Thursday, December 24, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Twas’ the Night Before Christmas in Bethlehem
Tara Rye/ Copyright 2003
Twas’ the night before Christmas
In the Town of Bethlehem
The villagers were bustling
Since the census began
Joseph and Mary were traveling
With a babe jostling inside
Hoping to reach the village
Before he decided to no longer hide
Joseph was urging the caravan on
As his senses were heightened
By the mission
He was on
As best as she could
Mary stayed with the pace
Concerned with the expression
On Joseph’s sun weathered face
The contractions came
With quite a surprise
Mary’s voice cried to the wind
Under Bethlehem’s sky
Quickly they knocked
On each villager’s door
No one had room
Not even a floor
One Villager
Who saw their plight
Said I have a stable
You can have for the night
The sheep, cows, and donkeys
Munched on the hay
As Mary laid down
To deliver this day
Emmanuel, God with us
Was born this night
Our Deliverer and Redeemer
She swaddled so tight
As shepherds nearby kept watch
Over their flocks at night
Angels appeared above them
And gave a terrible fright
The Glory of the LORD shone
And the angels declared
We have great news
No need to be scared
Today in the Town of David
A Savior is born
He is Christ the LORD
Go find Him in a manger this morn
Suddenly the sky was filled with singing
Glory to God in the Highest
Peace and good will to men He was bringing
With whom His favor rests.
Hallelujah!
Praise the LORD!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
A Grain of Sand becomes a Beautiful Pearl
Turning irritants into Beautiful Pearls
For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! 2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory… 2 Corinthians 4:17
Have you ever seen what a clam can do with a grain of sand? It really is quite amazing. As a clam sits quite content at the bottom of the ocean, it moves around. You might ask…
How does a clam move? It sticks out its tongue like a foot and uses this to pull itself along. It often leaves a trail behind that looks like a snails trail.
This movement allows sand to seep between the mantle and the shell.
When a grain of sand gets into the shell it will secrete a substance called nacre or mother of pearl. Nacre coats the sand over and over… layer after layer and over time it develops into a pearl. This is very similar to getting a splinter. The natural reaction is to cover it up to protect itself. The nacre is secreted to cover the irritant.
The Bible says that our troubles… irritants or grains of sand produces in us eternal glory.
What does that mean?
Do you ever get irritated? Is there any area in your life that you are frustrated and you are just bothered? Do you have a person in your life that irritates you?
I have a secret I want to tell you. Just like the clam, we can clam up.
When does a clam—clam up? When it is defensive! It will lock up tight and the muscles inside keep it tight. Nothing can get in and nothing can get out. This means even good things like food that bring life.
Sometimes the irritation is inside us like a grain of sand. It is rubbing us and making us hurt and sometimes it can make you raw.
The clam takes the irritant and covers it with nacre. We can take our irritants to God and ask Him to cover them. Each time we take it to Him. He will cover this irritant in us and use it to make the irritant turn into a beautiful pearl inside our heart.
Don’t answer this out loud, “Who in your life irritates you?” Maybe it’s your mom when she says go clean your room. Maybe it’s your teacher when she says, you have to do school work now and not play. Maybe it’s your spouse or your boss. Maybe it’s your friends…
When we are irritated, we can do one of two things: clam up and let nothing go in or out of us. This is not good. It builds anger, bitterness and does not allow for us to feel better. OR we can take it to God and say, “GOD, help! I am irritated. Show me how to be loving, gentle and kind even when I am irritated. Like, right now!” Okay… maybe we shouldn’t be bossy to God. We should ask Him politely. He is polite to us!
God will answer our prayer and begin the process of taking the grain of sand and turning it into beauty. He will give us an obedient heart even when we are irritated. We will find we can respond kindly instead of with irritation or meanness.
Amazingly, a grain of sand can become iridescent, shiny, and beautiful. The pearl has a beautiful luster and color--white, silvery, pink, salmon, red, copper, brown, lavender, purple, green, blue, cream, or yellow--and comes in all kinds of shapes. It is sold for jewelry, covering on instruments like guitars, ceramic tiles, kitchen sinks and even shirt buttons.
What are you going to do with your grain of sand? Will you allow GOD to cover it and turn it into something beautiful or will you let it stay inside you and keep irritating you? It is your choice. Which will you choose?
I'd love to hear from you! Tara
Turning irritants into Beautiful Pearls
For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! 2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory… 2 Corinthians 4:17
Have you ever seen what a clam can do with a grain of sand? It really is quite amazing. As a clam sits quite content at the bottom of the ocean, it moves around. You might ask…
How does a clam move? It sticks out its tongue like a foot and uses this to pull itself along. It often leaves a trail behind that looks like a snails trail.
This movement allows sand to seep between the mantle and the shell.
When a grain of sand gets into the shell it will secrete a substance called nacre or mother of pearl. Nacre coats the sand over and over… layer after layer and over time it develops into a pearl. This is very similar to getting a splinter. The natural reaction is to cover it up to protect itself. The nacre is secreted to cover the irritant.
The Bible says that our troubles… irritants or grains of sand produces in us eternal glory.
What does that mean?
Do you ever get irritated? Is there any area in your life that you are frustrated and you are just bothered? Do you have a person in your life that irritates you?
I have a secret I want to tell you. Just like the clam, we can clam up.
When does a clam—clam up? When it is defensive! It will lock up tight and the muscles inside keep it tight. Nothing can get in and nothing can get out. This means even good things like food that bring life.
Sometimes the irritation is inside us like a grain of sand. It is rubbing us and making us hurt and sometimes it can make you raw.
The clam takes the irritant and covers it with nacre. We can take our irritants to God and ask Him to cover them. Each time we take it to Him. He will cover this irritant in us and use it to make the irritant turn into a beautiful pearl inside our heart.
