Author: Lauren (Heiligenthal) Demuth

The Beginning of Something New

Even though it’s a couple days away from New Years I just wanted to say how blessed I am to write a blog that has challenged and encouraged myself and hopefully others. Thank you, fellow bloggers, for taking an interest in the number of topics I’ve written about, and thank you for writing such inspiring, encouraging posts! Probably without knowing it your kind thoughts and comments have helped me to have more confidence in writing and sharing what’s in my heart. I hope and pray that as we dive into a new year we will strive to be closer to the Lord and put Him first always. Let us aim to grow, stretch ourselves, and be there for one another along the way 🙂 Wishing you all the best for 2015!

~~~

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 1,300 times in 2014. If it were a cable car, it would take about 22 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! What a wonderful time to celebrate the birth of our Savior and share this joy with our family and friends 🙂 I hope everyone had a great day. Also, I highly recommending watching It’s A Wonderful Life if you haven’t already. It’s an excellent movie that demonstrates how much we impact each other’s lives even when times seem rough. To any of you who may have had a difficult Christmas or felt lonely, know that you do make a difference 🙂 This passage comes to mind for all brothers and sisters in Christ:

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” ~ Colossians 3:12-17

May we let the light of Christ shine through us and encouragement come from our lips each day. Let us celebrate Christmas always and be thankful for the amazing grace we’ve been given.

 

 

The Necessity of Change

I have never been too fond of change, but it has a way of finding me, pushing me here and there. I like schedules and routines, and my fears of the unknown have clashed with change’s desired outcomes. Some of the changes in my life have been inevitable, part of growing up (still scary). Some changes I did not anticipate, both good and bad. Other changes have been so extreme that I never thought such changes were possible. No matter how many times I have experienced change, I tend to dread the next one.

But this should not be my attitude. What is life without change? Stagnant. What is my relationship with God without change? Immature and unprepared for more responsibility from the Father. As much as I have dragged my feet along the way, I am realizing that change has to happen in order to grow. Growth is change. What if I planted a seed and nothing happened? Something is wrong, right? A seed that does not grow cannot produce a plant. If there is no plant there is no fruit. There is little purpose for a seed that does not grow.

What about us? There are so many books, articles, blogs, etc. about how to grow as a Christian. People provide steps, disciplines, yearly plans. Maybe some of these things are helpful. But no growth will happen if we are unwilling to change, if we stay a seed. If we are willing to change for the sake of Christ then we are already on our way to bearing fruit.

A number of situations can affect a plant, trying to hinder it from growing. Some of these situations may even try to kill it, uprooting it from its source of life. But the plants that withstand all of these trials (and they will come) become stronger and are able to bear more fruit as the years go by.

Is it not the same with us? We will have to face changes in our lives. But instead of seeing the pessimistic side of things (as I usually do), we could ask “How will this make me stronger, Lord? Help me to grow instead of uprooting myself from You.” I know this is not as easy as it sounds. In all honesty, this is not my initial reaction when something new or unexpected comes along. At that point I wish I could crawl back into the ground and become a seed again, but what would my purpose be then?

It’s my choice to wither or grow. It’s my choice to be a raging fire or a dim light about to flicker out. It’s my choice to say “Yes, I can!” instead of “No, I can’t!” It’s my choice to say “Father, I will go wherever you send me,” instead of “Father, I am afraid to go.”

We decide if we want to grow. Change begins with us, and as difficult as it may be, it is necessary.

How Bright Is Your Light Today?

Light

The flame flickers,

Dancing with the wind.

Rising and falling,

Its light waxes and wanes with each gust.

 

The wind, the changing moments of our lives,

Is quite powerful,

Dictating how bright the light will be.

What will we do?

 

Some ignore the wind,

Denying that they have changed,

That their light has become dim.

“At least it is still burning,” they say.

 

Some give in to the wind,

Allowing it to toss them here and there,

Following the world while trying to cling to Christ.

“The flame may flicker, but it is still there,” they say.

 

But then there are some who face the wind

Because their flame has matured to a raging fire

Which cannot be snuffed out.

“Our confidence is in the One who has the power to calm the wind,” they say.

 

This light will continue to shine forth

When all other flames

Go out.

How bright is your light today?

 

©Lauren Heiligenthal

The Christmas Project

Another wonderful story that we can all learn from. In any circumstance, ask the Lord what to do and listen for His answer.

