True Joy

These are some of my favorite joys right now:

-writing encouragement notes knowing that the words I speak into people's lives are given to me for a purpose
-looking back and realizing how the Lord has shown His goodness
-being loved on physically and spurred on in faith by some of my heroes in the faith who are some of the most godly, excellent women I have ever known
-seeing how the Lord has used my encouragement to bring life, fullness, and significance to souls
-being intentional about watching the Spirit's activity all around me
-having the inner courts of my soul stirred by a living, active Creator
-gaining rich knowledge into prayer
-learning ways to guard and tend my heart and turn it toward Heaven
-spending lots of time pleading in intercession
-feasting and delighting completely in the peace of my Lord
-learning what true joy is all about
-having "wells" where my soul is fed and ministered to
-knowing that I am a child of God, that I am blessed, and that I am highly favored
-coming to cling to my High Priest

I am immeasurably blessed. The Lord has been so faithful and so good. I am thankful.

Simple Pleasures

These are the things I am finding joy in lately. As always, I am finding the Lord's goodness all around me. My prayer is that I will continue to have eyes to see the simple blessings I am afforded on a daily basis.

* wonderful friends
* a wonderful haven in my little home
* the presence of the Lord
* babysitting
* a wonderful, Spirit-filled church community
* discovering the beauty of things long dormant
* being refined and made new by the Author of all good things
* music
* being intentional in intercession
* being able to build others up
* becoming more comfortable in my own skin
* inviting the Holy Spirit into my day

I am finding such a joy and a peace in this season of my journey. In a time when most people wonder what their lives will look like, I am confident in where my future lies. It lies in the hands of a present, ever-unchanging Father and Friend that has my best in mind at all times, in all seasons and in all circumstances. Boy that takes the pressure off me.

God's Authority

To be totally honest, I have no idea if anyone reads my thoughts. I use this blog as an outlet to process things, to document if and how I am growing in the Lord, and to just write out my feelings on a subject. I do not write here because I believe my way of feeling or thinking is the end all. Please hear me, I am only writing what is on my heart and what is coming up into my spirit. That all being said, I will move on to what has been on my heart lately.

The topic that I think God is bringing to my attention is that of authority. He seems to be asking me over and over, "Lauren, am I the ultimate authority in your life?" I have really been wrestling with what this should look like in my own journey into the heart of Christ. I am desperately seeking to align all of the areas in my life with the authority of the Lord. I want to be totally and completely under His Lordship. I want to be intimately connected to Him so that all of my thoughts, motives, words, attitudes, and meditations can be directed and immersed in power and grace that is only found in the Lord. More than anything in this world, I yearn to be clothed in word and deed in the likeness of Christ. I want to live in such a way that the world can know beyond the shadow of a doubt that there is an all-powerful, supreme God that is sovereign over all things.

Lord God, I say to you once again that all of who I am belongs solely to you. You are my treasure. You are my portion. You are the meaning and signifigance of my life. In you I can do all things to which you call me. Without you I am nothing. Please come and sew me to be totally and completely in awe of you. You are the ultimate joy of all of who I am. Have your way in me now and forever. I love you.

Thank You

Today I just feel that I need to write down the things that I have been thankful for lately. As I have meditated on God's Word this week, I have been reminded of how important a thankful heart is in the journey toward His heart. He calls us to be thankful. There is no way that I can put all of the things I am thankful for in this little space, but I will try.

*my incredible family - thank you mama and daddy for living such holy, surrendered lives. I will spend the rest of my jouney trying to emulate your love.

*the group of kindred community that the Lord has placed in my path - thank you for your unconditional love, your fervent desires to walk the Way of Jesus, and the ways that you have brought me closer to the woman I yearn to become.

*the many Heaven-sent mentors that have discipled me as I have come into Christian discipleship - I feel as though I have been near God each time I am blessed to be in your presence! Thank you for providing a steady, unchanging, example for my faith. You all hold such incredibly cherished places in my faith development and in the journey of my spirit man.

