I’m diving right in with some thoughts on racial injustice and the complex mess we as the (un)United States face. Because that seems like a fun, light-hearted thing to do. Or not.

I was sitting in Starbucks when it hit me. I’ve been wrestling with shame and guilt over the fact that I’m a white girl. It’s like I want to apologize to everyone of a different color who crosses my path for being born this way.

But…that’s not a helpful train of thought. Or from Jesus. So I’m stopping that. Because we can’t choose the color we’re born, but we can choose what we do while we’re in the skin we’re in.

The morning before the Dallas shootings I had posted the essay by Propaganda from Relevant Magazine onto Facebook — not knowing that his words would shed even more perspective when I woke up the next morning to news of more death. In the essay, Propaganda talks about “white privilege” — a phrase I’ve always despised so instead I’ve mostly ignored. But as I’ve tried to prayerfully peel back the layers and implications of the phrase, I’m seeing what seems to be unreachable depths with the issue of racial equality in this nation. Which can be paralyzing.

I’m an idealist at heart. I’ve always been the type who sees the silver lining and wishes we could all just get along. I like the idea of everyone holding hands and singing friendship songs with the smell of sweetness in the air. But in reality, there are American systems and mindsets in place that discourage, and straight up constrain, that from happening. And when we place those systems, for hundreds of years, on human hearts, we’re left with a painful mess.

So it brings me back to square one — that hopeless square that tempts me to throw my hands up and say, “The division and confusion is too big and too craptacular, so I’m just not going to do anything.” Silence.

But the heart of God is for His kingdom to come to earth. (Matthew 6:9-15) Jesus ushered in the “kingdom of heaven” when He stepped on this planet. His Spirit comes to live inside those who believe and follow, placing His kingdom into the heart of man. And in Christ, we’re commanded and empowered to call forth His kingdom into our broken world, one life at a time.

Yes, our world is jacked up. People bathe in deep seeded hatred. And it seems that lasting change sits far out of reach on some tall mountain mocking us for our efforts. But the God I know can crush mountains that hinder His love. The God I know can bring dead people to life and give sight to the blind.

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
(Revelation 7:9, Come, Lord Jesus.)

But what are we to do? How can individuals change a system that seems to so deeply define the fabric of a nation? I don’t know. If I did you could write me in for president. But I do know there are some basic truths that could steer us towards a solution.

Truth #1: Whatever our skin color, God has us where we are with purpose. And that’s where we can begin to make a difference.

Whether we’re running a corporation, stepping into political office, making overpriced coffee drinks, or playing with our kids at a park, all of us have opportunities to encourage racial justice where we live. All of us have some influence somewhere. Now we get to choose what we do with it. We can bury our head in the sand and pretend injustice isn’t happening outside our front doors. Or in the love of Christ, we can open our eyes and seek to understand the state of our culture so that we can then be conduits of God’s kingdom on planet earth, right where we stand.

Which leads to truth #2.

Truth #2: Words are power. Start a conversation.

Once we’re willing to admit that there are still significant racial problems in our country (hello!) then we can start conversations. We can reach “across the line” and ask honest questions in efforts to understand. Understand hearts. Understand struggles. Understand perspective. And if we’re already in relationships with people of a different color, then let’s not allow fear-based silence to take hold. Start conversations and then take those conversations before the Lord in prayer. His heart is for unity. He hears the prayers of His people. And He alone can heal and move hearts.

Truth #3: Hope still exists.

The morning of the Dallas shootings my kids and I went to the pool. I watched as kids of all colors played together, taking turns jumping off the side and catching balls. And I thought, “There’s still hope.” Yes, systems and structures are in place. And we cannot deny a history dripping with injustice. But systems can change by people who are changed by the gospel of Jesus. History can be forgiven and healed by a God who truly binds up the wounded heart. And the next generation in the hands of a mighty God, walking boldly in His Spirit, could be the key.

