September 20, 2023

His Grace is Sufficient when our Strength is Deficient

September 20, 2023/ Tabitha Deller

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12‬:‭9,‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Oh, I know the verse. I’m sure you do, too, but it’s not enough to be aware of truth. We have to be fully convinced of it if we are going to truly rest in it, stand up on it, and find our strength in it.

We are not enough, and we never will be. We will be never be smart enough, strong enough, or savvy enough to overcome our weakness.

But in the areas we lack, He promises to pick up the slack.

There’s not a program we can purchase, a supplement we can take, or a list we can make that can provide fool proof results in overcoming weakness.

I’m not saying these things can’t help us, but true strength and power is not found in being helped by the world’s ways, but in being held by His amazing grace.

So, we can stay in the vicious cycle of striving for more, or we can stay in the victorious place of grace, being helped and held by Him, knowing Jesus is all the “more” we will ever need.

His “more than enough” is more than enough to cover our “not enough.”

His all sufficiency and grace give us perfect peace and rest when we are weary in our weakness.

And that, my friends, is all the power we need to live victoriously.

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬-‭21,‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

September 12, 2023

Our Greatest Ability is our Availability

September 12, 2023/ Tabitha Deller

Our greatest ability is our availability.

Sure we all have unique gifts and abilities, skill sets that showcase our greatest assets, and personalities that highlight our highest potential. And they can be used for the good of others and the glory of God.

But we gotta stop falling prey to the prerequisite of perfection. Accolades and accomplishments fall short without a humble heart and a willing spirit.

So, when considering your unique gifts and abilities remember this:

Your greatest RESPONSIBILITY is your ongoing RESPONSE to your greatest ABILITY — your AVAILABILITY.

Be available when you are able.

Just show up.

No need to show off.

Just be willing.

There’s more to life than just winning.

You can’t outsmart a willing heart.

You can’t outgive one giving it all.

You can’t outdo a humble attitude.

Your greatest ability is your availability.

September 11, 2023

Never Forget {9/11/01}

September 11, 2023/ Tabitha Deller

I remember exactly where I was twenty-two years ago today on that tragic Tuesday. As those terrorists were boarding planes, I was buckling my four-month-old firstborn into his car seat, venturing out to Bible study. I was a young mom desperate to find connection with God and with others. I had no idea what was about happen, the lives that would be lost and others that would be changed forever.

I remember the outfit Joshua had on that day. I remember the sense of urgency to get home and talk to Steve when they told us what had happened and dismissed Bible study early. I remember being glued to the TV and watching it all in utter disbelief.

Twenty-two years later, I truly believe the world we live in is continually being attacked every single day in a very different way. The terrorist of our souls, the father of lies, the enemy himself has launched a full out attack on all that is good and all that God has established and set into motion. Oh, he’s been at it since the beginning of time, but everyday his tactics manifest in different ways, more manipulative and relentless than the day before.

He will stop at nothing to see to it that we crash and burn.

And now, more than ever, we need to show up to Bible Study — not in a formal way, but in a desperate to know Him way. What does God’s Word say about all that’s going on in the world around us? You may be surprised to know it has quite a bit to say about it!

September 05, 2023

Beauty in the “Ber” Months

September 05, 2023/ Tabitha Deller

Beauty in the “Ber” Months

{An ode to the last four months of the year}

Bring on the “ber” months

With their gentle breeze

That beckons all things fall

And welcomes the wonder of winter

Seasonal change

Beginnings that become ends

And ends that bring new beginnings

The “ber” months, by far, my favorite

Cooler temps

And warm beverages to sip

Comfy sweaters

For the colder weather

Colorful leaves

That lead to barren trees

Amid the steady evergreens

Ending with a wintery mix

Of my favorite holidays

My favorite people all in one place

Decorations and celebrations

Goodbye to the old year

Hello to the new

So bring on the “ber” months

September

October

November

December

Time to let go

And time to remember

August 31, 2023

Mosaics and Masterpieces

August 31, 2023/ Tabitha Deller

Mosaics are made of broken pieces, and broken pieces make beautiful masterpieces.

