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Are you studying Peacemaking Women?
I keep hearing about groups (women’s ministries, Bible studies, mentoring relationships) who are studying our book, Peacemaking Women–Biblical Hope for Resolving Conflict. Are you one of them? Would you care to dialogue with others? If so — here is a nice little blog posting to invite your comments and discussion. 🙂 Please let me know how I can serve you — Love in Christ, Tara B.
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BEYOND what depends on me?
I’m sure you’re familiar with Romans 12:18: “As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” It’s been ringing (screaming?) in my ears and heart all day. Why? Because I have two horribly broken relationships in my life and the weight of my sadness concerning them is simply crushing. (Conflict is miserable! And I’m the first one to admit it.) In the one relationship, it’s perfectly clear what has brought 99.9999999% of our downfall … I’ve just blown it. I’ve messed up in epic proportions. Ironically, I have actually tried incredibly hard to bless this person … but instead, I have messed up and wronged her and…
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The Cure for Sin
Thank God for repentance! Thank God for His mercies! I was tremendously blessed, yet again, by a “Slice of Infinity” (Ravi Zacharias Ministries’ ezine) written by the amazingly gifted Jill Carattini. I urge you to read her essay and sign up today to receive this daily devotional. It’s the one email devotional I read every day! Read Jill’s essay here: Why am I the Way I Am?
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Considerable Grace
My husband always reviews my speaker notes whenever I am invited to speak at conferences or retreats. I love his counsel and oversight–and he inevitably improves even my best efforts. Having looked at my notes and listened to my teachings for years now, Fred almost always makes the same two comments: 1. “I know someone who would benefit from this teaching, Tara … you!” and 2. “It’s funny, but whatever topic you are invited to speak on, you always teach the same thing … grace grace grace.” It’s true. I’m a grace junkie! Maybe it’s because I struggle so much with the law and trying to measure up. Maybe it’s…
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I’m Redeemed … SO …
I had the most lovely and edifying conversation with a friend today. (It turns out that she and I have the same “in-network” cell phone coverage so Yay! Even my tiny (tiniest available) cell phone minutes each month won’t have to be eaten up.) During the call, she was reflecting on how the Lord may be calling her to minister to her unsaved family members. (Parents, siblings, etc.) Her childhood had a lot of struggles and sorrow, and now as an adult, she and her husband are prayerfully considering how God might be ministering His grace to her family through them. (It’s not pleasant to intentionally engage in these difficult…
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Maybe I’m not the only one …
Tonight I received a tremendous blessing from some of the women in my church. As we visited during a bridal shower, I was reminded anew that I am not alone in this world. As much as I think that “I’m the only one who …” (struggles with this sin, encounters this challenge in her marriage, fails in this area, doesn’t measure up in that area) … Really? Truly? There are more people like me than unlike me. Even the ones that I’m just so sure have it “all together” — don’t. The marriage that just “has to” have the perfect romantic life — doesn’t. The beautiful woman who always comes…
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What if we had met in high school …
Fred and I had a blast yesterday chatting throughout the day about what it might have been like if we had met in high school … (My pastor and his wife were high school sweethearts! It’s hysterical–and wonderful–to see their photos from proms and homecoming dances, West Point, seminary, etc. Oh, to have grown up with the love of your life!) These are the things Fred and I wondered about … – Would we have competed too much with each other for first chair trumpet? – What would it have been like for me to accompany him in all of the musicals? – At least he would have been in…
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Help me to repent I pray!
Picture your most cherished sin. (Come on–admit it. When do you say, “I know it’s wrong but I don’t care. I’m going to do it anyway. I’ll repent later. God will forgive me. It’s not that bad.”) Now picture this sermon illustration from Pastor John Piper: ‘The attempt to find happiness in life by pinning your hope on something other than obedience to Jesus is like a lamb trying to satisfy its thirst at the nipple of a mother wolf. The source of your brief satisfaction will eat you for supper when evening comes.’ What sins are “eating you for supper?” I am so convicted by this sermon (The Spirit…
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Beyond healing?
Today I leave on another trip out of state. This one is strange for me, however, and I am not feeling good about it. Pretty much every single thing I will do over the next five days is unknown to me–way out of my comfort zone. I can’t picture it. I can’t imagine what will happen, who I will meet, how I will have the opportunity to serve. (I can, however, imagine in living color many of the mistakes I might make, stupid things I might say, ridiculously foolish things I might do — all trying to love well and honor God, but failing miserably.) So why go? Because God…
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When to be silent? When to counsel?
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how I interact with friends and acquaintances. Specifically, when might it be the most God-honoring and loving thing to do to remain silent (supportive, encouraging, loving–but “non-confrontational”), and when it is that I might be called to gently speak Truth (counsel the Word). Let me give you an example … I’m having lunch with a friend and it is obvious that she is bitter. I mean really angry, grouchy, judgmental, complaining–mad. As she shares her story, there is no mention of God, other than in disdainful and complaining ways. (“God is sure great to you and everyone else, but look at my horrible…
