I was having dinner with my dad and some friends the other night when he mentioned something that made me stop and think. As he told my new friends a little bit about my mom, he shared about our bookstore and the ministry that came of it.
"Cheryl always said that when people came in and wandered around for a little while, and then came up to the counter and said, 'I don't know why I'm here,' that she was to encourage and pray with them."
I want to be careful not to make the woman who birthed me into some kind of saint on this blog, but she was a mighty fine lady. She was also onto something.
People are hungry for something and they don't even know what.
But we do.
It's called love. Sometimes people just need to be loved.
Even mean people.
Even cold people.
Even difficult people.
Even people who have abandoned the faith.
Even people who have hurt us deeply in the past.
Even people who are absent--those who have checked out of life as they knew it.
It's true that some people need a swift kick in the rear as well--that is also loving when appropriate.
They wander in and out of our lives just like they wandered in and out of our store.
Do you see their hunger? Do you even notice them?
Maybe it's a coworker that's always hanging out at the water cooler with sad looking eyes. Maybe it's your daughter's friend Aubrey who is ALWAYS over at your house and requires much more patience than you have to offer at times. Maybe it's a family member who is always critical to you and everyone else but keeps coming over to visit.
Do we see them? Do we hear their unvoiced cries for help? Do we have the courage to passionately share His truth with them in love? Or do we ignore them in order to maintain our pristine image and perfect social life and some sense of our sanity?
We have a divine responsibility to take the time and spare willingly the energy required to truly love people who float in and out of our lives. (Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that we should enable people or allow them to abuse our bodies, minds, or spirits.) Everyone so desperately needs love.
Maybe it's you, dear reader. Maybe you're the one who stumbled upon this blog and you don't even know why you are reading or following this blog. Can I know your name and your story? It would be my honor to pray with you and to encourage you along this sometimes bumpy road called life? If you're not sure why you are here, please email me at lauren.thatgirl@gmail.com and tell me about you. It would be my honor to listen.
If you know of someone who has wandered into your life, I dare you to show them the love of Christ and see what happens. If that's the case, I encourage you to leave a comment with a prayer over the first name of the person in your life who needs the most love.
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Weakness.
Insecurities.
We all have them.
Some of us
hide them
flaunt them
conceal them
reveal them to large groups of friends and strangers blog about them
try anything to overcome them
overcompensate for them
get angry about them
Very few people actually take delight in them. In fact, I know only one person who gave advice about that, or at least shared his story about what his weaknesses taught him. It might be a little familiar to you.
...so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, "My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness."
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. (2 Cor. 12:7B-10, The Message)
Often my insecurities give me lots of thoughts and emotions, and not one of those thoughts or emotions have ever, EVER been relief!
A soldier is never relieved to see a chink in the armor.
A Neiman-Marcus shopper is never relieved to see a thread loose on that sale garment she got so excited about.
A model is never relieved to see a blemish on her face the day before her cover shoot (Have you ever seen ANTM? ack.).
You get the idea.
Can I be honest? heh heh. Like you could stop me.
My insecurities have been getting the best of me. Not Jesus. Not my loved ones. Not my job. Not my ministry.
Every single one of the aforementioned have lost out because of my many negative thoughts about myself, my self-doubt, and my desire to win the approval of others, only to fall miserably short. These are branches from the tree of lies Satan daily tries to prune (there is much MANURE for fertilization in these lies)....the lies that I hear so often I begin to believe. Instead of working on producing the fruit of the Spirit, these lies soak up all the resources I have, making me demand affirmation at every corner and sometimes wishing I could fade into the back row of life, so to speak.
It is uncomfortable, demanding, and awkward.
Relieved, I am not. Sick and tired is what I am.
and yet...
Paul tells me to consider these setbacks-weaknesses that come in the form of insecurity-as a means of avoiding pride, bringing about more faithful and constant communication with God and reliance on Him, making me more aware of my need for Christ, and learning to focus on how these limitations-these things that cause all of my many and varied insecurities-actually further the Kingdom when I relinquish them to Jesus!
Strong's tells me that the word translated as weakness in this passage can mean the following:
1) want of strength, weakness, infirmity
1a) of the body
1a1) its native weakness and frailty
1a2) feebleness of health or sickness
1b) of the soul
1b1) want of strength and capacity requisite
1b1a) to understand a thing
1b1b) to do things great and glorious
1b1c) to restrain corrupt desires
1b1d) to bear trials and troubles
I am in want of the strength and the capacity it takes to understand things, to do great and glorious things on my own, to restrain corrupt desires, and to bear hardship. I am frail, and my feeble attempts to offer righteousness are filthy rags to a Holy God.
What a beautiful thing to think that in my want, Jesus meets my needs. In my lack, He becomes greater and I become less.
That chink in the armor makes the soldier more aware-thus saving his life
The tiny thread pull is the very reason she got such a good deal, and no one else really notices it
The model is considered more "real" and down-to-earth because of her blemish and the magazine sells more copies (okay so maybe that one is far-fetched but just go with the illustration here people!)
When was the last time I thanked God for all of the ways He has used my weaknesses to bless me in the form of knowing Him more?
When was the last time I realized that without said insecurities, I might never have realized my need for Him?
When God made the sun stand still in the book of Joshua, the people knew it was not Joshua that made it happen. They recognized his limitations as a man. He was a man of God, but he was still a man.
I want people to know my limitations so God's glory can be recognized and applauded.I'm praying that Jesus will use my weaknesses and my insecurities as a megaphone declaring God's glory to all of those around me.
Lysa Terkeurst says to invite God into our lack. I think she's onto something.
Won't you join me in that prayer?
We all have them.
Some of us
hide them
flaunt them
conceal them
try anything to overcome them
overcompensate for them
get angry about them
Very few people actually take delight in them. In fact, I know only one person who gave advice about that, or at least shared his story about what his weaknesses taught him. It might be a little familiar to you.
...so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, "My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness."
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. (2 Cor. 12:7B-10, The Message)
Often my insecurities give me lots of thoughts and emotions, and not one of those thoughts or emotions have ever, EVER been relief!
A soldier is never relieved to see a chink in the armor.
A Neiman-Marcus shopper is never relieved to see a thread loose on that sale garment she got so excited about.