An artist friend recently shared a reel about a mosaic she’d been working on this summer. Like most mosaics, this piece required a lot of work — breaking plates and placing tiles, grouting and scraping — hours upon hours of painstaking precision. Victoria’s words in her reel may resonate with you and where you are and how you feel, too.

An author friend reached out today with a little life update, and what caught my eye and captured my heart, even more than the vulnerable words she wrote, was the beautiful smile she wore in a picture she shared of herself sitting in the center of a mosaic staircase. That picture gave life to these words she shared…

“Sometimes the journey to a sincere smile begins with a thousand sad steps.” — Wendy Speake

Mosaics are made of broken pieces, and broken pieces make more beautiful masterpieces.

Like my artist friend and author friend, you, dear friend, are a masterpiece, too — a painstakingly beautiful masterpiece.

I used to be intimidated by the word "painstaking" because I feared the "pain" the word implied and the work it would "take" to get to the other side. After taking a moment to look it up, God used the definition to calm my anxiety about the sound of the word and see the beauty in its meaning. Painstaking, by definition, means "done with or employing great care and thoroughness."

Yes, friend, you are a masterpiece. God's great care and thoroughness is evident in your life. Your brokenness and pain are the bits and pieces that shape your beauty and purpose.

Mosaics are made of broken pieces, and broken pieces make the most beautiful masterpieces.

August 28, 2023

Prioritize Praise All of Your Days

August 28, 2023/ Tabitha Deller

Happy Monday!

It’s a new day, a new week, and at the end of this week, we welcome a new month.

As I continue to settle into new rhythms and routines, plans and priorities seem to be a recurring theme.

This week, I am praying this verse over my household and the places that are home to the rest of my fold.

“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” (Psalms‬ ‭113‬:‭3,‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

“Everywhere—from east to west— praise the name of the Lord.” (Psalms‬ ‭113‬:‭3,‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

“From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!” (Psalm‬ ‭113‬:‭3‬, ESV‬‬)

You may be familiar with this verse. I thought I was, too, until I read it this morning in a few different translations. Some focus more on the time of day (the actual rising and setting of the sun), others seem to point more to a geographic location (everywhere — east to west).

My take away, and I hope yours, too:

No matter where we find ourselves (mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually), and no matter what time of day, day of the week, or season of life, we are in the perfect place and it is the perfect time to make praising God a priority!

Everywhere you are, and every moment of your day, seek to fill these sacred spaces with praise!

Prioritize praise all of your days. Starting right now. Starting today.

August 24, 2023

“To Be” List Before “To Do” List

August 24, 2023/ Tabitha Deller

If you’re anything like me, usually the first hour of my day involves getting the mental “to do” list out of my head and onto a physical checklist so I can track my progress.

I am a list maker by nature, and the morning brain dump routine helps me prioritize all the things.

But this morning, as I made my “to do” list, I couldn’t help but think of another checklist that really should be priority.

Instead of being controlled by our “to do” list, let’s allow the “to be” list to shape our day. Being breeds a better doing anyway, so if we live by this list, maybe we can more easily accomplish the “to do” list tasks.

☑️Humble

☑️Grateful

☑️Teachable

☑️Available

August 17, 2023

All…

August 17, 2023/ Tabitha Deller

I don’t have

the capacity

or the tenacity

to say it all

or do it all

And that is why

I do what I do

and say what I say

for the One who is

my all in all

He is

my all sufficiency

When I am weak

He is strong

He is

all knowing

when I know nothing

and that is really all

I need to know

He is

my wherewithal

when I feel like

I may lose it all

He cares for me

and carries me

when the weight

of my cares

weighs heavily on me

He holds me fast

I am helped and I am held

by the One who holds it all

He gave it all

to be my all in all

I will give it all to Him

again and again

More of Him

Less of me

Until He has my all

always and only

August 15, 2023

Launching Well Requires Letting Go

August 15, 2023/ Tabitha Deller

Launching well requires letting go.

Launching number three of four this year, and one thing I’m learning in the launching is that in order to do it well you must let them go.

Just like an arrow is drawn back in a bow, that arrow will never hit the target unless the archer lets it go.

I know the tendency and the tension of motherhood because I have felt it for 22 years now. The grip is tight and the drawback is precise. We want to launch them well.

