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Depression depression depression … (and hope!)
My friend, A.W., sent me a link to a great interview with Ed Welch on the topic of depression. I hope you’ll check it out! To tempt you, here is a tiny excerpt from the long interview: “One common response of depressed individuals is that they can’t imagine anything good ever happening again. Normally our emotions can go up and down; at this moment I can imagine really difficult things and really good things. The person who is depressed cannot imagine anything with a good outcome. Even when someone close tells them genuinely and meaningfully, “I love you,” it doesn’t cut through the pain. With the depressed person, there’s always…
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Four things to keep in mind …
Just finished Dave Harvey’s, When Sinners Say “I Do”. It’s a good read and I’d definitely recommend it as a gospel-proclaiming, readable book on the topic of marriage. (Lots of stories too, Tara S.! 🙂 ) I’d like to tempt you to purchase it with a tiny excerpt from his chapter on “stubborn grace.” In it, he lists “four things to keep in mind when encouraging your spouse in the grace of God.” (But isn’t it true that these four things are really for us to encourage ANYONE in the grace of God? Don’t you find that in biblically-sound books on ANY topic, their teachings really relate to ALL of…
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Zoo trip when it’s barely 20 degrees?
What kind of silly ol’ Momma takes her girl on a zoo adventure when it’s barely 20 degrees out? I do! 🙂 (It’s really OK if you just bundle up.) Where else can you throw sticks into the river and count how long it takes them to float under the bridge? Or get caught in a (pack? group?) of peacocks and peahens? Mmmmmmmmmmm … it was good to get home to cuddle under the blankies and wait for Poppa to get back from his church leader retreat. Hope you had a great Saturday too– Happily, Tara B.
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We can be patient when things go against us …
Groovin’ to Handel’s SOULFUL Messiah and reading my Heidelberg Catechism … (How weird am I?! 😉 ) … and very encouraged by Q.28: How does the knowledge of God’s creation and providence help us? We can be patient when things go against us, thankful when things go well, and for the future we can have good confidence in our faithful God and Father that nothing will separate us from his love. All creatures are so completely in his hand that without his will they can neither move nor be moved. What a comfort! What a comfort. (Oooooh–Soulful Messiah is on, “Who may abide the day of His coming? And who…
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Present Arms
Oh that we, and the children we raise, will never forget Pearl Harbor. (5PM edit: Don’t miss PalmTree Pundit’s Post on Pearl Harbor too!) (HT MilitaryMotivator for the photo!)
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World on the Web!
Just found World on the Web and I wanted to be sure that you all knew about it. Even more Andree Seu! Wow! We are a blessed lot. Thanks, World! And thanks, Andree! You minister so much grace to us all. Happy Friday– Love, Tara B. PS In Andree’s recent post, one of the commenters (“Joel Mark”) put in two FANTASTIC Bonhoeffer quotes: ‘You can only learn what obedience is by obeying. It is no use asking questions; for it is only through obedience that you can come to learn the truth.’ Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The Cost of Discipleship (1937). ‘Realization is not our goal, participation is.’ Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together.…
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Do you know any Christians in CONFLICT who need HELP?
Not to become a clearinghouse of Christian conciliation cases or anything … (So if I get too many emails after this post, I’m going to bring it down.) But I know two very gifted Christian conciliators who need a couple of FORMAL mediation or arbitration cases in order to earn their Certification with the Institute for Christian Conciliation, a division of Peacemaker Ministries … So if you happen to know of some Christians in a conflict who maybe can’t afford the standard fees for a formal mediation/arbitration case–but who COULD afford the expenses associated with coming to Billings, Montana and who could afford a (very!) reduced fee, I would like…
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Please pray for Stephen!!
A dear and wonderful friend of mine had a huge shock this week … her teenage son was found unconscious in a pool of his own vomit! No indication his entire life … but apparently he has a brain deformity that was causing fluid to build up on this brain. They did emergency brain surgery and he is stable. But as you can imagine, this family could use our prayers. Oh–and even in the midst of these trials, they are just such a funny family. Here are some of the quotes she shared from the week: “Mom, I know you’re 17 years and six months out of practice, but if…
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So much wisdom in one little question …
My friend Sarah Joy just OOZES wisdom. I love interacting with her because I’m always encouraged AND I learn stuff too. Recently she made a passing comment in an email that I don’t think she’d mind me sharing (let me know if you do, Sarah Joy! 🙂 ) … Reflecting on the HOORAY-ness aspect of my touching yeast (she was the friend who emailed me the pretzel recipe), she mentioned how she is learning more and more to say, instead of “I don’t know how to do that!” … “Can you teach me?” She said it’s a great way to start friendships with older women in the church who are…
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Would anyone like to PROOF the draft study guide???
Thanks for all of the encouraging comments re: the label for the DVD disks. I am very encouraged and HOPEFUL that we’ll actually be able to get this project DONE of these days. Quick question: Would any of you like to see the STUDY GUIDE before it goes to the graphic design artist to be professionally “laid-out”? Maybe glance through it; help catch any typos; clear up confusing writing; recommend a resource to be included, etc.?? I know that most of the readers of this blog have heard me teach and/or read Peacemaking Women so you’d be familiar with the concepts … Drop me an email if you’re interested and…
