Lauren Sparks

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The Joy of Worshipping with a Special Needs Child

July 18, 2019 by Lauren 16 Comments

I’ve mentioned to you that my summer has been crazy busy right?  I thought so.  So busy that when a fellow writer generously allowed me to share her space on the internet on JUNE 3, I forgot all about it until now.  Unforgivable.  But better late than never?  Maybe?  I hope you will join me on her beautiful website lullabylark.com, where she encourages all mamas – especially those with special kiddos – to love like Jesus.  I am so honored to be featured there and to have the privilege to share a story that starts like this:

 

Last Sunday, my family got in the car and drove to a large convention center instead of following its normal route to church.  During club volleyball season for my youngest, we spend a lot of Sundays in tournaments.  We didn’t ever intend to be one of those families that missed church for sports, but here we are…

Click here to read the rest of the post.

 

Sharing is caring! If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of sharing it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to make sure you don’t miss anything, subscribe!

 

And look up these great writers I link up with every week:

InstaEncouragements, Literacy Musing Mondays, Hello…Monday,

Dream Team link up, The Good. The Random. The Fun.

BloggerClubUK, Tea and Word Tuesday, Purposeful Faith,

GraceFull Tuesday Link-Up, Different Dream,

Let’s Have Coffee, Welcome Wednesday, Recharge Wednesday,

Worth Beyond Rubies, #TellHisStory Link Up, Porch Stories,

Encouraging Word Wednesday, Tune In Thursday,

Stories of Hope, Moments of Hope, IHeart Verse Link Party,

A Blogging Good Time, Fresh Market Friday, Feature Friday Time,

Friendship Friday Blog Hop, Faith on Fire, Traffic Jam Weekend,

Faith ‘n Friends, Dancing with Jesus, Grace & Truth, Booknificent

 

 

Lastly, my posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase 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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10 Scriptures on Perseverative Thinking

February 22, 2019 by Lauren 27 Comments

What does perseverative thinking mean to you? Perhaps you haven’t had to endure a lot of life’s ups and downs. Perseverance might not mean much to you. Or perhaps, you’ve been put through the wringer so to speak. In that case, perseverance means a whole lot to you. It has a definition that you might not even be able to put into words.

 

Whatever the case, this means different things to different people at different stages of life. Thank God for his impartiality. He doesn’t have favorites and shows the same love to the person in the pit as well as the person on the mountain top.

 

This is why we must all learn how to persevere in the faith, regardless of life’s circumstances.

 

Why We Need Perseverative Thinking

 

We must endure hardship and keep the faith so that a lost and dead world can see Jesus through us, no matter our current situation.

 

If we as Christians throw in the towel at the first sign of trouble, then we’re not showing the world that Christ strengthens us. This doesn’t mean we can’t get emotional or passionate about our current circumstance. But it does mean that our emotions and passion are rooted and guided by God’s word.

 

Our great commission is to go and tell the world about the good news of Jesus Christ. We can be just as effective in the valley or on the mountain top. It’s a matter of faith and diligence to always be willing to praise His name.

 

What Does the Bible Tell Us About Perseverative Thinking?

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The Bible isn’t silent on this topic either. There are numerous stories and scriptures on perseverance guiding us in this area. From Adam and Eve in the garden to Jesus on the cross, the Bible is packed full of people enduring hardship and continuing in the faith.

 

We can use these examples to help us as we navigate life’s troubles.

 

We can also lean on each other for help. As Christians, we’re tasked with loving and caring for the brethren. We must help each other through this thing we call life. In all of its glory and grit, we should lean on each other for guidance and encouragement.

We’re not meant to travel this road alone.

 

There are numerous scriptures and devotions on perseverance, but Devotable has compiled a devotional on perseverance from various authors about various struggles in an effort to help guide people through this life journey. From illness, death, parenthood, relationships, and more, it helps to know that you’re not alone in this journey. We have friends and Christian brothers and sisters that can help us, come beside us and put their arm around us.

 

Scripture and Devotions on Perseverative Thinking

 

So for those of you that are hurting and need encouragement to persevere through these trails, here are 10 scriptures on perseverance to help guide you. Let the Bible speak to you and the Holy Spirit strengthen your faith as you read His word.

 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. – James 1:2-4

 

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9

 

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. – Romans 8:17-18

 

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. – 2 Corinthians 4:8

 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7

 

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. – John 16:33

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. – Hebrews 12:1

 

But they that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they will run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint. – Isaiah 40:31

 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9

 

The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. – Psalm 34:19

 

I have the privilege of occasionally writing for Devotable, a Christian online daily devotional project.  It’s an app and a website with new inspirational content every day.  The authors of Devotable have worked together to write a book on Perseverance.  I am beyond excited to be published in this compilation and hope you will all consider ordering a copy – or many!  You can find info on the book and ordering details at https://devotableapp.com/perseverance.   I’m also pleased to host the creator and owner of Devotable, Landen Melton, as a guest blogger today!  

 

Bio

Landen is a web developer by trade and and online entrepreneur by passion. He is the owner and creator of Devotable, an online Christian daily devotion project. Together with over 100 talented writers, they create inspiring devotions that help encourage believers and share the good news of Jesus Christ daily.

 

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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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