tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148789842024-03-07T18:09:47.052-06:00Praying on the PrairieTara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.comBlogger1332125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-43249265964879060602017-04-16T21:14:00.001-05:002017-04-16T21:14:49.546-05:00Sunday Blessings 167(1) A sweet thank you note <br /><br />(2) Stepping on the scale and seeing that it's three pounds less.<br /><br />(3) Zumba with the Zumba crew at Curves<br /><br />(4) Getting my Easter dress in the mail<br /><br />(5) Time with KL at one of our fave places. <br /><br />(6) Running into an old camp friend. So good to see you JW!<br /><br />(7) Twinings Lemon and Ginger Tea<br /><br />(8) Texting with one of my faves. You're the best MW!<br /><br />(9) Qdoba--I haven't had it in so long!<br /><br />(10) A call from CM<br /><br />(11) Maundy Thursday <br /><br />(12) A surprise Easter package from my auntie!<br /><br />(13) Lunch with KB and her friend R<br /><br />(14) A much needed Spring rain<br /><br />(15) Peach-pear LaCroix (my new fave)<br /><br />(16) The sweet smell of rain <br /><br />(17) Easter at FLC<br /><br />(18) Easter dinner at a parishioners house<br /><br />(19) Easter leftovers sent home with me<br /><br />(20) Praying through my FB friends list as my Lenten discipline. It was such an honor to pray for you all. <br /><br />(21) Success of my Easter children's sermon <br /><br />(22) Family and friends=YOU!!!<br />Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-49163048358266555322017-04-16T19:46:00.001-05:002017-04-19T10:28:34.020-05:00Easter and Resurrection Hope On Good Friday, our Christ died on the cross. On Easter Saturday, we lingered at the cross. As we lingered, we waited; waited and grieved. Our beloved Jesus is dead. We are clinging to darkness and despair and death. It seems that we are stuck here. Yet today we are reminded of the Easter promise of good news; of light, hope and life.<br />
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Trumpet fanfare, the Hallelujah chorus proudly being sung, lillies blooming all around us. Easter has arrived! The tomb is empty. Jesus is no longer there. And light not darkness, hope not despair and life not death have the final word.<br />
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Easter shows us that death doesn't stay in the grave; that resurrection is possible. Yet there are times in our lives when we can't see the resurrection promise. We grasp to hold onto whatever we can; to give us a glimmer of hope.<br />
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I sat with my mom several years ago as she laid in her ICU room. The buzz of the machines humming all around us. Mom is there, but yet she isnt. I am grasping onto every little sign of hope that I can; a slight movement, a muffled sound, anything. It seems that there is no hope in sight, but then one day she wakes up. She isn't ever the same again, but she has regrained her health. Resurrection hope embodied!<br />
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Friends who daily struggle to find the light in the midst of their darkness of depression and mental illnesses. They are grasping onto whatever hope they can find. There are days the darkness is so overwhelming. The hope is stifled when it seems there is no end to the pain and despair. Yet one day they wake up and find themselves feeling better. Another sign that light, hope and life do indeed have the final word.<br />
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In the rubble of the Haiti earthquake, resurrection also bursts forth as they continue to rebuild. Out of death is born a new relationship and out of that relationship, new life continues to grow.<br />
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There are so many days when it is hard to find the light. We grieve the losses of our lives. But then we run to the tomb and find the tomb empty. Jesus is supposed to be there, but he is not there. In finding the empty tomb, we know that resurrection is indeed possible. And because it is possible, we trust and know that light not darkness, hope not despair, and life not death have the ultimate word. We see that beauty can come from ashes; that God can redeem our brokenness as he makes beautiful things out of dust; out of us.<br />
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From the table, to the cross, to the empty tomb, there is hope. There is light. There is life. And as we proclaim in the resurrection we know we can proudly declare, "Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!" Christ is risen and together we run to tell everyone about this amazing gift; the gift of God's son sent not to condemn the world, but to save it. The gift of a savior who was born to bring hope, light, joy and life.<br />
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"Weeping may come for the night, but joy comes with the morning."--Psalm 30:5<br />
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And today, my friends, it may seem like you are in a season of weeping, but joy will come again. Christ promises that joy to each of us. Easter breaks forth from the weeping and the darkness of Good Friday, to the empty tomb and joy bursts forth into this broken world.<br />
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<i>I am linking up with Holly and Testimony Tuesday, Kelly and the RaRa linkup, Jennifer and Tell His Story, Holley and Coffee for your Heart, and Kristin and Three Word Wednesday. </i><br />
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Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-72388293277295432012017-04-15T15:14:00.003-05:002017-04-15T15:15:14.482-05:00Linger at the CrossThe world is dark! Flashes of lightening and thunder bolt across the sky. The sounds of his mother sobbing uncontrollably penetrating the air. Jesus is gone. All of us surrounded by darkness; a darkness that closes in all around us.<br />
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This is not a place I want to linger, but it is an important part of this beloved story. Every day, darkness finds its way in this broken world; the darkness of mental illness, the darkness of racism, the darkness of so much. I find myself grasping to find the light,<br />
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Several years ago, I sat with my mom as she lay in the ICU. My hand holding hers as I waited for sone sort of sign from her. The hum of the machines buzzing all around us. Mom laid in that bed for two weeks. I'd sit with her, chatting with her and yearning for some glimmer of hope. Then one day, she woke up. In her waking up, hope and light broke forth from the darkness.<br />
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Since that day, nothing has been the same. I find myself sitting today, sitting in the darkness with my friends and family. This darkness is a reminder of what Christ did for us; because of the sin of the world. Sin that comes in doubt, anger, death, betrayal, hate, addiction, guilt and in so many other ways. We are all guilty of these very sins,<br />
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It can be so easy to move past the cross and the darkness, but today we must linger there. With uncontrollable sobs, we grieve --grieve that Christ had to die because of our sins; because of the world's brokenness.<br />
