Anytime Dad wanted to make his point he’d always call me Tammy Lynn. Middle names were given by mothers and fathers to make children sit up and pay attention, a sort of call to order when important things were being spoken.

Dad used to say with that, some day you’ll see that I’m right, tone of voice, “what you say is what you’ll get, so be sure to think before you speak, Tammy Lynn.”

I can vividly recall the days when I was thinking about what… Read More

It was a lovely azure blue-sky day in Colorado, with wispy, white clouds creating animal pictures in the sky.  The drive out to Hanging Lake for our hike took about 40 minutes, and the view of the mountains was absolutely breathtaking. Spindly fingers of crystallized ice seemed to weave their way down the sides of the crevices as if to grasp the tops of the mountains. Every tree imaginable grew in proud rows, too numerous to count; a horticulturist’s dream.

As soon as we arrived we began our… Read More

Don’t worry about anything. Instead pray about everything.  Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.  If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.
–Philipians 4:6 (NLT)

At this time of the year when love is on our minds, I think of my children. Of all the people I’ve treasured in life and all the individuals I’ve cared for, I’ve never known greater love… Read More

I had just settled into my new home, at the beginning of a new year, all the furniture in place, the dishes neatly stacked in the kitchen cabinets, my daughter’s bed made—at least for the moment, my husband’s office organized, and my closet put together with every shoe in its own individual cubby (a delightful sight).  I slumped into the rocking chair on the outside patio, proud of myself for the abundance of work accomplished and a sense of ‘ain’t this the life’, welling up in my tired but joyful soul… Read More

Today my husband, Jim, and I went to the crafts store to buy Christmas decorations. We purchased one of those 12 foot, pre-lit faux trees that you can erect in 15 minutes, or so the box says. In truth, we still can’t get the bottom three rows of tree branches to light and we’ve been at this for over and hour!  

But, Christmas really is my favorite time of the year. The lights, the sense of anticipation in children’s eyes, and the pleasant demeanor of people make this time of the year… Read More

O Lord you have examined my heart and know everything about me.  You know when I sit down or stand up.  You know my every thought when far away.  You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest.  Every moment you know where I am.  Psalms 139:1-3

It was an extremely cold November day in St. Louis, and I was bundled head to toe in a plaid, wooly winter coat, fuzzy gloves, tall black leather boots, and a red woolen cap.  All that was… Read More

God is love and all who live in love live in God
and God lives in them…Such love has no fear
because perfect love expels all  fear.
If we are afraid it is for fear of judgment
and this shows that his love
has not been perfected in us.
—First John 4:16&18 NLT

I grew up in a small town in Southern Illinois similar to Andy Griffith’s Mayberry, where there is common familiarity and no strangers wander the streets. When I was five years old my dad gave me a nickel for ice cream and I casually made my way downtown… Read More

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalms 19:13-14 NLT)

My son Jordan had an important Science Fair project to complete over a period of a few weeks.  He was running tests to find out which consumable product was more damaging to the teeth. He put each tooth into a different solution such as Sprite, Coca-Cola, lemon juice and canned Iced Tea, and each week made careful notes about the visible changes in the… Read More

Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”(Matthew19:21  NLT)

Wasn’t it that great philosopher, Andy Warhol, who once said, “Everyone will be famous for 15 minutes?” The culture we live in flaunts the importance of popularity, fame and money without apology. Everyone, it seems, has a desire for notoriety. In truth, I think it’s an innate yearning to be worshipped. I wouldn’t doubt it’s that same… Read More

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection.  But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.  Philippians 3:12 NLT

I had been tearing pictures from design magazines for years, and had quite a portfolio of ideas collected in anticipation of building my dream home. There were lovely images of warm, elegant bedrooms, functional, inviting kitchens, efficient, well designed offices and fun-filled family rooms. I even had a bag of stones in the colors I… Read More