tararehrig.com

when i was in high school, i read a book on prison ministry.  a book that i’m desperately trying to remember the name of now.  don’t you hate it when you forget things?  important things?  like the names of books that you want to mention in your blog things?

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google was no help.

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any way.  since then, i have been impressed with the opportunities ministers have with men and woman who are spending their life behind bars. away from their families.  suffering the consequences of their sin in a very tangible way.

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last sunday, my church announcements included a plea for involvement in project angel tree.  it was stated that there were over 200 angle tree children in the 73114 area code alone.  that seems crazy.

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angle tree children are boys and girls who will be spending time alone.  away from either their mother or father.  this christmas season.  because one or both of their parents are currently incarcerated.

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we have an opportunity to show them God’s love.  to break the cycle.  to offer them hope.

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did you know:

• More than half of all incarcerated men and women are parents.
• About 75% of women in prison are mothers.
• 1 in every 43 children have a parent in prison.
• More than 1.7 million children will spend Christmas separated from their mom or dad.

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again.  that’s crazy.

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as i continue my quest of presenting opportunities to reach out.  to serve.  to give.  this christmas.  will you consider project angel tree?  will you help share the true meaning of christmas – jesus christ?  as they aspire to reach over 400,000 children this season.

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perhaps this is something your church is doing.  perhaps you heard the announcement sunday morning.  don’t put it off.  don’t let this be something that you forget.  the time is now.

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several years ago, i was given a blanket for christmas.  at first glance, a blanket seems kind of lame.  for a christmas gift.  but this wasn’t just any ordinary blanket.  it’s one of those thermal.  keep you warm in a snow storm.  never need to buy another blanket in your life.  price possession.  kind of blankets.

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and it’s pretty.  bonus.

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i love my blanket.

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and every year, as it gets cold.  i tuck my blanket into the foot of my bed.  spread it out over my sheets.  lay my comforter on top.  and i’m good to go.

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at night, i snuggle up under it.  tucking the edges around my ears.  thankful for the warmth it provides.

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outside of that blanket, i have a closet in my hall.  full of other blankets.  hand-me-downs.  lighter weight.  not as pretty.  but still blankets.  available for use.  when needed.  but mostly just taking up space.  until it gets colder.  or company comes to stay.

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i have no need for more blankets.

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sudanese christians have been facing horrifying persecution for years.  voice of the martyrs estimates that two million sudanese have been killed during two decades of civil war.  with the recent peace accords, there is a glimmer of hope available to them.  an opportunity for them to rebuild their lives.

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these sudanese christians own few material possessions.  need few material possessions.

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some things.  however.  are essential to their survival.

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for them.  one blanket can make a difference.

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voice of the martyrs offers an opportunity for those of us blessed with so much.  to give.  to those who need so little.

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through their blanket and a bible outreach.  you can do just that.  along with each blanket sent, VOM will include a copy of he lived among us and an illustrated bible storybook.

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and it’s easy too.  all you have to do is:

1.  collect good quality, new or used blanket(s).

2. add $2 per blanket for handling, shipping into sudan (VOM will add the books)

3. send blankets and funds to “sudan: blanket and a bible” at the VOM address.

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with your blanket.  your christmas gift to a sudanese family.  you will be telling them they are not forgotten.  and standing with them as they rebuild their live.  full of hope.

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and as you snuggle up under your blanket tonight.  remember those christians.  persecuted.  suffering.  because of their faith in our savior.  use this chance.  to offer them hope.  and warmth.

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this morning, i woke to the sound of my phone alarm ringing under my pillow.  i pushed the snooze.  twice.  maybe three times.  so i could stay in my warm bed, snuggled under my pretty purple and pink comforter.  the one that matches my salmon colored walls.  my fan was purring in the corner, to provide the perfect white noise necessary for slumber.  the heater was blowing gently from the ceiling vent.  i tucked my fluffy pillow back under my head as i contemplated getting out from my cacoon.

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a world away, she raised herself from her bed of straw on the dirt covered floor as the noise of the dog fight outside her pane-less window awoke her.  wiping sleep from her eyes, she squinted at the moon still high in the sky.  she could tell by it’s placement that it was time to get up.  time to roll up her mat.  and face the day.  she wrapped the thin blanket that covered her more closely around her shoulders and thought about the task ahead.

