Be Still

Be still in the presence of the Lord...Psalms 37:7a

Friends-I pray during the last few days of this year, you have had time to be still in the presence of the Lord and remember all of His goodness throughout this year. Sometimes His goodness comes in concealed packages and we have to find it. I encourage you to consider every moment, even what may have been your worst-I pray you know He was there and He makes it all well.

Believers we have a secret that the world doesn’t know.  We know something that gives us peace in storms and lifts our heads even in our darkest hour.  We know GOD IS WITH US. We know the Lord remains the same, the Lord is loyal, He cannot lie, He is loving, and He is our JOY! We have learned to never pay attention to storms.  We know He is in control. And, we know He can do all things.  So go and find a lonely place, a place with no noise and focus on what you know; He is with you.

When you get there here are your instructions and some verses for you to ponder:
Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers (sisters), whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:4-8

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still! Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith? They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey HIM!” Mark 4:39-41

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. Psalm 107: 28-29

You will keep perfectly peaceful the one whose mind remains focused on You, because He remains in You. Isaiah 26:3

Cast all of your cares anxiety on Him because He cares about you. I Peter 5:7

Let’s end this year with praise on our lips, hearts full of thanksgiving and adoring our King!

It is Well!

Be Blessed Family!

Happy New Year!

A Christmas Letter from your Lover

Dear Coach’s Wife,

You are beautiful my darling, beautiful beyond words.

Your eyes are like doves behind the veil.

Your hair falls in waves, like a flock of goats winding down the slopes of Gilead.

Your teeth are as white as sheep, recently shorn and freshly washed.

Your smile is flawless, each tooth matched with its twin.

Your lips are like scarlet ribbon; your mouth is inviting.

Your cheeks are like rosy pomegranates behind your veil.

Your neck is as beautiful as the tower of David, jeweled with the shields of a thousand heroes.

Your breasts are like two fawns, twin fawns of a gazelle grazing among the lilies.

Before the dawn breezes blow and the night shadows flee, I will hurry to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense.

You are altogether beautiful, my darling, beautiful in every way.

You have captured my heart, my treasure, my bride.

You hold it hostage with one glance of your eyes, with a single jewel of your necklace.

Your love delights me, my treasure, my bride.

Your love is better than wine, your perfume more fragrant than spices.

Your lips are as sweet as nectar, my bride.

You are my private garden, my treasure, my bride, a secluded spring, a hidden fountain.

From Your Lover,

Jesus

(Songs of Solomon Chapter 4:1-7,9-11a, 12a)

Merry Christmas Ladies!

I wish you and your family all the joy this season brings!  Celebrate our lover’s birth and cherish this time with those He has given you to love here in the earth.

Blessings to you!

HIS Coach’s Wife,

Tia Reid Barlow

The Truest Meaning to Life

The Truest Meaning to Life

Ok Ladies-Ecclesiastes is one of the most challenging books to read because it is written in a literary language full of allegories. I did a little research to help us and I threw in some of my personal examples of how these scriptures apply to my coach. I encourage you to read all the way to end. I also encourage you to read the entire book.

Grab your favorite drink and let’s dive in:

Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them:
1. We must know that we are God’s property. We came from Him and we are here because of Him. The earlier we all come to the knowledge of these truths, life is seen and viewed from a very different perspective. I pray this scripture encourages you to share God with your kids early in their life.

Ecclesiastes 12:2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:
2. Youth is typically the time when all of your senses are the sharpest. These words describe failing senses.
Last year my coach had to purchase reading glasses a few days before Christmas because he couldn't see the instructions to put together the kids' Christmas toys. It dawned on me that he is only a few years from 50 and his senses are starting to decline. Have you seen any of these changes yet?

Ecclesiastes 12:3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall 
bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,
3. When your later years of your life start to show in your arms, legs, mouth and eyes. Does your coach's body look the same way it did when he was a player?
How long has he been in this profession? Did he play college or in a professional league? Have you seen him adjust his coaching style because his body isn’t the same? I have and I’m sure my husband’s 70 plus year old NFL coach has changed his style too. We saw him on TV a few weeks ago still going strong as a coach in the League.

Ecclesiastes 12:4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;
4. I don’t know about your coach but my coach is a man of few words. I call it the Sports Center Cliff Notes speaking style. Now if the doors on his mouth shut anymore I’m not sure we would communicate at all. And the light sleeping is already evident. I can’t tell if this is because of how few hours he gets to sleep or if age is catching up to him in this area too. But I awake many nights to find him up and pondering his playbook or thinking about the next day's task.

Ecclesiastes 12:5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goes to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:
5. As we age we tend to not be so sure of ourselves and new fears creep up on us that we didn’t realize we had. Our hair changes color and we find ourselves trying to maintain a youthful appearance because time is showing and sadly our sexual appetite also fades.