I’ve had a couple of friends tell me that they will have to have conversations with their kids (because they’re African-American) that I won’t have to have with mine. And that sickens me. But I’m thinking that I need to be having honest conversations with my white kids that (unfortunately for the moment) these particular friends won’t have to have with their kids. I need to teach my kids that because of their skin color, they have a unique responsibility in this nation. They have a responsibility to stand in the gap when they see injustice. They have a responsibility not to be silent but to speak out. They have a responsibility to use this “white privilege” — as much as the phrase disgusts me — as an agent of change so that maybe, just maybe, the phrase will truly be a piece of history when their kids are born.

God still sits secure on His throne. And because of Him, there’s still hope. Change may seem like a long way off. It may be a long way off. But change can begin when people, in the hands of an Almighty God, grasp the depths and height and width of the love of Christ so that His transforming love then spills out. Change can happen through me (and you) right where God has us in the skin He’s placed us with the people before us, to the glory of the God of love.

Amen.

Disclaimer: I believe that the love of Christ transforming the heart of man is ultimately the only solution to all human atrocities, including racial injustice. All are welcome here but I’m primarily addressing those who believe the same, calling us out of our possible slumber.

 
Fill me, Lord…

I almost turned off the comments on this one but, what says you?
 

The post racial injustice. now what. appeared first on Lara Howard.

“Passion isn’t taught. It’s caught.” That was the exclamation point on our pastor’s sermon last Sunday. And I can’t stop thinking about it.

I mean, I’d say that my deepest desire is to be passionate for my God. I can get pretty fired up in a worship service standing next to other believers, hands raised high, telling God to take us wherever He wants us to go. Add a smoke machine and flashing lights and watch the heck out. But put me in my everyday life with my everyday struggles and the everyday frustrations and y’all, I have to wrestle my heart. Constantly.

It’s like my passion for a clean home or obedient kids or quiet or…coffee…can trample my passion for Jesus in 2.8 seconds flat if I’m not on guard. External remedies for the thirst within can tempt my focus. And they’re convincing.

I know there’s “regular” life to live and we can’t always be on that “mountaintop” with Jesus. But I’m certain that my pastor is right about passion. People in our sphere of influence will more quickly do what we do, rather than do what we say. So if we’re going to create a “culture of passion” in our homes for the Lord, then it has to begin in us. Passion for Him isn’t manipulated or faked. It can’t be demanded or bought. It’s the natural overflow of His Spirit not only sealing us, but filling us full.

So what stops His Spirit from filling us full? Well. To put it blunt. Sin. Sin hinders His fullness in our lives. Which is why, if we want to live a passionate-for-Jesus life out of the overflow of Him in us, we have to be willing to bow low — to repent when self rises up — moment by moment.

It’s asking for eyes to see and ears to hear and tenderness to know when unlove or fear or resentment or anger or bitterness or gossip (or a million other expressions of self) rears its ugly head. The flesh trying to stomp out the Spirit’s reign in us. The second we finally see the messy sin that’s being pressed out of our hearts through our circumstance, by His absolute grace, we stop. We repent. We let the blood of Jesus cleanse us from that flesh rebellion. Then we move forward in His mercy, welcoming the fullness of His Spirit.

Then we do it all over again the next time our sin rises up.

Then the next.

By His power, we have to actively war against the sin in our souls. Or else, I promise, the sin will eat us — our joy, our peace, and our hope — alive. And passion for Jesus will become something we only look at from afar.

To me, passion for Jesus in the midst of everyday, looks like a war against my own heart. It looks like outward repentance that affects my emotions and my choices. It looks like choosing to praise and dance even when I feel despair. It looks like taking my thoughts captive to what’s true by verbally remembering what He says in His Word. It looks like a race — running hard and with endurance, eyes set on the finish line.

