Redeem the Time

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Copyright Jordan Benton (on pexels.com)

This was not a normal Sunday.

There was already a lot going on in my head when service began, and this was one of those days I had to force my rabbit-trail-loving brain to focus only on worshipping God. Some people assume I’m different in some way, that everything comes easy for me. But the fact is I’m like anyone else, and too often it takes a conscious mental effort to shut down the bombarding thoughts that try to derail my worship.

For the record, I won this morning and worship was great.

Then I sat down and realized I had a staff notification on my phone.

One of our young moms passed away this morning. There was no warning, no indication that anything was wrong, at least not as far as I know. Her family is very active in the church. She and her husband have led one of our groups for years – a group that is headed out to a concert tonight. Well, I assume at least most of them will still go, though with heavy hearts.

Her daughter gets married soon.

My heart breaks for her husband, kids, soon-to-be son-in-law, his family, and the youth kids who love her daughters – our whole church, actually. But those kids…there were some seriously red-eyed teens walking out the doors after service.

This threw me. Some people might think that as a church secretary I’ve seen enough church members pass that it would eventually get easier. Nope. It doesn’t. This is my family and I love them.

Mind you, I’m THRILLED for her! She is quite literally exactly where she’s been heading ever since the day she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. It’s everyone else…all those who love her. Thinking about everything left me so befuddled I couldn’t even discuss it with God on the drive home, or not cogently.

She was so young, only in her 50s. No one expects anything like this.

You don’t. Do you?

I think if she could send one last message, it would likely be a warning to redeem the time: Accept Jesus as Lord and Savior if you haven’t. Grow even more deeply in love with Him if you have. And tell everyone you can that Jesus is the only One who saves, because any one of us could be standing in front of Him before another day passes.

Literally, you just never know. Redeem the time.

Celebrating Jesus,
Tammy C

The Victor’s Crown: Why Our Struggles Matter

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“Why does life have to be so hard?”

Now there’s a question we’ve all asked more than once. Clearly, I don’t have the whole answer, but I saw something in the Word today that reminded me of one of the reasons life is hard.

Everyone goes through hard seasons. Mine may look different from yours, but they are hard nonetheless. This is a good fact to remember: Everyone around you is dealing with something, probably many somethings. Never assume your neighbor has it easy, because it’s highly likely they don’t.

Everyone goes through tests, trials, and temptations. How we respond to them matters. I’m speaking to Christians here, so I’ll leap right into temptation. Have you felt God prompt you to give up a habit and you’ve tried, but you just couldn’t do it – or did it for a time and then went right back to it?

I’m not even talking about outright sin here. My point is that any time God asks us to do something, or to stop doing something, and we are tempted to disobey, that is a test. Our flesh may be testing us, or demonic influences might be pushing the temptation our way. Regardless, it’s a test.

Now look at James 1:12 in the New Living translation:
“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

I went to the Renner Interpretive Version: James & Jude for Rick Renner’s notes on this crown of life and he explains that “crown,” the word James used here, referred to a victor’s crown such as those given to winning athletes. These crowns made of laurel wreaths marked them as people to be esteemed and honored; they also guaranteed the winner would be provided for for the rest of his life. 

But James didn’t stop there. He called it the crown of life or, properly translated, the victor’s crown of zoe life which, according to Renner, “brings a physical and spiritual reward, both in life now and for all eternity.”

This is clearly something that is not to be taken lightly!

But we have to remember where we started.
“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.”

Now let’s look at this verse in two other translations.

James 1:12 (NKJV) – “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

James 1:12 (NET) – “Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him.”

How we deal with test/trials/temptations is what determines whether or not we are approved, whether or not we have proven ourselves to be true lovers of God.

Am I saying those who fail aren’t saved? Not necessarily, no. I’m saying that when a runner enters a race he goes in with his eyes wide open, knowing he will be tested to his limits. He may face distractions, bumps in the road, weather issues, interference by other runners, and major objections from his own body.

