Overheard: Oh you are so going to love this one!

(One of our Resident Directors, David received a photo in the mail for financially supporting a ministry. What happened to little bronze statues of eagles and such? Whatever. Anyway, he gave that photo to Candace, the Administrative Assistant here in Campus Life.)


Laur: "What's that picture on your desk?"
(I almost said that I didn't know any of her family were men of the cloth...)

Candace: "That's Sir Fredd. He helps me remember to pray!"




Sir Fredd and yours truly. I don't know anything about him. I tried to google and got nothing. But my favorite part is that this photo in particular helps Candace live a life of piety. We wheeze-laughed over the idea a minute ago. IT'S WORKING THOUGH--Don't knock it 'til you try it.




Whatever it takes...

It's just like Hammer said (please Hammer don't hurt 'em):




"Ya gots to pray just to make it today."

"Pull Me Out."

I was talking with a friend today who is struggling with depression, and I couldn't help but think of this song. If you have ever battled depression, you know it is like a veil placed over your face, and everything you see, hear, and feel, is through the tint of darkness. God is a God of light, and as CS Lewis says, the light can override the darkness, but the darkness can never overcome the light.
I think this song by Bebo Norman says it pretty well...





If you need prayer for depression, please email me.

As I Lay Me...

When I was a young girl, I loved this song by Sophie B. Hawkins. I think I liked for a couple of reasons:
I loved the melody and it was easily stuck in my head.
I liked the words a lot and it was on the radio all the time.
most of all, in it were the words I prayed before bed each night.



As I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.



My mom and I would pray that together every evening between The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew mysteries and turning on the radio to lull me to sleep. Sometimes that song would come on as I was in bed. I remember something inside of me would soar when I heard that song. It was written as a love song, but it was so much more to me.


This (February--coincidence?) morning, as I sat in the dentist's chair praying for all of those I love who have lost loved ones or who are struggling...
jan
janet
ryan & chelsa
annie
julie
abbie
andrew
tim
matt & rachel
carla
sara
stephanie
tom

the list goes on and on and on....

and as I was talking to God on their behalf and in general, this sweet song began to play. I listened to the words, and suddenly they had new meaning.

It is a love song, but now I don't sing about someone, but TO Someone.

It is my heart cry for all of you who are carrying burdens today. May strength rise as you wait upon the Lord. And may He hold you dear, though you feel far away. May you whisper His name into the sky and wake up to a new day.

Join me in making this your prayer today not only for you but to those who hurt around you.


It felt like springtime on this February morning
In the courtyard birds were singing your praise
I'm still recalling things you said to make me feel all right
I carried them with me today now

As I lay me down to sleep
This I pray
That you will hold me dear
Though I'm far away
I'll whisper your name into the sky
And I will wake up happy

I wonder why I feel so high
Though I am not above the sorrow
Heavy-hearted
'Til you call my name
And it sounds like church bells
Or the whistle of a train
On a summer evening
I'll run to meet you
Barefoot
Barely breathing

As I lay me down to sleep
This I pray
That you will hold me dear
Though I'm far away
I'll whisper your name into the sky
And I will wake up happy

It's not too near for me
Like a flower I need the rain
Though it's not clear to me
Every season has its change
And I will see you
When the sun comes out again

As I lay me down to sleep
This I pray
That you will hold me dear
Though I'm far away
I'll whisper your name into the sky
And I will wake up happy




grace and peace to you, my friends.

Are You Sure?

I've written you a lot of songs
The kind you write on rainy days
Unrequited love
But now I'm humming a different tune
Just twelve hours ago
I was sitting on a bench with you

I've never heard something that sweet
But are you sure you want me?

I tried to say, I want this to work
And yet take off the weight
If you change your mind, I won't hurt forever
Because I don't know what else to do
But I'd do anything to have three more hours on a bench with you

I've never heard something that sweet
But are you sure you want me?

