Posted on by Dr. Tammi Love · 2 Comments

I Saw God

I recently came face to face with a buck. Well, almost face to face. I was traveling home from work on a rural road soon after sunset. I approached an intersection, and suddenly, in my peripheral, I saw a large object dart to the edge of the road. I instantly reacted. My body tensed up and my eyes darted to the road’s edge and my rearview mirror. I gripped the steering wheel and my foot slammed on the brake. My heart beat like it was pounding out of my chest. I screamed; inwardly and outwardly.

After coming to a complete stop, I turned my head to face the object and recognized it as a large buck. My eyes seemed to bulge out of its sockets and fastened on the buck’s antlers, then later to its majestic stature. The buck stood still and calm, unbothered, as if nothing could disrupt who and what it was. My presence didn’t upset, bring fear, or alter its intention to cross the road. When the buck was ready, it chose to cross the road behind my truck. And in seconds, it was out of my view.

I sat at that intersection shaking. Thoughts of what could have happened raced across my mind. I gathered myself, cautiously looked in all directions, and slowly continued my journey home. My mind continued to race. I then remembered to breathe.

My inhale and exhale settled me. I heard God whisper, Tammi, breathe again. So, I did. God repeated his instruction, and I obeyed His whisper each time. He then began to pour wisdom into my spirit like an overflow of refreshing water. He allowed me to recall what I just experienced – this time with revelation, accompanied by a force of unmovable strength. The impact was undeniable. God consoled me and His creation was reborn.

I saw God that day. God showed me His majesty, protection, power, and provision – yet again. He has sustained me and has allowed me to walk in stillness, no matter the terrain, for such a time as this. God’s got me. I’m mighty grateful!

God is intentional in ways that get our attention. When He reveals Himself, we are wise not to dismiss Him. Instead, we should lean in closer in hopes of receiving a fresh perspective. No one is exempt from the refilling God offers. We all need to see God for who and what He is. 

Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? – Exodus 15:11

Posted on by Dr. Tammi Love

We Have What We Need

Some years ago, my family spoke an affirmation that we recognized as an undeniable truth. The affirmation was all we need is in the house. Proclaiming and believing this truth yielded our determination to lean on God and the gifts God blessed us each with as we approached the uncertain moments of life. My husband introduced our family’s affirmation to the congregations we served across the country, reminding church leaders that ministry work begins with the critical work of discerning the gifts in the house (of God) and championing the truth that our gifts and callings are enough to reach those in need.

Now experiencing a new season, our family’s affirmation has remixed to – we have what we need. As before, my husband shared this affirmation with our new church family. We have what we need is a vision cry for what is on the horizon. It is also a reflection of what has been and what is. We don’t have to chase fickle people who have no fear of God. We don’t have to rely on systems that leave us stranded. We don’t have to consent to selfish egos. We don’t have to be lazy in our pursuit of joy.

We have what we need means we must take the time to invest in what God invests in. God doesn’t succumb to distractions. God persists in getting our attention and nudging us to learn more about the power within us to move mountains. We have what we need.

God is the one who enables you both to want and to actually live out his good purposes. – Philippians 2:13

Posted on by Dr. Tammi Love

This Time of Year

God is my constant. This time of year, God usually reveals His power in ways that seem to hurt me but later reveal He was indeed helping me. He’s a constant Father in that way. This time of year, God usually pushes me inward to discover something that I’d lost. He’s a constant Friend in that way. This time of year, God usually breaks open the sky so that I can see Him more clearly. He’s a constant Provider in that way. This time of year, God usually exposes the enemy from its miserable hidden spaces. He’s a constant Protector in that way.

But why does God pursue me in this way? Why does He hold on so tight? Because I asked Him to. I asked God never to leave me. I asked God never to let me miss Him moving in my midst. And this time of the year, an intentional season of sacrifice and prayer, my eyes and ears are locked onto God like never before. I am His, and He is mine. This time of year, I am renewed in God saving me from foolishness. This time of year, I am reminded that I am set free from the shackles I’ve allowed to debilitate me. This time of year, I am resurrected from the weight of someone else’s hurtful words and deceptive schemes. I give notice; I belong to the one who is my constant. He will hold me with His mighty hand. God is my father, friend, provider, and protector! Who is your constant? To whom do you belong?