Rhythms are so important ~

~ from my garden ~

I have been out of rhythm ever since our Christmas Concert last December. Being a worship director means pivoting, multi-tasking, vision-casting, communicating, planning, strategizing, coordinating, rehearsing, shepherding, delegating, encouraging, engaging, inspiring, evangelizing, praying, oh and the list goes on. lol! I love it! If you are a worship leader, YOU KNOW, everything is heightened and magnified during the Christmas & Easter season.

After my church’s wonderful Easter celebration a couple of weeks ago, I crashed (just like every worship leader) and slept! When my energy and emotions started stabilizing, I realized I was out of rhythm. You see, in this season of my life I do a lot of things. I work full time at my church, teach music lessons 6 hours a week, take my kids to and fro from school + all of the other variables that come with being a mom, as well as, all of my household duties. I am sure I’ve missed some. I love my life, however, when I am out of rhythm I definitely feel it!

So I made adjustments to my weekly schedule recently, to slow down, hoping this new found rhythm will help me enjoy the nuances of everyday life. I’ve also started a one year life-style diet. What it revolves around is being in tune with my body’s needs. I wake up every morning, go to the restroom, weigh myself, hydrate, and then wait until I am for sure hungry, not “haaangrrry.” lol Yesterday, I didn’t eat until noon, totally skipped breakfast and I was completely okay with that. Weird…. Oh and I got results from a food sensitivity test and I am intolerant to eggs. Who knew!?! So no more pastries for me waaaah! I am just grateful to know how to take care of myself.

It is difficult to adjust to and find new rhythms, however, to be honest with you, I am feeling better already, except I am hoping my brain fog will lift. haha! Yesterday, I was in a drive-thru at one of our favorite coffee shops, that is notorious for being extremely slow, and completely checked out mentally, day-dreaming about this and that, passed the ordering kiosk and went straight the the window, waited a good 5 mins until they opened the window and said, “that will be $15.00 please,” which woke me from my trance. I couldn’t believe what I had done! I apologized and told the sweet girl, I drove right past the ordering menu and could she please take my order? I felt so bad! Thankfully, I had a patient person who took my order. Am I the only one who has done this?

On the flip side, I have found time to do things I enjoy, like gardening. I am hooked and it is pretty ridiculous! It brings me so much peace and fulfillment though. I try to eat something out of my garden everyday. I have planted fragrant lavender, jasmine, honeysuckle, roses, sweet peas, basil, oregano, rosemary, and the list goes on. I LOVE watching things grow! This has been such and incredible eye-opening experience for me. My kids (and probably my husband, Brian) think I am the crazy gardening lady. lol

One HUGE thing I have discovered about God from gardening is that He is true to His word. When He says in Matthew 6:26 “Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are?” He is not lying! There is a rhythm in nature. The more you pick, the more you harvest. God is a multiplying provider. For example, we planted strawberries a few years ago. They come back every year and look kinda pitiful at first and the strawberries are so tiny, however, the more I pick the ripe ones the more my strawberry plants grow and produce bigger fruit. Same with most of my fruits and veggies. Basically, what I am telling them is I need their food and God has created them to “say” okay I am going to need to produce more to provide what is needed. When I stop picking, the plants take that as a sign there is no more need and they stop producing. This one little discovery has stopped me in my tracks to worship God!

Worship means reverence and adoration. God totally deserves my reverence and adoration! He is amazing! He is speaking and calling out to us everyday; everywhere, but do we tune in to listen? I challenge you this week to try to be more aware of God and His character. It just might take you to a place of worship, just like it did for me. Please let me know what you discover by posting in the comments!

Til next time….

Lara~

Just “Be” Time ~

Why this picture? It is one of the many snapshots I have stopped to enjoy over the years. This picture was taken at my parents place in the Northwest. It is so quiet there and set apart from the busyness of life. Nature has an incredible ability to make us just “be” in the moment. I wake up quite early everyday. I wish I could sleep in, but once my mind is awake it starts spinning with thoughts.

You know what I was doing this morning? Looking up videos on Emily Blunt and John Krasinsky. Why? Who knows. I think they have a cute vibe about them, but it was a total waste of time. lol. Then I felt I should go outside and take a look at my garden vegetables ie. kale, broccoli, and potatoes. I am a novice gardener. The only reason why I know anything is because I have a geeky obsession with “Gardener’s World” from Britain. haha! I had to look under every leaf to see if there were any cabbage moths. They are green and camouflage themselves quite well. I found two, yuck. At least they were babies. Anyway, as I was doing this menial work, I wasn’t thinking about my “to do” list, the kids, Brian, the dogs, anything really just looking under leaves. I then stood up and turned to see the sun’s rays reflecting off of the mountain, making it a brilliant reddish orange color. I stopped and took in the stunning display. I was just “being” in the moment. It was a life-giving time. I don’t know about you, maybe you are more disciplined then me, but I find it VERY hard to just “be.”

