To Overflowing

next week’s plan

Lara — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 10:30:35 +0000

I’m tired. Who isn’t. I think it’s a mixture of VBS-week plus staying up too late at night because I crave quiet plus being a mom to three kids plus adjusting to a new schedule plus…life. Yawn. So next week comes at a perfect time.

I’m taking next week off from blogging and most social media to spend some quality time with the family. Hopefully we’ll get some rest and a little sun, all while make fun memories with cousins. Ahhh. ANNNNDDD I have a very exciting writing project that God is bringing to life, so I’m looking forward to some space to give to that.

I will be here next Thursday to finish up the book club, complete with a chapter 10 video blog while “on location.” So if you want to be reminded of that post this may be a good time to subscribe to my blog (if you haven’t already). You can click here to get my posts sent to your email. And yes, it’s totally free.

Until then, I pray that God’s promises invade your daily happenings so that your spirit is greatly empowered and encouraged regardless of the circumstance. He really is good and love and for you and actively working.

We’ll talk soon!

Fill me, Lord…

What are your summer plans?
What promises of God are you clinging to these days?

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prayer that changes things :: “To Walk or Stay” Book Club

Lara — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:30:21 +0000

God answers more of my prayers these days with a “yes.” But not because I’ve achieved some holy status or anything. Believe me. He more often answers with a “yes” because my prayers have changed.

I used to pray things like “CHANGE HIM (or her), Lord! Please! Or I may lose my mind!” But the more I spent time with God gleaning from His Word, the more He changed my heart and my desires. And the more He changed my desires to line up with His desires, the more my prayers transformed.

Instead of praying out of fear or selfishness, I started praying more in line with His will. I started to say things like, “God glorify Yourself through me. If this situation or person never changes, change me and use me to reflect Your love.” Or, “Be glorified in this relationship, in Your time and Your way. I trust You, Lord, with the details of working that out.” And you know what? He always answers those kinds of prayers with a “yes.”

God does promise to give His followers what they ask for. But typically those promises have conditions attached. “Delight yourself in The Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4) The condition? Delight in Him. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7) The condition? Abide.

When we seek Him first and foremost — delighting in Him and abiding in His Word — our desires transform. And when our desires transform, our prayers transform. And when we pray according to His will, His response is always “yes!” In His time and in His way, “yes.”

Today the book club is talking about chapter 9 of To Walk or Stay, the chapter on prayer. Click here to head over to Erika Dawson’s blog to read and/or join in on the discussion.

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He already knows tomorrow

Lara — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 10:30:32 +0000

We can’t see tomorrow. We can’t touch it or fix it or stop it. Yet we as humans are prone to ruining our today worrying about it. I know because I’m human. But worrying about something we can’t control is a waste of mental effort.

That’s why Jesus said “sufficient for the day is it’s own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34) Therefore replace worry with worship.

Only One sees tomorrow. Only One moves how He wills today in light of His tomorrow agenda. The place of soul-rest comes when we believe Him to be forever faithful.

It’s easier said than done. There are real questions and serious concerns that we face in this life — uncertainties about our earthly tomorrow. But if we define life through the lens of His character and His promises, laying every anxious thought at His feet, peace miraculously arises. Strength for the journey ahead empowers us to take that next step.

We can’t see tomorrow, but He can. And He’s working things out today in light of His plans for tomorrow — for our good and His glory. We get to choose whether we believe Him to be faithful. We get to choose to take Him at His Word, one worry at a time.

Fill me, Lord…

How do you handle the daily worries that inevitably arise?

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most lessons are learned when we’re out on the field

Lara — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 10:30:38 +0000

I mess up everyday. Like ev.er.y.day. But I can tell that God’s working on me because after my daily mess-ups, I’m praying a different prayer. Instead of begging God to never put me in that situation again so I don’t make that mistake again, I find myself asking for another opportunity to “do the right thing” in a similar scenario.

I even get a little excited about walking again through that same experience just to get the chance to faithfully submit to God’s lead. Like I’m gearing up for the big game with my coach and I growl and contort my face. I know I’m strange.

(My boy growling.)

For example, let’s say that I do something or say something that doesn’t show respect to my husband. Ahem. Hypothetically. But I know that God calls me to respect my husband “as unto The Lord.” So after I disrespect him, hypothetically, God convicts me and I confess. Then I ask God for another chance to show respect to my husband when it’s hard — when I don’t really agree with his decision.

I don’t like those kinds of prayers — asking for more of the same. I don’t want to walk through the same challenges again. But I want to reflect Jesus more and more. I want to depend upon Him to overcome my weaknesses. I want to be a woman who responds rather than reacts. I want to remain pliable in His hands.

