tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30873002509200620852024-03-13T14:10:59.369-04:00EVIDENCETami Muhlbauerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01138509968516005397noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3087300250920062085.post-38396406571673661962008-11-21T09:24:00.003-05:002008-11-21T10:11:36.009-05:00Missing the MiracleThe other day I was reading the story of Daniel in the Lion's Den to my 3 year old daughter, Taylor. She loves story time and is always so engrossed in to what you are reading to her. So, we are in to the heart of the story where Daniel is thrown in to the lion's den. I tell Taylor that God caused a miracle to happen by closing the mouths of the lions so that they wouldn't bite Daniel. Taylor is quiet for a minute and I'm thinking how she is just taking it all in...then she lets out a huge laugh and says "Daniel is wearing a girls dress!!" I look at her and said "Taylor, honey you're missing the miracle!" Again, she points out that boys don't wear dresses...<br /><br />So, I thought about that and thought about how many times God reveals to me miracles and I am completely distracted by one simple thing that I can't even enjoy the miracle He's showing me! Think about it:<br />**The sun is shining and warming the Earth - but I can't find my sunglasses and get annoyed at how bright it is.<br />**My baby is crying in the middle of the night and I groan because I have to get up -While I have friends who would do anything to hear their baby cry again.<br />**I can't decide what in the world I want to wear today - while there are people that woke up this morning and will have to wear the same thing they did yesterday because that is all they own.<br />**I sinned today - Jesus already paid the cost of that sin on Calvary.<br /><br />I see the miracle afterwards but in the moment I'm distracted. Why do we do this? Why do we not see the miracles? If we could only see things through the lenses of God, what a sight life would be!! I love this verse (The Message) - 1 Corinthians 13:12 We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us.<br /><br />So many wonderful things God is trying to show us each day. Why not stop for one second and truly enjoy them. Hug your sister, watch the sunset, rock a baby to sleep, listen to the wind rustle the leaves, salute an American flag, think of the cross!<br /><br />I pray that at least once today the fog will be lifted, my distractions will be removed and I will finally see the miracles that God is blessing me with!Tami Muhlbauerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01138509968516005397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3087300250920062085.post-55576109741602051092008-06-11T16:17:00.003-04:002008-06-11T16:59:44.135-04:00A Pink Kitty-CatThis morning as I was dropping the kids off at their preschool, Taylor tried to take her pink kitty-cat inside with her. There is a rule at her school that says you can not take personal toys inside and I am definitely a rule follower so I told Taylor we had to leave it in the car. Well, you would have thought that I was strangling my child! She started screaming that she needed her kitty, she was wailing, she was stomping and I was determined to not give in! So, with one child in my arms, a bag on my shoulder and holding on to Taylor by her wrist, I finally got inside the preschool. When I opened the door her cries and screams stunned the secretary. I politely said "Good morning" and kept walking by her praying she would understand the desperate look of a mother of an almost 3 year old and not ask me any questions. Thankfully, she just smiled and kept her mouth shut - even though I think I saw a hint of a grin on her face...<br /><br />So, after I got Morgan settled in to his class I took Taylor aside to talk to her about her behavior. She was hysterical! I tried to explain the rule, the importance of being obedient and tell her that her pink kitty would be in the car waiting for her this afternoon. She didn't want anything to do with that talk and ran and hid under a table. So much for that approach. But, she went to her class with out her pink kitty-cat and I went to my car unhappy that she was acting like that and hoping she would quickly understand and have a good day.<br /><br />Oh how much we are like Taylor! We have things that we desperately think we need to have with us and God says "Oh no you don't" There are rules that our Bible has clearly given us. "Thou shalt nots" are all over the place as well as the "Thou shalts". So, why do we pitch such fits over things that we want that God has revealed to us that we don't need? It's all about control! We have that desire in our lives to control anything and everything. We will even use the old passage of "I feel God calling me this direction" just to make ourselves feel better about doing something God hasn't called you to do. <br /><br />Can you imagine what our temper tantrums look like from Heaven? All the angels are gathered around the edge of a cloud looking down, shaking their heads while God is calmly trying to explain why He's not letting us have something we want. We cry out, we stomp our feet, we yell and even run and hide. But ultimately God finishes His perfect will in our lives and lets us suffer for a season (not really suffer but we think being with held from something we want is suffering) and He steps back and waits for us to come to our senses, seek understanding and enjoy living under His protection and grace.