Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

  • Home
  • About
  • Favorites
  • Policies
  • Contact

Ushering in Advent

November 27, 2020 by Lauren 8 Comments

How has November come and gone?  Daylight savings kicked off the month by messing with my sleep.  That early morning sun wakes me before I want to rise, but the mild, beautiful days help.  I thank God that it’s finally comfortable enough here in Texas to exercise outside, but I  always pine for colder temps to get me into the holiday spirit.  If you live in the north, I can hear you rolling your eyes from down here.  I’m sure you would trade me for my 72 degree days.  We always seem to want what we don’t have.  There’s a lesson in there somewhere.

 

The election season remains an adventure.  No matter what side of the fence you sit on (let’s be honest – both sides have become so extreme that most of us reside somewhere in the middle), just remember that approximately half the country grieves.  Everyone be kind and behave.

 

So much in the world feels heavy and dark to me right now.  So I decided to lighten up.  My hair anyway.  My friend and stylist cut several inches off and gave me a brighter color.  I feel like a new woman!  I have been told that I look both younger and thinner.  So my stylist is a true miracle worker!  My favorite dog took a trip to her stylist and got cleaned and trimmed up too.  In my frugality, I let my yorkie get pretty shaggy between visits and I always forget how cute she really is when groomed!

 

My best friend flew in from Alabama mid-month and lifted my spirits even more.  We shopped too much, ate too much, took a long walk in a beautiful park and talked about all the things.  We took in some early Christmas decor at the Gaylord Hotel for a night with my twin sister and another friend who drove up from Waco!  Much needed refreshment.  As I write this, my bff left yesterday and I already miss her.  Many thanks to her sweet family for loaning her to me.  Now I continue my scheming and plotting to get them to move back to Texas.

 

Allie stays busy with school and choir practice.  And even though she’s not driving yet herself, two of her best friends scored a license in the past month and she calls for our chauffeur services rarely now.   I can’t believe her time will come before we know it.  She already owns a car generously gifted to us by her aunt, but the stereo was shot.  An important feature for a music loving teen, we gifted her with a new one (part of her Christmas) and surprised her with it.  Such a fun reaction from a very happy girl.

 

The doctor cut out my ingrown toenails.  Ouch!  But at least he wrapped me in purple for Epilepsy Awareness Month!  I also have some nice new skin sores after the dermatologist froze several spots for me.  When you are 100% family out of pocket max on your insurance, you take care of all the things.  (Thanks Allie’s broken leg!)

 

The return of some TV favorites excited us (what else is there to do).  A Million Little Things, The Mandalorian, and The Crown thrilled and entertained.  We tried the new show Big Sky and found it too dark, not even finishing the episode.  Dark and heavy is the real world.  I need light and funny right now.  Even silly, which is why we picked up with the last season of Fuller House that we never completed.  If escapism and happy endings appeal to you, I recommend Love, Guaranteed on Netflix.  Just do it.  And as you read this, Thanksgiving is officially over and Christmas movies took center stage!

 

Covid-19 continues to be the gift that keeps on giving.  Many of our favorite holiday traditions have been canceled or strangely altered.  Including dinner and football at my parents’ house.  I am trying not to be a brat about it because I do believe it’s the smartest and safest thing to do, but this girl is in desperate need of things to look forward to.  So I cooked the turkey and dressing for my little family and my twin and her husband.  My other sister and her family stopped by for a socially distanced visit in the front yard.  At least that’s still doable in unseasonably warm Texas.

 

I will wrap this up with a picture of a HUGE headless reindeer I came across.  This might be the most 2020 Christmas decoration ever.  I pray you enjoyed a lovely Thanksgiving and that you embrace the Advent season and the hope it brings.  As always, I love you, I thank you, and I pray December treats you well.

 

And now for this week’s featured post!

 

Because I don’t want the discussion around racial injustice to wane, I had to feature Grace and Truth’s own Lisa Burgess’ recommended reading on the subject.  She has compiled a comprehensive list of resources here.  Visit her over on lisanotes.com to see what else she is writing.

 

 

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.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

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.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
Next Page »

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

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.
Read More

Subscribe for Updates

Enter your information below to receive the latest updates from the blog!

Recent Posts

  • Kissing February ’21 Goodbye
  • On Black History Month…and Grace and Truth Link Up
  • Love Then and Now…and Grace and Truth Link-up
  • Hurts so Good: Enduring Hard Things for Greater Good
  • What a Month!

Find Devotionals by Me in These Books

A 26 week journey to a better prayer life.

Click on either book for order information!

30 devotionals for faith that moves mountains

For Sharing

Lauren Sparks

Click below to get a free trial of my favorite technology monitoring platform

Need More Than Just Monitoring? Find Filters and Accountability Here

Search This Site

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2021 Lauren Sparks | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.

Stop!  Don't Miss Out!

I have a brand new e-book.  This was Not On My Bingo Card:  Essays on Cancer and Related Surprises is available to you FREE by simply subscribing to my blog!  

Invalid email address
I promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thanks for subscribing!