He will face the temptation to slow down, with a voice whispering that second or third place wouldn’t be so bad. He will face the temptation to throw up his hands and quit. But if he wants to win, he determines in his heart that we will press on through to the end no matter what obstacles are in his way.

This is what the Apostle Paul did. In 2 Timothy 4:7 he explains to Timothy that he knows his time is up, that he won’t be alive much longer, and he assures this one who was like a son to him that:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

We know from his own accounts and history that Paul faced more trials, tribulations, and temptations than most of us can conceive, but he ran his whole race determined that, no matter what he faced, he and God would win.

Those tests, trials, and temptations give us the opportunity to prove that our love for God is real, not just something we feel when life looks good. They also, according to James 1:2, help us grow into maturity.

Yes, life can be hard, but we can be strong. If Paul did it, we can too.

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

Hungry for God? Bought a Bible? This is for You.

Tammy M Cardwell1 Comment

Someone posted, this morning, that their local Books A Million was completely sold out of Bibles. It shouldn’t have surprised me, considering the reaction to Charlie Kirk’s assassination. I’d already been wondering how many would start digging into the Word. That they are seeking God like this is phenomenal news!

If you are one who is just picking up the Bible (or you know someone who is) I suggest you grab a copy of my book, Experiencing the Bible. I wrote it with you in mind.

Seriously. My thought, as I worked on it, was, “How can I help those who are being told, ‘Pick up your Bible’ or ‘Get into the Word,’ but they’re not being told how?” In Experiencing the Bible, explain.

Yes, I am the author, but I’m not ashamed to say it’s a great book that will be a real help!

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

I’ve included the Amazon link above,
but the ebook version is also available in most popular ebook markets.

Even Through the Pain

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Yesterday was one of the hardest days I’ve had in years.

Did I know Charlie Kirk personally? No.

Had I ever even met him? No.

But I’d witnessed…

Charlie Kirk was driven to reach and help a generation that most of America has given up on. His approach was unique, involving respect and honest debate, and his special combination of sincerity, verity, integrity, and unwavering conviction had an impact that had evil running in fear.

Yes, evil. This is undeniably a case of good versus evil – God’s kingdom versus the devil’s pseudo kingdom.

Be it in a college campus debate, on his show, or in some more intimate setting, as far as I can tell Charlie based every answer, every explanation, on a foundation of truth, be it truth from the Bible or truth from accurately presented history.

Has he been accused of saying things to the contrary? Yes. As has been proved time and time again, especially in the political and religious arenas, it’s possible to take a statement out of context and make it seem to mean pretty much anything you want. Some of his words were given this same treatment, but when you go back to the context the lie becomes clear.

If someone chooses to believe the lie, that’s on them.

I’m rambling. I know I am, and for once I don’t care. I don’t think I’ll even go back and edit this. I’m still so messed up that I don’t even care right now.

But here is something I do care about.

Reactions: Everyone’s reactions, including mine.

We all know how great the differences are between the two “sides,” but it’s never been more apparent than in these two days. Those who publicly celebrate the assassination of a human being, any human being, are wrong.

Disagree with me if you like, I don’t care.

Here’s the deal. I’m going the political route for this, but only because it’s the most obvious. It still applies.

I wasn’t an Obama fan.

I wasn’t a Biden fan.

I wasn’t a Harris fan.

I did not speak out against them.

I did not wish them ill. (Out of office, yes, but never ill.)

I PRAYED.

Yet, how many have I heard… No need to go there, I suppose. We’ve ALL heard people scream about wishing Trump were dead, wanting someone to kill him. Murder seems to have become the order of the day here in the US lately anyway, which again… good v. evil.

Why have I spent years praying for those in office? Partially it was because I want things to go well in my country. But more importantly?

God doesn’t want anyone to go to Hell: Neither do I.

Those are not just words; they’re my heart, and they apply here. They’re why I’m praying for those who are celebrating Charlie’s death.

I did not want my abusive husband to go to Hell; I was only at peace when he died because he had recently gotten his life right with God and I knew he was in Heaven.