A model is never relieved to see a blemish on her face the day before her cover shoot (Have you ever seen ANTM? ack.).
You get the idea.
Can I be honest? heh heh. Like you could stop me.
My insecurities have been getting the best of me. Not Jesus. Not my loved ones. Not my job. Not my ministry.
Every single one of the aforementioned have lost out because of my many negative thoughts about myself, my self-doubt, and my desire to win the approval of others, only to fall miserably short. These are branches from the tree of lies Satan daily tries to prune (there is much MANURE for fertilization in these lies)....the lies that I hear so often I begin to believe. Instead of working on producing the fruit of the Spirit, these lies soak up all the resources I have, making me demand affirmation at every corner and sometimes wishing I could fade into the back row of life, so to speak.
It is uncomfortable, demanding, and awkward.
Relieved, I am not. Sick and tired is what I am.
and yet...
Paul tells me to consider these setbacks-weaknesses that come in the form of insecurity-as a means of avoiding pride, bringing about more faithful and constant communication with God and reliance on Him, making me more aware of my need for Christ, and learning to focus on how these limitations-these things that cause all of my many and varied insecurities-actually further the Kingdom when I relinquish them to Jesus!
Strong's tells me that the word translated as weakness in this passage can mean the following:
1) want of strength, weakness, infirmity
1a) of the body
1a1) its native weakness and frailty
1a2) feebleness of health or sickness
1b) of the soul
1b1) want of strength and capacity requisite
1b1a) to understand a thing
1b1b) to do things great and glorious
1b1c) to restrain corrupt desires
1b1d) to bear trials and troubles
I am in want of the strength and the capacity it takes to understand things, to do great and glorious things on my own, to restrain corrupt desires, and to bear hardship. I am frail, and my feeble attempts to offer righteousness are filthy rags to a Holy God.
What a beautiful thing to think that in my want, Jesus meets my needs. In my lack, He becomes greater and I become less.
That chink in the armor makes the soldier more aware-thus saving his life
The tiny thread pull is the very reason she got such a good deal, and no one else really notices it
The model is considered more "real" and down-to-earth because of her blemish and the magazine sells more copies (okay so maybe that one is far-fetched but just go with the illustration here people!)
When was the last time I thanked God for all of the ways He has used my weaknesses to bless me in the form of knowing Him more?
When was the last time I realized that without said insecurities, I might never have realized my need for Him?
When God made the sun stand still in the book of Joshua, the people knew it was not Joshua that made it happen. They recognized his limitations as a man. He was a man of God, but he was still a man.
I want people to know my limitations so God's glory can be recognized and applauded.I'm praying that Jesus will use my weaknesses and my insecurities as a megaphone declaring God's glory to all of those around me.
Lysa Terkeurst says to invite God into our lack. I think she's onto something.
Won't you join me in that prayer?
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Untitled.
***update***
My friends are eeling the peace of the Lord because of your prayers--they are thankful, but please keep praying. I love you all so much. I have the BEST READERS in the world.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Meet Me In St. Louis!
First of all, let me say that you, my delightful and marvelous Bloggerotsky, NEVER let me down.
Your prayers for our sister who wishes to remain anonymous blew my mind and as I approved each comment, I was mindful of the fact that we each come from different places, situations, and walks of life, but the thing uniting us is our belief in the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to save, heal, deliver, and give victory.
I am thankful for each of you who have been praying sweet ms. anonymous, whether you left a comment or not. I ask you to remember some friends of mine who are at the doctor today and my friend Chelsa, who is taping her testimony to share--what a bold step of faith!
Of course, I love you more than Silly String and Cyndi Lauper.
______________________________________________
Tomorrow I leave with my precious friend Krystal to have a weekend of fun in St. Louis! I am so excited I could practically pee myself! We are going because she is graduating with her bachelor's in nursing. She deserves major props for many reasons.
When my mom was in the hospital on and off the last month of her life, Krystal was a nurse at a new hospital about an hour and a half away. She worked 12-hour shifts at the Monroe hospital and then got in her car. She passed up her house (it would have been so easy for her to go home and crawl in bed) and showed up in my mom's room with a large pizza, some shampoo, and the ability to turn off those annoying machines. She did this several times in October 2007. I am so blessed to have such self-sacrificing friends and I don't take it lightly that many people, including Krystal, gave up their lives for us. How beautiful is the Body of Christ?!
Krystal loves all things Meatloaf and 80s. She has bright red hair and drives a silver VW Bug, which Seth assures me is super safe for our travels. She has a delightfully if slightly warped sense of humor and has a bigger movie collection than most blockbusters. She has a huge heart for missions and adoption, and we have been friends since the first grade.
Since we are heading out to St. Louis tomorrow, I was hoping some of you midwestern Bloggerotskys could offer some assistance regarding things we SHOULD NOT MISS. We already have plans to go to the Arch and some other historical sights, but we are looking for good hole-in-the-wall restaurants and attractions. I am hoping to go see the Cards play the Tigers on Thursday and see the new stadium up close, but am halfway afraid it will be sold out or something or all the cheap seats will fill up too fast, so we'll just have to see about that. I am cautiously optimistic!
Let me know if you have suggestions! Pray for our safe travels--I am hoping to update once or twice from Missouri so you can join in the fun on our V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!
Your prayers for our sister who wishes to remain anonymous blew my mind and as I approved each comment, I was mindful of the fact that we each come from different places, situations, and walks of life, but the thing uniting us is our belief in the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to save, heal, deliver, and give victory.
I am thankful for each of you who have been praying sweet ms. anonymous, whether you left a comment or not. I ask you to remember some friends of mine who are at the doctor today and my friend Chelsa, who is taping her testimony to share--what a bold step of faith!
Of course, I love you more than Silly String and Cyndi Lauper.
______________________________________________
Tomorrow I leave with my precious friend Krystal to have a weekend of fun in St. Louis! I am so excited I could practically pee myself! We are going because she is graduating with her bachelor's in nursing. She deserves major props for many reasons.
When my mom was in the hospital on and off the last month of her life, Krystal was a nurse at a new hospital about an hour and a half away. She worked 12-hour shifts at the Monroe hospital and then got in her car. She passed up her house (it would have been so easy for her to go home and crawl in bed) and showed up in my mom's room with a large pizza, some shampoo, and the ability to turn off those annoying machines. She did this several times in October 2007. I am so blessed to have such self-sacrificing friends and I don't take it lightly that many people, including Krystal, gave up their lives for us. How beautiful is the Body of Christ?!