*prayer - this is a place where I may come without a mask into the Presence of the Most High God. I may crawl up into His lap and present my requests, petitions, and praises as I receive grace, mercy, and favor. Prayer is a place that I may raise my most hidden songs of praise to a God that is always attentive, and ready to recieve the very inadequate words of my lips. Thank you for such a sacred, precious escape into the Heavenlies, Father

*my church - I have felt more at home at Highland than anywhere I have ever been. It is a church that truly embraces and empowers the weary, the poor, the overlooked, and the hurting. It is also a place that cherishes and honors children and their incredible place in the heart of the Lord.

*Wanda - I have seen more faith exercised from this precious saint and through her childlike experssions of faith I have been drawn to the person of the Spirit and to the person of Christ. Please make me like dear Wanda, God.

All of these people and things have a piece of my heart and I pray that I may appreciate them with a new sense of thankfulness. I forget sometimes to approach God with a grateful spirit because I take things into my own hands, when all things are His to begin with, I have just been entrusted to be a steward of the blessings he has poured out and deemed mine. May I forever be a vesel of honor and thankfulness. I pray that I may be a servant that is acutely aware of the elaborate, immeasurable richness of a Father who loves me and calls me His daughter.

Long Lost Blogger Returned

I don't know who in the world reads my random writings, but I thought I would post and let those of you who do check this thing know that I am still alive. Our family had a wonderful Christmas. My mom outdid herself yet again. Let me just say that she knows how to entertain, and I am so grateful! I LOVE having our home full of people. My aunt and uncle that live in Denver came to town to share the holidays with the rest of our bunch that lives in town. This was quite an occasion because my mom has not had her entire family together for Christmas in many years. I was totally blown away by my parents incredible generosity one more time!

In other news, my brother and his wife moved into their first home over the holiday. It is absolutely precious with my favorite material, toille, in the kitchen--black and white no less. My parents also gave my brother a new English Pointer puppy named Scout who is the most adorable creature that I have known thus far in my life. She is full of personality and fits quite nicely into our family. My dad absolutely adores her, and the rest of us are not too far behind!

The third blessing of the holiday was my cousin's wedding in Dallas. She looked absolutely gorgeous in her beautiful gown. I am so thrilled that she is so happy and that God has answered this desire of her heart in such a special way.

Just today, I accomplished a great feat for me--the inevitable closet-cleaning and purging of unwanted and unneeded clothing! Through this experience I learned that I could clothe a small country.

I hope all those who read this are blessed in new and exciting ways in the new year.

Blessings from Heaven

I have been so blessed to live and be fully present in this season of my life! God has been so faithful and He has lavished his love and favor onto me in ways that I never imagined possible. He has blessed my journey with a group of kindred community to walk with me and to shape me into the image of Jesus. You know who you are. I want you to know that I am humbled and I am incredibly thankful and grateful for your places in my life. There is so much more I can and want to give away to Jesus, but He has taught me so much about the blessings and the effects of affirmation. I have learned how effective and important the gift of affirmation is in the life of a disciple. It has been used in me to spur me on to want to be and do more for the glory of the name of Christ Jesus. God has gifted me in specific areas and I want to develop those gifts to be used to their fullest potential to the glory of my Father. Jesus I am yours. You fashioned me and you know every part of me. I give myself away to you for the power and presence of your precius Holy Spirit to abide in and through me. My only goal is to be used to bring more souls into intimacy with you and your Son. God, let it be. Holy Spirit, come, take up residency in me so that you may work through me to sew a tapestry of glory with every breath that I breathe and every word that I speak. I love you.

