healing

Straight From My Heart

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On this beautiful day I know there are some of you that feel a new season in the air. Not just a change in the weather, but a shift in how you feel. You’re tired of the same things everyday. Encouraged one moment, just to be let down again by the time the sun goes down. Some of you love some one with an addiction or alcohol problem.
I can almost bet that you woke up this morning sick to your stomach as if you were the one that abused your body last night.
I bet you thought surely he/she won’t do it again, or perhaps you’re past the point of thinking things will ever change. This is not how you imagined your life. You never thought you would come in second place to a pill or a drink! You thought you were the center of his/her universe! You fight, you argue, you try to rationalize with them. Then you shift gears and try to be understanding, forgiving, show a little grace. After all isn’t that what we are supposed to do as Christians? Forgive! Show mercy and grace! Then all of a sudden you realize you have just lost every bit of religion you ever had! You’re cursing them, badgering with them, baiting them. You find yourself counting pills, keeping up with how many beers are gone out of the fridge and BAM!!! Now it’s your fault. It’s your fault for trying to control them! It’s your fault because your trying to parent them rather than be their mate.
This my friends is a vicious cycle. It’s destructive to you and your family. If you’re not busy trying to convince everyone that “everything is fine” then you are trying to defend his/her behavior knowing that it is tearing you apart and making you a crazy person!!
Some stopped reading a while back because they just can’t relate. You that are still reading this… You want help, you want clarity, you want peace! There is a way to find that peace. It’s not always easy, it doesn’t always look the way you want it to. You have to do some hard work. It’s worth it!
Two things I can promise you is:
1. You don’t have to do it alone!
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV

2. God keeps HIS promises!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

One thing we can do for ourselves and for the person that we love is surrender, give up the hard fight and fight the good fight!

The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” (Exodus 14:14 NLT)

My prayer is you read these scriptures and can feel the true power behind them. I pray you haven’t heard them so much or seen them on too many inspiring quotes on social media that they have some how become watered down. It’s is truth, and you can rely on them when nothing else seems to make sense.

The Ridge Church is in the planning phases of a recovery ministry. I encourage you to pray about where God would lead you in such a ministry. You may be reading this and want to find the peace that I’m talking about, you may be reading this and know exactly what I’m talking about. Either way there is a place for you. If you need prayer please let us know. God is moving and he is opening doors to peace and revival. Believe HIS promises, if you don’t know what they are, ask HIM to reveal them to you!

More details about the recovery ministry will be available in the weeks ahead, again if you need help or want prayer please let us know. You can e-mail me personally or email the church also.
Tara77harvey@gmail.com
Hello@ridgechurchonline.com

I don’t have all the answers, as a matter of fact I don’t have any of the answers, but I know the one who does.

Tough reality

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One of my self pronounced atheist friends has helped me thru my grief process more than most of my Christian friends. He allows me to be mad when I’m mad and sad when I’m sad with no judgement or simply saying “bless your heart and saying they’d be praying for me. He has got in touch with me consistently just to check on me and ask if I need/want to vent. He’s never tried to “debunk” my Lord or talk negative about my faith or lack of. He allows me to talk about my relationship with God and never tries to talk me out of it.
The bizarre thing to me is I know how he was raised. He came up in a Christian home. As a matter of fact his dad is a baptist minister. He says he respects his families belief system but doesn’t follow it. At first I thought it was some sort of rebellion, and it maybe. His response to that is he understands why I would think that, but it isn’t.
Christians have really screwed up this Jesus for a lot of people. That makes me sad and angry. I don’t know how he makes it thru a day without God, especially with all he has seen in his life.
He probably knows more about the bible than I do, yet he finds comfort in science, not God. He knows who Jesus is and what he did here on earth. He understands the concept of a savior but that’s because he explores all ways of thinking.
I used to try to debate him years ago when he was going off to war. His comment to me was “Ya know the old saying goes, there’s no atheist in fox holes”. Guess what he came out of those foxholes alive, and still an atheist.
One thing about my atheist friend thats different than my Christian friends…he isn’t taking away from or adding unnecessary things to the gospel of Jesus.
Christians are screwing up others faith!

My Lot is Secure

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My Lot is Secure.
When I say that people either know exactly what I mean, or they look at me like I’m crazy.
My life is crazy! It is my life so I will take whatever comes my way. With 2 curious little boys my house is crazy. This is not a quiet house, there is peace here, but not peace and quiet. We are always on the move looking for our next adventure. Some may say its my way of avoiding my reality, I say this is my reality. Some say I’m avoiding some chores, they may be right. Two things I know is God and my housework will never leave me nor forsake me.
We do tough stuff at this house. This is our reality. We have tough conversations in this house, this is also our reality. Most kids my boys age don’t have our reality. God knew what he was doing when he made me their momma. I pray that I will lead them in a way that no matter how bad our problems are they are no bigger or more important than anyone else’s. Our lot I secure and our boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places. They may not look or feel pleasant but they are ours, we will make the best of them.
I pray that my friends and people I love never have to have the conversations with there kids that I have had to have. The when, where, how, why questions.
I pray they don’t have to feel the sting that comes along with each one. I pray I can always hold my head high and answer them the way that will chart a path straight to the Heavenly Father, never creating doubt or a question of self worth. Our lot is secure and God gave us this lot and life because he trusts us with it. The only way I know how to remain strong is on my knees in surrender and praise to God that will lead me to lead them. He has a plan for us and we may fail from time to time, but I will never give up and I’ll teach my boys the same.

Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 16:5-8 NIV)

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