Tammy Rentsch
It was back to school for me, this past Thursday, for the Fall semester. The first day back is always a mixture of joy and overwhelmingness, at the same time, for me. It is a joy because I get to see me classmates, that I haven’t seen all Summer, for the first time. There are lots of hugs and smiles and joy in that. Then there is going to class and going over the syllabus and coming face to face with all that will need to be done or is expected of me this semester. This inevitably overwhelms me, every time. I am learning, however, to simply take a deep breath and remind myself of the truth that every semester I am overwhelmed; yet, every semester I manage to get the work done, one week at a time, and it always gets done well. So I am seeking to be free (from stress and overwhelmingness) in this area of my life, with God’s help.
I don’t know about you but I am a woman who can often be tied to her to-do list. While having a to-do list can be a good thing (it helps me to get necessary things done), it can also rob me of peace and joy, if I let it; for I am the kind of person who can’t seem to relax until her to-do list is done. However, God is working on me regarding this. As you may remember, if you have read any of my previous blogs, “my word” for the year is “be free!” Be free from being stressed out; be free from being down on myself or hard on myself etc., etc. For me, I believe part of being
God often speaks to me through songs and this morning He put the song “Gold” on my heart by Britt Nicole. This is a special and beautiful song; the lyrics of the chorus go like this, “This, this is for all the girls, boys all over the world. Whatever you’ve been told, you’re worth more than gold. So hold your head up high, it’s your time to shine. From the inside out it shows; you’re worth more than gold…” Wow, those are powerful words and what an impact they can make on our lives when we let the truth of them sink deep down into the recesses of our heart and mind!
In spending time alone with God this morning, He put it in my heart that I need to stop trying to figure everything out. And instead I need to follow the truth of His Word and trust Him with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding; in all my ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct my paths (Proverbs 3:5 & 6, NIV). The Message Bible says it this way, “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.” I love that!
A dear friend of mine called me yesterday, seeking guidance and needing encouragement. I listened, with love, as she cried and poured her heart and pain out to me. At the end our conversation, and before I prayed for her over the phone, I found myself saying the following words to her… Just remember these three things and you will be all right…
I heard someone say, this week, “Little things done over and over, equals big changes!” Wow, that is a powerful statement, especially when it is lived out! Now this statement was made by a physical fitness trainer. He was giving words of instruction and encouragement regarding wellness and fitness. In that, if you and I do little things over and over, like walking or exercising, it will equal big changes down the road. There will be results from our consistent efforts! While I
“Gentlemen (and ladies) start your engines!” were the words I heard—for the first time in many years—when I attended the Coke Zero 400 NASCAR Race at Daytona this weekend with my brother. Growing up in Illinois, it was a childhood memory for me to go to the stock car races, with my family, in the small town nearby on the weekends. I loved hearing the famous words, “Gentlemen, start your engines” and then hearing the roar! The words still make my heart beat fast today. I had a great time at the race, despite all the rain, and I learned some important life lessons, as well.
I found myself praying and journaling the following words this week, Heavenly Father, I lay down my want to: to be right, to be understood, to be accepted and loved. I continued, For the truth is… I am fully understood, accepted and loved by You, the King of the Universe! My heart instantly felt light! (Now please know that I am dearly loved by many. I know and believe that today, but, for some reason—a reason I cannot even remember right now, I was not feeling loved that morning. And thus I was pouring out my emotions in my journaling, with my time with God.)
You may have noticed that my past few blogs have all been titled or begun with the words, “Be Free…” There is a reason for that, in that, my word for this year is “be free!” For you see, the past couple years, God has given me a word for the year. Just one word, one word that I would focus my attention on all year long. One word that He would work in my life; one area He would grow me in etc.
I made a spur of the moment decision (with my husband’s blessing) last Tuesday and hopped in the car on Thursday and drove to North Carolina to surprise my youngest son for his 25th birthday! What a whirlwind and what a wonderful time I had and it all began by my hearing a blurb on the Christian radio station, saying, “Give yourself permission to take a break and do something you enjoy!” For you see, I had been toying with the idea of going to North Carolina to surprise my son but I kept talking myself out of it, saying I had too much to do. Once I heard those words on the radio, something sprang in my heart and I knew I was to give myself
Always Pray & Don’t Give Up
This little book is a profound demonstration of God’s power and of true faith in action. It is a guidebook for learning how to pray Scripture, filled with eighty-nine weekly Prayer Sheets for your marriage — eighty-nine pages of power that will change your life and the lives of all those around you, as you too learn to always pray and not give Up!
Testimonials
“Praying Scripture is the most powerful and effective way to pray for your marriage. It can be a daunting task to search out all the passages that apply, though. In this book, Tammy has done the hard work for us in compiling a beautiful arrangement of God's attributes along with verses to pray for myself, as a wife, and verses to pray over my husband and marriage. The Lord has used many of these passages to bear fruit in my own life and marriage."
Mariel Davenport , Author
Knowing God Through His Names
A Housewife Desperate for God
“Tammy Rentsch is passionate about prayer. She prays faithfully and frequently. She is also committed to loving her spouse enough to pray for their marriage. Read this book and you will be equipped and encouraged to pray consistently and powerfully for your marriage with the Scriptures as your guide.”
Brian D. Russell
Professor of Biblical Studies
Dean, School of Urban Ministries
Asbury Theological Seminary