Here is a day in the life of Lara Marriott…woke up at 5am today, couldn’t’ go back to sleep, scrolled through social media, watched random YouTube videos, (thankfully I stopped to garden), made coffee, ate breakfast, worried about how I was going to juggle finding covid tests for the kids (preventative reasons), how and when to pick those up being a one car family at the moment and needing to go to work with a few things that are mandatory to get done there by this evening, make 5 important phone calls, practice worship set, devotional for this evenings rehearsal, our anniversary is coming up and Brian and I both have to work, what are we going to do?, the kids are going to camp, and the list goes on and on and on. Finding just “BE” moments are typically swept away by all of the variables that fight for my time daily.

You know, we all need to be intensional with our time. I found myself praying, “Lord, I am a worship leader and I need to be filled up with You before I can ever help lead others. Please help me find time today to spend with You, listen to worship music, find just “be” moments. I need to breathe deeply and restore my soul. Amen.” What is funny is writing this blog is helping me stop, reflect, and reset for the rest of my day. I think after I finish it, I am going to go for a nice long walk, not because I need the exercise, or because I need to take the dogs, or because it is a good time to listen to Easter music, or because it is a good time to make my 5 important phone calls, but because I need to just “be” as I walk and allow the Lord to fill me with His Presence and love. Be simple, Be in solitude, Be quite, just Be…

I hope this encourages you today to find sometime to just “be.”

Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Lara~

Reading about Jesus ~

I have a couple of pastor friends who have challenged me over the past few months to follow the ways of Jesus. There is a little stubborn side to me that will try to get out of doing what I really should be doing. Does this happen to you too?

However, today I opened up my Bible to Matthew and began reading in Matthew 2 after Jesus was born. I stopped after the “Temptation of Jesus” in chapter 4 because something caught my attention. Many Christians know the story of Jesus fasting in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights. Then, being tempted by the devil to give up His allegiance to God and to worship him instead. Yet, I stopped and noticed that after Jesus fought back with the sword of the Spirit (referenced in Ephesians 6), it said in Matthew 4:11 “the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to Him.”

Sometimes, I can get stuck on the actions of being a disciple of Jesus (a scary check list) and forget that we have a loving Father who comforts us and ministers to us through His angels and through other means as we follow Jesus’ example. After Jesus went through His trial, God sent His angels to minister and build Him back up again. That little part in scripture was so encouraging to me this morning.

We are not alone as disciples of Jesus. John 14 and Matthew 4 remind us of that. How encouraging! So as we continue being led by Jesus, we don’t need to be afraid, He’s got us! I know God’s angels will minister to us as we step out in faith as his disciples. I have experienced this tangibly in my life over and over again.

Thank You God for Your loving kindness towards Your children. Thank You for not leaving us or forsaking us. You were right there with Jesus when He was walking this earth just as You are with us as we walk out our lives as well. Thank You for Your ministering angels and for bringing other believers to us when we need to be comforted and built up! Help us to walk in the ways of Jesus boldly. Help us to be Your lights in this dark world, always pointing to Your saving grace through Jesus’ death and resurrection. In Your Son Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen ~

Make Room ~

January 2022…

New Year’s Resolutions…

Word for the Year…

Scripture for the Year…

The start of a new year seems to always bring a sense of new beginning and a fresh start, doesn’t it? Every year my husband and I talk about exercising more, eating right, eating out less often, organizing the house, getting rid of a lot of stuff, disciplining our time management, and saving money. I find myself reflecting over the the years past, praying and asking the Lord what His will is for the years to come? It might sound strange, but I am drawn to “make room” as the days move forward.

Was I just suppose to clean out my home office and “make room” for my mother-in-law to stay with us? Was I just suppose to do a goodwill run to “make room” in my closet for more stuff? lol. Was I just suppose to reschedule my week to “make room” for more family time? Make room…make room…make room…for what? Well, after spending a lot of time in prayer and quiet during my vacation, I believe I need to make room in ALL aspects of my life for what is most important.

In order for me to have a close and wonderful relationship with the Lord, I need to make room for more prayer time, bible reading, solitude, worship, for no other reason than to be with Him. I am a worship leader and sometimes these disciplines can become task oriented instead of friendship driven. Plus, I am a bit lazy and will default to surfing on the internet instead of spending quality time with God. This needs to change.

In order for me to have a close and wonderful relationship with my husband Brian, I need to make room to speak into his love languages throughout the week, hang out after long days of work, have weekly date nights, and make sure I am supporting him when he needs it. It has become too easy to say I work full time and can’t cook or clean, or hangout because I am busy or too tired or the kids need to do those things. I can clean the kitchen before taking the kids to school in the morning. I can make a crockpot meal for dinner before getting ready to go to work, I can watch a show or two after a long day, I can tidy up when I see a mess, I can ask him if there is anything he needs help with. This needs to change.

