preparation

In the Between Time

Tammy M CardwellLeave a comment

I was asked, recently, what I do during the week between Christmas and New Years. My answer? I clean house.

I do mean this partially in the literal sense. The tree comes down, boxes get recycled, etc., but that’s just the beginning. For me, this is a time of transition. I don’t want to wait for January 1 to start making changes; I plan for those changes now.

Spiritually, it means spending a lot more time talking to God about how things have gone this year and how He wants me to change things for next year. It means assessing my habits, heart, and hindrances to my walk as well as my successes and all of the progress I’ve made. And it means thanking Him a LOT for all He’s brought me through and the promising vistas I see ahead of me. It means setting my spiritual goals and making plans for how I can accomplish them.

In the physical, it means getting my office in order so I’m better prepared to grow increasingly serious about my writing and the business of Tammy Cardwell Publishing. I’ve been organizing and spray painting (The easiest solution when expensive solutions aren’t an option.) and organizing some more. I’m also studying. Merciful heavens, but there is a LOT to learn right now!

And, with the help of my ever-creative, genius son (Pixel Drip Studio), I’m working on a whole new website that will include this blog and a lot more. He’s pushing me, and I love it. This morning he was tossing out words like “timeline” and “milestones.” I’m 60 years old now and #owning60. I’m proof that you’re never too old to launch into something new.

So… What does your between time look like?

Celebrating Jesus!
Tammy C

The Rapture Ready House

Tammy M Cardwell4 Comments

God has been dealing with me, in the past few days, about getting my house Rapture ready. This is a new concept for me, a responsibility I had never even considered. Yes, I said responsibility. I pray, with the saints of the New Testament, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus!” I pray for those who need to be saved or return to God. I share Jesus. I have been under the mistaken impression that I have been doing all I need to, but God has shown me that the Christian’s responsibility doesn’t necessarily end there.

What God pointed out to me is that many who will be left behind know who we are. They know we are Christians and, thanks to all the books, movies, and talk, they will have a clue what has happened. As soon as they realize we are gone, they will come running to our houses for answers and provision. I now see that I have a responsibility to ensure they find what they’re looking for, to have my house ready for the Rapture.

Rapture readiness will look different in different homes. In my case, I have a framed statement on the wall that explains briefly what will have occurred. I am also rearranging my bookcases so that Bibles and truly helpful books will be most visible. I’ve written one note to place near the Bibles, explaining briefly how important it is that they take them, share them, and study them.

A while back, God also had me buy a week’s worth of survival rations. This stymied me at the time, but later He told me that it wasn’t for us, but for someone else. Now He’s instructed me to write a letter of explanation to add to the box along with a Bible and copies of a message my pastor preached entitled, “Help! I’ve missed the Rapture!” that is specifically directed to those who are left behind.

I’ve learned to take God’s instructions seriously, and I’m working on getting all of this done. He’s been telling me the Rapture is closer than I think. That He has instructed me to prepare my home for it reaffirms what I know He has been saying.

So… I keep my heart right, I pray, I share Jesus, and I’m getting my home Rapture ready. I urge you, strongly, to consider doing the same.

Celebrating Jesus and His soon return!
Tammy C