I want to dream big, but every time I begin to dream, I also begin to think of other women that are more qualified to fulfill that dream. At that...
LO Library Topic:
Hope That Never Fades
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE <3 Fireworks! Balloons! Ball drop! Midnight! It’s 2025! After the excitement of New Year’s Eve winds down, there is...
The God Who Draws Near
Christmas is the answer to the deepest longings of our hearts, longings that have been carried since Eden. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us....
Name Your Fears and Embrace the Extraordinary
Remember the television show Fear Factor, where people confronted a few of their deepest fears? The show was canceled, but our fears don’t get...
Perfectly Imperfect
I dropped into my chair at the head of the table with a barely suppressed sigh of relief. The candlelight shone on the faces of beloved friends and...
The One Thing
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.” Has there ever been a time in your life where you feel...
How Can I Trust God When I Don’t Understand His Ways?
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths...
Do It Anyway
“PURSUE IT" One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a...
A Note for the Holiday Season
For some of us, this holiday season marks a joyful “first”: baby’s first Christmas, first year married, first year being all together. For others,...
Esther
This post is adapted from Esther: Daring Faith for Such a Time as This by Kelly Minter. Learn more about this Bible study. The view from my back...
Sometimes Worship and Wailing Sound the Same
Because sometimes worship and wailing sound the same but I learned they come from two different places. One from what God has already done and the...
“It’s Just Me And Jesus” Mentality Might Not Be Working
If you’re local to Dallas, Texas, on November 17th at 7:30 PM we’re hosting an LO Local event – it’s all about rethinking what it means to follow...
Why We Have to Break Up With Comparison
Comparison loves to ruin my contentment. For me, it usually starts when I’ve finished a peaceful time with Jesus in the morning. When I’ve not only...
A Liturgy For Election Day
Whatever the outcome of this election, let our citizenship and our hope be rooted first in your heavenly kingdom.
Craving Community
Jesus is our friend who doesn’t just walk beside us; His Spirit dwells in us. He is with us, in every sense of the word, now and forever.
Favorite Wedding Moment
What is your favorite wedding moment? There are so many from which to choose. From the first downbeat of music to the last crumb of cake at the...
God’s VIP List
Have you ever been to a professional sports tournament? Having been to several, I can safely say that the experience is different depending on who...
Attending to the Healing Within
People who’ve seen me for soul care over the years know that I sometimes begin a session with a simple question: “Where do you find yourself today?”...
The Key to Overcoming Every Spiritual Battle
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present...
Escape Into Busyness
THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS WE AVOID SILENCE, SO MANY TYPES OF noise we choose to fill the gaping voids in our souls. Social media is just the obvious...
God Does It Differently
April 2023, I’m standing in my kitchen at home. I’m getting ready to say goodbye to my son before he flies to Ukraine for a mission—a mission that I...
Trust + Follow
If you are reading these words, I know it’s not by coincidence. I trust that God is intentional and perfect in all of His ways. I write them with...
Remain in His Love
Beloved, Worthy Daughter Out of all the titles you may have—mother, wife, entrepreneur, pastor, teacher—the most important title you’ll ever wear is...
Transformed Parenting
“Hey! That’s mine! This one is yours. This is my side of the table! Stop it right now!” Until that moment, our house had been relatively quiet; our...
Savoring God’s Word Daily
I had three jobs in college: I worked at a theater, as a student driver, and as a waitress at the Wooden Shoe Restaurant. The Wooden Shoe was a...
The Danger of Compromise
Recently, we posted a message that I shared at Liberty University this past winter on YouTube, but I felt that I wanted to share it here on the blog...
Relaxed Coffee
I’ve started using the “make coffee” button on my coffee machine as a reminder to befriend Jesus. Honestly, these past few years are the first in...
Be Excited for the Unknown
Is living in the unknown scary, exciting, or a mixture of both? In today’s world, we are constantly told we need a plan of where we want our lives...
Nothing is Wasted
On November 10, 2015, a violent home invasion took the lives of my wife Amanda and our unborn child. Amanda and I had followed God’s call to plant a...
A Good Jealousy
“Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. Do...
I Am Weak, but Thou’ Art Strong
I want to be a strong woman. I want to be strong for my husband, my family, and my friends. I want to be unshakable in times of trials. I want my...
A Light In Dark Places
Hey friends! My name is Lily and I am working on Team LO this summer! I go to the University of Pennsylvania, and wow, since being here in Louisiana...
God’s Design Over My Desire
There’s this line I heard in a message once that said, “His design over my desire”. I found it pretty powerful because I don’t think many of us...
The Power of Friendship
I have a Six Pack and I don’t mean my Abs. I’ve had the opportunity to talk to a lot of women and a few men about the end of their marriage. The...
