Chiara Talluto

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

Tag: writerspondering

Going for the Stretch in 2023

January 11, 2023 /

Dictionary.com defines “stretch” as:

  • to draw out or extend (oneself, a body, limbs, wings, etc.) to the full length or extent,
  • to hold out, reach forth, or extend.

The new 2023 year is here. Many have begun new regimens in the areas of eating healthy, exercising, mental reevaluations, new jobs, etc.

January is a great time to start anew. A clean slate. Each year, I come up with a word as a reminder to challenge myself in becoming a better “me”. For the last several years, I’ve started off with these words:

  1. Restart – 2020
  2. Reset – 2021
  3. Revive – 2022
  4. Stretch – 2023

I was on an “R” streak for the last three years, and this year, that all changed. The one word that has been creeping into my mind is “Stretch”.

I’ve been growing and nurturing myself in many areas of my life: my health, my writings, my family, my relationships, and most importantly, my faith in Jesus Christ. I don’t know what God has planned for me, but if it includes the word, Stretch, hmmm… well, I better get flexible very, very soon because I have an inkling that the Lord is leading me on a journey where all these facets will be tested.

This brings me to this revelation I discovered in the Bible, specifically, in Mathew 13: 1-8 and 18-23 as it relates to human inclination and learning the truth about themselves. Let me share the scriptural content below and then I’ll explain and tie everything together.

The Parable of the Sower

13 “On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

 

The Parable of the Sower Explained

18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

My Take…

Though this is a biblical parable about a sower and the seed. A lot can be said about how people react, work through, or persevere when it comes to New Year’s resolutions, making life changes, starting something different, etc. Jesus uses the sower as Himself/God, and the seed as representative of God’s Word, But, it can also apply to learning, truth, wisdom, influence, etc. People generally fall into four categories when receiving these nuggets:

  1. People hear what they’re supposed to do, but often don’t understand it, are unable to apply it, often question it, and therefore discard it on the wayside.
  2. People hear what they’re supposed to do in “stony” places. These people are the ones who receive info with joy and start strong in their endeavors. Like those who start a new healthy diet in January. They’re excited about it for a while, but as soon as something goes wrong or it’s not working, they stumble and then quit because they have no depth in their being to fight through it.
  3. People who hear amongst the thorns. These folks are confident and are working on their talents, but soon the cares of the world take over, and their love for worldly things and pleasures choke them out, and they stop.
  4. People receive and hear on good ground. They’re the ones who will bear good fruit. Why? Because they accept it, apply it, and produce good in the world. They have a strong foundation, use discernment, and serve others using their gifts and talents.

Which category do you fall in?

And so, as I journey this year, “stretching” myself in various life situations and circumstances, I’m going to keep this Biblical parable in mind encouraging me to create a stronger soil, so that when the Sower throws me seeds, I can plant them, and they can multiply. I hope you do the same.

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Mathew 13: 9

I pray you too can be blessed to stretch and soar beyond your understanding. Do you have a word for the year? If so, comment below. I’d love to learn your thoughts.

Until next time…

Be well. Be safe. Be happy!

 

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mathew+13%3A+1-8&version=NKJV

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mathew+13%3A+18-23&version=NKJV

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mathew+13%3A+9&version=NKJV

 

 

A Nugget of Halloween Historical Perspective

October 28, 2022 /

This weekend marks a big party celebration. It’s Halloween weekend! Costumes and candy, and all things scary will be rampant. There’s a lot of interesting information that I learned about this “holiday” but I’m not quite knowledgeable to discuss this in depth; I’m still absorbing it, and frankly, some of the things I’ve learned about the history of Halloween are evil. I’ll have to save this for another time. (Wink) However, if you’re so inclined, you can read about Halloween and ties to Samhain.

Recently, I read about an incredible event that happened and it’s not celebrated in the Catholic or Christian religions, at least not that I know of. It’s an eye-opening revelation and I’m just scratching the surface. You’ll need to do your own research, but I feel compelled to share some of my findings.