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The sun will shine again, but not before darkness covers the earth after Jesus breathes his last. Sunday is coming! But first, let's linger at the foot of the cross joining our voices with the prophets of old knowing that "Easter says you can put death in the grave but it won't stay there (Clarence W Hall)."Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-86952749778574147742017-04-14T13:32:00.000-05:002017-04-14T13:32:12.850-05:00The Empty Cross<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;">I am linking up for Five Minute Friday. </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung on her blog </span></span><a href="http://katemotaung.com/" style="color: #007710; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Heading Home</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Today's prompt is "emoth." I love spending time with this crew. They bless me beyond words. We'd </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">love to have you join us. Just hop onto Twitter on Thursday evenings and follow the #fmfparty. Hope to see you there! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Judas and Peter sat with Jesus at the table. Even knowing that one would betray him and the other would deny him, Jesus still stoops down and washes their feet. It is an incredible act of love. From that meal, we move to Good Friday.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is dark. Jesus is stretched out on the cross; his hands and feet nailed to that very cross. A crown of thorns on his head. In this moment, we see that the authorities have won and Jesus is about to take his last breath. But not before, Jesus looks to his mother. I can imagine a single tear in her eye as she says good bye to her beloved son. Then he breaths his last. The silence penetrating the darkness. Blood dripping from both his hands and his side. Blood shed for all of us!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Slowly, Jesus is taken down from the cross, wrapped in burial cloth and placed in the tomb. The stone is rolled in front of the tomb. They leave Jesus in peace and walk away. Three days later, the women come to the tomb and are surprised by what they see. This man--Jesus--who was oppressed and sent to die on the cross is no longer there. In this moment, we are awakened to God's power as life not death and light not darkness have the final word.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Yet we cannot come to the empty tomb on Easter Sunday without experiencing the entire road to the cross. We must stand on the road as Jesus rides in on his donkey. We must sit with him and break bread together. We must watch as he breaths his last on Good Friday. Without any of this journey, the empty tomb doesn't make sense! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">So today, feel,, listen, and experience the depth of what Christ did for all of the world. Then on Easter Sunday, come to the tomb and find it empty as Jesus epicly has been risen from the grave. And proudly shout "Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Allelulia." And watch as new life springs forth all around us: flowers blooming, butterflies waking, and so many other signs. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">But most</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;"> of all, see the empty cross; the promise of God's love for this broken world. </span>Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-14162367262551817182017-04-12T19:02:00.002-05:002017-04-12T19:02:49.612-05:00Witnessing to Your PrayersThroughout life, I've been surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses--people who have continually shown me what it means to show love to all Gods people. My mom has been one of those incredible witnesses. Through her mental illness, she's never let her faith waiver. She seriously would give thr shirt off of her back to anyone in need. Her example, along with the examples of many, call me to witness to the power of the cross and God's love for all of us. Jesus came "not to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through it."<br />
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Throughout Lent, my Lenten discipline has been to pray through my Facebook friends list. Today I wrote on the last wall. The requests that my friends and family have trusted me with is incredible. It's hard to put into words what it means to pray for others. And in return, to have them ask me to pray for them. I've witnessed the power of what it means to lift these prayers up to God. There have been times that God has answered these prayers as we have requested but often it's been in totally different ways.<br />
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To be a witness to the very depths of my friends and families prayer requests is extremely humbling. I started this practice to remember what Christ has done for us. I never expected to be transformed by lifting up these prayers, but it's totally what's happened.<br />
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To watch my friends and family experience relief or joy or whatever in the midst of their lives, I've learned that prayer truly can and does make a difference. Are we willing to be cloud of witnesses for one another? Because in doing so, the world can become a much better place.Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-56773356007533389012017-04-11T10:10:00.000-05:002017-04-11T10:10:25.734-05:00Children of Light<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text John-12-35" id="en-NRSV-26605" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">"Jesus said to them, 'The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. </span><span class="text John-12-36" id="en-NRSV-26606" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.' "</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Have you ever noticed how a little light can make a big difference? A few weeks ago, I was sitting watching television when their was a big car accident near my neighborhood. The lights flickered for a moment and then everything went dark. The car had hit the transformer and knocked out all of the electricity. I opened my front door to see my neighborhood and several surrounding neighborhoods completing pitch black. I went to my kitchen and grabbed the lighter and lit some candles. Those candles gave off enough light that I could still sit and read in my living room.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Light has this amazing power to bring hope in the midst of the darkness. Light is indeed a sure sign of hope. Yet sometimes it can be so incredibly hard to find that light when it seems you are surrounded by darkness. The darkness too often overwhelmingly distinguishes the light. So are we willing to believe in the light when it is there? Are we also willing to be children of light to help spread the light of God's love, light, and hope in this broken world?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Yet this world is so often--too often--filled with darkness. There are my LGBTBQ+ friends who yearn to see the light and be accepted in this world. There are my friends who are searching to find the light in the midst of their own battle of depression and/or anxiety. There are my friends who fear for their safety. Can we truly be children of the light and show them the light of Christ?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The truth is that too often the world is blinded by the darkness. We are afraid to show the light to others. Yet it is because of what Christ did for us that we have been given this gift; this gift of grace that opens our eyes to the hope of the resurrection and to the hope of light and life. For in dying on the cross and being raised again, Christ shows us that God indeed has the ultimate power; the power to overcome death and darkness with life and light. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-72629972050746495352017-04-10T10:39:00.000-05:002017-04-11T10:13:35.932-05:00The Injustice of the CrossYesterday we watched as the kids came into worship proudly waving their palm branches. Cheers of "Hosanna in the highest" quickly change to the words of conviction as the crowd yells "Crucify him." This week begins with a parade and ends with one of the most horrific acts; the crucifixion of Jesus who came "not to condemn the world but to save it." Our hands--dirty and blood stained--because we too are guilty of not saying a word and letting Jesus die for our own sins. The power of Jesus' life, ministry and death reminds me continually of the amazing power God has and also of the scandalous love God has for all of us.<br />
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From the parade, we move to the table where Jesus washes his disciples feet. At the table, Jesus washes all of their feet including Judas's feet who will betray him and Peter's feet who will deny him three times before the cock crows. Jesus should have been the last person to wash their feet. But in this gracious act, Jesus embodies God's love and also embodies "diakonia" (service) for all the world. We too are called to pick up our basins and towels to wash the feet of all God's people. This act also links us back to the waters of our Baptism where we have been called and claimed as God's beloved children. In the waters of Baptism, we are washed clean.<br />