We want those arrows to go exactly where God intends, and yet when the moment comes to release the grip and let them go, we want to cling a little tighter and hold on a little longer, but if we do, they will never do all that He has planned.

You may be dropping them off at college today, but you will be lifting them up in prayer always.

Prayer is powerful. Words matter, so wield them well. Pray them. Say them. I promise they will stay with them, and they’ll remember them when they need them most.

More than your two cents, they need your encouragement. You’ve raised them well. You’ve taught them all the things. Now let them go so they can grow.

Loosen that grip of control, and allow God’s grace to take hold — of them, of you, and every new thing you each will pursue.

They love you. They need you. Just not as often or as much. And that’s the way God designed it to be.

We raise them to release them. It’s all a part of the process, and it’s beautiful (but sometimes we don’t see the beauty until after the ugly cry…and that’s ok, too).

I’m praying for you. I covet your prayers for me and my arrows, too.

July 18, 2023

Misery loves company, but God’s Word offers victory over these three…

July 18, 2023/ Tabitha Deller

Overwhelmed? Complacent? Indifferent?

These three have definitely been taunting me lately.

But recently I remembered three promises from God’s Word that are helping me battle these feelings and tendencies that stem from the lies of the enemy.

If you battle them, too, might I offer these promises to you, so you can replace the lies with what is true.

June 28, 2023

Content Creator < being content with your Creator

June 28, 2023/ Tabitha Deller

Being a content creator is less important than being content with your Creator.

I’m not saying creating content or being a social media influencer is wrong, evil, or even unnecessary, but I am saying that there are many online creators and influencers that are more concerned with their following than with their followers. They play the game, put numbers before names, and seek internet fame.

I believe our deepest need is to belong to something, to someone — to have purpose beyond ourselves — to do life with others and for others — to make our lives matter more than merely living out and counting our days, but living them out well and making them count.

Which I know is the impetus behind creating content. I know this very post is proof of that!

So, how do we balance it all?

March 31, 2023

God Meets Us on the Mountaintops, but He Keeps Us in the Valleys.

March 31, 2023/ Tabitha Deller

God meets us on the mountaintops, but He keeps us in the valleys.

I’ve been so intrigued lately by the word “keep” in scripture.

It’s a little word, but it speaks a loud message to those who feel unseen, hidden in the valley, those in desperate need of not only being kept, but being held, safe and secure in the arms of a Savior.

Before we can be kept by Him, we must be found in Him by surrendering our lives to Him, confessing sin, and being born again (John 3).

February 09, 2023

Look Up to Him. He’ll Look Out for You.

February 09, 2023/ Tabitha Deller

Look up to Him.

He’ll look out for you.

Raise your gaze.

Fix your focus.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm‬ ‭121‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ESV)

“So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬, NLT‬‬)

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews,‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

We can ALWAYS look up to Him

because He is ALWAYS looking out for us.

February 07, 2023

We Seek. He Keeps.

February 07, 2023/ Tabitha Deller

We seek.

He keeps.

Behold His Glory.

Be held by His Grace.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From where does my help come?

My help comes from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;

he who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, he who keeps Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;

the Lord is your shade on your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;

he will keep your life.

The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in

from this time forth and forevermore.”

‭‭(Psalm‬ ‭121‬:‭1‬-‭8,‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

I heard an amazing exposition of this passage of scripture recently. A dear sister in Christ simply read the passage verse by verse and then took me on a pilgrimage through other cross references Genesis to Revelation.

These eight verses are such an exhortation of truth. The psalmist spoke these words over the life of the Jewish pilgrims on ascent to Jerusalem during Bible times, and God uses the same words to encourage those who are in Christ on a pilgrimage throughout the ups and downs, twists and turns of life as we know it today.

January 05, 2023

No Grand Plan for 2023 — Just Rising Above it ALL by way of Vulnerability

January 05, 2023/ Tabitha Deller

I’m going to be honest with you. I’m not going into 2023 with some grand plan. Five days in, and I haven’t chosen my “one word,” nor do I feel confident right now with any of my words. As a writer and a wordy girl, it’s an uncomfortable place to be, but it’s where God has me now.

Wrestling. Wondering why. Why is life so hard? Why is pain so deep?