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i threw back the covers and slipped on my house shoes as i made my way to the bathroom.  turning on the shower, hot water flowed instantly from the pipes.  i stood for a moment on the thick bathroom rugs and looked at myself in the mirror.  the effects of sleep were written on my face.  but my complexion was still one of youth.

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as the moon began to sink and the sun began to rise, she tied a rag around her hair.  she had done the best to wash it the night before, dunking it in rain water and running a comb through the tresses.  as she splashed that same water on her face this morning, she looked at herself in the reflection of a broken mirror.  she looked old.  older than her 30 years.  the effects of a hard life etched in the lines.  she sighed as she tied on her apron, ready for work.

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i made my way into the kitchen, habitually filling my coffee pot and heating up oatmeal.  i wished i had something else.  but since i hadn’t gone to the store, my cabinets were empty.  well, not empty.  but bare of what i wanted.  while in the kitchen, i considered packing myself a lunch for work.  but decided to buy out instead.  it seemed more convenient.  and more inviting than the plain turkey and mayo sandwich that was my alternative.

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she looked around her small house.  one room, really.  with her bed already folded neatly in the corner.  and her meager belongings stashed on shelves.  she pulled out the left over rice from last night’s meal and set it aside.  she would save that.  for someone more important.  she wished she had milk.  or eggs.  something with protein.  and nutrients.  she fixed herself a small square of bread and a cup of tea.

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leaving for work, i stopped by the gas station for a coffee.  made fancy style.  bundled up inside my coat, gloves, and scarf, i faced the wind on the walk inside my building.  my coworkers greeted me warmly.  asked about my night before.  and my day ahead.  my students respected me and listened to my instructions.  i complained because i was too busy.  too wanted.  had too many responsibilities.  felt i should be compensated more for my talents.

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she wrapped her scarf tightly around her slim shoulders as she headed out her door.  being quite not to wake the others in her house. her mother.  her son.  she is a widow.  and fatherless.  her young child and elderly mother, the recepients of last night’s rice, are dependent upon her to provide.  for everything.  she slowly makes her way to the field where she will spend the day in the sun.  manual labor.  hard labor.  and come home with a dollar more to her name.

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i’m an american.  a citizen.  i have rights.  and priviledges.  my voice is heard.  and my opinion matters.  peoples around the world want to be like me.  want to have what i have.  though i am a woman, i am considered equal.  unless something happens that i don’t like and i’m asked to submit.  then i feel taken advantage of.  when in reality, i’ve only been placed in my biblical role.

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she is a dalit.  a member of a group of people living in india.  calcutta.  she is considered “unclean”.  not fit for any profession but the most degrading.  the most bitter.  the most discriminating.  the cast of her shadow turns people away.  she has no way of changing her situation.  no one to turn to for help.

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as my day ends, i come again to a nice, warm home.  decorated in the manner of my liking.  i think about my blessings.  i think about my needs.  i wish for a more reliable car.  a cuter wardrobe.  more friends.  always more money.

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with the moon high in the sky, she comes home to her mother.  her orphaned son.  her continued responsibilities.  she thinks about her blessings.  she thinks about her needs.  protection.  shelter.  food.  hope.

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where are you in this tale?  do you have the wants and the needs of your heart?  could you give to someone who doesn’t?

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gospel for asia offers an opportunity to change the lives of the people of india with your gifts this season.  something tangle.  something useful.  something needed.  a chicken – for eggs, for livelihood.  a goat – for milk, for income.  a sewing machine.  a rickshaw.  clean water.

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will you consider shopping from their christmas catalog this year?  and change her life.  offer her hope.  forever.

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were you warm when you woke up this morning?  did you have enough to eat today?  were you greeted with warmth and care at work?  is your opinion valued?  your presence wanted?

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you are blessed.  what more could you want?

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more, i know.  it’s the season to want more.  we’re shopping and writing our “wish” lists.  hoping.  wishing.  for more.  more time.  more money.  more space.  more…  more…  more…

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but what if you decide you have enough?  more than enough.  what would you do then?

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it’s the season of giving, you say.  in order to give, someone has to receive.

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yes, you’re right.  you should give.  and someone should receive.  but i challenge you, consider who you are giving to.  who is receiving.

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for the next few weeks, i plan to present to you opportunities to give.  to bless.  those who don’t usually receive.

