Author: terbrick

Hi! My name is Tammy. I am first and foremost a daughter of the King.I have been married to my wonderful husband, Bryan for twenty years. I am a mother to four beautiful children. Our two biological boys, Landon and Camden are 14 and 10, then God graciously allowed us to adopt two more children through foster care. Our son J.J. is now 5, and our daughter Amora just turned 4. For 16 years, I have been a Registered Nurse where my current role is a Case Manager. It is such a privilege to know and serve the Lord. I accepted him as my Savior at the age of 8, but I will never forget when I was 13 when I became sold out to him and only him! My faith has been able to grow through so many life experiences over the years. I will forever be grateful for GFBC and the opportunities it has given me and my family to be involved in several ministries, but especially missions and foster care. I love God. I love His Word. I love people. My hope is to be an inspiration to others so they will find salvation, grow in their relationship with Christ and see that many of us deal with the same struggles yet God is always the answer!!

Superficial

Leave a comment

As I studied and spent time with the Lord about what to write on – the word “superficial” kept speaking to my spirit. Let’s first see what this term means.

Superficial is “something occurring only at the surface; it appears to be true or real ONLY until examined more closely.” This very thing constantly happens through conversations, and friendships… relationships in general!

Why Is This???

Social media app icons on a smart phoneAs I reached out on social media to inquire about this question, these are some of the common answers I received:

“It’s ‘easier’ to pretend and not let people in…”
“Lack of accountability–Quantity versus Quality…”
“People can’t handle a ‘real’ one…”
“Too busy to invest…”
“Selfishness— doesn’t want to put that much time and work in…”
“Fear—Fear of getting hurt or being betrayed–past experiences…”
“In a comfortable circle–don’t feel that they need others…”

I can relate to every one of these answers as I look back on my journey of being a friend or needing a friend. I think we have allowed such busyness into our lives, we don’t stop for ourselves and others to truly allow genuine conversations to take place any longer. Due to past experiences and failed friendships, we would rather isolate ourselves completely or just keep it “easy” so we don’t have to get too deep either to or for someone else.

Let’s look at a few scriptures…

Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loves at ALL time, and a brother is born for adversity.” This takes friendships to a whole new level – good times and rough times!

Proverbs 16:28 “A dishonest man (woman) spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.”

friend-photThe good news is that His Word tells us in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” God has given us that same love so we can extend it to one another. We hold that very power! The power to walk amongst this world with all the things of this life swirling around us, including the struggles, and make time to SHOW love and BE love. You see, Jesus was intentional with his relationships during his time on this earth. Sure, he couldn’t share a deep devotion with many he came in contact with, but he shared his heart, his hurt, and his experiences among several friends. In reading the Word, it is very evident that John was a special friend as well as Lazarus. God appointed disciples around Jesus to walk with him, share with him, and learn from him. Who has God placed in your life? To share with, to live and learn with? Step out! Take a risk! Employ your faith! If we all dwelt on past hurt, how could God’s plan and purpose be accomplished in and through us?

Hebrews 10:22-25 reveals a challenge, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Time is running OUT!!!

Over this holiday season,open your eyes and hearts to who God has currently placed in your life and be intentional with your conversations. Engage in the relationship with more than just a “superficial” approach. Be deliberate in how you pierce beyond the layers of small talk to really being there for that person and allowIng them and you to be REAL about some things that are going on. Examine one another. Encourage one another through verbalizing struggles. Praise them for who they are. Motivate them in their purpose.

In your life, this may pertain to friends – it may even pertain to your close family. Don’t get caught up in the hustle and bustle of busyness. Be the friend God called you to be-Trust Him!

Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. – Hebrews 10:24

Hit a Wall Lately ??

Leave a comment

by Tammy Erbrick

Have you ever felt like you hit a wall when trying to hear the Lord speak? Life can get so overwhelming that you can literally drown out your Savior’s voice by all the busyness. I can assure you, He’s here, ready to speak. The challenge is being willing to listen! You see, if we don’t listen to our Savior’s voice – we can’t be given direction and just simple clarity of His day to day purpose for us. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

My sisters, God knew we would have the temptation to “attune” our mind to the pattern that is all around us. But Oh friend, when we allow Him to renew our mind – that’s where the sweetness of Jesus comes in! That is where we find His will for us in every detail of our day. And if your day is anything like mine – there is a LOT of detail!! God has a perfect will for us. We are not perfect creatures yet, until we make it to heaven, however, we should wake up each day striving to search and embrace what we can hold on to for that given day. Each day is a gift from Him laid out with a given purpose, but it’s up to us to place our focus and spirit upon Him, so He can renew our mind and refresh it with things from above!