Don’t answer this out loud, “Who in your life irritates you?” Maybe it’s your mom when she says go clean your room. Maybe it’s your teacher when she says, you have to do school work now and not play. Maybe it’s your spouse or your boss. Maybe it’s your friends…
When we are irritated, we can do one of two things: clam up and let nothing go in or out of us. This is not good. It builds anger, bitterness and does not allow for us to feel better. OR we can take it to God and say, “GOD, help! I am irritated. Show me how to be loving, gentle and kind even when I am irritated. Like, right now!” Okay… maybe we shouldn’t be bossy to God. We should ask Him politely. He is polite to us!
God will answer our prayer and begin the process of taking the grain of sand and turning it into beauty. He will give us an obedient heart even when we are irritated. We will find we can respond kindly instead of with irritation or meanness.
Amazingly, a grain of sand can become iridescent, shiny, and beautiful. The pearl has a beautiful luster and color--white, silvery, pink, salmon, red, copper, brown, lavender, purple, green, blue, cream, or yellow--and comes in all kinds of shapes. It is sold for jewelry, covering on instruments like guitars, ceramic tiles, kitchen sinks and even shirt buttons.
What are you going to do with your grain of sand? Will you allow GOD to cover it and turn it into something beautiful or will you let it stay inside you and keep irritating you? It is your choice. Which will you choose?
I'd love to hear from you! Tara
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
AGAIN!
I love it when a child enjoys something so much that they say, “AGAIN!” When I hear these words I know I have connected with their heart and mind. Yesterday, as I taught at the mission I heard this request—AGAIN!
I looked out at the women in my class pondering that their stories are similar, but different. I felt overwhelmed by the collective pain in the room. Our lesson point—God takes that which is ordinary and uses it for the extraordinary. Without a thought, I told HIStory while inserting one of the ladies names into the plot…
“Sheila, God so loved you that He took His Son and said, “I need You to go to earth for Sheila.” God sent Jesus as a baby lying in a manger—so ordinary and simple. Yet, Jesus grew in wisdom and stature in favor with God and man. He did everything the Father asked of Him. He preached, taught, healed, cast out demons, and loved. Yet, man spat on Him, rejected Him, cursed Him, and killed Him on a cross. Jesus willing accepted all of this for you. He went to the cross, He died, rose from the grave and is coming again for you. God took that which is ordinary—a baby and did something extraordinary, He gave us a Savior. He wants to do the same for you. He wants take that which is ordinary and do something extraordinary.”
Just as I finished the story Patricia looked at me and said, “Will you please say that again?” I asked, “What part?” She said, “All of it!” A grandmother of seven and mother of five asked me to tell the story AGAIN! There is sweetness in hearing the story of Jesus. It is truth that penetrates into the very marrow of our bones and heals. I retold the story with her name. Who in your life needs to hear the simplicity of the truth that God so loved you that He sent His one and only Son to earth just for you?
Father, give us opportunities to simply tell the story and hear the blessing of AGAIN!
I wish I could be with you now to connect with you-- face to face, heart to heart and simply tell each other the story.
Simply, Tara
September 22, 2009
I love it when a child enjoys something so much that they say, “AGAIN!” When I hear these words I know I have connected with their heart and mind. Yesterday, as I taught at the mission I heard this request—AGAIN!
I looked out at the women in my class pondering that their stories are similar, but different. I felt overwhelmed by the collective pain in the room. Our lesson point—God takes that which is ordinary and uses it for the extraordinary. Without a thought, I told HIStory while inserting one of the ladies names into the plot…
“Sheila, God so loved you that He took His Son and said, “I need You to go to earth for Sheila.” God sent Jesus as a baby lying in a manger—so ordinary and simple. Yet, Jesus grew in wisdom and stature in favor with God and man. He did everything the Father asked of Him. He preached, taught, healed, cast out demons, and loved. Yet, man spat on Him, rejected Him, cursed Him, and killed Him on a cross. Jesus willing accepted all of this for you. He went to the cross, He died, rose from the grave and is coming again for you. God took that which is ordinary—a baby and did something extraordinary, He gave us a Savior. He wants to do the same for you. He wants take that which is ordinary and do something extraordinary.”
Just as I finished the story Patricia looked at me and said, “Will you please say that again?” I asked, “What part?” She said, “All of it!” A grandmother of seven and mother of five asked me to tell the story AGAIN! There is sweetness in hearing the story of Jesus. It is truth that penetrates into the very marrow of our bones and heals. I retold the story with her name. Who in your life needs to hear the simplicity of the truth that God so loved you that He sent His one and only Son to earth just for you?
Father, give us opportunities to simply tell the story and hear the blessing of AGAIN!
I wish I could be with you now to connect with you-- face to face, heart to heart and simply tell each other the story.
Simply, Tara
September 22, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:10).
As I walked out of our hallway into the living room around 5:40 in the morning Greg startled me, “Whoa! What was that, a bird?” For a brief moment I though Greg was losing it, but then I turned to look at my curtains and sitting on top of the curtain rod sat a bat!
I shouted, “Greg that is a bat!”
Both of us jumped into action shutting doors to other rooms so the bat could not fly where the children were sleeping. I grabbed my camera hoping to get a picture, but every time I tried to take a picture the bat flew at me. I discovered that my feet move faster than the click of a finger!
Instinctively we turned on every single light in our living room and dining room. We had opened our front door hoping to coax it out. Without realizing it our entryway remained the only dark space left so the bat naturally flew toward the darkness. I tried one more time to take a photo, but the flash or my presence made the bat fly at me again. I jumped up a flight of stairs and ran as fast I could down the hall. The bat swirled around and fled our home out into the safety of the darkness outside.
Greg shared with me that the bat had flown just a few inches above my head as I entered the living room. Both of us instantly realized that this is exactly how spiritual attack happens. It swooshes over us when we least expect it. We do not know how the bat entered our home, but it did. Maybe it entered through the cracked pane of glass on our fireplace. And last night I held the patio door open for a long time for a doggie that refused to enter and over the weekend we had a garage sale. While we were loading things in and out of our house the door was open for hours. We provided three entry points for the bat.
