Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

Top 10 Posts of 2019

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Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

To kick off the new year, I want to thank each one of you for helping me live my dream.  A friend asked me once how I knew I was called to write.  The only answer I could give her is that I HAVE to write.  I’m compelled.  I get an idea and I can’t rest until I’ve fleshed it out and typed it up.  That any of you would take the time to read something from my research and imagination is a gift that I don’t take lightly.  Through the miracle of the internet I get to do what I love.  And who knows, maybe one day it will be more than just a hobby.  But in the meantime I pray that we will continue to connect, laugh together and learn more about our God and King together.

 

In thinking about what to write about in 2020, I looked at my most viewed posts from last year.  The topics ranged from infertility to love letters, from personal struggles to silly stories.  So before I launch into new topics, I decided to present to you a roundup of the 10 most popular blogs on my site last year:

 

10.  When Your Busted Flip Flop Speaks to You  June 20, 2019

I had a sandal blow up.  And it made me think.  Walking through a public bathroom in my bare feet is like stepping into a new day in willful disobedience to God.  It’s unwise and leaves me vulnerable to more scum and filth than I care to imagine.  And while in this human body my obedience won’t be perfect (sometimes it will look more like the busted sandal shuffle than a victory lap), the effort to stand in God’s will and under His protection is worth it.

 

9.  My Favorite Bible Study Tools  September 19, 2019

It can be challenging to stay connected and engaged when the most important part of my day is often sliced up into bite sized chunks.  But I have a feeling some of you might relate to a harried schedule.  So I shared my favorite Bible study tools and where to buy them.

 

8.  One Verse, One Resolution, One Hope  January 17, 2019

While lots of my friends and fellow authors picked a word for the year to be their focus and inspiration in 2019, I related to Jami Amerine from Sacred Ground, Sticky Floors when she said, “If I picked a word for the year, it would be obscene, and I try not to cuss.”  That’s where I was this time last year.

 

7.  Knight in Polished Armor  January 6, 2019

There are many romantic things I could have said about my husband on our 20th wedding anniversary. He is kind, loyal, hardworking, loving, strong, smart, God-honoring and easy on the eyes. But I’d like to highlight his heroism and outstanding service in the battles of life. With him and our Heavenly Father, I don’t fear the enemy, and the skirmishes are conquerable.

 

6.  For the Love of a Cow January 4, 2019

We flew to California for one day passes to Disneyland.  We had to.  We were on a mission to get my special girl Shelby to see a life-sized Clarabelle Cow.  At least that’s what we thought we were doing.  We didn’t find her.  But we found a lot of joy together as a family.

 

5.  Dumpster Fire Day  August 22, 2019

I think we’ve all had days like I describe here.  I decided to share mine just in case I have EVER given you the impression here on my blog or in real life that I have all my chili together.  I want to assure you that I am just like you. ONLY WORSE.  The End.

 

4.  10 Scriptures on Perseverance:  Navigating Life’s Troubles  February 22, 2019

I was (and still am) beyond excited to be published in a devotional compilation and hope you will all consider ordering a copy – or many – if you haven’t already!  You can find info on the book and ordering details at https://devotableapp.com/perseverance.   I’m also got to host the creator and owner of Devotable, Landen Melton, as a guest blogger.

 

3.  Just the Way We Are  September 5, 2019

I’ll never get over the fact that God uses someone as messy and faithless as me.  And He uses a 14 year old blonde haired beauty with a natural singing talent and a heart to invite.  He also uses a retail manager who does EVERYTHING with the utmost integrity.  And He uses a 19 year old who thinks like a two year old and wears her heart on her sleeve.  It’s the kindest thing I’ve ever witnessed.

 

2.  A Different Kind of Mothering  May 9, 2019

I got to share with all of the interwebs about my sister here.  And I pray that God will inspire and raise up other women to mentor and “mother” children not born from their bodies.  The world needs more believing women loving and nurturing those in their sphere of influence.

 

1.  A Letter to My Parents on Their 50th Wedding Anniversary  June 6, 2019

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 NIV

Dear Mama and Papa,

50 years is quite a legacy. When I saw the scripture verse above, it reminded me of you. I won’t overly romanticize your relationship just because it’s lasted this long. I know that neither of you is COMPLETELY humble, gentle or patient 100% of the time. We are a fully human, fallible family. But as great as I do think you both are, I know it takes lots of “bearing with one another in love” to make it to a 50th anniversary. If the world took that commandment more seriously, many, many more marriages would go the distance.

