To Overflowing

Jesus didn’t gossip

Lara — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:30:08 +0000

“Hey John, did you hear what Peter said last night when we were collecting all the leftovers from the big, fish-and-bread feast? I mean, what’s His deal? Who does he think he is?”

Yeah. I’m thinking that never happened. Because Jesus didn’t gossip.

But the church — those of us supposedly following in our Lord’s footsteps — we gossip. We may veil it in prayer requests, nestled neat between a few “bless her heart” statements. But let’s be honest. It’s gossip.

Almost anytime that we slander another or talk negative about what they should do or what they did do, we speak out of the need to boost our own insecure ego. We say things about others so that we, in our own fallen state, will look better. Smarter. Wiser. But do you know what’s at the root? Fear.

We fear not measuring up. We fear rejection. We fear what others think about us. But doing anything out of fear — other than fear of The Lord — will always and forever lead us astray.

Don’t hear me pointing fingers. I’m just as guilty as the next girl, saying something I later regretted. But gossip does grieve my spirit — when I do it and when others do it. Especially when we gossip about those we’re instructed to love and uphold and encourage — like our brothers and sisters in the church.

Who are we to judge? Who are we to discern the intents of the heart? In Christ, you and I stand under so much grace, it’s ridiculously scandalous. Yet in our pride we think we can point the finger and say how someone else’s journey should look.

It’s devastating to fellowship.

I’m pretty sure the call on us is to pour out grace. Yes, there’s a place for holding others accountable if we see them falling into pits of sin. But gossip doesn’t hold someone accountable. Gossip rips them and their reputation apart.

I pray today, as I often pray, that God would put a guard over my mouth. That I would be slow to speak and quick to listen. That I would honor Him and bless others with the words I speak. And when I fail, I pray that the people beside me give me grace. And I praise Him that He never forsakes, always forgives, and continues to sanctify.

Glad I got that out.

Fill me, Lord…

How have you seen gossip destroy others?

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“To Walk or Stay” Book Club :: Chapter 5 Discussion {Rights}

Lara — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:00:50 +0000

Today we’re discussing chapter 5 of my new book “To Walk or Stay.” The lovely Michele Lyn is hosting our discussion over at her beautiful blog. Click here to come on over. I would love to hear your thoughts!

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for when He leads you down a path you didn’t plan {our new journey}

Lara — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:30:50 +0000

It’s one of those times. You know. That season when God leads you to do something that you really don’t want to do. Yet you know that if you follow His lead then it will for your good and His glory. Because that’s how He works. But…you still don’t have the emotional desire.

I’ve been here a few times before — stepping onto ground I didn’t ask for and never would have chosen. Sometimes it’s been rocky, desolate, near-dangerous ground. Other times it’s just been a little unpredictable and slightly inconvenient to my plans — like now.

But regardless of the degree, I still don’t like the menu. And He typically has to coax me through the front door. And something always smells funny in here.

That’s where I’m at. Heading down a new path I wouldn’t have chosen.

To make a long story somewhat short, I’ve never ever wanted to homeschool. Ever. Did I say “ever”? But as we prayed about what to do next year — as we’ve prayed every year — God has nudged us in that direction. And I must admit it has come with personal nausea, induced by fear.

I could go on and on about the feelings I felt when I withdrew them from school for next year. Or how overwhelmed I can get when I think about that scary “c” word. (“curriculum”) But I’ll spare you the details.

All that to say, God sometimes leads us to do things we don’t necessarily want to do. I mean, I don’t think Jesus wanted to die on a gruesome cross. Not that homeschooling is equivalent to crucifixion. But if we’re seeking Him, there will be times when He leads us to do something that our emotions rise up against.

That’s why I have to remember that feelings are real, but they aren’t always reliable. Feelings fluctuate and move. They’re fluid and fallen. God’s wisdom, on the other hand, is a firm foundation.

My husband and I don’t sense God being harsh. In fact, I believe He would be faithful to draw our kids to Himself even if we kept them in school. But for us, next year, we think it’s a decision of “best.” We think He has certain blessings for our family that we’d miss if we chose to not follow His lead.

So, what to do? Well, if we don’t yet know God’s leading about something, my advice is pretty simple (and somewhat churchy). Keep praying. Keep searching the Scriptures. Keep asking Him for wisdom. But the most important thing: Expect Him to answer!

Expect Him to answer.