We’re going to fail. And thankfully the salvation, and even the passion, of others doesn’t actually rest in our hands — God alone raises the dead soul. But everyday, in Him, we get some choices. By His grace, we can choose to commune with our Father. In His strength, we can choose to fight the fight of faith. Because of Jesus, we can create a culture of passion in our homes as we press into Him, one moment then the next.

 
Fill me, Lord…

How would you describe “passion for Jesus” in the everyday of life?
 

The post how to create a culture of passion for Jesus in our homes appeared first on Lara Howard.

“Geez. He doesn’t have to be so rude,” I thought to myself. But then I remembered what a stupid rough morning it must have been for him. I mean, being a manager of a restaurant with a broken drink machine has to come with some level of stress. First-world problems. So I just prayed for him.

A couple of minutes passed and then he came to my table. “I’m sorry, it’s just that we only have tap water and it’s not cold,” he said with regret in his voice. “Don’t worry about it. Really. It’s no big deal,” I assured him. He held up his index finger as if to say “give me a second,” and then he rushed around the counter. I saw him grab a bottled water from what looked like the staff refrigerator. “Here,” he said, “I insist. It’s the least I can do.” I took it with a thank you and then he got back to work. Humbled.

(And just to protect the innocent,
this incident did not happen at a Starbucks.)

That could have turned out completely different. I could have mouthed back. I wanted to mouth back. I could have jumped over the counter and…done…something. I’m such a trouble-maker. Not really. I could have entered into his bad day and taken on his bad attitude changing the whole course of my good morning. Thankfully, I didn’t.

But I do. When it’s someone close to me — like…my kids — I can get offended. I can enter into their bad day and take on their bad attitude and change the whole course of my good morning. Why do I do that?!

It’s so much better when, by God’s absolute grace and only through His Spirit’s empowering, I leave a buffer between me and someone else’s bad day. When I look at things from a less defensive approach — praying rather than talking back, speaking blessing rather than cursing — the results are beauty rather than tornado-ish, relational destruction.

We all have bad days. But instead of taking on someone else’s bad day, we get a choice. We get to choose our response.

I can’t do it on my own. He’s gracious to indwell us. I don’t always do it well. He’s gracious to forgive us. But if I’ve spent time communing with God and meditating on true things, I’m much more apt to intercede. When I’ve allowed Him to fill me full of Himself, I’m much less needy for others to give me security.

A beautiful prayer that Paul prayed for others:

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:14-19

It’s going to happen because it’s Thursday, and we live on this planet. Someone around us will struggle against their heart or their circumstance in search of true joy. But we get to choose our response. We can choose to help them rather than drag them further down. We can choose to stand in the gap, praying to the only One who’s able to heal-hearts and change perspectives.

It’s our choice, today.

 
Fill me, Lord…

What helpful things do you do when face-to-face with someone else’s bad day?
 

The post for when we’re face-to-face with someone’s bad day appeared first on Lara Howard.

I overslept because I got home really late Saturday night/Sunday morning from a conference. My husband left early for work and my kids never woke me because TV puts them in a time warp. So when I finally arose from my slumber we rushed around like crazy people to get to church semi-on-time. I think one of my kids may have eaten gummie snacks for breakfast.

After I dropped them off at their classes — finally noticing that none of them had actually brushed their hair and hoping desperately that they had brushed their teeth — I hurried to my own classroom where a dear sister-friend was already sharing about her recent trip to Africa. I settled into a seat and slowed my breathing from the sprint up the stairs.

And in seconds I sunk deep into her stories.

I could tell you everything that the team did in that desolate place or try to paint a picture of those sweet, orphan, HIV faces, but it wouldn’t do any of it justice. So I’ll just tell you what her testimony stirred in me.

I sat with tears running down my face and a conversation with God in my spirit. “Lord, I want to be used by You to do big things on this planet. I want to honor You with my life in big ways — going overseas and speaking more and writing books (faster). I just want my life to make a deep mark on this world for Your glory in this short breath of time You’ve granted me.”