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From Maundy Thursday, we journey to the cross where Jesus is nailed to the cross. Hanging on the cross, a crown of thorns upon his head, and nails driven into his hands and his feet, Jesus simply states, "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." Then Jesus breathes his last. In the silence of that dark Good Friday, the silence pierced by the mourners gathered as Jesus dies. At Good Friday services, I often shed tears as I recall the incredible thing Christ did for me---did for all of us. <br />
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And then from that night, after he is placed in the tomb, three days later, the women come to the tomb, find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Jesus has been raised from the grave. Again I cling to the promises of these words from Clarence W. Hall "Easter says you can put death in the grave, but it won't stay there." <br />
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Easter proclaims that life not death and light not darkness do indeed have the final word. Yet there are days that it can be so hard to see light and life. Too many of those that I care about (friends and family alike) struggle with finding the light in the midst of their own darkness of depression. Too many I care about fear for their own lives as they go out into the world. Too many I care about are searching to find their own resurrection hope in the midst of life's joys and sorrows. Too many....find themselves trying to see the light and that death does not have the final word. And in watching them suffer, I deeply want to rush to Easter, yet I cannot fully experience the promise of Easter without traveling through Maundy Friday and the darkness of Good Friday myself.<br />
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On the cross, Jesus "opens the eyes to the blind, brings the prisoners out of the dungeon; from those who sit in the darkness." Yet in the midst of life's hard, it can be so incredibly difficult to trust in the promise of the cross. But as Spring beckons forth, new life is all around us; new life that reminds us that God does indeed make all things new again. Or in the words of Martin Luther, "Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime." <br />
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Yet even though I know the end of the story, I still find myself asking, "Does he have to die again?" The injustice of the cross though calls me to be one of Jesus' disciples in the world. In the words of Micah 6:8, God calls us all "to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God." In other words, it is because of the cross that we know the power of God's scandalous love for all the world. So are we willing to proclaim in that scandalous love and fight for peace, justice, and mercy in all the world? <br />
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For in doing so, the words of the prophet Isaiah are fulfilled and Jesus comes as this profound gift that overcomes death and the grave. We confess in resurrection hope and the promise of God's love for all of us through these very words from the second petition of the Apostles Creed: "I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only son our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day, he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead." <br />
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Jesus is the very embodiment of atonement---as Jesus in his humanity--becomes at one with us. Jesus sits with us in our darkness. Jesus wipes away our tears. Jesus gets down and dirty with us and isn't afraid to experience the depths to which we experience life. And Jesus is the first to proclaim in God's love for us by dying on the cross. And because of God's love for us, we know the end of the story and can proudly proclaim on Easter morning, "Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!" But not before first experiencing Jesus' last supper on Maundy Thursday and the darkness of Good Friday.<br />
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<i>I am linking up with these lovely ladies: Carol and Anita at Inspire Me Monday, Kelly and the RaRa linkup, Holly and Testimony Tuesday and Jennifer and Tell His Story.</i></div>
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Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-23015743418636623282017-04-09T21:39:00.001-05:002017-04-09T21:39:35.247-05:00Sunday Blessings 166(1) Getting my prize in the mail. Thanks Krafty Kash!!<br /><br />(2) Glorious Spring weather <br /><br />(3) Talking to my fave on the phone<br /><br />(4) Voxing with KA<br /><br />(5) Starbucks Iced cinnamon Almond macchiato <br /><br />(6) Enjoying a gorgeous 70 degree day<br /><br />(7) Starbucks Very Berry Hibiscus Refresher<br /><br />(8) Binge listening to some awesome podcasts.<br /><br />(9) Finally watching Finding Dory <br /><br />(10) A text from my aunt and uncle because they saw me on the news.<br /><br />(11) A great meeting with awesome colleagues. <br /><br />(12) A short PLN<br /><br />(13) Sweet little ones wanting to share with me this am.<br /><br />(14) Tackling Mt Laundry <br /><br />(15) Compliments on my devotion from each other.<br /><br />(16) Tons of people asking me if they saw me on the news last night.<br /><br /><br />Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-58963077300504179102017-04-09T13:45:00.002-05:002017-04-09T13:56:43.883-05:00From the Palm Branches to the NailsTheir little hands waving high their palm branches. The sound of voices singing "Crown Him with Many Crowns" permeating the air. On this day, we remember Jesus triumphal entry; riding on a donkey just as the prophet had foretold. This day changes everything as we shift from "Hosanna in the Highest heaven" to "Crucify him!"<br />
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Do we realize the truth of this story--that the blood of Jesus is on our hands and our children's children? Too often we gloss that part of the story over. We forget how guilty the crowd and even us are. Yet the reality is that we are just as guilty. We so easily like Peter and Judas deny and betray Jesus. Does Jesus not come to die on a cross because of our sins? Is he not the one who dies because God loves us that much?<br />
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As he rode into the city, people were still asking, "Who is this?" Did they truly not know or where they protesting? In a matter of moments, Jesus was handed over and we stand as he is nailed to the cross. The cross--a wooden beam--a reminder of God's scandalous love for all of us. But how often do we jump from Palm Sunday to Easter without experiencing the depth and truth of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday?<br />
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Every day the world wakes to the brokenness of the world. This morning, we woke to the news of the church shootings near Cairo, Egypt. It is in moments like these that I see myself standing at the foot of the cross; with Jesus blood dripping from my own hands. How can we treat each other like this? Why can we not let each other worship peacefully? God is continually calling us "to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God."<br />
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From the palm branches to the nails to the empty tomb, Christ fulfills the prophesy and reminds us that he is indeed a prophet; a prophet sent to overcome death and the grave; a prophet who continually awakens the world to God's grace, mercy, forgiveness and love; and a prophet who tells us to tell and retell this profound story.<br />
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"Hosanna in the highest heaven. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord."--Matthew 21: 9<br />
