!  Throughout this last year and a half now, we've built such a solid friendship.  We've gotten to know each other's hearts and have been able to serve together in various venues!  It's been amazing!!  Her son, Cody is like the son I never had.  He writes amazing music!  He wrote the music for "Beyond My Limits" (my title track on my debut worship album) and we co-wrote the lyrics together.  We've just got an amazing connection personally and in Christ!!  He's just the real deal!!

Over the past year, Michele has been working hard at building The Sarah's.  We've met some amazing people and our band members thus far, are off the chain amazing!  We're still looking for a female lead guitarist and a rythym guitarist, but we know the right people will enter the picture soon.  We want the right fit!  We want the God fit!!

The Sarah's...What does that mean?  Well, if you look at Sarah in the Bible, her dream came to pass in the latter years of her life.  She had a promise from God for years!  She even tried to make the promise happen in her own flesh and it made a mess of things!  However, the promise from God came to pass with the birth of Isaac.  With that said, we are just some God's girls with age ranges of 30's, 40's, and 50's, that have some pretty amazing and crazy life experiences.  Music has always been our dream and we are fully embracing the God gifts within us, and we will touch the world!  We will share our unique stories!  We will inspire others to live full out for God!  We will encourage others to embrace their mistakes in life and watch God make something beautiful out of the mess! 

We're "The Sarah's" and we are making our mark for the Kingdom of God! 

In His Grip, Grace, and AMAZING Strength,

TDahl

Lead Vocalist

The Sarahs
http://www.thesarahs.com/
http://www.tammydahl.com/