Her testifying ended but my tears continued whenever I imagined the faces of those sweet kids. And my conversation lingered in me throughout the day. Until eventually, God clearly spoke. Not audibly because I might have completely freaked.

I was sitting in my favorite morning chair, telling God again how I wanted to be used by Him to do big stuff, like change the world. Because I’m a dreamer. And it was as if He placed His hand on my restless spirit and whispered with a smile, “I have you exactly where I want you, doing wildly powerful, eternal things even in this day, in these things, with these people that I place in your moments.”

And with that He graced me with perspective. Wanting to go and see exotic places or pray over foreign lands or feed hungry, sick children isn’t wrong. Lord, forgive us for static feet. I truly believe He put this passionate, take-me-wherever spirit in me, and it makes Him smile. He tells us to go, and by His grace He will lead us at different times in our lives to walk on unfamiliar ground seeing unfamiliar worlds. And being willing to go wherever He leads honors our Lord.

But most of us, most of the time, are just “here”. We’re in the midst of what seems to be mundane, unromantic living. Yet there’s something really important about “here”. You ready for this? Wherever our “here” is, it’s where God has us…with purpose.

For we are (God’s) workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10

I don’t always like that reality, because it’s hard to see the eternal impact that comes through a cup of juice given in kindness to my child or a visit to the nursing home or a word of encouragement to a friend. But love fleshed out in the dailiness of life is exactly what changes the world, one moment, one soul at a time.

“Love fleshed out in the dailiness of life is exactly what changes the world.”

Wanting to “go big or go home” has it’s place. God puts dreams and desires in us as we seek after Him. And often, those dreams are too huge for paper. But more often, our mission field isn’t as glamorous. It’s in our homes and on our street and…in Wal-mart. Lord help us.

In Christ, God has good things, big things, eternal things for us to do. And though that may mean time in Africa, it absolutely, unquestionably means today in our “here”.

 
Fill me, Lord…

How have you wrestled with accepting your “here” as your mission field?

The post “here” is where God wants to use you appeared first on Lara Howard.

 
I took my two boys to the dollar theatre the other night. A creepy dollar theatre. I should have known to beware when yellow caution tape marked a huge X on one of the outside doors.

We got there about 10 minutes early — a record for my fashionably late self. We bought our dollar tickets and $4 popcorn. Scandalous. And we walked the long, winding, dim corridor to our movie.

You have to understand. Years and years ago, when I was a teen and before I knew freedom from fear, I fed my fears by watching horror movies. One movie in particular came rushing back to my mind when we walked that lonely, dirty corridor. The image involved…well you don’t need to know. I had to shake it off with a happy, upbeat, “Let me get your picture boys! It’s our date night!” I took it as evidence that we were indeed in this establishment.

Sadly, the hallway was better than the actual theatre. We opened the door to a dark, silent, beat-up room. There were about five chairs with huge pieces of plastic draped over them. Not sure if they were broken or if they were individual crime scenes. A few more chairs had rips in the faux-leather seats. The huge curtains that hung on the sides of the theatre were stained and greasy-looking. The ground was sticky from years of soda buildup. It smelled like feet. And I was sure we’d leave with lice.

This is about when I started quoting Scripture to myself, keeping a smile on my face so my boys couldn’t pick up any fear vibes.

We found a seat and both my boys looked at me, one voicing their concern, “Mommy, can we wait in the car until the movie starts?” “Why?” I asked. “It’s just…not good in here,” he said. Not good. Not good? Try “this is the setting for a horror film I once saw”. I didn’t say that. I just reassured them with a half-hearted, “It’s fine in here. We’ll be fine.”

Meanwhile I texted my husband. And my sister. “Has there ever been any major crimes in the dollar theatre over on $@#& Rd.?” Anonymity. They both said “no”, but I didn’t believe them.