<br /><br />What is God asking you to leave behind, to give Him control over? Anybody can walk around with a stuffed pink kitty-cat under their arm but it takes a mature, Godly person to leave it at the alter and learn to live with out it.Tami Muhlbauerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01138509968516005397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3087300250920062085.post-53418038039777726742008-05-01T09:54:00.007-04:002008-05-01T17:04:30.595-04:00A greedy kindnessI recently read an article about a college softball game betweem Western Oregon University and Central Washington. Sarah, a senior for Western Oregon, had hit her first career homerun, the ball soared over the center field fence. This was a huge moment in her life and as she was proudly heading to first base the dream quickly shattered. She collapsed with a knee injury. Not being able to get up and move she looks at her team who is counting on her to round the rest of the bases for a score. The umpire says if her teammates help her the run doesn't count and if they put in a pinch runner it would only be counted as a single. And that's when the unthinkable happened. Mallory, the firstbaseman for the opposing team (who also leads the conference for career homeruns) and her teammate shortstop Liz, go to Sara and place her arms around their shoulders. They ran with her in their arms, allowing Sarah to lower her left leg and touch each base. While being carried over the final base Sarah thanked the two girls to which Mallory responded "You deserve it, you hit it over the fence."<br /><br />Have you been on the right track only to come to a complete stop? The pressure in your life just gets too much for you to handle, you've ruined your reputation or your heart has just been taken over by some deep seeded sin? How many times have you wished someone would come and sweep you up and carry you to the finish line? But somehow you persevere, you get through it and you wonder how you got there? While the umpires in your life are telling you that you can never make it to the finish line somewhere along the way someone got out of their comfort zone and came along side you and helped you. Whether they were friend or foe they saw a need and met it. It could have been through prayer, an email letting you know they were thinking about you, a hug or just the age-old act of being kind. What ever it may be it was the simple gesture that carried you to a homerun ending. <br /><br />Why is it that we sometimes act like the umpire and only focus on the things that can't be done? Why not be like Mallory and Liz and go running out to minister and help carry the load of those around us in need? Sometimes we can be so greedy with our kindness even though God clearly states to us that the greatest commandmnet is to love one another. <br /><br />Think how differently your life would be if God withheld His kindness from you?Tami Muhlbauerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01138509968516005397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3087300250920062085.post-21196533808191501432008-04-22T14:05:00.002-04:002008-04-22T14:37:43.884-04:00What are you missing?Sunday morning Taylor, my 2 year old, was drinking chocolate milk while we were getting dressed for church. As we were all heading out to the car she asked for some more. So, I went and refilled her cup and also filled another cup with juice to put in her bag for Sunday school. When I gave her the cup I also told her about the juice. As we were driving to church I noticed she was just holding on to her cup, not drinking it. When I was getting her out of the car I asked her why she didn't drink any of her chocolate milk. She said "It's not chocolate milk, it's juice!" I told her it wasn't juice and then I took off the lid and showed her. Her face lit up with a smile and she squeeled "It is chocolate milk!" I asked her "Taylor, you held on to that cup the whole way here because you thought it had juice in it instead of chocolate milk?" She shook her head yes as she pranced off drinking her chocolate milk. <br /><br />How many times have we asked God for something we wanted or needed and He graciously answers us but we mistake it for something else? You ask God for His will in your life and He shows you a path you're afraid of taking. You ask Him for a Godly boyfriend and the one you're currently dating breaks up with you. You ask Him for peace at work and you lose your job but quickly find a new one. So many times we can't see that God is giving us exactly what we have been asking for because we have an idea in our mind of how the answer should look. Just like Taylor, we assume that what we are holding in our hands (experiancing in our lives) is not what we asked for. We hold on to it, doing nothing with it, letting the milk spoil, when all the while we could have been drinking it up and enjoying every bit of it.