New chapters in life are exciting and scary! Filled with firsts both good and bad. I’m writing this posts because I felt convicted that we have to choose if we are going to step into the next chapter in our lives or if we are going to try and live in past chapters. I’m not saying you shouldn’t process the past or remember things. What I’m saying is I think it is easy to settle and never move forward. It is important to take steps. Yes you will fall. Yes you might fall backwar

God has been teaching me about time and his Word/word. This article is full of personalized moments alongside solid content. I encourage you to check it out! medium.com/the-currents/2-words-2-times-a26871e2fef7 God Bless! Laura #Encouragement #Inspiration #Life #teaching

What does it mean to be still with you? Surrounded by creation, peaceful renewed. The stress of the world no longer carried. No need to worry, no need to tarry. The wind is calm, a gentle breeze. You sit with the Lord under his tree. He speaks to you and gently reminds, You are special to him, one of a kind. You’re loved for who you are, not what you do. The Lord loves sitting there, he and you. He loves to speak promises and tell you what’s true. He loves relationship and be

The loss of a child, the loss of a friend, the loss of a job will tragedy end? I can’t say I understand all the trials and pain, but my heart breaks for those treading through rocky terrain. It’s hard and it’s tiring will the trek ever end? It is hard to take another step and even bend. I hear people say when can I rest? I’ve given life my all, my very best. I wish I could say tomorrow the tide will turn and you will look back and see all you’ve learned. I don’t know when tha

Voices are used to sing and shout. Voices are used to create and cast out doubt. Voices are instruments of praise and adoration. Voices are used to make declarations. How you use your voice is up to you. I want to change the world and speak life, too! There’s so many hurting. I hate when people die because of cancer and suicide. God I want to glorify you not disease, speak through my mouth and heal disease. May the church arise and miracles happen where people around the worl

Grieving is painful and hard! As I was able to process a little tonight, I decided to share what the Lord gave me. He gave me a poem and he gave me assurance: “It’s going to be ok.” Grieving is hard and full of pain. Sometimes you can’t feel anything. Tears stream down your face and stain. Your heart is broken, the pain it stings. You can’t put your emotions into words. Your thoughts seem to be all over the place. You wonder what direction you’re moving towards. Then in the m

Life is hard! When you are hurting you want to be comforted. As I reflected on circumstances I’ve been through and how I’ve handled them, I was reminded that in the midst of pain it’s important to assess and ask yourself some questions: 1.) Who can and should I be vulnerable with when something happens? 2.) When is the appropriate time? 3.) What is appropriate to say? 4.) Where should you say it? 5.) How should you say it? 6.) Why are you saying it? When anything happens in m

I’ve struggled with a performance based love mentality. I crave affirmation, yet to what expense? I’m growing in my ability to receive based on who I am rather than focusing on what I can do. In order to do all that God has called me to do, I need my emotions, particularly love to be sanctified/holy. I can’t live with my identity wrapped up in anything outside of God. When I’m fully devoted and fully his without fear crippling me, paralyzing me into thinking or believing I’m

Today, I went to the grocery store and felt like the Lord said to talk with one of the workers. I talked and was friendly and then walked away. As I walked to the aisle to get to get juice, I felt lead to go back and find the man and ask if I could pray for him. He said yes. I prayed and blessed him. The Lord lead me to tell the man that he is seen and that when it seems like no one has his back God’s there for him. He appeared very encouraged. I encourage you to bless someon

It’s been really hard lately. I decided to write. I hope it helps someone else. My heart is heavy, I feel the weight of all the years I’ve been in wait. I thought I had patience but tested again. I sit here wondering if and when. I’m not trying to toil with questions unanswered Many people are tormented with cancers My burdens are heavy but light to the Lord He never tires, he’s never bored I come to him often with a heart that is torn I ask him to mend it for I am w

