Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

Because I Said So

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Because I said so“Therefore the law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.”  Galatians 3:24 NASB

 

Even though it’s been over 20 years, I will never forget the first time “because I said so” tumbled out of my mouth.

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My step-son wanted to know why he couldn’t turn the water hose on the trampoline and jump when it was 40 degrees outside.  Chandler was (and is) very bright and tended to think he was right much of the time.  He would argue his point until one of us was exhausted if I let him.  He did not consider “It’s cold outside,” to be a good enough reason and was not satisfied with “you could get sick” or “your clothes will be soaked”.  H continued to plead his case until all there was left for me to say was “because I said so”.

 

I hoped I would never say it.  I swore I wouldn’t.  It frustrated me to hear it, but I think most parents have uttered those words at one time or another.

 

God gets to that point with me sometimes.  I can be pretty head strong about what I want and what I think is best.  God has to not-so-gently remind me that His Word contains His knowledge and wisdom to direct my path.  And I have to admit that “because I said so,” can be really hard for me to take – even from the Creator of the Universe.  Just look at how counter-cultural His ways are!

 

Why It Matters

 

This world is trying it’s hardest to convince us all (and quite successfully in some circles) that God’s Word either doesn’t really say what it says, or that it doesn’t belong in our modern era.  And it some ways it would be easier to let ourselves believe that than to fight against the current.  Especially when we don’t understand why something is true.  But this thinking is leading us into darkness and destruction.

 

That’s where faith comes in.  Isaiah 55:8 says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Just as we now understand that our parents knew better than we as little children, so we must trust that our Heavenly Father knows better than we ever will.  His laws and ethics have purpose.  They aren’t meant to be restrictive but to protect us  and bring us closer to Him.  Reminding myself of this helps when I don’t understand why He said so.  

 

And now for this week’s featured post from the link up!

 

It excites me to see more people enjoying the discipline of praying scripture.  Genna Stotts for Refining [Spiritual Growth] wrote about her journey in Scripture Praying – Could it Be the Secret to a Healthy Mind?

 

 

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Praying God’s Word Wednesday #43: Prayer for Women

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prayer for womenLast month was Women’s History Month.  And tomorrow is National Girl Me Too Day.  I suggest calling a girlfriend (or 5) to have coffee or dinner with you tomorrow.  Take time to swap stories and delve into each other’s lives.  And I bet before the end of your visit you have said, “Girl, me too” at least once.  What a great way to build camaraderie (I’m embarrassed to tell you how many times I just had to look up “camaraderie” to spell it right!).  Might I also suggest a prayer for women – especially the significant ones in your life.

 

Today I’m praying for my mom, my sisters, my friends, my sisters-in-law, mother-in-law and cousins.  And I’m using this passage:

 

“In the same way, the women[a] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.”

1 Timothy 3:11 NIV

 

The church uses 1 Timothy Chapter 3 as one of the leading authorities on the qualifications for leaders.  Verse 11 exclusively speaks to women.  Two interpretations of this exist.  One that the verse refers to the wife of a leader (or deacon).  The other that a female deacon candidate must have these qualities.  I personally believe both apply.

 

It doesn’t really matter to me which interpretation you subscribe to.  If these are the characteristics God wants in a woman serving His church, I want them for you, for my girls, and girl. me too!  

 

prayer for women

 

Replace the pronouns with the appropriate ones for the person (or yourself) that you are praying for.

 

Praying for you in this.  And don’t forget to share on social media or with a friend who could benefit.  It would mean so much to me.  And if you don’t want to miss a Praying God’s Word Wednesday, subscribe over on the right hand side of this page.

Lauren

 

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