The chuppah (pronounced hoop-uh) is the canopy under which a Jewish wedding ceremony is performed. It symbolizes the home to be established by the bridegroom for his bride. For the Christian, the chuppah is "in the bosom of the Father" Himself where we as His bride are to abide in spirit even now. In John 14:2-3 Jesus refers to our bridal chamber in heaven as "my Father's house."


About Me

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MO, United States
I am PASSIONATE. I love to laugh and I can cry buckets. BUT I am not defined by my emotions. I love to SING. I have been singing most of my life. BUT I am not defined by my song. I am a TRAUMA SURVIVOR, BUT I am not defined by my pain. I am a WIFE. I am married to the love of my life, Paul, who is also my best friend. BUT I am not defined by my marriage. I am a MISSIONARY. I have also worked as a teacher, a children's minister, a nanny, and a personal care assistant, BUT I am not defined by what I do. I am FORGIVEN, ACCEPTED, CLEANSED, and REDEEMED by my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am the righteousness of God. I am His beloved. THIS defines me. THIS is who I am.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Cart Full of Fear...



Last week, my mom and I went together to purchase groceries at a local shopping center. As we crossed the parking lot toward our car, our shopping cart full, I heard the unmistakable sound of shopping cart wheels on pavement just over my shoulder. Out of the corner of my eye I could see a man with a shopping cart bearing down on us nearly at our heels. I thought we were about to be accosted in a public parking lot so I began to push our cart faster rushing toward the safety of our car. The man sped up too. My heart in my throat, I raced faster and faster until I was nearly running and my mom could barely keep up. Still he kept coming. Just as we reached our car he stopped behind us and said, "Ma'am, here are the rest of your groceries." I turned to find that our "assailant" was actually an employee of the store and was following us with the remainder of our purchases that the cashier had placed in a separate shopping cart. We sheepishly thanked him and then collapsed in a fit of giggles as he returned to the store.

Our "close call" got me thinking. How often do we act based on fear? How often do we let the "what ifs" of life control our decisions?

What if I lose my job?
What if my spouse cheats on me?
What if something bad happens to those I love?
What if no one likes me?
What if I fail?
What if I get sick?
What if people laugh at me?
What if? What if? What if?


What if can become an endless cycle of worry and fear. It is no mistake that the Bible says, "Fear not..." 365 times. That's one for every day of the year. Jesus knows how prone we are to fear, but He assures us that we have no reason to become worried wonderers! We don't have to WORRY because He HOLDS our future. We don't have to WONDER because He KNOWS. Will bad things still happen? Yes, but He is in control. He doesn't promise us a problem free life, but He DOES promise to be there, to hold us up, and to use everything we encounter for His good purpose.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

So don't RUN in fear. LOOK to Jesus. After all, not every shopping cart is a prelude to disaster. :)
Posted by Tara Denning at 2:18 PM
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