Chiara Talluto

Author, Wife, Busy Mom, A Woman after God's Heart.

Author: Chiara (Page 1 of 16)

Author, Writer, Busy Mom, Wife, A Woman after God's Heart, & Lover of Fast Cars and Freedom.

The Fast of a Fast

December 15, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Have you ever fasted? Not a blood-test type of fast, but a spiritual kind of fast. One where you abstain from food or drink and let your body and mind heal.

I’ll admit, growing up Catholic, I’ve never fasted, not even on Good Friday. It’s not good, I know, but I need to be truthful and transparent. As a born-again Christian, I’m learning the value of fasting.

Biblical History of Fasting

In both the Old Testament and New Testament, fasting is abstaining from food or drink to focus on prayer and seeking God, connecting and affirming strength through Him. Below are just a few great scriptures on fasting and prayer.

Matthew 6:16-18 – “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Joel 2:12 – “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;

Daniel 10:3 – “I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks.”

Ezra 8:23 – So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.

Isaiah 58:6 – Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?

Acts 13:2 – While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Psalm 69:10 – When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach.

Acts 14:23 – And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Exodus 34:28 – So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights. He neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.

Nehemiah 1:4 – As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

Again, these are just a few scriptures. I encourage you to do more research about fasting in the Bible.

The reason for talking about fasting is that my husband and I decided to do a liquid fast the other day. We only drink water, coffee, and broth during a twenty-four hour period. Since this was my first time, I wanted to ease into it as I’m prone to migraines if I don’t eat.

Our Process

We started the morning with hot water and lemon and then black coffee. For lunch, we had beef bone broth and a glass of Apple Cider juice. For dinner, we had beef bone broth mixed with leftover cabbage soup that I had blended into a liquid. The rest of the day we drank Alkaline water mixed with Electrolytes.

What I Learned

I had started the night before, not eating anything past 7 pm, just water. The next day, I was good all morning and through the early afternoon after I had a cup of bone broth. I felt a bit light-headed around four o’clock in the afternoon, but I was okay.

The day moved slowly. I felt paused, not in a bad way, but rather at peace, like I was on vacation. I kept myself busy doing chores, going to the grocery stores, preparing snacks for my kids after school, etc. I read the Bible. I prayed in my secret place and took time to sit quietly.

By evening, I felt more attuned to my body. I had some hunger gurgling and my stomach felt empty. I didn’t keep a countdown of time. The whole fast lasted 36 hours. The next morning when the fast was over, I had half of a banana and hot water with lemon, and then I made scrambled eggs. I ate slowly, and enjoyed my breakfast, appreciating the taste. My senses were heightened and I felt a peace over my body. Jesus was right. One shouldn’t live on bread alone.

For Next Time

My husband and I are considering doing this once or twice a month. Spiritually, I feel alive, connected to the Lord, and grateful to be healthy. This experience has helped me to reflect, look inward, and connect with God.

 

References

Photo by Tara Winstead: https://www.pexels.com/photo/red-round-plate-with-blue-and-white-fork-and-knife-7123097/

https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-fasting/

The Fruit of the Spirit – A Mathematical Study

November 15, 2024 /

As my daughters prepared and studied this week for their Math and Science tests, I couldn’t help doing my own math in the study of the Book of Galatians. specifically chapter 5 (Fruit of the Spirit).  See the table below.

Note: This is just one formula for producing the “Fruit of the Spirit”. There are plenty of other equations and scriptures to get there. I encourage all of you to own up your Bibles and read the Word of God!

Speak life over yourselves and others.

 

 

Election Fatigue – A Letter to Self

October 30, 2024 /

Election fatigue is coming, election fatigue is coming. As the final push to the November 5th  2024 election day is fast approaching, I’m reminded to stay steadfast in fasting and prayer. How would Jesus handle this approaching day?

  • The devil tempted Jesus for 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness. Every single time, Jesus responded with “It is written…” Mathew 4:1-11.
  • While Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemene, his disciples couldn’t keep watch. Jesus wanted to give up, often asking God to take this cup away. Eventually, He obeyed His Father. He said, “Thy will be done.” Mathew 26:36-46.
  • The walk to the cross. Though Jesus stumbled and fell many times, He continued. He was nailed to splintered wood for all to see. Never once fighting back, but asking God to forgive those who put Him there, and dying for all of us. Luke 23:26-43.

