Starting the New Year with…
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By Iris Nelson January 1, 2009 Giveaway, Women

***Winner will be announced tomorrow, February 1st 2009***

What could be better than starting the new year with the giveaway 😛 ? At the end of this post you can find out how to can enter this marvelous giveaway. Lori had the opportunity to review Tara Barthel’s Peacemaking Church Women’s Study, “Living the Gospel in Relationships“. What is even more exciting, Lori got together for an interview with Tara.

I am excited to introduce you to Tara Barthel. The Lord, who always has perfect timing, brought this DVD Series before me to review while I was recuperating from a recent minor surgery. The Lord knew I would not be going anywhere and he had some things to teach me. So every morning at 5am Tara and I met through her DVD study, and the Lord opened my heart to more of Him.

This Women’s Study, “Living the Gospel in Relationships” not only gave me the tools I need when dealing with conflict, but she opened my eyes to idols in my life I did not even know existed. I am already praying for the right person to win this bible study, but if you don’t win this giveaway, I strongly encourage you to consider telling your church about this wonderful Woman’s Study. Without further ado…

Tara I am so excited to have you visiting us here at Laced With Grace. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I often describe myself as a “recovering lawyer” because my background is in the law and business, but currently I am a homemaker. I’m married to the world’s kindest man, Fred, and I have a five-year old daughter, Sophia Grace. Our home is very organized (I love office supplies!) but dusty and full of Golden Retriever hair (because I don’t vacuum enough). Before Sophie was born, I worked for Peacemaker Ministries—I was their first female senior staff member and I was responsible for all Christian conciliation cases, church interventions, and conciliator training. In 2005, I co-authored the book, Peacemaking Women, and in 2007, I recorded the video series that you are giving away in this drawing.

In your Women’s Study, “Living the Gospel in Relationships” the first thing you tell listeners to do, is to be a Berean. Can you tell us what that means?

This term is taken from Acts 17:10-11. Paul and Silas had just been taken away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went to the synagogue and met Jews, Bereans, who were “more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11, ESV).
I start the video series by encouraging the women to “be Bereans” because I long for all Christian women to saturate their minds with Scripture and test what they read and hear to see if what is being taught to them is true. It grieves me how unbiblical the theology is of many Christian authors and speakers—particularly those marketed toward women.
Yes, we have a lot of fun in “Living the Gospel in Relationships.” And no, I’m not a dry, boring speaker, as I’m sure you will attest to. But I do pray that I am rigorously biblical in my teaching; that I am a Christ-centered, gospel-proclaiming, thinking Christian.

How has the Peacemaking Principles of responding to conflict biblically changed how you handle conflict in your own life?

I am so grateful for the biblical peacemaking principles taught by Peacemaker Ministries. Prior to reading The Peacemaker (by Ken Sande), I simply had no idea how to glorify God and love my neighbor—especially my Christian neighbor—when conflicts came. When should I overlook? How could I ever redemptively confront another person? What does it mean when I tell someone, “I forgive you?”
The Peacemaking Principles have given me the biblical and practical help I need to live out what I claim to believe. I now know the opportunities that conflict gives me and how I can get help in my local church if a conflict “gets stuck.” It’s still hard to be confronted, of course, but I see now how much I need godly, loving, firm accountability and confrontation to help me in my journey of progressive sanctification. And I now know the sweetness of genuine forgiveness and reconciliation—that relationships really can be restored because of the power of the Cross!

I like it when you said the second thing we need to do when listening to the study “Living the Gospel in Relationships” is not to spend time thinking of the person who really should be hearing the study! Can you share more in how we fall in that trap when we listen to a bible study?

Whenever we hear something as life-changing and eternally-important as these biblical peacemaking principles (and I’m not using hyperbole—check out John 13:35 and John 17:20-23 to see what I mean), it is natural to be excited about telling others. We think about family members in a decades-long conflict; a couple in our church who is contemplating divorce; a feud at our local school.
We can be particularly tempted to think about someone who has hurt us—how they shouldn’t have done such-and-so; and how they were wrong when they did XYZ. It can be tempting to pop a “Peacemaker Brochure” in an unmarked envelope and “just happen” to leave it in their mailbox.
But if our focus is on others, we are missing the first step. In all of life, our focus is to be on the Lord. His glory. His Kingdom. His purposes. His plan. As we worship Him rightly and catch even a glimpse of His perfection and holiness, we are not going to be filled with criticism of others. Instead, we are going to see our own sin and fallenness and repent.
Worship of the Lord and humble repentance is the first step of biblical peacemaking. We cannot forgive and love others until we first remember how much we are forgiven and loved by God.