Krystal loves all things Meatloaf and 80s. She has bright red hair and drives a silver VW Bug, which Seth assures me is super safe for our travels. She has a delightfully if slightly warped sense of humor and has a bigger movie collection than most blockbusters. She has a huge heart for missions and adoption, and we have been friends since the first grade.
Since we are heading out to St. Louis tomorrow, I was hoping some of you midwestern Bloggerotskys could offer some assistance regarding things we SHOULD NOT MISS. We already have plans to go to the Arch and some other historical sights, but we are looking for good hole-in-the-wall restaurants and attractions. I am hoping to go see the Cards play the Tigers on Thursday and see the new stadium up close, but am halfway afraid it will be sold out or something or all the cheap seats will fill up too fast, so we'll just have to see about that. I am cautiously optimistic!
Let me know if you have suggestions! Pray for our safe travels--I am hoping to update once or twice from Missouri so you can join in the fun on our V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
To The Anonymous.
I don't know who this precious soul is, or where she lives, or what she does for a living, or where she grew up. But I do know that she needs our prayers and love.
A few days ago I received an anonymous comment on my blog. It broke my heart.
Ma'am, I want you to know that your struggles matter. I believe that we serve a God who camps out with us in the midst of our struggles and shields us with Himself when the storms rage roughly around us and we have no other cover. I hope that you know you are loved. I am sorry that you have experienced so many heartaches and that it has never worked out. I wish I could tell you why.
I can only offer my love and prayers as you endure a broken heart and believe,
as David Crowder sings so eloquently:
Where there is pain, Let there be grace
Where there is suffering, Bring serenity....
Where there is misery, Bring expectancy
Father, would you fill these hearts with expectancy? Comfort them and help them to rest under Your cover as the storms rage all around them and disappointment abounds. I praise You for being a God of hope, and I pray that you would use hope to rekindle their joy in serving You. I ask for a miracle child, Lord. I believe You can do anything and that nothing is too hard for You. Be near these brokenhearted ones and bring them strength and comfort. Rescue them because they are crushed in spirit. I ask all these things in the name of the One who rescues: Jesus.
Bloggerotsky, I ask that each of you who read this post and are believers in Christ would leave a prayer in the comments section if you are able. Let's bless this sister, wherever she may be. I know you won't let me down now, when she needs you the most.
A few days ago I received an anonymous comment on my blog. It broke my heart.
Ma'am, I want you to know that your struggles matter. I believe that we serve a God who camps out with us in the midst of our struggles and shields us with Himself when the storms rage roughly around us and we have no other cover. I hope that you know you are loved. I am sorry that you have experienced so many heartaches and that it has never worked out. I wish I could tell you why.
I can only offer my love and prayers as you endure a broken heart and believe,
as David Crowder sings so eloquently:
Where there is pain, Let there be grace
Where there is suffering, Bring serenity....
Where there is misery, Bring expectancy
Father, would you fill these hearts with expectancy? Comfort them and help them to rest under Your cover as the storms rage all around them and disappointment abounds. I praise You for being a God of hope, and I pray that you would use hope to rekindle their joy in serving You. I ask for a miracle child, Lord. I believe You can do anything and that nothing is too hard for You. Be near these brokenhearted ones and bring them strength and comfort. Rescue them because they are crushed in spirit. I ask all these things in the name of the One who rescues: Jesus.
Bloggerotsky, I ask that each of you who read this post and are believers in Christ would leave a prayer in the comments section if you are able. Let's bless this sister, wherever she may be. I know you won't let me down now, when she needs you the most.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Off to the Navajo Nation I Go....
I think this is the last blog until Monday, April 19th. Until then, read this and pray every day please.
{I leave tomorrow, pray for my sanity until then. hee hee}
I travel tomorrow afternoon to North Carolina, where I will stay two nights with my friends Jeremy and Katie and their sweet baby boy Wyatt. Friday night at 6:30, we will meet as a team to discuss particulars and prepare together to go the next morning.
Saturday we will leave for the airport at 5:45 in the AM (people, no one but Seven Eleven and the rooster are up at this hour.) Later that day, we arrive in Albuquerque and will take a van to the reservation.
Here's how you can pray for my team and myself, my dear friends and Bloggerotsky:
Pray:
*God will keep us safe AS ACCORDING TO HIS WILL...
(I am not afraid, and God is not SAFE, but He is good. Too often we consider Jesus as a "safe" God. Sometimes Jesus did things that were not safe and sometimes they were downright dangerous. I don't aim to find myself in dangerous situations but I am also not afraid of them.)
*We will be humble and gentle at ALL times, maintaining the attitude of Christ. (Phil. 2:5)
*We will abide in Jesus, because apart from Him, we can do nothing. (John 15:5)
*We will operate not in our own strength, but in the power of the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor. 12:9)
*We will consider others better than ourselves. (Phil. 2:4)
*That we will show a tremendous amount of respect and flexibility for this proud people. We are not on the same time schedule anymore (Jesus help me!) and remembering that in your prayers will make the trip so much smoother. Everything we have planned is subject to change with a moment's notice.
*As we lead programs for the children on the Navajo Nation
*As we do construction/painting (I SOOO wish my Seth was going--he is an awesome painter)
*As we work with the elderly in the Senior Center (This is the area of the trip I am in charge of this craft and game time. Please pray that the older people have such a great time every day and God gives me great favor to be able to build solid relationships with them--especially the women. It's a matriarchal society--right up my alley!)
*As we do programs in the public schools
*As we visit homes door to door.
*because many people of the Navajo Nation are still resistant to the Gospel and are wrapped up in their traditional religion. The ministry to the Navajo will look very different than the ministry at home. We want to build relationships with these people to show them the love of the One True God. One specifice way we do is to visit people in their home.
*because the Navajo people are NEVER in a hurry. (They will probably teach That Girl more than I will ever teach them!)
*because I don't want to come back the same way that I left. I want to be changed from the inside out.