Martin Luther, a German Monk was the man who was responsible for lighting the fire of the Protestant Reformation of the 16th Century, protesting the Vatican along with many others, in their defiant battle cry of Sola Scriptura, which means Scripture only, and bringing the Word of God to the masses. He is responsible for translating the Bible into the German language.

Why is this important? Because over 500 years ago, on October 31st, 1517 (Halloween), Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the church door at Wittenberg to start a discussion about abuses and other problems he saw in the church of his day.

***

You see, during the Roman Empire in the 5th and 6th centuries, the Roman Catholic Church, used the Latin version of the Bible, called the Latin Vulgate, for only those in the elite Catholic hierarchy, bishops, popes, cardinals, etc. Only those in the church who read Latin, could decipher it, and explain it to the common folk like you and me. It was said that the Bible was chained to the alters of the church, and not to be removed. No one else had access to the Word of God except those in the Church. This continued well after the fall of the Roman Empire.

***

Over a thousand or so years later, when Martin Luther, a monk and university teacher, heard Johann Tetzel’s message, he was livid. Johann’s job was raising money for the building of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

“When a coin in the coffer rings, a soul from Purgatory springs.” Tetzel claimed.

Tetzel explained that the Pope had sent the common people a gift, a way to escape the flames of eternal damnation: a special indulgence granted for the building of St. Peter’s church in Rome. If they paid for this indulgence and thus help build this church, they would “lay the stone of eternal salvation” for themselves.

God did not command the preaching of indulgences, but of the Gospel! These indulgences were just paper. “You must trust in God’s love,” Luther urged his congregants.

Luther raised his voice with a desire to bring an end to this injustice. The reign of the church was keeping people from a relationship with God, using practices that separated them from the very One who came to save them by His grace through faith in Christ.

“For as long as I have God’s Word, I know that I am walking in His way and that I shall not fall into any error or delusion.”

—Martin Luther

***

This historical event thus opened up the translation of the Bible to English by another man, William Tyndale, which later became one of the biggest publishing houses.

If it weren’t for men like Martin Luther or William Tyndale,  and many others, the Bible would not be in the hands of millions and millions of people and translated into 704 languages. According to Wikipedia, there could be over 3,000 translations between the Old Testament, the New Testament, and other books of the Bible.

So while everyone else is celebrating Halloween on October 31st, we might want to give thanks and homage to the Reformation Movement as well.

 

 

 

 

References:

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/martin-luther-posts-95-theses

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulgate

www.revelationmedia.com

https://www.christian-history.org/john-tetzel.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Tyndale

https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Tyndale

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/samhain

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible_translations

 

 

 

The Serpent and the Sun Halo

June 30, 2022 /

Whirling around, my daughter screamed, “Mommy, a black snake!” She bolted past me almost knocking me down on the sandy pathway leading to the beach.

My goodness, what the— It was then I noticed the little black serpent slithering through the granules. I had stopped just shy of ogling his tail before it vanished into the brush. I called after my teen, “It’s a garden snake silly. Come on back, it’s gone now.”

Shivering on the sidewalk, she yelped, “No! It’s a curse! I’m going to die!”

Not today, Lord! It was 90 degrees, the sun was blazing hot, and it was not even noon. I was sweating, and looking forward to dunking myself in the ocean for relief. My husband and younger daughter were already on the beach waiting for us and had come down earlier to set up the umbrella and chairs; meanwhile, my eldest daughter and I made deli sandwiches up in our rented condo. We were going to regroup with them when we encountered the infamous SNAKE.

Hoisting the little cooler with our lunch, and balancing my flip-flops in my other hand, I trudged back to my daughter who was in tears. “Calm down,” I said. “It’s gone.”

“What if it comes back out and bites me?” She hyperventilated. “I’m cursed, I’m cursed! I knew I shouldn’t have come to the beach with you guys!”

I quietly coaxed her as a family of four walked past us and onto the same sandy path that led to the beach. “See,” I pointed. “Look at those people. They’re going through, no problem. The snake has disappeared because it hears the footsteps on the sand. Remember, snakes feel in their bodies. Come on…”

She wouldn’t budge, holding her arms tight around her waist. “Serpents are bad luck, Mommy!” “Who told you that,” I gritted my teeth. This kid reads too much fantasy. “It’s true, it’s true,” she sniffled.