Isn’t this the same for spiritual attack? We can have cracked beliefs that allow false truths to enter that steal us of the truth in the WORD of God. We can also provide an open door for someone or something that allows other things to enter our world. Sometimes we simply open wide the doors to our lives without protecting ourselves against the enemy that seeks to enter. No wonder the LORD tell us to be alert and to always keep on praying for the saints once we have put on the armor of GOD (Ephesians 6:18). We forget to be alert. Sometimes we forget to put on our armor. Other times we forget to pray and we don’t make it a regular habit to pray for the saints and sadly we forget to abide in the Spirit of GOD. Each of these allows that which is not of GOD to enter our lives unawares.
Where do you have a crack, an open door or unguarded place that might allow the enemy of GOD to enter?
Father, make us alert in all occasions to the cracks in our belief systems, to the doors we have opened that allow things to enter that should not be in our lives, and to the places we have left unguarded. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!
Tara Rye, 8/19/09
As I walked out of our hallway into the living room around 5:40 in the morning Greg startled me, “Whoa! What was that, a bird?” For a brief moment I though Greg was losing it, but then I turned to look at my curtains and sitting on top of the curtain rod sat a bat!
I shouted, “Greg that is a bat!”
Both of us jumped into action shutting doors to other rooms so the bat could not fly where the children were sleeping. I grabbed my camera hoping to get a picture, but every time I tried to take a picture the bat flew at me. I discovered that my feet move faster than the click of a finger!
Instinctively we turned on every single light in our living room and dining room. We had opened our front door hoping to coax it out. Without realizing it our entryway remained the only dark space left so the bat naturally flew toward the darkness. I tried one more time to take a photo, but the flash or my presence made the bat fly at me again. I jumped up a flight of stairs and ran as fast I could down the hall. The bat swirled around and fled our home out into the safety of the darkness outside.
Greg shared with me that the bat had flown just a few inches above my head as I entered the living room. Both of us instantly realized that this is exactly how spiritual attack happens. It swooshes over us when we least expect it. We do not know how the bat entered our home, but it did. Maybe it entered through the cracked pane of glass on our fireplace. And last night I held the patio door open for a long time for a doggie that refused to enter and over the weekend we had a garage sale. While we were loading things in and out of our house the door was open for hours. We provided three entry points for the bat.
Isn’t this the same for spiritual attack? We can have cracked beliefs that allow false truths to enter that steal us of the truth in the WORD of God. We can also provide an open door for someone or something that allows other things to enter our world. Sometimes we simply open wide the doors to our lives without protecting ourselves against the enemy that seeks to enter. No wonder the LORD tell us to be alert and to always keep on praying for the saints once we have put on the armor of GOD (Ephesians 6:18). We forget to be alert. Sometimes we forget to put on our armor. Other times we forget to pray and we don’t make it a regular habit to pray for the saints and sadly we forget to abide in the Spirit of GOD. Each of these allows that which is not of GOD to enter our lives unawares.
Where do you have a crack, an open door or unguarded place that might allow the enemy of GOD to enter?
Father, make us alert in all occasions to the cracks in our belief systems, to the doors we have opened that allow things to enter that should not be in our lives, and to the places we have left unguarded. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!
Tara Rye, 8/19/09
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Do you ever feel out of balance spiritually?
Establishing a stable stance spiritually is crucial to our ability to stand firm in times of difficulty or trial. A stable stance can keep the most awkward from falling. Standing firm provides balance. A sense of stillness portrays confident rest in the LORD. Psalm 46:10 reminds us that in our stillness we will watch and see the LORD is and will be exalted. Stillness brings the LORD glory when the focus is upon Him. By way of example in ballet, instructors constantly remind their students to find their focal point and remind them often to not lose sight of it because when a ballerina pirouettes multiple times her sense of balance will be shaken; however, “IF” she keeps her focal point as the center of her focus then she can spin without loosing her stability. Her stability is what enables her to enthrall audiences with the simplicity of how she spins and moves bringing a sense of awe to all who observe. The entire armor of God, a believer dresses in, is made up of the qualities or characteristics that are their personal resources obtained through a saving knowledge of the LORD Jesus Christ. The choice to focus upon Christ during times of spiritual attack properly attires a believer with the needed stability to withstand the attack of the enemy. Consequently, despite the circumstances surrounding them, those watching are able to observe with awe the glory of the LORD revealed through them as they take their stance.
What does your stance look like spiritually? Are others able to say I want to stand with him/her? Pray now asking the Father to give you a set focus upon Him alone and observe how your sense of stability becomes secure!
This is an excerpt from a paper I wrote on Spiritual Warfare (p.21).
Establishing a stable stance spiritually is crucial to our ability to stand firm in times of difficulty or trial. A stable stance can keep the most awkward from falling. Standing firm provides balance. A sense of stillness portrays confident rest in the LORD. Psalm 46:10 reminds us that in our stillness we will watch and see the LORD is and will be exalted. Stillness brings the LORD glory when the focus is upon Him. By way of example in ballet, instructors constantly remind their students to find their focal point and remind them often to not lose sight of it because when a ballerina pirouettes multiple times her sense of balance will be shaken; however, “IF” she keeps her focal point as the center of her focus then she can spin without loosing her stability. Her stability is what enables her to enthrall audiences with the simplicity of how she spins and moves bringing a sense of awe to all who observe. The entire armor of God, a believer dresses in, is made up of the qualities or characteristics that are their personal resources obtained through a saving knowledge of the LORD Jesus Christ. The choice to focus upon Christ during times of spiritual attack properly attires a believer with the needed stability to withstand the attack of the enemy. Consequently, despite the circumstances surrounding them, those watching are able to observe with awe the glory of the LORD revealed through them as they take their stance.
What does your stance look like spiritually? Are others able to say I want to stand with him/her? Pray now asking the Father to give you a set focus upon Him alone and observe how your sense of stability becomes secure!
This is an excerpt from a paper I wrote on Spiritual Warfare (p.21).
