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Different Responses to Suffering
(From 2005) Different Responses to Suffering When I have the privilege of teaching on biblical peacemaking, I always have the concurrent privilege of visiting and praying with people who are suffering. Conflict & suffering go hand in hand – and I spend my breaks, meal times, and late nights seeking the Lord with hurting Believers. Last night I was struck again by how varied our responses to conflict and suffering can be. I was spending time with some friends and we were discussing our pastor’s sermon from last Sunday. (He is currently preaching on Habakkuk – so as you might imagine, we are deep into the topic of suffering.) As…
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Overwhelmed? Try Organizing … or PRAYER
(Originally posted in 2005–Sorry to be out of Internet contact for a few days.) 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…
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Hooray for cleaning!
Just a note to let you all know that I had another super-fun day of cleaning and organizing extended-family homes yesterday. (MAN! I could SO do this for a living. If anyone wants to fly me out to tackle your crazy/out of control room/basement/home–I’m your gal. I never throw out ANYTHING important and I’m the queen of figuring out systems. Not much I can do well in life–but THIS I do well. 🙂 ) Anyway–with the non-stop workday, it was also easy to eat healthy and drink TONS of water, so praise God for that! Off to Canada tomorrow. (Passports arrived!) Thanks for praying & love to all, Tara…
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Ajith on Responding to Personal Attacks
(From March 2006) Ajith on Responding to Personal Attacks I received another amazing prayer request update from missionary (& theologian & author & pastor) Ajith Fernando. (If you are not familiar with Ajith, I urge you to get to know him and consider praying for and supporting his ministry with Youth for Christ. I have found him to be one of the most thoughtful, godly, wise, caring, humble ministers to the gospel. Ever.) He attached this article on Responding to Persecution and I thought it might be a blessing to you … so here it is! Blessings to you all – Off to Maryland this morning – Your friend, Tara…
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Ajith on Responding to Personal Attacks
(From March 2006) Ajith on Responding to Personal Attacks I received another amazing prayer request update from missionary (& theologian & author & pastor) Ajith Fernando. (If you are not familiar with Ajith, I urge you to get to know him and consider praying for and supporting his ministry with Youth for Christ. I have found him to be one of the most thoughtful, godly, wise, caring, humble ministers to the gospel. Ever.) He attached this article on Responding to Persecution and I thought it might be a blessing to you … so here it is! Blessings to you all – Off to Maryland this morning – Your friend, Tara…
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The Heaviness of Sin and the Hope for Forgiveness
(Originally posted in 2005–I’m out of Internet contact for a few days!) The Heaviness of Sin & The Hope of Forgiveness Last night I had to have a serious talk with my husband, Fred. I had known for a long time that I needed to confess some things to him–but I was dreading it and didn’t want to face up to the blackness of my wicked heart. So I avoided the conversation and grew more burdened and depressed with each passing day. I had a hard time worshipping God. My time in the Word grew shorter and shorter. I felt disconnected from my husband and friends. (Wonder why?!) And I…
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So what do you do when …
(From December 2005) So what do you do when … Let’s pretend that it’s the week before Christmas and you are gingerly stepping out of your comfort zone to try to be hospitable and relational by having people over to your home. You do your best. You strive to bless. But it’s a little shaky – you try to be relaxed and happy, but you really have no confidence that you CAN love well. The morning of the ‘weekend of three parties,’ you are falsely and unjustly accused. And you know that the accusation has been broadcasted to others. And no matter how sorry the person may be, your reputation…
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So what do you do when …
(From December 2005) So what do you do when … Let’s pretend that it’s the week before Christmas and you are gingerly stepping out of your comfort zone to try to be hospitable and relational by having people over to your home. You do your best. You strive to bless. But it’s a little shaky – you try to be relaxed and happy, but you really have no confidence that you CAN love well. The morning of the ‘weekend of three parties,’ you are falsely and unjustly accused. And you know that the accusation has been broadcasted to others. And no matter how sorry the person may be, your reputation…
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When to be silent? When to counsel?
(From June 2005) When to be silent? When to counsel? I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how I interact with friends and acquaintances. Specifically, when might it be the most God-honoring and loving thing to do to remain silent (supportive, encouraging, loving–but ‘non-confrontational’), and when it is that I might be called to gently speak Truth (counsel the Word). Let me give you an example … I’m having lunch with a friend and it is obvious that she is bitter. I mean really angry, grouchy, judgmental, complaining–mad. As she shares her story, there is no mention of God, other than in disdainful and complaining ways. (“God is sure great…
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Mentally ill? “Normal”?
Solo Femininity just posted a beautiful article about mental illness and what is “normal.” I thought it might particularly bless some of you who (like me) struggle with depression and have a family history of people who define themselves by their “mental illnesses.” (You know … I think I’m very nervous to head into all of these family dynamics over the course of the next seven days. This article was a sweet reminder and encouragement by a truly gifted and godly woman.) 4:00AM now. I’m going to try to get a couple of hours of sleep. Love, Tara B.
