A Lesson Learned from Tabitha's Generosity (Acts 9:36-43)

I struggle with today's widow story because I know that it will bring up questions I feel ill equipped enough to answer. The story of Peter raising Tabitha (also known as Dorcas) from the dead can be quite interesting to discuss cross-culturally (Acts 9:36-43).

As I honestly paused to let her story dig deep into me today, God has allowed me to see something. 

I simply thought, "God, what is the purpose of Tabitha's story?"  So often when it is taught the focus is on the miracle. Don't get me wrong. I love the miracle and I believe in God doing miracles today. But, God's stories are always more. 

Then I saw it. MANY PEOPLE BELIEVED. 

Tabitha's life story demonstrated her focus was on kingdom mindedness. She worked hard to bless the poor and needy. She sewed coats and clothes to give away. She used her talents to bless others. The widows grieved her presence. Why? I imagine it was because they saw good in her and knew the reality of it based on how they were showing Peter the clothes she made. She built up her community.

But, I needed to go to the original language to see if I was on the right track. Oh my!  God does so bless me.

In Bible Hub, the Topical Lexico states that this story reveals the kingdom priorities unfolding the mission of the church. There are 13 other occurrences for alms or giving to the poor in scripture. This word never occurs without prayer, worship, or the gospel attached to its story.

Let's consider this for a moment. Generosity found in giving to the poor always has these three attached to it.

Prayer... talking to God and seeking His wise counsel in our giving.

Worship... giving God praise and thanksgiving for who He is. We give because He first gave to us.

Gospel... the good news that God sent Jesus to all people. Generosity is a character trait of God so it opens doors for God's story to be seen and heard. 

Since, this story brings focus on the miraculous that Peter raised the dead. It is astounds us, but the reality is this is not my daily norm. It isn't the norm and that is part of its beauty. Miracles should not be normal.  So, I need to focus on what principles in this story will affect my daily norm to build the kingdom? I will always watch fir God's miraculous blessings, but I need to focus on my daily living.

Even with the miraculous this should be our question. How does it build the kingdom of God?

What if we should look at this passage as if it encourages us to focus on the motive of our heart? Whether we look at Tabitha or Peter's actions, we observe the motive of their hearts build the kingdom of God. Both of them lived out of kingdom building.

So, if someone wants to focus on raising someone from the dead, we can ask, "What is your motive?"  

I once sat in a funeral service when my children were young and a pastor declared he was going to raise my kid's friend from the dead. The mom next to me grabbed my leg and asked, "What do we do?"  I said, "Pray!" It wasn't that either of us didn't believe that God can do anything. But, we could discern the motives were wrong. It could hurt the body of Christ. And it did. I personally had to call one of my pastors to process what happened.

Sometimes, when I ask God in my serving, "Was my motive pure?"  I honestly cannot say it has always been pure. Ugh. This is wrong. I guess this is why David prayed, "LORD search me and know me. Renew a steadfast spirit within me." 

It is so easy to work through wrong motives. I guess this is why alms giving always includes talking to God, worshipping God, and telling His story. It takes the focus off of us or I better just say it. It takes the focus off of me.

The motive of the heart is so important. Whether in grief as a widow serving or as a ministry leader serving, we need to ask, "What is the motive of my heart?  Am I kingdom focused?  How will this build the kingdom of God?  How will this give God glory? Will this cause those involved to draw closer to God?""

I love the miraculous and I love the mystery of how God moves, but it is not my role to try to manufacture it. I am to be simple and sincere in what I say and do. 

My role is to remain faithful and to have heart motive that seeks to build the kingdom of God. True transformation will reveal a heart of compassion that releases easily and moves about in rightness that is born of righteousness. Rightousness is all about being full of grace, mercy, giving, and it will have the automatic outflow of worship that cause the body of Christ to know, to grow, and worship our God.

LORD, please let our giving and serving draw others to know, to grow and to worship You. Amen.

Shalom, shalom!

Reflections on my commissioning

Today's widow story has me thinking deeply about my own story. It is a different kind of grief though. I told Greg last night that my heart just hurts with what is happening with women in ministry these days. I am not talking about debating whether a woman can be a pastor. I am simply talking about our calling to ministry. I am always caught with surprise that we must get our shackles up over such things. A tree is always known by its fruit. 

In 1995 when I graduated with my Masters degree from SWBTS, I was commissioned by a SBC Church alongside my ministry partner in starting a church plant. He was ordained. I was commissioned. It was the same service, same message, same prayers, and same people laying on hands. I say people because it was both men and women. 

I accepted the rhetoric at the time. Honestly, I didnt know enough to ask questions or I didn't have the maturity to say anything. And it really didn't matter. This SBC regional team recognized God's calling on my life. They were willing to lay hands on me because they saw the movement of God's call upon my life. They affirmed the Holy Spirit in me and set me apart for ministry.

I now know more than ever that there is great weight in laying hands on someone for the call to ministry. This means you bear the weight of both their success and failures. I have had both. 

But, there is also something so powerful about a group saying, "We believe in you. We see the Holy Spirit at work in you. We acknowledge your kingdom value as set apart. We touch you with the intent to pass blessing upon you. We endorse what God is doing and give you the authority to do it. May the Holy Spirit pour out in you and through you to bring unity and build up the fellowship of the saints."

When this happens there is a gift of remembrance that brings about a desire to honor and to fulfill all that has been prayed.

I have never taken lightly my call or commissioning. I work hard to live it simply and sincerely. Through the years God has convicted me over and over to not bury my talents. He has given me many and grown some that have been so unexpected. Again, I have done this well and I have done this poorly. But in it all I seek to move in the Holy Spirit's fruit.

