Hello friends! Please be in prayer for those affected by the massive Tsunami in Samoa. I have provided the link for you so you can read about it you are unsure as to what happened.
Lord please be with those who are hurting and have lost their homes and possibly loved ones. Please provide the help and the resources necessary to help those in need. We thank you Father for your mercy and Your sovereignty. Provide your comfort and healing wherever it is needed and desired. In your Son's precious name AMEN!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_pacific_earthquake
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
I <3 Night
Last night at Illuminate was incredible. We are in the middle of our Graceland series and we are just amazed at how God is moving in the hearts of those we see each and every week.
He is transforming lives in front of our very eyes. For that I am so humbled to even be a part of this ministry. I watch weekly as student raise their hands and fall to their knees in worship of our Father in heaven. As they cry out their deepest longings and stirrings, offering praise to Him and surrendering their lives to His will.
Last night, Dan offered a challenge to Illuminate. On October 11th, 2009 we are having a night where they are challenged to invite someone (or more) to Illuminate....so they can hear the grace that is offered through Christ alone. We are calling it I <3 Night. Who do you love in your life that does not yet know Christ? Do you love them enough to tell them?
Dan and I were in tears as we watched so many of them laying their committments before God and committing to pray for those they don't know. For the person they were going to invite. That all excuses and fear would be removed and that they would invite that individual....regardless of what the answer may possibly be! That they would TRUST that God will do the rest of the work....but they have to ask.
Just imagine how the world would change if just one person told one other person about Jesus. To further His Kingdom and bring Glory to God.
Praying for you Illuminate!
Tiffany~
He is transforming lives in front of our very eyes. For that I am so humbled to even be a part of this ministry. I watch weekly as student raise their hands and fall to their knees in worship of our Father in heaven. As they cry out their deepest longings and stirrings, offering praise to Him and surrendering their lives to His will.
Last night, Dan offered a challenge to Illuminate. On October 11th, 2009 we are having a night where they are challenged to invite someone (or more) to Illuminate....so they can hear the grace that is offered through Christ alone. We are calling it I <3 Night. Who do you love in your life that does not yet know Christ? Do you love them enough to tell them?
Dan and I were in tears as we watched so many of them laying their committments before God and committing to pray for those they don't know. For the person they were going to invite. That all excuses and fear would be removed and that they would invite that individual....regardless of what the answer may possibly be! That they would TRUST that God will do the rest of the work....but they have to ask.
Just imagine how the world would change if just one person told one other person about Jesus. To further His Kingdom and bring Glory to God.
Praying for you Illuminate!
Tiffany~
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Prayer
I have noticed that my prayer life could definitely use some improvement. I mean, I do pray. But I am in awe of those individuals who seem to be able to pray longer than 5 minutes and know what to pray for. They don't fumble their words like I do! So instead of working on this spiritual discipline, I wrote it off as just not being as "spiritual" or as eloquent in praying as others.
I now know that prayer is indeed a discipline and one everyone needs to work on. Prayer is where we can be so intimate with our Father and pour out our hearts to Him. Why wouldn't I want to learn how to pray more often and effectively?
I asked my husband about prayer. Often times I will have the best intentions and begin my long laundry list of people to pray for. After about two minutes I would get completely lost and overwhelmed that I would stop. Then I would get discouraged at myself. Dan toldme to consider a prayer schedule based on the types of requests.
For example, on Mondays I can pray for any health/illness/healing requests. Tuesday, family and so on.
So yesterday I began my schedule. And I have to say that so far I like it. Everything is written out and I have a place where I can keep track of those requests and follow up to see which prayers were answered, when and how.
Are you in the same boat I am? Consider a prayer schedule. It is worth it to be a much more effective praying Christian.
Blessings,
Tiff
http://tiffluvslife.typepad.com
Sent from my iPhone
Friday, September 11, 2009
To Walk On Water
Yesterday was a rough day for me.
Before I go into too many details, I feel as if I should back up a bit. I just gave birth to our second child. My husband and I both strongly believe it is best for me to stay at home with the babies, at least until they are in high school. Then if I should choose to work outside of the home I can be free to do so.
So Dan and I have been going over our options. Right now we are staying with his parents until we find a place that is closer to our home church, where Dan serves on staff. We have been going back and forth over different issues, but it isn't so much Dan that has been debating and battling them.
It is me.
I am a control freak by nature. I am steadily trying to let go of my control issues and really work on having faith and trust that God will provide what we need in due time. But all of these thoughts keep coming in my head and I feel like I am drowing in a sea of doubt.
I keep coming up with excuses like:
"My health insurance is way better than the churches. What are we going to do about that?"
"Why do we have to live in Orange County? It is too far and too expensive."
"What about money? Will we be able to pay for our living expenses out there?"
"Can we even find decent housing in a decent area?