<br /><br />Mark 11:24<br />Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.Tami Muhlbauerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01138509968516005397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3087300250920062085.post-3838323298904607272008-04-18T13:31:00.004-04:002008-04-18T13:55:58.378-04:00Do you have answers?Most people are aware about this new movement Oprah is doing about "A New Earth". She is holding on-line classes which include meditations, readings and spiritual insights from a best selling author named Eckhart Tolle. It's a part of the new age movement where no Heaven or Hell exist except for that which you create by living in the now. I sent an email out to some friends recently explaining some of this and I was amazed how little people knew about it. Most people blindly follow a popular crowd, book, movement, friends without really understanding what that person is for or about. I, of course, was not trying to make a decision for anyone to stop watching her show or buying her books however I was opening their eyes to the real side of her. I feel we should always be looking for the truth behind people and then after seeing it allowing yourself to come to a conclusion as to if participating in this persons life, being associated with a certain group of people, etc is the best for your life.<br /><br />With that said a young lady I work with was speaking to me yesterday about living in the now (another title by the infamous Eckhart Tolle) and she began to praise his work on "A New Earth" I politely told her I did not believe nor care for his teachings. She was astounded but interested. For the next 45 minutes I was able to explain my belief system that it comes from the scriptures and that my peace is from Jesus. She stopped me there and said well does your peace come from Jesus or from God? Excellent question with an easy answer....they are one in the same! She just couldn't grasp that. So I asked "You can't grasp that but you can grasp that you alone can create your Heaven or Hell?" She laughed at that and wanted me to continue. I explained the Trinity and that there is not a line in my Bible that I disagree with. She asked questions which thankfully, I have had amazing teaching and upbringing, to where I was able to recall scriptures and have an aswer ready. We ended our conversation (yes, a conversation...the Bible clearly teaches and warns about getting in to arguments about religion/teachings...we are to lovingly love those who disagree) She said she would love to resume it later over lunch. <br /><br />Too many times we are approached with questions about the Bible and we are tongue tied. Sometimes we don't even talk about Christ with others because we are fearful we won't be able to answer their questions. How do you remy that? GET IN TO THE WORD LADIES!!!! Open a Bible, get it in your face and start reading it. Don't be caught like a deer in a headlight when someone ask you what the Trinity means? Search it out in the scripture and boldly tell others its meaning.<br /><br />Lets just not be guided by others teaching us...but allow the main teacher, the big guy on campus, the world renoun author, the Christ, teach us through a personal time of study in His best selling book...The Bible!!Tami Muhlbauerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01138509968516005397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3087300250920062085.post-82827104075650011392008-04-16T17:40:00.002-04:002008-04-16T17:56:58.942-04:00I'm proud of youI got a call today from one of mine and my husband's close friends, someone I actually love like one of my own children. He had to take a physc test today for the Alachua County Sheriffs Department. He called me after the test and we were laughing about some of the random questions he was asked. Several hundred questions were on this test! Then he said he got to this one question where it asked him if anyone has ever told him they were proud of him? He said he thought of me. It totally brought a smile to my heart :) On numerous occasions I have sat with him discussing life's problems, consulted break-ups, talked about his spiritual walk, his friendships or have just laughed because he thought the 4th of July was the 24th of July! I can't count how many times I have told him that I was proud of him. Proud of him for doing the right thing, walking away from temptations, sticking to a commitment, apologizing to someone, going ahead with his dreams...you get the picture. Sometimes you never know what people really hear when you speak to them. I know my husband only listens to half of my conservations (hahahaha) but really, what sinks in and what doesn't? In a world where people seem to be holding on to grudges rather than encouragement I saw a little light today that made me smile. <br /><br />Words really do make a difference. Encouragement sticks. Compliments go a long way. Kindness is not an after thought it's a command from Jesus. When was the last time you told someone you were proud of them? When was the last time you heard those 4 sweet words?<br /><br />1 Thessalonians 5:10-11<br />He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.Tami Muhlbauerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01138509968516005397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3087300250920062085.post-42154427800904834542008-04-11T15:08:00.003-04:002008-04-11T15:36:28.943-04:00What to do?So many students are stressing out right now over finals, which college to attend, do I get a summer job, who am I going to go to prom with or should I even go to my prom? So, many choices you are faced with and sometimes with very little guidance, if any guidance at all. And with choices come consequences. Consequences are not always bad so I don't want you to fixate on that word for too long. But I do want you to focus on what choices you are making. Are they in line with God's Word? Are you seeking God with your decisions? Are you following His path for your life?