Chiara Talluto

The Art of Dying

April 4, 2025 / Chiara / 0 Comments

This post is dedicated to my mother-in-law, Anna Maria. May you rest in the eternal peace and love of Jesus Christ.

Is there a best way to die? That is the question. People die every single day. I once heard that for every death there was a birth somewhere on Earth. Do you also know that there’s a person somewhere in the world who looks EXACTLY like you? Not sure how true it is, but it’s interesting to know the things one retains in their brains, especially mine. Having a creative mind is a blessing, I’m never without a story. However, my mind can also be a curse, and weird thoughts can swirl in my brain for a very long time unless I take those thoughts captive and align them with God’s Word. I’m learning to do just that, and it helps with my writing. (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Ahh… I went off on a tangent. I apologize.

On death and dying. That’s where we were. There was a book with that title from a very long time ago, “On Death and Dying,” by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. I remember it because in high school, I had a Bible class, and one of the topics we discussed was the stages of grief, and my teacher had brought up this book. Check it out if you’re so inclined.

So, is there a best way to pass away? When I talk with people, they often say they want to go peacefully, preferably in their sleep, without giving any trouble to their family members. I can’t lie, it’s a nice way to go. However, the truth is, most deaths are out of our control. We could die in a car crash, or choke on a chicken bone, and be shot at on purpose, or non-intentionally. What about those extreme athletes who do daredevil things, something can go wrong, and bye-bye.

And some, unfortunately, fight diseases and cancers that take a toll on the person’s body, and it’s a long, suffering kind of death, or maybe quick. Nonetheless, painful for sure. And, extremely hard to watch from a family perspective.

The Bible tells us that we don’t know the day or time when Jesus is going to call us up in his arms. (Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32). The most important thing is to be ready. How do you get ready? Yes, we are to live while we’re living. But, we also should have a strong faith in where we are going. Eternity is forever. I would rather be in Heaven than in Hell when I leave here. That’s why it is so vital that you get right with God and repent of your sins, so that you are saved. Life is fleeting, we are just a blade of grass that will eventually wither. Our souls need saving. (Isaiah 40: 6-8)

You might be asking why am I talking about death and dying and salvation, etc. It’s because my mother-in-law recently passed away. She has a long battle with a blood disease. Watching her suffer was horrible. But, we prayed together and I believe she accepted Jesus Christ. And that was a tremendous turning point in the last couple of days of her life. The beautiful part and ending of her story was that she went peacefully, as she took her last breath. Hallelujah! Praise God! ALL THE GLORY GOES TO HIM!

Oh, btw, thank you for being a great mother-in-law. Ci vediamo presto!

So maybe this post should be titled, “The Art of Reconciliation to God”. The dying part is the extinguishing of living in the flesh, but reconnecting with God is the perfect ending to living in eternity. Don’t wait. (Matthew 28 and Mark 16)

References:

Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-person-placing-white-roses-on-a-concrete-surface-10499701/

The Trial of 40; The Renewal of 41

March 13, 2025 / Chiara

The number 40. It’s not a significant number like 100, but it can hold its own. People have often attributed 40 to an age—the age of adult maturity, perhaps? I beg to differ. I know some folks who have a mind of a ten-year-old, and they are well over forty.

Forty holds a different connotation to me. Let me explain. Whenever I had hurt my back, or I’ve had a cough, my mother often told me, “Eh, now you’re gonna have this problem for 40 days.”

This is true. I’d roll my eyes and wait. Lo and behold, after 40 days, whatever ailment I had would be gone. I was healed, I felt better, something good would happen, etc. How did she know this truth? When probed, my mom would tell me that’s what her mother told her. And so, now I tell my husband and daughters the same thing. Yes, they nod their head and roll their eyes, but then day 41 came along and well, you can guess the rest.

I pondered on this forty business for some time. While reading Bible scripture, I ran into the story of Noah and the Ark, in the Book of Genesis. It rained for 40 days and 40 nights and then on day 41 it stopped. Then, in the Book of Matthew, Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights.