The questions keep coming and I leave my poor husband with nothing except the duty to try and answer them and try to keep me at ease and not stressed over the whole situation. The truth is, it isn't his fault he doesn't have all the answers. He already trusts God will provide. He is doing the research to make sure we can live on one income, but he TRUSTS that if it's God's will.....then He will provide. To have complete faith in Him. He is the only one who is completely worthy of such trust.
I find myself lacking in faith so often. I broke down in tears doing my devotions as God revealed this sin that was buried in my heart. I had to pray and seek forgiveness from my Father in heaven because it became so heavy. I had to release it. Those of you who lack faith know what I am talking about. It is an ugly poison. It aggravates any situation and I find myself far more stressed out than I need to be. I had to let it go. The phrase "let go and let God" always sounded cliche to me....but this time it perfectly suited what I was experiencing. It was no longer a cliche. It had become truth to me and it was healing to my soul.
As God graciously lifted the weight of my sin from my heart, I called my husband in tears, who also graciously comforted me and prayed with me and assured me that we would be able to figure things out....even if they didn't necessarily go the way we desired it to. God is good. God is our provider, comforter, healer, friend and teacher.
Trust is so hard at times. I think many of us as christians live such sedentary lives because we don't trust God with our WHOLE lives. I think of Peter, when Jesus was walking on the water towards His disciples. He was the only one who go out of the boat. The rest of them, probably paralyzed by fear that they will sink into the depths of the ocean, stayed behind. And even though Peter took his eyes off of Christ for a moment and began to sink...he was the only one who felt Christ pull him up to safety. The one disciple who heard Christ speak these words that forever changed his world and perspective:
"You of little faith, why did you doubt?"
I hope to be like Peter. I am halfway there since I often put my foot in my mouth *ahem*. But my prayer is that God challenges me to get out of the boat more often. Have faith that He can do more than I think he can. To take Him out of the little box I have have placed Him in and let His power be completely evident in my life. To not miss out on all that He has created me for.
Is this your desire too? Or are you sitting in the boat, not willing to leave it behind because it feels "safe"?
Tiff~
Matthew 14: 23-31
Before I go into too many details, I feel as if I should back up a bit. I just gave birth to our second child. My husband and I both strongly believe it is best for me to stay at home with the babies, at least until they are in high school. Then if I should choose to work outside of the home I can be free to do so.
So Dan and I have been going over our options. Right now we are staying with his parents until we find a place that is closer to our home church, where Dan serves on staff. We have been going back and forth over different issues, but it isn't so much Dan that has been debating and battling them.
It is me.
I am a control freak by nature. I am steadily trying to let go of my control issues and really work on having faith and trust that God will provide what we need in due time. But all of these thoughts keep coming in my head and I feel like I am drowing in a sea of doubt.
I keep coming up with excuses like:
"My health insurance is way better than the churches. What are we going to do about that?"
"Why do we have to live in Orange County? It is too far and too expensive."
"What about money? Will we be able to pay for our living expenses out there?"
"Can we even find decent housing in a decent area?
The questions keep coming and I leave my poor husband with nothing except the duty to try and answer them and try to keep me at ease and not stressed over the whole situation. The truth is, it isn't his fault he doesn't have all the answers. He already trusts God will provide. He is doing the research to make sure we can live on one income, but he TRUSTS that if it's God's will.....then He will provide. To have complete faith in Him. He is the only one who is completely worthy of such trust.
I find myself lacking in faith so often. I broke down in tears doing my devotions as God revealed this sin that was buried in my heart. I had to pray and seek forgiveness from my Father in heaven because it became so heavy. I had to release it. Those of you who lack faith know what I am talking about. It is an ugly poison. It aggravates any situation and I find myself far more stressed out than I need to be. I had to let it go. The phrase "let go and let God" always sounded cliche to me....but this time it perfectly suited what I was experiencing. It was no longer a cliche. It had become truth to me and it was healing to my soul.
As God graciously lifted the weight of my sin from my heart, I called my husband in tears, who also graciously comforted me and prayed with me and assured me that we would be able to figure things out....even if they didn't necessarily go the way we desired it to. God is good. God is our provider, comforter, healer, friend and teacher.
Trust is so hard at times. I think many of us as christians live such sedentary lives because we don't trust God with our WHOLE lives. I think of Peter, when Jesus was walking on the water towards His disciples. He was the only one who go out of the boat. The rest of them, probably paralyzed by fear that they will sink into the depths of the ocean, stayed behind. And even though Peter took his eyes off of Christ for a moment and began to sink...he was the only one who felt Christ pull him up to safety. The one disciple who heard Christ speak these words that forever changed his world and perspective:
"You of little faith, why did you doubt?"
I hope to be like Peter. I am halfway there since I often put my foot in my mouth *ahem*. But my prayer is that God challenges me to get out of the boat more often. Have faith that He can do more than I think he can. To take Him out of the little box I have have placed Him in and let His power be completely evident in my life. To not miss out on all that He has created me for.