My boys kept on with the “Can we just wait in the car? Can I sit on your lap?” So I told them I would walk around the theatre to prove that it was safe. All the while wondering what I would use as a weapon should someone be crouched in one of the rows. We walked. And no one was there.

“See. It’s fine. The movie will start in 7 minutes. Let’s sit and remember what’s true.” So I reminded them, “God is with us and He’s bigger and stronger and greater than anyone or anything in the universe. Or in this theatre. And regardless of what happens, we can trust Him to be faithful. To be for us.”

The last five minutes ticked really slow while I tried to distract them with Bible verses…and Temple Run. Finally the lights went out and the movie came on. But I have to admit. I turned on my phone’s camera and reversed it so I could see behind me just in case someone decided to sneak up on us. It was what a spy would do because I’m spy-like.

Finally about three minutes into the movie other people started filtering in. Like somewhat normal-looking people. Even a few kids with their parents. So my boys and I relaxed a little. My youngest even slipped down into his own seat. And the fear melted.

Fear

Fear. It’s real. It may be irrational or unnecessary. Not in my case but in some cases. It may be legitimate or absolutely expected. Regardless, we feel it. We enter a situation that we can’t control, and fear comes. But when it does we have two really huge choices to make.

One, regardless of the degree or validity of the fear, we can choose to either begin with God or begin with the situation. We can choose to turn our thoughts to the One reigning over the circumstance or we can choose to let our minds go down roads of “what ifs”. One route brings peace; the other brings…more fear. Debilitating, life-stealing fear.

The second thing we can (often) choose is isolation or community. When people started filtering into that theatre, all of our fears slowly subsided because God created us as social creatures. We’re meant to be in relationships. Authentic community helps us overcome our fear.

The enemy wants to isolate us, because there in the lonely places he can whisper lies that we’re prone to believe. But when we voice our fears in the presence of sincere, Christian community, they can take our hands and lead us to God’s throne-room in prayer. And that’s the only place to find true, lasting peace in the midst of scary, unwanted, unrequested storms.

“You are my servant,
I have chosen you and not cast you off;
fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:9-10

I have to be honest. A few of my most gripping fears have become realities at different points in my life. But here’s an awesome truth. God is still God. He still ministers hope and peace when we find refuge in Him, even if the fear becomes tangible reality. He has grace for our today. And He’s over every aspect of His child’s life.

Fear may come knocking. But in Christ, it isn’t our inheritance. It doesn’t have to be our dwelling place. Peace and rest is rightfully ours as adopted children of the Almighty Father.

Who knew that theatre would stir up so much.

 
Fill me, Lord…

How do you overcome fears when they arise?
 

The post for when “what ifs” try to paralyze you {fear} appeared first on Lara Howard.

Before I left for the trip, I wrestled against a somewhat discouraged spirit. Life had started to wear on me and I could sense my neediness for Him. So last Thursday, I left the dailiness behind and hopped on a plane to Texas. That last sentence sounds like a good country song phrase. Just add twang.

(And for the record, I totally fake the hip, cool, traveler thing. Granted I was wearing cute clothes and didn’t have kids clinging to my legs, but I almost fell on the tram to another concourse because I wasn’t holding on. Then I dropped salty almonds down/into the front of my shirt while on the plane. I played it off like nothing happened but those are tight quarters and I’m sure the guy beside me was like, “Whoa lady. Slow down with the almonds. Save room for the 6 mini pretzels.”)

Anyway, what was my point? Oh yes. The conference. Renewal. God speaking. While I traveled it was as if deep down I knew that I was heading to a place of oasis, even if almonds were lost down my shirt. I was heading into courage-imparting waters.

While there, it wasn’t one single thing that happened. It was two big handfuls of words and promises that God spoke. And not just spoke externally, but pressed down internally, into my spirit. Does that make any kind of sense?

