Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Things that Stick

If you have ever had a conversation with me, I'm sure you've noticed I'm not a great communicator. It's just true. I have a hard time organizing thoughts and I talk fast and mumble sometimes. I usually have plenty to say and I don't think much before things start spilling out all over the place.

So plenty of the time I feel misunderstood and honestly plenty of the time I couldn't repeat to you word for word what I just said. Not because I didn't mean it, but because I probably said it as I thought it and retain almost nothing.

I have to say, my mom and I tease sometimes about some things that she said to me in my teenage years that she said lightly or in passing but I will never forget them. Like that I,"don't have a creative bone in my body" or "if you always say no when people ask you to do things, they will stop asking you to do things." or " your make up on your face doesn't match your neck! Take a mirror outside in the sun light!"
I guess life is just like that. Some things just stick.

Last week I had a moment like that. My son and I took my mom to lunch for her birthday and I had to get up to take him to the bathroom. As I was leaving the table, my mom said something like,"when you get back make sure you finish telling me about.. Or I want to hear more about..." Whatever it was that I was talking about.

I'm so thankful that those words stuck! or that the thought stuck i guess. I just keep thinking about it. It felt really nice to be heard. It meant a lot more than I'm sure she would have thought it did, that she cared about what I had to say. That, what was going on in my life was important and worth listening to, no matter how poorly it was being communicated. I guess I'm just like everyone else. I want to be heard acknowledged and understood. At that moment it was just really nice to hear that from my momma.

I want her to know that what she says matters to me, and I am thankful that what I have to say matters to her as well <3

Love you momma <3

Peace, LSL

Monday, July 1, 2013

Big C

I was on my way to hang out with my dear friends who live in Novi this morning so I had some time in the car. One of my favorite Third Day CD's was in so I kept it on. I don't remember which song was on first, but it made me think of our time at Metro South Church. I don't mean to put down any other church band. I would not attend a church just because of it's band, BUT if I did, I'd choose Metro. E.J. and I were just saying we would really like to find a day to get to Metro soon, because we just love to worship there. I love how I can look around the room and know the hearts of the souls singing around the room. God is doing some amazing things there. Pastor Jeremy Schossau and the Dorbands and the others on staff really have a heart to reach the community and young people! Their enthusiasism is INSANE and inspiring!!!

As I was thinking about the Big C, God's church, I was remineded of all the beautiful things that are going on in all of the little C's we have had the pleasure of being a part of.

Bethedsa Baptist Church, in Allen Park will always feel like home because we got married there and it is the church I was mostly raised in. The people I grew up with there will always feel like family.

I am so excited about St. John's Lutheran Church in Waltz. It is the sweetest little church. It feels so naturally simplified. It's not modern, they don't have a big loud band. It has stained glass windows and is so soaked with tradition it brings me to tears almost every time I enter. It just ooses love and respect for Christ. Also, the way they pour into the lives of the children at the school is just amazing.

Last summer we had the priviledge of going to El Salvador, with Living Water International. This morning I was thinking about the team at Agua Viva. Every morning they have devotions and  sing praises to heaven in English and Spanish. It is the most beautiful sound when you can hear both at the same time! Then they go and work their pattoties off in the name of Jesus and proclaim his name EVERY DAY!

Even thinking of our dear'Journey, friends. That chruch plant wasn't around all to long but the people involved will always have a place in our hearts and I know it had it's purpose in our lives for the Kingdom. Some of the people that were there have followed their call into the city of Detroit. I know God is doing some amazing things through them as well.

Currently we are attending Harvest Bible Chapel, in Westland. We are privilidged to hear the word of God faithfully and unashamedly preached, by an EXCELLENT communicator and man of God, Pastor Dan McGhee. It has been awesome to see our small group be challenged and serving each other and in the church and community. There is a couple in our group who is from Pennsylvania and it is so cool that it really seems like God has brought them here for the primary purpose to use them in a huge outreach called Hope For Western Wayne County. This year, faithfully they are heading it up again and could use your help if you are available. :) Another couple in our small group,and their son, are headed to Africa this summer on their very first mission trip!! so exciting!!!

I just wanted to share what a blessing and a privilege it is to be apart of such an awesome BIG C, and all the little C's too.

Love love love.... LSL <3 peace

Bull Horn Guy

Bull Horn Guy

Is that even what they call it? A bull horn? Any ways, I think you know who I am referring to. The last guy I saw, heard, yelling at people about the end of days was actually in Detroit, on our walk to Comerica Park to see a Tigers game.

I really am to a point where I don't give them much thought anymore. But I some how got going on a weird train of thought the other day and I guess I almost feel like I cannot blog about anything else until I get this thought out of my head.

The weird thing for me is how the bull horn guy came to mind and this turned into an Independence Day post. Honestly, I plan nothing, ok, except vacations, I never plan on what to write about.

Anyways, I have participated in a few conversations lately about places like China and India where Christians are not safe to talk openly to others about their faith.
I have prayed for pastors over seas as I am sure many of you have who have been taken prisoner or even put to death for their faith. I guess because of my distance from these men I never really truly hurt for them.
 A very scary situation occurred recently with some Christians that I know through a chain of church family, and I prayed for them harder than I have probably every prayed for anything or any one. All of sudden the reality of our freedom in the United States hit me like a ton of bricks.

 There are so many freedoms and luxuries I take for granted in this country. Freedom of speech and freedom of religion are certainly up there on the list.

This somehow brought me to the bull horn guy. Do I like being yelled at? No. Do I like him yelling at non believers about hell and their need for Christ? No, and I don't thinks it's the most gracious or effective way to reach people and show them the love of Christ. However, I can appreciate greatly that he has the freedom to do so. Maybe he could even get in trouble for how loud he is, and that would be ok with me. But it got me to thinking. What am I doing with my freedom? I am certainly not yelling about Christ, I'm not even speaking about him to non believers most days.

So to the bull horn guy, I say kudos to you. Please yell away, shout it out, I bet he never regrets a word he says, or better yet, he won't go to sleep or die regretting what he didn't say.

On this Independence Day I will be sure to count my blessings and freedoms and praise the Lord that I live in a country where I can be safe and witness openly as a Christian. Please join me in prayer on our Independence Day for all of the believers in other countries where they are not free to live and witness openly as Christians, and I encourage you to exercise your freedom here in the US, while we still are free.

Mathew 5:16
Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Romans1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Happy Independence Day friends!!
God Speed! peace <3
LSL