Yet, I shall remain faithful with the talents I have been given. God did not say to me, "Tara, this talent was a gift to only be shared with half of the population." He gave me my talent to use it for His glory. I am to remain faithful to His message that He loves us so much that He sent His Son to live, die, and rise that we might have life. I am called to bear good fruit and not focus on the talent, gender, race, socio-economic status, educational status or even age.

So, I study. I teach what I learn. I open my home. I love on the one who comes. I draw and paint hoping I can tell a story well. I train so others are equipped and able to do likewise. I listen and give counsel usually based on lessons from my own stupidity, suffering, and pain. Begging all the while that I bear good fruit. I want to be an oak of righteousness and I want to grow countless forests wherever I drop seeds of faith. 

In it all, I seek to honor those I serve and partner with. I do everything I can to listen and obey if it gives God glory. I repent often. More than you want to know. But in it all I try to love fully and see each person the way God sees them. I beg for love for those I don't like. Yeah, we all struggle with humans.

I seek to live and bear fruit that can only be born by the Holy Spirit. I pray for His work in me and through me. I beg for His path because I know it will lead me straight to Jesus and set me straight. 

Most of the time I feel awkward because I am so stinking deep in my thoughts. I am more apt to make you cry than laugh. Don't believe me? Ask all the people who come to see me and they dont know why, but they start crying. Lol. It's not me really. It is God's work. He likes to break up those broken places so healing can take place. 

So, yeah, today's widow story has brought out so much in me. Here is the deal. I AM A FEMALE. I AM CALLED BY GOD TO GO MAKE DISCIPLES like the Samaritan woman who led her village to Jesus or like Phoebe who traveled around carrying Romans while reading and explaining it wherever she went. Or like Priscilla as she and her husband, Aquila, discipled Apollos.  

I seek to focus on bearing good fruit. If God should teach someone in the other half of the population through me then all I can say is "If God can use a donkey to save a man's life, He can even use me." 

I am so thankful for the church and regional group that decided to commission me as a ministry leader. And for every church and ministry since that has allowed me to partner shoulder-to-shoulder in the faith. Thank you for believing in me. 

At the moment, I am surprised by how God used the complaining Greek widow's story in Acts 6:1-7 to help me process my grief for how women in ministry are being treated. 

It is my heart cry that it awakens hope for those who might read this. If God can use me, He can use you. 

It is important to be in the Word, to be with Jesus, to be transformed, y'all! 

Shalom. Shalom.

The Wait and Worship of Widowhood (Luke 2:21-40)

Do you struggle with waiting? I know I do. If waiting is for something good, it builds excitement and hope. Well, even longing. But when our waiting takes a long time and it is happening during a time of pain or suffering it can be hard. Real hard.

I was caught this morning by something quite beautiful in the Greek word for "waiting." It is prosechomenos (4327) and if I may take the liberty to give you my summary of its many words used to describe it.

Waiting is a hospitality. Yes hospitality. A spirit of welcome while living in acceptance and endurance. 

I have really come to love the words welcome and hospitality because they truly describe God's heart for all people.

So, this morning as I studied my next story in the widow series (Luke 2:221-40), I was so excited to catch this principle as a life principle.

Most will quickly passover the story of Simeon and Anna in the temple because it is about old people and might think, "What can I learn from them?"

Before I say anything about widows, we need to know that we do not know if Simeon is a widower, but most assume he is because of the narrative cues in being paired with Anna and the similarities of their context. Either way, I would like to propose their life model is good for all of us not just widows. So look and listen.

Simeon was waiting for the promised Messiah. He had a spirit of welcome with a hospitality of acceptance and endurance that included listening to the Holy Spirit and obeying His holy nudges when it came to seeing and even holding onto the Messiah, Jesus. His willingness "to wait" gave him opportunity to "be" with the Savior of the world, our Comforter, our Prince of Peace and to know the delight of cuddling Him to his chest as he declared scripture over Him. 

Simeon's listening to the Holy Spirit and obedience to His nudging moved him into the presence of the Light of the world.

While Anna's spirit of hospitality in waiting with acceptance and endurance allowed her to see Jesus and know what it is like to be in His precious presence. She was so profoundly impacted by this moment of presence with the Prince of Peace that SHE BECAME A WITNESS TO ALL who were waiting with a spirit of welcome and endurance. 

I do hope that you catch the truth that SHE is a FEMALE WITNESSING to ALL who wait. 

We must remember that our waiting should be bathed in a spirit of welcome and hospitality. This is filled with acceptance and endurance for His presence. There are no rules here for male or female. Just wait with a spirit of welcome that is full of hospitality that lives in acceptance and endurance. Then be a faithful witness declaring what you have been in His presence and seen Him for yourself. 

I am learning so much as I study the widow stories. The principles are universal. If I abide in listening and obeying the Holy Spirit, He will guide me to Jesus and I will know peace. This I must share so all can wait with acceptance and endurance for His return.

Both Simeon and Anna were waiting and looking for the Presence of our Salvation in our Great Comforter. That is a principle I need to live by and testify about every single day. 

As for my widow(er) friends, how does this story give you hope? 

What does it show you to do as you process your grief?  

What in it makes your struggle?

How might this story help you with your struggle?

Psalm 79: Praying during a national disaster

Why would I choose a national prayer in time of disaster for a Widow Story set? 

National disasters leave behind widows and orphans. 

We need to know how to pray in the horror of an overwhelming community pain. 

I am learning more and more the older I get that it is never "us versus them", but "good versus evil."

God cares about innocent blood shed. It is safe and good to pray for God to avenge innocent blood.

Calling upon the Glory of His Name brings breakthrough.

Glory is God's weight... strength... power... authority. 

God's Name is God's identity as the One True God... His reputation... His uniqueness from all other little gods. 

He can handle the real, the raw, and honest talk of pain. Go ahead and release it. 