Is this your desire too? Or are you sitting in the boat, not willing to leave it behind because it feels "safe"?
Tiff~
Matthew 14: 23-31
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Correction on post below
So I posted below that we kicked off Generate, but it is really
supposed to say Graceland. Generate is a really awesome ministry
located at Crossroads Church in Corona. We aren't affiliated with each
other except for the same mission of reaching lost souls for Christ :).
supposed to say Graceland. Generate is a really awesome ministry
located at Crossroads Church in Corona. We aren't affiliated with each
other except for the same mission of reaching lost souls for Christ :).
Thanks!
http://tiffluvslife.typepad.com
Sent from my iPhone
Illuminate
My husband and I serve at a church in Anaheim called Knott Avenue Christian Church. Dan is the Young Adults Pastor there and we are just so blessed and humbled to be able to serve amongst these students in Orange County.
Our group is named Illuminate and this past Sunday we kicked off a brand new series titled "Graceland". For the past 6 weeks we have been holding vision desserts, laying down the ground work for the series and getting everyone pumped up for what I believe is going to be one of the most inspiring series we have had at Knott. Our group was super excited to hear about the plans and learn ways that they could be apart of serving their communities and growing as a group. They desire to be apart of something and our prayer was that they would take the challenge upon themselves to share the WHOLE Gospel of Christ to everyone they knew. Everyone.
On September 6, 2009 we kicked off Generate and had well over 70 students show up. What was even more amazing was that we had 80% of them commit to being in a life group (which is our name for a small group.) We were praying for just 60%....and we believed that was a really high goal! So praise God that He exceeded our expectations and placed in the hearts of those students the desire for discipleship. To want to learn more about Him and His never-ending, all sufficient grace. Amazing Grace. I absolutely adore my group of ladies as I know that they desire to grow and become more like Christ each passing day. I am constantly praying for them.
This weekend is week 2 and I am just as excited. I really can't wait to see what God does this time. I pray that Illuminate only serves to glorify Him and expand His Kingdom. I pray that it never just becomes a place to come to because it is "cool". I pray it becomes a community of believers who want to change the world. To share Christ with the world. To become more like Him. To worship Him in the presence of other believers and in their personal lives. I never want to just become the hip ministry on the block. I want Illuminate to always glorify God in EVERYTHING! Because Dan and I would not be here serving Him if it weren't for Him.
Will you be in prayer for us? Pray that Dan stays encouraged and inspired to teach God's word. That he is protected from any distractions that could possibly come his way. That when attacks from our enemy appear, that we are strengthened for battle. That we remember to put on our armor and be ready to fight in the name of Christ.
I will post more on Monday about what happened week 2.
Tiff~
Our group is named Illuminate and this past Sunday we kicked off a brand new series titled "Graceland". For the past 6 weeks we have been holding vision desserts, laying down the ground work for the series and getting everyone pumped up for what I believe is going to be one of the most inspiring series we have had at Knott. Our group was super excited to hear about the plans and learn ways that they could be apart of serving their communities and growing as a group. They desire to be apart of something and our prayer was that they would take the challenge upon themselves to share the WHOLE Gospel of Christ to everyone they knew. Everyone.
On September 6, 2009 we kicked off Generate and had well over 70 students show up. What was even more amazing was that we had 80% of them commit to being in a life group (which is our name for a small group.) We were praying for just 60%....and we believed that was a really high goal! So praise God that He exceeded our expectations and placed in the hearts of those students the desire for discipleship. To want to learn more about Him and His never-ending, all sufficient grace. Amazing Grace. I absolutely adore my group of ladies as I know that they desire to grow and become more like Christ each passing day. I am constantly praying for them.
This weekend is week 2 and I am just as excited. I really can't wait to see what God does this time. I pray that Illuminate only serves to glorify Him and expand His Kingdom. I pray that it never just becomes a place to come to because it is "cool". I pray it becomes a community of believers who want to change the world. To share Christ with the world. To become more like Him. To worship Him in the presence of other believers and in their personal lives. I never want to just become the hip ministry on the block. I want Illuminate to always glorify God in EVERYTHING! Because Dan and I would not be here serving Him if it weren't for Him.
Will you be in prayer for us? Pray that Dan stays encouraged and inspired to teach God's word. That he is protected from any distractions that could possibly come his way. That when attacks from our enemy appear, that we are strengthened for battle. That we remember to put on our armor and be ready to fight in the name of Christ.
I will post more on Monday about what happened week 2.
Tiff~
Thursday, September 3, 2009
What about Hope?
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1
Hope. It is a commonly used word for basic everyday wishes.
I hope I get that job.
I hope we have enough in the bank account to pay bills.