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and in return.  be blessed yourself.  more.  than you ever imagined.

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stay tuned…

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“from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

luke 12:48b

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i allow myself to complain a lot about the things i don’t have.  the money that is tight. the busyness of my friends.  the weight of responsibility upon my shoulders.

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today, as i pulled to the stop outside walmart, i noticed a young woman standing by the side of the road.  she was holding a cardboard box sign, say “out of gas.”  car after car passed her as they turned the corner.

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i’ve passed homeless men and women before.  often downtown.  asking for food.  money.  help.  i’ve given them left over food.  crackers from my glove compartment.  prayed for them as i passed.  on my way back to my warm home.  my stocked cabinets.  my full time job.

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i rolled my window and motioned for the young woman to come to me.  ”where is your car?”  i asked.

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“it’s right there.”  she pointed to a white compact, sitting on the side of the parking lot.

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“do you have a container?”

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“i think my car will make it to a gas station.”

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a horn honked as the light turned red.  people were impatient to exit the lane.  ”meet me at that gas station on the corner.  i can give you a few dollars.”  i pulled away.  and into the gas station down the street.

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as i waited for her to follow, i looked through my glove box for a tract.  unfortunately, i couldn’t find any.  so now it’d be up to me to make some kind of statement for my Father’s glory.

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she pulled into the gas station, up to the tank.  and i walked inside to pay the cashier.

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back by her car, i introduced myself to her and her husband.  yohanna and mike.  from iowa, their tags said.

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“where are you heading?”

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“anywhere we can find jobs.  we’ve been all over the place.  but have no home.  so we can’t get jobs without an address.  it’s tough.  we need gas to keep warm at night.  and we haven’t eaten since…”  she leaned into the window to ask her husband.

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“….since wednesday.  we don’t know what we’re gonna do.  you’re the first person that’s stopped to help us.”

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i shared with her about my Savior.  why i was able to help her.  because of my need for help.  and Him meeting that need.  i asked if she had been to any churches for help.

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“we’ve asked several.”  she stated.  ”but they’ve all turned us away.  saying they can only help their own.”

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my heart broke.  i apologized.  again told her about Christ.  and that i would pray for her.  and walked slowly back to my car.

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sadly, she’s right.  her perception of the church.  of God’s children.  too busy.  too focused on ourself.  on our “own”.  to look at the world.  to see the need.  to be His hands.

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Father, open my eyes.  and forgive my selfishness.

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“what you do to the least of these, my brethren, you do it unto me…”

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when i was a kid, i used to spend hours thinking through what i wanted to ask for christmas.  my memaw would give my sister and me catalogs that we’d thumb through, dog-earing the pages of the toys and clothes we liked best.  at thanksgiving, the list would be passed to my aunts and uncle, gramma and grampa.

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as the years went on, the items on my list morphed from babies and barbies.  to book.  to clothes.  to jewelry.  to gift cards.  and finally to simple cash.

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with a disposable income, the frivolous things i “want”, i just seem to get.  like a new scarf here, a pair of earrings there.  some patterned tights or funky moccasins.  the major things i “need”, cost more than my next year’s salary.  a new car or even just new tires.  a fancy camera or a mac book.

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i have to be prodded to even write a christmas list.  preferring instead to take my chances, let my loved ones pick something they “think” i would like.  after all, i’m not hard to buy for.  in my opinion, i like and want almost everything.

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and i really.  in the grand scheme of things.  need nothing.

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except love.  peace.  joy.  long-suffering.  kindness.  goodness.  faithfulness.  gentleness.  and self-control.

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oh, and a husband.

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what’s on your christmas list?

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for the last two days, the campus of OU has been home to this justice for all exhibit.  situated in the common area, right in front of the library.  on the walk between the dorms and the classrooms.  the informative banners with graphic, detailed pictures attracted the crowds.

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and if the banners didn’t catch their eye, the noise of blowing kazoos and yelling protesters certainly brought the attention.

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justice for all’s intention. in portraying these hard to see images of aborted babies.  is to do just that.  grab some attention.  and to bring to light the atrocity that faces our nation ~ the systematic genocide of our unborn children.

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fifty or so high school students.  well trained.  full equipped.  but with bellies full of nerves.  entered their battle field.  armed with the truth.  and desire to make it known.

