Monday, December 16, 2013

The Problem with Testimonies

Whilst brunching with one of my favorite people this morning, an interesting discussion came up. We were talking about personal testimonies and lamenting that while some are genuinely quite moving, they often seem cookie cutter. Most read something like this: my life was messed up; something happened that was paradigm-shifting; now Jesus has made my life wonderful. This is all well and good, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with this kind of testimony, (my own testimony is quite similar,) but often times something seems lacking. If life is always peachy keen after you find Christ, why is everyone not running to Him? The fact is, just because you find Christ, life does not become a walk in the park. Life is messy and sometimes it sucks. But for some reason, that rarely makes it into someone’s personal testimony. How often do you hear someone get up and say, “Before Christ, my life was terrible. When I found Him life became better, but I still have periods in my life that are pretty difficult, and I don’t know why things happen.” This is just not something I have heard in a testimony before, but it is definitely something I have experienced.

Now, please don’t get me wrong. I am in love with my wonderful Savior, and all that He has done for me. He has changed my life for the better, and I am ecstatic to live in eternity with Him. But, at the same time, I see a disconnect from what we as Christ-followers show others, and what we experience. Christians are not perfect. We do not have it all together. Often times, we do not act as we should. But we are forgiven and saved, we know where our future lies, and we know others who desperately need what we have.

Christianity is worth sharing; because it is, don’t you think it is worth being open and transparent about? This is something my generation craves: an answer to life that is not sugar-coated. An answer that is real and stripped of pretenses. So, the next time you have the opportunity to give your testimony, think about what you say. Be the one who is open enough to share the truth. Not only about what God has done, but also about what he continues to do.

Blessings,
Lauren



Thursday, November 14, 2013

Slipping into solitude,
Craved rest stolen in
Night walks and open thoughts

As darkness encompasses me
I breathe.
My heart melts in the frigid air
Chills racing down my spine

Hopes, Dreams, Visions,
Form
Simple ideas,
White on Black like
Stars twinkling in the sky

And as I stand in His presence,
He reminds me to remain
In him

And I find strength in his promises

Once more 

Friday, September 13, 2013

Process Writing

Have you ever noticed that in the Bible, the Israelites basically repeat their own history over and over? It’s kind of funny. God says, “Trust me. I want you to follow my plan; I have a new land for you. So they listen, and he leads the Israelites out of slavery and into the wilderness. Then they stress out and doubt that God can provide food. But God provides for them anyway. And then they stress out about the giants in the Promised Land, and God is all like, “I’m big enough,” and he provides for them and they are able to conquer. Then they don’t trust that God is enough, so they ask for a king. So God provides a king. And there are wars, and they don’t know how they are going to face them, but God still provides.  The Israelites stressed out a lot. They didn’t know what to do. They doubted God. And God still provided. This happened over and over and over again. I think it’s kind of funny how they just didn’t seem to get the lesson. I mean, were they really that stupid? Seriously guys, trust God and you’ll be golden.

But I have a problem.  My story reads something along the lines of the following. I believe that God called me to go into ASL. So my senior year in high school, I decided that I wanted to go to a certain school, but that didn’t work out. So I stressed out about what I was going to do, and God provided me with an answer, take a gap year. So I said okay, and then stressed out about getting a job. And God provided me with two wonderful jobs. So now, a year later, I’m at Ozark and I just finished my fourth week of classes. But classes are hard, and I really want to make good grades on all my tests. So I stress out a lot. Nothing seems to work the way I think it should. So I will work until I am stressed to the max, and then cry out to God because I know I can’t do it on my own. So far, I have had three quizzes, two papers, two tests, three (small) projects and twelve memory verses due. I am only one fourth of the way through my first semester of my first year! I cannot even imagine what my life would be like if I continued down the stressful path of trusting in myself.

I have been praying about this area of my life a lot. I want to be the kind of person that trusts so much in God that although there are times when I don’t know how I am going to manage, I will still trust that God will provide, and that will be enough for me. So as I continue each day, I will pray that God will build up my trust in him. And as I continue through the school year, I will ask those around me to pray also. I think that Paul said something along the lines of “I covet your prayers.” I appreciate that. Pray for me that I will be transparent, and honest about what I struggle with. Pray that I trust in God every day, and in every situation.

Thanks. (:
~Lauren 

Sunday, September 1, 2013

when you can't sleep, write poetry

Roaring Rush of Water
Slippery, Unbalanced.
Life stripped of masks,
This Is me.
Imperfect, Free
Beautiful sights
Conversation striped with
Fear. Anticipation. Excitement.

Adrenaline Rush
Air
Water
One kick to the surface
Freedom.



Sunday, March 3, 2013

I'm not Superwoman.

There is a certain phrase that has gone through my head a lot in the last couple of weeks. The phrase is “I’m not Superwoman.” It’s come to mind mostly on days that just haven’t gone quite as smoothly as they could have. Now, I don’t say that to excuse my many mistakes, or because I don’t believe “superhero” teachers exist. I know for a fact that there are some incredible teachers who seem to be prepared for anything, and can handle pretty much any situation. I say that I am not Superwoman because I know that I am not the most incredible teacher out there. I acknowledge that I make mistakes, and that I’m learning, and that I have a lot to learn. I say I’m not Superwoman because I am okay with being a 100% totally average mistake-making person. I am learning and growing through my experiences and I love that! I don’t say I’m not Superwoman because I feel like a failure, I say it because perfection isn’t my goal. Growth is my goal.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

2.23.13

We live in a world of artificial light
ignoring the sun, though it still shines bright.
We say we are invincible,
we are self-made men,
but when the lights grow dim,
what will we do then?

Will we quit worshiping Stars,
and admit our need for the Son,
Or continue on till our bodies are done?

Will we parade around,
blind leading blind
till our bodies become nothing but dust and grime?

Or will we see there is more to life;
there is freedom to be had
if we simply strive.

This is the cry of a people
who live for the time when the future becomes present
and the past goes away.

Our cry is simple,
we ask but one thing:

Live a life worth living,
live every second well,
waste no time
and then there will be stories to tell.

the future starts tomorrow,
but you,
start living today.