He loves to move for the ones seeking to honor His Glory and Name!

Psalm 13: Prayer Turns Depression to Delight

When Greg and I were in a season that lasted four and half years of loss and grief because of numerous circumstances surrounding us like floods, mom's cancer, several family members dying, company collapse to name a few. I felt like I had forgotten how to praise God.  

So, I set about to study the praise songs of the Bible. I realized that the Psalmists were so real with God. They stated their pain and then they moved to praise and thanksgiving. At the time, I did not know I was learning how to lament. It wasn't a thing back then or if it was no one showed me.

I will use this strategy or process in the Widow's series. We will have a few select Psalms and look at how the Psalmist processed pain and suffering. We will observe their pattern from pain/grief to praise and Thanksgiving.

This simple process is what helped me move from despair to joy. It also radically changed my prayer life. 

This is what I learned from Psalm 13 (TPT). 

David was real, raw, and used honest talk with God. 

He wasn't afraid to ask God questions that could not be answered. 

He told God what He wanted Him to do like "look at me" and "answer me". 

He asked for deliverance and shared His fears.

THEN...

He ends with trust, joy in dance, songs of praise and thanksgiving.

 

Why?  

He knows God sees. 

God hears.

God answers. 

God is His Savior. 

So, David chose not to listen to his enemies! 

Our enemies can be mental, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual.

Using this process with a specific pain through prayer heals us. It settles us and lifts our countenance. 

If you are a widow and are willing to take Psalm 13 and write it out as a prayer, I know it will comfort you. If you are at a place where you are willing to share it so I can use it please message me privately at tara.rye@audioscripture.org.

You are chosen to be "a word"

My dear friend Hensel and I are studying the book of Ephesians together. We were blown away by this old truth, but a new truth to us as of yesterday. 

"He chose us in Him before the creation of the world" (Ephesians 1:4/NIV).

"And in love He chose us before He laid the foundation of the universe!" (Ephesians 1:4/TPT).

Hensel said, "Tara, my Bible has a foot note that says "chose is the Greek word "eklegomai" which is a form of "word" (lego in Greek which means speak).

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I got.

Immediately, I thought of "logos" which is Greek for "the Word" and we know Jesus is called the Word in John 1.  

I then thought of the Hebrew word "davar" or "debar" which implies we must speak, write, illustrate and experience the Word when we engage the Word. 

Then I remembered that Hensel said, "I love that Ephesians has so many "in Christ" moments." So, we decided we will mark all of them. 

The TPT footnote says, "He chose us to be a "word" before the fall of the world." (TPT, pg. 515).

We are called in Christ to be "a word". Not just any word, but a spoken, written, illustrated word that is experienced so that the world will know Him. As we are in Him, we are the living Word of God being made known. The fall broke this. But in Christ we are restored.

We both sat in awe, as we were in the Word. In our hour, we were only able to cover 6 verses of the chapter we were looking at.

We toggled between the TPT and NIV so we could catch the poetry insight along with opportunity for study. Look at how many insights we gathered about God and Jesus in only six verses. The more we saw Him the more we fell in love with Him. It is what enables us to be "in Christ" and become one of His living "words" speaking, writing, illustrating, and experiencing His truth. 

So, I had to go look this up to see if I was on the right track. I was blown away by the connections. Go read more details through this article on this word. I was blown away by their emphasis as well on "togetherness". I think it was their way of showing how "in Christ" is revealed through this word being active in us. 

Seriously, I am blown away "in Christ" by His Word. 

I am also thankful for my ministry partner and friend that is like minded and loves dig as deep as I do and gets as she lives it. I just wish she didnt live over 6,000 miles away. 

https://www.abarim-publications.com/DictionaryG/l/l-e-g-om.html

How to pray for my enemies based on Psalm 83

On Sunday we were studying Psalm 83 in church. I know I was supposed to be listening. I was! I promise! But I also saw a clear prayer pattern for praying for my enemy so I created a list. 

How little did I know that God would have my heart broken for situations around the world and I would need to pray this multiple times yesterday.

As my friend in South Sudan shared about political genocide.

As my friend in Greater South Asia shared of a family member being brutally murdered.

As a friend shared of a friend's dad being killed in the Ukraine. 

Aa my friend in America said, "I need that list."

This what God showed me based on Psalm 83.

1. Ask God to speak.

2. Ask God see your weakness.

3. Ask God to roar.

4. Tell God about your enemy and the circumstance.

5. Ask God to deal with those that conspire.

6. Ask God to stop their leaders as He did before in history.

7. Ask God to let them know their shame so they can know His Name.

8. Ask God to move so they know He is the Most High God.

9. Ask God for His goodness and righteousness to prevail.

Y'all, I often do not feel smart enough to know how to respond or pray when such things are shared with me, but I do know what the Bible shares about God and history during its time frame. The patterns I find in their pain, suffering, and circumstances are universal responses to God. These are truths I can sit on and dwell to find peace and a way to fight in a healthy and holy way.

It is so important to be in the Word, to be with Jesus, so we can be transformed y'all.

Shalom! Shalom y'all!

Caring for widows based on 1 Timothy 5:1-16

As I am studying what Scripture says about caring for widows, some key words are jumping out at me...

Respect

honor

take responsibility

Provide for your own family

Kindness begins at home. 

Paul truly holds us accountable for how we care for our widow's. Especially, those in our own family. Notice how we are to be the guver and not the taker when we serve a widow.

But Paul also gives widows a few things to think about as well.

Widows must be known for...

Putting hope in God

Praying/talking to God all the time

Having taken care of husband 

Raising her children

Hospitality

Encouraging others

Comforting troubled people 

Serving in kindness

It is okay to marry again. This is important to know especially for younger widows.

