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Prayerlessness & Prayerfulness
When I spoke at a Church Leadership Forum last month, I had the privilege of hearing Dr. Henry Blackaby teach a number of times. In one plenary, he said this: “We are a prayerless people.” Ah! The truth in his words cut me to the quick. Then I read in Aunt Jane’s Hero this question: “Are you living a life of prayer amid all the distractions of the times?” And so … I am praying more. Remembering Brother Lawrence picking up a grain of wheat or washing dishes for God’s glory. Thinking about God’s greatness! Thanking Him. Asking for His help and guidance and conviction. What a merciful grace!…
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Not living the true life I was born to live …
Last month, a dear friend confronted (and encouraged!) me to become the woman I already am. That is, to remember who I am in Christ and then grow up even more into Him Who is my Head. I heard her words as I read Aunt Jane’s Hero and considered how she described the protagonist: – He had been drinking at broken fountains, but felt sure that the world had some full ones which sooner or later would quench his thirst. – … in spite of himself had his hours of reflection, when there came to him uncomfortable intimations that he was not living the true life for which he was…
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Lost in a book …
I couldn’t believe it, but only DAYS after I posted my, “Do you have any good book recommendations? It’s been years since I’ve LOST myself in a book …” blog, I completely lost myself in a book! It’s true! I was flying cross-country again and I started reading Aunt Jane’s Hero by Elizabeth Prentiss and I simply couldn’t put it down. It was wonderful! Let me tempt you with just a few opening lines (I’m sure I’ll be writing more about it!) and encourage you to read this lovely tome: “They were living to themselves: self, with its hopes, and promises, and dreams, still had hold of them; but the…
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How do we just GET OVER IT?!
I received an email last month and did my best to encourage/help in my reply … and I thought that our exchange might be a blessing to some of you. So, having removed all identifying information and cleaned it up a tad, here it is. (Oh, and I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on these questions too! What would YOU have said to her? How would you have encouraged her?) Joy to you, my friends! — Tara B. ———- Tara, Once again you hit the nail on the head! “Ultimately, we need to remember that our leaders have a right to be wrong.” I certainly am convicted for my…
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“Gospel Amnesia”
(Told ya’ there’d be a lot of blogs generated by CCEF authors Timothy S. Lane and Paul David Tripp’s new book, How People Change. I hope that you get this book!) Profs. Lane and Tripp explain that I live anxiously because I have gospel amnesia. (Isn’t that the best turn of a phrase?! Man, these guys can write.) – I am anxious because I forget my identity is in Christ. – I am anxious because I take on my problems as identities. – I forget that I have everything I need for life and godliness through Christ. Friends, we are called to remember God’s identity, provision, and process for our…
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Failing to Respect Authority
This is the article I wrote for the Peacemaker Ministries emagazine “PeaceMeal” that will be published tomorrow. If you don’t subscribe yet, I encourage you to do so! Cutie-bear Fred Barthel sends it out every week and it’s a blessing. Hope you enjoy … Failing to Respect Authority Another common source of conflict is the abuse of or rebellion against the authority God has established in the church, the government, the family, and the workplace. All legitimate authority has been established by God, primarily for the purpose of maintaining peace and order (Rom. 13:1-7). He has given those in authority strict commands not to take advantage of their positions, but…
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Grace in Marriage–Thank You, God!
The other day I was out in the living room reading and I asked Fred if he would please bring me some water when he came. He said sure. And that was pretty much that. But then I got to thinking about the many “miserably married Christians” that my pastor and I have mediated over the years … and I was struck yet again by how hard a simple exchange like that could have been. – I could have been a nagging, critical wife for twenty years so that when I asked Fred for some water, it was just another DRIP on the metal roof of his misery in marriage…
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Contradicting my faith …
I’m reading an amazing new book (that I highly recommend! hopefully Fred will add it to my list of “Recommended Books” just as soon as Amazon starts carrying it): How People Change, by Timothy S. Lane and Paul David Tripp. (Yes, yes another Paul Tripp book. I know! I know! I keep recommending these astoundingly biblical and practical CCEF authors and I keep selling hundreds of their books. Simply said, I really do think that they are writing some of the best resources out there these days.) The first chapter is entitled, “The Gospel Gap” and I’ve had to slow down and read it carefully with a pen in hand.…
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I’m going to nominate someone!
Have you ever heard of something like this? Since I don’t really read many blogs, I’m not really up to speed on a lot of the nuances of the blogworld … but … I’m totally going to nominate Carolyn McCulley over at Solo Femininity. She is always worth the read! 🙂 Who else would YOU recommend? I’d recommend Ligon Duncan if it were open to men (which it is not). I’m assuming that these sites get thousands of hits a day and really huge. What a fun and strange time we live in, eh? Sending you love as we head into our Saturdays, Tara B.