In order for me to have a close and wonderful relationship with my kids, I need to make room to hang out and listen to them, meet their needs when they come up (without frustration and grumbling), feed them well during the week, do things they like to do, support and encourage them instead of getting on their case about every little thing, and allow them to spread their wings and grow up. This needs to change.

These are just three examples from all aspects of my life. Now, I am absolutely no saint. Just writing this down is giving me some anxiety haha! However, I am 44 years old and I need to be more disciplined and more intensional.

Making room this past week has actually been life-giving. I have made room in my mind by silencing my phone, taking Facebook off of my phone, returning texts and phone calls when I have more time, instead of immediately, allowing myself to listen to the quiet or my family rather than filling my brain with podcast journalism, texts, emails, or random YouTube videos, etc…

I have made room for God by Bible journaling every morning before the family gets up and instead of scrolling on my phone. This hasn’t been an overnight success, but it is getting better. Listening to worship music while cleaning the house, going for quiet walks or gardening, and thanking God for creation have also been rejuvenating.

I have made room for Brian by hanging out together, listening and having conversations, cleaning the house, and going on dates. It’s too easy to get busy and allow the pressures of life to take over.

I have made room for Hannah and Josh by spending quality time with them, being a good listener, and allowing them to make their own choices. I have won some and lost some, but at least I am trying to move in the right direction. =)

Now today is the last day of my break. Making room is my main focus for the year 2022. I am hopeful and encouraged because with the Lord’s help, I might actually grow up a bit and find myself in a much more healthier place spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

How about you? As you look to the new year, what is it that is moving you forward?

Lara~

Bump In The Road ~

How should I share what has happened to me this past year? There are always multiple sides to every story. I’ve had to keep mine mostly to myself. For the past six months our church has been without a full-time pastor to shepherd and lead us. Interestingly enough, we only have me and two others as paid staff at the moment. I have been one of the familiar faces each week as the worship leader, trying to help bring stability, care, support, and encouragement as we all feel the shaky uncertainty of waiting for our next pastor to arrive. Thankfully, God has been graciously kind and has kept us strong, bringing us all together as one big church family. However, it has come with a lot of “refining in the fire” for me.

What happens when gold is refined in the fire? I decided to google it =) and discovered:

“Refining with flame is one of the oldest methods of refining metals. Mentioned even in the bible, refining by fire is the preferable method for larger quantities of gold. In ancient times, this form of refining involved a craftsman sitting next to a hot fire with molten gold in a crucible being stirred and skimmed to remove the impurities or dross that rose to the top of the molten metal. With flames reaching temperatures in excess of 1000 degrees Celsius, this job was definitely a dangerous occupation for the gold refiner. The tradition remains largely untouched today with the exception of a few advancements in safety and precision.” – https://www.gold-traders.co.uk/gold-information/how-to-refine-gold.asp

Being refined is a dangerous process which includes high temperatures. I like to equate it to life’s pressures and the stirring and skimming to the painful exposure and excavation of impure flaws in our character. Even though I have experienced every kind of emotion during this trial, I wouldn’t change any of it. Sometimes in our humanity we want to go through life the easy way and we can get angry with God when we come to bumps in the road. However, God is more concerned about our refinement than blessing us with a carefree life. When I said yes to Jesus I gave Him the right to do as He wished, trusting He knew what was best. It is simple to go along with His plans when life is good, it is painful when life takes an unexpected turn.

What did this experience teach me? It taught me that I had put too much of my trust and reliance into human leadership, instead of God’s leadership. It became too easy to coast and follow others, rather than focus on the spiritual disciplines of deepening my faith and building my character. I also learned how much I strived to control my environment and my relationships. I didn’t see this event coming. I couldn’t plan for it. I couldn’t control it. I couldn’t change it. Looking back, I am embarrassed and surprised at how I reacted. I went into pure panic mode. I had extreme anxiety and lost all interest in my hobbies. I felt abandoned and lost.

Yet, even in the dark valley God poured His extreme loving kindness over me. As I cried out to Him for help, He met me, picked me up, and gave me the Holy Spirit’s power and resolve to lead. He surrounded me with love from my husband, Brian through his listening ear and compassionate wisdom, my kids who comforted me and reminded me of what was truly important in my life, my parents who counseled me with their ministry experience, the EMB board who coached and fathered me weekly with incredible grace, mercy, and friendship, the elders of the church who hugged, encouraged, and gave me the freedom to lead our church family well, my worship team who allowed me to be transparent as we bonded together, the Lov movement pastors who prayed over me and my church, pastoring me every month, the guest pastors who graciously befriended me as we worked together to bring God’s Word to His people, my friends who counseled and reminded me that I mattered to them, my church family who needed my shepherding leadership as their worship leader and friend. My eyes fill with tears even now as I write, remembering the faithfulness of God during this season.