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Yet are we willing to share the message of this prophet knowing that he comes to flip over tables and turn the world upside down?Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-26184114513635865952017-04-08T14:12:00.001-05:002017-04-08T14:12:58.995-05:00A Covenant of Peace We live in a broken fractured world. There are divisions all around us. There is war and not peace. There is racism, sexism and all sorts of isms in this world. There are walls--visible and invisible built around us. I yearn for the days that there is no wall and there is no division.<br />
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How often do we think Jesus is standing right next to us? I remember a seminary professor saying, "When you think Jesus is standing right next to you, he is more than likely standing on the other side of the line." In reading scripture, there are definitely times I'm almost certain Jesus is standing next to me. But when I put myself in someone else's shoes, it helps me to see their perspective and try to understand where they stand.<br />
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I yearn for peace and justice. So I cling to the promise that God gave us; a covenant of peace for all people. A covenant of peace that breaks down the walls of injustice. A covenant of peace that stops war from breaking out. A covenant of peace that opens our eyes and ears to see and hear God's love in this world. A covenant of peace that breaks forth and is risen from the grave. A covenant of peace that we as God's people can cling to today, tomorrow and for years to come.Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-73157821639072055182017-04-07T11:15:00.002-05:002017-04-07T12:56:52.736-05:00The Cross and God's Love <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;">I am linking up for Five Minute Friday. </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung on her blog </span></span><a href="http://katemotaung.com/" style="color: #007710; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Heading Home</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Today's prompt is "enough." I love spending time with this crew. They bless me beyond words. We'd </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">love to have you join us. Just hop onto Twitter on Thursday evenings and follow the #fmfparty. Hope to see you there! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Where you there when they crucified my Lord....Where you there when they nailed him to a tree...where you there...sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">God's love for us is so wide and so deep that it is enough for God to send God's son not to condemn the world but in order to save it. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">In the darkness of Good Friday, Jesus is nailed to the cross. Blood dripping from the places where the nails are pierced into his hands and feet. A crown of thorns dug into his scalp. A single tear as he instructs his mother to care for and love his beloved friend. Jesus then breathes his last. The silence pierces the darkness as the crowd watches in amazement. Jesus has been crucified.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">We know the rest of the story. We know that on that Easter morning, the women come to the tomb and found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. God had the power to overcome death and the grave. In the resurrection, we cling to the promise that God's love is enough and as we trust in resurrection hope.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Resurrection hope is something that I find myself grasping to during these final days of Lent. I watch the news and see wars and so much evil unfolding. My eyes turn away from what I see; I can no longer watch. It is beyond enough; too much in fact. And because it is beyond enough, I find myself standing at the foot of the cross crying out; crying out that God's justice, mercy and peace reign. Crying out that love not hatred has the final word. Crying out because of God's scandalous love that sent God' son to die on the cross for each and every one of us. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So this week, as we journey from Jesus triumphal entry to his last supper to Good Friday to Easter, may we cling to the promise that God's love is enough as Jesus comes to break all barriers and show us the ultimate power of God's love. And as Jesus utters those words "it is finished," may we know that it is finished as Jesus fulfills the prophesy as he lives, dies, and then is resurrected. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Alleluia! Christ is risen. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">He is risen indeed."</span>Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-35221942934756952822017-04-07T09:43:00.003-05:002017-04-07T09:43:59.531-05:00Stumbling "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." These words make me tremble and full with fear. They at times seem so impossible, but they aren't. When we are able to do this, all of us are changed.<br />
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I wonder what Jeremiah thought of these words. In our text from Jeremiah 20:7-13, we know that Jeremiah trusted in the Lord. "Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and they will not prevail." The Lord sees the heart and the mind.<br />
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What does the Lord see of our hearts and minds? I hope that the Lord sees me doing my best "to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God." I know that there are days that I'll fail at this. But more days than not, I want to be seen as one of Jesus children who continually tries to shower love on all Gods people.<br />
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God loved us so much God sent Gods one and only son into the world for us.Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-27672478698070600342017-04-06T11:36:00.001-05:002017-04-06T11:37:11.265-05:00God's Wonderful Works"Sing praises to the Lord, call on his name,<br />
Make known his deeds among the peoples.<br />
Sing to him, sing praises to him;<br />
tell all of his wonderful works."--Psalm 105: 1-2 (NRSV)<br />
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This Psalm starts out so beautifully and then it ebbs and flows throughout the text. At the very end, it returns once again to joy and what God does for us and provides for us. I cannot help but think of one of my favorite verses from another Psalm; Psalm 30:verse 5 "Weeping may come for the night, but joy comes with the morning." Weeping will come, but joy also will come again too.<br />
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It is just that in the midst of the swarms of locusts, it is hard to see. I have been swarming the gates of heavens myself with prayers lifted for so many friends and family that are struggling. I want so much for them to be able to see the light instead of the darkness. Yet I know that I just have to be patient. I have to continue to shower love on them. They will one day see the light again.<br />
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Often it is hard to trust in that promise, yet God does work among us. God sends people into our lives to walk this journey of faith with us. God wraps us in God's love, grace, and mercy. God sent God's one and only son into the world because God loves us that much. God sent God's son not to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.<br />
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God calls us to be God's hands and feet in this broken world. Knowing that God works among us, I cannot help but continue to pray and tell the story of what Christ has done for us. I cannot help but lift my voice for those who have lost their voices in the midst of life's hard. So today, if you are feeling voiceless and like you cannot see the light in the midst of the darkness, I am lifting my voice for you. And one day soon, together we will all be able to sing the praises of the wonderful work God has done for us.<br />
