Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

3 Ways to Observe Stir Up Sunday

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Photo by Jason Briscoe on Unsplash

‘’Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of Thee be plenteously rewarded, through Jesus Christ our Lord’’.

 

Have you heard of Stir Up Sunday?  It’s not something we celebrate in America, but my blogger friend April introduced me to it here.  I couldn’t find any information about how long this day has been observed in the UK, but it comes from the beginning collect from the Book of Common Prayer, which dates back to 1549 (quoted above).  Stir Up Sunday occurs every year on the last Sunday before Advent, which puts it on November 22 this year.

 

Some time during the 1700’s, this day became synonymous with the day British households make their Christma puddings.  According to April and the powers that be at Wikipedia, a Christmas pudding needs time to age to flavor perfection.  And four weeks is just about the right amount of time.  Now I have some soup recipes that are better on the second day after all the spices and flavors meld, but I cannot imagine making anything that I would eat four weeks later.  No offense to the English.  I love a good tradition, but I will pass on the Christmas pudding.

 

I do, however, appreciate the original intent of Stir Up Sunday – to prepare our hearts for Advent and allow God to “stir our hearts” to focus on the season and all it entails.  So I’m starting a new tradition and adopting the practice of Stir Up Sunday.  But without the pudding.

 

3 Ways to Observe Stir Up Sunday

 

  1.  Remember Jesus.  And I think it right, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;  2 Peter 1:13 ASV  If you aren’t already, get in the Word.  Read through the gospels.  Pick an Advent Bible reading plan.  The gals at shereadstruth.com have a great one every year.  There are multiple free ones on the YouVersion app, or kick it old-school and browse a bookstore.  Listen to praise music, start a new prayer journaling practice, anything that will “stir up” and shake up your normal routine and make you more mindful of our Savior.
  2. Love Others with Words and Actions. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25 ESV  In Jesus, we have the hope the world needs.  Brainstorm ways you can share that hope this season.  Help provide a Thanksgiving dinner to a family in need.  Serve at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen.  Invite your neighbors to church.  Donate toys to an organization that serves the underprivileged at Christmas.  Invite the new girl at work to lunch.  These are just a jumping off point.  Come up with your own creative and thoughtful ways to throw love around with abandon and encourage another to do the same!  You will feel God’s pleasure in the process.  
  3. Make Disciples. And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way. Acts 19:23 ASV  The early verses of Acts 19 give us background on this verse.  For two years Jesus’ followers had been preaching and prophesying, baptizing, healing and performing miracles.  Because of their faithful work, many confessed, believed and professed Jesus as Lord.  And verse 20 says,  So mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed.  Who in your circle of influence needs to hear about Jesus?

What ideas do you have for observing Stir Up Sunday?  I would love you to share in the comments.  And get out there and stir it up, mix it up and shake it up!  You can even make a pudding if you want.

 

And now for this week’s featured post!

 

I was so encouraged and personally motivated by A Thread of Unity by Nylse of lifenotesencouragement.com.  I love how she looked to her history (and honored her mother) for direction for her future.  And I want to answer, “yes”!  I can you be strong as thread, weaving hope and unity wherever I go? 

 

 

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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!

 

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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.

 

 

 

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