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Top 10 Blog Posts of 2020

January 8, 2021 by Lauren 17 Comments

We have rounded another year.  I say “another” as if it retains any semblance to the others.  It doesn’t.  But I have lived (somewhat), written, felt and survived to do it all again.  I am so very thankful that the challenges of 2020 pushed me closer and closer to my Heavenly Father, but now I would like them to end (said in jest – sort of).

 

I want to thank you, bloggy friend, for taking the time to follow my writing and for any amount of time sacrificed to read these words.  It means more to me than you could possibly know.  And each and every comment left was like a present for me to open.  While I know now more than ever that I have no idea what topics the future will provide for this website, I still plan a little, holding it loosely.  Proverbs 19:21 says, Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. NIV  I desire deeply for God’s purpose to be fulfilled here.  

 

So I looked back for research at what posts you all enjoyed most from last year.  This information helps me hone in on what is helpful and meaningful to you.  So I present to you (in case you missed any of these or would like to revisit) the top 10 most viewed posts from my site in 2020.  And thank you again being such an important community for me. (Also, take a gander at my list of the top posts of 2019 here.)

 

10.  The Good Thing V. the God Thing  February 7, 2020

Mark 1:40-45 tells the story of a man Jesus cured of leprosy only to command him to keep his miraculous healing to himself.  Common sense seems to say that Jesus’ ministry would only be enhanced by the sharing of this good news.  But God’s ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), so we must seek His guidance in all things and not forge ahead using only our own feeble wisdom.

 

9.  God is Good…but Life is Still Hard  March 6, 2020

Certain situations and events from the year past drove me to study Job.  Good ol’ Job who lost his wealth, his family and finally his own health.  Although he lamented (this can be so healthy), Job never lost his faith in God.  In the midst of his heartache – before any earthly blessing was restored to him – Job exclaimed, “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.”  (19:25)  When all else slips away, we can cling to that.

 

8.  I Love…  February 14, 2020

This Valentine’s Day post only touched on romantic love.  It’s more about the many things and people I love and am thankful for in this life.  Even though I wrote this pre-Covid 19, reading the list again encouraged me.  So many of my treasures I still enjoy in the midst of it.  I hope it encourages you too.

 

7.  Better Late than Never – My Thoughts on Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and Others  June 5, 2020

As the death of several black Americans set our world on fire last summer, I struggled with whether or not my voice in matters of systemic racism and injustice mattered.  But I finally had to speak – with people that I know and with my computer keys.  I forced myself to examine my privilege and any biases and prejudices with which I view the world.  I don’t pretend to be “woke” to the things I’ve been blind to, but I am determined to keep working on it.  All life has value.  Genesis 1:27 says God created mankind in His own image.  The Bible lists no exceptions to this.  Black lives matter.

 

6.  The Pursuit  May 8, 2020

Using a different translation of Psalm 23:6 gave me a deepened perspective on God’s vast love for us. He created us, He loves us, and He wants us.  In this world that is still so full of uncertainty, I find great comfort in this.  In Him.

 

5.  Farewell to February  February 28, 2020

This was the only month end review to make the list.  Reading again about all my social activities pre-virus almost brought a tear to my eye.  May it be again soon, Lord.

 

4.  Today I Cannot…a Coronavirus Lament  May 15, 2020

The title of this one explains itself pretty well.  It took me a couple of months of lock down to reach this boiling point, but many of these things still grieve me (although some days my will to endure stays stronger than the moment in time I penned this).  Maybe you can relate to some of my things.  And maybe you just need to read the verse at the end for comfort and hope.

 

3.  A Conversation on Race, Part 1  June 19, 2020

Two fellow bloggers of color, Yvonne Chase and Calvonia Radford agreed to an interview on the issues of racial injustice that news journalists and the everyman with a cell phone brought to the forefront of our consciousness.  I will warn those of you that look like me that it’s not easy to read.  But I pray you will be prompted to examine your own heart against the feelings and facts they share. We still have a long way to go in the arena of race relations in America.  You might just find a good start here.  And don’t miss the links to their websites. Read Part II of this conversation as well.  “In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist.”  – Angela Davis

 

2.  These are a Few of My Favorite Things (100 to Be Exact)  November 6, 2020

“If I am losing it beyond the normal parameters of losing it, I write out or say 100 things I am grateful for.”  – Jami Amerine.  She calls this a gratitude blitz and I tried my hand at it a couple of months ago.  That this list landed in the #2 spot tells me a lot about our need for positivity right now.  Hopefully something you read here will touch you, encourage you, entertain you or motivate you to make your own list.  And maybe we will decide – at least for a moment – that things really aren’t that bad.

 

1.   Dear Teenage Daughter, You Aren’t Entitled  February 21, 2020

I suspect from this #1 post that some of you deal with the challenges of an entitled generation.  I promise you that this letter, written two days before my teen’s  birthday has a happy ending.  And she gave me her permission and approval.  Part rant, part lesson and confession from me – it is all heart.  And I could not love her more.

 

This concludes a year in the life of this blogger.  A year I honestly hope we never see the likes of again.  But important lessons for me – and maybe you – reside here.  I hope you are informed or encouraged, and I pray God is glorified here.  I thank you, again, for being my reader friends and hope this relationship continues into the new year.  Also, happy birthday to the best Papa in the world (and Elvis).

 

And now for this week’s featured post!

 

In keeping with the theme of my post for this week, I chose Heather Hart’s Top Candid Posts of 2020 on candidlychristian.com.  I would love nothing better than for you to hop over and see some well-loved posts from one of my teammates at Grace and Truth (after you read mine of course).  😉

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 Truth_ButtonGrace 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
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Now Let’s Link Up!

 

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Click here to enter


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3 Ways to Observe Stir Up Sunday

November 20, 2020 by Lauren 38 Comments

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? 

 

 

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 Truth_Button

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
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Now Let’s Link Up!

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

 

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!  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.

 

To find some great places where I might be sharing this post, click here.

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About Me

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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