I do not want Charlie Kirk’s assassin to go to Hell. I literally started praying right away that, while I want him found and brought in, I also want him to accept Jesus and know the love that can only come from God.

Which is exactly what Charlie would have wanted. I know this because I’ve seen the fruit of his life. In fact, getting back to Charlie, just this morning I posted the following to my Facebook page.

It just dawned on me. 

Yesterday morning I was once again looking at James 1:1 in Rick Renner’s Interpretive Version. 

James said, “I am one whose life is dedicated exclusively to doing His will and to faithfully carry out any assignment He will ever entrust to me.”

That was Charlie Kirk. He gave his life, literally, striving to reach a generation that many have given up on. He did much more, obviously, but this one thing in particular has been close to my heart and I know he, too, was a bondservant of Jesus Christ.

That’s what I want to be.

Celebrating Jesus, even through the pain,
Tammy C

When the Next Generation Leads: UNPLUG60 and My Heart

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Cadence (Cady) Cardwell

Every once in a while, God lets you see His special touch across generations.

There are many satisfying things in this world, but catching your grandchild following in your footsteps (Whether she intended it or not) is extra special. My heart…it is singing.

Meet my granddaughter, Cady Cardwell. She’s one of the leaders of the UNPLUG60 movement. What’s UNPLUG60? I’m glad you asked! Here’s a snippet from their website.

Unplug 60 is a movement led by teens in Chambers County. It’s a simple idea: pick one hour each day to step away from screens and devices. That means putting down phones, closing laptops, turning off notifications—just unplugging. During this hour, you’re encouraged to spend time doing something real: talking to a friend, reading for fun, going for a walk, playing music, drawing, or just thinking.

This movement isn’t about rejecting technology altogether—it’s about finding space to breathe, connect, and recharge without constant digital distractions.

What I didn’t know, until her mom, Sheree, filled me in, is that Cady’s also apparently the primary author of their blog. I had no idea what she was up to until Sheree shared Sleep vs. Screens: How Late-Night Scrolling Hurts Your Rest, and I was all but shouting as I read it. It speaks straight up truth that applies not only to the teens she’s addressing, but adults as well. Our addiction to screens takes a terrible toll on most Americans, regardless of our age, and it affects us spiritually, physically, and mentally.

Reading her words reminds me that the next generation is already here and, in many cases, is better prepared to step out and touch the world than we realize. Seeing my own grandchild display such maturity and wisdom does this Granna’s heart great good.

If you’ve got a minute, I suggest you check out UNPLUG60 for yourself. You may be surprised by just how much you’re challenged and inspired!

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy Cardwell

How Readers are Experiencing the Bible in a Whole New Way

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Available in Paperback, Audiobook, and Ebook

When I first released Experiencing the Bible, my prayer was that it wouldn’t be just another book on the shelf, but would instead become a companion that would inspire believers to fall in love with the Word of God. I wanted it to feel practical, personal, and encouraging, like I was sitting down with you letting you know that, “You can do this! Here’s how.”

The most humbling thing has been hearing back from readers about how it has impacted them. Today I’d like to share some of their words with you.

Inspired to Go Deeper

Peg wrote:
Her comments about reading through the WHOLE Bible have inspired me to start reading through the whole Bible, too, because it feels like I tend to reread only certain books. She explains how reading the WHOLE Bible helps you see a bigger picture of what God is doing and how the books come together to tell His Story.

This is exactly the sort of thing I was hoping to hear, that my readers would be nudged toward a bigger view of Scripture and a richer relationship with God.

Practical and Easy to Use

Yvonne shared:
Tammy Cardwell does a great job of explaining things in an easy to understand way. She gives you her thoughts and also gives you room for you to write yours. I really like the fact she lists different Bible types & different resources to help you in your walk with the Lord.

And Charlotte wrote:
I received this book as a gift for Christmas. I’m blown away! I appreciate the space to journal right here in the book. Knowledge and insight from the author is powerful. I am delighted to read and write about Gods promises for me.