We have allowed ourselves to become so comfortable we are “bored.” Even having a larger family, there is still idle time. Why do we pick up our phones instead of just allowing our mind to be “open” for him to speak? Have you ever been in a conversation with someone and you keep opening your mouth ready to speak, but the other person doesn’t “slow down” enough so that you CAN speak?? Don’t you know that is how our Heavenly Father feels most days?? He is ever so ready to speak to His cherished daughters, but we get so overcome with distractions (some that we bring on ourselves) that He’s just sitting there with his mouth open and unable to speak a Word!

jesusandsamaritanwomanatjacobswell

Take a moment right now and let the quietness of His Spirit sweep over you.

Let your mind be emptied of voluntary and involuntary distractions so that He can speak to you!

Allow Him to renew your mind.

As you fill your mind with his presence and peace – your next steps for the day will be so much clearer. Those things that about “put you over the edge” won’t seem as mountainous any longer. Philippians 4:8 reminds us that “Finally, brothers (sisters), whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things!” Satan wants our mind to constantly ponder the things of this world, but don’t be fooled, my friend. Your Savior has a Word for you that’s like honey to your ears. Oh “Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man (woman) who take refuge in Him” Psalm 34:8. Let all your problems and worries take refuge in him today. Let the Lord speak – don’t leave Him waiting…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Believe

8 Comments

by Tammy Erbrick

IMG_4215.JPGWhat does ‘believe’ mean to you? Is it a word you use in passing or is it a word that truly captures your heart? I once read this phrase:

Only if one believes in something can one act purposefully!

Our pastor encourages us every year to get a “word” from the Lord that we can cling to throughout the year. As I sought after mine, I heard the Spirit say – Believe. My initial reaction was believe-Lord?? Why of course I believe! I have always believed in you!  Yet, I felt him quicken my Spirit as to say – Yes I know you believe in your head-but do you believe with your whole heart??

You see when you believe something – You are sure of it – Completely Convinced!

Isaiah 43:10 says, “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.” I can only be ‘chosen’ if I choose him. Well ladies, after choosing – You have to believe! Sometimes being raised in the Bible Belt, better yet church, this word can get thrown around a lot, but when you take time to understand “I am he” and then you believe – that’s when purpose begins to take action! A declaration that “I am” is your peace, your comfort, your acquitter, your strong tower, your joy, your redeemer, your answer, your savior, your hope, your mercy, your provider, your protector, your everlasting father. Whatever it is that you need – you can believe that He is just that! For a moment. For a season. For a lifetime. He is all that you need!

A wonderful name He has already been to me and family this year is Provider! Due to many mistakes early in our marriage, we have lived in credit card debt for almost two decades. Over this past year, we have been very diligent about seeking His will to move past this stronghold in our life. After selling some things that were dear to us, we had thousands of dollars in the bank, and we were committed to paying this toward our credit cards. We would then work very hard over the next several months to be free from all credit cards.

money-card-business-credit-card-50987I told my husband that I knew God was going to show favor on us – I ‘believed’ it! I also requested prayer in our Life Group for wisdom and favor. Lastly, before making any phone calls that morning to the credit card companies, we had a family prayer. You see those companies didn’t know our hearts and lives but God did!  After paying off two of our cards, we were down to the last phone call and last card. My husband informed the lady that we wanted to make a large payment today in hopes of paying the card off very soon if not today. That’s where God stepped in! Without telling her an amount, she gave us a pay-off amount that was almost $10,000 less than we owed, and even $300 less that what we had planned to pay that day!

Due to belief, prayer, and God’s favor, we became credit card free that day!!!!! He is the same miracle worker today – He knows us – He sees our hearts – He has a purpose and wants us to believe that He can help us walk in that purpose even when we may not deserve it!

Who does He need to be for you in this moment? Do you believe that He is? Choose Him today! Pray. Seek His face. Listen to His voice. Believe. And Walk as you are chosen sweet friend.