 

Looking back through my blog is a lot like reading a journal of what God has done in and through me.  I hope you will click on some of the links and read these words again – or for the first time.  And I pray you will continue to be reader friends into the new year.  Thank you!

 

Sharing is caring! If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of using the buttons below to share it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to get these essays emailed to you once a week, subscribe!

 

And look up these great writers I link up with every week:

InstaEncouragements, Literacy Musing Mondays, Hello…Monday,

The Good. The Random. The Fun.

BloggerClubUK, Tea and Word Tuesday, Purposeful Faith,

GraceFull Tuesday Link-Up, Hearth and Soul Link Party,

Let’s Have Coffee, Welcome Wednesday, Recharge Wednesday,

Worth Beyond Rubies, #TellHisStory Link Up, Porch Stories,

Encouraging Word Wednesday, Tune In Thursday,

Stories of Hope, Moments of Hope, IHeart Verse Link Party,

Legacy Link Up, Fresh Market Friday, Feature Friday Time,

Friendship Friday Blog Hop, Faith on Fire, Traffic Jam Weekend,

Faith ‘n Friends, Dancing with Jesus, Grace & Truth, Booknificent

 

Lastly, my posts may contain affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy anything from one of these links, I will receive a few pennies to help offset the cost of this website at no additional charge to you. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

 

 

Jesus is King

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Kanye West’s Christian conversion is less about Jesus than it is about Kanye

This headline leaves no doubt how the article’s author feels about the icon’s new album or his faith.  Jesus is King dropped three weeks ago, inciting discussion, news stories, social media commentary and even subject for sermons.  With each interview Kanye does to promote the music, speculation grows.  The recording – only 27 minutes long – continues to stir up a heap more controversy than any of his previous provocative, obscenity-laced material.

Michael Arceneaux, who wrote the Think piece mentioned above, wrapped up his post by stating, “Jesus might be king, but it’s not at his altar that Kanye is worshipping right now.”  The criticism aimed at West is not only for his art, but also for beliefs.  Most notably, Christians have publicly questioned his motives and sincerity.  Some believe it’s all a stunt to sell records.  Other think he’s paying lip service to the Creator with no real internal change.  And still more are waiting for this “phase” of his to wear off.

What I must ask is, who are we to judge the heart of anyone?

As one source is quoted, “Kanye used to be about nothing greater than himself.  Now it’s all about a higher power.”  He has publicly promised that he’ll never perform his old material again in its original form – opting instead to edit lyrics that aren’t God honoring and don’t represent the new person that he is.  While many remain skeptical of such a drastic turn-around, I say, how powerful is the God they serve?  Mine is powerful enough to redeem us from any sin, no matter how dark or depraved.  My God accepts anyone from any walk of life into His open arms.  That’s what Jesus came for.

Kanye may not say all the correct things, but who of us came to Christ with all the right ideas and language already intact?  When we choose to turn our lives over to God, salvation happens in a moment.  But sanctification happens over a lifetime.  We become more and more like Jesus the longer we walk with Him.  As the pastor at my church pointed out on Sunday, Kanye must live out the first days of his new life in Christ on a public stage for all to see.  I don’t envy him that.  He will make mistakes as He learns and grows, and my prayer is that we will not skewer him for it.  We must not compare his first year against another believer’s 20th.  Moreover, we shouldn’t compare at all.  We have to stop publicly flogging other Christ followers.  We should lift them up in prayer.  Particularly those with such enormous reach.

Besides:

Everything that hath breath praise the Lord
Worship Christ with the best of your portions
I know I won’t forget all He’s done
He’s the strength in this race that I run
Every time I look up, I see God’s faithfulness
And it shows just how much He is miraculous
I can’t keep it to myself, I can’t sit here and be still
Everybody, I will tell ’til the whole world is healed
King of Kings, Lord of Lords, all the things He has in store
From the rich to the poor, all are welcome through the door
You won’t ever be the same when you call on Jesus’ name
Listen to the words I’m sayin’, Jesus saved me, now I’m sane
And I know, I know God is the force that picked me up
I know Christ is the fountain that filled my cup
I know God is alive, yeah
He has opened up my vision
Giving me a revelation
This ain’t ’bout a dead religion
Jesus brought a revolution
All the captives are forgiven
Time to break down all the prisons
Every man, every woman
There is freedom from addiction
Jesus, You have my soul
Sunday Service on a roll
All my idols, let ’em go
All the demons, let ’em know
This a mission, not a show
This is my eternal soul
This my kids, this the crib
This my wife, this my life
This my God-given right
Thank You, Jesus, won the fight 

…sounds like true faith to me.

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