I hope, I hope, I hope.
But what does it really mean to hope for things eternal? I know for myself, I often find myself saying I hope for my own personal reasons, not necessarily for God's.
That isn't a bad thing necessarily. But I had to ask myself what do I really place my hope in? What does HOPE mean to me? What do I really hope for?
The passage in Hebrews listed above is beautiful and so simple, yet so hard to live out. We say we have hope in our heavenly Father, yet we don't always behave as if we do. We try to take matters into our own hands or simply give up because we forget to have faith in the things we hope for. And by that I mean not have faith in Jesus returning for his church.
That is what I hope for. I look heavenward and know that this isn't my permanent home. I have hope and faith that one day, Jesus will return and take me home. I have hope and faith that if my life on this earth doesn't turn out the way I dream.....the He is there to comfort me and will not leave me stranded in the desert. I have hope and faith that if all else fails...God never will.
There is a song we sing at Illuminate and the chorus goes like this:
I found a love greater than life itself
I found a hope stronger and nothing compares
I once was lost now I'm alive in You.
Nothing compares to the hope I have in Christ. Nothing.
Where do you place your hope. What do you hope for? Do you need some encouragement in this?
Go and check out some inspirational stories from women over at incourage. I promise you will be strengthened, renewed and encouraged by women who go through the same struggles many of you do. May they direct you to seek God's word and have hope in His promises.
Nothing compares to the hope we have in Christ.
Tiff~
Hope. It is a commonly used word for basic everyday wishes.
I hope I get that job.
I hope we have enough in the bank account to pay bills.
I hope, I hope, I hope.
But what does it really mean to hope for things eternal? I know for myself, I often find myself saying I hope for my own personal reasons, not necessarily for God's.
That isn't a bad thing necessarily. But I had to ask myself what do I really place my hope in? What does HOPE mean to me? What do I really hope for?
The passage in Hebrews listed above is beautiful and so simple, yet so hard to live out. We say we have hope in our heavenly Father, yet we don't always behave as if we do. We try to take matters into our own hands or simply give up because we forget to have faith in the things we hope for. And by that I mean not have faith in Jesus returning for his church.
That is what I hope for. I look heavenward and know that this isn't my permanent home. I have hope and faith that one day, Jesus will return and take me home. I have hope and faith that if my life on this earth doesn't turn out the way I dream.....the He is there to comfort me and will not leave me stranded in the desert. I have hope and faith that if all else fails...God never will.
There is a song we sing at Illuminate and the chorus goes like this:
I found a love greater than life itself
I found a hope stronger and nothing compares
I once was lost now I'm alive in You.
Nothing compares to the hope I have in Christ. Nothing.
Where do you place your hope. What do you hope for? Do you need some encouragement in this?
Go and check out some inspirational stories from women over at incourage. I promise you will be strengthened, renewed and encouraged by women who go through the same struggles many of you do. May they direct you to seek God's word and have hope in His promises.
Nothing compares to the hope we have in Christ.
Tiff~
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Please Come In.
I want to welcome you to this part of my universe as I blog about my journey in ministry with my husband Daniel. I felt that it was necessary to separate myself from my family blog and create a place where those who love to talk and read about Christ can do so without getting lost in the randomness that is often associated with my other blog.
I have a deep abiding passion for serving the Lord and for those who do not yet know Him to fully commit their lives to Him. I can think of no better way to live my life than to share Christ with others. I have prayed that the Lord uses my musings to share with others and be an encouragement to those who are searching. I pray that if my life were to end today, that I could stand before Him who rescued me from sin and present to Him all that I have done with the gifts and talents He has given me.
I so want to hear the words "Well done my good and faithful servant. Enter now into your rest."
Don't you?
Will you come along and join me on this journey? I will talk a lot about Illuminate, our Young Adult group at Knott Avenue Christian Church in Southern California. I will also speak of things that the Lord presses against my heart. They may not always be pretty and joyful, but I hope that you understand that. In fact, I am confident that you will.
May this be a place where we can share and nurture one another.
Blessings,
Tiff~
I have a deep abiding passion for serving the Lord and for those who do not yet know Him to fully commit their lives to Him. I can think of no better way to live my life than to share Christ with others. I have prayed that the Lord uses my musings to share with others and be an encouragement to those who are searching. I pray that if my life were to end today, that I could stand before Him who rescued me from sin and present to Him all that I have done with the gifts and talents He has given me.
I so want to hear the words "Well done my good and faithful servant. Enter now into your rest."
Don't you?
Will you come along and join me on this journey? I will talk a lot about Illuminate, our Young Adult group at Knott Avenue Christian Church in Southern California. I will also speak of things that the Lord presses against my heart. They may not always be pretty and joyful, but I hope that you understand that. In fact, I am confident that you will.
May this be a place where we can share and nurture one another.
Blessings,
Tiff~
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