I love hearing this, because a huge purpose in the book’s layout was to provide you the space to interact with Scripture in your own words!

Unputdownable!

Sherri said:
I found while reading your book that once I started reading it, I had a hard time putting it down. It is very much worth the read.

Sheri kept it simple:
Love this study!

I can’t tell you how much it blesses me to learn that people not only start the book, but want to keep going. I feel like I’ve helped friends along a life-changing journey.

Life Impact Beyond the Page

One of the most unexpected, and moving, testimonies came from Nancy Higgins, my audiobook producer. While recording and editing, she discovered something powerful.
Although I have often prayed Scripture out loud, something in my home shifted as I read your book out loud. God moved. Then every time the Word was played back out loud while I was editing, it cleared the air again. Wow, so thankful to have had the privilege of working on this project!!

Hearing how God used His Word, simply spoken aloud for my audiobook, to bring peace to a home… That’s priceless!

Readers are Sharing it with Others

Finally, I loved this encouragement from Tab:
For anyone looking to read and learn about the Bible I’m telling you now this is one book you will want to read. You should get one for you and a friend.

That’s the heartbeat of this project: helping people walk closer to God through His Word, and encouraging them to share that journey with others.

Ready to Experience the Bible for Yourself?

If you’ve ever felt like reading the Bible was hard or confusing, if you don’t know where to start, or if you simply want read the Word with fresh eyes, Experiencing the Bible was written with you in mind. It’s available now in paperback, audiobook, and ebook.

Get your copy on Amazon.

The ebook is also available in most of your favorite ebook markets.

If you’ve already read it, I’d love to hear your story. Your testimony may well inspire someone else to dive into the richness of God’s Word!

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

Our Advantage

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Once again, the Renner Interpretive Version of the Bible set my thoughts along an unexpected path. It happened in James 1:18b

God’s dream was for us to be a never-before existing type of people – brand spanking new, novel, and unlike anything that has ever existed – creations of His own making that entirely belong to Him.

These last words, “that entirely belong to Him,” paired with “a never-before existing type of people,” startled me.

What about Adam & Eve?!

What about Adam and Eve? I had to think on it a minute before it dawned on me. They had free will from the beginning. They could freely choose to either walk with God or disobey Him and face the consequences. The problem was that, unlike those of us who came to God scarred and battered, they had no comprehension of sin’s cost.

So, in reality, they didn’t “entirely belong to Him.”

Don’t stop reading yet.
I’m going somewhere with this.

Ride the train with me while it jumps to a different track. Track jumping is normal for me as I study the Word: Consider this an introduction to how my brain works.

I’ve thought a lot about the Millennial Reign and Eternity. One thing that has always interested me is that we will never stop having free will.

That being the case, what’s to stop us from deciding at some point that we won’t serve God anymore? Yes, I know there will be no temptation, but why?

If 1/3 of the angels changed their minds and fell with the devil, what’s to keep us from following suit?

If Adam and Eve chose the forbidden fruit, what makes me think we won’t make the same mistake?

The answer is in this verse, revealed by Renner’s more detailed interpretation. We are an entirely new type of people, and as such we have a distinct advantage over the angels that fell as well as Adam and Eve.

We started out in sin!

Adam, Eve, and the angels – before they fell – may have understood the disobedience we call sin on a conceptual level, but they couldn’t really conceive its cost.

Like travelers falling for a hotel’s fancy sales pitch, they thought they were entering into a life of luxury. But instead, they got a rat-infested, mold-consumed room. They all left perfection to dive headfirst into a life that could never truly satisfy. The world’s false promises are like that room, leaving you regretting your stay even before you’ve unpacked.

We have just the opposite experience.

We started out in sin. I certainly did, and ‘though I was a teen when I was saved I was aware enough to realize things had changed.

Before accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, we were intimately familiar with sin and its myriad costs. We know exactly where we came from, and the closer we get to God the less temptation there is to go back to that deceptive hotel.