My curiosity was piqued and I was going to do more research on the number 40, when behold, a Facebook post turned up in my scroll. Hmm… Divine Intervention or does Facebook know what I’m thinking? Another curiosity. Will talk about that at a later date. For now, this is what I found:

(These bullets are copied from a FB post.)

***

It rained for 40 days and 40 nights. Day 41 came and the rain stopped.
Moses committed murder & hid in the desert for 40 years. Year 41 came, and God called him to help rescue Israel.
Moses went up on the mountain for 40 days. On day 41, he received the Ten Commandments.
The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. Year 41, they walked into the Promised Land.
Goliath taunted Israel for 40 days. Day 41 came, and David slew him.
God hid the Prophet Elijah in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights.
Jonah preached a message of repentance to Nineveh for 40 days. On day 41, God stopped His plan to destroy them.
Jesus fasted and was tempted for 40 days. Day 41, and the devil fled.
After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples for 40 days. On day 41, He ascended into Heaven.

***

Isn’t that amazing? I can confirm these points are in the Bible. I strongly recommend you research them yourself.

I’ve realized something so important here. The number 40 is not just in days. It’s a timeframe. Sometimes challenging situations or circumstances can last 40 years, weeks, hours, even?

However, it gives me comfort to know that in all conditions or contexts, we should not quit. The rain will eventually stop, the giants will fall, and you and I can enter into “the promised land”. The most important piece of information to remember is to not give up, 41 is coming, and it will.

Resources:

Photo by Cem Dolcan: https://www.pexels.com/photo/number-by-wall-of-airport-building-at-night-17125695/

Living Between the Garden of Eden and The Garden of Gethsemane

February 27, 2025 / Chiara

The Bible highlights two distinctive worlds, the earthly world and the eternal. Most Christians will tell you that they’re just passing through here; setting their sights on the “eternal” by living out: Mark 16, Matthew 28, Galatians 5, 1 Corinthians 3:16, and countless other scriptures. The Apostle Paul reminds us we must also bear and carry our crosses while finishing the race set before us. Luke 9:23, 1 Corinthians 15:31, 2 Timothy 4:7-8.

I agree with all of this, realizing in my Bible reading that we, as humans, spend most of our earthly life living between the Garden of Eden and the Garden of Gethsemane. In the beginning, the Garden of Eden was perfect, God wanted Adam and Eve to prosper as described in Genesis 2-3 and Genesis 2:8-9. Throughout the Old Testament, God also says that He is our God and we are his people. See Genesis 17:7, Exodus 6:7, Jeremiah 30:22, etc. The Garden of Eden was a perfect place.

However, we know the devil prowls around devouring and tempting us. 1 Peter 5:8. Look what happened to Adam, and Eve? They fell to temptation by eating the apple from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Genesis 3:2-6. Setting off a life trajectory of toiling and tilling hard labor. Genesis 3:17.

Then, there is the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus is praying to God to remove the “cup” of his impending crucifixion. Jesus also knew that His Father brought Him to earth to fulfill the scriptures. Isaiah 53 and John 3:16.

The devil had also tried tempting Jesus when he was fasting for 40 days. Matthew 4:1-11. Thankfully, Jesus turned him away. Temptation is everywhere, even when things are great like the Garden of Eden, and when we are starving in the spirit like the Garden of Gethsemane.

Our time on earth is like a brave blade of dust. Psalm 103:15 and 1 Peter 1:24. We teeter between good and evil. You have a choice with your life decisions. How do we persevere amid the chaos? Ephesians 6:12 tells us we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against wickedness and principalities in the air. And so, to prepare for our daily walk, we need to put on the whole armor of God every, single, day! Ephesians 6:10-18.

Walking with the Lord God will not be easy. It will cost you everything to stand for Truth because you will be hated. Matthew 10:22. In the end, sacrifice won’t save you, rather by being obedient to God’s will. 1 Samuel 15:22.

Life is not linear. We need to learn to swerve from temptation and take the road less traveled. Live to get to eternity and not go down as earthly.

