Lauren Sparks

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#TestimonyChallenge…and Grace and Truth Link Up

May 1, 2020 by Lauren 22 Comments

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

I hate to see myself on video.  Absolutely hate it.  I’m getting over myself, though, to share a little more of my story with you.

 

Weeks ago, the church I call home started a Testimony Challenge on Facebook.  The purpose?  To spread the name of Jesus faster and farther than the coronavirus.  The instructions:  To post a video testimony of God’s work in your life and challenge 10 others to do the same.  Watching the responses of church members – some I know personally and some I don’t – has been such an encouragement to me during a discouraging time for our country.

 

When a church staffer threw down the gauntlet (in the best possible way), I broke with lockdown tradition and put on makeup, fixed my hair and pointed the iphone in my direction.  Below is an abbreviated recounting of the many ways God has blessed me, taught me and been faithful to me as I’ve walked (sometimes stumbled) through life with Him.

 

If you are tired of all the bad news, look on Facebook at 121 Community Church or search #testimonychallenge.  Or get in on the challenge yourself.  Post your testimony to social media.  And please post the link in the comments below.  Let’s fling His fame all over the internet!

 

If you want to know more about how to walk with Christ and experience His faithfulness for yourself, please comment below or go to the Contact page on this blog to send me a private message.  Nothing would bring me more joy than talking to you about Him!

 

And now for this week’s featured post!

 

Susan Nowell of My Place to Yours challenged me to think outside the walls of my home once the world starts to return to normal.  I was convicted of my selfish thinking, but also related to the fears and concerns so vulnerably expressed by the author.  Read Thinking Ahead:  What Will Coming Together Look Like When #stayathome Ends for this call to the global church.

 

Now for this week’s link-up! Let’s bless and encourage one another in our walk with the Lord.

 

Grace & Truth : A Weekly Christian Link Up

 

Grace & Truth exists to point people to Jesus! We hope this link-up will be a source of encouragement every week. If you’re a blogger, we hope you’ll use this space as a way to meet new friends within the Christian blogging community. If you’re a reader, we hope that you’ll encounter new bloggers that love Jesus as much as you do! Most of all, we hope you’ll meet Jesus here.

Join us each Friday for the Grace and Truth Link-Up!

To receive a weekly reminder of when the link-up goes live subscribe to laurensparks.net in the right hand column of this page.

 

 

Maree Dee

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
 

Lauren Sparks

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
 

Heather Hart & Valerie Riese

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
 

Lisa Burgess

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
1.)  Following your hosts via their blog and social media channels is not mandatory, but appreciated!

To receive a weekly reminder of when the link-up goes live subscribe to laurensparks.net in the right hand column of this page.

2.) Leave 1-2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. Please do not link DIY, Crafts, Recipes, etc. We will delete these links. We also reserve the right to remove articles that don’t align with the theme or are deemed by the hostesses to be inappropriate.

3.) Visit 1-2 other links and leave a meaningful comment! We want to encourage community among us, so please don’t link and run!

4.) We sort all links randomly – feel free to link as early or as late as you’d like. The playing field is even!

Featured Post Requirements

5.) Grab a button or link back to encourage new linkers. It is not mandatory, but it is required to be featured.

6.) Each host will choose one link to emphasize and promote via their social media channels next week.

Grab a Badge and Link Back to this Post.

 

 

And now, let’s link up!

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

 

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Filed Under: Christian, faithfulness, Grace & Truth Link Up, Jesus, Uncategorized Tagged With: 121 Community Church, Facebook, testimony

Comments

  1. Linda Stoll says

    May 1, 2020 at 5:12 am

    Oh Lauren, I feel like I’ve met you face to face! Thank you for sharing your story … I see peace. I see joy.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 1, 2020 at 12:00 pm

      Linda, if you see those things it is only Him in me. Thanks so much for saying so.

      Reply
  2. Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours says

    May 1, 2020 at 6:51 am

    Lauren, I was surprised and humbled to see my post featured here today. Thank you for sharing it to encourage us all to prayerfully prepare for what “the other side” of these stay-at-home days.