He spoke through friends. Through times of prayer with friends. Through the other speakers. Through strangers. Through worship. Over and over He whispered. My spirit was hungry and my Daddy-God met me there with a feast.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.
Matthew 5:6

So now I’m back in the dailiness of life. And I feel the need to remember — to intentionally thank Him for each and every hope-imparting word — because life gets loud and busy. Schedules pull on us and toilets have to (or maybe just “need to”) be scrubbed. But there’s this Daddy-God. He sees and knows us perfectly. He loves us lavishly. And He speaks to and guides His children.

Maybe you’re at that place where you need a word from Him. You crave to hear His voice and long for His promised peace. My advice? Expect Him to show up. Surround yourself with people who love Jesus. Be authentic about your struggles and go to His throne in prayer with trusted friends. Listen to Bible teachers. Worship Him with singing. And then just hold out your hands. Our Daddy-God satisfies those who hunger for Him.

 
Fill me, Lord…

What words of encouragement has God given you lately?
 

I am linking up at the Declare conference blog where others are sharing their conference stories. Click here to head over there.

The post for when we need God to be our daddy appeared first on Lara Howard.

Not literally, because people would have really stared then. But it was like I was reading it for the first time with fresh eyes. I gotta find out what’s in that coffee.

The thing that hit me was that God is the blessed One. Yes, we receive blessing in Christ but He’s the One who’s worthy of constant praise. He’s the One who out of His love and grace already calls you and me “holy and blameless.” Holy. Blameless. It’s done. It’s why He sent Jesus. It’s why Jesus died and rose.

He knows when we’re straight up whack to the people in our homes — like I was yesterday morning. He knows when we’re moody or deceptive or manipulative or lustful. Yet in Christ He calls us righteous. And that truth is just too much for my mind to grasp.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
Ephesians 1:3-4

I can hear your objections, “Yes, Lara, we’re called righteous but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t obey.” I get that. But the thing about grace is that it propels us to give everything, not just what the law demands. It blows our minds to the point that we want to sacrifice it all for the glory of God, because He’s just too good for anything less.

He calls us holy and blameless. Faultless. Unblemished. And I’m telling you. I was far from “blameless” in how I responded to my kids yesterday. I was emotional and tired and *blech*. But Jesus died for that. He rose for that. And because I’m His, I wake up in this new day with my Father whispering “blameless” over me.

You know what that truth makes me do? It makes me get on my face in praise, because I know me too well. It makes me say, “Forgive my selfishness! Take my life, Lord. Use me to glorify You! You alone.”

Grace does that. Grace does that.

The post encouragement for when we’re far from blameless appeared first on Lara Howard.

Law is predictable and orderly. It has sides and lines. And we know what to expect, “Say this, get this. Do this, receive this.” It makes life easier to measure. “Good. Bad. Right. Wrong.”

But the law doesn’t have much power. Oh it can semi-scare people into semi-obedience. It can make us cough up 5 bucks for an overpriced, sugar-coma-inducing coffee, because if we just grabbed it and ran out the door someone may call the cops. (Or. Something.)

The law can make my kids halfway do what I say because they don’t like “sassy spray” when they talk back or the iPod taken away. So law can motivate outward results. But it has zero control over the heart of man. Zero. Which is one reason parenting is so stinkin’ freakin’ difficult.

(She hacked the photostream on my phone. Ha.)

Law just shows us our sin. It shows us God’s perfection and our lacking. It shows us again and again that we’re weak. Our inability to perfectly obey the law illuminates the fact that we’re needy for help. Desperately.

I’ve said it before to my fellow parents, but I need reminding. We have to be so diligent not to place too much expectation on the law when it comes to the hearts of our kids. Because our rules and laws will never ever transform them. Yes, we employ “law” in our home. We use it as a tool in discipline. But we’re deceiving ourselves if we think it’s what will change them. Our kids will never wake up and say “Oh, my mum and daddy want only to protect me. I shall now obey everything they’ve so wisely instructed.” Not happenin’. Because they, like we, are human. And humans fall.