A God of Miracles

We serve a God of miracles. The God we serve does not forsake us. I am so incredibly thankful that He rose from the grave that Satan meant to keep him in. He rose to allow me and all of those who love Him to live victoriously through His precious Spirit. He rose to bring redemption, mercy, hope, and exceeding joy to all that He created and called good. Anyone who says that God is not alive and working in and among those He loves is, I believe, sadly mistaken. Thank you Lord for allowing me to be an instrument of your redemption, grace, hope, and rescue to a dear soul who has found his way into your loving arms. I pray now that you will pursue both him and me harder than you ever have before. You are amazing God. You are worthy of all of my praise both now and forever. It is to you that I lift up my hands in praise and honor. You are the worker of miracles and the ever-present, all-sufficient Creator that makes all things new. I love you, precious Jesus. I can only say "Blessed be your name".

Here's To Another Semester

Well, tomrrow another semester will begin at ACU. My prayer is that God will show Himself to me in new and exciting ways and that he will grow and bless friendships. Thank you Father for going before and behind me and preparing my way. May this semester bring honor and glory to you as I try to be your hands and your heart to the people around me.

Easter

I am so thankful for this time of year. God is doing some incredible things in my journey, showing me his character and just how much he loves me each and every day. Last night I was blessed to be a part of a Passover meal. I have had the experience before but it had been many years ago. I felt as though I had been transported directly into the presence of Jesus as he sat in the Upper Room. In my 2nd grade shepherding group last night, we talked about what it means to be a servant and I was reminded through the eyes and experiences of children, the beauty of this call of the disciples of Jesus. Before we split up into our groups, Katie had the shepherds read a different story in which Jesus served. I had the blessing of reading my favorite servant story, Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. God refreshed the message in this story for me, he showed me that every part of me constantly needs to be surrendered and washed by his tender and gentle hand, so that he may do his will in my life. I have had so many servants who have shown me the call of Christ. One group that has tremendously shown me how to serve and to love has been the group of friends the Lord has placed on my journey, to further mold and shape my heart's soil.

Thank you Father for sending Jesus to bleed for me! Thank you for allowing him to be clothed with every sin I have ever committed so that I can be free! Most of all thank you that on the third day, the grave was empty. I love you sweet Jesus. Thank you for being my Lamb and my constant intercessor seated on the mercy seat in Heaven. To you and you alone be all praise, glory, honor, and eternal blessing.

Quotes

I don't know if any of you are quote lovers like me, but as I have thought about prayer this week, I have been blessed and encouraged to find a few other quotes that have ministered to my spirit. I hope you are encouraged too:)

"In God's name, I beseech you, let prayer nourish your soul as your meals nourish your body. Let your fixed seasons of prayer keep you in God's presence through the day, and His presence frequently remembered through it, be an ever-fresh spring of prayer." - E.M. Bounds

I loved this one! This truly is what I'm striving for, and hopefully I am making God smile. Here it is: "If I am a Christian, I am not set on saving my own skin, but in seeing that the salvation of God comes through me to others, and the great way is through intercession."
- Oswald Chambers

Thank you for pursuing us through seasons of prayer God. May we never grow cold in our need to embrace the gift prayer is and the fact that we never outgrow the need for it.

Prayer

I believe prayer is the most sacred, and most essential ingredient to a soul-satisfying relationship with the Lord. It is through prayer that one is able to unreservedly pour out his heart, whether in praise, supplication, confession, or silence. Being able to freely pray allows for me as a Christian on a journey of discipleship, to cry out to my Creator, Sustainer, and Faithful Friend. Prayer affords me the honor of being ushered into the throneroom and to enter the sanctifying river of the blood that purchased my soul. I am able to calculate my beauty and worth through the eyes of eternity, where it will never be swayed and dimenished by the winds and voices of the world. Prayer is the most powerful tool and weapon, I believe, we have as Christ-followers. It has the power and authority to change lives, to move mountains, and to pave a way for God to be glorified and exalted in all things.

I am a quote lover. I found this on the blog of a friend.