So, here’s to a little vulnerability in 2023.

I’m struggling.

Struggling to focus.

Struggling to fix my eyes on Jesus.

Struggling to find the right words.

Struggling to find any words.

Not just for this post,

but in response to people’s pain,

in response to lots of change,

and in response to a myriad of things.

2023 is a BIG year for our family. It’s a year I’ve been excited about — joyful and expectant in regards to ALL it holds, but now I’m ALL tied up in the tension of the expectation of it ALL coupled with the guilt of even having the expectation in the midst of ALL the pain and suffering and loss for so many so close to me.

This year, we celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, and we’ll celebrate two graduations — one from college, one from high school. The high school grad will be moving 200 miles away to attend college in the fall in another state, so we’ll have three in college at some point this year in three different states. The youngest turns 16 which means ALL will be on the road, and the oldest, who has already been “on his own” for quite some time, will be officially a full time mechanical engineer.

It’s ALL a bit much for the momma heart, and yet, I’m holding the excitement and expectation of it ALL with some sadness, grief, and pain knowing what some so dear to me are experiencing.

November 18, 2022

Disappointment or Divine Appointment?

November 18, 2022/ Tabitha Deller

Disappointments can be divine appointments if you don’t let them define you, but rather let them remind you of what you’re made of.

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm‬ ‭139‬:‭14‬, ESV‬‬)

You are who you are because of whose you are.

God loves you. He is in control. Nothing happens outside of His sovereignty, so let disappointments direct you right back to Him. Again and again. Yield and surrender your will to His.

When (not if) disappointments come, because they will, learn to view them as divine detours and delays that provide the space and time to determine the dedication and commitment you have to reaching the destination.

You may be going a different way than you had planned. You may even have to slow the pace. But as long as God is leading the way, these divine detours and delays will have you arriving right on time, right where He wants you, with the character necessary to recognize every blessing that wore the disguise of disappointment.

So hang in there. Stay the course. Show up for every divine appointment on every detour and delay along the way. And pray. Ask God to help you. He will.

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭9,‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

November 01, 2022

November. First Thing. Five Things.

November 01, 2022/ Tabitha Deller

Ah November. It’s hard to believe you’re already here, but here you are, and I long to welcome you with a heart of gratitude.

Christmas will be here before we know it, and yet my heart longs to stay in the moment — enjoying each November day, leading to Thanksgiving Day, a mere three days prior to the start of Advent.

Thanksgiving — the perfect precursor to Christmas and the season of Advent — a sacred observance that connects the two traditions.

Not that we should need a month dedicated to gratitude. Shouldn’t we be giving thanks all year long and live thankful every single day? And yet, there’s something about intentionality that sure helps the mentality.

Seasons change, and calendars flip. One countdown leads to another as one holiday gives way to the next. But there’s no better place and time than here and now to be grateful for where we are right here and what we have right now.

I know there are some days and seasons filled with anything but gratitude and thanks because they’re filled with things that cause great angst. These are the days that gratitude eludes us because life is just so tough.

It’s easier said than done to raise our gaze above the tough stuff, but raise we must, if praise is going to fill that empty, lonely space — if our hearts are ever going to be full of thanks.

ThankFULL. Not empty. Not lonely. Full of thanks, not angst. Releasing the tough stuff to receive the His great love for us.

Today, I’m grateful to be growing in grace. I have not arrived and there is much to learn, but an intentional daily attitude of gratitude is a great place to start, so that’s my aim — not perfection, but reflection — raising my gaze in order to find my praise.

That’s why I’m calling for some days of praise ahead of Advent. I’m calling the challenge “First Thing. Five Things.” Throughout the month of November, first thing in the morning, before your feet hit the floor, verbalize five things you’re thankful for. You could also jot them down in a journal as a daily log throughout this journey. That’s it. Nothing major. Nothing hard. Just an attitude of gratitude to start your day. I’m sure it will impact you in other ways. So, what do you say?