The way I figure, God’s always transforming us. He’s always using the dailiness of life to conform us into the image of His Son — the image of love. So I want to learn whatever lesson He has for me to learn, submitting to His lead when it goes against what I feel.

The more we choose to submit to Him in the hard stuff — like loving our enemies, blessing those who curse us, forgiving for the 449th time — the more we reflect our Lord. And more often than not, those lessons are learned out on the field. So, let me hear you growl.

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how to ditch a bad mood

Lara — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 10:30:42 +0000

I overslept the other morning, which put me behind in my all-so-important schedule. Sarcasm. And I let it irritate me. Which led to me having a bad attitude with my kids when they acted like…kids. And my coffee didn’t kick in quick enough. So by 9 a.m. I decided that the day was shot. By 9.

Then I had a moment of clarity and decided that just because I started the day with a bad attitude didn’t mean I had to live the day or end the day with a bad attitude. I could choose to shift my perspective.

God is so patient with me.

For me, a perspective change begins with a short (sometimes ugly) cry to God. One in which I confess my immaturity and my whininess. I tell Him how thankful I am for the multitude of blessings in my life. Multitude! Then God’s Word comes to mind and I say true things out loud.

Out. Loud!

If I need extra help out of the funk, I text a friend or call my sister, give them the short version of my momentary emotional struggle, and ask them to pray with me. Then they say something awesome that lifts my spirit. Because we’re not meant to do this faith race alone.

And most times, after pressing into Him through prayer, and making my spirit remember truth, my attitude changes. It doesn’t happen immediately. And pixie dust doesn’t fall from heaven or anything. But miraculously, things change.

I can’t explain it really, except that I’m very weak and He’s so amazingly strong and able to transform us from the inside out when we humble ourselves at His feet. And He keeps doing it again and again and again. Always new mercies.

So my day changed. Well. My day didn’t change. I changed. He changed me. And it turned out, the day wasn’t shot after all.

Fill me, Lord…

What do you do to ditch the bad attitude?

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“To Walk or Stay” Book Club :: Chapter 8 {Waiting in Belief}

Lara — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 10:34:32 +0000

The flesh will fight it because we want physical proof and instant gratification. But if we’re going to follow Jesus, then there’s a little word we can’t escape: faith.

In spite of what we may see, in spite of what we may feel, in spite of what we may want, our soul finds rest when we walk by faith. And our faith can grow most fierce when we can barely see what’s coming next.

It’s book club day and this week we’re talking about chapter 8 of To Walk or Stay. It’s the chapter on “Waiting in Belief.” Because inevitably there’s going to be a space of time between God’s spoken promise and it’s fulfillment. The question is what we do while we wait.

The sweet Joyce Moy is hosting our discussion over at her blog. Click here to read what others are saying or to join the conversation.

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for when we don’t like God’s plan

Lara — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 10:00:03 +0000

Our pastor is preaching from the book “Habakkuk.” Say that five times fast “Habakkuk Habakkuk…” Anyway, I had one of those moments yesterday during his sermon when God reminded me not-so-subtly that “He’s got this.”

He’s got this.

I think I need daily reminding because it’s just too easy to get tangled up in short-sighted emotion. It’s too easy to wonder what the heck God’s doing. It’s too easy to doubt.

So I need it daily. I have to remember that even when it may feel like something is “all wrong,” there’s this God who loves me immeasurably. Not only that, He sees the beginning from the end and He has this way of working every single thing out for our good and His glory. Everything.

Nothing trumps His promises. Nothing thwarts His plan. Nothing catches Him looking the other way.

I may say with Habakkuk, “I don’t like this plan!” But He isn’t threatened. He’s patient. And He can take my little outbursts. But then after I get it all out, He calls me (and you) to faith.

Yes, emotions will come. We’ll raise objections to His plans at times. But the hope is that we move from fear to faith. From pride to faith. From hopelessness to faith.

God gave me a not-so-subtle reminder yesterday. “Lara, trust Me.”

Fill me, Lord…

What do you do when you don’t like God’s plan?

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“To Walk or Stay” Book Club :: Chapter 7 {forgiveness}

Lara — Thu, 30 May 2013 10:30:49 +0000

I couldn’t believe what happened to me at Walmart yesterday! Watch the video below for the story.

If you’re reading via email, click here to watch the video.

OK, I know the example was a little superficial. And no, I honestly didn’t see the person who did it (I was really engrossed in price comparison and decision making). And yes, I really was only about 10, maybe 15, steps down the aisle away from my cart. The nerve. And thankfully my purse was on my shoulder. Note to self: don’t leave valuables unattended.

But regardless, bitterness from unforgiveness steals life from us. That’s one reason God instructs us to forgive. He loves us and wants us free. Plus, when we truly recognize how much grace we’re under, forgiveness is the only logical choice.