Truth to Overcome Anxiety’s Lies
Who has seen Inside Out 2?! My teammates and I went the other night and it was awesome! I highly recommend you go and see it if you haven’t! As most...
Too Close to Home
Because of the sovereignty of God and how God has made me, I have no problem asking strangers about who they believe Jesus to be. I’ve even looked...
The Beauty of Summer Camp
There is a nostalgic feeling I get every year when summer comes around. Once the leaves are back on the trees the summer sun seems to linger on into...
Follower
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His Pursuit Always Has Purpose
I remember one of the first children’s Christian hymns I ever learned in Sunday school. Maybe you know it, too. It goes like this: Jesus loves me,...
Our Best Advice: Relationships, Community & Marriage
As we recently shared the first Sisters and Friends episode of the year, I figured it was only fitting to share it with you here on the blog! My mom...
How’s Your Heart?
Advice we can all learn from
My Jesus
Advice we can all learn from
Keeping the Fire Lit
Advice we can all learn from
Tackling the DMs
Advice we can all learn from
Our Best Relationship Advice
Advice we can all learn from
Influencer’s Superpower
Advice we can all learn from
Confidence In College: Dating
Nothing ever satisfies until we realize we’re beautiful on the inside.
From Revelation to Realization
Nothing ever satisfies until we realize we’re beautiful on the inside.
The One and Only Best Friend You Will Ever Need
He brings the right people at the right time into our lives.
To the Girl in a Season of Change
You are not alone, embrace the in between, and run to the Father.
A Prayer for Unity
God, have your way and be magnified among us, and through you being magnified, unite us.
Proverbs 17
Seek his ways, his words, and his walk.
Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk
Let’s be a good example to others.
Jesus Is Better
Jesus is better. Jesus wins.
Balancing Relationship and Career
Learn how to love your person AND love what you do!
Nothing Is Wasted
Even in the sorrow, experience beauty.
Proverbs 10
Let’s continue in our Proverbs Study with Chapter 10!
God BE
Look around. God’s being good to you.
What Really Matters
Get a sneak peak of LO Fam’s exclusive bible study!
Restless
Pause today. Rest today. You are worthy of both love and rest.
COVERED
Covered –
put something in front of (something)
in order to
protect or conceal it.
Acts 20:7-12 The Message (MSG)
Eutychus Raised From the Dead at Troas
7-9
We met on Sunday to worship and celebrate the Master’s Supper. Paul addressed
the congregation. Our plan was to leave first thing in the morning, but Paul talked on, way past midnight. We were meeting in a well-lighted upper room. A young man named Eutychus was sitting in an open window. As Paul went on and on, Eutychus fell sound asleep
and toppled out the third-story window. When they picked him up,
he was dead.
10-12
Paul went down, stretched himself on him, and hugged him hard. “No more crying,”
he said. “There’s life in him yet.” Then Paul got up and served the Master’s Supper. And went on telling stories of the faith until dawn! On that note, they left—Paul going one way, the congregation another, leading the boy off alive, and full of life themselves.
Okay, so I’m convinced that anyone who thinks the Bible is boring, has not yet read
the Bible, because DANG this is quite an interesting situation we have here. You’re at Bible study and then
boom
someone falls out of a window, dies, and gets brought back to life…that’s definitely
not nothing. Try to put yourself there, it’s late, you are listening to Paul preach… I mean this is THE Paul speaking. Like, the
damascus
road Paul… wrote 13 books in the Bible Paul. What would you be doing? Would you
be leaning in, taking notes? Or would you fall asleep too?
I think that this story is really easy to read really fast. It has a quick little takeaway,
we often take-away, and run with. The DON’T BE A EUTYCHUS message! Don’t fall asleep, pay attention, be better than him, so you don’t fall out a window and die message. Not sure if that’s what you got from this, but for the longest time that’s ALL I got from
this.
Ah, did I miss the beauty in this. The irony.
THE GRACE.
I am Eutychus!
I’m the one who does stupid things. I sit on the edge sometimes. Even in the light I
fall asleep. I topple. I need revived. I need to be COVERED in a life or death kind of way.
As lame as it sounds to be a Eutychus… I promise it’s not that bad. You see, yes, he
fell three stories down and died, but that’s not all that’s written down for us. The story doesn’t end there, thank God! Verses 10-12,
that’s what matters. “Paul went down, stretched himself on him, and hugged him
hard. “No more crying,” he said. “There’s life in him yet.” Then Paul got up and served the Master’s Supper. And went on telling stories of the faith until dawn!
On that note,
they left—Paul going one way, the congregation another, leading the boy off alive, and full of life themselves.”
