FAITH ADVENTURES!

Reaching Hurting Women Ministries

Fifteen years ago, in the very early days of my sobriety, God put on my heart to chronicle my life recovery journey in a blog. By sharing my personal struggles and pains with other women I was able to process my own healing while also helping others.

Over the years **the RHW Ministries website has evolved** from simply sharing my daily challenges to teaching various topics related to 12 Step Recovery and the Christian faith, Benedictine monasticism, multiple Bible & book studies, and many reviews of Christian media including books, movies and music.

Today marks the end of this season. While I am stepping away from my RHW Ministries blog, the website with its archived content will stay live. However, no new posts will be made after today.

Now an exciting new season of Faith Adventures begins with my husband of 43+ years and going stronger than ever. We’re not sure what it will look like but we know God has some truly amazing things ahead; and that the rest is going to be the best!

I’m forever grateful to those who have encouraged and supported my humble ministry efforts over the journey of the last 15 years.

I pray you will be blessed by the video attached below. This song by Steven Curtis Chapman, has been a theme woven through our lives since it was first recorded over 25 years ago. Prayers for blessings on you and yours!

~ Tamara

2 Corinthians 4: 15-18 (The Passion Translation)

December 24, 2022November 3, 2022

MUSIC REVIEW || Milk & Cookies: A Merry Crowder Christmas

For the last several years I’ve been reviewing various types of Christian media. This month we’re celebrating David Crowder’s newest album release. Be blessed!

3x GRAMMY-nominated, genre-defying artist Crowder dropped Milk & Cookies: A Merry Crowder Christmas on October 21st in time to embrace the full holiday season. The album includes songs that touch on the thanksgiving spirit as well as Christmas all wrapped up in a beautiful gold ribbon.

It’s an album you could put on with the whole family around and make everyone happy at some point. There’s playful songs for the young and young at heart, smooth jazz, bluegrass, pop, and orchestral rock to get everyone energized and in the Christmas spirit.

Crowder’s signature style and original genre sound never disappoints. The album mixture includes updated traditional Christmas favs and memorable originals that will sure to become new Christmas classics. Interludes are intertwined with entertaining old time radio narrations telling Christmas stories.

In unmistakeable Crowder style Milk & Cookies is entertaining, touching… playful yet inspirational. I highly recommend Milk & Cookies: A Crowder Christmas for your music library!

Check out the YouTube videos of my favorites from the album. Enjoy!

December 23, 2022October 13, 2022

LAW / GRACE/ FREEDOM :: True Freedom!

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS WE’RE REVIEWING CHRISTIAN MEDIA.

On the fourth Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the RHW 2022 Theme: God’s Law, Grace & Freedom.

“Without God’s law and grace there is no opportunity for true freedom!”

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.~ Galatians 5:1

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are no longer under the burden to follow the law to be in right standing with Father God. The sacrifice the Jesus made for all mankind on the cross graciously gave us the freedom to be in God’s presence at any moment.

One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” ~ Mark 12:28-31

Sure, we need to do what Jesus said above and love the Lord our God with all our hearts and love our neighbors. If we will follow both of these laws, all the others will be kept. We mustn’t burden ourselves with tedious rule keeping.

Love God. Love People. Find grace and true freedom!

Be blessed with this beautiful new song by Josh Baldwin.

December 16, 2022October 13, 2022

THE TWELVE LAWS OF LIFE RECOVERY | Responsibility

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF THE MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS WE REVIEW INSPIRATIONAL CHRISTIAN MEDIA.

On the third Friday of each month in 2022 we’re focusing our life recovery work on The Twelve Laws of Life Recovery: God’s Wisdom and Guidance for Your Journey with Stephen Arterburn and David Stoop. This powerful study will take our life of recovery to a level of freedom most of us haven’t yet experienced.

THE TWELVE LAWS OF LIFE RECOVERY

Each month we’re looking at a requirement that guides us to a specific result which will ultimately fill our lives with love, gratitude and the serenity we desire.

THE LAW OF RESPONSIBILITY

REQUIREMENT: RESPONSIBILITY

RESULT: SECURITY

God said to Abraham, “Your responsibility is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility.” ~ Genesis 17:9

Responsibility means living up to our part of life, not blaming others or expecting someone else to make up for what we lack. When we do our part by living responsibly in our everyday lives, we experience a genuine sense of security.~ The Twelve Laws of Life Recovery

Life can be complicated and difficult. But more often than not, our choices have made it that way. We must make the tough decisions to deliberately and intentionally take responsibility to manage our own lives with God’s help to the best of our ability.

