A Happy Story to Write

Fremont couple return cat to owner

The God Questions

Author to answer tough questions at event

Feeling vulnerable?

God finds interesting ways to protect people

Romantic comedies

Rely on God to get you through life's journeys

Spencer's story

Answered prayer saves lives of soldiers

Little misconceptions

God loves us no matter what our outer appearance

The desert times

God helps us get through the desert times of life

Bouncing back

Bible shows how people can overcome failure

Finding our confidence in God

Like rock armor, God shores us up

Confronting fear

Use God's word to fight spiritual battles

Empty Nesters

Parents must trust God to help their children

Logan's Story

God works through boy's words to comfort many people

Royal Family Kids Camps

Camp in need of funds

Joseph's story and RFKC

Modern-day people can relate to ancient man's heartache

A weighty prayer

Some prayers really do carry a lot of weight

Satisfaction

God has ability to meet physical, spiritual needs

Debbie's Stand

Woman's example still speaks to people today

Carrying burdens

Our dog, BeBe, has a new hobby.

All of 15 pounds, our Boston terrier has starting carrying around 5-gallon buckets.

BeBe will pick up one of those orange buckets and carry it outside. While there, she rolls it around and bites the rim. She barks at it.

Then, she'll pick it up and carry it in her mouth around the yard.

My husband, Chuck, and I laugh at her antics. However, I'm less amused when she manages to bring it in the house.

Sometimes it will roll down the stairs.

You should see her try to get it back upstairs. She'll make a crying, whining noise as she paws wildly at a bucket. She'll try to lift it only to have it get caught on the edge of one of the carpeted steps.

And down it will fall.

Such things don't stop her. She'll keep trying to get it upstairs.

Finally, my husband or I will grab the bucket and carry it while she excitedly follows behind - barking all the way.

The other night, however, Chuck was not in the mood to be the human version of a golden retriever.

So he put the bucket away.

BeBe scampered around, looking for her absent toy.

She seemed lost without it.

She's an interesting dog. I keep wondering why she would want to carry a big bucket around.

It's such a burden.

That's when I have to stop and remember that humans aren't so different.

We carry burdens, too.

Unlike BeBe's bucket, however, our burdens tend to be things like guilt, regret, sorrow, unforgiveness, bitterness, fear, anger or some other miserable thing.

We carry those heavy burdens wherever we go. We roll them around in our minds. We may even bark at others when we don't think they're paying attention to us and our burdens.

Maybe it's time to put those burdens down.

Better yet, maybe it's time to give them to God.

The psalmist, David, seemed to know how to do that when he wrote: "Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens." (Psalm 68:19)

Now look what Jesus so tenderly tells us: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30).

"What?" you ask. "Jesus wants to give me a burden. I already have enough."

I don't think Christ is adding you to add to your burdens.

I think he's wanting to make a trade.

I started trading my burdens a long time ago when I began following the Lord more closely and working to obey him.

Today, I may have a "burden" of doing some work for him.

Funny thing, those so-called burdens aren't very heavy. I may need to prepare for a class or help with a project.

I don't mind so much. I'd rather be doing some work for God - where I see a reward - than to carry some of my self-imposed burdens.

I carried much heavier burdens - like worry and remorse - when I wasn't following God very well. I guess I tended to make some of my own problems and then carried the burden of consequences.

By following God, I avoid those.

I'm not saying that my life is carefree, but it's sure a lot better.

Which is nice.

I have more peace. I appreciate the world around me more and I'm so thankful to God for what he's given me.

And for what he shows me - even if it's through our bucket-carrying BeBe.

True love

Never forget the depth of God's love

Stung

Story shows how God takes away sting of death

God, a tornado and a pen

Pen story shows how God pays attention to detail

Palm trees

God can help people in various situations

Our source

God will provide us strength - just in time

A lesson from Jeremiah

Pastor encourages listeners not to lose their souls

Job's perspective

Story of suffering can provide comfort today

Our ever-present help

God can provide help to those who seek him

At the ready

It's important to be spiritually prepared for the future

When God warns

It's important to pay attention to God's warnings

All Eyes on Heaven

Nebraska boys' heavenly visit captures readers' attention

Pillars

Christ provides the sturdy base we need to stand

Hezekiah's Tunnel

Story shows how faithful believers can overcome trials

Just imagine

Ancient-day accounts stir the imagination

The Cut

Program shows the importance of making 'the cut'

The Real Thing

Thorough Bible knowledge helps prevent deception

the dreaded stairs

Jesus, a plant and water

Christ teaches timeless lesson on living water

Samaritans

Make an intentional effort to help others

Inspiration

I just finished reading Susan Boyle's book called "Susan Boyle - The Woman I Was Meant to Be."
It's quite inspirational.
I wrote about Susan a couple years ago after she impressed judges with her singing in the "Britian's Got Talent" show. Since then, her fame has skyrocketed. The single, unemployed Scottish woman who lived alone with her cat, Pebbles, has been a source of inspiration to many - including me.
My Aunt Ena sent me Boyle's book for Christmas.
Now, I knew Susan had a learning disability and had been picked on in school, but I didn't know the extent of either. The woman's had tough times.
What's amazing is how she's stepped forth in courage - with the help of God - to achieve things that most people only dream about.
Not surprisingly, the song that started it all was called "I Dreamed a Dream."
She's had some wonderful opportunities to fulfill her dreams, but from what I've read she's been absolutely terrified of performing before huge audiences.
Sounds understandable to me.
Even so, I wish I could share Bible verse with her. I think the first one I'd share would be: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13.
And I think I'd share: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:17.
And I love this one: "Whenever I am afraid I will trust in you." Psalm 56:3.
Of course, there's the very lovely: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27.
I've read where the command that the Lord gives us - more than any other - is "Do not be afraid."
We don't have to fear. The God of the universe is on our side. And the Scriptures say that he who is within us is greater than he who is within the world.
The Lord is with us and in us, helping us as we maneuver our way through this obstacle course we call life.
We are never alone. His word says that he never leaves or forsakes us. He doesn't fail us. He keeps our foot from slipping.
Maybe someday, I'll send a copy of my book to Susan. In the meantime, I can't help but reflect on how good God is and how he reminds of us his word and faithfulness.
We never face our battles alone.
God is always here.
We have the God of the universe on our side - the God who created the universe and who is filled with wisdom.
And love for us.

Blessings,

Tammy

My most important column

Don't wait to take life's most important step