He promises to give wisdom to those who ask. He promises to guide the feet of His children. Emotions may not agree with the road He points us down, but eventually emotions come around as we follow after Him. I’m banking on that one.

Fill me, Lord…

Tell me about a time when God led you down a road you didn’t choose or plan. How did He bless once you followed His lead?

And for the record: This will not turn into a homeschool blog. And I don’t believe that a person has to homeschool to be a good mom or dad. This is just where God has our family for the coming year. Prayers appreciated.

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a simple truth than can transform any relationship

Lara — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:00:55 +0000

Don’t place your trust solely in him. Or her. Or them. Because they — like you and me — are mere humans. And do you know what humans do? We fail.

I read Jesus’ words last week and they struck a deep chord. He had just started His earthly ministry, performing signs and wonders. And after seeing the miracles, people believed in Him.

“But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.” John 2:24-25

Do you hear what He’s saying? Yes, people put their trust in Him. I mean, He was turning water into top-shelf wine. But He didn’t put His trust in people. Why? Because He “knew all people…(and) knew what was in man.”

Never in the Bible does it say to put our trust in people. Never. Love people, yes. Forgive people, continually. Pray for people, always. But trust? Never. And it’s because people are people. We’re weak and selfish and prone to wander.

I’m over at the Allume blog today talking about where to put our trust. Click here to read the rest of the post.

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a word for those struggling this Mother’s Day

Lara — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:30:42 +0000

Posts about motherhood will fill cyberspace this weekend. Motherhood. It’s one of those things that brings every single emotion to the table. Every. Emotion. The good, the bad, and the painfully ugly.

I’m always so burdened for the ones hurting. Those who desperately want to be called a “mama.” Those who quietly long for one more day, one more hour with their own mom who already left this earth…or who runs from relationship. Those who feel heavy with regret and fear and grief. Burdened.

Motherhood is absolutely something to be celebrated. And I do celebrate. It’s the most challenging, most transforming, most pride-crushing, most beautiful journey I’ve ever walked.

And my own mom? Wow. I wouldn’t be who I am if it weren’t for her. The one who was always reading her Bible when I woke up in the mornings as a little girl. The one who prayed me out of those prodigal years. The one who has walked through the deaths of both her parents and husband, keeping the faith and passing it down to me. The one who continues to be my biggest cheerleader today and every day. (I love you, mom.)

But I still weep with those who weep. There’s so much pain in this world. So much brokenness. And if that’s you, I pray you know that you are seen. I mean, really seen.

The God of heaven is the God who sees every hair on our head. He sees every tear we cry behind that closet door. But He doesn’t just see, He knows. And loves. And carries. And is fully present.

He isn’t indifferent to the pain. He isn’t annoyed or frustrated with our emotion. He remembers our humanity. And He’s tender to any and every struggle.

I don’t know why He allows what He allows at times. I don’t know. But I do know Him (in as much as a human can know an infinite God). And I know that I know that He’s in control. I know that He wants to be the place our soul finds rest and our feet find strength to take that next step.

I know that He waits to meet you and me in the moments of this. very. day.

So whatever emotion this weekend brings, let’s take it to Him. If it’s joy, then let’s thank Him for grace. But if it’s pain, then let’s depend on Him for strength and healing and hope. He sees you. He sees me. Perfectly.

Fill me, Lord…

How’s your spirit this Mother’s Day?

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“To Walk or Stay” Book Club :: Chapter 4 {True Beauty}

Lara — Thu, 09 May 2013 10:30:41 +0000

This is the beauty chapter. But before I send you over to Kayse’s blog to discuss, I have a short 2 minute “word” on why clamoring to be called beautiful by our world or by people will always leave us feeling restless and insecure. Click below to watch.

For those reading this post via email,
click here to watch “To Walk or Stay” :: Chapter 4.

Did you hear it? Why does clamoring to be called beautiful by our world leave us restless?

Talk about a change in perspective. Getting a right view on true beauty gave me more confidence than any cute haircut or better tan or plastic fix ever could.

Ok now I want to hear your thoughts on chapter 4. Click here to head over to Kayse’s blog. She’s graciously hosting our discussion this week.

And if you haven’t gotten the book yet but want to, you can click here to purchase it through Amazon.

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we’re praying but He doesn’t seem to be answering

Lara — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:30:24 +0000

I pray about (almost) every post I write. And most times I write what I honestly sense Him saying. But today, I have nothing. Really. I’ve prayed and prayed about what He would have me write and I sense…nothing.