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<br />Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-18819704417116642862017-04-05T10:20:00.000-05:002017-04-05T10:21:49.758-05:00In the Blazing Hot FireA few summers ago, I was attending my favorite continuing education event in Estes Park, Colorado when the Fort Collins fires took place. Walking through the streets of downtown Estes, one could see the smoke plumes rising from the fires in Fort Collins. It was a haunting sight to see the beautiful Rocky Mountains enveloped by the smoke from those fires.<br />
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Another summer, while in Estes, a fire broke out in the Estes Park area. Some friends and I had been downtown and left to go change for supper. On our way back into town, we found the entrance to Estes blocked off from incoming traffic. They were not going to let any others put their safety in jeopardy.</div>
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Fire has this all consuming power to hurt us. A fire can easily get out of control and burn someone. A fire can take away our most treasured possessions in a second. Last night, I was reading Kara Tippett's book "The Hardest Peace." In the book, she shares the story of how when they first moved to Colorado, the High Park fires started. In seconds, they had to pack up what they could and leave from their new home. Luckily, they were able to move back into their home. But Kara still found herself cleaning the smoke damage out of her home.</div>
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Today in Daniel, we read the story of <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (or as the Veggie Tale's movie affectionately call them Shack, Rack, and Benny). These men are thrown into a blazing hot furnace; seven times hotter than what it should be. In the fire, a fourth man comes to free them. From the text we know that this fourth man has the appearance of God. The three men (Shack, Rack, and Benny) come out of the fire with not a single burn on them.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">In this story, I am once again reminded of the power of God. That God is with us in our brokenness. That God is willing to get down and dirty with us. That God is able and will stand in the blazing hot fires with us. God calls us to be God's servants; servants who too will stand not outside the fire, but are willing to stand inside the fire too. </span></span></div>
Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-75644803763260053542017-04-04T15:23:00.002-05:002017-04-05T10:52:15.024-05:00Redemption Through the Cross"It is worth it to go looking for redemption. It can be found. Healing is possible. Things do grow again. We underestimate our own tremendous capacity for recovery, the capacity of the organism to heal itself. I know how easy it is to think your ugly is too ugly, your broken is too broken. But this is the whole sum of what I've learned. There is no wound too small or too horrible to be a candidate for healing, though that healing may require that you give up more than you ever dreamed. This is the length of God's arm. Go to the silence. In the silence there is glue. And you may find there too that God is already traveling with you--too big to see, and too close to feel, but as unmoving and generous as the sky."--What Falls from The Sky; Esther Emery (P. 233)<br />
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His arms are spread out on the cross; nails driven through his hands and feet and a crown of thorns dug into his head. A single tear falls from his eye as he looks at his mother. From his lips, he proclaims, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And then he breathes his last. In the silence of that Good Friday, we stand looking up at his lifeless body. He is gently taken down from the cross, wrapped in burial clothes and is taken to the tomb where his body is laid to rest.<br />
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Jesus' mourners walk away from the tomb. Three days later, the women come to the tomb and find the stone rolled away from the entrance. To their shock and dismay, they find the tomb empty. Jesus is not there. Little do they know that he has been raised. As they are walking along, returning to tell the others what they have found, they encounter Jesus. Yet at first, they do not know that it is Jesus. Soon their eyes are opened and they immediately know that Jesus is alive. Jesus has triumphed over death and the grave.<br />
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The resurrection declares to us the power of redemption in the world. God redeems the world and all of us. God redeems our brokenness into wholeness. God brings about wholeness when we least expect it. On the cross, God redeemed our sins through the death of his one and only Son. And on Easter morning, God shows us how vast and wide God's love is for all of us. This love is as vast and wide as a North Dakota prairie sky.<br />
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This love embraces us in our brokenness. This love captures us in our beauty and reminds us continually of who and whose we are. This love is a generous love that knows no limits or boundaries. This love is a scandalous love that has the power to overcome death and the grave to resurrect Jesus from that very grave he was placed in. This love shows us the heights and depths to which God will go for God's beloved children.<br />
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Jesus stretched out his arms between the wooden arms of the cross because God loves us that much. Jesus' outstretched arms, dripping with blood, proclaim that we are never alone. God will never leave us or forsake us. God will forever shower God's love on all of us. And in this love, we are molded back together again and again through our brokenness.<br />
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"Weeping may come for the night, but joy comes with the morning."--Psalm 30:5 There are so many times when we cannot see that light in the midst of the darkness. Yet Easter proclaims to us the gift in the beauty of the resurrection. Healing does come. But often not in the ways we expect or even want.<br />
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In the darkness of the night, Jesus is sitting on the edge of our bed with us wiping away our tears. In the light of Easter morning, Jesus is rejoicing in God's power and the beauty of new life with us. So when we journey through the wilderness, we must trust in this promise; knowing that life has the ultimate word.<br />
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<i>I am linking up with these lovely ladies: Holly and Testimony Tuesday, Kelly and the Ra Ra linkup,</i><br />
<i>Jennifer and Tell His Story, and Holley and Coffee for your Heart.</i><br />
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Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-43567773558897881772017-04-04T10:24:00.001-05:002017-04-04T10:27:04.368-05:00A Bronze Serpent<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Num-21-4" id="en-NRSV-4345" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">"From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea,</span><span class="text Num-21-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"> to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. </span><span class="text Num-21-5" id="en-NRSV-4346" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">The people spoke against God and against Moses,'Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.' </span><span class="text Num-21-6" id="en-NRSV-4347" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">Then the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> sent poisonous</span><span class="text Num-21-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"> serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died. </span><span class="text Num-21-7" id="en-NRSV-4348" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">The people came to Moses and said, 'We have sinned by speaking against the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> and against you; pray to the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> to take away the serpents from us.' So Moses prayed for the people. </span><span class="text Num-21-8" id="en-NRSV-4349" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">And the <span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> said to Moses, 'Make a poisonous</span><span class="text Num-21-8" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"> serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.' </span><span class="text Num-21-9" id="en-NRSV-4350" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live."-Numbers 21:4-9 (NRSV)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Num-21-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">Oh those Israelites! They sound like a little child whining when they don't get what they want. The Israelites are upset that God has not provided them what they want. In the book of Exodus, we know that God did indeed send them food. He rained down manna from heaven. Yet the Israelites detested the manna. Can they not be satisfied that God is providing for them?</span></span><br />