    Thank you, also, for sharing your testimony. I am praying for you this morning, especially for the tragic situation you referenced. I greatly appreciate your choice to not tell a story that belongs primarily to someone else; that shows a maturity and restraint so many tend to disregard.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 1, 2020 at 11:59 am

      It was my pleasure, Susan. And thank you for the kind words and prayers.

      Reply
  3. Christine says

    May 1, 2020 at 4:23 pm

    This is a great exercise! Our church did it last year. We had to post our own ‘Story of Salvation’. It’s so encouraging to hear how God is at work in each other’s lives.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 2, 2020 at 10:31 am

      I agree, Christine. And praying for unbelievers to hear and respond.

      Reply
  4. Kathrine Eldridge says

    May 2, 2020 at 6:06 am

    Your video is wonderful! You look beautiful and this is such an awesome challenge. Thanks for sharing!

    https://www.kathrineeldridge.com

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 2, 2020 at 10:30 am

      You are too kind, Katherine.

      Reply
  5. Donna Reidland says

    May 2, 2020 at 8:33 am

    What a wonderful idea … online testimonies. I love the idea of spreading the gospel faster than the coronavirus! I’ll check it out.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 2, 2020 at 10:30 am

      So encouraging for believers and hoping many unbelievers will hear and respond.

      Reply
  6. Shelbee on the Edge says

    May 5, 2020 at 12:35 pm

    Lauren, I have tears in my eyes as I type this. For someone who was fearful of making a video, you have done an amazing job delivering a very impactful message. You have such a beautiful soul and such an inspiring outlook. I couldn’t agree with you more on this message. Stay well, stay safe, stay healthy and keep shining that vibrant light of yours!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 5, 2020 at 3:52 pm

      You are always so kind, Shelbee. Thanks for the encouragement.

      Reply
  7. Sarah Geringer says

    May 6, 2020 at 7:15 am

    Lauren, I was encouraged by your video. You did a great job, and I enjoyed hearing your voice! Blessings to you, and I’m praying for you and your family today.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 6, 2020 at 2:54 pm

      Thank you so much for the encouragement, Sarah!

      Reply
  8. Lisa notes says

    May 6, 2020 at 11:09 am

    I don’t like doing videos either. 🙂 But I do love seeing others’ videos. So happy to see you! What a beautiful testimony. Such a blessing that you did the video! I loved Susan’s post as well.

    Praying for your family and for you to continue feeling the Lord hold you, Lauren. Stay safe and well.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 6, 2020 at 2:54 pm

      You are so encouraging, Lisa. Thank you so much.

      Reply
  9. Lynn says

    May 7, 2020 at 9:16 am

    I agree with everyone here. What a wonderful testimony and a way to bring others together in your church community and beyond. And to be praying for others as Jesus taught us to do.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 7, 2020 at 10:15 am

      Thank you, Lynn.

      Reply
  10. Jennifer Smith says

    May 7, 2020 at 7:45 pm

    What a wonderful idea your church…and what a challenge! I’m still not sure I could make myself get behind the camera!! (Something to deal with there, I totally admit!) But, Lauren, I was so incredibly blessed by your testimony! Yes, we have a personal, loving – and kind! – Savior who gives us exactly what we need in order to bring Him glory. And that is exactly what your testimony did. Thank you for being willing to get behind the camera! I pray God will use your willingness to do so in order to bring someone to Christ!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 8, 2020 at 7:27 am

      I have the same prayer, Jennifer. Thank so much for the encouraging words.

      Reply
  11. Sylvia | Grace for a Gypsy says

    May 16, 2020 at 1:48 am

    Lauren, your video was great. I am a little bashful as well and not yet comfortable with seeing my face in video. God bless your family and the trials you referred to. I will be praying for you and with you that God will help you, show you favor, and bless you. In Jesus precious Name.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 16, 2020 at 7:51 pm

      Thank you for the prayers, Sylvia. I appreciate it more than you know.

      Reply

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I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
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