Lauren Sparks

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Praying God’s Word Wednesday #13

June 30, 2021 by Lauren 14 Comments

We have the privilege of a guest “prayer” for today’s edition.  My friend Mary is a Cross Cultural Worker in another country and regularly sends out email updates about her and her family.  Her most recent communication contained a “Praying Scripture” section – just like we have been doing together here.  AND the passage she used to pray is one I’ve been working on memorizing this year.

I LOVE it when God uses others to emphasize what He’s doing in our lives.  It’s so kind of Him.

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With permission, I share the scripture passage and prayer she shared with me:

 

But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leave are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.  Jeremiah 17:7-8

 

The prayer is a little long for the photo boxes I usually put mine in, so I have split it.  I want to honor her heartfelt words to the Lord and not cut it short.

 

 

…and truth, nourished by your living water.  May we not fear in times of hardship and trials.  And may we always bear fruit, the fruit of the Spirit in our lives and the fruit of the harvest!  We pray this for all believers, but in particular, those that are facing persecution and spiritual warfare.  May they stand firm, rooted and established in you.  Amen.

 

I appreciate so much Mary allowing me to use her words and display her heart for God’s people.  Lifting you to His throne in this.  And don’t forget to share this on social media or with a friend who could benefit.  It would mean so much to me.  If you don’t want to miss a Praying God’s Word Wednesday, subscribe over on the right hand side of this page.

Lauren

 

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Jumping from June to July…and Grace and Truth Link Up

June 25, 2021 by Lauren 22 Comments

I threw a party.  For the reunion of my favorite show Friends.  That’s how I kicked off my month and it was fun! 

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Friends themed decorations and name tags for everyone featuring supporting characters of the beloved show.  Ugly Naked Guy?  Frank Jr. Jr., Spackle Back Larry?  They were all in attendance.  Did you watch?

We piggybacked on my inlaws’ generosity and took a little jaunt to the beach.  My daughter and her friend baked themselves crispy fried on the first day despite many warnings and pleadings to reapply the SPF.  We took in the Texas State Aquarium where we saw a flamingo couple guarding a nest.  Shelby fell in love.

 

I began serving as a subject matter expert for NETA to help them develop their next certifying exam – an interesting process during which I get to meet fitness instructors from all over the country.  We have two Zoom meetings under our belt and several more to follow.

 

Shelby attended her first of two summer camps.  This one sits only an hour away from home and gives her dad and me a nice respite from caregiving.  Super bonus – she has a blast!  The report I got?  She had a great week and was the happiest camper there.  That’s my girl!  My youngest volunteered at three sessions of children’s day camp at our church and lead worship for the youth.  That’s my other girl!

 

The whole extended family (almost) sat out in stifling heat with zero breeze to support my niece in her dance recital.  That’s love.  My husband and I caught the That Sounds Fun Podcast Tour with Annie F Downs when it came through Dallas.  It was funny and endearing and I felt like God had a message for just my husband and me.  Now THAT’S a good show.  And the same week we got to pick up Georgia peaches from The Peach Truck and deliver to family over a Father’s Day celebration.  I have a good one and I’m married to a good one.  And there was much rejoicing.

 

It’s been a movie month for us.  So glad to see new quality films coming to theaters.  We got to Finding You, which may be my new favorite.  After taking it in with my husband, I took my daughter to it the very next day.  It’s a sweet and clean romance (a rarity) with a lot more going on than the love story.  I can’t wait until it’s streaming so I can see it again.  We saw Queen Bees.  Not as clean but funny and sweet.  And at home we caught an edited version of football movie The Replacements and an oldie – The Fortune Cookie starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.  Last, the whole family plus my sister enjoyed In the Heights.  I may be in the minority, but I love, love, love a good musical.

 

Lastly, I was glad to see Juneteenth become a federal holiday!  And that about wraps up the last 30 days.  I hope all the daddies out there had a great Father’s Day.  Shout out to the ones in my life and especially my Heavenly Father.  And as always, I love you, I thank you and I hope July treats you well.

 

And now for this week’s featured post from the linkup!

 

I found Katie R Dale‘s blog bipolarbrave.com for the first time this week.  And I’m so thankful.  Her vulnerability in sharing her struggles with mental illness and the intersection of God’s healing and grace gave me much pause for thought.  If you suffer from, are curious about or have experience with someone else’s mental illness, do a deep dive on her sight!  Especially It Happened One Summer.  Thanks, Katie.  Grab the button below for your site.

 

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 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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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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