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In the midst of their grumbling, God sends poisonous serpents among the people which bite the people. Many of the Israelites die. It seems to me that God needed to get their attention and it couldn't be a subtle nudge. It needed to be an alarming nudge that would remind them of who provided for them. In seeing their family members die, they knew that something needed to be done so they turned to Moses. They asked for his forgiveness and for God's forgiveness. Moses followed the Lord's instructions and made a serpent of bronze. This serpent of bronze reminded the Israelites of what they had done and also reminded them of who did and would always provide for them.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Num-21-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">How often do we expect God to provide for us one way and then he provides for us in a totally different way? We may pray for one thing, but God sees fit to answer that prayer in a totally different way than we could have ever imagined. Now God doesn't send us bronze serpents, but God does send people into our lives to remind us of who and whose we are. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Num-21-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">And as God's beloved people, like the Israelites, God offers us grace and forgiveness. God calls us to tell and retell the story of God's love for us through the life, death and resurrection of God's one and only son. Jesus hangs lifeless on the cross and breathes his last; shedding his body and blood for our sins. Yet because of God's great love for us, three days later Jesus is risen and we proclaim in the promise that light not darkness and life not death have the final word. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Num-21-9" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">"Easter says you can put death in the grave, but it won't stay there."-Clarence W. Hall</span></span>Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-83399129641767097482017-04-03T10:51:00.001-05:002017-04-03T10:53:41.990-05:00CondemnedShe stands waiting to be condemned for the sins she has committed. Jesus is standing in front of her. The crowd is questioning why he isn't condemning her. Jesus turns the tables on the crowd and asks, "Has one of you not sinned?" Each turns away and is silent because they too have committed their own sins. No one is blameless. We are all created as both saints and sinners in need of God's grace.<br />
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That day, standing in front of the woman, would I have been able to admit my own sin? Or would I have joined in with the crowds and told Jesus to condemn her? The truth is that I am just as much as a sinner as the woman is. We all are!<br />
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Jesus gave the woman and gives all of us freedom. In John chapter 8 verses 10-11, we hear this conversation between Jesus and the woman: "<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text John-8-10" id="en-NRSV-26381" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px;">J</span><span class="text John-8-10" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">esus straightened up and said to her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' </span><span class="text John-8-11" id="en-NRSV-26382" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;">She said, 'No one, sir.' And Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.'" </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">But how much do you want to bet that she did sin again? And that God's people also sin again? It is in our human nature to sin. We are not perfect. In fact, we are far from it. One only need to look at our broken fractured world to see that. More times than I care to count, God's people treat each other awfully. We fail over and over and over again at "loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us." We fail at offering forgiveness and are the first to throw the first stone. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Jesus teaches us the power of love, grace, and forgiveness when he sends away the woman and does not condemn her. Jesus, more than likely knew, that she was going to sin again, but he still gave her grace and freedom. Jesus does the same for us too. On the cross, Jesus dies for our sins and comes not to condemn the world, but to save it. Jesus triumphs over death and the grave showing us that life has the ultimate word.</span>Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-88276642087369290012017-04-02T19:48:00.001-05:002017-04-02T19:48:14.111-05:00Sunday Blessings 165<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">(1) Zumba with my fave crew </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">(2) It was for a sad reason but getting to see so many of my camp friends I haven't seen in ages. I ❤ these people so much.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">(3) 60 degree weather--Spring definitely feels like it's in the air!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">(4) Candles for when the electricity goes out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">(5) Caribou Coffee Mint Condition Mocha</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">(6) A call from my momma </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">(7) New LaCroix Water Flavors--Apricot and Passion Fruit </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">(8) An offer of a ticket to go to the symphony! Sad that it didn't work out, but next time for sure. Thanks for thinking of me, MH!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">(9) Awesome Blue Apron meals </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">(10) Finishing the book "What Falls From the Sky!" by Esther Emery! Thanks for sharing this book with me, AR!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">(11) 60 degrees--glorious!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">(12) Caribou Coffee's Mint Condition Mocha </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">(13) Great first communion class and milestone </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">(14) A beautiful PLN</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">(15) A sweet compliment from a parishioner today. </span></div>
Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-83639120467875908762017-04-02T14:12:00.002-05:002017-04-02T14:13:49.563-05:00Can These Bones Live? Can these bones live? I don't know about you, but every time I hear this story, my mind immediately goes to scenes unfolding in stores or on television during the holiday of Halloween. But that isn't what this text is really about.<br />
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Dead is dead! Once we leave this life for heaven, we will not return until Christ comes again. Our bones do not come back to life. But I can't help but reflect on this text in a new way...will our bones live while we serve here on earth?<br />
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Will we use our hands and our feet to reach out to all Gods people? Will we trust in the promise that life not death; light not darkness has the ultimate word? Will our bones dance to the glory of God? Will our bones tell the story of who and whose we are?<br />