In both the serving of a widow or a widow in her grief, we are called to a steadfast, reliable, trustworthy, loyal, faithful walk that reveals Christlike integrity. 

Honestly, these lists can feel daunting. Especially, if you are the one in grief or the caretaker of someone in grief. I know from our experience with Papa passing, we had to give each other permission to be real and raw in our pain. This list is not a call to perfection as much as it is a reminder to not forget who we are or who we belong to. 

If we remember, we are children of God, called to die to self, and serve one another, it gives us a purpose in our grief. 

When I love on my mom in her grief, I am loving on Jesus as well. When my mom makes crochet gifts for others or grabs the hand of someone to cause them to stop so she can pray for them it is her way of loving on Jesus. It gives her hope and healing. 

If we take the heart of the message then it makes a way for the widow to move forward in hope, purpose, and healing. 

I would love to hear from any widows

About what you have learned in this season. Please contact me to help me so I am better equipped to love on those I will get to serve.

The magnitude of His glory.

I am on my third page of listing out what I learn about God from Romans 8. This is my fourth day on this passage. I have one more section to go. The list is long y'all. 

I have always loved Romans 8, but I never took the time to truly dive into it. But, the Passion translation's poetry caught me and caused me to sit in the wonder and awe of God. 

The phrase "His glory has magnitude" blesses me.

In astronomy, magnitude references brightness compared to lesser lights.

In Math, magnitude references the distance a number is from zero.

In science, magnitude references it is the energy released.

In physics, magnitude references the power or force that can be measured going forth.

What a word choice! 

God's glory is so bright all others dim. There is no other so bright like Him.

God's glory was in time at zero and moved forward at the beginning of creation. He is beyond time. He was, is and will be.

God's glory has been releasing its power ever since with a force that is immeasurable or scalable. It is a mystery. We catch hints of it, but never fully see it. 

Selah! 

It is fun to be in the Word, to be with Jesus, to be transformed. 

Shalom y'all!

Co-glorified comes through co-suffering

Do you ever watch older couples holding hands and think, "Look, they are still in love! They are so cute! I want that!"

The seasoned state of still holding hands and walking as one can only come through the identity of shared suffering. Shared suffering creates a shared identity! 

Little old couples that walk as one holding hands had to push through the suffering to get to the identity of oneness that experiences the glory of making it through.

This morning as I read, "We will experience being co-glorified with Him provided that we accept his sufferings as our own" (Romans 8:17c/TPT). 

Glory identity only comes through accepting the co-suffering.

In our relationship with God, glory only comes when we are willing to co-suffer and identify with Jesus' suffering and accept them as our own. It takes time. It takes perseverance. It is a process of growing and maturing. 

If this is true in our holiest relationship then it is true for our most base relationship. We must ask ourselves, "Am I willing to suffer so I can identify with the other?" "Am I willing to suffer with them or because of them?" "Am I willing to take the time to mature and grow together?"

Once, we do, we discover we have built history and history builds identity of oneness. Just as we experience being co-glorified with Christ through co-suffering, it is true in our relationships, too.

A simple process to follow when someone spirals

Have you ever allowed fear to drive how you react? Or have you ever allowed bad theology to drive a thought process?  

I sure have! Ugh! I think this is why these stood out to me in in today's widow story.

The widow of Zarephath has the man of God living with her in the upper room. She has experienced the miracle of the flour and oil not running out. Yet, when her son took ill and started breathing in her crisis she fell prey to her emotion and bad theology rather than remember the present truth she has learned about God.

Ugh. It is so real. Our past formation is so hard to shed and some of it doesn't shed quickly. Yeah, I know some does instantly. But we all have something that is still in the process of being transformed. 

So, what do we do when we are confronted with someone in a spiral?

Elijah nailed it. He didn't defend himself, debate it, or negate it. He took action. He picked up the boy, removed himself and the boy, and prayed.

He left and prayed. He went to God. Make sure you catch that repeat. It was intentional. 

When he prayed, he said three things. 

1. He acknowledged the circumstance.

2. He asked God if He was in it.

3. He asked for the need.

God heard.

God answered. 

They both lived in the blessing.

Truly, a simple process. Don't ya think?

Why would you teach that?

I once was asked, "Why would you teach the widow's oil story?" I understood the why behind the question. I am not a widow Let me apply my why to another Widow's story.

In 1 Kings 17:7-16, there is a man of God (Elijah, the prophet) and a widow in Zarephath.  

Now, I am neither a "man of God" or a widow. I am not living in a land suffering famine or drought. 

But, I am a "woman of God", a teacher of the Word of God, a person who has known loss of people through death, and the loss of my home due to floods.

So, when I read a story... honestly any story whether in the Bible, news, or fiction, I will ask myself, "What principles can I learn?"

Both the man of God and the widow teach me the importance of listening, trusting, and obeying God. These core three principles are why they both enjoyed God's provision.

But, I noticed the prophet, aka teacher of God, provided comfort, used simple questions, simple directives, and took time to bless by reminding that God will provide. He helped her focus on the truth of God. He gave time in the journey and his presence.

While the widow willingly shared. She gave sacrificially in time while preparing food and giving portions of her last meal to the man of God. She was simpke and honest.

I do not need to be a "man of God" or a widow to know the blessing of these character traits.

So, yes, I can learn from stories in the Bible that might not directly be related to my life circumstances. In fact, I know the fruit of studying this way. It has brought about great conviction and transformation in my life. 

Right now, I am praying for the ability to simply communicate God's Word so all can hear. I am also praying that I grow in my sacrificial service of others. 

Which principles from the widow of Zarephath's story do you need to focus on?

"I only have..."

I am sitting in the story of Elijah with the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:7-16). 

The need was great. The man of God needed sustenance and the widow only had meager supplies as the drought brought about a catastrophic famine in the land. 

