Author: Ariel Tyson

Chase the Roar

I have had the privilege to write for the Encourage Squad for some time now and have so enjoyed my time speaking words of encouragement into the lives of wives and moms. What a beautiful, but also difficult path it is to walk in this world as a God honoring wife. I’ve recently written a book that is launching, today, November 14th and I’d like to share some parts of my life during the early stages of our marriage and the ways we lived on faith. Chapter 2 of my book “Chase the Roar: Becoming Faith Chasers in an American Dream Culture” (now available on Amazon) opens up with this quote by Sheila Wray Gregoire:

“I hope that when people look at my marriage, they don’t think, “She has a great marriage because she chose the right guy,” or, “He has a great marriage because he chose the right woman.” I hope they realize, “They have a great marriage because they both chose God.”

Beautiful words of truth that I can only hope and pray are reflected in my own life, and, most importantly, in my marriage. In this chapter within my book, I then go on to share:

“Just two short years after God redirected my career path, I stood at the altar, beaming at my 21- year-old college sweetheart. I basked in complete joy and was entirely unaware of what the Lord would ask of us in the following days.

As we were pronounced husband and wife, I took my first step of faith as wife to a man who had even more deep, trusting, gut-wrenching faith in the God he had called Savior for fifteen years.

At the time, the idea of living anywhere other than the southeastern United States was foreign. The call from God to plant a church was just beginning to take root in my heart and my husband’s heart separately. In my mind, it was a more romantic idea, rather than the “live by faith no matter what” way it was capturing the heart of my new husband.

In the early years of our marriage, we were so very poor. We were both finishing our college degrees while working as much as possible. We earned a total of $10,000 during our first year of marriage. People often talk about living on love, but we were 100% living on faith alone. Even during this financially challenging time, we remained faithful in our tithe back to God. There were days we would have a bill due and have less than $20 in our bank account. I would check the mailbox only to discover an anonymous check for the exact amount we needed to pay that specific bill. God is faithful.”

He is truly always faithful. He’s a giver of life. And I can truly say that faith in Him alone is what got us through the years of financial struggles and continues to get us through the struggles that constantly come. We all go through the valleys in between the mountaintops within our marriages. When these dark valleys come, what are some specific ways that we are clinging to God first rather than pressuring each other? My prayer for you today is that God would be your focus, not only in your times of joy within your marriages, but in the deepest lows as well! Take care dear one!

Ariel

Chase the Roar is available in paperback and kindle version here: https://www.amazon.com/Chase-Roar-Becoming-Chasers-American/dp/1979337233/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510641150&sr=8-1&keywords=chase+the+roar

https://www.facebook.com/authorarieltyson/

Instagram @arielctyson

 

Goodbye Doubts

Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

2017, you’re here! Welcome!

2016 was a year of crazy for me. At the beginning of 2016, my focus word for the year was Joy. I was striving to find joy even in the hard and when I didn’t “feel happy”. I told my husband that I’m not sure I succeeded at making this my focus all year; however, by choosing it right off the bat, I was constantly reminded of it and made an effort to make it my heart’s desire.

Last year was full of health battles, overwhelming schedules, focusing on family with more intent, church growth and struggles, more reading, more forced rest, and homeschooling for the first time,  and I have long been debating what my focus word will be for 2017. What is the most important element that will relieve the stresses that are weighing on me and channel my focus to who I am in Christ?

Maggie has been speaking to me about January’s focus being centered around ‘control’…what control looks like for different women and how we’re battling that and giving it up. With that thought in mind, I am excited to share the focus that God has been laying on my heart for 2017.

This year I want to live with less doubt in myself  and who I am in Christ. Likewise,  I want to live with less doubt of who I am as a wife, mother, church planter, daughter, and very specifically, friend. I often doubt if I am enough for all of the people in my life, specifically women, that count on me. Do I “do” enough to show them I love them? Am I there enough? Should I have said this or that? What more can I do?

These are the doubts that flood my mind on a regular basis and, when it comes down to it, this is all due to my desire to “control” my own life in this area rather than turn it completely over to God.

So with the plan to have less doubt and, ultimately, less control comes the desire to have more of something to fill this place. More believing, more expectation, more…

CERTAINTY.

More belief that I am God’s daughter no matter what anyone else thinks or says. I can have confidence that, while I’m human with flaws and errors, He loves me just the way I am.  He is in control of what happens in my life. More expectation that He will do what He says He will, specifically related to our church plant. The expectation that God will grow His church and my shoulders do not bear the weight of this great task. 2017 will be our year for seeing Him move mountains like we’ve never experienced before.

And finally, this year, the power of certainty will arise. Oh, how much I question myself most moments of most days. This comes out in phrases like, “Are you sure?” “Is this ok?” to my husband over and over again until his nerves are shot. This also comes out in complaining about the situation I am in, thinking it will never end. The word ‘certainty’ means God’s promises are fulfilled and that He is in control of every situation, despite how hard I may work to put myself in that place.