*because the Navajos do not respond to the Gospel from a practical logical mindset, so pray that we can show them the Gospel lived out consistently with acts of humility, love, and service.
*that we can show them that they are not worthless, ignored, or unimportant, but that they matter to God and to us!
*that I can communicate this trip well to you and to all that ask me to share the stories of the people.
* about the people that the Lord may be preparing for us to build relationships with.
*for the health of the team.
* that God teaches during times of silence (especially me, I don't get that chance very often.
* that God will use us as living water in a dry, desolate lonely place.
*that God will give me many opportunities to speak life into close friends of mine on this trip that are on the front lines for Jesus DAILY!
* That He is lifted UP and ALL people are drawn unto HIM.
Lord, you tell us in your Word to ask and you'll give the nations to us. (Psalm 1) I believe, Jesus, help my unbelief! I pray that you do great signs and wonders and that you'll help us to offer every single thing that's in our baskets to you as you multiply and use it to feed MANY spiritually. Father, do what you alone can do.
Here I go, Jesus...as my friend (he really is my friend, I joke about Beth Moore, I'm serious about him) Carl says and sings so eloquently:
LIGHT OF THE WORLD, SHINE ON!
(okay, I am crying now.)
Pray with me. By doing that, you are going too.
{I leave tomorrow, pray for my sanity until then. hee hee}
I travel tomorrow afternoon to North Carolina, where I will stay two nights with my friends Jeremy and Katie and their sweet baby boy Wyatt. Friday night at 6:30, we will meet as a team to discuss particulars and prepare together to go the next morning.
Saturday we will leave for the airport at 5:45 in the AM (people, no one but Seven Eleven and the rooster are up at this hour.) Later that day, we arrive in Albuquerque and will take a van to the reservation.
Here's how you can pray for my team and myself, my dear friends and Bloggerotsky:
Pray:
*God will keep us safe AS ACCORDING TO HIS WILL...
(I am not afraid, and God is not SAFE, but He is good. Too often we consider Jesus as a "safe" God. Sometimes Jesus did things that were not safe and sometimes they were downright dangerous. I don't aim to find myself in dangerous situations but I am also not afraid of them.)
*We will be humble and gentle at ALL times, maintaining the attitude of Christ. (Phil. 2:5)
*We will abide in Jesus, because apart from Him, we can do nothing. (John 15:5)
*We will operate not in our own strength, but in the power of the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor. 12:9)
*We will consider others better than ourselves. (Phil. 2:4)
*That we will show a tremendous amount of respect and flexibility for this proud people. We are not on the same time schedule anymore (Jesus help me!) and remembering that in your prayers will make the trip so much smoother. Everything we have planned is subject to change with a moment's notice.
*As we lead programs for the children on the Navajo Nation
*As we do construction/painting (I SOOO wish my Seth was going--he is an awesome painter)
*As we work with the elderly in the Senior Center (This is the area of the trip I am in charge of this craft and game time. Please pray that the older people have such a great time every day and God gives me great favor to be able to build solid relationships with them--especially the women. It's a matriarchal society--right up my alley!)
*As we do programs in the public schools
*As we visit homes door to door.
*because many people of the Navajo Nation are still resistant to the Gospel and are wrapped up in their traditional religion. The ministry to the Navajo will look very different than the ministry at home. We want to build relationships with these people to show them the love of the One True God. One specifice way we do is to visit people in their home.
*because the Navajo people are NEVER in a hurry. (They will probably teach That Girl more than I will ever teach them!)
*because I don't want to come back the same way that I left. I want to be changed from the inside out.
*because the Navajos do not respond to the Gospel from a practical logical mindset, so pray that we can show them the Gospel lived out consistently with acts of humility, love, and service.
*that we can show them that they are not worthless, ignored, or unimportant, but that they matter to God and to us!
*that I can communicate this trip well to you and to all that ask me to share the stories of the people.
* about the people that the Lord may be preparing for us to build relationships with.
*for the health of the team.
* that God teaches during times of silence (especially me, I don't get that chance very often.
* that God will use us as living water in a dry, desolate lonely place.
*that God will give me many opportunities to speak life into close friends of mine on this trip that are on the front lines for Jesus DAILY!
* That He is lifted UP and ALL people are drawn unto HIM.
Lord, you tell us in your Word to ask and you'll give the nations to us. (Psalm 1) I believe, Jesus, help my unbelief! I pray that you do great signs and wonders and that you'll help us to offer every single thing that's in our baskets to you as you multiply and use it to feed MANY spiritually. Father, do what you alone can do.
Here I go, Jesus...as my friend (he really is my friend, I joke about Beth Moore, I'm serious about him) Carl says and sings so eloquently:
LIGHT OF THE WORLD, SHINE ON!
(okay, I am crying now.)
Pray with me. By doing that, you are going too.
Monday, April 6, 2009
That Girl Moment #872: Her Name REALLY IS That Girl
First, I want to announce that the Lengacher family, a faithful group of Christ's servants, have lost everything in a house fire. Dean has been the director of the Powerhouse for several years, and he and his wife Nelda and their sons Josh and Tyler are in love with the Lord and are such a precious family of faith. Their daughter Mandi has given a list of ideas regarding how we can help. Dean and Nelda were instrumental in shaping my faith in high school and I am so thankful for the love and encouragement they have shown me throughout my life. I know they have touched the lives of thousands and I would love to see our local community use our own resources to bless them. I love them so much and many of you do, too!
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So I heard this story on Wednesday and have to tell you that collectively we busted a gut over this one, kids.
A member of our congregation went to visit a shut-in from our church. We'll call her Gertie. Miss Gertie has been a member of FBC for many years but no longer is able to attend church, so she pieces events and happenings as well as personalities together based on what she reads in the bulletin and what she is told by those who visit her.
oh heavens.
So my friend went to visit her the other day and being an avid blog reader, she found the exchange rather ironic and hiii-larious.
Miss Gertie discussed a number of other things I am sure, but somehow (always, people. sigh.) the discussion turned to a certain young man who happens to be the pastor of FBC BIcknell and the lack of estrogen currently in the parsonage.
awkward. miss gertie, WHY ya gots tah be puttin' my bizness out there like that?