Eutychus fell. Paul covered.
We fall. Jesus covers.
What Paul did that night, is just a taste of what God does for us,
each and every day. When we fall, God doesn’t point and say bad. No way! He
runs three stories down, at midnight, through all sorts of people, just to get to us. Just to get to you. He runs, he gets down on the ground, he stretches himself over us, and he hugs us hard. He looks to the crowd and yells, “No more crying,” “There’s life
in him yet!” Yes, He covers us completely!
In Jesus, under the covering of His blood, when you fall, your covered, and when your
covered, what was supposed to kill you God works for His glory!
The focus didn’t end on Eutychus’s fall, but rather on the miracle God had done.
That night people didn’t just leave after Eutychus died, or after he came back alive,
they stayed! It says Paul went on telling stories of the faith until dawn! And On that note,
they left— and they left full of life. On that note! On the note of what God did! Not on the note of the fall.
Because when we let God be God it matters less what we did,
and more who he is.That’s what gets remembered, that’s the note we leave on,
that’s what gives life! God is so much better than I even think He is. So much kinder, so much gentler, so much more powerful, and so much more gracious. To think about how he works even my mis-steps, even my mistakes for His glory, I will never understand.
This story inspires me to live my life always leaving on notes like that. To live my life looking and dwelling on what God has done. To live as a lover of God who isn’t falling out of windows on purpose, but who knows that even in the midst of the most hopeless
situation that I am covered and that God can empower me to walk out of the darkest situation. A lover of God who knows that even death is not the end of hope.
No one is too far gone. There is more than enough hope. Let’s dwell on who God is, and
what He can do! Let’s let God be God.
No more crying, there’s life in him yet!
We fall. Jesus covers.
Is Jesus Really Enough?
Fall in love with the Jesus of the Bible.
Chasing God Sized Dreams
Chase your dreams with faith and patience!
Proverbs 9
Let’s study Proverbs 9 together!
SISTERHOOD// sorority, friends, and families.
Learn to choose your true identity over your man-made image
Our Engagement: Her Story
Everyones friend Laney is sharing her engagement story with all the beautiful details of God’s timing.
Our Obedience, God’s Favor
Learn from Grace’s story that obedience is just as important in the small decisions as it is in the big ones.
Confidence In College
Download our free college workbook to find confidence in college!
Watermelon & Praise
Praise God not for what you want Him to do, but who He is and what He’s done.
How to: Live in True Community
Experience the freedom of living in authentic friendships!
My Shepherd
You have a Shepherd that speaks to you. Learn how to hear His voice.
Proverbs Study
Let’s continue the study of wisdom with Proverbs 7+8!
He’s Got You
Hear from LO Fam member, Megan, on her fight against mental illness.
#1 who am I going to marry?
God wants to surprise you with what He has planned and prepared for you.
They
Begin to see the beauty in the imperfect life.
Making Big Decisions
Live in freedom by trusting God with the big decisions of your life.
Our Engagement Day
Read about Christian and Sadie’s unforgettable engagement day!
Proverbs Study
Let’s continue the study of wisdom with Proverbs 6!
Idols
Identify and put to rest the idols in your life.
Patience in the Process
Have the patience to see God’s promises lived out.
How to: Lead a bible study
Here is everything you’ll need to become a host of a bible study!
Centered on God
Love with all your heart, soul and mind!
10 Takeaways: London
Here are our top 10 takeaways from Team LO’s time in London!
My Adoption Story
Read about God’s faithfulness through this incredible adoption story.
Single, Dating, Engaged, Married
We’re answering YOUR biggest relationship questions!
Leaning Into Aloneness
There are things to be learned in seasons of aloneness, and God puts us there when He wants us to listen.
Proverbs Study
Let’s continue studying Proverbs together with Chapter 5!
I Am Redeemed
God has a good design for intimacy. Friend, you are redeemed.
Surrender
Pain is never God’s endgame.
Mom Gone Wild
Just as a Mother protects a child, God will come to our rescue.
When a Mother Leaves
This Mothers Day, learn how to forgive and find healing.
God Likes You
God doesn’t just love you, He likes you too!
You’re Welcome Here
Be a part of true sisterhood on LO Fam!
Proverbs Study
Join in as we study Proverbs 4 together this month!
You’re In the Right Lane
Confidence is found is God’s plan for you.
10 Takeaways: College Life
Discover the top 10 themes of college life!
Living Hope
See the beauty in the empty tomb today!
Good Friday, Great Friday
So today let’s call it “Great Friday” and spread the good news that Jesus is coming again!
You Are So Bright
We all wonder what it feels like to be original.
You Are Loved
You are unconditionally loved.