Tara's Thoughts...

love God. love people. take pictures.

  • 7th June
    2013
  • 07
In case you’ve been wondering what’s been going on in my brain the last couple days… Look no further! #nosleep #spinning #nofilter

In case you’ve been wondering what’s been going on in my brain the last couple days… Look no further! #nosleep #spinning #nofilter

  • 29th May
    2013
  • 29

the circle of life

It’s crazy how I slept on someone’s couch for nearly a year, began complaining saying, “I need a bed!”, got a bed now and my own place, but choose to sleep on the couch more than in the bed…

I seriously don’t get myself sometimes.

I guess it’s kinda like the whole “going back to what’s comfortable” thing. While you’re in “it,” it’s the worst, most uncomfortable thing ever. But, once you’re freed from “it,” you keep going back to “it” like it’s a drug.

It makes me think of sin. We get delivered from sin all the time. But, if we don’t change our environment, habits or friends we end up right back at the front door of the sin we thought we were done with for good. 

If I don’t make it a habit to get in my bed when I’m finally tired, muscle-memory will take hold of me and I’ll end up knocked out for 8 hours on the sofa. Sleeping on a sofa (for me at least) is not restful sleep and it hurts my back in the worst of ways…

I have to create new habits to replace the ones that lead to backaches… or in the case of sin, death. It’s easy to do what I’ve always done. I have to persevere in order to do something different.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  

(Hebrews 12: 1-3 NIV) 

  • 21st May
    2013
  • 21

timelines.

“So it took seven years to build the Temple.” 1 Kings 6:38b

It feels like it’s been a lifetime that I’ve been praying for a particular situation. I was greatly discouraged after talking to one of the people that I’m praying for, but then God laid the above scripture on me this morning. Solomon was doing a great thing for the Lord; he was building a Temple to honor Him…but it took time to complete the structure. 

I’m not a builder, architect, etc. but I can imagine the process for building something goes a little like this: plan, hire workers, gather materials, break ground, build support structure, complete structure, check work. Perhaps I’m simplifying it too much, but here’s the parallel:

When praying for God to build someone’s temple (we are temples of the Holy Spirit), it takes TIME. God is amazing and can miraculously change someone, but that person has to WANT change. Therefore in the situation I’m praying for, it may take time. 

Just because I don’t see the change I want to see, doesn’t mean God isn’t working in the process of building their temple… So, I’ll continue to pray even if it takes 7 (or more) years.

  • 30th April
    2013
  • 30
Ok @sylviesunshine_ it was a different door! Lol! @thebklynlotus, this is gorgeous! We need to do another shoot… In Atlanta!

Ok @sylviesunshine_ it was a different door! Lol! @thebklynlotus, this is gorgeous! We need to do another shoot… In Atlanta!

  • 24th April
    2013
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  • 20th April
    2013
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  • 19th April
    2013
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  • 18th April
    2013
  • 18

encourage yourself.

I love when I open my journal to the same date from a previous year and find exactly what I need to read in that moment. It’s almost like my younger self is encouraging my older self…

This time last year I was preparing to move from New York to Atlanta and I didn’t have a car. In case you don’t know, Atlanta is NOT a city known for its amazing public transportation! For example, a 15-minute drive can take upwards of 2 1/2 hours via bus/Marta…

From my previous post, you know that I’m waiting on a word from God. Last night I was in tears because quite honestly, I’m tired of waiting. But, I don’t want to step outside of God’s will, so I’ve resolved that I will continue to wait. I will continue to trust. I will continue to have faith that God has my best interest in mind and He will speak when He knows I’m really ready to listen.

But, let me get back to the point of this post: 

Last night, I opened my journal to 4/17/12 and read my concerns about moving to Atlanta in 3 days with no leads on securing a car. But, the words in my journal weren’t complaints to God (something I sometimes slip into now), they were exhortations to myself to not lose faith in God’s promises and plan for me in Atlanta! In fact, within a week of moving here, God provided me with a car and enough funds to pay for the car. Praise God!

Sometimes when you’re low, you just have to encourage yourself!

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in theLord his God.

-1 Samuel 30:6 KJV

The NLT version says, “David found strength in the Lord his God” (emphasis added). 

In our weakness, God’s strength is made perfect. Rather than let my circumstances consume me, I’m choosing to find strength and encourage myself in God. So like Paul says, 

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9b NIV

My impatience (because that’s what it really is) is a weakness. But I thank God that His POWER will rest on me!

  • 17th April
    2013
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  • 16th April
    2013
  • 16
My Manna: GOD SPEAKS.

mymanna:

yeah, i went with all caps to emphasize the point.

listen, i’m glad you’re reading this and all. and i hope that at least some of my posts are used by the Holy Spirit to speak to you (like this one). but i want you to know one thing:

GOD SPEAKS.

He speaks HIMSELF. He does not need to speak…