0
Art Prints Verse Cards Bible Studies
written beauty for the heart and life
0
 

Stay Connected

Receive our helpful resource, Hope in Transition, with 5 insights and tips on navigating the rocky terrain of change.

Name *
Name
 
 
 
I shared my story with our community group this week—the long version. The version that gets past comfortable and into the alarm of sin patterns. That highlights the places of pain and resistance, of pride and performance, of glory-seeking and eventual surrender. That magnifies the grace of God as the only possible means for my salvation and my current everyday experience. . So for #fridayintroductions, I thought I’d share this: I’m Lauren, and anything good in me is Christ. I am confronted with my weaknesses nearly every single day and am begging the Lord to know more of what it means for His grace to be sufficient for me, to know what it means to live in the strength of Another. . I realized after sharing that I’ve been seriously reading and studying the Word of God for 10 years. Up to that point, I had read it and memorized it for my own glory and gain, and I cry at the mercy of God to have allowed those tiny seeds to sprout forth 10 years ago when the prideful soil of my heart was broken up and made soft by the unfathomable grace of God. . I’m overwhelmed often by the privilege I have of ministering to others in several capacities (counseling, writing, creating, leading Bible study, disicipling), but that tendency of my flesh remains. So these days, I’m growing in gratitude that God makes me know my weakness, makes me know my need of Him. Because all of it will be burned up if my heart is not pure, not seeking first His Kingdom, not desiring the reward from the Father that comes in secret. . I’d love to know—what are you learning about God right now that’s hard to understand?
I distinctly remember the first time she was sick, how all I wanted to do was take it away from her. The infection wrecked her little body, enslaved her to its inescapable power, and kept her from experiencing life to its fullest capacity. . She’s been sick again, and the end of Hebrews 2 has come a little more to life because of it. Christ became like me to deliver me, one enslaved to my fear of death, captive to the sin that inhibits me from living as I was created to live. . But this condition of sin I incurred was of my own willful rebellion, the consequence of my mistrust in God and His character. Yet He looked on me with compassion. Jesus willingly took on the aches and pains of my condition, humbling Himself by love, to endure death itself. . His willingness to take on my sin has resurrected and restored to me life, capable of joy, delight, and peace once again. . #risenmotherhood #wordsworthnoting
I need these truths to radically transform me. When I look at my schedule, weighty with responsibility, weighty with souls in need of shepherding care, I can too easily believe that stress, pressures, struggle, or heaviness will be the trail I leave behind. . But the paths of righteousness He’s ordained for me are for His name’s sake. He will lead me beside still waters and guide my steps as I navigate the shadows of death. He’ll accomplish His work through me as I walk with Him knowing my dependence, fully provided for, tenderly cared for, and wisely protected by the Lord who is my Shepherd. . Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. Doesn’t believing this about all our days ahead change our whole perspective? . #preachingtomyownheart #thelordismyshepherd #womenintheword #wordsworthnoting
I took her with me this morning to the prayer time before Bible study. Childcare started later than the group prayer, so as I often do, I brought my little sidekick. She did great for a little while, but because prayers in our house are never as long, she shouted “Amen” a handful of times before I scooted her out the door. . Later I asked if she had fun with her friends at church today, and she said, “Mama pray.” 😭 This time where I mostly shushed her and held her with my eyes closed left a mark on her. . Ministry is different in this season. My hours are not as flexible as they once were. My capacity is more limited than before. My ability to carry on a conversation without interruption is nearly impossible. . But my heart swells at the knowledge that my daughter is my disciple. I’m grateful for the influence @emilyguyer has had on my life about inviting my children into ministry with me. To let them witness the great need of the gospel and a life shaped by its power. To hope and pray they see Jesus through a repentant sinner who daily confesses her need, who lives for a Kingdom not her own, and who humbly desires to see others experience the same. . #risenmotherhood #wordsworthnoting (also this print is in the shop!🐑❤️)
Remain tenderhearted. One of the most challenging commands to our flesh. When we’d rather take offense, hold onto hurt, let it grow hard and make us bitter, God calls us to be tender in heart. . When we’re insulted, belittled, misunderstood, God asks us to lay down our impulse to defend ourselves and take up our cross. When we’re shamed or outcasted, God asks us to meet Him outside the camp to bear the reproach He bore. . When we get deep in relationship with other sinners and feel the sting of sin, God asks us to feel it rather than brush it off or pay it back. Because in remaining tenderhearted, in absorbing the cost of sin, we not only grow more deeply acquainted with the wonder of our own forgiveness in Christ, we get fellowship with Christ Himself. . Worship here, in this place of pain and awe, strengthens us to be soft in heart, merciful, forgiving as God in Christ has forgiven us. . #preachingtomyownheart #lampandlight #womenintheword #wordsworthnoting