Yet, God granted a miracle to feed three when the resources were scarce and the provision did not make sense. 

God could have continued using the ravens in a ravine way down south in the Judean desert to feed the man of God, but His eye was upon a widow in the north by the Mediterranean Sea. 

While the widow thought she was preparing her last meal for her and her son, God was preparing a way as only the Way Maker can do. He was sending a hungry prophet to be fed with her meager supplies. His journey would take three to four days walking at faithful pace. We might assume he had no food or water for his journey since the ravens had stopped feeding him and there was a famine in the land. 

His request for water might have been desperately spoken through dry parched lips and a throat so dry it burned to speak. 

She only need share what was her last resource to the man of God to receive the miraculous gift of an always full jar of oil and flour.

Desperation born from different reasons.

God could have fed the widow in the north with ravens or even turtles for that matter and the prophet in the south like wise. But, God likes to make human connections. He loves to build community and relationships. He uses these moments to build character and hope. He knows full well what will build our trust and test our faith. 

Will we go? Will we share? Do we dare? Do we listen? Do we obey? 

Sometimes, we find our provision in meeting someone else's need with our, "I only have..."

What miracle might we be missing by thinking, "I only have...?"

Prayer's dramatic transformation

I have found myself going back and meditating on some oldies, but goodies. I say oldies because these are passages that began a good work in me in my twenties. I have known their work for thirty something years in my life. Like old friends, God will bring them to mind when I need the sword of the spirit to cut through a situation better described as emotion. 

I turned 59 this year. This stage brings on a whole new level of surprise awakened through the physical and emotional changes in womanhood. I keep getting surprised by how intensely my body and emotion can respond to a circumstance. Wozer! I am learning so much more about grace for women in this season. 

The other day Greg and I had a moment only as couples can have a moment. Lol. Well, honestly there was nothing funny about it. He said something. I said something. He said something and then swoosh... there it was. A level of intensity only fit for the front lines. 

As I am losing all reference to sanity or even modeling Christianity, God gave me these two verses. 

I stopped. I inhaled. I exhaled. I prayed. I prayed for him. I prayed for me. I repented for him. I repented for me. I gave God everything right down to calling out of us generational sin that effects communication and all of humanity. My prayer was as intense as the fire in me. 

When I was done my joy returned. My love overflowed. My heart towards Greg was restored. Y'all all of this happened in a span of maybe 3 to 5 minutes. Okay, maybe as much as 8 or 10 based on the distance Greg drove the car.

Why do I share this? It may seem so shameful to some, but here is the deal. I saw God radically change me when I was out of control because I had spent significant time through the years layering the Word of God in my heart. I have seen the power of calling on God in my time of need. I know the joy of His salvation helping me to do hard things. He has helped me before and He will help me again. None of us are perfect. We all fall short of His glory and grace. It is why Jesus came for goodness sake! 

I am not proud of the beginning of those 3 to 5 minutes, but I sure am thankful for the ending of the 8 to 10 minutes. I was transformed by the renewing of my mind. I chose to stop. I chose to pray. I chose to believe there can be a better way. I had faith God can do a good work in me and that He is faithful to complete it.

I am thankful I have a man that loves me despite of me and loves me because I am me. And I do the sane for him.

Maybe, just maybe you might identify with this type of moment. Maybe, just maybe you might need to remember who you are and what you are supposed to do as a child of God just like me. 

Pause. Pray. Give your urgent requests to God in the moment. You might be surprised by joy as He shows you, you can do hard things! 

It is important to be in the Word, to be with Jesus, so we can be trasnformed! 

Shalom, shalom, y'all!

God is "gospeling" me

"This gospel unveils a continual revelation of God's righteousness--a perfect righteousness given to us when we believe. And it moves us from receiving life through faith, to the power of living faith" ( Romans 1:17/TPT).

Oh boy!  Wow!  That verse made me chuckle this morning. In an instant, my mind covered three different moments.  

"Gospel"... most dont know what that means, yet in two different situations this week I heard it used over and over in settings where the simpler phrase of "good news" of Jesus is a better choice. I realized this is something God has revealed to me over time and experience. At first, I needed to hear the word "gospel" so I could learn what it means then I had to learn to share it simply so others could understand. Understanding provides stability. 

Then God flashed through my mind how just this week He was "gospeling" me. You know one of those moments when you are processing something and you need to be reminded of the "good news" of Jesus. In the moment, I had a choice to make. Do I allow the revelation of the truth that Jesus is "good news" even in this?  Or do do I allow unbelief, fear, frustrations, or anger to get in the way of the greater revelation?  Well, I could list a thousand things that could get in the way.

So, I paused and prayed seeking the greater revelation of God's righteousness. Greater revelation of truth provides stability.

I admit this was so much harder when I was younger. The older I get the more I celebrate that the "gospel" unveils continous revelation of God's righteousness.  I simply need to ask to join Him. It doesn't matter what is brought before in story, request, or even my own inadequacies. I can and will rest in His continual revelation of righteousness through the "good news" of Jesus. Recognizing the "good news" of Jesus is embracing truth. Truth sets us free. It provides stability that brings peace. 

So, I am okay when God is "gospeling" me. 

Father, help us to live by the power of faith. We welcome You "gospeling" us with reminders of the good news of Jesus so greater revelation of righteousness can be made known in us and through us. In Jesus' name, amen.

Art calms my heart

Psalm 55:22 (NIV)

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”

When I served as the Dean of Women at Grace University, God used art to help calm my nervous system from all the stress. I learned the power of using art that has no goal except "to be" to bring a calm to my mind. 

