• Sin & Repentance

    New Addictions Material from CCEF

    I just found out that The Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF) is releasing new material on addictions and I’m SO excited! Crossroads: A Step-by-Step Guide Away From Addictions (Study Guide and Facilitator’s Guide) Every one of us is a potential addict. Eventually, every addict finds himself at a crossroads. This is such an important topic for every church and every Christian! In the words of New Growth Press (who published the books), “To walk with an addict is both a gift and a grief … these curriculum materials lay a Biblical framework for lasting change.” I am so grateful to CCEF and Ed Welch for creating these resources! I’ll…

  • Hope in Suffering

    2,100 + Comments …

    I just added my own story to the 2,100+ comments at BringTheRain’s October 15 (National Day of Rememberance for Pregnancy and Infant Loss) post. 2,100+ comments and I’m sure that number will only grow. This is a portion of what I wrote in my comment: “And thanks so much for your ministry. 2,100+ comments to this one post alone?! Surely the suffering of mothers who have lost their children is a clear mark of just how much this fallen life is “not the way it’s supposed to be”; and also an indication of how good the eternal hello of our true home in Heaven will be. One Good Day.” You…

  • Uncategorized

    He Put to Death Their Hostility (HT: Route59)

    Finally! Peacemakers posted a video of the end of Dr. Kuzmic’s keynote address. I’ve been waiting! Please take four minutes and watch this video. It is a remarkable illustration of the gospel–the Jesus did not kill the enemy, but the enmity between the enemy and Him. Praise God! Praise God!   (And thanks, Route 5:9 blogging team for the video!) Gratefully, Tara B.  

  • Relationships & Peacemaking

    How to be a Christian Conciliator

    I’ve had a mini-run of people asking me for advice on how to “get into” the field of Christian conciliation. Since I thought the topic might be of interest to the 1,000 or so of you who regularly read this blog every week, here are my recommendations: 1. Live the gospel / breathe grace / be a peacemaker in your own relationships. You can’t help someone else if you are not first internalizing these truths and (imperfectly of course!) faithfully striving to obey all that God requires re: loving your neighbor. 2. Serve within your local church. Even if you’re just at the initial stage of “Oh wow! I read…

  • Uncategorized

    Recommendations

    THANKS for all of the great ideas, ladies! I’ve already ordered some of the books you’ve mentioned. 🙂 Here is what I wrote in my email response, just in case you were curious: 1. Go through The Peacemaker and/or The Peacemaker Group Study—it is foundational for both marriage AND parenting. And life-changing. And helpful! And gospel-proclaiming. 2. Go through The Young Peacemaker. Sure, it’s for kids—but you can’t lead them where you don’t first go yourself. I’ve had many adults tell me that they’re own personal study of it was profound for THEM and then they introduced it to their kids. 3. I’ve been a huge fan of ‘Shepherding a…

  • Uncategorized

    Glacier Souvenir

    Have you been to Glacier National Park lately? Wish you could have a “souvenir” beyond the made-in-China BLECH in every tourist spot? Check out Taylor Lynde’s ORIGINAL fine art: Rock hopping the Outlet, Upper Kintla by Taylor Lynde Thousands of dollars in galleries–  pennies on the dollar through the wonder of ebay. Thanks, Taylor, for reminding us of the glory of God! Your sis, Tara B.  

  • Relationships & Peacemaking

    Some people appear SO STRONG …

    Still mulling a bit on this topic of harsh criticism/feedback … It hit me last night that (maybe?) some people use particularly strong (harsh) words in their feedback of others because they think that their hearers can “TAKE IT.” Maybe the person comes across as “strong” and/or “together.” Maybe she’s a size 00 shirt-tucker and her eleven children always are in clean, pressed, matching clothes with happy/cheerful/obedient dispositions. Maybe he has all of the position, power, prestige, and wealth. And so it can be tempting to “let ’em have it” because OBVIOUSLY, they’re strong and they can take it. Really? Don’t be too sure … Maybe she’s just been so…