• Sin & Repentance

    Giving it up because I don’t want to …

    So I’m convicted. UGH. There are two things in my life that, well, I just want TOO MUCH. Neither is sinful per se. (Though overindulgence in both IS.) Neither is particularly beneficial. (Though I find them both pleasant!) BUT … BUT … BUT … I am convicted that I need to give them up. Maybe not forever–but definitely for a season. And so I shall. One year. 365 days. Like the Mayor of Casterbridge (only that was for a LOT longer!) … I shall turn away. Fred is supportive.  I’m scared. (Another indicator that I need to say, “No thanks!”, eh?) I’ll be sure to let you know how things…

  • Please Pray for Troops & Chaplains

    “… but we cannot leave them.”

    I LOVE reading of heroism. The last book that kept me up all night (before my recent–wonderful find!–Aunt Jane’s Hero) was Ghost Soldiers. (If you love a GREAT READ especially about history and war and heroism, you CANNOT go wrong with Ghost Soldiers.) ANYWAY … I was reminded of Ghost Soldiers when I read the last page of my recent National Geographic magazine–the “Flashback” entitled FRONT LINES: “A Salvation Army “lassie” writes home for a wounded World War I soldier in 1918. “Ask an American doughboy if life would have been worth living at the front without the Salvation Army cook, comforter, and general utility cheerer,” noted a November 1918…

  • Uncategorized

    Want to have an online group CHAT?

    I am not 100% sure that this will work … but I THINK it will … so here goes: Would any of you be interested in scheduling an ONLINE CHAT for our little group? I am pretty sure that we have two ways to do so (through the discussion board and through Frappr) and I’d be happy to look into it IF anyone is interested. What I’m picturing is that we pick a date and time and all go online at that time and … you know … chat. 🙂 !! We could introduce ourselves; talk about relational/peacemaking/sin/gospel things going on in our lives; you could share your ADVICE with…

  • Hope in Suffering

    Sometimes in a grievous way …

    The Peace of Christmas-Time “Dearest, how hard it is to say That all is for the best, Since, sometimes, in a grievous way God’s will is manifest. See with what hearty, noisy glee Our little ones to-night Dance round and round our Christmas tree With pretty toys bedight. Dearest, one voice they may not hear, One face they may not see — Ah, what of all this Christmas cheer Cometh to you and me? Cometh before our misty eyes That other little face, And we clasp, in tender, reverent wise, That love in the old embrace. Dearest, the Christ-child walks to-night,  Bringing his peace to men, And he bringeth to…

  • Singleness & Marriage

    Single but praying for a spouse? A child?

    For years, Fred and I prayed for a friend of ours. He was single, content in Christ, but longing to be married and have a family. We just KNEW that he would be the TREASURE of a husband and daddy that so many women pray for–godly, funny, smart, athletic, musical, sweet, thoughtful, faithful, kind–and so we prayed. Last year (when he was over the age of 40), he was happily, blissfully married to a wonderful woman. And last NIGHT, we heard the news that this precious couple welcomed their son, Samuel, into the world. I know that a lot of you are single. I know that you pray for spouses…

  • Sin & Repentance

    David Powlison & Ed Welch & CCEF & Anger …

    I woke up at 5AM again this morning–not quite ready to go back to the gym. (72 hours on antibiotics now–so it shouldn’t be long.) As I sat in the Christmas lights (SO nice! Don’t you miss them when they’re gone?), I picked up the latest issue of The Journal of Biblical Counseling. Friends, I just cannot more highly recommend this wonderful ministry (The Christian Counseling & Education Foundation). As soon as I begin to read ANYTHING by these authors (David Powlison, Ed Welch, Timothy Lane, Winston Smith), it is as though my heart SIGHS, my mind ENGAGES, and my spirit is immediately EDIFIED. I am drawn to worship CHRIST.…

  • Uncategorized

    But here the world’s desire …

    “The Christ-child lay on Mary’s lap, His hair was like a light. (O weary, weary were the world, But here is all aright.) The Christ-child lay on Mary’s breast His hair was like a star. (O stern and cunning are the kings, But here the true hearts are.) The Christ-child lay on Mary’s heart,  His hair was like a fire. (O weary, weary is the world, But here the world’s desire.) The Christ-child stood on Mary’s knee, His hair was like a crown, And all the flowers looked up at Him, And all the stars looked down.” G.K. Chesterton  

  • Uncategorized

    There is no peace … BUT …

    Struck again by words I am sure you are familiar with: “And in despair I bowed my head; “There is no peace on earth,” I said; “For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!” Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead; nor doth he sleep! The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men!” Oh, doesn’t that last stanza encourage you? Take heart! Take heart! The wrong SHALL fail. It is done. There is no peace now … BUT … one day … we will live in the eternal Shalom. Amen! Amen! Oh–and…

  • Uncategorized

    What do you remember? (If anything …)

    I’m really trying to make some progress prepping for the dvd series we’ll be recording in March. (I’ll teach twelve 30-minute sessions that small groups/women’s ministries/Sunday school classes can watch together and then discuss.) And I was just wondering if any of you have any favorite Tara stories or teaching points. You know … something you’ve heard me say at an event or on this blog that you think, “be sure to include THAT, Tara!” Would you please post a comment if something has been a “favorite” (or particularly helpful) for you? (Or if you don’t feel comfortable posting online, please feel free to email me directly.)   I’d love…

  • Uncategorized

    Don’t forget!

    Dear friend, Don’t forget! “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands …” Your name is forever engraved on His hands. (Isaiah 49:16) Right now, in the throne room of heaven, God’s hands are scarred with your name. And He loves you more than you can imagine. ESPECIALLY when you are at your ABSOLUTE WORST! God is compassionate and gracious. He is SLOW to anger. He ABOUNDS in love and faithfulness.  (Exodus 34:6-7!) Amen and Amen! (And Maranatha! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!) (And THANK YOU for already coming in the Incarnation. Emmanuel! God with us.) With love and prayers and HOPE – (Not because of the strength…