I realize you will not see it, but each of these are actually prayers where I used the process to pray through circumstances, feelings, frustrations, and emotions. Once I have spoken them out, I will begin praying characters traits of God and principles of truth from the Word of God over the circumstances, feelings, frustrations, and emotions. 

It has never ceased to amaze me how this prayer process calms me. The cool part is that science is starting to show the truth of this artistic practice through imaging. This process will bypass the critical mind and move into discovery and creativity. 

Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Go ahead and try it. 

You might find you like it.

Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV)

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”

How lovely is His dwelling place

How lovely is Your dwelling place...

Such a famous line. Full of wonder and awe. 

It makes me ask, "Is this attainable?" "Can I know the beauty of Your dwelling place?"

But then I sat in my comfy chair, opened my Bible, and dwelled for a bit on Psalm 84. All I wanted was to know HIM. Yes, the big H.I.M.... HIM. The Almighty One so lovingly talked about in this hymn. 

It is only 12 verses. Yet, I came up with a long list of truths I discovered about HIM. 

HE IS...

Presence

Present

Strength

Dwelling

Blessing

Generous

History

Covering 

Favor

Grace

Glory

Shield

Protector 

Anointed

Strength upon Strength

Sun & Shield

Listener

Answerer

No wonder the Psalmist said his soul yearns for the presence of the LORD and his flesh cries out for the living God.

As I sat and pondered, I felt His beauty. I was encouraged by His presence. I understood joy and delight basking in His goodness. I celebrated His Strength upon Strength that pours in His grace so that His glory may pour out. His input becoming output. 

I inhale His grace and breathe out His glory.

Hmmmm. Yes, better is one day in His courts than a thousand elsewhere.

May we dwell in His presence today!

Shalom Shalom y'all!

Sit and wait... Jesus is praying.

So, I found in Mark 14:32-42 the simple reference.

I noticed immediately the phrase, "Sit here while I go and pray"  was said to the disciples that He did not take into the garden (v. 32). We don't know why Jesus did not take them into the garden while He prayed, but I speculate it is because there are times that we honestly need just those that will get the heart of the moment. Not everyone can carry the load of suffering and anguish in the moment. They just need to sit while Jesus intercedes. 

Wait.

Jesus took three with Him in His moment of anguish. Yet, even still they couldn't go all the way. He said to them in the garden, "Stay here and keep watch."  To keep watch implies watching like a guardian in a tower to make sure no one enters that should not. 

Wait and Watch.

When Jesus returned from praying He saw they had fallen asleep. You will notice that He spoke to Peter, "Watch and pray that you do not fall into temptation."  There are those we hold to a higher accountability.

Wait, watch, and pray to guard against temptation.

After Jesus' third time to go and pray, He tells them to "Rise! Let us go!"  

Action will come, but it comes after a period of waiting, watching, praying, and guarding against temptation. 

So is this a pattern we should follow? I definitely think it is worthy of noting in our times of crisis.

First, let's focus on who we should take with us when we pray in a time of crisis.

I recognize there will be those that fall into different categories in how involved they will be. 

There are those that will sit near by waiting. 

There will be a few that go and watch as a guardian.

There will be one that you want to pray against temptation because you will have a higher trust and their involvement will require more of them.

But all of them are to rise up when its time to go and face the enemy at hand. 

Through it all Jesus was the one praying.

You might say, "But, Tara that had to do with Jesus' anguish not mine! Why would He care to pray for me? My circumstance isn't that important. He has more important things to focus on." 

So let's focus on our role in a crisis. 

Listen to Jesus' response to those that draw near to God through Him in Hebrews 7:25.

"Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."

So, yes!  We should sit while Jesus prays. But in our sitting we seek to draw near to God through Jesus. We shouldn't be passive in our sitting. There should be an inner heart that actively draws near to God through Jesus. 

When we dont know what to do.

Sit and wait. 

Jesus is praying.

Stay and keep watch. 

Jesus is praying.

Watch and pray against temptations. Jesus is praying. 

When Jesus says, "Rise up!  Let us go!"

Get up and go!  

Jesus is praying!

It is important to be in the Word. Be with Jesus to be transformed.

Shalom y'all!

Faith that says, "Of course He does!"

Who in your life has a faith that blesses you? 

Have you ever noticed that there are times that you have crazy amazing faith, but the next moment you have none? 

Me, too. I think this is why I love Peter so much. 

This morning, I was reading about how Peter responded to the tax collectors in Capernaum (Matthew 17:24-27). When they approached Peter and asked him if Jesus was paying His temple tax like everyone else, Peter simply believes that Jesus will do the right thing. 

"Of course He does!"

No wondering or pondering just an emphatic, "Yes!"

Peter's faith in Jesus to do the right thing is so encouraging. It gives me hope and strength.

But here is the cooler part. Jesus backed up Peter's faith with an astounding moment. He tells Peter to go to the lake and throw in a hook.

Jesus said, "The first fish that RISES UP will have a coin in its mouth."

As Peter's faith rose up, Jesus rose up to meet the need. 

I want the kind of faith that RISES UP and enjoys a coin rather than a hook in the mouth of the fish. 

O LORD, rise up in us and increase our faith! We will trust Jesus to do the right thing in the given circumstance! In Jesus' name, amen Amen

Head coverings

Sometimes, I am asked a question after hearing a story and it is not my place to give the answer. I was given permission to share this conversation or rather I was asked to tell it. 

It started because I asked, "Are you teaching in any other situations at church?" There was a pause and a redirect in the conversation, but later she came back and said, "I felt shame when you asked if I was teaching."

I asked, "Why did my question cause you shame?"

My pastor has spent six weeks preaching that women need to wear head coverings. He is being open about it and not requiring it, but for six weeks he preached on why he thought we should do it. I don't know what I think about it. I know some say the passage is referencing a cultural situation and not a rule. People have left the church. Some women are now covering their heads and discussing when can we be without one. It is such an outward thing. It doesnt make sense. I was asked to teach again for a women's group, but I declined because I don't know what I think about the head covering. 