Dear much loved woman, may you choose a focus for this year and be renewed in your spirit. May you analyze and recognize the areas of your life and give up just a little of the control you hold over a specific place or two. Oh, what a beautiful freeing experience it is to know that you can welcome grace and peace and certainty. Here’s to 2017 and making it our year!

Much Love,

Ariel Tyson

Find me on Instagram @arielsmontanalittles

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/actyson

“Pain is a Microphone”

storm
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”Jeremiah 29:13

Even in the unbearable, God is so faithful.

My incredible friend Brittany has 3 little boys 3 and under, a thriving ministry to women, many friends, and she loves the Lord with all she has, but she is now missing her biggest earthly treasure. Her husband.

One year and one month ago, this young mother lost her 30-year-old husband suddenly and very unexpectedly.

Her whole world shook. And all that knew her watched.

How would she react? Would this break her? The lost family and friends and entire city around her were especially watching as was evident by those whose eternities were forever changed at her husband’s funeral and through her, now worldwide, influence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCu4h7-BUFU

This summer and fall, I have been reading some incredible books that have drastically changed my perspective on life… one of which is the book: “Through the Eyes of a Lion” by Levi Lusko. In Levi’s book, he asks the question, “What will you do when the unthinkable happens?” In case you are unaware, Levi lost his 5-year-old daughter very suddenly and unexpectedly as well. He writes an entire chapter entitled Pain is a Microphone. Within that chapter, he has a section describing being crushed like an olive.

“The Bible calls us to be kings and priests (Revelation 1:6)… A king couldn’t take the stage, the mantle of authority of leadership, without being anointed. Priests had to regularly be anointed and consecrated into their service. That’s why it’s striking that before Jesus, who is both King and Priest forever, went to Calvary, he first went to the Garden of Gethsemane. Gethsemane means “olive press.” Olive oil is made by pressing olives with a giant stone until the oil runs out. Because olive oil was used in the anointing process, olives had to be crushed so that someone could be anointed. There could be no anointing without a crushing.”

What a beautiful illustration of a very painful truth. God can use our pain to shout His name from the rooftops or we can turn it into a destructive spiral of pity and failure and claim this hurt over our lives.

When you are faced with significant pain and tribulation, where do you turn? Is it to God Himself? Or do you turn to those He has around you, as believers, who can allow you to stay focused on Him, your church body, or His Word? Or do you hide yourself away from everything and everyone believing that your suffering or pity is the greatest thing He has planned for your life?

He is a GOOD, GOOD and FAITHFUL Father who loves you unconditionally despite how broken you feel.

The pain has either passed, is here now, or will come. Prepare now. Surround yourself with those who love you and will encourage you and lead you closer to Christ. Join a church family now so you have somewhere to turn during hard times. Cling to Christ and grow deeper in your relationship with Him. Jeremiah 29:13 proclaims: “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Will the pain in your life be a microphone to shout the goodness of a great Father or to shout anger and hurt and bitterness?

Beautiful women, you are loved. Let me encourage you, today, on this journey towards hope in a broken world.

Ariel Tyson
Facebook.com/actyson
Instagram @arielsmontanalittles

Moms, Let’s Do Our Ministry

pexels-photo-94338
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” -1 Corinthians 12:4-7

 

God always gives me hard topics to share. Topics that I would rather not touch on for fear of the confrontation that may come from those whom the Lord is prodding. Running like Jonah is much easier. But fortunately, God knows what people need to hear more than I do and I must allow Him to use me as a vessel despite my fears.

This is one of those topics.

For the past several weeks, I’ve been reflecting upon what God has been impressing on my heart for the past few years. I hear many moms, including pastor’s wives of which I also am, say things like, “My ministry is to my family” or, “I’m not in a season where I can serve”.

It breaks my heart to consider how many opportunities we are missing because the beautifully gifted moms in our congregations are opting out of serving in the church. Their children also miss out on growing up in a family where they learn the value of serving the Lord and the incredible influence one can have on her city.

Yes, it’s not easy and, of course, it doesn’t look the same as it did prior to kids. Coming to terms with this has been a vital part of my serving story. My husband and I dedicated a significantly large amount of time during college and the first part of our married lives to serving both within and outside of the church. I recognize that this season is different than before and it has challenged me to find specific ways I can serve now. It is not easy because I do not have the same freedom as before, but my love and joy for it hasn’t changed. I say joy because I have had to seek out joy even on the days when I am just too tired. Just last year, I was really struggling with this. My health had declined, I was about to have my 4th baby (in 4 years), I was teaching for an online university, I am a church planter’s wife, I was way too involved in activities that were not related to the specific walk that God had for me, and I had to DAILY seek Him for the endurance to continue. On the hard days, even now, I have mentors and accountability partners that I reach out to. They pray over me and read Scripture and point me to places in the Bible where I can get my heart right with God and be reminded that it is not about me, but about Him.

