Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

Jumping from June to July…and Grace and Truth Link Up

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I threw a party.  For the reunion of my favorite show Friends.  That’s how I kicked off my month and it was fun! 

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Friends themed decorations and name tags for everyone featuring supporting characters of the beloved show.  Ugly Naked Guy?  Frank Jr. Jr., Spackle Back Larry?  They were all in attendance.  Did you watch?

We piggybacked on my inlaws’ generosity and took a little jaunt to the beach.  My daughter and her friend baked themselves crispy fried on the first day despite many warnings and pleadings to reapply the SPF.  We took in the Texas State Aquarium where we saw a flamingo couple guarding a nest.  Shelby fell in love.

 

I began serving as a subject matter expert for NETA to help them develop their next certifying exam – an interesting process during which I get to meet fitness instructors from all over the country.  We have two Zoom meetings under our belt and several more to follow.

 

Shelby attended her first of two summer camps.  This one sits only an hour away from home and gives her dad and me a nice respite from caregiving.  Super bonus – she has a blast!  The report I got?  She had a great week and was the happiest camper there.  That’s my girl!  My youngest volunteered at three sessions of children’s day camp at our church and lead worship for the youth.  That’s my other girl!

 

The whole extended family (almost) sat out in stifling heat with zero breeze to support my niece in her dance recital.  That’s love.  My husband and I caught the That Sounds Fun Podcast Tour with Annie F Downs when it came through Dallas.  It was funny and endearing and I felt like God had a message for just my husband and me.  Now THAT’S a good show.  And the same week we got to pick up Georgia peaches from The Peach Truck and deliver to family over a Father’s Day celebration.  I have a good one and I’m married to a good one.  And there was much rejoicing.

 

It’s been a movie month for us.  So glad to see new quality films coming to theaters.  We got to Finding You, which may be my new favorite.  After taking it in with my husband, I took my daughter to it the very next day.  It’s a sweet and clean romance (a rarity) with a lot more going on than the love story.  I can’t wait until it’s streaming so I can see it again.  We saw Queen Bees.  Not as clean but funny and sweet.  And at home we caught an edited version of football movie The Replacements and an oldie – The Fortune Cookie starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.  Last, the whole family plus my sister enjoyed In the Heights.  I may be in the minority, but I love, love, love a good musical.

 

Lastly, I was glad to see Juneteenth become a federal holiday!  And that about wraps up the last 30 days.  I hope all the daddies out there had a great Father’s Day.  Shout out to the ones in my life and especially my Heavenly Father.  And as always, I love you, I thank you and I hope July treats you well.

 

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

 

I found Katie R Dale‘s blog bipolarbrave.com for the first time this week.  And I’m so thankful.  Her vulnerability in sharing her struggles with mental illness and the intersection of God’s healing and grace gave me much pause for thought.  If you suffer from, are curious about or have experience with someone else’s mental illness, do a deep dive on her sight!  Especially It Happened One Summer.  Thanks, Katie.  Grab the button below for your site.

 

Grace and Truth_Rules

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate)

 

Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

HEATHER HART & VALERIE RIESE – Candidly Christian
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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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Praying God’s Word Wednesday #12

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After an incredible time in study this morning, I just had to break our typical format today.  As I poured over the scriptures quoted in our church’s sermon this week, I found myself in a full on praise sesh!  I took 2 pages of notes from multiple scripture passages and even raised my hands as I spoke back to God the things I read about Him.  So I decided to share some of it with you.  The scriptures are too many to quote word for word, so I will list the references below.

 

Colossians 1:18, Ephesians 1:20-23, Ephesians 3:6, Colossians 2:18-19, Zechariah 3:1-4 and Galatians 2:20

 

Look up and study these passages for yourself (have your own little bible study) or skip down below and praise God along with me.  I love how the Bible challenges me to pray and praise in ways I wouldn’t think of on my own.  The passages themselves, as well as the Believer’s Bible Commentary on them, inspired my words.

 

You are the beginning, the first born from the dead.  You have first place in everything!  Your body is glorified.   You are unique and cannot be second anywhere.  

Lord, You created everything.  Because of who You are and what You’ve done, You reign supreme.  In our lives, you have preeminence.  You sit at the Father’s right hand.  You rose and ascended!  

God, you triumph over every form of opposition.  Satan is defeated by your victorious power.  You employ that power on our behalf.  Your omnipotence is immense.  Take us soon to be with you!

Your name is above all others and you’re superior to every other.  King over all kings and Lord over all lords.  All things remain under your feet.  You have universal dominion.

Forgive us when we rebel, deny you and resist you.  Forgive us.  We are awestruck as we contemplate you, all-glorious Lord.  Jesus, you have been given universal sway.  And we, the church, get to share your rule.  Your marvelous grace saves us and gives us the unique privilege of being your body.  May we compliment you.  

You permeate the universe and supply it with all it needs.  This is too much for us to understand, but we admire you.  Thank you for including us as heirs of your promise.  

We get to draw from your exhaustless resources for our needs.  You sustain us and direct us.  May false teachers never lead us away.  

Moment by moment we depend on you.  You take our iniquity away from us.  You love me and live in me.  It’s too much!  The old me has no more claims on my daily life.  You live your life in me.  Praise you, Lord!

 

I would LOVE it if you would add a praise to mine in the comments below.  Let’s keep the party going!

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Praying for you in this.  And don’t forget to share this 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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