But grace. Grace. It’s got this ability to reach into the soul of a man (or woman) and melt the most calloused places. It’s what Jesus always gave. And gives. It’s looking into the tear-stained face of a woman who’s been publicly disgraced for her sin and saying, “I don’t condemn you.” That was me. It’s God calling rebellious, murderous, adulterous humans “son” or “daughter.” It’s Jesus nailed to a tree for me and you because we can’t obey the law, and our disobedience has to be dealt with.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9

If we could stand here for a while and even vaguely grasp the great grace we’re under, then we might respond to everyone else a little more…graciously. If we could only remember that our rules and laws and lists won’t change the people around us — believe me. I’ve tried. — then maybe we’d take a deep breath and ask God to show grace through us.

We can’t do it on our own. Grace will never be our fleshly natural response to those who hurt us or those who don’t obey us. But in Christ, by the power of His Spirit, we can ask Him to show it through us. We can choose to sit with and revel in God’s grace. And after He fills us so full of wonder over this mysterious gift, we can spill it out on everyone around us.

Grace. “God’s riches at Christ’s expense.” It’s receiving what we don’t deserve. And it’s giving what *they* don’t deserve. Because of Jesus.

 
Fill me, Lord…

How have you seen grace motivate true heart change in you or someone you know?
 

The post this is how to change people appeared first on Lara Howard.

He taught me that you and I have been individually, uniquely designed. And when we seek after Him, He will spill out of us in beautiful ways. Ways that may be similar to others but also ways that may be completely different.

And here’s the really amazing part. Those things He’s set aside for you and I to individually do, they’re needed. Someone needs to hear my voice or read your poem or benefit from your hospitality. Someone needs to listen to you testify or have you pray over them or sit under your teaching.

In Christ we’re one. We all have a part to play. You and I need one another. So instead of wishing we were a different part or thinking our role isn’t that important, let’s celebrate one another. Let’s start by seeking Him and allowing Him to flow out of us. But then let’s celebrate the unique gifts and beauty in those we’re running this faith race beside.

So that’s what I want to do today. I want to celebrate some unique beauty going on in the cyber world this past week. Hope you enjoy.

1. This post captures some deep and precious Truth about God. My sweet friend Francie was/is walking through a dark valley and this was her response. Beautifully encouraging.

 

2. If you haven’t read any of Kat’s stuff over at “Inspired to Action”, then today’s the day to start. She’s a sweet friend who’s encouraging and amazingly practical. I’ve already started doing the SUPER practical mommy idea she suggests in this post.

 

3. I was only recently introduced to Jamie “The Very Worst Missionary’s” blog. But I like reading her edgy, real thoughts on life and God and beauty. Check out this thought-provoking post called “Taking Back Eden.”

 

4. Ok. I seriously laugh out loud when I read Jen Hatmaker’s blog. This was the post where she tells about her experience on the Today show. Hi-larious. And this was the post about surviving summer with kids that got her on the show. Equally hilarious.

 

5. Emily Freeman (my in-real-life friend who always encourages me as a writer and a woman) wrote this post in March but I saw her on Tuesday at Panera — because we both make Panera one of our writing caves — and we talked about the release of her upcoming book A Million Little Ways and let me tell you, I cannot wait for it to hit the shelves in November! (I’m pretty sure that’s the longest sentence I’ve ever penned.) Really. You don’t want to miss this.

 

6. My blog really isn’t a place for fashion tips or style ideas, but I do like fashion and style. So for my birthday I tried this new thing called Stitch Fix. And since some friends were asking what I thought, and since it was a lot of fun, I created this page where I tell you about it.

 
So there you have it. Celebrating other voices and other beauty. I hope you enjoy.

Fill me, Lord…

Do you have any great posts to share — either yours or someone else’s? Link to them in the comments!
 

The post to make you cry, laugh, think, and say “aha” appeared first on Lara Howard.