<br /><br />In the next few weeks we are going to talk about God's Will in your life. How to seek it, how to know it, how to be obedient to it.<br /><br />Stay tuned...Tami Muhlbauerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01138509968516005397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3087300250920062085.post-53523030914971691332007-11-30T11:00:00.000-05:002007-11-30T11:34:28.576-05:00DemonsLike a good ghost story? Want to hear about demon possessions? No need to go to your local theatre just go get in God's Word! Story after story you will see where demons possessed someone, entered someone, changed someones physical appearance or attitude. Acts 16:16-25 the possession of a little girl; Mark 5:1-19 possession of the man at the graveyard; Job 4:12-21 Eliphaz encounters a demon.<br /><br />The origin of demons is not clearly revealed but they do exist. When exactly God created angels is open for debate, but what is known for sure is that God created everything good because God, in His holiness, cannot create something sinful. So when Satan, who was once the angel Lucifer, rebelled against God and fell from heaven (Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28), one-third of the angelic host joined his insurrection (Revelation 12:3-4,9). There is no doubt these fallen angels are now known as the demons. We know that Satan had access to Gods throne. (Job comes directly after Gen 22 in chronological order of the Bible) Read Job 1:6-7 and you will see that God asks Satan where he has been. Satan tells Him he has been roaming around the world just checking things out. Satan still had to answer to his activities. At what point God stopped this access we do not know. But this should show you that Satan is still very much inferior to God yet still very powerful. So, why do we not take seriously the threat of Satan capturing our heart?<br /><br />Matt 25:41 shows us that Hell was created for the devil and his angels. Some reject that demons continue to roam the Earth today because Jude verse 6 says they are in chains but 1 Peter 5:8 says that the devil is still roaming like a lion. Why would God allow the devil to still roam but not his angels? We know that Jude 1:6 is talking about the “sons of god” in Gen 6. They were called the Nephilim. They pro-created with the daughters of the Earth and created a breed of giants. These are believed to be the demons that God has locked up forever in chains.<br /><br />Ghosts, hauntings, seances, tarot cards, Ouija boards, crystal balls—what do they have in common? They are fascinating to most people because they seem to open the window into a curious and unknown world that lies beyond the limits of our physical existence. And to many, such things seem no more dangerous than opening a window in their homes. Many people and authors approach this subject from a non-biblical perspective and we need to be careful to remember this. Nowhere in the Bible does it report hauntings from dead people. The Bible clearly states that there is one of two places you will go when you die. Heaven or Hell. (Luke 16:22-28.) The Bible clearly states that any one who delves in to these things invite disaster (Acts 19:13-17) The following 3 verses show us that the people began to burn those things, which they were using and reading that did not pertain to God. And if God considered the occult practices of contacting the spirit world for wisdom or guidance for the future an abomination worthy of judgment in Moses' time (Deuteronomy 18:9-12), then God, who does not change, considers it still today.<br /><br />Satanism's common denominator is self. The exact thing that Satan was kicked out of Heaven for. Different types of worship require different beliefs. But it all boils down to live for the moment their creed being, gluttony and debauchery. Most Satanist don’t even believe in Satan at all. Since Satan was kicked out of Heaven who wants to follow a loser? In short, Satanism, while it may or may not be worshiping Satan, is a conscious effort to NOT worship the one true real God.<br /><br />So can a Christian be possessed? Many theologians believe we cannot be possessed because we have the Holy Spirit in us. But in the case of Judas he opened his heart to the sin of greed. So, if we too, open our hearts to a habitual sin can we invite demons in to our hearts? Sin is a bondage we put on our lives that separates us from worship and fellowship with Christ. And sin derives from allowing the Devil and his demons to draw us away from God. The Bible gives us no reason to believe Satan and his demons can read our minds. Clearly that would take a measure of omnipresence and omniscience, which they do not have. However, Satan and his demons have been observing and tempting human beings for thousands of years. In addition, they can overhear our speech when we talk to others (and to ourselves!). Surely they have learned a few things about us over the years. Even without the ability to know our thoughts, they can probably make a well-educated guess as to what we are thinking, and then attempt to use it to their advantage. That is why we are commanded to “Submit yourselves, then, to God” (James 4:7a), before we are told to “Resist the devil” (James 4:7b).