2 Corinthians 9:11

You will be made rich in every way

so that you can be generous on every occasion,

and through us your generosity will result in

thanksgiving to God.

1 John 3:18

Dear children,

let us not love with words or tongue,

but with actions and in truth.

✝♥

no one deserves my heart but Jesus.

He satisfies.

He sustains me.

my Redeemer.

the Bridegroom.

so wretched am I, yet He still comes. He still calls. He still answers. He still forgives.

I will remember the deeds of the LORD;

yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

I will ponder all your work,

and meditate on your mighty deeds.

Your way, O God, is holy.

What god is great like our God?

You are the God who works wonders;

you have made known your might among the peoples.

Psalm 77:11-14

When I remember God, I moan;

when I meditate, my spirit faints.

Psalm 77:3

✝♥

forgiven!

I saw a blank sheet of paper.

I imagine myself barefoot. I feel weak, but weak in a good way... as if I want to lay down before the LORD, curl up in HIs arms... as if I am nothing; nothing exists of my old self, the self of the flesh. My soul weighs nothing... I feel light and airy, like a thin line, like a thread. Like music. Like there's nothing behind these eyes that see. Like swaying back and forth. Like fabric blowing in the wind. Like blades of grass or a long, flowing dress.

Like barefoot and small.

Like the breath of God is sustaining me above the earth. And I slowly turn and sway while lifted in the air. My fingers waggle gently. I'm lifted up on a single note. I'm plain, not extraordinary, but naturally beautiful and free. As if all my actions and being is swayed by music -- by the breeze -- which are the same thing. = the very breath of God.


Am I beginning to understand what mercy should feel like?

Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.

Isaiah 1:18

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:13-14


✝♥

In Jesus: dance, be merry, have joy, be glad, abound, be satisfied

‎Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,
and the young men and the old shall be merry.
I will turn their mourning into joy;
I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.
I will feast the souls of the priests with abundance,
and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness,
declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 31: 13-14

come back, my love, my love, come back

"I'm just a silly girl who wants her feet swept off the ground."

It's true.

But... Contrary to popular belief, that's not what this life is about. It's not about getting married, having kids, and making something of yourself. Hate to break it to you, world. Well, actually, I don't.

Because this life is about being desired by the Lover of my soul, falling in love, and partnering together to complete a purpose.
And this Lover of my soul and Lover of yours? His name is Jesus Christ. The bridegroom.

I have always wanted to be a part of a love story. The kind that brings tears to your eyes, that makes you feel all warm, and causes your heart to want to jump right out of your chest. But the thing is... I am already part of a story like this. and so are you.

We need to wake up and smell the coffee in this. at least, I know I do.

Let's be honest.. I want to be wanted. so badly. to my bones. And I'm so tempted to want to realize this desire with a man, when Jesus Christ is standing right before me, wanting me, wanting my future, wanting my heart. Maybe I should give it to him sometime:

There once was a man who loved a woman. He adorned her with lovely jewels and adored every inch of her. He gave everything to her. She was beautiful to Him. But she betrayed Him and gave herself over to other men. She was ruined and filthy, exposing herself and letting go of everything they had had together. The Man could have let the woman suffer and die, but instead He called her back. She always turned back to her old ways, and He always called her back. He couldn't bear to see her die, so, having already given her everything, He gave HIs own life in order to save her from peril. For now they were together in spirit, but in a short time, they would be together in full - for all eternity.

This is our story, friends. Give your heart to the one who gave you His all.

all praises to the one who made it all
and finds it beautiful
- Gungor

~Lauren

Gate A8.

So, we've officially begun the mission trip to LA. We drove to the Indianapolis airport, and are now sitting at gate A8 awaiting our 12:05 flight. Today we will arrive in Phoenix, ready to live first and foremost as servants for the next ten days. After a day of prayer spent at the Grand Canyon, we will head to LA to work in the inner city tomorrow. I am so excited for this opportunity to serve the Lord alongside my Axiom friends, and I would appreciate all of your prayers! I pray that the Lord will "break our hearts for what breaks His" on this trip, and that we may truly be filled by His Spirit in all that we do.

Thanks, friends.
Love,
Lauren

New Self

How would you spend your time if you found you only had two weeks left?

Yesterday, I found myself asking this question during some God-time..
At first, I thought, oh man, I'd live it up. Vacations, Disney World, lots of fun..

But, then I realized that that isn't what matters. I would not spend my time that way.

I decided that I would meet with my family. Go outside, find beautiful places, and pray with them. I would volunteer my time at organizations, I would meet with my friends, I might go to Africa and help people who need my help. I would get rid of all my money. I would read my Bible, and pray for openness. I would dance. I would have a party for everyone.. Anyone, and everyone would be invited, and I would sing at my party. I love to perform. I would do that for everyone I love. I would tell everyone I meet about Christ, and how He gave everything for each and every one of us. I would spread the message of hope. I would help people and give myself up to them. I would play with my nieces and nephews. I would help my mom cook the meals. I would give everything away, and stop hoarding items that I do not need.

I would try.

What would I not do?
Probably be on facebook, read books that don't matter, watch movies that are rotten, go shopping (for myself, at least), spend idle time, sit alone day dreaming and wasting time, procrastinate

Each moment should be precious, folks. Every moment is a new chance to be Christ-like, to share Christ, to love on those around us. God is love, and love is God. If these are the things that I would (or wouldn't) do when I know my time is limited, why am I (or am I not) doing them now? Time for a new self.

Ephesians 4:
22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Think about it.
Who are you?
Who do you want to be?
Praise God that we still have time to ask ourselves these questions!

Love,
Lauren