Not only am I reminded of my post-baby(ies), nearing-40 body that will never return to pre-baby elasticity. I’m slowly learning to be OK with that. But seeing all the “skin” brings out so many emotions, specifically regarding those I love who have wrestled and wrestled and wrestled with lust. (I think that’s why that video about the “evolution of the swim suit” hit me so hard.)

Granted, sex and everything sexual will forever be a temptation. I mean, God brilliantly created sex to be really good. He placed within humans a sexual desire for one another. And regardless of the cultural fashion trends — from bikinis to full body coverage — the temptation to fulfill the physical sex drive will mark us as alive-creatures. It’s what perpetuates a growing population.

So does it really matter what I wear or don’t wear? I mean, if the temptation will still be there regardless of what I have on, should I even care about being modest, especially if I have a firm, non-freckly body that looks great in a bikini? Which, for the record, I don’t.

I’ve gone round and round in my mind with God on this. And here’s where I land every time. Ultimately, even what I choose to wear is a heart issue. You and I aren’t the Judge. My lines or laws regarding what to wear aren’t what gives me or anyone else righteousness.

I could be as Pharisee as they come — missing the point of love and grace — while wearing a turtleneck to the beach. And what good is that, except to prove how modest I am and to sweat profusely.

But if I’m wearing near-nothing with an underlying intention of wanting someone to notice and affirm my beauty because I’m so insecure with who I am, then that’s a whole other heart issue — one of seeking life and affirmation from this world rather than from my Creator.

Everything comes down to the heart — us individually before God. And any righteousness I claim is only because of Jesus. It will never come from what I wear or don’t wear.

As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;
no one understands; no one seeks for God…” (Romans 3:10-11)

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it – the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe… (Romans 3:21-22)

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. ” (Romans 4:3)

We’re made righteous by faith in Jesus alone.

That said, I do think modesty has its place. I partly know because I asked my husband, “Does it really matter what women wear? I mean, is the temptation to lust really affected by clothing.” His response, “Ummm, yeah.”

Being that I’ve walked beside a number of Christian brothers who struggle to even come to church on Sunday mornings because of the clothes that women wear (or don’t wear), yeah, I do think modesty has its place. I think it’s only respectful and helpful to be conscious of what I’m putting on so that I’m not a stumbling block to a brother who wants to worship without seeing my (non)cleavage.

I mean, I wouldn’t drink a glass of wine in front of a friend who has battled alcoholism. Or smoke crack around a recovering crack-addict. OK I plan to never smoke crack regardless of who’s around but... My point is that I can either help or hurt those who may be battling with lust. And considering the number of emails I get each week about homes crumbling because of lustful addictions, there’s no telling how many people sitting next to us on the pews live in pits of defeat because they haven’t been able to grasp true freedom.

I know. I know that we’re each responsible for our own choices. I know that the way I dress — modest or not — can’t ultimately be what rescues the people around me from lust. But I also know that as much as depends upon me, I don’t want to instigate a struggle. I don’t want to perpetuate the problem.

Bottom line, I want God to use me to glorify Himself. I want to help my brothers and sisters in Christ to honor Jesus. And I never want to be found judging others because of their clothing choices when everything comes down to the heart.

Lines or rules are fine as long as we know that they will never make us righteous. And as long as we know that our lines and rules, specifically on the grey areas of life like bathing suits, may be different from the lines and rules of those beside us.

Only One sees the heart. Only One knows whether or not you or I are walking this life in freedom; or if we’re walking in bondage to lust or insecurity.

So I pray we get before our God — one on one — and ask Him to reveal our heart, even regarding our clothing choices. Because only He sees the heart. And in the end, it’s my heart — it’s your heart — before Him alone.

 
Fill me, Lord…

I’m curious. How have you wrestled with this? What are your thoughts on the issue?
 

The post why does it matter what I wear? {a post-beach post} appeared first on Lara Howard.