Lauren Sparks

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We See Color…and Grace and Truth Link Up

October 9, 2020 by Lauren 26 Comments

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I want to start by letting you know about my new e-book This Was Not on My Bingo Card:  Essays on Cancer and Other Related Surprises.  It is FREE, but the only way to get it is to subscribe to my blog.  Do it today in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month!  I pray you will be blessed.  Now…on to the post: 

Over the summer I dedicated a big chunk of my blog real estate to racial inequality and events that rocked our country.  You can read about my thoughts and growth toward becoming a better ally for black brothers and sisters here, here, here, and here.  In some areas of the country, riots and protests rage on.  And while the climate is much calmer here in the Dallas, Texas area, I don’t want the conversation to die.  Because of these:

My nieces and my grandson deserve a different world.  A better world.  That’s why I’m so excited about the work that Latasha Morrison is doing over at Be The Bridge.  They are working with diverse groups of people to move toward racial healing, equity and reconciliation.  If you haven’t heard of Be The Bridge, head over to their website now to learn more about this ministry.  And read Latasha’s book while you are at it.  The website calls it a clarion call for Christians to move toward relationship and deeper understanding in the midst of a divisive culture.

I’m thrilled to be co-hosting an online “We See Color Gathering” with Noonday Collection/ Ruth Chiego to benefit Be the Bridge this month!  (Don’t purchase directly from the Noonday link if you want 10% of your purchase donated.  Click on the invite below).  I love that I have the opportunity to share both about this socially responsible business that supports artisans around the world AND a ministry devoted to racial bridge building and equality.  What is even cooler is that both were founded by brilliant and brave women!

Whether you like beautiful jewelry and accessories or want to learn more about Be the Bridge, it’s a win-win!

How you can help:

 

Click on the invite above to join the party over on Facebook.  Buy yourself something pretty, or do your Christmas shopping from the comfort of your own home all while supporting the work of Be The Bridge for racial reconciliation.  Over the next two weeks we will be showcasing these organizations and the gorgeous jewelry, bags, accessories and other gifts available through the facebook group.  You will have an opportunity to purchase and a chance to add to the conversation there.  If you have any questions, please let me know below or on the We See Color Gathering page.  I can’t wait to do this with you!

And now for this week’s featured post!

 

The Struggle is Real by Barbara Harper of Stray Thoughts was a burst of truth that hit pretty close to home.  In Western culture, we do everything possible to make ourselves more comfortable.  But this thoughtful piece points out that suffering builds our faith muscles, making us both stronger and more dependent on God.  In a time when we are all suffering to some degree, this perspective shift just might be a life preserver.  Thank you, Barbara!

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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Jesus is King

November 14, 2019 by Lauren 24 Comments

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 

                        – God Is
…sounds like true faith to me.

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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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