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It's amazing to me the power God has on this world. God reminds us that "Easter says you can put death in the grave, but it won't stay there." In other words, these bones will and do live on. They live on as we tell the story over and over again.<br />
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Walking through a cemetery, headstones tell the stories of God's people. These headstones and graves hold the love of a beloved parent, grandparent, friend, etc. They are not the bodies and bones of ghosts, but are the bodies and bones of Gods beloved children.<br />
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During these days as we journey to the cross, will we remember the blood that was shed for us? Will we cling to the promise and hope of the resurrection? It is in this resurrection promise that we live for Gods mercy, justice, kindness, love and grace.<br />
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So can these bones live?Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-84878456593507851472017-04-01T09:43:00.001-05:002017-04-01T09:45:27.352-05:00A Silent CrowdA fair trial and hearing...it's what anyone wants in this life when they are accused of a crime. Jesus and his followers wanted the same thing. Some of the people wanted to arrest Jesus while others believed he was truly the Messiah. The police listened to the crowd and didn't arrest him. When they returned, the Pharisees ask "Have you not been deceived?"<br />
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It must have taken so much strength to not arrest Jesus that day. The police didn't follow through with their orders. But we know the end of the story! Jesus was eventually arrested, hung on a cross, and crucified for our sins. On the cross, Jesus bore the weight of the cross and God's scandalous love for all in this broken world. </div>
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If we were there, would we have stood up for a fair trial? Would we have been arrested with Jesus? Would we have stood up for what we believd was true and right? Or would we have stood silent or would we too have added our voices to the crowd who cried out "Crucify him?" </div>
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The silence of the crowd that first Good Friday convicts Jesus of his guilt. Yet Jesus was only trying to bear God's love and overturn the power of the empire. Jesus was sent to turn this world upside down; to sit and break bread with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus died and then three days later was raised. On Easter morning, as Jesus is raised, we proclaim in the power of the cross and that life not death and light not darkness has the final word. </div>
Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-60108933329763342662017-03-31T19:24:00.001-05:002017-03-31T19:24:38.042-05:00Dear Friends...Dear friends and (former) Diaconal Ministers,<br />
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I sit in my house tonight reflecting on all of our community gatherings as well as my DMFE. Tears are streaming down my face as I give thanks for this community; a place where I've always felt seen, known and extremely loved. You all are such a gift and blessing in my life and will continue to be that as we say goodbye to one community and open our hearts to a new one. Yet because we've loved, we also grieve. (How fitting that our community list serve closes in the midst of Lent)<br />
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I remember leading my small group at the January 2010 DMFE with such great joy. But then the Haiti earthquake happened and we mourned the loss of Warburg seminary student Ben Larson. My small group led evening worship that night. We played Ben's version of Psalm 30 as people came into worship that night. And today, it is the verse that has been playing in my heart and mind. "Weeping may come for the night but joy comes with the morning."<br />
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A new morning is dawning, friends. A new morning where together with our other word and service friends, we will bear "diakonia" into this broken world. We will continue to be pioneers; pioneers who bridge the gap and serve beyond the church doors.<br />
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My mom, as many of you know, has been the ultimate example of diakonia in my life. She taught me what it means to pick up basin and towel and wash the feet of all God's people. And you, my friends, also have taught me the many ways to love and serve all God's people. You will always hold a special place in my heart.<br />
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I close tonight remembering the words to one of my fave verses "But what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God."--Micah 6:8<br />
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Let us walk humbly into a new community; a new community born out of the ashes of an old community. A new community that I trust God will use for Gods glory in many new ways.<br />
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Thanks be to God for what was and what is yet to come.<br />
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Love your sister in diakonia,<br />
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Tara Ulrich<br />
DFME 03Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-60834642164392448602017-03-31T18:12:00.001-05:002017-03-31T18:13:08.718-05:00Our Brokenness Doesn't Define Us! <span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic;">I am linking up for Five Minute Friday. </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung on her blog </span></span><a href="http://katemotaung.com/" style="color: #007710; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Heading Home</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Today's prompt is "define." I love spending time with this crew. They bless me beyond words. We'd </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">love to have you join us. Just hop onto Twitter on Thursday evenings and follow the #fmfparty. Hope to see you there! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It can be so easy to get wrapped up in our brokenness and to think that it defines us. People look at us and they don't see our brokenness. They do not know our stories. Yet we get so caught up in our brokenness and the ways it defines us. The thing is, my friends, is that we are all cracked and broken pots (see yesterdays post). But God makes us whole again.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">God stands with us in the midst of our brokenness and wants us to know that that is not what defines us. What defines us is that God calls and claims us as God's beloved children. We are defined by our title "children of God." In other words, I am not defined by what I am not. I am not defined by my singleness or my suffering. I am not defined by my desires to be a wife and mom. I am defined as a beautiful beloved child of God.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">"Tara Lee Ulrich, you are a baptized child of God, whatever else you are, remember that you are; for that is the basis of whatever else you are." These beautiful words remind us all of who and whose we are. They define our belongness as children of God claimed in the waters of baptism. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">At the cross, Jesus died for our sins and because of God's love for us, Jesus' life, death and resurrection also help remind us who and whose we are. The cross embodies the definition of our calling as God's beloved children. In the words of the christian group Gungor God makes beautiful things out of dust; out of us! So remember you are not defined by those things that bear you down; you are defined as one of God's beloved children. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-52977830713400552372017-03-30T16:01:00.003-05:002017-03-30T16:03:06.654-05:00Cracked and Broken Walking up the stairs to church, the crack in the window catches my eye. The crack is a symbol of the brokenness in our world. But it is not the only symbol of brokenness, we walk down the street and see a cracked car window or we go for a walk and step over a crack in the sidewalk. These cracks are visible to the eye, yet how many of us are journeying through this life with our own brokenness; our own brokenness that is not easily visible to other's eyes.<br />