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
I recently read this quote, “A test is not to show to the teacher what the student knows. The purpose of a test is to show to the student what the student knows.” Think on this for a moment, when we are tested, God already knows that which is within our hearts. He see, He hears, He knows all that is revealed and all that is hidden. Even in the darkest most secret of places. Even in the mind. The test reveals to us what needs to be shed, cleansed, purified, and humbled! The test assures us with affirmation, confirmation, sustenance, bounty, and completion. What kind of tests are you enduring? I can only imagine they are unbearable at times. Remember the Father will provide a way of escape. The question we have to ask ourselves is… Do I want to escape? That is of itself is a revelation of that which resides within us. Amazing, huh!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
"Love Covereth"
Proverbs 10:12
As the lightning streaked and the thunder roared, I pulled my cover up closer to my chin enjoying the warmth of covering. I rested knowing that I am covered by my blanket, my roof and my LORD. I felt peace despite the storm raging outside. I arose to read my devotional and the prayer verse for the day said, “Love Covereth!” What a great morning for the reminder love covers a multitude of sins and all wrongs. What makes covering so wonderful? The warmth it provides ensures the desire to snuggle in closer. The protection it conveys provides the peace needed to rest. The sense of security assures the weary all is okay. I am reminded of a quilt and the painstaking details given to each stitch to ensure a lifetime of memories. As one rests under such a covering stitched in love you are reminded of the act that provided the sweet covering. This warms the soul. The first time the love cover came from the Father’s own hand. He slowly sewed Adam and Eve’s clothes from the first sin sacrifice. Their covering provided a reminder that their sin brought about a sacrifice. Yes, love covers a multitude of sins. In John 13:35 we are told that others will know we are the LORD’s disciples by our love. Why? Love covers! Practically, I am reminded of an offense that grieved my heart. What does the LORD require of me? He asks me to pull up the heavenly quilt known as the “love cover.” His love cover in me brings the warmth needed to ensure rest for the soul, protection needed to bring peace in turmoil, sense of security for the weary, and forgiveness for sins. Love covers! Pull it up and rest!
Tara 5/13/09
Proverbs 10:12
As the lightning streaked and the thunder roared, I pulled my cover up closer to my chin enjoying the warmth of covering. I rested knowing that I am covered by my blanket, my roof and my LORD. I felt peace despite the storm raging outside. I arose to read my devotional and the prayer verse for the day said, “Love Covereth!” What a great morning for the reminder love covers a multitude of sins and all wrongs. What makes covering so wonderful? The warmth it provides ensures the desire to snuggle in closer. The protection it conveys provides the peace needed to rest. The sense of security assures the weary all is okay. I am reminded of a quilt and the painstaking details given to each stitch to ensure a lifetime of memories. As one rests under such a covering stitched in love you are reminded of the act that provided the sweet covering. This warms the soul. The first time the love cover came from the Father’s own hand. He slowly sewed Adam and Eve’s clothes from the first sin sacrifice. Their covering provided a reminder that their sin brought about a sacrifice. Yes, love covers a multitude of sins. In John 13:35 we are told that others will know we are the LORD’s disciples by our love. Why? Love covers! Practically, I am reminded of an offense that grieved my heart. What does the LORD require of me? He asks me to pull up the heavenly quilt known as the “love cover.” His love cover in me brings the warmth needed to ensure rest for the soul, protection needed to bring peace in turmoil, sense of security for the weary, and forgiveness for sins. Love covers! Pull it up and rest!
Tara 5/13/09
Friday, March 27, 2009
…if the root is holy, so are the branches. Romans 11:16b
The greatest blessing that comes with deep roots is often found that the roots encounter other roots digging deep. As the two roots seek the same source of nourishment, they cannot help, but find their roots entwine. At first glance entwined roots look like a jumbled mess, but this is what makes them stronger against the storms. This reminds me of some low level bushes we had growing in front of our house in Houston. I did not like the bushes, so I decided to remove them. I found that I was able to pull up the bushes that stood alone and did not connect with the others through their root system. However, there were two that no matter how hard I tried or Greg tried neither of us were able to pull them out. We looped a chain around the bushes then we hooked them to his Bronco. The tires burned rubber and the bushes remained intact. Determination took root in us that these bushes will go. Greg shifted gears back and forth relentlessly. Finally, after extensive wear and tear upon our car, they finally released their grip from the earth and tumbled behind the car. Amazingly, their roots remained entwined, not to be separated by their untimely unearthing. Beloved, seeking out the knowledge of the LORD through His Word does the same thing for us. It does not matter what seeks to uproot us, we will remain intact to the deep roots that we have dug and entwined ourselves to!
The greatest blessing that comes with deep roots is often found that the roots encounter other roots digging deep. As the two roots seek the same source of nourishment, they cannot help, but find their roots entwine. At first glance entwined roots look like a jumbled mess, but this is what makes them stronger against the storms. This reminds me of some low level bushes we had growing in front of our house in Houston. I did not like the bushes, so I decided to remove them. I found that I was able to pull up the bushes that stood alone and did not connect with the others through their root system. However, there were two that no matter how hard I tried or Greg tried neither of us were able to pull them out. We looped a chain around the bushes then we hooked them to his Bronco. The tires burned rubber and the bushes remained intact. Determination took root in us that these bushes will go. Greg shifted gears back and forth relentlessly. Finally, after extensive wear and tear upon our car, they finally released their grip from the earth and tumbled behind the car. Amazingly, their roots remained entwined, not to be separated by their untimely unearthing. Beloved, seeking out the knowledge of the LORD through His Word does the same thing for us. It does not matter what seeks to uproot us, we will remain intact to the deep roots that we have dug and entwined ourselves to!
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Mark 1:22 (NIV)
I remembered his golden brown eyes because they contrasted his mocha brown skin so beautifully. He walked up to me after class and said, “Ms. Tara, do you remember me?”
“Yes, doesn’t your name begin with an ‘R”?
“My name is Roderick. I wanted you to know where I’ve been. I was in your class ‘bout a year ago. I was sent to prison for my past. I only had my Bible and me in my cell. I read it and spent a lot of time with God and people started noticing that I am a changed man. God and me we spent all day together in the GodMod at Douglas. I wanted you to know that God used you in giving me a hunger for His Word. I wanted to say, thank you. Me… now I am a sponge. I used to be a sponge filled with a lot of dirt and mud, but now I been wrung and cleaned up. I’m a clean sponge now.”