Thank you so much for joining us. Is there any verse the Lord has laid upon your heart for the New Year? Also is there anything that you are working on that you can share with us?

I recently blogged from Hebrews 2: “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?”
I am praying for grace to not neglect such a great salvation as has been lavished on us by our Heavenly Father!
My next project is a series of board books and beginner-level books addressing relationships among toddlers, preschoolers, and young children (and their mothers!). Because kids never fight, right? ?
Thanks for having me. Please let me know if there is every anything I can do to serve you and your precious Laced with Grace readers.

Tara thank you so much for stopping by!

Would you like to receive a copy of Tara’s marvelous Peacemaking Church Women’s Study? The study includes: DVD set: This study includes four DVD’s that contain the eight video teaching sessions. Each video session is about 40 mins long. 5 Study Guides/journals Peacemaking Principles on responding to conflict biblically. Along with any promotional material to advertise the study if you are doing the study at church. All you have to do it add a comment to this post, or you can enter daily by leaving comments on the daily devotions of our team. If you share this giveaway with your blogging friend on your personal blog, it will give you another chance to win 🙂 . You have until January 31st to sign up; winner will be announced on February 1st.

Thank you for stopping by Laced with Grace today…Be blessed today and always,

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Tagged on: 2009, Bible Study, Hope, New Beginnings, Tara

171 thoughts on “Starting the New Year with…
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Karen Gonyea January 3, 2009 at 12:10

I want to win.
Darlene Alexander January 3, 2009 at 15:05

This would be great for our Spring Ladies Bible Study. We are always looking for good material. Thanks for your sponsorship.
Lorie January 3, 2009 at 16:09

What an exciting give away to recieve, Pleas enter my name and I will also share it with my friends on my blog.

Hugz Lorie
Gary Emes January 3, 2009 at 17:59

Thanks for another chance at a great prize!
sarah January 3, 2009 at 19:10

Everyone needs the Lord.
Jill Miller January 3, 2009 at 21:30

Starting the new year with trying to live a healthier life in 2009.
Dorothy Champagne January 4, 2009 at 07:37

Enter me please! 🙂
Harrison January 4, 2009 at 08:25

having peace with those that case us injury is integral to Christian life.
BlueRose/Kat January 4, 2009 at 11:33

Pleae enter me cause I would love to have an addition to start the year with a new start. Thanks
EMMA L HORTON January 4, 2009 at 13:00

GREAT BOOKS
Darlene Alexander January 4, 2009 at 14:53

I would love to win this for my Ladies group.
Holly Norris January 4, 2009 at 15:16

Would love to win this for my small group studies. Thanks.
Gary Emes January 4, 2009 at 16:45

Thanks again for the chance to win this great prize!
Suzanne Denys January 4, 2009 at 16:50

What a wonderful contest!
Kayce January 4, 2009 at 19:58

I’d love to win this. I’d watch it over and over.
Denise January 4, 2009 at 20:49

This would be really cool to have!
Darla Ewoldsen January 4, 2009 at 23:54

I speak at some womens groups this sounds like a good place to get some ideas.
Mocha with Linda January 5, 2009 at 06:15

Looks wonderful!
Harrison January 5, 2009 at 06:45

this peacemakers study might include forgiveness and mercy to those that have wronged us and hurt others
SHARON January 5, 2009 at 06:58

I hope i am not to late to enter, this is really cool, I have never won anything on these, but I never give up trying either.

My spam word today is “God” I feel like I just won!!!! Awesome!
Have a blessed day
Sharon
Holly Norris January 5, 2009 at 14:22

Great contest. Thanks.
Darlene Alexander January 5, 2009 at 14:56

I would like this material for my spring ladies Bible study. PS: I love your anti-spam words!!!!!
Mi January 5, 2009 at 16:47

what a great study topic
Karen Gonyea January 5, 2009 at 17:03

Great Prize.
Donna Hunt January 5, 2009 at 17:25

What a great prize–please add my name! Thank you for the contest!
Harrison January 6, 2009 at 06:35

a big part of peacemaking is forgiving those who trespass against us
Suzanne Denys January 6, 2009 at 08:43