But the best part of it all was when she discussed me, she referred to me not as Lauren but as "That Girl." I know that
a) she reads not this blog, and
b) she has seen my name in le bulletin because of what she said.
it went something like this:
"Is the pastor still datin' That Girl? Well, I don't even understand why they are together. I mean, if she is wantin' to be a missionary* and such it doesn't really make sense for That Girl to be datin' a preacher and such."
*assuming it would be better if I was a missionary to date a pro basketball player or a member of Twisted Sister's entourage. Anybody is better than a preacher, right?
wow. So I am officially That Girl among a population of people who don't really KNOW that I am officially That Girl.
I can't make this stuff up!
Miss Gertie, call me That Girl or that missionary or whatever you want. Just don't call me late for dinner. :D
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So I heard this story on Wednesday and have to tell you that collectively we busted a gut over this one, kids.
A member of our congregation went to visit a shut-in from our church. We'll call her Gertie. Miss Gertie has been a member of FBC for many years but no longer is able to attend church, so she pieces events and happenings as well as personalities together based on what she reads in the bulletin and what she is told by those who visit her.
oh heavens.
So my friend went to visit her the other day and being an avid blog reader, she found the exchange rather ironic and hiii-larious.
Miss Gertie discussed a number of other things I am sure, but somehow (always, people. sigh.) the discussion turned to a certain young man who happens to be the pastor of FBC BIcknell and the lack of estrogen currently in the parsonage.
awkward. miss gertie, WHY ya gots tah be puttin' my bizness out there like that?
But the best part of it all was when she discussed me, she referred to me not as Lauren but as "That Girl." I know that
a) she reads not this blog, and
b) she has seen my name in le bulletin because of what she said.
it went something like this:
"Is the pastor still datin' That Girl? Well, I don't even understand why they are together. I mean, if she is wantin' to be a missionary* and such it doesn't really make sense for That Girl to be datin' a preacher and such."
*assuming it would be better if I was a missionary to date a pro basketball player or a member of Twisted Sister's entourage. Anybody is better than a preacher, right?
wow. So I am officially That Girl among a population of people who don't really KNOW that I am officially That Girl.
I can't make this stuff up!
Miss Gertie, call me That Girl or that missionary or whatever you want. Just don't call me late for dinner. :D
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Finally a Whisper.
So this weekend, I served with an incredible group of people to bring over 40 women a little closer to the knowledge of God's love for them. I did come expecting Jesus, but not in the way that He spoke.
Sometimes it's hard for me when I see young women and their moms hanging out together, or shopping, or sipping lattes at Starbucks. It's obviously a beautiful thing to see mothers and daughters connecting in healthy relationships, but I would be lying if I said my heart didn't break all over again for the sadness I feel to never have that again. Sure, I have LOTS of women who love me, speak over my life, pray for me, minister to my heart, and challenge me to be more like Jesus. God saw to it that I will always have some mamas-in-heart ready and willing to take care of me when this 23-year-old kid gets overwhelmed by ministry, relationships, or life in general. I do not take that lightly and thank Him every day for providing in such special ways.
it's still hard. The pain is still there--I have moments. As my friend (and one of my most precious "mamas") Kathy said, "We don't fall apart [as believers in Christ]. We have moments."
Well, Bloggerotsky, I still have my moments. As well as my friends Jan and Janet and Abby and Chelsa and Ali and Annie and Shellie and Janelle and lots of others who have lost someone they loved.
This weekend, I was reminded that God is in the details. If you want to debate that, it's a truth for which I will go to the mat. Let me demonstrate:
Jeremiah 33:3 was a verse that my mom discovered late in her battle with cancer. God spoke to her through that verse and she shared with everyone that "God has secrets, you know!" with her sweet little eyebrow-raising wink and a smile. That was the truth that got her through some really hard days--the truth that God had secrets that she searched out---secrets that we don't know unless we go searching for them...
Around that same time, the scripture from I Kings 19 really spoke to me--about how the Lord was not in the earthquake, or the fire, or the wind. Instead, He made Himself known in the gentle whisper or, as some scholars translate it, the sound of sheer silence.
One day, as that scripture was still turning over and over in my mind, feeding me and ministering to me about my future, my mom's health, my college career, and all the things through which I was straining to hear his voice, I passed by our rack of little cards in our family's Christian Bookstore. I saw this one that caught my eye--it was bright purple and had these callalillies (normally I can't stand callas but this one time... hee hee) on it. I took the card and laid it on the counter where I would see it often. I kept thinking, "Lord, I know you are speaking comfort in a whisper--so I have to be quiet to hear it.
Little did I know that He would speak in a whisper a year and a half later.
This weekend, I opened this sweet card from my mama's BFF, Julie, who now runs and manages our store as well as taking care of my dad and me (she helps me to remember important things and I can ask her for help with anything--including accompaniment to my Lady Doctor appointments...she's another "mama" for sure). Inside was a cute little paperweight that said 'BELIEVE' which was my mom's favorite word. Inside was also what is now one of my most treasured possessions.
It was a sticky note in my mom's handwriting stuck to the card I told you about.
It said:
Jeremiah 33v3
secrets
WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
don't tell me He is not interested in what I call details ministry.
A gentle whisper from the heart of Father to a daughter. A daughter who sometimes doesn't understand but tries to trust that heart. A daughter who misses the mother she lost. A daughter who sometimes has to strain to hear that oh-so gentle whisper.
I continue to see the facet of the character of God that proves the Holy Spirit is a comforter. If you need comfort today, listen to that gentle whisper, or that sound of sheer silence, and know that this One we serve, this Master to whom we bow, has secrets He longs to show you. Secrets of His power, His might, and His love. Secrets that only YOU AND HE UNDERSTAND.
Julie didn't know about the card--she just thought I could use a little piece of my mom's memory--but God did know. He did see me fall in love with that I Kings passage that day and He sees our needs right here as I type.
I know He is only a breath, a whisper, away from all of us this day. Won't you ask Him to whisper His secrets in your ear?
