Dear GodChaser

February is the time we relate to those we love.   Valentines are sent to not only sweethearts, but also to close friends.  Friends are the sunshine of life, and the uncertainty of life should remind us to value our friends and family and express it often to them.

None of us can control the length of our life – only the depth.  All of us are terminal.  We just sometimes forget.  Tim McGraw recorded the song, “Live Like You Were Dying.”  The writers of this song also wrote some probing words:

May we live like we are dying — With passion and purpose and mission and meaning —With no forgiveness withheld and no anger held within —
With a heart full of memories precious and true —
With friends and family and hugs and laughter and singing and praying and crying and holding hands and saying all the sappy stuff — May we live like we are dying, and die like we are living

Cluttered lives can crowd out the things that really matter – family, friends, character and God.  From thinking deeply and feeling deeply came my new book Finding Your Way – to things that really matter.

“Many of us are feeling a primal urge to sort out what really matters.  To return to what is really valuable: family, friends, a purpose to our life’s work, and a connection to the eternal.  For some this is not even a ‘return’, but more a discovery (or a rediscovery) of what really matters in life” (pg. 3 of Finding Your Way).

After our needs for essential things like food and clothing are met, what makes life worth living?  What really matters?  All of us need to periodically check our positioning system to be sure we are on the right road, moving in the right direction toward God’s intended destiny for us.  In Finding Your Way, I attempt to make the strength of friends and family evident. Click here to order your copy!

In this new book, I write about the moving story found in the Book of Ruth in the Bible.  It is such an endearing story of love between two women. Without Ruth, Naomi would have died a bitter, disappointed old woman.  Without Naomi, Ruth would never have reached her God-ordained destiny of taking her place in the lineage of Jesus Christ.  Together, they were friends who became extended family and assisted one another into fulfilling God’s destiny for each of them. We all need each other to reach our potential. Friends are vital to our lives.

The older woman in this story, Naomi, sets out after much heartache to reconnect with her valued relationships and the community lifestyle she once knew. 

“As she quickly discovered in her first reunion with her old friends, Naomi didn’t really need “the old days,” and it wasn’t necessarily even the old ways she was after.  What she really longed for were the old values—the ones anchored in truth.  These are the core values that remain valid from generation to generation, from era to era, and from culture to culture.

“It’s true that I can’t bring back my husband and sons, but then again, there are some things I can retrieve.

Perhaps she didn’t see God at work in her difficult circumstances, but Naomi was about to discover an important principle in God’s kingdom: Your re-connection may create a new connection for someone else” (pg. 95 of Finding Your Way).

We, as an American culture, live life too fast.  We forget the value of important things in pursuit of urgent things.  Friends are one of the most valued treasures you can ever collect. But to build true friendships, it takes time and effort. And sometimes a trip back to some old values to make those re-connections. You must make time in your busy schedule to meet a friend for lunch, or to grill burgers in your backyard and invite friends over, or something as simple as sending a note to someone you love.

I have learned that my connections to the friends in my life have been invaluable new connections for my children.  We need to be so cognizant of what influence our circle of friends has on those around us.  Build friendships with people of true character - people who love God and serve Him with their whole heart.

The month of February is a perfect month to stop by a card shop and pick the perfect card to send to some of your most cherished friends. If you think that is too “mushy,” why not at least commit to picking up the phone and calling an old friend just to reconnect.  You never know what your re-connection will mean to someone.

This is why I want this book to reach out to many in this lonely, hurting world. It is a book of values that will enhance people’s lives. This is also my message to you. I am also asking, you my friend, for your prayers and financial assistance.  When you support me through my ministry, you share in blessing many.

Presently, we are in production of a new TV teaching series from this recently released book, Finding Your Way.  This is a major tool for catching people’s attention and causing them to check their life’s direction.  This is a major project and we are trusting God and our friends to help with it. Click here to donate to this new series.

This is a picture of me studying on the set prior to filming one of the segments. Insert picture of Tommy on set here.

Thank you for taking the time to read my heartbeat.  I know your time is valuable and I appreciate your spending some of it with me.  I want to close today with the last paragraph from this book.

“When Ruth is first mentioned, she is in wicked Moab.  The last mention of her is in the genealogy of Jesus.  I don’t know the first mention of your failure or despair, but I do know that the last of your story has yet to be written.  May you “find your way” onto the pages of destiny by discovering what really matters!”
(pg. 196 of Finding Your Way).

You my friend, have destiny locked inside of you.  Connect with the people in your life that will be true friends and that will help you find your way. I will be praying for you! I ask that you connect with me in prayer and in finances. After you have read this letter, why not ask God what He would have you do to help GodChasers. We are in need of your financial support at this juncture of our chase.  The good and generous people like you have always supported us.  Please pray about this today! Click here to donate

Let’s keep chasing together

Tommy Tenney

PS…In case you missed it last month, I want you to read this testimony that came to me.  And I want to make available the book she is referring to, How To Be a GodChaser and a KidChaser.  I think it would be a great way to start the New Year by concentrating on your family.  My mom and I co-wrote this book and I know it will be a blessing to you. Also, my 2 new books on Ruth are a wonderful way to start a New Year.  They are both about the values of family. The Road Home is a fiction book Click here to order and Finding Your Way is the non-fiction book. Click here to order! Order these books today!

I bought your book “God Chaser’s and Kid Chaser’s”. I was blessed.  I loved the little stories and encouragement it was to me.  I especially like stories from your mother.  Being a mother of 4 myself I could relate to some of what she was saying.   I read the book when our 4 children are all grown up.  It would have been easier if I would have read the book when the children were younger, but my heart wasn’t in the right spot.  However, my husband and I know Jesus now and trust Him fully.  We have been given a promise in a dream that all of our children will be saved. 

I have been praying the 31-Day prayer guide that is in this book for the past year and half.  I love the claiming of a spirit and the prayer declarations, but most of all the scripture that goes with it.  I have wept and laughed over these verses, on a regular basis for the past 2 years.  I have used it as a guide to pray for the backslidden children of church families and friends.  I have and am claiming the lives of the next generation for Jesus.  Their hearts and souls are a deep cry of my heart.  I love praying the word, so thank you so much for this guide and the book.

I know some day all my children will be serving Jesus. Thank you so much for being obedient to Jesus.  May, Jesus continue to bless you as you continue to chase after Him!

Blessings,
Barb
From Washington

Click here to order this book!