To live is Christ to die is gain
Darlene Alexander January 6, 2009 at 15:27

Would love to have this study for Spring. PTL!
Eva D January 6, 2009 at 16:12

thank you for offering this terrific teaching book to us. Id love to be able to share it with my woman’s bible study group.

texasgirl(at)rocketmail(dot)com
Debbie Criss January 6, 2009 at 19:19

Would love to win. Please enter me, thank you
Carol Drury January 7, 2009 at 08:00

sounds intriguing – thanks for the opportunity!!
Sallye January 7, 2009 at 13:53

I would love to be entered to win this study. I am getting ready to start the Truth Project through my church, and think this would be a lovely follow up.
Darlene Alexander January 7, 2009 at 15:04

Thank you so much for the material some Ladies Group will receive.
amylou January 7, 2009 at 21:25

A very nice choice of prize for some lucky winner.
ruth a. stiles January 8, 2009 at 05:58

what a wonderful prize and a great resource. I am sure whoever wins this, that if they go through it, change will happen.
Amanda Bowers January 8, 2009 at 06:27

The Lord has been teaching many of these principles lately. I would love to have a study to expound on them.

Thanks
Harrison January 8, 2009 at 06:34

the first step toward peace is forgiveness
Tammy January 8, 2009 at 07:06

Enter me in! It looks like a great study.
Raye Ann January 8, 2009 at 07:34

This sounds like a great giveaway. I am always looking for something to share with the young women of our congregation.
BJ January 8, 2009 at 07:54

What a wonderful giveaway!!
Patricia@TypingOne-Handed January 8, 2009 at 08:00

I love that there is a series out there for women on peacemaking! When our church went through a painful split 5 years ago, the pastor used Ken Sande’s book. It didn’t restore the break…but it did help those of us who stayed.
Terri Sue January 8, 2009 at 08:55

I would love to win!
Lori January 8, 2009 at 10:04

I have been praying for a Bible study to share with my new friends in my new city (we have been here for 6 months, and I can’t find a local church with a morning Bible study, so I feel led to hold one in my home). I just read the following description of your study and afterward, tears were streaming down my face. I have Bipolar Affective Disorder and although I was saved at the age of 5, I didn’t begin to really feel God’s love until I was 31. I am now 35. God is healing me, and has brought me so very far from where I used to be, but I still struggle with self-worth and guilt. I feel that I must always be busy, and have a general feeling of being a failure…like I am always messing up. My husband and 3 daughters suffer because of this, and so do I. I feel alone, although I know I am not.
When I read the description, I identified with it so much and I knew that this study would be perfect for me. Not only for me, but one of my new friends could benefit from the study, as well. When we first met 3 months ago, she asked me how to forgive someone who has hurt her really badly. Knowing that forgiveness is a work of God’s grace flowing through us, I felt led to ask her if she had ever asked Christ to be her Lord and Savior. She hadn’t, and so we prayed and she became a Christian right then and there! Her schedule is so busy that a study in my home would bless her (and her marriage and 2 daughters) very much.
I sure do hope I win this study. Thank you so much for considering me. The following is the description of your study which I spoke about:

Many Christian women struggle to live out what they believe.

While in their heads they know they are saved by grace, in their hearts they often feel distant from God and burdened by guilt.

They have a nagging sense of not being “good enough,” and the striving that results leaves little room for either peace or joy. They often feel the need to perform to earn the love of God and the love of others. In turn, their relationships with others often reflect this same performance mentality.

To top it off, as they face these struggles and difficult relationships, they sometimes feel utterly alone.
Rebecca January 8, 2009 at 13:21

I would love to do this study with some of the women in our church. It would be very timely.
Darlene Alexander January 8, 2009 at 15:19

Great study for my ladies group
Debbie January 9, 2009 at 05:06

This would be a great next study for the Ladies at my church, and for me too. I hope I win! But I am sure everyone thinks the same. Lord please grant the prize to the one you deem needs it most.
Debbie January 9, 2009 at 05:13

I put the button for the giveaway on my blog
Laura G January 9, 2009 at 15:02

I’d love to win and share it with my women’s group!
Denise January 9, 2009 at 17:15

Great stuff! Thanks!
Cory January 10, 2009 at 08:58

This looks like a wonderful study. I would love to win this to share with the ladies at my church. We are currently without a pastor and I feel this would be a great tool to have while we are in this time of transition. Thank you for offering it. Take care and God bless, Cory