<br /><br />Demons are real we just do not talk about them like every other culture does. Basically we have forgotten the real threat of them in our daily walk with Christ. Every day when you wake up their is a spiritual battle going on over you. Heavens angels are battling Satan's demons to see who will win your heart that day. But we have the upper hand. Scripture says in Philippians 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. All we have to do is call out His name and even the demons will tremble and worship Him! What power we have in Christ!<br /><br />So what's haunting you? Is it a demon or is it that you haven't tapped in to the freedom God has given you over your demons?Tami Muhlbauerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01138509968516005397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3087300250920062085.post-75357631312113088882007-10-31T09:12:00.000-04:002007-10-31T09:48:17.046-04:00Dealing with Difficult PeopleSo we've all got that one person, or two, in our lives that just seem to annoy the heck out of us. It's inevitable that they produce themselves in our paths right at the very moment when we don't want to see them. They say things that get on our last nerves. They make comments when they should just stay quiet. And some of them are not going anywhere anytime soon. So what do we do? How do we react to the them?<br /><br />We need to realize that everyone has this person in their lives and in return we are that someone in someone elses lives. We, as Christians, have been commanded to exhibit the fruits of the spirits. One importantly being that of patience. Patience allows us the opportunity to do nothing but sit back and begin to pray for a good dose of patience in regards to this person. It's not our job to change these difficult people but rather to change our perspective about them. I like to call these people, Sandpaper people. They are abbrasive and they rub us the wrong way. We prepare ourselves for how sandpaper will feel agasint our skin before it ever touches us, and that is how we act towards these people too. Before they ever get near us we have already prejudged them. We anticipate how they are going to treat us, what cruel thing they are going to say or do. This is where we go wrong. Instead of us assuming how they will be we need to see them the way Christ sees them. They are beautiful, important and worthy in His eyes. So, why not in our eyes?<br /><br /><strong>3 things we need to do with these people;</strong><br />1. Choose to love them. Look beyond their faults and see their worth.<br />2. Choose to encourage them. Be their cheerleader - privately or publicaly. Find one good aspect about them and focus on it. You can do this by complimenting them or just remembering that they have a good quality amongst their bad ones and constantly look for it.<br />3. Choose to be thankful for them. Difficult people are gifts from God. Hand picked for us and wrapped in God's love. He brings them in to our lives to smooth out rough edges in our own character. While dealing with people we have a hard time getting along with it makes us seek God for help. The end result, we begin asking God to give us patience, the ability to show kindness, etc and our relationship with Christ begins to strengthen as does our maturity in how we handle people around us. <br /><br />The prayer to pray is simple. "Bless them. Change me."<br />We need to quite focusing on their faults and realize that maybe God just needs to do a good work within us. And when you are praying for someone, it's a little hard to be angry with them. And once you are handling them the way God would have you handle them, then you can not be responsible for the way that they act. You are only responsible for your actions towards them. <em>Romands 12:21 says Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.</em><br />I asked everyone to do something this week.<br />Find something that you can do to encourage your difficult person this week. And everyday pray for them. After one week, report back in on how your attitude has changed in regards to them. Prayer is powerful, changing everything and everyone who comes in contact with it.<br /><em>Luke 6:28 Bless them that curse you, pray for them which despitefully use you.</em>Tami Muhlbauerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01138509968516005397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3087300250920062085.post-22963279171179045342007-10-21T07:10:00.000-04:002007-10-21T07:16:26.509-04:00Patience, Kindness, GoodnessI spoke this weekend at a retreat for high school girls on the the 3 fruits of the spirit...patience, kindness, goodness.<br />It's amazing how the difficult people in our lives can cause us to not exhibit these fruits. It's not the people hindering us from using these traits but rather the choice we make to allow our annoyances with them to hinder us from exhibiting these traits. <br /><br />A statistic I found said that 90% of all mental illness could have been prevented from a single act of kindndess. If we could only get out of the self-centered mode our western culture has created and realize that there are hurting people all around us that need just a touch of kindness, a smile and most importantly someone to pray for them.