Tonight just outside of Chicago, brothers and sisters from the USA and Brazil worshipped together. Spanish, English and Portuguese praises went up to heaven at the same time from the same location. We stood together with the common denominator of LOVE. Jesus loves us and calls us to love each other. Appearances don’t matter to Jesus. He loves the rich and the poor, the young and the old. I went to Brazil in December 2015 and now they have come to Greater Chicago Church in Jan

We are a week into the new year 2018. Some had a few days off,  some had a week, others two (if you work in a school). Some spent time with family and friends, others spent time alone, hopefully in the midst of the hustle and bustle everyone found some time to rest. That last few weeks I’ve experienced a roller coaster of emotions. But overall I lived a balance life. My goal this year is to continue to live a balanced life.  I want to be known as someone who carriers hope, en

What a journey life’s been so far. I’ve traveled by bus, train, plane and car. I’ve enjoyed oceans, mountains, deserts and tropics. I’ve had many conversations on different topics. I’ve been a student and a teacher. I’ve heard many messages from preachers. I survived death’s grip on different occasions. I’ve had a few family vacations. I’ve overcome hardship many a time. I know what’s it’s like to continue to grind. When will my breakthrough come? I’ve asked this question, I’

When you choose to acknowledge rather than live in denial you are stronger than you know. It is not easy to admit areas where we need to grow, that will require hard work and won’t necessarily be pleasurable. I enjoy growing, but I prefer to grow in my strengths rather than weaknesses. However, I’m thankful for the growth that comes out of time spent in the trenches. I know my weaknesses and know my strengths. Facing my weaknesses and choosing to trust is hard and painful. As

5 years ago I had brain surgery. I could have died multiple times. I had cerebral spinal fluid leaks. I had an infection in my brain. It has been a hard journey. Daily I deal with pain. But God is greater than all my aches and pain. God has brought me through so much and will help me through today and tomorrow. I’m writing this post to remind others and myself that God will never leave you, even in the hardest times. I have felt bruised, broken, alone and misunderstood. I’ve

We all are creative, we all have dreams. God is the River and off him come streams. Streams of business and streams of teachers, of mothers and fathers, prophets and preachers. God’s given us grace to run the race. God show us exactly how to pace. We live to lift the name of Jesus. God thank you for visions and how you see us. We don’t have to strive, we just have to rest. God asks us to just say yes. Don’t discard what God has breathed. Choose to agree and choose to believe,

Change brings about uncertainty but also possibility. Don’t allow fear to hold you back from success. Whether you have been doing something for 20+ years or for a week, you have a choice to make. What do you believe about yourself, your circumstances, your present and your future? What have you learned from your past? Difficult situations present themselves at the most unopportune time. Don’t let your emotions determine the outcome of your day, week, month or year. Ask the Lo

Brokenness is hard but beautiful to me. When you’re struggling child bring me your needs. I’m your strength and comfort in the storm. I knew you child before you were born. Lean on me and the Body of Christ. On the cross Jesus suffered and paid the price. Before that he was tempted and he was tried. Yes Jesus wept, yes he cried. He was insulted and mocked, but death set us free. Children run, run to me. Don’t try to be strong for you are weak. Learn to humble, learn to be mee

Sometimes you go through times where you tell yourself over and over again, “I can do it.” As Dory would say on Finding Nemo “just keep swimming.” I am currently dealing with situations that I’ve never been trained for. Life throws curve balls and we have to adjust. This post is for those of you who are struggling to get through another day. Some situations seem hopeless. I can’t argue with the statement, “life is hard.” The only I know to do is ask God to renew my hope. To b

There are some days that I find that I am scared. Sometimes I wonder if God really hears my prayers. I’m thankful that in my hurt and pain, that God calls me beloved, he calls me by my name. He tells me that I don’t have to live in shame. God I want to keep growing and becoming more like you. I don’t want to look at life as something I just have to get through. I want to love and show others what it means to be kind. No matter what happens, I want to be a light that shines.