His words humbled me. I try hard to not go female on the guys, by letting my tears show. This time was real hard!
This testimony was shared with me two weeks ago at the Open Door Mission. I asked Roderick permission to share it with the prayer team. The LORD’s Word carries authority. It is what made the people realize that Jesus was different than the religious teachers of their day. He spoke from the scriptures personally not from someone else’s experience with the Word of God. I am amazed when the LORD allows me the privilege to see someone that allows His Word to become the authority over their life. Our lesson this week at the ODM focused on this verse and the fact that light has authority over darkness. Roderick gets it. He understands the beauty and wonder of allowing the Word of God to be a light in him to dispel the darkness--sin. There is nothing more powerful than to see a life that is truly changed by Christ.
Our vision at Cultivating Hearts is to make one disciple at a time. I wanted you to see and hear how your prayers make this possible. I know you do not know their faces, but when you pray for Cultivating Hearts ministry you prepare the way for the authority of the Light of the World to be made known through me and anyone else who comes along to participate. Thank you.
I remembered his golden brown eyes because they contrasted his mocha brown skin so beautifully. He walked up to me after class and said, “Ms. Tara, do you remember me?”
“Yes, doesn’t your name begin with an ‘R”?
“My name is Roderick. I wanted you to know where I’ve been. I was in your class ‘bout a year ago. I was sent to prison for my past. I only had my Bible and me in my cell. I read it and spent a lot of time with God and people started noticing that I am a changed man. God and me we spent all day together in the GodMod at Douglas. I wanted you to know that God used you in giving me a hunger for His Word. I wanted to say, thank you. Me… now I am a sponge. I used to be a sponge filled with a lot of dirt and mud, but now I been wrung and cleaned up. I’m a clean sponge now.”
His words humbled me. I try hard to not go female on the guys, by letting my tears show. This time was real hard!
This testimony was shared with me two weeks ago at the Open Door Mission. I asked Roderick permission to share it with the prayer team. The LORD’s Word carries authority. It is what made the people realize that Jesus was different than the religious teachers of their day. He spoke from the scriptures personally not from someone else’s experience with the Word of God. I am amazed when the LORD allows me the privilege to see someone that allows His Word to become the authority over their life. Our lesson this week at the ODM focused on this verse and the fact that light has authority over darkness. Roderick gets it. He understands the beauty and wonder of allowing the Word of God to be a light in him to dispel the darkness--sin. There is nothing more powerful than to see a life that is truly changed by Christ.
Our vision at Cultivating Hearts is to make one disciple at a time. I wanted you to see and hear how your prayers make this possible. I know you do not know their faces, but when you pray for Cultivating Hearts ministry you prepare the way for the authority of the Light of the World to be made known through me and anyone else who comes along to participate. Thank you.
Monday, December 22, 2008
This photo is taken by my step dad Paul. It truly is one of those GOD incidents. But it truly captures my heart and how I felt as I worshiped in Pageant these last few months. Serving in Pageant with my daughter Mikayla (she is the blonde angel just over my head) has powerfully blessed me beyond measure. I have met God face to face daily in amazing ways that are hard to put into words. Last night just before our last worship time, as I sat in the baptistery praying and waiting for Mikayla and I to go out and minister over the manger, I saw the shadow of the manger hay on the wall and it looked just like a crown of thorns. My heart was pierced with the thought, Jesus came into this earth with us pricking Him with hay, He walked on this earth with us pricking Him with our judgment, and He left this earth with us pricking Him with a crown of thorns. Yet, He still loves us! ONLY JESUS! ONLY THE SAVIOR! UNTO THE LAMB… GLORY FOREVER! Thank YOU Jesus for YOUR Gift of Life this Christmas Season! It is my prayer that your heart glows with deep embers flaming for JESUS not just today, but every day this YEAR!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
I want to respond to my own blog... A few blogs ago I wrote about a phrase, "God has no expectation upon you." My initial reaction was that is impossible of course He does! God has a way of making a question come to light later on as we reflect. Recently, as I reflected on the prayer... "GOD has no expectation upon you." I remembered something. GOD knows everything about me. He can't expect upon me because HE already knows what I will do and be in this life. Likewise, GOD is love! When we truly love someone we do not have expectations upon them. We simply love them! Mind you we might have expectancy, but not expectations. When we have expectations we often are greatly disappointed because expectations place one in a position of meeting anothers standards. This can change from person to person. What one expects is different depending upon life circumstances. But expectancy is a hope for enjoyment, delight... presence. Two sources helped me with this struggle: a novel and a devotional. I read in a devotional by Charles Spurgeon that since GOD is love He cannot be in isolation. WHY? Because love must have two for it to be love. This is what spurred my realization that since GOD is love He does not have expecations upon me. He loves me as I am simply because I am His. That is incredibly special. What a sweetness we have in our Jesus! The novel-- The Shack provides a great dialogue with this exact concept. I really enjoyed how the author tackled this concept. Both of these challenged my thoughts... I love a good thought provoking moment in the LORD!
Sunday, November 02, 2008
I love creativity. It truly is no wonder since our GOD is very creative! Just look around you! He truly has a sense of humor that shows up in His creation. Don't believe me just look at the variance of toes. I know this drew a smile on your face. But nothing more blesses me than to see the creativity born of GOD birthed in my children. My daughter came home with a poem that she wrote at school. Her thoughtfulness in considering praise for the Divine stopped me in my tracks. If her words can do this for me how much more so our Father's response to our creativity that honors Him. I know He is truly smiling as He ponders my daughter's poem titled: As Children Praise!
As Children Praise
By Mikayla Rye
October 2008
As children praise,
Hands lifted high,
All knees are bent,
Eyes toward the sky,
The rock sits silent,
Without a sound,
Lest praises stop,
A sound is found!
Said the Son
Of God Most High,
"For if you cease,
The rocks will cry!"