Fellow brothers and sisters, we have a job to do. Don’t grow weary of your rightful duty to vote. Future generations are depending it. Don’t get sidetracked, finish the race! Don’t let the devil take your spirit.

 

Photo Courtesy:

Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/american-flags-and-pins-on-white-background-4669109/

Photo by Gerd Altmann: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-holding-his-face-23180/

 

Being in the Wait

October 24, 2024 /

Today I received a text from a sweet friend telling me that she was thinking of me and my family. It was so wonderful to receive this text that it made my morning. It is wonderful to be thought of that you matter to the person who sent you that note, email, text, voicemail message, etc. In these cases, I believe technology is truly grand!

As I pondered what I would reply back, I waited.

Waited…

This word is quite loaded these days. It seems people are in a season of wait.

For me, I keep waiting for inspiration. As a writer, it’s that burst of content free-flowing in my mind that needs to be put down words. In December, it will be one year since the publication of The Rekindler, my fifth book. I don’t know if I’ll write another book, another short story, another essay, another blog; I’m just in the waiting.

Waiting for the election results. I voted early. I pray you will use your civic duty and VOTE. Our country and our freedoms ARE AT STAKE. Whatever happens, God is still on the throne, He and He alone will have the final say.

Waiting in lines. Whether one is in a drive-thru or bank, a cash register at the grocery store, or the notorious driver’s facility, we are always waiting in some sort of line.

Waiting for test results. This time of year, I do my annual physical and blood work, and the anxiety of waiting for decent results always weighs on my mind.

Waiting for the mail. Waiting for an Amazon package, a gift, or the dreadful bills (if in fact, you still receive paper bills).

Waiting for season changes. I love fall and seeing the colors change on the leaves. I also know what’s coming… Winter. So, I wait for the cold and the snow.

Waiting for the good things. An event that you’re looking forward to, a hair appointment, a vacation, all the great things that help pass the day.

There are more “waitings”, but I think you know what I’m getting at.

So, as I sat and thought more about my text response, a scripture verse came to mind instead. I surely don’t know how that happens, and actually, it’s my life-saving scripture verse:

Psalm 27:14

“Wait on the Lord: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: Wait, I say, on the Lord.”

I’m encouraged that trusting and waiting on the Lord involves the confident expectation of a positive result in which we can place great hope. So, as I wait, as you wait, in the “waitings”, may we not become discouraged, but wait on God’s hopeful provisions for us all.

And now that I’ve written all of this, I’ve received my answer to what I’ll write back to my friend.

The Vision – A Plea for Action!

September 23, 2024 /

Dreams must mean something if they happen often, right? The same one, over and over again. Or maybe I’m hallucinating on too much TV and reading too many things, especially with the impending Presidential Election. But if one dreams, do they mean something sometimes, all the time, or does it really matter?

In any case, take a listen to a dream I had. It’s called The Vision.

 

If you prefer to read the original transcript for the story, scroll down…

***

I was standing on the curb when a massive-looking vehicle pulled up. It was a cross between a long stretch limo and an SUV. It was metallic-red with gigantic black-rim tires as high as my kneecaps. In idle position, the engine roared like a rushing waterfall.

The passenger side window rolled down and a voice bellowed, “Get in.”

I just gaped at this beautiful piece of metal. The door opened toward the sky and I slid in. The smell of leather, lavender, and vanilla filled my nostrils. As the door closed in, I turned to look at the voice that had spoken to me. It was dark in the compartment and I couldn’t decipher the being that was sitting next to me. It was a mass of some sort and it seemed to float in the air.

The voice boomed like a loudspeaker, “Welcome. I am the World. Let’s go.”

I shook my head. “Where are we going?”

“For a drive.” And with that, the automobile thrust ahead, my neck jerking to the motion of the vehicle. I swiveled my head back to see the rear of the car, and all I could make out was a darkness, a space, like the universe with stars and planets.

The car was instantly on a two-lane highway. There were other cars in the lanes, lots of cars driving fast one way. Our car zigzagged in between the vehicles.

Sweat trickled down my arm. “Hey, slow down, please. Why are we in a hurry?”

The voice bellowed. “Fast life, fast car. Isn’t that what we do in this realm?”

I blinked. “Realm? What realm are we talking about?”

“THE WORLD. THE WORLD. YOU’RE IN MY WORLD.”

My skin went cold. I looked about me for a buckle to lock me in but there wasn’t one. We were passing cars at lightening speed that all I could see were flashes of tiny headlights. “Stop,” I shouted.

