Come on big money!

Everyone dreams of hitting the MEGA jackpot and winning the lottery. We have all talked about what we would do if we won. So many dreams would come true for us and those around us. I have even known some who have won the lottery. Even the powerball winner from a few months ago lives in my neighborhood. 

                                                

When I stopped at my local corner gas station last week, I stood in line behind several people, like always, buying their weekly lottery ticket(s). I noticed a man in the corner with several cards spread out and he was scratching away like poison ivy was all over that counter.

As I walked past, and certain this was not the first time I have seen him in there scratching like a DJ, I wondered to myself how much he spends on these tickets hoping to hit the big money every week. It came to mind "why doesn't he just tithe his money and KNOW he will be taken care of instead of gambling his money HOPING he will be taken care of?"

                                                         

First of all, I understand that I know nothing about this person and what they do or don't do. But, if it were the situation that money was only spent on lottery tickets instead of being obedient to what God tells us to do, it seems a little ridiculous to me.

Again, this is my speaking from experience, not arrogance. I have been very disobedient with money many times and for most of my life. I have learned that everything I have came from God. He allows me to have it. HE gives me a little to see how I manage before giving me more.

New Living Translation Matthew 25:29
To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.


That sentence just keeps whirling through my mind. "why don't we just tithe our money and KNOW we will be taken care of instead of gambling our money HOPING we will be taken care of?" That was very profound for me. I am so intrigued by what makes one person different from another. Faith that we are going to be taken care of is a big difference between a lot of people.

                                                     

Don't get me wrong, I have bought about 3 tickets since it became legal in Tennessee. And I would not turn down any gift that a lottery winner wanted to share with me. But I know how I would help others with it. However, I am not willing to risk what little God has entrusted to me on the dream of winning big money.

Also, in my opinion, tithing can be helping in Jesus name many different ways. So for those that are giving me a tongue lashing in your head because you do not believe in giving to the church, there are many ways to help someone.

                                         

Other way that you can help others in Jesus name are;

Second Havest is an amazing charity that fills a very basic human need of nurishment.

https://secondharvestetn.org

If you know a friend who is having some financial struggles, buy some basic nessecities like toilet paper, washing powders, soap, shampoo, etc and leave it on their door step. They do not have to know where it came from. I promise you, the feeling you get from these random acts of kindness will make you feel like having your feel in a warm bowl of pudding.

But most of all, remember that God WILL take care of us. 

Matthew 6:26-27New International Version (NIV)

26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?

Until next time- Safe Picking

Tammy

No matter how much you beg, I will not give you this lemon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLc3KN99Yr8&feature=youtube_gdata_player
It's intersting when you look back over your life at all the different things that were important to you.
Just like that 80's hairstyle that took 2 cans of Rave to get it to maximum height. Some things make you wonder what in the world you were thinking.
Whether it was that perfect boy or that perfect job that you just prayed to God, that if only He would give it to you, that you would be the perfect person for the rest of your life.
How many of those things now can you look back on and say "thank God for unanswered prayers"?
Because hindsight is 20/20 we can see just how much it impacted our lives that they didn't take that direction that we wanted so much.
I can look back at my life and see how, almost, everything had to happen just the way it did for me to be where I am today. You know what, I wouldn't change a thing.
I have complete and total faith now that when something doesn't turn out the way I want, it's probably because God knows better than I what I need.
So when you are asking or begging God to give you what could turn out to be a lemon, just know that He knows best!
Until best time- safe picking
Tammy

Keeping up with the Stewarts or the Homeless

I always get a little weeping around the holidays. It happens every year. Since I was little, I've dreamed of these amazing family holidays like the ones we see on television, especially Thanksgiving. My family has never been big on traditions and all the "fancy" stuff when it comes to celebrating anything. I can not remember a single Thanksgiving growing up where a meal was had around the dinner table together as a family. Dinner was prepared and then my mom would announce that it was ready and on the stove whenever we wanted it.

Once I became an adult, I encouraged all of us to have more family functions and share these occasions together. It still consisted of paper plates, sweatpants  and TV trays, but we were together for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.

Over time they started to come fewer and further between. Now we are to the point of having no family dinners together. It really makes me sad. Every 3rd commercial on TV is showing that picture perfect family sitting around the table, dress for the occasion, passing the gravy and enjoying each others company. It's an event to look forward to. I may never have that again.

When the holidays start to approach I fall into that dark place of comparing my holidays to those like Martha Stewart has. Why can't we be like that? Why does another holiday have to pass that I can't have my son here? Why can't we just pretend for one day that everything is perfect.

But this morning, driving to work, I had my Ah Ha moment! I was thinking about all the joy that my work with the homeless brings me. It keeps me humble and so grateful for all that God has given me. Then I thought, if I compare my life and my holidays to those that the homeless have, they are pretty fantastic! So, if I change my focus to that instead of all these commercialized fantasies, my whole perspective changes.

It's all about the angle that you look at things. I intend to work to keep my blinders on and stay focused on what I do have instead of what I don't this season.  It could always be worse.

So this year, I am thankful that I have family, friends, my health, a warm bed, plenty of food and last but not least, a loving and forgiving God.

What are you thankful for this year?


Until next time- safe picking!

Take those lemons and try this Martha Stewart recipe with them-

Glazed Lemon Pound Cake 

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, plus more for pan
• 3/4 cup, plus 3 tablespoons sugar, plus more for dusting
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus finely grated zest of 2 lemons, plus more for garnish (optional)
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 large eggs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan. Dust with sugar, and tap out excess; set aside. Whisk together flour, salt, and baking soda. Stir together 1 tablespoon lemon juice and the milk.
2. Put butter and 3/4 cup sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Mix in eggs and zest. Working in two batches, alternate mixing in flour mixture and milk mixture. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until a cake tester comes out clean, about 35 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, stir together remaining 3 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Upon removing cake from oven, immediately brush with lemon glaze. Let cake cool in pan 10 minutes. Unmold cake. Brush remaining glaze on top. Garnish with zest.

 Courtesy:
http://www.marthastewart.com/336499/glazed-lemon-pound-cake