Upset with her unwavering actions, I left her on the sidewalk while I went to my family to drop off the cooler. Maybe my husband can convince her. At about the same area on the sand where the snake had passed, I picked up my pace as my feet sank deeper and deeper into the sand.

I arrived at the umbrella and my husband was standing with his hands on his hips wondering what had taken so long. After giving him a briefing, he trod through the sand to go and get our daughter. To no avail, she didn’t move, wanting to go up to the condo. My husband was ready to give in when I slogged back, threatened to take away her phone, and persuasively pulled her along the sidewalk to another path on the other side of the building.  By this time, my face, arms, and legs were so wet it looked like I had just come out of the shower. I counted to three and we ran hand and hand through the sand until we got to our spot.

It had taken her almost an hour sitting under the umbrella to get her bearings and when she did, she threw herself in the water because at that point she was overheated. Bobbing in the salty ocean, I looked up and noticed a rainbow halo around the sun. It was magnificent and glorious. “Girls, girls, look at the sun!”

“No, we’re going to be blinded,” my younger daughter smirked, going under a wave.

“Seriously, just for a second, look up.” Their faces marveled at the sight. “See,” I told them. “This is a blessing from God.” My older daughter shrugged. “How do you know it’s a blessing? I’m probably cursed forever.” I swam toward her. “You’re right, I don’t know for sure. But, it is still cool. I’ve never seen a halo around the sun before. It has to be a good omen.”

This seemed to reassure her a bit and we carried on the rest of the afternoon tanning and playing in the water, forgetting the strange incident. Weeks later, back at home, I was reminded of the snake and the sun halo upon seeing a rainbow post on social media. I decided to do some investigating on what the snake and the sun halo meant.

One of the most notable meanings of a snake crossing your path is a transition, indicating possible changes that could happen in your life. It could mean an encounter, an event, or an experience that can alter your life for good. The snake also symbolizes physical vitality and strength. Sometimes, it’s a sign that the universe has come to warn you against something terrible in your future. This site gives nine signs and their meanings.

The black snake is a message from the universe that they are watching your steps and they will protect you from making mistakes by intercepting your life if need be. A snake crossing your path could be a symbol of patience. It means you have to be patient because your way to success will not be easy.

What about that sun halo?

A halo forms when these high cirrus clouds are in front of the sun. The ice crystals in the clouds reflect and refract the sunlight which causes a halo to appear around the sun. What are Cirrus Clouds? Cirrus clouds are a type of high cloud. Cirrus clouds are made of ice crystals. Yet, everything starts with air and water. When dry air goes up, it makes water vapor turn into ice, forming the ice crystals that create cirrus clouds. A sun halo (and moon halo) usually means that rain will occur within 24 hours because the cirrostratus clouds that cause these beautiful halos usually mean a front is near.

Now, Biblically, through the centuries, people have looked to the heavens for spiritual answers and guidance. The Bible does tell us to look to the heavens for astronomical signs that reveal God’s power and glory. Below are just a small sample of scriptures to explain just that.

Luke 21: 25-28. “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

 

Deuteronomy 4:19. “And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the Lord your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage.”

 

Acts 2: 19-21. I will show wonders in heaven above
And signs in the earth beneath:

Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,

Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
And it shall come to pass

That whoever calls on the name of the Lord
Shall be saved.’

 

The halo around the sun shows evidence that God exists and is present in our lives, much like a rainbow does. In fact, it’s interesting to note that the halo around the sun is sometimes referred to as a “solar rainbow.” No matter what life throws at us or how many times we fall, our loving God is there to catch us. Our lives are not in vain because of His great love for us, as shown by the halo around the sun’s presence.

So, take this information and also do your own research. Whatever transition that is coming our way, we as a family will continue to look up to the Heavens for help and protection from God.

Until next time…

Be well. Be safe. Be happy.

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