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“i’m nervous.  are you?”  a strong, senior football player saddled up beside me just before starting and whispered his question.

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“yeah.  i’m nervous too.”

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“i’m afraid i’m going to say something that will sway them in the other direction.”  he admitted.

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“i know what you mean.  i thought about that too.  but then i remembered that i don’t have that much power.  and God is the one in control.”

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“yeah.  good point.”

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we asked questions.  and listened to responses.  asked more questions.  strove to understand their concerns.  and brought them back to truth.  all the while praying the right words would come to our lips and our listener would have an open heart.

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as the day went on.  as the opposition arose.  as the students gained confidence.  and boldness.  more and more conversations were struck.  and more truth was shared.

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“miss rehrig!  i spoke to someone all on my own!”  one sophomore student exclaimed.  she was so excited.  so passionate.  so empowered.

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by the end of the day, that nervous senior that’d been afraid to say something wrong, couldn’t be pulled away from his conversations.  as we left, i heard him say, “that was awesome!  the best day i’ve ever had!”

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if you’d like more information on how you can be a part of something like this, contact justice for all.

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will you overcome your fears?  step out of your comfort zone?  and take a stand?

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did you know:

• one baby is aborted every 26 seconds.
• 137 babies are aborted every hour.
• 3,304 babies are aborted every day.
• 23,196 babies are aborted every week.
• 100,516 babies are aborted every month.

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last week.  as a coach for my school’s student leadership group, salt and light.  i had the opportunity to sit through training with the pro-life organization, justice for all.

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over the next two days (monday and tuesday), members of our group (high schoolers and teachers) will be hanging out on the campus of the university of oklahoma.  alongside the justice for all exhibit and their mentors.  we will do our best to interact with the students that pass by.  engage in conversations.  share the TRUTH.  and ultimately save the lives of countless unborn children.

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perhaps you would like to be equipped to do the same.  in your home.  at your job.  in daily life.  with your friends.  and family.  and coworkers.

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i’d like to share with you some of the training we received.  broken up into small installments for better understanding.

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feel free to refer to the justice for all virtual exhibit as you proceed.

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as with any situation that may get “sticky”, the first thing you want to do is establish common ground.  don’t be quick to jump to the argument or differences in your beliefs.  set the stage for a relationship.  so that you may be heard when you speak the truth (in love).

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“he who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.” proverbs 18:13

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just start a conversation.  listen.  and ask questions.

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(as you go through the virtual exhibit) ask:  ”what do you think about this?”

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this question itself could lead you in so many different directions.  you may hear one of these responses somewhere along the lines.  before you can address the real issue of abortion, you need to deal with the person’s concern. make sure they know they are being heard.

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if you can’t hear them, will they hear you?

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1.  woman have the right to choose.

~ i agree that woman should have the right to choose many things, but….

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2.  abortion should be legal because woman have a right to privacy.

~ i believe in privacy. i think privacy is important.  but….

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3.  don’t you care about woman’s liberty?

~ sure i do.  i love liberty.  but….

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4.  the world is overpopulated.

~ for the sake of the discussion, i agree about your concern for overpopulation.  however….

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next, we’ll fill in what comes after the but…

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in the meantime, pray for us – the students and teachers and mentors.  pray for the those who will see the exhibit and hear the words – the students of OU.  and pray for you – for wisdom and insight in addressing this issue with those you love.

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and check out the following sites for more information:

justice for all

abortionNO

abort73

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“all the is good for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”  edmond burke.

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i recently made a trek to the christian book store in my area.  now, i’ll warn you, i don’t typically like christian book stores.  i’m not sure why.  i think it has something to do with people who do not practice discernment and think it’s ok to read anything in a christian bookstore and call it gospel.  it’s a pious soapbox i find myself perched upon.

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however, i had to get a particular book for a book club meeting coming up.  i’d put off the purchase until this was my last resort.  as i crouched on the ground of the “single living” section, searching for passion and purity by elizabeth elliot, several other books caught my eye.  i ended up leaving the store with, not only elliot’s prized writings but several (i’m too embarrassed to disclose the exact number here) other books on singleness.

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singleness.  sigh.  singleness.

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there are so many directions i could go with this post and this topic.  i’ve a lifetime of experience with it.  i breath it everyday.