Sometimes it's hard for me when I see young women and their moms hanging out together, or shopping, or sipping lattes at Starbucks. It's obviously a beautiful thing to see mothers and daughters connecting in healthy relationships, but I would be lying if I said my heart didn't break all over again for the sadness I feel to never have that again. Sure, I have LOTS of women who love me, speak over my life, pray for me, minister to my heart, and challenge me to be more like Jesus. God saw to it that I will always have some mamas-in-heart ready and willing to take care of me when this 23-year-old kid gets overwhelmed by ministry, relationships, or life in general. I do not take that lightly and thank Him every day for providing in such special ways.
it's still hard. The pain is still there--I have moments. As my friend (and one of my most precious "mamas") Kathy said, "We don't fall apart [as believers in Christ]. We have moments."
Well, Bloggerotsky, I still have my moments. As well as my friends Jan and Janet and Abby and Chelsa and Ali and Annie and Shellie and Janelle and lots of others who have lost someone they loved.
This weekend, I was reminded that God is in the details. If you want to debate that, it's a truth for which I will go to the mat. Let me demonstrate:
Jeremiah 33:3 was a verse that my mom discovered late in her battle with cancer. God spoke to her through that verse and she shared with everyone that "God has secrets, you know!" with her sweet little eyebrow-raising wink and a smile. That was the truth that got her through some really hard days--the truth that God had secrets that she searched out---secrets that we don't know unless we go searching for them...
Around that same time, the scripture from I Kings 19 really spoke to me--about how the Lord was not in the earthquake, or the fire, or the wind. Instead, He made Himself known in the gentle whisper or, as some scholars translate it, the sound of sheer silence.
One day, as that scripture was still turning over and over in my mind, feeding me and ministering to me about my future, my mom's health, my college career, and all the things through which I was straining to hear his voice, I passed by our rack of little cards in our family's Christian Bookstore. I saw this one that caught my eye--it was bright purple and had these callalillies (normally I can't stand callas but this one time... hee hee) on it. I took the card and laid it on the counter where I would see it often. I kept thinking, "Lord, I know you are speaking comfort in a whisper--so I have to be quiet to hear it.
Little did I know that He would speak in a whisper a year and a half later.
This weekend, I opened this sweet card from my mama's BFF, Julie, who now runs and manages our store as well as taking care of my dad and me (she helps me to remember important things and I can ask her for help with anything--including accompaniment to my Lady Doctor appointments...she's another "mama" for sure). Inside was a cute little paperweight that said 'BELIEVE' which was my mom's favorite word. Inside was also what is now one of my most treasured possessions.
It was a sticky note in my mom's handwriting stuck to the card I told you about.
It said:
Jeremiah 33v3
secrets
WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
don't tell me He is not interested in what I call details ministry.
A gentle whisper from the heart of Father to a daughter. A daughter who sometimes doesn't understand but tries to trust that heart. A daughter who misses the mother she lost. A daughter who sometimes has to strain to hear that oh-so gentle whisper.
I continue to see the facet of the character of God that proves the Holy Spirit is a comforter. If you need comfort today, listen to that gentle whisper, or that sound of sheer silence, and know that this One we serve, this Master to whom we bow, has secrets He longs to show you. Secrets of His power, His might, and His love. Secrets that only YOU AND HE UNDERSTAND.
Julie didn't know about the card--she just thought I could use a little piece of my mom's memory--but God did know. He did see me fall in love with that I Kings passage that day and He sees our needs right here as I type.
I know He is only a breath, a whisper, away from all of us this day. Won't you ask Him to whisper His secrets in your ear?
Monday, March 16, 2009
Please Pray.
Remember Andrea Boes and her family in your prayers today, specifically her little boy. I am crying as I write this. I don't know andrea personally but I have such compassion for her little one.
Sometimes our only comfort is in serving a God who is close to the brokenhearted.
Sometimes our only comfort is in serving a God who is close to the brokenhearted.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
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."
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."
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
All you little pray-ers out there....
**Update**
We also need to leave up Bob Maze, a dear friend and brother in Christ who was recently admitted to the hospital for pneumonia...Please pray for a quick recovery so he can get back to spoiling his grandkids :D
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Please pray for my Uncle Bill, who is undergoing a VERY, VERY serious surgery today! We are believing God for a miracle!
Please pray also for my friend's daughter Jackie. She is feeling sick and her mother spoke in faith that she would be healed by tomorrow. It would be beautiful for Jackie to truly encounter God for the first time by meeting Him as the Healer!! What a testimony that would be.
Bloggerotsky, please take a moment and pray for these requests.
How can I pray for you today?
The prayers of the righteous are fervent and effectual!!
We also need to leave up Bob Maze, a dear friend and brother in Christ who was recently admitted to the hospital for pneumonia...Please pray for a quick recovery so he can get back to spoiling his grandkids :D
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please pray for my Uncle Bill, who is undergoing a VERY, VERY serious surgery today! We are believing God for a miracle!
Please pray also for my friend's daughter Jackie. She is feeling sick and her mother spoke in faith that she would be healed by tomorrow. It would be beautiful for Jackie to truly encounter God for the first time by meeting Him as the Healer!! What a testimony that would be.
Bloggerotsky, please take a moment and pray for these requests.
How can I pray for you today?
The prayers of the righteous are fervent and effectual!!
Friday, March 6, 2009
"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.
I think this song by Bebo Norman says it pretty well...
If you need prayer for depression, please email me.
Mt. Lebanon Ladies Day
Starts at 10AM fast time TOMORROW...
RSVP by e-mailing my friend Sherri at horton486@verizon.net
Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church is located on State Rd. 56 just outside of French Lick. It is the little white church across from the Donald Ross Golf Course.
God is going to move, and you don't want to miss it! I would appreciate your prayers as I discern what God wants to say to these women tomorrow.
are you going?
RSVP by e-mailing my friend Sherri at horton486@verizon.net
Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church is located on State Rd. 56 just outside of French Lick. It is the little white church across from the Donald Ross Golf Course.
God is going to move, and you don't want to miss it! I would appreciate your prayers as I discern what God wants to say to these women tomorrow.
are you going?
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Juanita.
My sister-in-law, Shannon has a precious grandmother named Juanita, or Gram. The girls call her Mammy.
She was in a freak accident the other day and was lifelighted to Louisville. I would greatly appreciate your prayer and so would Shannon.
Our God restores!
She was in a freak accident the other day and was lifelighted to Louisville. I would greatly appreciate your prayer and so would Shannon.
Our God restores!
Resting on God: A Puritan Prayer.
Have you ever spoken from your wounds?
