Yet another stellar devotional from Ravi Zacharias Ministries: Hopes and Fears, by Betsy Childs. It is a lovely, lovely Christmas reminder. Hope it blesses you!   Love, t  

A few nights ago, our family devotions were based on C.H. Spurgeon’s “Morning & Evening” devotional on Hosea 14:4. I was incredibly blessed (yet again) by Pastor Spurgeon’s message, so I am hoping that I will not violate any copyrights or upset anyone by posting it here. (Since I found numerous online sites that have the entire book, I’m assuming it is available in the public realm. Hope so–‘twould be a dumb thing to lose my law license over, eh?) Oh — and that same night as Fred led our family worship and I played the piano, Sophia sang a hymn with us for the first time. “Jesus Lover of…

If you have a few moments and would like to be encouraged by the grace of God as regards our adoption as His beloved children, please read: Pictures of Me by Jill Carattini When is this amazing writer going to write a book? I would be the first in line to buy a copy. I am SOOOOO blessed by this Ravi Zacharias emag. I don’t have time today to even breathe, but I couldn’t help but slow down and meditate on the lavish love of God when I read this essay.   Hope it blesses you! Love, tkb  

My husband always reviews my speaker notes whenever I am invited to speak at conferences or retreats. I love his counsel and oversight–and he inevitably improves even my best efforts. Having looked at my notes and listened to my teachings for years now, Fred almost always makes the same two comments: 1. “I know someone who would benefit from this teaching, Tara … you!” and 2. “It’s funny, but whatever topic you are invited to speak on, you always teach the same thing … grace grace grace.” It’s true. I’m a grace junkie! Maybe it’s because I struggle so much with the law and trying to measure up. Maybe it’s…

Last week I completely lost it. Internally at least — I was just freaking out. (Funny — I’m sort of feeling that way this morning too.) Anyway, things were swirling & swirling, it seemed like no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t get on top of anything. I knew how I should have been (calm, happy, joyful, hopeful, godly, warm, loving, patient …), but I could barely breathe! My failures only intensified my messed-up heart. So what did I do? I grabbed my husband’s worship music folder and organized it. Yup. Right there in the midst of the storm — did I help with dinner, visit with guests,…

Last night I was crushed by my own sins and inadequacies. As Fred and I went to bed, I kept repeating to him, ‘I am a horrible person! I am. I really am. I am just a rotten, horrible person.’ And I felt it. Reflecting on my day—all of the times I was tempted to hold a grudge, the ways I should have been more disciplined and wasn’t, how scared I was at the thought of tackling some big projects before me (where is my faith??)—I was just disgusted. And sad. ‘I am such a horrible person!’ I cried out—over and over again. How did Fred respond? Did he say,…

My wonderful pastor recently reminded me of something I shared with him months ago … I was having a stressed-out, exhausting day and to try to “soothe my harried soul”, I began picking up and organizing. (Some of you might find that strange, but for those of you–like me–who find a trip to OfficeMax or the Container Store to be fun fun fun, you know what I mean.) Anyway, as I was straightening and organizing and working on my “lists of lists”, it hit me that maybe, perhaps, just maybe, I should pray. You know, actually turn to the Lord instead of to organizing to try to regain some calm…