Author: Tammy M Cardwell

Love One Another: Part 1

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By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
John 13:35 NIV

There is an expression: Charity begins at home. Obviously, Jesus believed this. These were some of the last words He spoke to His disciples–after Judas left the room–so we know it is a vitally important lesson He wanted them to learn, a command He expected them to obey.

I’ve never really used commentaries before, but I went to Matthew Henry’s Commentary this time and found he had much to say about this passage. One point he made was this: Since Jesus had told them that they were to love as He had loved them, we need to know how He loved them. Matthew Henry provides a list. Since I am “you,” the one He expects to show love for my brothers and sisters in Him, I read this as a checklist.

* He spoke kindly to them.
* He concerned Himself heartily for them, and for their welfare.
* He instructed them.
* He counseled them.
* He comforted them.
* He prayed with them and for them.
* He vindicated them when they were accused.
* He took their part when they were run down.
* He publicly owned them to be dearer to Him than His mother, or sister, or brother.
* He reproved them for what was amiss.
* He compassionately bore with their failings.
* He excused them.
* He made the best of them.
* He passed by many an oversight.
* He washed their feet.
* He lay down His life for them.

If this were a test, would I pass?

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

Essentials Oils… The Answer?

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Well, they’re not THE answer, for sure, but they are definitely part of the answer where our health is concerned. (speaking specifically here – mine and my husband’s health)

I first discovered essential oils in the late 80s. I was under a lot of stress that brought on the first (and last) bout with high blood pressure I’d ever experienced. My chiropractor informed me that I needed to get my stress level under control immediately, which prompted me to start researching natural remedies for stress.

Which, as any oiler probably suspects already, led me straight to lavender.

It worked. Wait… Because of FDA regulations I need to say here that I am NOT giving medical advice in any way, form, or fashion, nor am I making claims about lavender essential oil. All I can say is that I made one and only one change in my life at that point – and getting rid of the primary stressors was not the change. I began using lavender, and within a surprisingly short period of time I found myself actually able to handle the stressors that had been sending me over the edge.

I’ve been using oils off and on ever since. Thanks to its numerous benefits, Lavender has pretty well stayed in my cabinet, and Melaleuca (Tea Tree) oil has tended to hang out around our house as well. God’s made a lot available to us in the natural world; we just have to find it and learn how to use it properly.

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

The Journey Begins

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At God’s prompting-okay, command-I have begun what may well be a year-long study on Love.

What a topic, right? I have a feeling most of us like to think we understand love, but deep inside know that this one word is too big for us. There is the fact that God is Love, which is immense. Then there is Jesus’ love, which Ephesians 3:19 tells us is “beyond all knowing.” (CJB)–though the author’s prayer is that we know it.

That passage is actually where I began my study. It leapt out at me as I was finishing my most recent read-through of the Bible. This is from the Complete Jewish Bible (CJB), Ephesians 3:17b-19.

Also I pray that you will be rooted and founded in love,
so that you, with all God’s people, will be given strength
to grasp the breadth, length, height and depth of the Messiah’s love,
yes, to know it, even though it is beyond all knowing,
so that you will be filled with all the fullness of God.

So there it is. My goal is to see this prayer answered in me, to be rooted and founded in love, to know His love so that I can be filled with all the fullness of God.

It is going to be a journey, and I invite you to come along.

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

Seasons

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It’s been interesting… Getting my domain name and setting up this WordPress blog have taken me back ten years and more. Truly, it feels almost odd… coming back into a world I used to practically live in. Well, my family certainly thought I lived here. For years, most of my work and much of my leisure took place online. As a homeschooler, I found both my support and those who needed my support right here. As a Christian, I met others who stretched my faith and helped me grow in astounding ways. As a parent, I gained worlds of insight and gleaned from others’ experiences. As an author, speaker, and teacher, I made contact right here.

That season began in the early days of AOL when we all loved to hear those famous words, “You’ve got mail.” Truly, the Internet changed my life in myriad ways and I cannot help but wonder who I would be, and how my children might have grown up differently, without it.

Now I’m back, and I find myself wondering just what this new season will bring. What will happen with this blog? Only God knows. I have ideas, if I can learn enough about WordPress to implement them. I have goals, aspirations, dreams… There are definitely things I want to accomplish, bits of information I want to share, and as I grow in certain areas I relish the opportunity to help others grow too.

Let’s go!

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C