Meaning, you said or did something that was a direct result of being hurt
or perhaps it was a defense mechanism for you to keep from admitting that it really did affect you...
This is what I have done this week. I blew it. I goofed. I spoke and acted from my wounds. I should have spoken and acted toward others from the perspective of His great love for me. I let my hurts get the best of me, instead of letting Jesus deal with the worst of me. And yet, He never, ever, ever gives up.
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I love Puritan prayers. They are eloquent and beautiful and are often exactly what my heart wants to say but can't find the words.
Here is one entitled Resting on God. It has been a great comfort to me today.
O God, most high, most glorious, the thought of Thine infinite serenity cheers me, for I am toiling and moiling, troubled and distressed, but Thou art for ever at perfect peace. Thy designs cause thee no fear or care of unfulfillment, they stand fast as the eternal hills. Thy power knows no bond, Thy goodness no stint. Thou bringest order out of confusion, and my defeats are Thy victories: The Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
I come to Thee as a sinner with cares and sorrows, to leave every concern entirely to Thee, every sin calling for Christ's precious blood; revive deep spirituality in my heart; let me live near to the great Shepherd, hear His voice, know its tones, follow its calls. Keep me from deception by causing me to abide in the truth, from harm by helping me to walk in the power of the Spirit. Give me intenser faith in the eternal verities, burning into me by experience the things I know; Let me never be ashamed of the truth of the gospel, that I may bear its reproach, vindicate it, see Jesus as its essence, know in it the power of the Spirit.
Lord, help me, for I am often lukewarm and chill; unbelief mars my confidence, sin makes me forget Thee. Let the weeds that grow in my soul be cut at their roots; grant me to know that I truly live only when I live to Thee, that all else is trifling. Thy presence alone can make me holy, devout, strong and happy. Abide in me, gracious God.
amen.
pray for my sweet friend Tyler, who is in the hospital now. Thanks.
Meaning, you said or did something that was a direct result of being hurt
or perhaps it was a defense mechanism for you to keep from admitting that it really did affect you...
This is what I have done this week. I blew it. I goofed. I spoke and acted from my wounds. I should have spoken and acted toward others from the perspective of His great love for me. I let my hurts get the best of me, instead of letting Jesus deal with the worst of me. And yet, He never, ever, ever gives up.
------------------------------------------------------------------
I love Puritan prayers. They are eloquent and beautiful and are often exactly what my heart wants to say but can't find the words.
Here is one entitled Resting on God. It has been a great comfort to me today.
O God, most high, most glorious, the thought of Thine infinite serenity cheers me, for I am toiling and moiling, troubled and distressed, but Thou art for ever at perfect peace. Thy designs cause thee no fear or care of unfulfillment, they stand fast as the eternal hills. Thy power knows no bond, Thy goodness no stint. Thou bringest order out of confusion, and my defeats are Thy victories: The Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
I come to Thee as a sinner with cares and sorrows, to leave every concern entirely to Thee, every sin calling for Christ's precious blood; revive deep spirituality in my heart; let me live near to the great Shepherd, hear His voice, know its tones, follow its calls. Keep me from deception by causing me to abide in the truth, from harm by helping me to walk in the power of the Spirit. Give me intenser faith in the eternal verities, burning into me by experience the things I know; Let me never be ashamed of the truth of the gospel, that I may bear its reproach, vindicate it, see Jesus as its essence, know in it the power of the Spirit.
Lord, help me, for I am often lukewarm and chill; unbelief mars my confidence, sin makes me forget Thee. Let the weeds that grow in my soul be cut at their roots; grant me to know that I truly live only when I live to Thee, that all else is trifling. Thy presence alone can make me holy, devout, strong and happy. Abide in me, gracious God.
amen.
pray for my sweet friend Tyler, who is in the hospital now. Thanks.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Eli is Coming Home!
Please pray for Josh, Kristi, Sam, Cora, and Eli as Josh and Kristi prepare to travel to breing Eli back to his forever family from March 7-13. I am so blessed to know and love this family, and if I know you, loyal Bloggerotsky, you are adding baby Eli to your prayer list right now and can't wait to talk to God about him and his precious family.
That's why I love you!
That's why I love you!
Friday, February 13, 2009
YAY!
Baby Eli passed his court date--let's pray him here quickly. I am absolutely beside myself waiting to hold this handsome little chubby-cheeked wonder!
go show sweet Kristi and Josh your love and support as they prepare to travel to see their beloved third child...
gosh he is cute. Now get to praying so he can get to Indiana and I can hold him soon!!
love you, Ausbrooks family!
Baby Eli passed his court date--let's pray him here quickly. I am absolutely beside myself waiting to hold this handsome little chubby-cheeked wonder!
go show sweet Kristi and Josh your love and support as they prepare to travel to see their beloved third child...
gosh he is cute. Now get to praying so he can get to Indiana and I can hold him soon!!
love you, Ausbrooks family!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Psalm 13.
How long, O Lord?
got this in my inbox this a.m. from my dear friend Stephanie Powell...
please pray for the Gibsons. They live just a couple miles away from my dad's house, and are very sweet people.
Angie (Boyd) Gibson gave birth to her twin girls today due to toxemia and some other medical issues. The girls are very small, one is 1 pound 14 ounces and the other is just over 2 pounds. They are at St Mary's in Evansville. Please pray for Angie, her husband, and these two precious girls. Also pray for their family. Thanks for your prayers.
I think that if my faith isn't big enough to ask questions then I don't really have a lot of faith. For example, I think it is farce not to ask questions about why God would allow things like this to happen. It takes more faith to ask the tough questions than it does to pretend they don't exist.
I ask God questions because His word teaches me that
1. His character is loving---so He doesn't get angry about me asking.
2. His word says that we don't have a Great High Priest who can't sympathize with our humanity and the need for understanding that we have because of it.
We would be crazy as believers not to occasionally look up toward Heaven and say, "God, I don't get this. I soooo don't get it." I had that conversation with the Lord yesterday.
"How long O Lord? How much longer will I see lots of brothers and sisters like Matt and Rachel be in pain? How long O Lord will you hide your face from these hopeful parents with broken hearts? How long is it going to take for the Knepp family to heal? And why did you allow that, Lord? I know you didn't cause it. But I still don't understand."