"If you want a life of prayer, the way to get it is by praying... You start where you are and you deepen what you already have" - Thomas Merton

Father, I ask you to cultivate this sacred practice in me so that, in all circumstances, I may become captive to its power and its grace. Thank you for this most intimate and incredibly beautiful gift.

Things I am thankful for today

the fact that I serve a living and present God
the gift of true and incredibly authentic friends
the fact that new adventures may be around the next corner
the gift of spending a week serving with my best and closest friends
being surrounded by cherished reminders of family
sunsets
music
the promise of a season that brings new life

You and you alone are worthy of all my praise Lord and Father:) It is an honor to serve you and to be continually formed into someone you would be proud of.

A Sweet Fragrance: Kerri Lane

The last few days have been hard. I am mouning the loss of an incredible friend, servant, sister, and mentor. Kerri probably didn't realize she was a mentor to me but she certainly was! I cannot express what she meant to me in mere words. Kerri was a single mother raising two precious, Christ-honoring little girls, ages 6 and 9. Less than a year ago, she noticed a growth on her abdomen, but thought nothing of it. This growth turned out to be malignant melanoma. The roots of her soul were so deep before her diagnosis but they grew even more rich and beautiful as she made the journey through cancer. Kerri Lane was a woman totally anointed in the oil of joy and fully devoted to the call of Christ Jesus. There were only two places she longed to abide with all of her being, either at home with Carlee and Jolee or in the throneroom of Heaven worshipping her God and King. Everything she did and said was bathed in the fragrance of the Most High. In my life, Kerri embodied Jesus in a way that permanantly marked my own journey of faith. As I remember her at this moment, I am reminded of a powerful phrase from a Christian song. " We live and we love." That is the sum of Kerri's life. She fulfilled the two greatest commands that the Father has called each of his beloved children to be defined by. This precious woman was so very intentional in her love and in her relationship with her God. She understood what it truly meant to know and experience the love of Christ as her Bridegroom and the Lover of her Soul. I want to live with that devotion and that insaitable hunger and thirst that only He can quench and bring forth. She has left quite a legacy in my life and in the life and body of Highland Church of Christ. She will be an everlasting example of a living, vital, humble, and most beautiful faith and trust in the way of Christ. Now, Kerri joins the multitudes of angels as she is inducted into Heaven's Faithful Servants Hall of Fame. I love you so much, Kerri. Know that Carlee and Jolee are loved and will carry your legacy to many generations. Lord, you created such a masterpeice in Kerri Lane. Thank you for bringing her into my life and allowing me to be formed and shaped more fully into the image of Jesus as a result of knowing her. Kerri, the harvest of souls that you have touched and left behind is plentiful. The fruit of your life is most beautiful beloved. Jesus, take good care of her!

Salem, OR

Funny title, I know but the plans God has for this place really get me excited! I will be traveling to Salem as a part of a Spring Break Campaign at ACU. God is really opening some incredible opportunities to me as I am learning to take a back seat and let him work in my life. I have been praying about how I could get back to Oregon and God knew that this opportunity was in my immediate future! He is the best. Last summer my family and I went to Eugene as a part of the Into All The World Campaign at Highland. We worked with the Christ Fellowship Church and through that week I formed some incredible relationships. Not only did God answer this specific prayer, he allowed the group of my closest and best friends to be on the team with me! There are some awesome servants of Jesus in this group and I can't wait to see how my life will be changed as a result of this campaign over Spring Break. Emily, JDubb, JSwim, Kevin, Blake, Katrina, and Mary, I love you guys and I know God will be glorified through our time together in Salem. Thank you for showing and teaching me the image of Jesus through the gifts of your friendship and your lives.

"I am the light of the world. The person who follows me will never live in darkness, but will have the light that gives life." John 8:12

Lord, let your anointing fall! Have your way in all of us, Lord. We love you more than all other things in this world.