<br /><br />We all need patience, we could all stand to be more kind and it never hurts us to do something good for others.<br /><br />Next Tuesday, October 30th, we are going to touch on this more. The act of having patience and kindness in our lives while dealing with the difficult people that surround us.<br /><br />Til then.....BE SWEET!!Tami Muhlbauerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01138509968516005397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3087300250920062085.post-33136049159486793892007-10-07T21:57:00.001-04:002007-10-07T23:19:29.315-04:00PrayerTonight at church we commissioned 4 people to the mission field. It was a sweet time as I knew 2 of the young people going. I am brought to a new awareness of how risky being a missionary is but I'm sure how very rewarding it can be also. My prayers go out to them and their families as God uses them in places and ways we will only know in Heaven. <br /><br />At the end of the commissioning service, our pastor, Dr Brunson, asked for the families of these people to gather around their loved ones. Then he extended the invitation to the church body and asked for anyone who would committ to pray for these people to come down and surround them as well. My heart overflowed with emotion as litteraly thousands crept out of their comfort zone aisles and started flocking to the front. They were offering their prayers to God on behalf of these people. Some of these people are strangers to these missionaries, some they know quite well but regardless of the relationship, they were all praying. It was a beautiful sight! I was standing there in the choir loft watching, tears streaking my face when it hit me. I thought to myself, so this is what it looks like when people are interceeding for me in prayer! You know we hear the words quite often from people "I'm praying for you" "You're in my prayers" "I prayed for you today" We all love to hear that but have you ever stopped to think about what it looks like when people are praying for you? I saw it tonight. I thought about the times I've asked for prayer from people who began praying and then turned around and asked others to pray for me as well. Maybe hundreds at a time were praying for me, I have no idea. But I know now that at some point in my life, I've been standing on a stage surrounded by people flocking out of their comfort zones interceeding in prayer for me. Some people I knew, while others were complete strangers. But they were all praying just for me. I Timothy 2:1-2 (The Meesage) The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.<br /><br />Who have you promised to pray for today? I know I have a list, so what do you say I meet you on a stage in about a minute...Tami Muhlbauerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01138509968516005397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3087300250920062085.post-59918102717638998662007-09-28T08:57:00.000-04:002007-09-28T09:02:03.520-04:00Using our BlogMy goal and desire for this blog is that it can be used as a tool to discuss what we have been talking about in our Bible study. At the bottom of each blog you will see a comment section. All you have to do is click on the word comment and it will bring you to a different screen. On this screen you can leave comments, ask questions or leave suggestions to me. I will be checking this daily. You can comment on here anonymously or you can attach your name, either way, I promise I will respond to you.<br />I'd like to keep the discussion going from the time you leave my house till the time we meet again.<br /><br />Also, I'd like to know what are some things that you would like to discuss at future Bible studies? I'm open for suggestions.<br /><br />I will be out in Oregon on business from Sunday til Thursday so if I'm not responding or writing on here you will know why. Pray for me...I HATE FLYING!!!!!<br /><br />Have a great weekend and next week :)Tami Muhlbauerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01138509968516005397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3087300250920062085.post-65782057660000881652007-09-27T21:27:00.000-04:002007-09-27T21:25:44.768-04:00I was in CVS tonight and I over heard this little girl, about 7 years old, begging her mom for a toothbrush. Apparently, this toothbrush plays music while you brush your teeth. She was saying over and over to her mom about how much she needed this toothbrush. Her mom finally asked her why and the little girl said "because everyone is getting them...they are so popular right now" Her mom, sounding exasberated, said "You only want this because everyone else is getting them?"<br /><br />Truth be told, we all act like a bunch of 7 year olds at times. Demanding that we get something to prove our worth to others. Sometimes trying to prove ourselves to people we don't even really care about. My dad says it best..."Why buy something you can't afford to impress people you don't even like?"