C'MON GET HAPPY

God is all up in our business

We introduced a song at TrueNorth Church this past Sunday...Your Love Never Fails by Jesus Culture.  The last line of this song has been ringing in my ears and I have been meditating on it all day:

You make all things work together for my good.

This line comes from Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

How hard is it to believe these words when we are facing major struggles in life...when it seems our world has fallen to pieces?  God already knows what the end of our journey looks like.  And He promises that it is good. God's definition of good may not necessarily line up with our worldly definition, but what He considers good will ultimately bring Him glory.

The phrase God works brings us comfort and reassurance that God is directly involved in our business.  He is ALL UP IN IT!  We see His works in our blessings and we see His works in our sufferings.  The only condition is that we must love Him.

Thank you God for being in control of all things when all things seem out of control!

Your Love Never Fails -Chris Quilala / Jesus Culture

HAPPY 2010!

If I had known on the morning of January 1, 2009 what this year would look like, I probably would have stayed in bed and cried all day.  Not because my personal life has been bad, but many people in my inner circle have experienced a devastating year. 

Marriages have been wrecked.
Loved ones have passed away.
Jobs have been lost.
And my heart has been broken over and over again for those whom I love.  It has been an exhausting year, full of life change and broken dreams.

As I reflect on the circumstances of 2009, I find comfort in knowing these things:

Prayer worked.
The Bible had the answers. 
Jesus loved. 
Jesus saved. 

I am going into 2010 with swollen eyes and dragging feet, but my hope and trust is in a God who never changes and is always with me. So all I can say is "Bring it on, 2010!"

the blessing seat

Blessing Seat

TNC staff members have recently taken turns sitting in the Blessing Seat, a time where everyone is given words of affirmation and encouragement.  I was lucky enough to be blessed the week of my birthday.  I was not allowed to speak and had to maintain eye contact as each of my coworkers said nice things about me.

Can you say AWKWAAARD?

Being on the "giving" side of the seat is much easier for me. It is so rewarding to know that you just fed someone's soul.  As the "receiver" I was all sweaty and blushing and breaking the no talking rule.  And there were times I didn't really recognize the person they were talking about. So now I have a new perspective of myself after hearing these words. 

As I began typing this post, I had the idea that I might get our family to try this on Christmas Day.  What a wonderful (and FREE!) gift to give someone by expressing how much you love and value them!

parade-y things that make you go hmmm

random picture matthew took

pony disguised as zebra

carey being carey on the side of street

founder of NA, james 'ljjr' jackson

easter bunny in christmas parade?

every parade needs a tractor, right?

santa playing cymbals

things that make you go hmmm...

I have the following quotes on my Facebook info page.  Just came across them yesterday and wanted to post them here.  I need to remember to record these treasures more often! Hope they make you smile. 

Me: Kacie, what do you think about just having vegetables for dinner tonight?
Kacie: Mom, I'm a carnivore!

Matthew brought a coin home from a neighbor's pool.
"Mom, did I steal this?"
Me: Kinda sorta
Matthew: I don't wanna be a ROBBER when I grow up!

Christa, my pilates instructor: Laura, is that a TATTOO on your foot?
Me: No, it's a Shrek band-aid.

Me: Do you think there's such a thing as a man bra?
Kevin: Some men need one. I think my 3 year old son Zane might need one.

Lady at church: Hey, you look just like someone I know.
Alan: Who's that?
Lady: You look just like Alan Owings
Alan: Well that's good because I AM Alan Owings.

Matthew: Mom, what's for supper?
Me: Frozen pizza and salad.
Matthew: Frozen? You're not gonna HEAT it?!

it takes a village

DSC00950

Best friends share everything, right?  In the case of my daughter, Allison, and her BFF Elizabeth, they share everything.  Even sickness. There is a flu/virus epidemic at their middle school that has affected a couple of hundred students.  Most of the middle schoolers in my neighborhood have stayed home this week.  Elizabeth's mom took first shift today, while I took second shift so she could go to work.  In times like these, we say "It takes a village". 

blonde[ish] moments

at stacey's

Q: Why did the blonde get fired from the M&M factory?
A: Because she kept throwing all the W's away.

(insert rim shot here)

I was born blonde[ish] and this is a picture of what some of us blondes go through to stay blonde.  Yes, believe it or not, some people CHOOSE to be blonde and live with the stereotype that comes with it.  I would guess that the majority of us are pretty smart, but we just occasionally do or say stupid things.  Some examples of what a blonde (or other hair color) might do:

Gum falls out of your mouth while you're talking.
Your sunglasses are on top of your head and you keep asking where they are. 
You forget how to spell the word "was".

Blondes even have to take the blame when brunettes and redheads do something dumb.  These non-blondes are accused of having 'blonde moments' too.  When a blonde says something smart or insightful, maybe we should be accused of having a 'brunette moment"!  Or perhaps we could be compared to a redhead when we successfully operate our microwaves without blowing the house up.

Now, what was it I was saying?

Oh yeah...BLONDES OUR SMART TWO!

stories are necessary

For the last five years, I have been a part of leadership at TrueNorth Church.  Whether as a volunteer or staff member, I usually end up at the meeting table with other leaders. When we meet together and share stories, it is quite often that someone will break down in tears: Tears of sadness because people that we know and love are hurting. Tears of hope for those who need physical healing.  Tears of compassion for those who are less fortunate.  Tears of desperation for reaching lost people in our community and the entire world.

And while hearing those stories are essential to doing ministry, we are always excited when we can experience tears of joy because we hear of someone who finally "gets it" as they dedicate their lives to Christ.  Or when a person overcomes their sin addiction.  Or when someone begins using their talents to serve others.  The list goes on and on.

Stories of life change always energize our staff and leaders and remind us that God continues to change lives through TrueNorth Church. So keep those stories coming!  You have no idea how much we need to hear them.

We will probably get choked up at the meeting table...as usual!

future home

For the past five years, this is what I have been hearing:

Daddy:  Laura, when is your church going to build a building?

Me:  When some land opens up.

Daddy:  Well, darling, I hate to tell you this...but they aren't MAKING any more land.

I was so excited yesterday to finally be able to say, "Daddy, we're getting some LAND!"

Land Announcement from TrueNorth Church on Vimeo.

Land

happy anniversary TNC!

anniv

Five years ago today was the public launch of TrueNorth Church.  My family had the privilege of being core members of the church and I admit that it has consumed our lives. We just can't get enough of seeing our friends and others in the community experience life change. We can't get enough of what God has done with us personally during this journey.  A big weekend of celebration, reflection, and SURPRISES is here. Why don't you come join us and see what all the fuss is about?