As children praise,
Hands lifted high,
All knees are bent,
Eyes toward the sky,
The rock sits silent,
Completely silent.
We praise Him always,
For every moment!
Consider how your praise can be lifted up with a creative response to the Father.
Amen & Hallelujah!
As Children Praise
By Mikayla Rye
October 2008
As children praise,
Hands lifted high,
All knees are bent,
Eyes toward the sky,
The rock sits silent,
Without a sound,
Lest praises stop,
A sound is found!
Said the Son
Of God Most High,
"For if you cease,
The rocks will cry!"
As children praise,
Hands lifted high,
All knees are bent,
Eyes toward the sky,
The rock sits silent,
Completely silent.
We praise Him always,
For every moment!
Consider how your praise can be lifted up with a creative response to the Father.
Amen & Hallelujah!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord. Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing." Acts 15:35-36 (NIV)
Good day mates! Yes, we are back from the land down under and we celebrated a joyful time with our blokes (friends)! As I reflect on our missionary journey to Australia, I am reminded of Paul and Barnabas going on their missionary journeys. I realize our time was all about the Word of God! The Father allowed us the privilege to encourage the saints and find ourselves also encouraged. We prayed, we discipled, we ministered grace, and we taught the Word. We received prayer, discipleship, grace and heard incredible praise! One thing is for certain, I have asked GOD to teach me to praise as our brothers and sisters do in Australia. They do a minimum of an hour of prayer, praise and worship before the teaching even begins. Without a doubt, many miraculous things happened, but this trip will remain one that we will have to wait and see the details of all that took place when we are in heaven. The Word was prevalent and grace was evident. Joy manifested itself in expressive ways. The Deep was pursued and He never fails.
Maurine and I had the privilege of visiting Ayudell and Adeola our first full day there. (Their four month old passed a way just before we came.) The Father allowed me the privilege of washing their feet. Sometimes I wonder what people must think of me. It simply came to this… as I prayed for them I asked God what would Jesus do if He were here. I knew my words were useless and it was not the time to share a personal story or even speak the Word. Jesus would cry and touch. I told them so and that I simply wanted to be Jesus to them by touching them in a loving way to let them know Jesus loves them. By God’s grace they both humbly allowed me to wash and massage their feet. AND YOU KNOW I PRAYED OVER THOSE BELOVED SOLES!
Until mid day Saturday, I dealt with a daunting spiritual oppression. It fell on me the minute we arrived in Australia. I do so hate oppression. It is such a frustrating nemesis. I always battle my mind when this happens. The only way I can describe it is like a fog covers my mental capabilities and I cannot think as clearly. I know it is oppression and not digestion because it typically remains for a specified amount of time and is only released as prayer is upped! I confessed to Maurine what I was dealing with mid Saturday morning and she began praying over me and I know this would have been Friday morning for ya’ll and this would have been when ya’ll would have started praying. Thank YOU! Clarity is a good thing when you are teaching and I really want it evident in me when I am teaching.
Someone did pray to recommit their life to Christ. At first I thought it was someone asking for salvation, but after clarification it is someone that walked away from GOD and is now returning. Please pray for this loved one. Also, after the Saturday night service Shally brought Gloria up to me for me to pray. She has a benign tumor on her fallopian tube that is causing her great pain. I always feel so inadequate praying for someone in pain. I am so glad GOD is great and HE alone is healer and sustainer. Anyhow, I prayed with fear and trepidation that I only honor GOD and HIS perfect power. Gloria’s face was so sad and her eyes showed that the pain was intense. On Sunday morning as I saw her walk in, I was amazed by her appearance. She looked lifted so I went to her to ask her how she felt. She leaned in and whispered to me, “I had something happen to me last night. While driving home I felt something and I no longer had pain after.” Her eyes were clear and bright. Praise GOD! She is scheduled to have surgery this week. Please pray that the pain stay gone and that they are able to remove it without destroying her female organs.
The LORD is good in that Pastor IB and Shally both said that they will want me back. This is only to the glory of the LORD! God willing I will go again someday. This trip also solidified for me in my heart that someday I pray GOD will allow me the privilege of going to Africa as well. The Father has given me a great passion for the Latin American Cultures and the African American Cultures. Both make me want to be bolder in reaching them for Jesus. Once again I am reminded of how Paul was assigned to the gentiles while Peter to the Jews. Isn’t GOD wonderful!
Their women were so generous to us in so many ways. Jo Holley, our hostess, fed us every meal and made us tea! Living with her and visiting with my Maurine was truly a girls retreat! The church commissioned a lady in London to make me a traditional dress and headdress that is typical of Africa. Remember, we ministered in a Nigerian Church in Australia. It is a beautiful mint green with detailed embroidered flowers around the nape of the neck! INCREDIBLE! They said it makes me look like a angel! I sure felt blessed!
Shally is a real tease. She can joke and never crack a smile. Well… she knows how on our Russia trip we were required to wear only one skirt and take only three tops. So she told me i in jest, along with Adeola, that I had to wear a skirt and head scarf every time I taught. Ayudell’s face proved they were teasing me. I shared with Jo what happened and she determined to help me get back at Shally. Her dear friend Moreen is the same size as me so we borrowed a traditional African skirt, sash and head piece. I showed up for my first teaching time dressed in this since Shally said I had to wear a skirt and scarf. She did not blink an eye. She simply said, “Go home and change. You cannot wear that!” Needless to say she got me again. But I did not change because she was teasing. I wish you could hear the laughter that roared through the congregation as I told the story that night. It was fun! The funnier thing was I waited about 15 minutes into the lesson to share it and Moreen’s husband had walked in and told his friend Austin, “WOW! Moreen has a dress just like that!” Apparently, his surprise was the greatest.