There was so much more discussed. Once again I found myself in great sadness as I reflected on the church.

I said, "Here are the questions I would ask myself in a similar type situation. As you reflect on the sermon series and expectation of a head covering for yourself.

1. Does it give God glory?

2. Does it cause me/us to draw close to Jesus?

3. Does it increase faith?

4. Does it build the kingdom of God?

5. Does it cause someone to believe the gospel?  

We went over the questions and repeated them as we discussed why each one is important.

Have you asked the pastor any of these questions? Maybe, you might want to. 

Once you have answered the questions, you then need to ask, "Can I honor the pastor and church with the expectations?"

This will help you to know what to do. Church is our spiritual family. It is going to be messy. There is no perfect church. We need to have our primary beliefs settled that cannot be broken. Then you need to determine where this belief sits in level of importance. Are you willing to die for it or fight for it? Does Scripture expect us to die for it or fight for it? 

Have you talked through this with your family? Let them speak into it whether they are a follower of Jesus or not. Through these conversations you might get insight into whether or not such a topic will draw people closer to Jesus or not. 

Are you willing to bring people to church and say you support this belief?

There is so much to pray through.

I imagine you have faced moments like these. I know I have. It is why the questions came up so fast and easily for me to give to her. There is something so painful when we feel at odds with our church. Our church family is sacred and we do not want to be a part of division, strife, gossip, or be that person. Yet, we need to be able to safely discuss the pain and trials we face among the body of Christ. When something is hidden and not talked about, it stops the gift of bringing light into the circumstance. This is why we must seek wise counsel. This situation isn't in my state. It is far far away. I am so thankful for the wisdom to seek counsel outside of the circumstance to prayerfully approach what is a very heart wrenching season in this church for the women.

Yahah

The Hebrew word for praise is "Yadah". "It implies an ecstatic burst of praise that is thrown into heaven like a shout. It breaks down strongholds." (The Passion Translation Psalm 9:1b).

Father, let our praise break down strongholds! Amen

"Kugani Kutuba"... Golden Words

Wisdom comes when we have the fear of the LORD. This is not a phobia fear but a reverance and awe. I just learned that Kugani Kutuba in Okinawan means "Golden words." There are no greater words passed down through the generations than the Word of the LORD for it is what causes use to live in reverance and awe of Him.

This little owl is for a gift God gave our family over the Easter break. Wisdom fell upon her and the fear of the LORD took hold. 

May we all listen and receive His "Kugani Kutuba."

Sabbath miracles

Happy Sunday! I love to pray through different translations and I am currently praying through The Passion translation because it is so poetic. I needed to get out of my routine and have my mind awakened as I pray and read.

I just read, "It's always proper to do miracles, even on a Sabbath" (Matthew 12:12).

I love this! Today is Sunday a day of Sabbath rest. Yet, it is proper for God to do miracles even today. 

Do you believe this? Is this possible even today? 

Beloved, as I am praying, I couldnt help but wonder what miracles might need to be answered in your world? Draw near to Jesus! He says that it is always proper to do miracles on the Sabbath. 

You my dear are so valuable to God. He never changes. He still does the supernatural in our ordinary world.

Hmmmm. Draw near. Believe and be amazed. Amen

We live in a culture of condemnation

As I have fasted condemnation for Lent, I find myself pondering so many things that I might have excused or glossed over. I recently heard John Ortberg say that we live in a culture of condemnation. I thought "No, Duh!"  Not because he was saying the obvious, but because the obvious has become so OBVIOUS to me when it had previously been so hidden.

Our culture breeds condemnation. We live with an "us versus them" mentality.  Which in its own form is condemning someone for not being like me. Not like me because of race.  Not like me because of religious or political affiliation or from making our politics a religion. Not like me because of wealth, education, occupation, creative or not creative.  We are bombarded. The list is never ending.

I once heard that accountants who spent their day looking for errors had brains that became hard wired to search out errors. It became hard for them to look at anything without pointing out the error or flaw.

I found this to be true when I was a part of a church plant straight out of seminary. We spent 6 months visiting churches every week as a staff to get an understanding of church. We would meet after and debrief what we liked and disliked to determine what we wanted to do as a church plant. It was so hard for me after that season to sit and simply worship during church. My brain was in the habit of analyzing instead of worshipping. I had to fight to get my worship back.

It has truly hit me profoundly that I am struggling with condemnation because it is all around me. I literally am having to fight it because it is every where!

I wonder if this is why we are told that GOD did not send HIS SON to CONDEMN the world (John 3:16). Oh boy! We need not forget that!  God sent Jesus to save us not condemn us (John 3:16).

Right now my saving is trying to rewire my brain moment by moment by thinking through every thought and holding it captive.  Yeah, be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rms 12:2).

I know I am not God, but I am asking, "What can save this conversation, thought, or moment? How can I restore what is perceived as broken or worthy of condemnation? How can I see the other or circumstances with eyes that restores, refreshes, awakens, builds, gives, ignites... and speak life into that?

I feel I am failing a thousand times a day still.  But I am so much more aware. I am repenting alot and missing a bunch. But I can feel a change in me. I am a bit more patient in my thoughts than I used to be and as I said before, I am surprised by love I did not know was in me.

Are you willing to ask, "How has the culture of condemnation gotten ahold of my thought patterns and created unholy ruts of destruction?"