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Our brokenness seems like such a tiny crack to those who do not know us. Yet our own brokenness is so much bigger than what others see. We want to fix our brokenness. We want to feel whole and complete. But so often our own brokenness feels like a gigantic burden to those in our lives, but especially to our own selves. So we stand with our broken and scattered pieces and try to piece it back together again.</div>
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It is almost impossible to find the beauty in the midst of our broken selves, yet God takes us and makes beautiful things out of us. I am reminded once again of the Japanese art form "kintsugi." According to Wikipedia, kintsugi is "the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum." This art form reminds us of the history of the piece's own brokenness. It also is the place where the light gets in. What if we looked at our own brokenness in much the same way?</div>
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The thing is it can be so easy for us to be swallowed up by our brokenness, yet God doesn't leave us drowning. God puts individuals in our path who hold us up and help us to see the gifts of who God calls us to be. In other words, we are not defined by our brokenness, but rather are defined by who we are; "fearfully and wonderfully made children of God." And in the end, that's all that matters! </div>
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It's all that matters because God sent God's one and only Son into the world for each and every one of us. "For God so loved the world that God sent God's one and only son into the world so that everyone who believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Indeed, God did not send God's son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that it might be saved through Him."--John 3:16-17</div>
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As we journey to the cross, we find ourselves, in all of our brokenness, standing at the foot of the cross watching as Jesus' dies for our sins. In the darkness of Good Friday, the sights and sounds of Jesus death alert us to the relentless reality of the cross. This simple wooden cross bears the weight of Jesus' death but also bears the weight of each of us in our brokenness. And then hours later, on Easter morning, that weight is lifted as life not death, light not darkness, and wholeness not brokenness have the final word.</div>
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Trusting in the resurrection promise, God takes our own brokenness and in the words of Gungor, "makes beautiful things out of dust; makes beautiful things out of us." And as beautiful children of God, we are continually made whole. </div>
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Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-22984472902989285332017-03-30T12:00:00.000-05:002017-03-30T12:00:57.794-05:00Our Own Golden CalvesIdol--"a representation or symbol of an object of worship"; "an object of extreme devotion." (Merriam Webster's Dictionary)<br />
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In our world, there are many things that can so easily be turned into idols. Often times the American flag and our patriotic colors of red, white, and blue turn from simple devotion to extreme devotion. It is as if we turn these items into our own idols. Now don't get me wrong, I think the flag is an important symbol in our history. But too often we forget the history of others around us.<br />
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In our story from Exodus, Moses' people have turned the calf into their own idol. They are no longer worshiping God but are worshiping this golden calf. God calls us, like he called Moses' people, to not worship idols but to worship him. When we worship God, we are reminded of the promise that God made to Abraham, Isaac, and even Moses. "I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever."--Exodus 32: 13<br />
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God calls us to trust fully in God's love for God's people. In the midst of our pain, suffering and joy, God reminds us that God sent God's son as Immanuel "God with us." God with us in our pain. God with us in our joy. God with us in our sorrow. God with us in our grieving. God with us....at all times and in all places.<br />
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During these final days and weeks of Lent as we journey to the cross, let us not turn to idols, but rather trust in the one who came as the light in the midst of the darkness, the joy in the midst of the sorrow and as the one who redeems life over death.Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878984.post-44510249476711205852017-03-29T14:51:00.000-05:002017-03-29T14:51:04.047-05:00Palpable Love"Our sorrows and wounds are healed only when we touch them with compassion."--Jack Kornfield<br />
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"Compassion is the wish to see others free from suffering."--Dalai Lama<br />
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"Compassion is at the heart of every little thing we do. It is the dearest quality we possess, yet all too often it can be cast aside with consequences too tragic to speak of. To lose our compassion, we lose what it is to be human."--Unknown<br />
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Has the world lost her compassion? Have we forgotten how to truly listen to one another, wipe each other's tears and be compassionate to one another? I see so much hatred and evil in our broken world that I truly believe we have forgotten what it means to be compassionate to each other. We so quickly sling ugliness at one another rather than compassionate words.<br />
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Compassion is what has helped me through those times in my life when I have been wounded. I can name the people who have sat with me in the silence. I can think of those people who have prayed for me and my family. And it is because of their examples that I find myself knowing what it means to be compassionate and caring to others.<br />
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This morning, I sat in a pew and then around a table with former Bible camp counselor staff as we laid the camp secretary for many years to rest. She died suddenly and unexpectedly this past weekend. We laughed together sharing our favorite stories. We wiped each other's tears. We broke bread together as we remembered her compassion for us and shared that compassion with one another. The love and compassion around that table was palpable.<br />
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As I sat around that table, I found myself basking in the glow of these dear souls in my life. I also found myself realizing how much they have taken a piece of my heart as we care for one another in both our joys and sorrows. It is a gift that I won't forget and it is a gift that I hope that I can freely give to others.<br />
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I may not always agree with my friends. I may not always understand why they stand on another side of an issue than I do. But what I do know is that God has called me to love them; to be compassionate, caring and kind to them. And it is because of the love of God and my dear family and friends who help me be seen, known, and loved that I can offer that same love and compassion in my own life.<br />
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God is a compassionate being and calls us to follow God's example of compassion for all in this broken world. "The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made."--Psalm 145: 8-9<br />
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<i>Linking up with Holley and Coffee for your Heart and Kristin and Porch Stories.</i><br />
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<br />Tara Ulrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02619365758739247929noreply@blogger.com2