Now for my sweet blessing... Shally took us to the zoo on Monday as our treat for serving. Their zoo is very similar to ours but one thing is different. They allow many animals free range. For example the kangaroo exhibit is an enclosure that allows you to walk a path that the emu’s, kangaroo’s etc can walk on too! While standing next to the separating bar near their feeding area a kangaroo hopped out and visited a lady. She petted him and he hopped back in. I was so disappointed because I wanted so much to touch the kangaroo. I said in my heart, O God I want to pet a kangaroo. We waited a bit and then a kangaroo stood up looked at us and hopped right up to me. I knelt down and petted his chest. He loved it so much he took my hands and pressed them up to his chest tighter. I scratched more. After a while he tired of me and he pushed my hand away and hopped off. IT WAS INCREDIBLE! I felt like GOD kissed me personally! What a blessing! I touched a kangaroo! How cool is that!
Australia is very much like North America. In fact, the influence of Britain and America are profound. It felt like America, but sounded different. You might say it is America with an accent. I don’t say that to take away their wonderful identity. I say this so you can know best how to pray. They suffer the same cultural pit falls that we do. Of all the places the LORD has allowed me to visit it is the one that I had a hard time remembering I was not in the US. Even with them driving on the wrong side of the road. I came to the conclusion they did this because of the Corealus Affect. This makes their toilets swirl the opposite direction of ours. So if something was a bit different I blamed the Corealus Affect.
Thank you for praying! God heard your prayers and allowed us a great privilege and honor! Thank you dearly! I love you and I praise GOD for you!
Good day mates! Yes, we are back from the land down under and we celebrated a joyful time with our blokes (friends)! As I reflect on our missionary journey to Australia, I am reminded of Paul and Barnabas going on their missionary journeys. I realize our time was all about the Word of God! The Father allowed us the privilege to encourage the saints and find ourselves also encouraged. We prayed, we discipled, we ministered grace, and we taught the Word. We received prayer, discipleship, grace and heard incredible praise! One thing is for certain, I have asked GOD to teach me to praise as our brothers and sisters do in Australia. They do a minimum of an hour of prayer, praise and worship before the teaching even begins. Without a doubt, many miraculous things happened, but this trip will remain one that we will have to wait and see the details of all that took place when we are in heaven. The Word was prevalent and grace was evident. Joy manifested itself in expressive ways. The Deep was pursued and He never fails.
Maurine and I had the privilege of visiting Ayudell and Adeola our first full day there. (Their four month old passed a way just before we came.) The Father allowed me the privilege of washing their feet. Sometimes I wonder what people must think of me. It simply came to this… as I prayed for them I asked God what would Jesus do if He were here. I knew my words were useless and it was not the time to share a personal story or even speak the Word. Jesus would cry and touch. I told them so and that I simply wanted to be Jesus to them by touching them in a loving way to let them know Jesus loves them. By God’s grace they both humbly allowed me to wash and massage their feet. AND YOU KNOW I PRAYED OVER THOSE BELOVED SOLES!
Until mid day Saturday, I dealt with a daunting spiritual oppression. It fell on me the minute we arrived in Australia. I do so hate oppression. It is such a frustrating nemesis. I always battle my mind when this happens. The only way I can describe it is like a fog covers my mental capabilities and I cannot think as clearly. I know it is oppression and not digestion because it typically remains for a specified amount of time and is only released as prayer is upped! I confessed to Maurine what I was dealing with mid Saturday morning and she began praying over me and I know this would have been Friday morning for ya’ll and this would have been when ya’ll would have started praying. Thank YOU! Clarity is a good thing when you are teaching and I really want it evident in me when I am teaching.
Someone did pray to recommit their life to Christ. At first I thought it was someone asking for salvation, but after clarification it is someone that walked away from GOD and is now returning. Please pray for this loved one. Also, after the Saturday night service Shally brought Gloria up to me for me to pray. She has a benign tumor on her fallopian tube that is causing her great pain. I always feel so inadequate praying for someone in pain. I am so glad GOD is great and HE alone is healer and sustainer. Anyhow, I prayed with fear and trepidation that I only honor GOD and HIS perfect power. Gloria’s face was so sad and her eyes showed that the pain was intense. On Sunday morning as I saw her walk in, I was amazed by her appearance. She looked lifted so I went to her to ask her how she felt. She leaned in and whispered to me, “I had something happen to me last night. While driving home I felt something and I no longer had pain after.” Her eyes were clear and bright. Praise GOD! She is scheduled to have surgery this week. Please pray that the pain stay gone and that they are able to remove it without destroying her female organs.
The LORD is good in that Pastor IB and Shally both said that they will want me back. This is only to the glory of the LORD! God willing I will go again someday. This trip also solidified for me in my heart that someday I pray GOD will allow me the privilege of going to Africa as well. The Father has given me a great passion for the Latin American Cultures and the African American Cultures. Both make me want to be bolder in reaching them for Jesus. Once again I am reminded of how Paul was assigned to the gentiles while Peter to the Jews. Isn’t GOD wonderful!
Their women were so generous to us in so many ways. Jo Holley, our hostess, fed us every meal and made us tea! Living with her and visiting with my Maurine was truly a girls retreat! The church commissioned a lady in London to make me a traditional dress and headdress that is typical of Africa. Remember, we ministered in a Nigerian Church in Australia. It is a beautiful mint green with detailed embroidered flowers around the nape of the neck! INCREDIBLE! They said it makes me look like a angel! I sure felt blessed!
Shally is a real tease. She can joke and never crack a smile. Well… she knows how on our Russia trip we were required to wear only one skirt and take only three tops. So she told me i in jest, along with Adeola, that I had to wear a skirt and head scarf every time I taught. Ayudell’s face proved they were teasing me. I shared with Jo what happened and she determined to help me get back at Shally. Her dear friend Moreen is the same size as me so we borrowed a traditional African skirt, sash and head piece. I showed up for my first teaching time dressed in this since Shally said I had to wear a skirt and scarf. She did not blink an eye. She simply said, “Go home and change. You cannot wear that!” Needless to say she got me again. But I did not change because she was teasing. I wish you could hear the laughter that roared through the congregation as I told the story that night. It was fun! The funnier thing was I waited about 15 minutes into the lesson to share it and Moreen’s husband had walked in and told his friend Austin, “WOW! Moreen has a dress just like that!” Apparently, his surprise was the greatest.