Everything within me doesn't want to risk
Doesn't want to risk anymore
But if it means I get to see the light in your eyes
I'll risk so much more

I've never heard something that sweet
But are you sure you want me?

I won't be full of second guesses
So now I'll just sit and think about how sweet it is...


*photo by miss selena.

Bloggers' Block...

...is real.


so until I get some inspiration in the form of the Divine One ( no, not Miss M, the wholly Other Divine One) or in the form of a question or comment,


I will let others do the talking. People who have or had something profound to say.

like Rich Mullins.



Surrender don't come natural to me/I'd rather fight you for something I don't really want/Than take what you give that I need/And I've beat my head against so many walls/
Now I am falling down, I'm falling on my knees.

Lyrics with Lauren: A New Song

My friend Kara said something the other day that made me think...

"Every day I ask God to put a new song in my heart," she said.

so I tried it today.

and it was such a great song to describe the past few days as God's presence has really challenged me in such a beautiful way....

And how could I stand here with Him and not be moved by Him?

I simply can't.



[And it happens to be the song that matches the drama in my last post. check it out:]

Everything by Lifehouse.

Find Me Here
Speak To Me
I want to feel you
I need to hear you
You are the light
That's leading me
To the place where I find peace again.
You are the strength that keeps me walking.
You are the hope that keeps me trusting.
You are the light to my soul.
You are my purpose
You're everything.

And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

You calm the storms, and you give me rest.
You hold me in your hands, you won't let me fall. {safe in His arms}
You still my heart, and you take my breath away.
Would you take me in? Take me deeper now?

And How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

Cause you're all I want, you're all I need
You're everything, everything
You're all I want, you're all I need
You're everything, everything.
You're all I want, you're all I need.
You're everything, everything
You're all I want, you're all I need.
You're everything, everything.
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

Lyrics with Lauren: Izzy and Laur Rock Out!

I get paid to take care of this precious little one:

Best job EVER!

I'd do it for free, but don't tell Josh and Sara that!!

Anyway, every Wednesday, Izzy and I like to turn off the T.V. and put on the praise music. And we get down with our bad selves like the Rock Princesses that we are.

I was having a rough day and was really missing my mom, but Izzy just giggled and laughed and how can anyone be sad and cry while staring into that beautiful child's face?

Anyway, here's one we love:

Visible by 4Him (I realize I may lose all musical street cred with some of my audience on this one, but give me the benefit of the doubt...).

Sometimes I feel so inadequate.

I start to question am I ready for these things you ask.

My words are not so eloquent.

but if I speak the truth in love.

even simple words are equal to the task.

Oh Lord let your spirit rise within me.

until the world cannot deny that you exist.

This is my only passion

the very reason why I live.

To make you known, to make you seen,

to be your hands, to be your feet.

Oh I want to be a Revelation of love.

I want to make the invisible God visible.

May my life be an offering,

so completely given till there's nothing left but you alone.

This is my prayer, my destiny,

that my life reveals your glory

so that you remain long after I am gone.

Oh Lord you have made me for this purpose.

And all I have is just one life to give my all.

Make it clear to see who you are revealed in me

(a sacrifice) the beauty of the life you gave.

unending love amazing grace, my one desire

yep. That's what we're trying to do today. Me and Izzy and our little dancing praise band of two rocker chicks.

Lyrics with Lauren: Body by...Jesus (!) Edition.

did I really just write that title?


Saaahhh---ryyyy.

yes, I am young enough to remember "Body by Jake." He was this very muscular, almost uncomfortable-looking man whose mission was to make us more fit and to make himslf a whole lot of moolah. Something tells me when he's eighty he may not look like he used to back in his heyday.

Now that I have been thinking about it (trying to write that talk) there is only one Body that has survived the last two thousand years. The body of Christ.

That's just a teaser for the real deal in a few weeks.



So with the Body of Christ in mind, I have picked a winner for today's edition of Lyrics with Lauren.


If you have never listened to Derek Webb, don't start unless you want to be convicted, challenged, and sometimes offended. This guy will challenge you to be absolutely MESSED UP for the Gospel and Christ's Body.