October 28, 2022

“Follow God’s Will” Focuses on the Practical Pursuit of Biblical Truths

October 28, 2022/ Tabitha Deller

Happy Friday! Being that it’s the final Friday in October, which happens to be launch month for several of my author friends, I’m giving away a copy of another book! This one is not my own, but rather, my friend Brittany Ann’s newest book, “Follow God’s Will.” And this giveaway will give way to a little preview just for you since I was blessed to receive an advance reading copy to review!

“Follow God’s Will” is filled with Biblical truths readers can practically pursue. It sticks to scripture and is Gospel centered. While you will definitely receive practical “how tos,” you more importantly will receive “who throughs,” meaning the message of “Follow God’s Will” simply points you to His Word, where He reigns supreme. It is only in His sovereignty and by His Authority, we can ever achieve what He has called us to do by being who He has called us to be.

“If God can use a scared fugitive (Moses), a shepherd boy turned a adulterer (David), an unwed teenager (Mary), a religious fanatic fanatic and persecutor (Paul), and a ragtag group of men you’d never expect to be chosen (Jesus’ disciples), He can certainly use me. And he can certainly use you.”

This is the message of the Gospel. This is the message of this book. God loved us enough to save and redeem us. He set us free from sin so we could follow Him freely, walk with Him daily, and follow His will completely.

The thing I love most about this book is that it points readers to the most important Book. Brittany Ann’s words, coupled with others’ words in “story sections” throughout the book, culminate with “dive deeper” sections that literally allow readers to rely on the infallible Word of God for their ultimate source of finding and then following God’s will.

So, to celebrate Brittany Ann and her new book baby, I’m giving away a copy to one to you! To enter to win, simply comment below. I’ll be choosing a winner Sunday (10/30) at 10:30pm.

For more information about Brittany Ann and her ministry, Equipping Godly Women, click here.

September 21, 2022

Seek Truth then Speak Truth

September 21, 2022/ Tabitha Deller

Truth speakers must be truth seekers. Those who want to tell the truth well, must dwell in truth well.

How well do you dwell?

I know personally that’s a question I’m asking myself. We are inundated by new news from every source every second of every day, but that still, small voice of the source above every other source has been calling me back to Him.

His Truth.

His Word.

His Way.

His Will.

His Report.

Which is the ONLY trustworthy and reliable source, tried and true, given as a guide and a way of life for me and you.

The lies and deception are becoming more blatant and obvious. The idiocy of the arguments are revealing the hypocrisy of the every new stance. Each adjustment on the way to understand and know more is actually leading further away from truth...

God’s truth. The only truth. Nothing but the truth. Biblical. Justifiable. Undeniable.

And honestly, I’m seeing more and more see right through the lies and deception.

I’m seeing more and more stand up to it because more and more see right through it.

So, if things in this world seems a bit “off” to you, might I encourage you to spend some time in the source of ALL TRUTH — the Word of God.

He will not lead you astray. Though others may seem to lead the way. He’s in control. He is sovereign. He is trustworthy. He is God.

His truth will have the final say.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John‬ ‭15:5‬

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,” Ephesians‬ ‭4:15‬

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness...” 2 Timothy‬ ‭2:15-16‬

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy‬ ‭3:16-17‬

What truth from God’s Word is speaking truth to your heart today?

August 22, 2022

When We Step Out of the Boat, and Stay Close to Jesus, Ordinary Becomes Extraordinary, and Others Will Notice.

August 22, 2022/ Tabitha Deller

When we step out of the boat, and stay close to Jesus, ordinary becomes extraordinary, and others will notice.

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” ~ Acts‬ ‭4:13‬

Are you feeling a little ordinary today? Well, according to this Biblical truth, spending time with Jesus makes you extraordinary.

Don’t fall prey to the prerequisite of perfection. Accolades don’t persuade the heart of the Father. Obedience to His Word unlocks your potential in this world. Christ in you alone is astonishing. No need for add ons or extras. Nothing allows His light to shine brighter than a humble heart and a willing spirit.

Be courageous today — not because of your credentials but because He has called you to. Step out of the boat. Keep your eyes on Him. You’ll not only stay afloat, you’ll turn heads and hearts toward His.

He is all you need to accomplish everything He wants you to do.

Trust Him with your ordinary. He’ll turn it into something extraordinary.

When we step out of the boat, and stay close to Jesus, ordinary becomes extraordinary, and others will notice.

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