Ecclesiastes 12:6-7Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was and the spirit return unto God who gave it.
6. Descriptions of how quickly life comes to an end at the appointed time. How shall we be determined to live because no man knows their hour?

Ecclesiastes 12: 8-9 VANITY OF VANITIES, SAITH THE PREACHER, ALL IS VANITY. And moreover because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge, yea, he gave a good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
7. King Solomon (The Preacher) is speaking of how much life is full of nothingness and mortal things ( or piles of ashes).
We don’t find the truest meaning of life unless we come into the knowledge of our Maker and we truly treasure His wisdom (the Bible).

Ecclesiastes 12: 10-14 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright even words of truth. The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from ONE SHEPHERD. And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: FEAR GOD, AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS: FOR THIS IS THE WHOLE DUTY OF MAN. For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Ladies-Ecclesiastes is full of metaphors, we conquered an entire chapter together! (Whoosh)

I believe we find the truest meaning of life in what the “Preacher” is saying in these last few words (vs 10-14)

If you read this entire book you will see that King Solomon had everything life could offer and yet he came to an astounding conclusion; that life isn’t much about what we’ve amassed, obtained or accomplished. No-that is not its truest meaning, instead it is about knowing where you came from, why He sent you here and how you finish the job He sent you here to do for Him.

 (ALL OF LIFE'S ANSWERS ARE FOUND IN THIS BOOK, THE BIBLE and our Great Shepherd (Jesus) is always ready to help us understand.)

I tell my children there are only 2 things you can take with you from this life: people and God.

Last, this is one of my favorite quotes:

"Life is about people, not rings, rings collect dust" Coach Mark Richt

Father, I pray these ladies are aware of these truths. I pray they get what life is really about. I pray they know it is not in the wins, championships, fame, Big 5 schools, notoriety, money, mansions, fancy clothes, handbags, minks and furs. I pray they get the assignment you have given to each one of us and they are not chasing after the wind. I pray they will keep reading your word Jesus so that they will know your will for their lives. In Your Name I pray, Amen

The Virtuous Woman Laughs

It is the season to Laugh...
As many of us enter the coaching carousel for this year, I pray you are putting your trust in the Lord and have no fear of your future. Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:4-5 I hope you can Laugh in this season of hiring and firing just as the Virtuous Woman. Our God knows what He is doing. He has to have a way to get you to your next assignment. Don't blame anyone, just except that God is in Control!

  
His Coach's Wife,
Tia Reid Barlow

Happy Monday!
#helpingcoachesmarriageswin

Father, I pray my sister wives can laugh without fear of the future. I pray they know you are leading and sometimes even carrying us through this life. I pray their confidence, hope and faith is found in you. Father, make it evident to them that you know what you are doing. In Jesus Name, Amen.
 

The Virtuous Mother

The Virtuous Mother

Her children arise up and call her blessed. Proverbs 31:28

Why do you think they sing praises about her? I believe they sing her praise because of her relationship with Jesus. They see all that she has to do and how she relies on His wisdom to do it, including raising them. 

Let’s look at parenting advice from the His Word that we can glean from:

Decide to teach your children God’s truths:

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Discipline them:

Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them. Proverbs 13:24

You may ask, “Why should I discipline them?” For the Lord corrects those He loves, just as a father (mother) corrects a child in whom he (she) delights. Proverbs 3:12

Live out your relationship with the Lord in front of them:

Children are a heritage from the Lord, they are a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man (woman) whose quiver is full of them. Psalm 127:3-5a

I reference Psalm 127:3-5a and use the analogy of arrows to encourage mothers to think about their parenting style All The Time. I describe 2 ways we can shoot an arrow: 1.) Either from our feet and it doesn’t go very far or 2.) From our shoulders because we have lived out our faith in front of them and taught them everything we know about our Lord. I believe He is looking to us to raise them in His ways and pull back the bow from our shoulders not from our feet because we failed to teach them and show them who He is.  I encourage you to open up His word with them regularly and introduce them to His voice.  Pray aloud in front of them so that they can hear how you communicate with Him.  And last, find a church that teaches his principles so they may come along beside you to help you share His truths.

Ladies, let’s do our part in raising Godly children.  I pray we are resolved to train our kids in righteousness and then, I believe they will sing our praise just like the Virtuous Mother.

Father, thank you for the Virtuous Mother’s example to us.  I pray we are diligent about teaching our children who you are. I pray we love them like you love us and discipline them just as you discipline us.  Thank you for providing us Your word (voice) as our guide as well as your Holy Spirit that dwells within.  In Jesus Name, Amen