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but today, where i want to land is here:

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i told you i was embarrassed to reveal the number of books i purchased on that subject.  so you can imagine how i felt standing in the check out line and handing my pile to the cashier.  she was gracious and did not comment.  though i’m sure she noticed.

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the thing is, i even felt funny standing in that aisle.  as if, by browsing that topic i had suddenly lit a big LOSER / DESPERATE sign with an arrow pointing down above my head.

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and this is what i want explore.  why is there a stigma in saying i want to be married?  why am i embarrassed to say it?  or why do i so often brush over it and play the part of being perfectly content otherwise?  why do i feel i have to cover the situation in humor lest anyone take the real seriousness of it too serious and pity me?

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if i had been standing in the home and garden section, my only thoughts would have been that people would think i was pretty cool to want to fix up my house.  responsible.  creative.  and the like.

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if i had bought a stack of books on finding the perfect career or school, i wouldn’t have worried that anyone thought i was discontent with my life.  instead, i would have felt confident that it appeared i was taking steps to become who i wanted to be.

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so, why does the longing for a husband and a family bring about feelings of embarrassment?  or does it?  am i pinning my own perceptions on others?

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these are the questions i struggle with daily.

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in get married: what women can do to help it happen (even as i write it, the title makes me squirm.  makes me feel uneasy for sharing with the world that i’ve read that book.  and will recommend it to other singles), the author, candice watters, thoughts mirrors some of my own.  after being told that to reestablish our country to it’s constitutional foundation and to follow GOD’S DESIGN, people are to get married and have a family.  her response was:

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“i had picked up the idea from the Christian culture around me that celibate service was superior… and that to be truly spiritual, you had to at least be open to the possibility.  now this professor was telling me that God’s plan for believers, most of them anyway, and for the future good of society, was marriage and babies.  family.  it was a shock to my system.”

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not a shock in the sense that it went against what i wanted.  but a shock of confirmation that what i want is good.  honorable.  pleasing.  holy.  intended.

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and what God wants for me too.

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there is no stigma in that.  no embarrassment should be felt when i say boldly that i want to be a godly wife to a godly husband to raise a family of godly children that will impact generations to come… for the glory of our Savior.

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and i’m not going to let the lies of our culture keep me from proclaiming that truth.

it’s hard to feel beautiful when sweat is running down your back, your shorts are sticking to your thighs and your calves are covered with mosquito bites.

there are a lot of things that i cloak myself in.  that i put on.  that i use to make myself feel beautiful.

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i fix my hair.  apply makeup.  pick out clothes.  take showers and wear perfumes.  i adorn myself with jewelry.  and nail polish.  i surround myself with things and people that indulge my vanity.  facebook.  phone calls.  text messages.  family.  friends.  i partake in activities that show off my talents.  running.  cooking.  creating.

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i’ve arranged my world in such a way that i am, to the best of my abilities, shown in the best light.

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i like it like that.

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until it is all stripped away.

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i’m left with frizzy hair, sunburned face, frumpy t-shirts, red welted skin, and sweat soaked clothes.

and forced to find my beauty.

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i’ve been reading the book, captivating by john and stasi eldredge.  it was a gift to me on the last day of school and i’d read about half when i started the brasil trip.  and the rest as the trip progressed.

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perhaps i’ll write more on the teachings of this book later.  of the mysteries of a woman’s soul.  of her desire to be captivating.  to be a part of an adventure.  to be romanced.  to find God as the hero of her story.

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today, i’m thinking about beauty.  true, inner beauty.

i’ve been in the situation before when all i thought was beautiful was stripped away.  when the false security i created was torn down.  those times before, i’m sad to say, i retreated.  i pulled back.  i was embarrassed and insecure.  i didn’t want to be seen that way.  i was afraid i’d be judged, rejected, abandoned.

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i thought my beauty was gone and therefore so was my worth.

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i was wrong.

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this time, God’s been working on my heart.  gently pushing me to stop closing it off.  to allow my true beauty to shine forth.  to recognize that i have value as a woman.  as a friend.  as a helper.  as me.  when all my physical beauty is stripped away, my inner beauty is there.  shining forth.  brighter than ever before.

if i’ll let it.

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and when i do.  when i’m open.  and vulnerable.  and stripped of all that shields me.  when i’m me.

then i am truly captivating.