Now for my sweet blessing... Shally took us to the zoo on Monday as our treat for serving. Their zoo is very similar to ours but one thing is different. They allow many animals free range. For example the kangaroo exhibit is an enclosure that allows you to walk a path that the emu’s, kangaroo’s etc can walk on too! While standing next to the separating bar near their feeding area a kangaroo hopped out and visited a lady. She petted him and he hopped back in. I was so disappointed because I wanted so much to touch the kangaroo. I said in my heart, O God I want to pet a kangaroo. We waited a bit and then a kangaroo stood up looked at us and hopped right up to me. I knelt down and petted his chest. He loved it so much he took my hands and pressed them up to his chest tighter. I scratched more. After a while he tired of me and he pushed my hand away and hopped off. IT WAS INCREDIBLE! I felt like GOD kissed me personally! What a blessing! I touched a kangaroo! How cool is that!
Australia is very much like North America. In fact, the influence of Britain and America are profound. It felt like America, but sounded different. You might say it is America with an accent. I don’t say that to take away their wonderful identity. I say this so you can know best how to pray. They suffer the same cultural pit falls that we do. Of all the places the LORD has allowed me to visit it is the one that I had a hard time remembering I was not in the US. Even with them driving on the wrong side of the road. I came to the conclusion they did this because of the Corealus Affect. This makes their toilets swirl the opposite direction of ours. So if something was a bit different I blamed the Corealus Affect.
Thank you for praying! God heard your prayers and allowed us a great privilege and honor! Thank you dearly! I love you and I praise GOD for you!
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
This photo is from a garden in front of a house that Chris and Donna took us to deliver food. It is hand dug by the men.
Walking in the Garden
Chapter 6
By: Tara Rye
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8
There is nothing more enjoyable than walking through a garden with your loved one or with one precious to you. Somehow, their presence enhances the experience. It is the shared joy of celebrating the planting or harvest together. I recently went on a field trip with my son touring Lauritzen’s Gardens. Grant and I both could not wait to take Greg and Mikayla to see the mini replica garden of Omaha made out of twigs and leaves. We think nothing of asking another to come along and celebrate a garden’s beauty, but what if the garden held danger like risky terrain or snakes in the grass? Would we still be willing to invite another to come along? In many respects, a missionary is the one who takes another by the hand to walk them through a particular garden to cultivate what has already been sowed by another or to reap the planting. Often their places of service—their garden is dangerous or risky at best. Missionaries Chris and Donna Mooney of Bethel Ministries International takes about fifteen teams a year by the hand to walk them through the garden in Guatemala. They do not stop at just walking the people through. They hand each person a tool and say, Get to work! Plants don’t grow by just looking at them. It takes love and hard work to cultivate a rich and bountiful harvest! In the summer of 2008, a team from our church had the privilege of being taken by the hand to walk and serve in the garden with the Mooney’s. One afternoon while our team dug out the ground to lay a house, Chris picked up an old fashioned pick and hoe combination and started to give us a sermon while he broke hard chunks of earth. “You know this hoe and pick is a lot like the LORD. He has to break up the hardness in us to make us soft for planting.” I paused in my labor to ponder what he said and without thinking I blurted out our theme verse, Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. Hosea 10:12 (NIV). Chris turned and looked at me and laughed! I discovered as the days unfolded I was going to love that laugh as we toured the garden with this couple because the LORD reminded me that the purest laughter often comes from great depths of pain. Through the simplicity and purity of their ministry in a land scarcely loved by man our team saw Jesus in Guatemala.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Lately, I am hearing a phrase in various Christian environments and it seems to bother me. I even had someone pray it over me recently. "The Lord has no expectation upon you." What does this mean? How can we say this? As I reflect upon the Word of God, I observe countless commands. Does not a command connate an expectation? How is it that we can tell others that the Lord has no expectation upon them when we are expected to read our Bible, pray, seek fellowship, and serve? No expectations... such a subtle and enticing thought. The implication is rest and less stress. Who does not want these? Yet, James tells us clearly that faith without out works is dead. What good is knowledge if it is not acted upon? Knowledge blesses and equips for action. I am reminded of Jesus saying on a regular basis, "He who has ears let him hear..." Quite simply Jesus says, "Listen!" But this is not a listening to just hear. This type of listening responds. It is a call to action. To say the Lord has no expectation upon us challenges my theology. Does it challenge yours too? Stretch my mind and dialogue with me.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Monday, September 01, 2008
Gardening 101
Chapter One of Heart Garden
By: Tara Rye
“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God.” Matthew 5:3
With anticipation I waited for the missionaries to show up at our breakfast meeting. I could not believe that I was on my first international mission trip in Foz de Iguazu, Brazil. My mind raced with all kinds of random questions: What are they like? Will they like us? What will they ask us to do this week? How did they become missionaries? What compelled them to leave all to serve Christ so far from home? The elevator opened and the family filled the room with their greetings. Hugs were given as if we were life long family friends returning home. As Donya came to greet me, I giggled inside because she sported a tiny diamond stud on her nostril. Since, I did not feel it appropriate to mention the cute stud I mentioned the next fun thing about her. “I like your necklace. It is cool the way you have it hooked.” Her hands rose to her neck and reminded her of what she wore. “Thanks! I made it!” She then took it off her neck and wrapped it around mine. “I want you to have it! Just promise me you will wear it!” I wonder what she would have done if I said, “I like your diamond stud!”
How little did I know that this first encounter with international missionaries will greatly change my spiritual walk and prayer life forever! It is through their lives that God revealed to me that He intended for me to be a gardener. Not just a local gardener, but international gardener as well. Let me explain, by gardener I mean a person who plants seeds, but not the type of seed that goes into the soil of the earth, but the type of seed that must be planted in a human heart. Hence, a heart gardener! In fact, God calls each of us to be a heart gardener. Scripture is filled with numerous references to sowing, planting, reaping and harvesting. This is proof positive that the Creator wants hearts to be tended just as a gardener tends a physical garden.
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