“THE WORLD. I AM THE WORLD. YOU ARE OF THIS WORLD.”

My hands felt clammy. What was going on? I felt like I was on a fast track to an abyss of sorts.

“Well?”

“Well, what?” I blurted. Yes, I was from this world, but the Bible has always taught me that I wasn’t of this world. I was to be separate.

“You want this world?”

We zigzagged to the left and then the right, horns blaring, sending a piercing noise in my ears.

“No, no, no… Now quit this. I want to get out!” My world was Heaven and to live with Jesus in eternity. Wasn’t that right? Live righteously here on earth, do my best, be a beacon of light for others, and on, and on….directing people to Jesus. I was doing that, wasn’t I?

“Hmm… mmm…”

I looked through the windshield, a giant mountain loomed ahead.

“Oh my gosh, there’s a mountain ahead! Don’t you see it?”

A screen appeared on the dash. A timer or stop clock glowed. “Forty seconds till impact.”

My head whipped in the direction of the World who was driving. “We’re going to crash. Stop the car now!”

“What? Are you scared to die? It’s bound to happen, you know.”

I began to shake. “Stop!!”

“… Thirty seconds till impact.”

A seatbelt appeared over my shoulder and I grabbed it, locking myself in. I held onto the strap tight, my knuckles were turning blue.

“… Twenty seconds till impact.”

I squeezed the belt. “Are you crazy! We’re gonna die!”

The vehicle weaved between two semi-trucks sending one off the curb and flipping over.

“You’re gonna die. Not me. Life will go on. You chose this path.”

“Stop,” I screamed.

“… Ten seconds till impact.”

I looked over my shoulder again, space was still there with its glowing stars. I spun back.

“Oh, Lord, help me, please?”

“God isn’t listening.”

“… Five seconds till impact.”

I yanked the seatbelt. “Yes, He does!”

“What are you going to do?”

“… Four… three… two… one…

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep……

When the World is going against you, do you sit back and just hold on tight, or do you grab the wheel and do something about it? Your decision rests on this Nation’s success.

References:

Romans 1:16-32

Mark 16: 14-18

Mathew 28: 16-20

Luke 10:25-37

Photo by Hassan OUAJBIR: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-car-instrument-cluster-panel-804129/

 

There Goes My Ride (Catch the Story Podcast)

September 18, 2024 /

 

 

Take a listen to my latest “Catch the Story” podcast from Relatable Media Arts & Inspiration. Today’s session is “There Goes My Ride”. Click here.

Written transcript of the story, There Goes My Ride.

This is a reminiscent tale about giving up my 12-year-old red SUV. Now I know what you’re thinking, how is this story about giving up a car worthy of “Catch the Story”? Let me explain. Have you ever loved something so much, and I use the word, “love” loosely? It seems we love things and like people. Ah…I digress. We can talk about that another time—love versus like.

Anyhow, where was I? Oh yes, loving things, such as a house, a boat, your cell phone, I know a lot of people who are in love with their phones these days. Again, another topic for another day. But my red SUV has been with me for the last twelve important years of my family’s life.

It’s held my two precious daughters who are now teenagers. The many times we’ve ridden together traveling to and from doctor appointments, visiting grandparents, going to the zoo, the park, shuffling them and their friends to sports practices and games, and theater events, etcetera.

This car has taken me to Wisconsin, Tennessee, Indiana, Michigan, and Kentucky. It’s given me solace and peace as I flipped through the channels of my radio and listened to my favorite songs, or put on that rocking CD and cranked up the volume. And yes, I do have a CD player in this car. Gosh, I’ll miss that!

And oh, the conversations this cabin has held. If these windows could share what they’ve heard, and reflect it back (no pun intended), well, hmm… From tears to laughter, to frustrations and prayers. The best conversations are with your steering wheel. There are indentations of handprints all over the steering wheel from holding onto it so tight to prove it, anyway.

So to say that this vehicle has not only taken me from point A to B on many occasions but, it’s kept me safe. Years ago I named her Wonder Red. There used to be a cartoon on PBS called Super Why about four fairytale friends who go on magical adventures and become reading-powered super heroes. My daughters loved that show, especially this one character named Wonder Red.

Because my SUV was red, it was fitting. And, when my girls knew we were going out, they easily got into our Wonder Red, anticipating all the adventures ahead. It also has transported my parents and my in-laws, who are now elderly, to many family events. So to say that my SUV, Wonder Red, holds a special sentimental place in my heart, I can only say that it truly does.