morningstoryanddilbert's avatarMorning Story and Dilbert

Morning Story and Dilbert Vintage Dilbert
March 22, 2000

The white frame country church beside the road had stood for almost 100 years and was the center of religious as well as social life for the people of the valley. About a dozen families worshiped there. One of the members of the rural church was ten-year-old Billy Jenkins, an average kid in a community of average families.

The story began just before Christmas one year. Pastor Lee, the leader of the church, suggested that the congregation think of a project the church could do as a whole to bring honor to the celebration of Jesus’ birth.

It didn’t take long for folks to speak up. Nearly everyone had an idea to share. Ben Johnson, the Men’s Sunday school teacher, thought the church should have a new podium. Mrs. Ima Lacy suggested painting the inside of the sanctuary a lovely shade of pink to brighten…

View original post 1,297 more words

A Gift for Jesus

This is a beautiful post written by a wonderful woman of God 🙂

Karina Lam's avatarKarina's Thought

A GIFT FOR JESUS -Karina's Thought

Yesterday was our 1st wedding anniversary.  In accordance with our agreement, we were not celebrated with a romantic candle light dinner or something, yet we have decided to celebrate our wedding anniversary at the orphanage and held a Christmas celebration together with the orphans. Why we had an idea like that?  Because we just want to celebrate our wedding anniversary with a slightly different way and coincides with Christmas day. We just want to share blessings and happiness to those who in need. For both of us, had a lunch with the orphans, played around and sang together with them was the most romantic moment. However, here I don’t want to talk about our celebration but I want to talk about something important that I got from it.

When the orphans made Christmas decoration contest, I found something that made me moved. I saw a little girl put a manger…

View original post 1,534 more words

I Am Nobody Else But Me

I Am Nobody Else But Me (Originally written December 8, 2014)

I am nobody else,

and everyone else is not me.

I am who I was created to be,

unique in essence and beauty.

 

I am not you,

and you are not me.

There’s no need to be like each other.

We each have a different purpose, you see.

 

There is no standard of who I should be

except Christ alone.

There is no mold

for me.

 

There is no logic comparing myself

with someone

who is not

me.

 

I am only one,

and this one is enough.

I am enough for the One who has called me

to be me.

 

There is one me.

There is one you.

Let us rejoice in how we are created,

and live life anew.

 

©Lauren Heiligenthal

Peace

Peace (Originally written December 5, 2014)

Whispering down the dark alleys of my heart,

the voice of my flesh cries out to me,

“Set me free. This is your true desire.”

The words gnaw at me,

reaching the corners of my mind,

permeating my spirit.

Instead, I reach out for a light

and one is provided.

Carrying this torch I see the truth.

My way to freedom was always at hand,

right in front of me,

waiting for me to enter

peace.

 

©Lauren Heiligenthal

A Question To Ponder

I want to start with a caveat. This post is not directed towards anyone in particular, but rather towards leaders and scholars (self-proclaimed Christians) who have questioned the validity of Scripture and confirmed in their own hearts that the presentation of Scripture (especially the Old Testament) is, indeed, invalid. They do not necessarily question salvation, but rather the historicity of the Bible (which, in my opinion, questions salvation).

Some of these people question whether or not the Israel of the OT existed. Some question that God would have Israel (for those who do believe in ancient Israel) slaughter men, women, and children in His name. Some question the creation account with the intention of promoting evolution (apparently forgetting or ignoring Jesus’ own assertion of creation in Matt. 19:4-6). Some question the accuracy of every historical account, advocating that these accounts are exaggerated. Some question the validity of these historical accounts because they seem close to other Ancient Near Eastern texts. Rather than believe that all people were knowledgeable about certain worldwide events (like the flood, for instance, since everyone born after the flood came from Noah’s family), they choose to believe that Israel actually borrowed this information. They were just like any other nation, and their God (or rather, god) was like any other god. Some question the validity of miracles because they are not scientifically proven.

These somebodies aren’t just somebodies (note that I write “some” not “all” leaders and scholars). They are professors with multiple degrees. They are preachers over congregations of all sizes. They are authors of popular books. It is to these somebodies that I propose this simple question:

“If you question the validity of the Scriptures, and it is these same Scriptures that you rely upon for your knowledge and hope of salvation, are you not, indeed, questioning the validity of your own salvation?”

To all other believers, I want to remind us all of Paul’s words to the Ephesians:

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors (or ministers) and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:11-16 NASB; italics added for an alternate translation)

 

©Lauren Heiligenthal