I think that when it comes to our relationship with God, honesty is the best policy--He already knows what you are thinking in your "secret heart" (Psalm 51:6). We might as well be transparent in our painful struggles to figure out the hurts and sort out the questions that come with them in this life.
When Jesus told us to have faith like little children, we assume that we have the same understanding of children that He had.
We forget that children don't just go along with anything. Instead, they repeatedly ask questions until they are satisfied.
Why is the sky blue
Why is the grass green
Why is chocolate brown (Ok, I ran out, but you get the idea....)
God doesn't expect us to always just assume His character. That's why we have His word. Now we can read and believe instead of making assumptions. When the difficult times in our lives beg the question, we shouldn't bury it and tell ourselves that we have no faith for asking it in our hearts. Instead, we should reach for the Invisible God, to borrow from Phillip Yancey, and dare to let him lead us into all truth by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Who knows? Starting out with our rants and questions might lead us to a David moment...Notice in Psalm 13 how his honest accusations and questions of God lead him to a place of healing.
1 How long, O LORD ? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
4 my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,"
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD,
for he has been good to me.
I trust in a God who is not afraid of my human struggle for greater understanding. Do you?
got this in my inbox this a.m. from my dear friend Stephanie Powell...
please pray for the Gibsons. They live just a couple miles away from my dad's house, and are very sweet people.
Angie (Boyd) Gibson gave birth to her twin girls today due to toxemia and some other medical issues. The girls are very small, one is 1 pound 14 ounces and the other is just over 2 pounds. They are at St Mary's in Evansville. Please pray for Angie, her husband, and these two precious girls. Also pray for their family. Thanks for your prayers.
I think that if my faith isn't big enough to ask questions then I don't really have a lot of faith. For example, I think it is farce not to ask questions about why God would allow things like this to happen. It takes more faith to ask the tough questions than it does to pretend they don't exist.
I ask God questions because His word teaches me that
1. His character is loving---so He doesn't get angry about me asking.
2. His word says that we don't have a Great High Priest who can't sympathize with our humanity and the need for understanding that we have because of it.
We would be crazy as believers not to occasionally look up toward Heaven and say, "God, I don't get this. I soooo don't get it." I had that conversation with the Lord yesterday.
"How long O Lord? How much longer will I see lots of brothers and sisters like Matt and Rachel be in pain? How long O Lord will you hide your face from these hopeful parents with broken hearts? How long is it going to take for the Knepp family to heal? And why did you allow that, Lord? I know you didn't cause it. But I still don't understand."
I think that when it comes to our relationship with God, honesty is the best policy--He already knows what you are thinking in your "secret heart" (Psalm 51:6). We might as well be transparent in our painful struggles to figure out the hurts and sort out the questions that come with them in this life.
When Jesus told us to have faith like little children, we assume that we have the same understanding of children that He had.
We forget that children don't just go along with anything. Instead, they repeatedly ask questions until they are satisfied.
Why is the sky blue
Why is the grass green
Why is chocolate brown (Ok, I ran out, but you get the idea....)
God doesn't expect us to always just assume His character. That's why we have His word. Now we can read and believe instead of making assumptions. When the difficult times in our lives beg the question, we shouldn't bury it and tell ourselves that we have no faith for asking it in our hearts. Instead, we should reach for the Invisible God, to borrow from Phillip Yancey, and dare to let him lead us into all truth by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Who knows? Starting out with our rants and questions might lead us to a David moment...Notice in Psalm 13 how his honest accusations and questions of God lead him to a place of healing.
1 How long, O LORD ? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
4 my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,"
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD,
for he has been good to me.
I trust in a God who is not afraid of my human struggle for greater understanding. Do you?
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Darla is Trapped.
Darla (my Daewoo Leganza...I refuse to offend her by telling her age or mileage) is trapped in a foot of snow on a private drive as I have been at the Thompson household since Monday night. She cannot go anywhere, and if she could, it would be anywhere I want her to be, such as the local ditch or heaven forbid the two-foot deep lake by the Thompsons' property.
So she sits.
and I hope (not tryin' to be greedy here, folks) that we have snow days until she has a bit more get-up-and-go.
But honestly, she and I are both loving the break--being off the road, in one place for more than five or ten minutes, and don't forget the added bonus of NO GUILT because I legitimately CANNOT go anywhere.
It's nice....Real real nice.
Thankful to a God who sees our upcoming breaking points and gives us a much-needed moment. or several.
Just last week I told Him I couldn't continue at this speed anymore.
"Come to me, all of you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28
How has He given you rest lately?
So she sits.
and I hope (not tryin' to be greedy here, folks) that we have snow days until she has a bit more get-up-and-go.
But honestly, she and I are both loving the break--being off the road, in one place for more than five or ten minutes, and don't forget the added bonus of NO GUILT because I legitimately CANNOT go anywhere.
It's nice....Real real nice.
Thankful to a God who sees our upcoming breaking points and gives us a much-needed moment. or several.
Just last week I told Him I couldn't continue at this speed anymore.
"Come to me, all of you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28
How has He given you rest lately?
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I am so glad I found your blog. I hardly slept at all last night, partly because of what your talking about here. Hubs and I have been trying to adopt since the fall of 2004. 1st little girl was a friend of a friends and the mother was killed in a car accident. Long story there but the state took her from the home she was at in the middle of the night and we never saw her again. Second little girl is in Honduras. We found her through a church mission trip in Huntsville, AL. After months of paperwork and phone calls, we find out that the country wont allow us to PICK a child. At this point folks start to tell us about your ladies that can't keep their babies. We lost a baby girl in one of these situations in May 2008. Mother decided to try to parent as losing 2 older girls to the state...starting to see a pattern here. We been waiting for China for 3 years and they tell us it could be another 3. I see people everyday having kids that can't feed them and care for them. Families going to China that already have 3,4 or 5 kids in the home. I am totally broken hearted. Yes I pray. I don't even feel worthy of that sometimes. Like He shouldn't have to heard me grumble and cry anymore.
Oh well. Thanks for listening. I couldn't say that to anyone who knows me. I am the happy girl with the bright smile and try not to let anyone see me any other way. Put on your happy face kind of thing. Please pray with me for Gods will for my life especially for a baby. Thanks again.