But now it’s time to give her away after almost 90,000 miles of road life. For us, it’s time to downsize from an SUV to a car. Through all the oil changes, tire rotations, transmission fixes, and light bulb changes you, Wonder Red, have been my ride. I’ve realized that this hunk of metal has kept me safe all these 12 years. She’s older, but she still has some life left in her. It’s the memories of the journey that this old girl of mine, my wonder red, has provided. I was giving these wheels to do just that and I am grateful for what she has done. Whatever driveway and garage she’ll rest her Michelins, she’ll be good.

The moral of this little short story is to cherish the memories of your “things”: cars, houses, places of employment, vacations, etc. Life moves at a rapid pace. Things come and go. In the end, it’s who you have intersected your life with at the crossroads of time. And, those memories will be there until the good Lord takes them away.

I’m reminded through the scriptures that things will fade.

  1. Don’t store your treasures on earth where moths can destroy them, instead store them up in Heaven. (Mathew 6:19-21)
  2. Grass may wither, but God’s Word stands forever. (Isaiah 40:8)
  3. The world will pass away, but the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:17)
  4. The story of the rich man wanting to receive eternal life, but was unwilling to give up his possessions to follow Jesus. (Mathew 19:16-30)
  5. What does it take to follow Jesus? (Luke 9:57-62)
  6. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. (Mathew 11:30)
  7. Avoid making idols out of your possessions. (Exodus 20:23)

As we get older, we get more wrinkles but God’s word is transcendent over thousands of thousands of years. So, this transaction that me and my family are going to do puts it all into perspective. Our time on earth is very short we don’t know what tomorrow’s going to bring, but we do know that as we journey through the adventures of life, we have God with us. God also reminds us to be where we should be, and that things that take us to where we’re going are ONLY here as a convenience. when you move, when you change employment, when you buy a new car or sell your old one, whatever the case may be don’t MAKE IT your idol, don’t let that be your gods but know that there is a greater God. So, goodbye Wonder Red. See ya on the road. If not, hope your metal is used for the good.

Thank you!

 

 

 

The Labor Day Rest

September 2, 2024 /

Labor Day. The “workingmen’s holiday”. Or, “time off from work”. In 1894 it was signed into law to pay tribute to the contributions and achievements of the American workers. It’s traditionally celebrated and observed on the first Monday of September. But, this day off didn’t come easy. In the late 1800s during the height of the Industrial Revolution, American workers worked very long hours and often faced unsafe working conditions and sanitary conditions. People became more vocal and started speaking out. There were riots and revolts which led to this day. Research for yourself. It’s good American history.

Celebrate this day, it came out because people organized and banded together for the good of each other and the privilege to have employment and get wages for their work.

In the Bible, God labored and labored for six days to create heaven and earth, all living creatures, and man. On the seventh day, he rested. (Genesis 1-31)

We are entering a new season, Fall. With the crispier air, changing colors of the leaves, and the earth getting ready to go dormant. It’s a beautiful time. However, I also believe the impending American elections will challenge this season. There’s been a shift. It’s in the air, and you can feel it if ONLY you pay attention and you are aware.

We need to turn back and turn from our wicked ways and call on God to heal. (2 Chronicles 7:14). We need to unite as a country for the good of the country and future generations, not for our selfish needs.

The harvest is plentiful indeed, but the laborers are few. (Mathew 9:37) It’s time to get busy, lots of work to be done. We must do the works of Him (Jesus) because night is coming and we will not be able to work. (John 9:4)

Until then, rest today and be ready!

Sustaining the In-Between

August 1, 2024 /

We live in a world where a Google search takes a few seconds, you can order a product on Amazon and you’ll get it tomorrow first thing in the morning, and Uber Eats will deliver food right to your door. We live for the fast and the next thing…

We error in not living during the in-between of the next thing because we are so consumed with the highs of the next concert, the vacation, the present, and the next event. The same applies to the lows of an illness, doubts, worries, and anxiety. It’s always the next and not in the moment. It’s a pendulum of the extremes rather than the mundane.

Today and every day, I challenge you to live for the “in-between”. It is where we spend the most time in our lives anyway. It is the day-to-day grind of making the most out of nothing or making nothing out of your most.

One day, things will cease and you’ll be left with yourself. Be sure to renew your mind, body, and soul for the in-between.

 

References:

Photo by Jens Johnsson: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-wooden-arrow-signed-66100/

Scripture Inspiration: 2 Corinthians 4:8-11, 16-18

 

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