singing His praises

I hope you have had a wonderful Christmas so far.  I was definitely blessed by going to church this morning.  While it changed that traditions of our Christmas, it made the focus Jesus.  I still enjoyed the time that we spent as a family opening presents.  Christmas was wonderful this year, even though it was different.

 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. -Psalm 57:7

Music is something that is very close to me.  Starting in fifth grade, I have played that alto saxophone while participating in band.  My whole family has does the same also, so naturally music is a big part of my life.  Music does something wonderful to my spirit, and I am constantly overwhelmed.  In a good way.  I'll listen to orchestra symphonies and start sobbing because of my love for it.  My heart hurts simply from listening classical pieces.

And my whole family sings.  As we clean up after dinner, we all start sings hymns with all our heart.  Singing is such a wonderful way to give praise to God.  Even right now I hear my eldest sister singing downstairs.

Music is simply wonderful.

God Bless you.

Joy and Peace

I have always loved the Christmas season. I love the snow (which we have not yet had), the hot chocolate, spending a lot of time with my family (or as I call it; "sisterly bonding time"), eating hot meals, going shopping, and baking lots of cookies. I get so excited for every small event that happens.

Most of the time, though, I spend simply sitting in a big comfortable chair in the living room knitting or just sitting there. And even that somehow seems exciting because my thoughts are on Christmas day. I have never gone to church on Christmas morning, and I am definitely excited to see what that feels like.

I am hoping that going to church causes me to remember what Christmas is. Maybe I'll remember that it is actually not about presents. Just maybe I'll stop and realize the true reason.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." - Luke 2:8-11

I am excited:

• to wake up early on Christmas morning with all my sisters. I'll go into my older sisters' room were one of my sisters will read Luke 2 to all of us. We have done this every year since I can remember.

• to open presents. I'll be honest. Though it is not the true meaning of Christmas, I am most definitly excited for it.

• To go to church, and be reminded of the birth of Jesus. And see other people. As I said before, I hope this will help me focus on what is really important. I want to have the joy of the Lord in me.

God Bless You.

peace on earth

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” 

-Luke 2:13-14

I am incredibly excited for this Christmas time.  Because with it comes all my siblings that come home and simply quality time spend sitting around with my 6 siblings.  And while the picture has nothing to do with  Christmas, or winter for that matter, I love scenery photography.  I took it over the summer with a point and shoot ( !! ) and loved how it turned out.  Anyway, I hope you all have a lovely day, and rest of the week.  Keep praising God.  Bye-bye.

be still my soul

There is urgency.  I always knew there was, but I recently came to the actual realization that these are times of urgency.  We need to be seeking the Lord with all our hearts.  With all our strength.  With all our mind.

We need to focus on drawing closer to the Lord.

Just a few minutes ago, a tear started dripping down my cheek when I honestly came to the realization.  I need to be seeking Him.  I need to be constantly praising Him for everything.  I need to still down and pray.  I need to take out my bible for an hour, and simply meditate on His powerful words.  I need to be constantly giving glory to God.  I need to make this a lifestyle, rather than simply a belief.  I need to be open to God's direction on my life.  He has a plan.

He has a plan.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

-2 Peter 1:2

as bold as a lion

Proverbs 28:1

The wicked flee though no one pursues,

but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

This is both a very true and very beautiful verse.  As Christians, in order to give glory to God, we must be bold in our faith.  If we are ashamed to be known as a Christian here on earth, then God will be ashamed to call us His children.  We must give glory and honor to his holy name.  Don't call yourself a Christian if you don't act like one.  We need to give Him glory.  Let us do this together.

a thankful heart

a few things I'm thankful for:           

my life            

my loving family            

Jesus, my savior            

simply being able to worship God freely            

the oppertunities i do/will have            

my home            

my goal:           

to begin thanking God on a regular basis            

I will praise Him

I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

-Psalm 69:30

I have to realize that God gave me my life.  He gave me my family.  My home.  Everything I have.  I should not take anything I have for granted.  I need to thank him for everthing I have.  Starting with my life.  The praise should be flowing from my heart at all times during the day. 

make every effort

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. -2 Peter 3:14

I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.   -Psalms 34:1

In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel.  Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called holy, all who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem.  The Lord will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; he will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire.  Then the LORD will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over all the glory will be a canopy.  It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.   -Isaiah 4:2-6

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.   -Ephesians 4:2-3

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.   -2 Peter 3:18

hello all.

And of course, welcome to Persistence.  Call me Lauren Anne.  While I honestly don't call myself a 'writer,' I do write.  And I love it.  I read, too.  Boy, do I read.  I'm in band, and I play saxophone.  I run.  I take photos.  But I'm a pretty simple kind of person.  Nice and Simple.  I'm Christian.  And that is the most important thing.  A verse to go along with my blog: 

James 5:11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

I'm 16 years old, and I am a sophomore in high school.  I have dark brown, curly hair.  And because it may help you understand what kind of person I am, I wear it up every day.  I'm pretty tall, I guess.  5'8".  I am apart of a wonderful family of nine.  I have one brother, and five sisters.  And believe me, I love them.  so much.  I fifth in line.  I'm in marching band in the fall.  Track during the spring.  And jazz band.  During the winter.

I might as well tell you now.  I am really into music.  Not that pop culture stuff.  But classical music.  Meaning saxophone and piano concertos, and anything that makes me cry.  Yes.  Listening to classical music makes me cry.  Literally.  The droplets of water literally run down my face.

Just so you know.  and I, honestly, want to meet you.

Black and White