Reflecting on our Dirty Mouths

Obscene stories, foolish talk, and course jokes- these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Don't be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don't participate in the things these people do.

Ephesians 6:4-7

We had The Love Feast last night at church. We ate together, had communion, etc. But before communion, our pastor asked us to share blessings with the folks at our table. We bragged on God for a little bit, then he asked us to share our sins with one another. Confess. In front of others. Yikes.

But my hubby and I shared with each other, and we learned of each other's weaknesses, and we are now ready to encourage and help each other in these sins. Seems like it is pretty easy for folks to excuse the speech of one another and even ourselves. But God tells us not to participate in the these things. The scripture actually says, "these people." Seems dirty or wrong, right? "Don't be fooled." So we can be saying things that are not pleasing to God and not even realize it.

Encouraging you to think before you speak today. (So will I.)

By Grace, Tara K

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Things Worth Living For

Are the things you're living for worth Christ dying for?

Do you share your faith on a daily basis? I mean, besides all your Christian buddies. Well, the good thing is, yes- it's important to surround yourself with people that challenge you spiritually. If you're not, find someone that keeps you accountable in a way that challenges you and wants your spiritual growth on a daily or weekly basis. If you don't know where to find someone like that, your church is a great place to start. Someone that isn't necessarily involved in all your activities like work, play, etc. Someone that you know that you'd like to be more like. Find that person. And if it's your spouse, tell them you need to be challenged more. Even if you feel they already keep ya in good check, it's a good reminder for them to aid in your spiritual growth, which is obviously most important, right?

Okay. So let's say you've already got all that. But what about the "do you share your faith on a daily basis?" part. Now if you work in a Christian environment, that doesn't count. I'm talking, going out of your workplace, if that is the kind of place you work. No cheating! Ha. So you think, "seriously, though. It's harder than she makes it seem."

Well, maybe this will help- We're not sharing because we're not in desperate need of God. We don't know God as intimately as we should if we're not sharing. There can be no other reason. The video below in the "tangle" link is 10 minutes long. But you bet it will light a fire. If it doesn't, let me know. I'll help ya do somethin' about it.

Copy and paste this link to view the video:

http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=4aa61ca1e2c5da9a284f

All in love and by grace, Tara K

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Somethin' Huge!

Sorry it's been so long! I've had a crazy couple of weeks! One of my best buddies had surgery, had to take care of 'em... our last week of shows was an extra long one... and now I'm trying to adjust back with work at home, etc! So I apologize! You probably appreciated the break. ;)

Well, I've had a very amazing and inspirational 6 weeks, going on 7... and I've been too excited to get back to writing. You know how it is when you get extremely inspired. You just wanna jump up and down. You wanna get to work. You wanna do what you KNOW you were destined to do at this time in your life... And then someone or something comes along to tear you down.

Know this: It is not a coincidence. It is meant to bring you down because you are about to make something huge happen. So don't let it. Don't you dare let it bring you down. You are strong. Who is your Provider? Who has all wisdom and power and strength? Who created you and this magnificent world?

That's what I thought.

Much love for you. Find your destiny today.

Some Scripture to back you up, my friends:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood [aka, people], but against rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Read more of this... Ephesians 6:10-24

The version I am reading out of is an ESV (English Standard Version), which is very easy to comprehend, especially for the younger generations, people under the age of about 65 or so... :)

-Tara K

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How Big of a Dork?...

How big of a dork am I? I've discovered (and rediscovered) some new music lately... So of course I'm inspired...

"And the worst part is
Before it gets any better we're
Headed for a cliff
And in the free fall, I
Will realize I'm better off
When I hit the bottom."

-Paramore, "Turn it Off"

Don't you feel that way? Seems like when we need God the most is when we're at rock bottom, so we're almost just better off to stay there. When we're on Cloud 9, all is good, we're like, "oh yeah, God. You rock. Thanks." But there's no more depth to it than that?

She goes on to say, in this song, that she's disappointed in the people she looked up to because they're trying to please people, just to come out "the hero."

That's all around, and most people will never see it. But in the end, do you wanna be the person who overcame because of your schemes and people-pleasing, or because of your God-pleasing boldness?

Do you find yourself in your spiritual peak when things are tough? Then change it! You can! :)

In thought, Tara K

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Friend in the Middle

Two of my friends have been arguing lately, and they unintentionally made me the middle man in their disputes. I don't know if you've been in this situation, but it's rough and tough. You want to help them handle the disagreements via Matthew, but when one-on-one isn't working for them, another party should join. And well, that's where I've been.

But there came a point when I was like:

"Do you really want to talk to me, or do you just want to use me to get to the other?"

"Wow. It probably seems like that, huh? I'm sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen."

... Well. That was a couple of days ago. And I was going over it in my head, wondering, asking God to reveal to me what to do. (And by the way, don't ask unless you really wanna know.) God reminded me:

"Isn't that what you do with me sometimes? Simply talk to me to get what you need? Not quite a relationship, is it?"

"...Huh. It really does seem like that... I'm sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen."

See? Our intentions aren't always wrong, but when we don't love our neighbor as ourself, put them first, well... That's when we start asking to receive more than we need to ask what they need from us.

Just a thought.

May we all check and re-check out intentions at the door.

By Grace, Tara K

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

so come

You have taken the precious from the weary, and given us beauty for ashes, love for hate.
You have chosen the weak things of the world to shame that which is strong, and the foolish things to shame the wise.
You are help to the helpless. Strength to the stranger, a father to the child that's left alone.
You've invited the thirsty to come to the wiser, and those who have no money coming by.
So come.
So come.
We empty ourselves of ourselves.
So come.
We ask you to come.
We ask you to come.
So come.

-Israel and the New Breed

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Whatever Gets You There

Whatever gets you there.  Some take a more fun route.

Do you find that the way someone else studies their Word is not for you?  Do you have a passion to study The Word?  It's very hard to do something you know you need to do if you don't enjoy it.  Someone told me the other day that they wanted their study time to not be a chore.  That is what they had been praying for.

Are you there too?  Do you look at it as laundry or doing the dishes?  Reading the bible shouldn't be like that.  You should long for it.  You should desire it.  You should need it.  If your life is chaos, there is something for you there.  You'll come to find that it's not so chaotic when you're in it.  It's all happening around you, but you have steady ground.  He'll hold you in the eye of the storm.  He'll give you the encouragement you need on a day when you need some confidence.  The Word will give you words of wisdom when you don't know what to say.  The bible will give you scripture to quote when you're on Cloud 9.

Don't know where to start or look?  Get a biblical concordance.  Totally helps.  And in the back of a lot of bibles, there are title specifics.  It's a start.  Take your own route.  Do it in a way that makes you enjoy it.  It's all part of your journey.

For every day of your life, there is a place in The Word for you.  Don't deny yourself of it.  It's no one's fault but yours if you don't, right?

Lovin' ya much, Tara K

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