Ask for forgiveness and make restitution to others where we can. Respond in an understanding and compassionate grace filled way to people and situations out of our control.

One of the best ways to forgive those who have harmed us is to see them as people who have been harmed themselves. When we look at others through God’s eyes, it’s easier to forgive. Remembering that just because we have forgiving someone doesn’t mean we have to continue in relationship with them.

Most importantly, responsibility means taking ownership of what we own: our emotions, our spiritual growth, the gifts we have been given by God and the hurts we have caused others. When we begin doing this we are living responsibly.

Enjoy this clip from Stephen Arterburn that is related to this topic. Blessings!

December 9, 2022October 12, 2022

BOOK STUDY || GRACE: The Power of the Gospel

On the second Friday of each month in 2022 we’ve been studying Andrew Wommack’s life-changing book: GRACE: The Power of the Gospel. In this study we dig into the New Testament book of Romans — Apostle Paul’s masterpiece on the subject of grace.

As a wrap up to this study I would encourage you to go to Andrew Wommack’s YouTube channel and go through the entire series. This is a life changing study!

Be blessed!

December 2, 2022October 12, 2022

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS STUDY | Wrap-Up

On the first Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the Ten Commandments; why we need to know, memorize and obey them.

The 10 Commandments are more relevant than ever before. If every human being would follow these simple laws, we would have no need for any manmade laws.

If you haven’t taken the time to study the 10 Commandments, I highly recommend you do so. You will have a new appreciation for God’s Word.

Please enjoy Dennis Prager’s video below.

November 25, 2022October 12, 2022

LAW / GRACE/ FREEDOM :: The Body of Christ

On the fourth Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the RHW 2022 Theme: God’s Law, Grace & Freedom.

“Without God’s law and grace there is no opportunity for true freedom!”

And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.~ Ephesians 1:23

As members of Christ’s body we walk in the all sufficient grace made possible by His sacrifice. We are the true expression of God’s grace in this world!

November 18, 2022October 12, 2022

THE TWELVE LAWS OF LIFE RECOVERY | Confession

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF THE MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS WE REVIEW INSPIRATIONAL CHRISTIAN MEDIA.

On the third Friday of each month in 2022 we’re focusing our life recovery work on The Twelve Laws of Life Recovery: God’s Wisdom and Guidance for Your Journey with Stephen Arterburn and David Stoop. This powerful study will take our life of recovery to a level of freedom most of us haven’t yet experienced.

Each month we’re looking at a requirement that guides us to a specific result which will ultimately fill our lives with love, gratitude and the serenity we desire.

THE LAW OF CONFESSION

REQUIREMENT: CONFESSION

RESULT: HEALING

So admit your sins to each other, and pray for each other so that you will be healed. ~ James 5:16

We are all prone to hide our weaknesses. But by not taking responsibility for our mistakes is very unhealthy.

Our hidden secrets grow in the darkness and will ultimately take over our life if we let them. The longer we hide them, the more painful it will be to confess them and change our behavior.

Confession is not real unless it is honest–both in what is revealed and what is not. Telling the whole truth in full disclosure is the only acceptable kind of confession that produces healing. ~ The Twelve Laws of Recovery

Once we do make confession, healing begins, not just in our own hearts, but in personal relationships and with God. The pain of confession is totally worth it!

November 11, 2022October 12, 2022

BOOK STUDY || GRACE: The Power of the Gospel | Grace & Works Don’t Mix

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING VARIOUS INSPIRATIONAL CHRISTIAN MEDIA.

For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. ~ Romans 10:3

If we continue to believe that we must make restitution with God by following the law and performing then what Jesus did for us was a complete waste. Jesus took all the punishment we were supposed to get. There is nothing left for us to do except believe and receive what He did for us!

November 4, 2022October 12, 2022

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS STUDY | Don’t Covet

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING INSPIRATIONAL MEDIA.

On the first Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the Ten Commandments; why we need to know, memorize and obey them.

“You must not want to take your neighbor’s house. You must not want his wife or his men or women slaves. You must not want his ox or his donkey. You must not want to take anything that belongs to your neighbor.”~ Exodus 20:17

The tenth commandment could possibly be the most important of them all. If all mankind would simply follow the commandment to not covet, which is to desire something that belongs to someone else to the point of taking it from that other person, this world would definitely be a better place to live.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus taught on several lessons that were focused on how our thoughts can lead us to sin. Thoughts of anger can lead to murder. Improper thoughts about another person’s body can lead to adultery.

Guarding our thought life is critical if we want to live a victorious life in Christ!