Moms, let’s challenge each other with this: while not everyone can do what everyone else does, we can do the ministry given to us. Colossians 3:23 exclaims, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men..” This means that no matter what any other woman is or isn’t doing, we are to serve the Lord and work heartily. This is a hard pill for me to swallow. It is easy to wallow in self-pity about why others aren’t serving. As a pastor’s wife, it’s a roller coaster ride of emotions. I even find myself wrestling with wanting to quit serving, completely! I focus on what other people are or are not doing rather than keeping my focus on the One who placed me in this role. I know what is right despite my feelings. Like I mentioned earlier, I often have to receive a swift kick in the pants from my accountability partners about why it doesn’t matter what others are doing. I have to follow the path carved out for me. I’m pretty blessed with some incredible people at Bedrock Church who encourage me even on my rough days.

While on a gymnastics team, many years ago, I learned that the word “can’t” should not be a part of our vocabulary. Moms, it IS a different season. I can relate! No, you may not be able to serve by cleaning toilets for businesses downtown (like many teams in our church have done), you may not be able to go and organize items and paperwork in a battered women’s shelter, or work a fundraising yardsale with all your children in tow.

But… You can…

Volunteer to keep other mom’s children so that more moms can serve and take turns trading off. You can serve in children’s ministry in church and make it 10 times better with your new and fresh ideas. You can pack bags for the homeless with your children or bake cookies to serve to neighbors or new guests at church. You can pack care packages for those who are sick or make meals for new moms with your children. You can reach out to new believers with texts or prayers. What is He calling you to do with the gift He has entrusted to you?

Yes, we will all be in different seasons throughout our lives, but let’s not waste this season and let’s not waste our children’s desires to serve by not doing what we could have done. The beautiful words in 2 Timothy 2:15 reflect this: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”

Our ministry should, first and foremost, be to our family, but I consider ministry to others, outside of our family, to be a pivotal part of ministry to my family.

Our ministry should, first and foremost, be to our family, but I consider ministry to others, outside of our family, to be a pivotal part of ministry to my family. One of my top priorities, as a mother, is to raise up children who love serving others and pointing them to Jesus. The other day, my oldest came to me and told me that he noticed I needed one specific thing done and so, he did it without me asking. At all. I believe this is a fruit in his life from being a witness to our family serving together. He also joyfully gives his time to setting up and tearing down our kids ministry and he’s only 5. Through serving together as a family, we can model this behavior to even our youngest children!

So let me encourage you with this today, I do not always find it easy to serve, but I do find it is ALWAYS rewarding. Can I encourage you to think about how you can serve? Let’s show our families and cities how we love Jesus by the way we serve.

“Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:31

Not I, but Christ,

Ariel

You can see more from Ariel by following her on Instagram @arielsmontanalittles or at Facebook.com/actyson

 

Desert Soul

road-sky-sand-street
Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

 

I’ve heard the song Desert Soul by Rend Collective too many times to remember and have always been so struck by the words. Nothing could’ve prepared me for how wrecked I would become by one phrase while driving with all 4 of my kids…thinking about all my Jesus has been teaching me lately….

“…I’m desperate for a desperate heart.”

I realized the impact this single phrase has had on my life recently because of my intense desire for this desperation even more now than just a few months ago. Through pain and hurt and seeing things I never believed I would, I have been living with this desperation on a daily basis and literally begging Him to tell me why He was taking me through this journey.

And He did.

He said forgive. Forgive when it hurts, forgive when you want nothing more than to walk away, forgive because I also forgave your wandering heart. My entire life, I’ve been on a journey to learn what true forgiveness means and  having a desperate heart for Christ means doing what He asks even when it seems utterly and completely…

IMPOSSIBLE.

Dear wives and mothers, I do not know the pain of what you are going through. I do not know how hard it may be to forgive your spouse, yourself, your friends, your children, or your enemies. Those who have crushed you, those you feel defeated by, those who have lied about you. Broken people hurt people, I know. But, I’m telling you that through forgiveness, God gives blessings and, in turn, gives life to your soul.

In the previous months, my eyes were not as open to the overwhelming need to address this area in my life. Through study, accountability of friends, prayer, and hearing the Word, I was washed by the beauty that is forgiveness. Women, we often fret and worry and stress and blame ourselves rather than rest in the satisfaction that He gives when we run broken to Him.

As I was coming to grips with what this meant, God didn’t leave me wondering. Last weekend, after contemplating this truth, a friend read Ephesians 4:29-32 in a class she was teaching. This verse affirmed what I had been learning and I drank this truth in like a faucet: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Christians, let’s show the truth of this passage to other women in the body of Christ. Let’s always evaluate the window that we are using to critique others and offer mercy and grace and leave bitterness and gossip and corrupting talk behind because “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35).

Let’s urge each other on toward desperation in Christ and leave behind the desert soul that entraps us.

You can follow Ariel  on FB: https://www.facebook.com/actyson or via IG: https://www.instagram.com/arielsmontanalittles/