• Uncategorized

    Peacemaker Conference LiveBlog of General Session 4: Tara Barthel

    (Since I couldn’t both give the keynote and LiveBlog the keynote, I’ve done my best to serve you by including the video of what I actually said and my notes—of what I meant to say—in the LiveBlog replay mode. I hope these are a blessing to you.)   ** Please note: Because I was the speaker, this LiveBlog is nowhere near the level of my normal LiveBlogs. I hope you will give them a read even if this one isn’t a great fit for you. Thanks so much! ** 

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  • Eulogy for a Bad Mother,  Relationships & Peacemaking

    It’s Really Possible to Reconcile the Most Broken Mother-Daughter Relationship

    Words to Live By is re-airing my mother’s and my story this week and you are invited to listen in online! I mention this in particular for those of us whom God, in his sovereign goodness, had us grow up in an abusive childhood home. And now, years later, we may be struggling to interact with our parents in appropriate (i.e., not judgmental/embittered), eternity-focused (grace-filled, wanting to share the hope of the gospel) ways. Life is so short. Don’t kid yourself—parents die. Don’t assume you’ll always have time to make it right or forgive “tomorrow.” Today is the day! In view of GOD’S mercies, offer your bodies as living sacrifices.…

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  • Uncategorized

    GLEANINGS from Claudia: The Abiding Life – Friend of God

    At next year’s PCA Women’s Leadership Conference, I will have the joy of co-teaching a workshop with (the brilliant and wonderful!) Ellen Dykas of Harvest USA. Interestingly, we will not be teaching on biblical peacemaking (me) or bringing the power of Christ to people broken by sexual sin (Ellen). Instead, we will be talking about intentional friendship, especially for women in leadership/public ministry positions. This is our working description: Seeking (and Giving!) Intentional Feedback: Many Scriptures call us to seek out and listen to wise counsel, but few of us actually do this on a regular basis. It is hard to confront (and be confronted). No one enjoys having their weaknesses…

  • Relationships & Peacemaking

    I Hate Conflict

    Conflict is: Shocking Time-consuming Frightening Annoying Hurtful Insulting Embarrassing Ugly Painful Difficult Exhausting Dispiriting A total drag   Sometimes we mess up—we’re selfish and defensive and prideful; we’re tired and grouchy and mean. Sometimes other people hurt us; they confront us when what we need is comfort; they criticize us when what we really could use is a little help; they intentionally do us evil. Most often, it’s a combination of both of our foibles and errors, sin and weakness. Fallen people living in a fallen world. Personality quirks. Areas of blindness and immaturity. Outright sin. Deep hurt that has little or nothing to do with the current situation but…

  • Momma Tara~Parenting

    My Mother Taught Me To Pray

    Sorely convicted (not condemned!) by this quote from John Piper’s Raising Children Who Hope in the Triumph of God: “One of the earliest things I remember is [my mother] taking me into a dimly lighted closet every Saturday afternoon after the day’s work was done and kneeling with me beside a chest while she taught me how to pray. I remember her suggesting to me the thoughts and, when I could not command the words, her putting into my mouth the very words, of prayer. I shall never forget how, one day, as I had succeeded in uttering some poor words of my own, I was surprised by drops falling upon…

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  • Fear Not!

    How to Overcome Fear (by Dr. Andrew Selle)

    I once served on a conflicted church intervention team with an extremely gifted mediator and counselor: Dr. Andrew Selle of Vermont’s Christian Counseling and Mediation ministry. We have stayed in touch over the years and occasionally I receive his ministry’s newsletter. All of them are excellent! Including today’s. Dr. Selle has graciously given me permission to share it with you: The Difference of Bold Faith: Overcoming Crippling Fears in Peacemaking 2013 Peacemaker Conference Greetings, friend. This has been one of those summers that really, really flew by, and it’s past time to get another news & prayer letter out! As I write, Dawna & I are preparing for the Peacemaker…

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