Father, help. I need You to reveal the cultural patterns in me and around me that give permission to condemn. You do not condemn us, You seek to save us. Who am I to condemn?  Jesus is the one that died and rose again. Jesus is the One who sits at Your right and and intercedes for us. Help me to join Him in praying instead of condemning. In Jesus' name, amen

Jesus Calms the Storm

How do you hear Jesus' voice when He says to the disciples, "Why are you afraid? Where is your faith?"( Matthew 8:23-27). Is the tone harsh or gentle? It changes the story if the tone is condemning. 

We are promised there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). 

If this verse is true then what tone might Jesus being using?

Lessons learned from fasting condemnation

Well, I am about 31 days into fasting condemnation. Oh my! How about you? What have you fasted for lent? How ya doing? 

I should know better than choosing something that I know is going to hit me in the face as I do it. The crazy thing about fasting something is that this means we spend way too much time thinking about it. Or at least I do. Honestly, this is why I focus more on internal things. The whole point of a fast is so we can draw closer to the LORD. 

I don’t know why I am so surprised when spiritual lessons hit hard. I asked for it. I should expect it. I confess that I wasn’t anticipating that asking for a conscious awareness of every time I have a spirit of condemnation would cause me to face some pretty intense mental spiritual battles. Now that I am on the other side of a few of them, I recognize now that it was warfare! UGH!

Honestly, it happens so fast I am not even conscious that it is happening and then boom. There it is. I find myself in the mental struggle of condemnation and because I am praying the LORD reveals to me that I need to repent. Yep! Repent. You know that moment when you acknowledge, “I am in sin!” and you confess it so you can draw closer to God. If you have never tried it. You should. It is quite liberating. 

Well, I found myself mentally justifying my attitude. IF… But… Well… Fill in the blank for any justification you have given for why you condemn. UGH! The mental spiral flipped the switch where I wanted to justify, and I recognized that I was condemning. It is crazy how our minds can be so messed up. In this situation, I had someone that offended me. It hurt. Ugh. I felt justified in my condemnation. I felt I had the right to be miffed and righteous in my attitude. 

BUT GOD!

You know when Jesus was in the wilderness, He used scripture to counter Satan’s attacks. So, it is always wise to find scripture that will help you in these moments. 

Here is the verse that God gave me. It is written by Paul. If possible, I invite you to read it as if it is spoken with as much sarcasm as you can imagine Paul saying it. It is written in Taraphrase!

“Who are you to condemn?

Jesus is the one who died!

More than that…

 He was the one who raised from the dead!

 He is the one who sits at the right hand of God!

 He is the one who intercedes for us!” (Romans 8:34).

HAVE YOU DONE THIS? I THINK NOT!

I have to laugh! So, this is what I am saying to myself when the spirit of condemnation runs amuck in my mind. It not only shuts me up but makes me laugh. It helps me to see the beauty of the gift Jesus has given for me and for all of mankind. 

Who am I to think I have a right to condemn when Jesus willing died for the one I am condemning? Whether the condemnation be of myself or another.

I am still in the process of being steadfast to renew my mind. I am still on the journey of growing. I have learned to laugh at myself a lot and yes to repent A LOT! I am drawing closer to God as well! But the one thing that surprised me the most which should not was how much the LORD has awakened love in me. When I have taken the time to honestly pray and humble myself before the LORD with my spirt of condemnation, He allowed me to love deeper! Seriously, y’all! WOW! What a wonder!

I found myself seeing, hearing, knowing, and wanting to understand in ways I had not when I allowed the spirit of condemnation to run amuck!

What if each of us chose to become more aware of how easy it is to condemn ourselves or others? What if we chose to remind ourselves, we haven’t died for them, or sat at the right hand of God, or not really prayed? What if we just paused to pray? What might that look like? I have a feeling God might actually awaken love in more circumstances that we realize. 

Oh my! I had no idea y’all what God was going to teach me through this fast, but I am ever so thankful!

Shalom y’all!

Touch that ignites change

The woman who bled for 12 years thought, "If only I can touch His robe, I will be healed." 

The Greek word for touch can be described as her flame touched Jesus' flame and it became one. 

The fire of faith inside her ignited the fire inside Him and this is why she was healed when she touched Him. This is also why no one else in the crowd bumping up against Him were healed. They did not touch Him with a fire of faith that could be ignited.  

O Father, give us the fire of faith that ignites healing. In Jesus' name, amen!

Abiding Stability

I have had in my mind's eye a visual showing the Anchor of Hope and the Vine. I saw the vine encircling the anchor with much fruit hanging. I realize these two would never really be in the same environment, yet we are given both the Anchor and the Vine as visuals and names for our LORD.

Stability and life. 

Security and fruitfulness. 

Strength and multiplication. 

I remembered seeing what an anchor looked like in Jesus' day when I was in Israel. So, I sought to try to paint it with vines growing around it. It wasn't until I was done painting it that I realized that there is a heart shape. I love this because both the Anchor of Hope and the Vine are ways God reveals His love to us through His Son, Jesus. 

I hope my simple painting blesses your heart.

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" (Heb. 6:19).

"I am the vibe, you are the branches; whoever remains in me bears much fruit" (John 15:5).

Winter will always lead to spring

As I sat with one of my lovelies, we were discussing the hardship of winter. Our winter seasons are so hard. They are dark and cold, so very cold. This makes us feel alone, lonely. I told her, "I truly believe it is about to get better and you will be lifted up." 

"How do you know this?" She asked.

As I looked out the windows I saw the beautiful buds on the trees. "Well, there are several reasons why. Look at the trees. What do you see?"

"The tree has new leaves starting to grow." 

"Exactly, after winter comes spring. Always. Why?"

"It must die or go dormant to bring new life again."

"Yes! Exactly! I have also observed the reality of this in my life. When it feels the darkest and as if I can't press on, I soon discover new life being born again. Seasons come, but they must also pass on. There is hope in this rhythm."

"For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land" Song of Solomon 2:11-12 (ESV).