Posted on by Dr. Tammi Love

I Give Him Praise!

I was on FaceTime with my oldest daughter last week, and as soon as she appeared on the screen, I was captivated—not just by her beauty, but by the space around her and how she seemed to fill it. She laughed at something we were discussing, and in true me-fashion, I couldn’t resist snapping a photo mid-laughter.

Looking back at that photo today, I was reminded of the joy of God’s might. His might towers over us, yet it does not crush us. It shelters us, protects us, and lifts us into joy. God’s might is our victory. God’s might is our renewal. God’s might is even the source of our laughter.

My encouragement to you today is to give yourself permission to find joy in God—not in things, not in people, but in Him alone. For He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. The Lord our God is always with us, and for this I give Him praise!

Be well, y’all and much love!

The Lord your God
wins victory after victory
    and is always with you.
He celebrates and sings
    because of you,
and he will refresh your life
    with his love.”

 – Zephaniah 3:17

(Pictured: a screenshot from my FaceTime call with my oldest daughter.)

Posted on by Dr. Tammi Love

It’s All in the Reach

Over a year has passed, and I’m still navigating a rotator cuff injury. My range of motion is better, but not quite 100%. I struggle from time to time with my reach. Reaching across seats for my purse after it’s fallen on the floor, reaching for a bowl from a top shelf, or reaching too far behind me to catch the sleeve of my coat to put it on. My reach is just plain pitiful at times. It’s been a frustrating experience.

Right after my injury, I engaged in weeks of physical therapy, as directed by the doctor. My treatment included practicing exercises at home to gain strength in my injured shoulder. The more I practiced, the more hopeful I became. But as soon as I allowed the busyness of life to distract me, my confident aim diminished, and the scope of my reach shortened. 

There is a narration in scripture that describes a woman who suffered hemorrhages for 12 years (Luke 8:43-48). The narration tells how this woman reached out to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment for healing. Even though a crowd surrounded Jesus, the woman did not allow that distraction to hinder her determination to reach the one she believed could heal her and replenish her life.

Whether we fall, stand, or hold on for dear life, our reach is an exercise in seeking God, of reaching in hope and for hope. The woman with the issue of blood sought Jesus. She found Him, and a mere touch of His cloak and her determined hope was the prescription that released her from 12 years of discomfort and shame. Jesus’ words to the woman sealed the result of her reach – “your faith has healed you. Go in peace”.

Our hard-pressed predicaments compel us to reach for God. Our joyous determination urges us to stretch out our praise to God. Daily, we are challenged to refuse the urge to reach for unproven sources that tear us down, leaving unrest. We are purposed to seek the life-giving words and affirmations inspired by God. He will lead us to wholeness. He will lead us to becoming a new creation.

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.”  – Isaiah 55:6

Posted on by Dr. Tammi Love · 3 Comments

Who Are You?

Growing up, I was taught your reputation is everything. Most importantly, I was taught the truth of your reputation is exposed when unexpected events disrupt your routines, and adversarial darts turn your world upside down. Who you really are lights up like a neon sign in moments of life that matter. Do you recognize who that person is? Are you satisfied with who you currently are and what you represent? Break from the shackles that restrain you from your purpose to please God. Be courageous and take the necessary time and effort to uncover who you are beyond the baiting of fleshly desires. Your deep dive will reveal you are who God says you are. God says you are unusual.

Who, in today’s attention-seeking world, would want to be different for God? God’s people don’t mind being different. As unpopular as being unusual can be, it is the reputation God calls for us to live out. God’s people are trendsetters, not copy-cats. God’s people are moved to action when the least is ignored. We decrease our egos so that His greatness is increased in our witness. We hold His Word close to our heart and profess it in the most uncertain times for peace and direction.

You are rare. You are remarkable. You are peculiar. You are unusual. That’s who you are. Now live it, with the praises of God continuously on your lips.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” – 1 Peter 2:9-10

Posted on by Dr. Tammi Love

There’s Nobody Like God!

I wept today. Hard. I wept after experiencing the manifestation of God’s goodness during a season of pressing. In this instance of goodness, God reached down from heaven and placed an unwrapped gift before me to open. As soon as I opened this unexpected gift, I could not refuse what was overtaking my heart, and I could not stop my tears. It wasn’t silver; it wasn’t gold. It was God’s response to my prayers, praise, service, and sacrifice to Him! God heard my faintest cry, and He answered! He came to see about me in the midst of my pressing, and He encouraged my heart. He continues to prove Himself over and over again! That’s why I love Him. That’s why I trust Him to do exceedingly, abundantly more than I can ask or think. There’s nobody like God! I invite you to commit your life to Him today.