Here I am – Hineni

February 23, 2025 / Chiara

I’ve been doing a study of Genesis and in Chapter 22 when God calls Abraham to go up to Moriah, Abraham responds, “Here I am.” Well, I paused on those words, it seriously leaped out at me, but then in my flesh, I continued.

Hours later while driving, I heard a song, from Jwlkrs Worship, titled, “Here I am.” A great song that I encourage you to listen. At that point, I was like, Okay, Lord! What do I need to do here?

I was curious and so I looked up what “Here I am” meant in Hebrew. I learned it is “Hineni”. We all know that in 1 Samuel 3:4, the Lord calls Samuel, and he also responds with “Here I am.”

I did a search a found one article that further discusses the word, Hineni. I learned that Hineni also meant “Behold”. And, if you search on “Here I am”, you’ll be surprised to find that there are so many references to those three incredible words.

Here’s the link if you’re interested. https://hebrewwordlessons.com/2020/01/26/hineni-here-i-am/

All this to say, I’ve realized how important the words of the Bible are, truly. And maybe, we should have a heart posture of “Hineni”.

Transparency – Word of the 2025 Year

February 11, 2025 / Chiara

Okay, so I know it’s February and the 2025 year has already started, but it’s never too late to begin something. As the Bible says, mercy is new every morning. Ah, but I digress…

Most years, I’ve picked a word of the year to keep me grounded, rooted, and honest about what I am moving toward and becoming. My faith has grown in the Lord Jesus in leaps and bounds through reading of the Word.

I want to live my life and mirror my actions as such. No drama, no fake, no fillers, no crap. Just me. My perspective and ideology are planted in the ONE who gives me the seeds to flourish. Truth is not always easy to digest, but the Truth is not offended, rather it welcomes the challenges.

And so, I’ve committed to live out the Truth that God has created and be the testimony of Him through the workings and relationships that He puts in my path.

My new word for 2025 is TRANSPARENCY

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary says…

Transparency – Noun = the quality or state of being transparent

Transparent – Adj =

free from pretense or deceit: frank
easily detected or seen through/ obvious
readily understood
characterized by visibility or accessibility of information especially concerning business practices

What’s your word of the 2025 year? Drop me a line and let me know.

Finish and Press On

December 31, 2024 / Chiara

It’s New Year’s Eve. The end of the 2024 year. How was your year? I hope you carried out what you set out to do. If you didn’t plan anything, that’s okay too. As humans there are going to be years when nothing happens, or too much happens, or it just is. Whatever it is for you, it’s FOR YOU.

Everyone’s life race is different. I’m not expected to run your race and you aren’t expected to run mine. What’s important is that you run your race that is meant for you.

I think about marathon runners. I admire them. They run for miles and miles, and I admire the stamina it takes to run and finish. The key word is finish.

I used to think it was how you started and NOT how you finished that was more important. I stand corrected. You see as a writer, I’ve often heard about how IMPORTANT the first few sentences of a start of book is because that is the hook. And, it is true to a certain extent. However, like a marathon runner, you have to continue the pace toward the middle and then finish at the end.

It’s not how fast you complete the tale in a novel, it is THE FINISH. The same applies to a marathon runner. Yes, most of them are running against a clock to set a world record, yada, yada, yada. For the runner at heart, he or she wants to finish, and finish strong because of all the time they’ve spent training.

And so, for some people, ending 2024 couldn’t come fast enough to get rid of. For others, it’s a sad ending because whatever goals and accomplishments have been set and completed, will now be missed. Most of us may fall somewhere in between.

Many will start the year with goals: exercise, health, travel, etc. That’s great, nothing wrong with that. Just finish what you start.

I’m reminded of two great scriptures from the Apostle Paul that I want to do. End 2024 with…

2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

So that I can begin 2025 with…

Philippians 3:13-15

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.

Finish the end and press on toward the beginning.

Happy New Year!

References

Photo by Alex Kinkate: https://www.pexels.com/photo/low-angle-photography-man-walking-on-asphalt-road-421160/

The Fast of a Fast

December 15, 2024 / Chiara

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 / Chiara

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 / Chiara

Election fatigue is coming, election fatigue is coming. As the final push to the November 5^th 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 / Chiara

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.

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