Without Further Ado... (Webb is known for colorful language so prepare yourself. His music is not for the easily offended..or maybe it is, but they won't listen...hmmm.)

The Church
by Derek Webb

I have come with one purpose
To capture for myself a bride
By my life she is lovely
By my death she's justified
I have always been her husband
Though many lovers she has known
So with water i will wash her
And by my word alone
So when you hear the sound of the water
You will know you're not alone

Cause I haven't come for only you
But for my people to pursue
You cannot care for me with no regard for her
If you love me you will love the church

I have long pursued her
As a harlot and a whore
But she will feast upon me
She will drink and thirst no more
So when you taste my flesh and my blood
You will know you're not alone

Cause I haven't come for only you
But for my people to pursue
You cannot care for me with no regard for her
If you love me you will love the church

There is none that can replace her
Though there are many who will try
And though some may be her bridesmaids
They can never be my bride

Lyrics with Lauren: "That Girl..." Wins?

I won something.

CRAZY, I know. It's totally the Lord, and so cool.


It's the "Model of Beauty" contest.

My friend Esther is a Mary Kay consultant, and she asked me to be a part of the contest (she has to do so many faces each month) and I love her and her husband Ricky and their sweet baby girl Isabella (not the Izzy I keep, different one...) so I went over and had her make me up. To be honest, I don't normally wear a lot of makeup, and some days I go without it all together.

She took the "before" picture (and I have to admit that I did the sans smile face thing like you always see in the before pictures when Oprah does makeovers) and then she used her products and she did a really good job. She took the "after" picture (complete with smile) and I thought I was done. Then Esther asked me what was beautiful to me. I had to write a little essay, and I was honest in the fact that beauty is transparency to me (yay for T squared...you know what I mean...) and being beautiful is living a beautiful life from the inside out.

She texted me yesterday and asked for my favorite quote (Psalm 51:6) and my favorite color (pink, please...was there ever a question in your mind, Good Blog Reader?) and my favorite vacation spot, etc.

Each girl in Esther's unit had a winner. Then last night after an awesome, awesome formation, I received word that I won!
Which means:

• A gift certificate to a SPA in Evansville (I think I just peed my pants from excitement...)
• Some free Kary Kay products (!!)

God is better to me than I deserve. I have been exhausted and His grace always brings the unexpected blessings right when we need encouragement.

who would have thought?

In honor of this sweet blessing, I have decided to include another Sara Groves song in this Wednesday's installment of "Lyrics with Lauren." It's a song that really challenges me every time I hear to make sure that I am offering my best and my excellence to my community of faith and the Body of Christ. I hope you enjoy it:

We come with beautiful secrets
We come with purposes written on our hearts, written on our souls
We come to every new morning
With possibilities only we can hold that only we can hold
Redemption comes in strange places, small spaces
Calling out the best of who we are
And I want to add to the beauty
To tell a better story
I want to shine with the light
That's burning up inside
It comes in small inspirations
It brings redemption to life and work
To our lives and our work
It comes in loving community
It comes in helping a soul find it's worth
Redemption comes in strange places, small spaces
Calling out the best of who we are
And I want to add to the beauty
To tell a better story
I want to shine with the light
That's burning up inside
This is grace, an invitation to be beautiful
This is grace, an invitation
Redemption comes in strange places, small spaces
Calling out our best
And I want to add to the beauty
To tell a better story
I want to shine with the light
That's burning up inside

yeah. love it. you can see why.

(Becky, this is the song I was telling you about. If you happen to snap some pics that would fit, I would LOVE it.)

For the rest of you, I dare you to go to Becky's Blog and see two of our amazing FBC Bicknell princesses (Gracie and Tali: Seth and I love you!!) and their awesome dance photos. Now they are beautiful...

Lyrics with Lauren: Valentine Edition

Hi everyone.

One more day(!!)