<br /><br />Don't you think God sometimes gets exasperated with us when we are praying (demanding) that He allow us to get something we really want? He's thinking "You only want this because everyone else is getting this?...So if everyone was jumping on the band wagon and wanting an extra portion of the Holy Spirit is that the only way you would want that?" How about we carve out some time asking God what it is HE wants for us today. He might just douse you with a new attitude....some of us need it!!Tami Muhlbauerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01138509968516005397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3087300250920062085.post-35410242383648018892007-09-26T09:24:00.000-04:002007-09-26T10:04:14.801-04:00MaterialismWe started the study last night and had an awesome time! 16 total were there and I believe the Lord showed up as well! <br /><br />In a recent study, researchers determined that self-esteem was a key factor in a child's level of materialism. Children with lower self-esteem valued possessions significantly more than children with higher self-esteem. Moreover, the heightened materialistic values of early adolescents were directly related to "a severe drop in self-esteem that occurs around 12-13 years of age." Also, Forbes just came out with the top 400 richest people in the world. Now, you have to be at least a billionaire to even make the list! Our world has become so deeply fascinated in the wealth and riches that one can acquire. But what does scripture say about possessing just earthly goods or people?<br /><br />Matthew 6:19-34 talks about how earthly possessions can be destroyed so quickly but to lay up for yourselves heavenly treasures. This act of aspiring God instead of world will show us were our hearts are. It talks about how you can not serve 2 masters. We can not love God whole-heartledy and still cling to the love of wanting things.<br /><br />What are you seeking? Something temporal? Food, clothing? Jesus says he knows we need these things so worrying about them only diverts our time and energy away from seeking a deeper relationship with Him. Jesus modeled being a servant by taking care of people’s personal needs. This takes times. Why spend more time working longer hours to make more money to buy something useless when you could spend those hours meeting a friends/familys needs? “Consider first the kingdom”<br /><br />He gives us one request and then a promise."Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you"<br />He will add to our Kingdom-seeking our personal wants<br />He will quench our spiritual thirst and our personal thirst<br /><br />Think about the time you trade for money…what did you buy in the last 6 months? Where is it today? Was it worth the time you traded? The thrill and joy of "possessions" can be broken down into two parts: getting and having. Part of the fun is in acquiring. We also enjoy ownership. Whatever it is that we long for, we want to get it and call it ours. We could call it "energy toward ownership" But if it isn’t God that we are possessing, the Bible calls it coveting.<br /><br />In one sense, the longing to possess is very selfish. Some people steal and hurt others to try and satisfy their desire. Coveting is sin when it is directed toward earthly things or other people. But in another sense, your desire to both "get" and to "have" is a powerful tool for spiritual growth. It is by God’s purposeful design that we have the desire to acquire and possess. Think about how your life and attitude could totally change if you begin to desire to "get and to have" God. Possess Him as your own! He tells us in Isaiah 57:13 "When thou criest, let thy companies (idols) deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain" How awesome that God tells we can take refuge in Him and possess the very mountain He is on!<br /><br />When it comes down to it, I know that the promises of the mall, advertisements and Hollywood are false, because I've been given another set of promises: God's promises. The former things tell me new clothes can make me more attractive, more stuff can make me popular and acceptable to others. But God promises me that I'm His wonderful creation. Psalm 139:14 claims "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well" Nothing I buy can improve on what He's created. <br /><br />God promises me an abundant life (John 10:10), the best life possible. <em><strong>Eternal life.</strong></em> So where will you put your trust? Where will you find your value? <br /><br />Once you begin to truly want the desires God has for you, you will see Him give genrously above and beyond what you could ever imagine!Tami Muhlbauerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01138509968516005397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3087300250920062085.post-83366010144887550022007-08-29T11:52:00.000-04:002007-09-28T09:29:12.336-04:00Coming SoonA brand new Bible study for High school girls (or any young lady interested)<br />Starting Tuesday, September 25th<br /><br />Fellowship from 6:30 to 7:00<br />Bible Study starts at 7:00<br /><br />Will be at the home of Mrs. Tami Muhlbauer<br />5407 Pittman Dr N, Jacksonville, Fl, 32207<br />call 705-1965 for more details or directions<br />or email me at <a href="http://URL">tmuhlbauer@comcast.net</a><br /><br />Join us on the last Tuesday of every month for an in-depth Bible study dealing with real issues that will challenge you in your daily walk with the Lord. Start planning now to be a part of this new Bible study and pray that the Lord will place someone on your heart to invite.<br /><br />Looking forward to see God work His Word through us so that we can impact those around us!Tami Muhlbauerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01138509968516005397noreply@blogger.com4