So yes, because of where we came from and where we know we’re going, because we have accepted His lordship over our lives and walk in His salvation, we entirely belong to Him.

And that makes us unlike anything that has ever existed.

Which answers my previous question. Yes, we will still have free will in eternity; it won’t vanish, but it also won’t be influenced by doubt, uncertainty, or deception. We’ve walked in sin, lived in sin, and – praise God – been delivered from sin. Like someone who has survived a house fire, we’ll never be tempted to play with matches.

Romans 6:18 (NET) expresses it perfectly: “…and having been freed from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness.” That slavery brings ultimate freedom and eternal assurance; that’s our advantage.

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

Living Your Witness: The Quiet Power of Influence

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Do you ever think about those who have especially impacted your life?

For me, while untold numbers of people have helped me grow, three people stand out, people who have left eternal marks on my soul and had a definite impact on the direction my spiritual walk has taken. What strikes me about all three is that they weren’t preaching at me. They were simply living their witness.

Three People Who Changed My Walk

The Best Friend – Joy in the Spirit
Marilyn, my best friend, never tried to “sell” me on anything. She simply shared her excitement about what God was doing in her life. I’d been saved years earlier but wasn’t actively living like a Christian. I was what I call a “cultural Christian” at that point.

Her joy stirred a hunger that made me face my mostly in name only Christianity and recognize its inadequacy, how little it satisfied me. She expected me to get excited too, and I did.

The Stranger – Baptism in the Holy Ghost
At a Christian Student Union meeting Ms. Jeannie, a woman I’d never met, taught me about and led me into the baptism in the Holy Ghost. She was our speaker that night and I could tell she was like my best friend in that she had “it.” In spite of my introversion and insecurity, I’d gathered my courage and asked her, “What is the baptism in the Holy Ghost?”

The conversation we had, and the prayer we prayed, changed my life forever. And I’m happy to be able to report that she became a dear friend and is still a vital influence in my life.

The Evangelist – Intimacy with God
The last of my three, Jesse Duplantis, is an evangelist. His messages are always great, but his almost casual references to his conversations with God made me hunger for that kind of walk:

“I want that type of relationship with You, God!
You’re no respecter of persons.
I want that intimate relationship too!”

So I got in the Word more, prayed more, and focused on listening for His “voice,” God speaking directly to my spirit. Over time, that intimacy became my reality – and I love how we talk to each other all day long.

The 1 Thessalonians 5:17 command to pray without ceasing? This is it. Yes, I have a set time that I know I’ll be praying, talking to God about things that matter to us both, but the conversation doesn’t stop there.

The Quiet Power of Living Faith

Other than Brother Jesse, these are normal people you’ll most likely never meet, but their influences in my life still affect how I live and what I share with others.

And those key people reached me not through preaching at me, but by letting me see the reality of God in their lives, by giving me glimpses of possibilities I’d not imagined.

They also taught me one of the most important things about sharing the Gospel.

We start by living it.

Marilyn, Ms. Jeannie, Brother Jesse…
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.”
Philippians 1:3

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

What Do I Say?

Tammy M Cardwell2 Comments

I was in an uncomfortable position, recently. (Understatement Alert)

I’d received a message – heartfelt, pain-filled, and laced with anger – that I knew I needed to respond to. But I didn’t know how.

So, I waited.

I’ve learned that, when my heart is stirred like it was at that point, my first reaction is not usually going to be the best one. In this instance I wasn’t even being asked to respond, not directly, but it was clear I was expected to. So yes, I waited.

I waited until I’d had time to step away from it, to breathe, to do other things and give God a chance to speak. Interestingly, He used TikTok, of all things, to remind me of truths I already knew, but hadn’t put together to apply to this moment.

When God nudged me, letting me know it was time, I returned to the message.

Before I started typing, I prayed:
“You’ve got to give me the words. I can’t do this without you.”

I knew the direction He wanted to go. I knew my heart was in the right place. I just didn’t trust myself to get it right.

And God did what He always does.
He gave me the words.