I am so seriously stoked about Valentine's Day I decided to post a very special song for you. If you have never heard The Fray (they sing that really catchy cable car song and how to save a life-two amazing songs that i think have both been in the top five), then you need to. Anyway, I digress. But their best song is a love song. And a really good love song. Maybe the best one I have ever heard.

here it is (click on the Title of this blog and you can hear it...DO THIS FOR FULL EFFECT, please.)

Look After You

If I don't say this now
I will surely break
As I'm leaving the one I want to take
Forgive the urgency but hurry up and wait
My heart has started to separate
Be my baby
Be my baby
I'll look after you
There now, steady love,
so few come and don't go
Will you won't you,
be the one I'll always know
When I'm losing my control,
the city spins around
You're the only one who knows
to slow it down
Be my baby
Be my Baby
I'll look after you
And I'll look after you
If ever there was a doubt
My love she leans into me
This most assuredly counts
She says most assuredly
Be my baby
I'll look after you
After You
Be my baby
It's always have and never hold
You've begun to feel like home
What's mine is yours to leave or take
What's mine is yours to make your own
Be my baby
I'll look after you

Live version has a cover of You Are So Beautiful by Joe Cocker at the end...studio version is my favorite.)

dedication: you know who you are...

by the way, Terri got me a sweet Valentine package yesterday and I almost peed my pants right there in her kitchen from sheer excitement! thankyouverymuch. also, a shout-out to Andi Hart. (appropriate for Feb. 13 due to her last name...) she told me she likes to read "that girl" and it brightened my day. Hey Andi!!

I know everyone out there in blog world wants to know why in the heck i love this gosh-darned holiday so much...tomorrow I will explain, so stay tuned!

Let's see what God says:

Love one another deeply from the heart. I Peter 1:22

Lyrics with Lauren

Today I would like to share a most legit Sara Groves song with you, GBR. Sara is one of the best songwriters on the planet and she really seeks to integrate faith and life in her lyrics. Check this out...

When the Saints
Lord I have a heavy burden of all I've seen and know
It's more than I can handle
But your word is burning like a fire shut up in my bones
and I can’t let it go
And when I'm weary and overwrought
with so many battles left unfought
I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars
And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
Lord it's all that I can't carry and cannot leave behind
it all can overwhelm me
but I think of all who've gone before them and lived the faithful life
Their courage compels me
And when I'm weary and overwrought
with so many battles left unfought
I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars
I see the shepherd Moses in the Pharaoh's court
I hear his call for freedom for the people of the Lord
And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
I see the long quiet walk along the Underground Railroad
I see the slave awakening to the value of her soul
I see the young missionary at the angry spear
I see his family returning with no trace of fear
I see the long hard shadows of Calcutta nights
I see the sisters standing by the dying man's side
I see the young girl huddled on the brothel floor
I see the man with a passion come and kicking down that door
I see the Man of Sorrow and His long troubled road
I see the world on His shoulders and my easy load
And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
I want to be one of them



sara--so do i.

Lyrics With Lauren--Installment One.

I am starting a new feature. Every Wednesday I will share a song that has been on my heart that week. And being the generous lyric junkie I am, I will share them on the blog.
This week I cannot get JJ Heller's "Only Love Remains" and if you click on the title of the blog, you can go to her myspace and hear her song.

Scenes of you come rushing through
You are breaking me down
So break me into pieces
That will grow in the ground
I know that I deserve to die
For the murder in my heart
So be gentle with me Jesus
As you tear me apart
Please kill the liar
Kill the thief in me
You know that I am tired of their cruelty
Breathe into my spirit
Breathe into my veins
Until only love remains
You burn away the ropes that bind
And hold me to the earth
The fire only leaves behind whatever is of worth
I begin to see reality
For the first time in my life
I know that I’m a shadow
But I’m dancing in your light
Teach me to be humble
Call me from the grave
Show me how to walk with you upon the waves
Breathe into my spirit
Breathe into my veins
Until only love remains
by jj heller