It's been a while since I last wrote a post on my blog. Like I said--WORST BLOGGER EVER, but hey! I try. Haha. I guess the main thing that has been going on in my life lately has been my job.
I'm so glad that I got this job. It has truly been a blessing to work with people that are kind and GREAT that they are Christians. I prayed before I got this job. I had two interviews in the same day and I was so incredibly worried about which job to choose.
Long story short, I was blown away by the attitudes in the first interview. I got offered both jobs, but I made sure that I went with my gut and what I felt God had for me. Let me tell you, I couldn't be happier. A new job is stressful, there's no doubt about that...but I'm glad that I got the job I did.
Now on to the next reason for this particular blog....men. Yeah, the whole "can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em" thing comes to mind...but seriously. On my heart lately has been the men in my life. I read this blog(which I have already shared on FB, but I will share in a moment.) & It just hit me about how I could be praying for the men in my life.
I don't pray for the men in my life enough, nor do I pray for the women enough. So when I read this blog, it got me to thinking about the things I need to pray for.
Guess what? There's power in prayer. That is such joyous news!! I'm so thankful that God hears my when I speak to Him.
Anyways, I'll stop babbling. Here's the link! It's the post by his fiancee. Sorry, I dunno how to make the accent mark thing! Oh well! Enjoy!!
The Greatest Thing a Woman Can Do for a Man. http://jeffbethke.com/blog/
xoxo,
Lauren
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Faith Without Works is Dead
"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" James 2:14-17
With this passage, I want to ask why do we constantly just say "I'll pray for you?" Prayer is absolutely very powerful, I'm not trying to discredit it at all, but why do we hide behind that. For one thing, I know I am guilty of saying I'll pray about something and sometimes, I forget to pray for that.
Faith without works is dead. D-E-A-D. We can't always just pray for people. Sometimes it takes more than that. God didn't call us to just pray for people. Jesus didn't just pray for people, He was out performing good works. So why do we rest for just praying? If we see people in need, why do we just pray for them, why don't we get out there and help them?
In Matthew 25:35&36, Jesus says, "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."
That was for God's people, the ones that get to enter Heaven. The people on the left get told this: "Depart form me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me." Matthew 25:41-43
Jesus wants us to help others. You never know when an opportunity is going to present itself, but when it does, don't disregard it. I'm not saying we have to go and do huge things, but even small things as talking with someone who looks alone, or treating a homeless man to lunch. God gives us opportunities, it just depends on whether we are willing to take them. I wanna challenge you all and myself.
Show God's love, don't just pray about it.
Also, read the book "Under the Overpass." It's great and inspired this blog post. (:
xoxo,
Lauren
With this passage, I want to ask why do we constantly just say "I'll pray for you?" Prayer is absolutely very powerful, I'm not trying to discredit it at all, but why do we hide behind that. For one thing, I know I am guilty of saying I'll pray about something and sometimes, I forget to pray for that.
Faith without works is dead. D-E-A-D. We can't always just pray for people. Sometimes it takes more than that. God didn't call us to just pray for people. Jesus didn't just pray for people, He was out performing good works. So why do we rest for just praying? If we see people in need, why do we just pray for them, why don't we get out there and help them?
In Matthew 25:35&36, Jesus says, "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."
That was for God's people, the ones that get to enter Heaven. The people on the left get told this: "Depart form me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me." Matthew 25:41-43
Jesus wants us to help others. You never know when an opportunity is going to present itself, but when it does, don't disregard it. I'm not saying we have to go and do huge things, but even small things as talking with someone who looks alone, or treating a homeless man to lunch. God gives us opportunities, it just depends on whether we are willing to take them. I wanna challenge you all and myself.
Show God's love, don't just pray about it.
Also, read the book "Under the Overpass." It's great and inspired this blog post. (:
xoxo,
Lauren
Monday, March 5, 2012
Hide and Seek Games...
Lately I have been telling God that I need to have an encounter with Him. I always say, "Lord, let me feel You so that my faith can be renewed again." Well, He hadn't allowed me to have an encounter with Him. I was feeling so down in the dumps about it. I wondered why God wouldn't allow me to feel His presence...He is God, He can do anything, right? Well, my faith was quickly fading to say the least.
Now before you think this post is about me downing God, let me tell you why He and I haven't had an encounter. Yesterday I was in church for the first time in weeks, simply because I have been too lazy to go. I didn't want to wake up to go to church. Anyway, I decided it was time for me to go again and I am glad I did. The church service started out bad-someone had a heart attack and had to be rushed to the hospital(he is doing fine now, and I don't know his name, but keep him in your prayers.) That caused the pastor to leave church, weird start, right? Well, other than that I had moments in and out when I was praying to God and we were having our time. Other times I had Sean's two nieces hollering for my attention. Anyways...In those moments when God and I were talking He told me that the reason we haven't had an encounter was because I wasn't seeking Him.
Yes, I was reading my bible and praying, but not sincerely. I was just going through the motions to please me. It made me more calm to know that I was still talking to God...but I wasn't really caring about it.