They sounded like me: If you read them, you’d know I wrote them. But I only typed what He told me to say. Even a part I initially left out, feeling like it would be “too much,” He had me go back and add, and I’m glad I did.

Because I waited.
Because I listened.
Because I trusted.
He gave me the words.

I Knew He would.

I learned this lesson long ago, before my first experience as a conference speaker. I’d done everything I knew to do. I’d researched, studied, prayed, outlined… But I was still unsure of myself. 

As I’d talked to Him about it, God had reassured me:
If He gave Moses the right words, He would do the same for me.

And He did.

My workshops went well, and I’d learned something new and vital. What God did for Moses He really is willing to do for me.

And for you.

He created us. He knows our strengths – and our weaknesses. He understands our messy emotions and our tendency to speak when silence is the better choice – or to hesitate, remaining silent when someone needs hope.

He knows how much we want to represent Him well – not misrepresent Him!
He knows we want to make things better – not worse!

The good news is…

He’s willing to help.
Not just with strength.
Not just with courage.
But with the very words we need to say.

Left to our own devices, we might make a tense situation even worse.
We might miss an opportunity to bring peace, healing, or truth.

But with God?

With God, yes.

We can know what to say.

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

The Weight of the Calling: A Reflection on James 3:1

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Every time I read James 3:1, I pause and examine my heart and motives.

I’ve never claimed to be a teacher; I’m not one. I’m merely someone who shares what she learns as she learns it – what God shows me as He helps me understand it.

James 3:1 is a strong warning:

“My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” (KJV)

Most modern translations use the word “teacher” instead of “master,” which is another reason I don’t claim to be a teacher. I’ve certainly not mastered Scripture well enough to teach it!

This verse hits me harder now than it ever has. Reading Rick Renner’s Renner Interpretive Version: James & Jude has given me a deeper understanding of this verse than I anticipated.

The one verse warrants two whole pages in his book. He has a lot to say and it’s all important. For brevity’s sake, I’m limiting myself to sharing just two points here. They’re things we should already know, but still…

There is no room for ego and pride in ministry.
At any level.
Period.

Whether one is a Christian or not, ego and pride are the most common culprits when it comes to desiring labels, titles, and recognition. Actually, let’s get real; they are the culprits. Whether we admit it or not.

Renner writes, “Humility serves as an unmistakable hallmark of any great teacher, and all genuine ‘masters’ have first been mastered by their own submission to truth.”

I saw this humility in action once when a guest minister arrived early and saw us setting up tables in the foyer. He didn’t miss a beat but immediately jumped in to help in spite of our efforts to stop him. He was our special guest! That didn’t matter to him. I wish I could remember exactly what he said as he picked up his end of a table. All I can tell you is that it made a huge impact on us.

Like Jesus did when He washed the disciples’ feet, this man demonstrated true servant leadership. He wasn’t chasing acclaim – he was living his calling with humility. Even those who rarely see him could tell it, and you know God noticed! Because…

God is always watching.

If someone sets themselves up and declares, “I’m a Christian teacher,” they really need to consider the magnitude of their decision. God, who cannot be deceived, sees every word, every motive, everything we hide in our hearts. We may fool man, but we can’t put anything over on God.

James doesn’t pull punches. In the NET this verse reads:

“…because you know that we will be judged more strictly.”

That’s heavy! Imagine James – the brother of Jesus – saying, “If I mess this up God is going to come down on me – HARD.”

But James didn’t write this to scare his readers. He wrote it because he cared. He wanted to protect them from false prophets and teachers; he also wanted to protect them from the self-deception of pride. He was trying to help them count the cost of leadership.

Renner’s notes unpack what it meant, in that culture, to be a teacher, master, or revelator. It required a level of preparation and knowledge that few were willing to pursue – study that took years, even decades. It still requires such effort today.

Do you feel called to the ministry?

Then prepare your heart. Study like never before. Live close to Jesus. And check your pride at the door.

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

If you haven’t read it already, you may want to check out my review of the Renner Interpretive Version: James & Jude.