Salem, OR

Funny title, I know but the plans God has for this place really get me excited! I will be traveling to Salem as a part of a Spring Break Campaign at ACU. God is really opening some incredible opportunities to me as I am learning to take a back seat and let him work in my life. I have been praying about how I could get back to Oregon and God knew that this opportunity was in my immediate future! He is the best. Last summer my family and I went to Eugene as a part of the Into All The World Campaign at Highland. We worked with the Christ Fellowship Church and through that week I formed some incredible relationships. Not only did God answer this specific prayer, he allowed the group of my closest and best friends to be on the team with me! There are some awesome servants of Jesus in this group and I can't wait to see how my life will be changed as a result of this campaign over Spring Break. Emily, JDubb, JSwim, Kevin, Blake, Katrina, and Mary, I love you guys and I know God will be glorified through our time together in Salem. Thank you for showing and teaching me the image of Jesus through the gifts of your friendship and your lives.

"I am the light of the world. The person who follows me will never live in darkness, but will have the light that gives life." John 8:12

Lord, let your anointing fall! Have your way in all of us, Lord. We love you more than all other things in this world.

Atticus Finch

This post was inspired by a quote written in a blog by my friend Beverly. Atticus Finch is one of my all-time favorite characters in all of literature. There is so much we can learn from this wise, tender, gentle family man. One thing I love about Atticus Finch is his desire to be a part of a better world. This is such a rich and complex character with so many different facets to draw from. To Kill a Mockingbird is in the list of the ten best books I have ever read. Inadvertently, this book changed how I see the world. Harper Lee paints such a lovely, invigorating tale with Atticus Finch being one of the central illustrations. The quote on Beverly's blog today:

"There's a lot of ugly things in this world, son. I wish I could keep 'em all away from you. That's not possible." -- Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird

I wish the world held more Atticus Finch's. Be blessed today as you think about the influence of this incredible literary character. He is one of the best.

Servants

My life has been richly blessed to have so many examples of Christ-honoring, sefless servants. Many of the people that I consider to be servant examples in my life do not care for the gleam of the limelight. These are men and women who truly know what it means to pick up the cross of Christ and follow his call. There is a part of each of their lives that I am praying will become part of my spirit. Some of these cherished people include Rob and Cheryl Cunningham, Jayma Savage, Squeaky Walker, Latimer Bowen Ramsey, Gary and Maria White, Mark and Gina Lewis, Jim and Susan Clark, Daryl and Rebekah Zeller, Wes and Terrie Bennett, Steve and Chelsie Sargent, Terry and Gayla Pope, Greg and Tina Etter, Jim and Jody Reese, John and Evelyn Willis, and so many others. Through the gift of these peoples' lives I have been shaped more fully into the image of Jesus. Who are some of your cherished servant examples?

What a Month

December was an unbelieveably busy month. My brother got married the day after school was out for Christmas, on Christmas evening they moved into our upstairs, and my daddy got a new puppy. All in all, I loved being home for a month! I really cherish my times at home with uninterrupted time with my family but I also love being around my friends. I know that God has great plans for the Spring semester and I cannot wait to see what he will bring into my life. I just wanted to give a little update. I am alive and doing well.

What a Month

December was an unbelieveably busy month. My brother got married the day after school was out for Christmas, on Christmas evening they moved into our upstairs, and my daddy got a new puppy. All in all, I loved being home for a month! I really cherish my times at home with uninterrupted time with my family but I also love being around my friends. I know that God has great plans for the Spring semester and I cannot wait to see what he will bring into my life. I just wanted to give a little update. I am alive and doing well.

Christmas is Coming

I am so excited today is the beginning of December. That means it is only nine days until my brother's wedding. The first day of December also means that finals are next week and the semester is almost over. Yeah. I only have to take one final next week so I am very thankful for that. I am so ready for Christmas to arrive. I am ready to be home with family and friends for a month. I would ask that those who visit here in the next day or so would lift my brother and his fiancee' up before the Lord. These last few days can be very tense and stressful as the big day approaches. Thank you Lord for the coming of Christmas.