Which is interesting. Because that’s where God has me in my personal life these days.

My husband and I are praying for wisdom with a decision we need to make. Praying and waiting and praying and waiting. But God hasn’t given us any clear direction yet. At least none that we can discern. So. We wait.

When people ask me what they should do about this or that, I typically say something like, “Stay where He last put you until He clearly leads you to move.” But that’s tough advice when you’re the one standing still.

Sometimes staying where He has us requires high levels of faith. It would be easier or less dramatic if we found a more predictable road. But if I’ve learned anything in my life it’s that God isn’t very predictable to those willing to walk by faith. He does wild things like feed thousands of people with two fish and a few loaves of bread. Unpredictable.

Hmm. Maybe that’s what God wanted me to say today.

Fill me, Lord…

How has He shown Himself to be “unpredictable” in your own life?

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because I was more patient with my kids at church

Lara — Mon, 06 May 2013 10:30:13 +0000

It’s true. It’s easier to be patient with my kids when we’re in public rather than when we’re safe and sound behind the closed doors of our little home. Like yesterday. The thirty minutes before actually getting to church showed a much uglier side than the time we spent together in class listening to a missionary share.

Granted, my kids lean towards the shy spectrum. So they’re typically more kind to one another in public. And they don’t talk back as much or as loudly when we’re in public. So it’s easier to respond more gracefully.

But part of it is that I know people are watching. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it reiterates something God has been loudly teaching me recently.

We need accountability

In life. In motherhood. In wifery. (I’m pretty sure that’s not a word.) We all need accountability. We’re not meant to live this life alone.

The enemy loves to isolate us. He loves to whisper the lie that no one else struggles like we struggle. Or that no one would ever understand. But that’s just not true. We’re all basically the same. We all wrestle with our selfish flesh. And we need one another.

So let’s get with people. Invite someone over or confess to a friend. We’re all needy for grace. We’re all needy for accountability. We’re all needy for community.

Fill me, Lord…

How have you seen accountability prove to be vital in your own life?

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“To Walk or Stay” Book Club :: Chapter 3 Discussion

Lara — Thu, 02 May 2013 10:30:34 +0000

We read chapter 3 this week, the thought life chapter. And if there was anything vital to my experience of victory, especially in the valleys, it was (and continues to be) the transformation I experienced in my thought life. Vital.

Everything we do and say flows from our heart meditations. It flows from our minds. And I’m telling you, my mind can go from something as benign as chicken to thinking that my husband doesn’t love his family in less than 10 seconds flat. Yes, chicken. I made this short video to show you what I mean.

If you are having trouble viewing,
click here to watch “To Walk or Stay Chapter 3″

Though I kept this video lighthearted, the message of engaging the battle for our thought lives rings loud and strong in my spirit. If we want to experience all God has for us, we have to seek Him for transformation of our minds. We have to replace our thoughts with true things.

Now I want to hear from you! Katie Orr is hosting our discussion today over at the HelloMornings blog. Click here to come on over and discuss this week’s chapter and/or to read what others have to say. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

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worship. this day. regardless.

Lara — Wed, 01 May 2013 10:30:02 +0000

I don’t mean to be a downer, but I told my sister the other day, “If it wasn’t this struggle, it’d be something else.” And I don’t tell you that to depress you — though the thought can be depressing. I say it to encourage us to live today, where we are, this side of Jesus’ return, worshipping our God regardless of circumstance.

I know that some of you are in the midst of wildly difficult situations. But what if there’s more than just living today longing and hoping for a better tomorrow. Not that hoping for a better tomorrow is wrong. It’s not. It’s good and even right. It’s what keeps us breathing at times.

But our God wants to meet us in our today. He wants to minister life to the depths of our being today, often through the tears that sting and the questions that swirl around in our mind. And that kind of life births on the other side of worship.

That’s what’s so unbelievable about God. We can be a crumbled mess on the laundry room floor, but if we press into Him with worship and prayer, reciting His character and promises, glimmers of life can well up from the inside out. It’s radical.

I know that may sound ridiculous if you’re in the midst of a painful, raw struggle. I know. But that’s the greatness of God. That’s the beauty of grace and the power of His Spirit within us. That’s the painful good.

This day, wherever it has us, let’s choose to worship. Because He’s still worthy and good and faithful and reigning.

Fill me, Lord…

Tell me a time when you chose worship when it was the very last thing you felt like doing. How did it change you?

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