This day can be a step in the direction of true healing — even from the most devastating of wounds. Let’s dare to take our thoughts captive to forgiveness, releasing judgment to God.

The To Walk or Stay book club is discussing chapter 7 of my book today over at (the gracious and admired!) Francie Winslow’s blog “Up, In, and Out.” Click here to come over and read or join in on the discussion.

Fill me, Lord…

How have you seen bitterness and unforgiveness steal from you?
How have you seen forgiveness bring soul freedom?

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never ever say “never”

Lara — Wed, 29 May 2013 10:30:42 +0000

God is showing me something about that little word “never.” Almost every time I’ve breathed out “I will never…,” one of two things lies beneath the surface. You ready?

Fear or pride. Or both.

Ugh. It’s not pretty, people. But just think of all those times those words have come out of your mouth. And then be honest. Peel back the layers and identify the root.

Maybe it was as superficial as “I will never drive a mini-van.” Ahem. Pride. Or “I will never go to Africa as a missionary.” Umm. Fear. And maybe pride.

But we all know what God does about fear or pride when it takes up residence in the heart of His child. He uncovers it. He exposes it. Because fear and pride steal from us.

I think I need to say that again.

Fear and pride steal from us.

He isn’t trying to be mean when He calls us to go somewhere we said we’d never go. Or when He allows us to fall into some sin pit we swore we’d never stumble into. He just loves us. And He has freedom for us. And if fear and pride somehow define a crevice of our heart, then He will graciously break that wide open.

So fill in the blank, “I will never…” And then dig down to the root. He hasn’t given us a spirit of fear. And pride comes before a fall.

If fear is driving that “I would never” then let’s simply say, “As You will, Lord. Have Your way. I trust You to be forever faithful and to always cover me in Your love. Your ways are higher and Your plans for me are good.” Fear of man or circumstance has no rightful place in the child of God.

If pride lies behind that “I would never” then let’s say, “Lord, forgive me for acting as if I know what tomorrow holds. Forgive me for believing that I’m too good to fall or too smart to trip. Have Your way Lord. You alone are God and I’m constantly needy for Your great and awesome grace.” He lifts those who bow low.

Life may tempt us to breathe out “I will never” statements, but take this as a warning from someone whose “I will nevers” have almost all come true. Fear and/or pride lie at the root. And He will faithfully, lovingly expose.

Fill me, Lord…

What are some of your present or past “I will never” statements?
Can you see fear or pride at the root?

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handling life-change with grace

Lara — Tue, 28 May 2013 10:30:41 +0000

As much as I hate to admit it to my inner, faux-free-bird side, I like a schedule. I like for life to play by the rules and for things to go as planned. So when change happens, it takes me a little while to adjust. Like now.

My kids are out of school for the summer. Er. Well. I guess out of school…indefinitely since we’ve embarked on the very scary homeschool journey. And with this uninvited life change, I have had to emotionally adjust.

A lot.

But when my emotions take me down that path of “longing for the old,” which in turn too-quickly brings on a pity party, I do the only thing I know to do. The only thing that has proven to turn my heart around. I preach truth to myself.*

God, You are good!

Your plans are good!

And since You have led us here,
I know it is for the good of our family and for Your glory.

So please give me Your vision.
I want to see from Your perspective.

And give me wisdom to know what steps to take next.

Change will come in this life. It’s the one constant. Sometimes the change is devastatingly unwanted. Other times it’s just inconvenient. But either way, our emotions will rise up and take a stand.

But often our emotions don’t see things from God’s perspective. That’s when we can start preaching truth. Because He is good. He is love. And nothing catches Him off-guard. Nothing can touch the life of His child apart from His sovereign allowance.

Preach it, friend.

Fill me, Lord…

Are you facing some life change? What truths do you preach to yourself when change happens?

*Truths taken from various verses including 3 John 1:11, Ephesians 2:10, Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 19:21, James 1:5.

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To Overflowing

next week’s plan

prayer that changes things :: “To Walk or Stay” Book Club

He already knows tomorrow

most lessons are learned when we’re out on the field

how to ditch a bad mood

“To Walk or Stay” Book Club :: Chapter 8 {Waiting in Belief}

for when we don’t like God’s plan

“To Walk or Stay” Book Club :: Chapter 7 {forgiveness}

never ever say “never”

handling life-change with grace

God, You are good!

Your plans are good!

And since You have led us here, I know it is for the good of our family and for Your glory.

So please give me Your vision. I want to see from Your perspective.

And give me wisdom to know what steps to take next.

And since You have led us here,
I know it is for the good of our family and for Your glory.

So please give me Your vision.
I want to see from Your perspective.