I'm so thankful that God will always lead us in the right direction. He's pretty great that way.
"But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul." -- Deuteronomy 4:29
God Bless!
xoxo,
Lauren(:
Now before you think this post is about me downing God, let me tell you why He and I haven't had an encounter. Yesterday I was in church for the first time in weeks, simply because I have been too lazy to go. I didn't want to wake up to go to church. Anyway, I decided it was time for me to go again and I am glad I did. The church service started out bad-someone had a heart attack and had to be rushed to the hospital(he is doing fine now, and I don't know his name, but keep him in your prayers.) That caused the pastor to leave church, weird start, right? Well, other than that I had moments in and out when I was praying to God and we were having our time. Other times I had Sean's two nieces hollering for my attention. Anyways...In those moments when God and I were talking He told me that the reason we haven't had an encounter was because I wasn't seeking Him.
Yes, I was reading my bible and praying, but not sincerely. I was just going through the motions to please me. It made me more calm to know that I was still talking to God...but I wasn't really caring about it.
I'm so thankful that God will always lead us in the right direction. He's pretty great that way.
"But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul." -- Deuteronomy 4:29
God Bless!
xoxo,
Lauren(:
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
What if...
Too many times people have the "what if" disease. Why do we wonder what could be if other things had happened. "What if I would have dated that person..." STOP. What good do "what ifs" do? God placed you where you are for a REASON. He knows the best plans for you, and whether you do everything that is in His will or not, He will make sure that you are taken care of. God also placed our eyes in the front of our body, not the back...there's a reason for that, it's because we are supposed to look to the future, not dwell on the past. Even though things change, and not everything goes as planned..there is no reason to look back and wish things were different or even wonder why they are the way they are. Just go with the flow. Ease up, people. You have one life to live...why is everyone so insistent on ruining it by thinking of things that happened in the past? This has been on my mind over the past few days, I had to get it out somewhere..and where better than here? I hope this opens people's minds...and I also hope this doesn't offend anyone.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." --Jeremiah 29:11
That verse may be one of the most used verses of all time, but I found it very fitting.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." --Jeremiah 29:11
That verse may be one of the most used verses of all time, but I found it very fitting.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Fast Times at Arkansas Tech
I just knew I would be the worst at remembering to write on my blog. With that said, my mind is totally wrapped around a few things this past week. 1. Valentine's Day/Anniversary with Sean 2. Weight Loss 3. College. I like to think I'm a really sweet girlfriend and I am gonna do something so sweet for Sean(He's also the best boyfriend ever). I've lost 7 pounds thus far and I do not plan on stopping anytime soon. College....well, it's college. Booooo. This week has been good. I'm so blessed to have the people I have in my life & a God that never fails me. I really don't have too much to say this time. (weird, right?) Anyways, I'll leave you with some scripture.
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." --Romans 12:10
xoxo,
Lauren
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." --Romans 12:10
xoxo,
Lauren
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Defined: The True Life Story
I take things from my sociology class and I just think about it. Today we were talking about how our items define us. The possessions we have really define us? Well, what about your designer clothes? or that brand new car? The more I thought about it, the less offended I became and the more I thought about how true that was. I know that I'm a teenage girl. All of my friends are materialistic, and no matter how much I deny it, so am I. We live in a judgmental world, and they judge your stuff. Seriously, people judge you right when you walk into a room based on what you're wearing or what you have in your hand. "No iPhone? You're not cool." "You are wearing Wal*Mart clothes?*gasp*" How shallow are we? I find it to be incredibly pathetic. Although, I am a part of that same group. It disgusts me that I could be so...ridiculous. Obviously those things aren't supposed to define us. Our heart is. Jesus came to this Earth with nothing, so why are we consumed with being consumers? Jesus lived a happy life...with nothing. Why can't we live happy lives without all the luxuries we have? I guess it's a hard pill to swallow. This idea of giving up things you have could actually make you happier? No way! Maybe just maybe, simplistic living could be the best and most happy way to live. Jesus tells us these things instead:
"The Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." -Matthew 19:23&24
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." -Matthew 6:19-24
Feel free to comment. (:
xoxo,
Lauren
"The Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." -Matthew 19:23&24
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." -Matthew 6:19-24
Feel free to comment. (:
xoxo,
Lauren
Monday, January 30, 2012
I'm confused....
Story of my life. I seem to always be confused about something. No, that doesn't mean that I'm an idiot. I just have a lot of questions. I like to think of myself as inquisitive(not nosey.) I'll try to spell words right and use correct grammar, but forgive me. I am only human. I guess that's why I started this blog. I wanted to get all the things that run through my head out there in the world. Maybe someone will actually read this. Maybe someone will follow this blog. Maybe someone will be touched by the things that I have to say. One can only hope. I'm still learning things in life, so you all will get to read about things I discover...or things that I can't seem to discover. With that said, welcome to my life.
xoxo,
Lauren
xoxo,
Lauren
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