This year has not been easy. I am still dealing with healing. I am just now coming back to my hobbies and daring to enjoy them again. Stress is something that no one can prepare for. We don’t know how our minds, bodies, and emotions will react and that can be very scary to think about. Do I want to experience the emotional stress I allowed myself to go through? No. However, there is one thing I do know for a fact. I am not abandoned or lost. I serve a loving God who is faithful and loves me every step I take on this journey called life.

The older I get, the more scars (and wrinkles) I see. I don’t want to hide them or try to erase them. I want to celebrate the seasons of life because God is using them to refine me to be more like Him… I will never be perfect, but I have a God who is. He will never leave me or forsake me. I believe He will be with me all the way into eternity.

For that I am so thankful.

Lara~

Psalm 121

Psalm 20

Footprints in the Sand

Job

John 14

Coming Back ~

It was 15 years ago that I was sitting at a round table with 5 other young moms who also had their babies in the church nursery, chatting and enjoying the precious 2 hours of respite from our motherhood exhaustion, when one of the other moms at the table suggested that we should start blogging. Blogging? What a funny word. What was blogging?, I wondered. She proceeded to tell us about her blog and how she loved posting her daily activities with her children through pictures, recipes, and diary entries. Sounded interesting, but also a bit scary. Why would I want the entire world to read about my boring life as a mother? When I got home I checked her blog out on the web (lol, that is what we used to call it) and it amazed me. So, with fear and intrepidation I started my very first blog, “Chickideelilly.” https://chickideelilly.blogspot.com. I have left it up all of these years to go back to and remember what it was like for me as a young mom of two.

I stopped and started blogging throughout the years as I tossed around in the Indie Artist Industry sea of lost hopes and dreams. (just kidding…well…sort of). Blogging wasn’t cool anymore. No one cared to know about the daily highs and lows of my life (at least that is what “they” told me). I needed to be focused with my content and make it eye catching and engaging, blah, blah, blah. Honestly, all of the striving I went through to try and become a professional christian indie artist was more exhausting than raising two kids!

Fast forward to today, Wednesday, December 29th, 2021. I am now at a place in my life where I no longer want to strive after the wind of wishful thinking. I just want to follow where I feel the Holy Spirit is leading me. I want to enjoy being the random, day-dreamy, creative, visionary leader that God has created me to be. One of the things I miss is just sharing my life’s experiences and lessons with others. I love connecting with people from all over the world. Social media has been a great way to do this and also a horrible way to connect. In my opinion, I think blogging is where it’s at again.

So as we get ready to begin another new year, I want to restart this blog and share my heart again, hoping that 1 Corinthians 15:58 stays true and someone will be encouraged by what I decide to share here. =)

Happy New Year Everyone! (Oh my how our kids have grown. Where has the time gone!?!)

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Random and So fun!

This past Friday, my friend and co-worship leader, Christine and her husband Abraham met me at our church to have fun recording a cover song called, “No Matter How Long It Takes.”  We have led it at church a few times and it really ministered to us.  I thought that they would come with like one, maybe two mics, and one video camera.  I was a little nervous because I don’t like to be video-taped normally, but was pretty chill about the whole thing.  Then they came in with a huge set up of cameras, mics, and a computer. Oh my! My heart started to beat a little bit faster than “chill.” lol!  Plus, I always get nervous about my piano playing since there are SO MANY other amazing pianists out there.  Okay, yes I was being selfishly insecure!

However, we had so much fun doing what we all love to do!!!  Plus, I had the privilege of getting to know Abraham better since we’ve only met in passing.  It took a couple of hours to do, but time flies by with good friends and good company!

Here is the video we did of the worship cover song, “No Matter How Long It Takes.”  I hope it moves you too:

 

No Matter How Long It Takes – Cover

 

What’s New?

I cannot believe it has been over a year since I’ve written a blog post.  Blogging seems so “old school” now a days since everyone is constantly on social media talking about a mile a minute back and forth.  I’m sorry about that.  It’s been 15 years since I first started blogging, when a mommy friend introduced me to the latest way of communication.  Now it is almost a lost art form.  lol.

Well, I am excited to say that my producer has the vocal stems to 7 of the 13 songs on my next worship album and is chipping away at each song one by one.  This is a pain staking process for him, but I know I will be blown away by how he puts everything together!  This album has really been a testing of my faith and patience.  I’ve had to continually release the outcome to the Lord over and over again and still do.

We thought that since I wasn’t able to raise enough money for the rest of the album, we would just release an EP of the 7 songs that were fully funded, but recently I realized how important it was for all 13 song to stay together.  They completely tell the story of who God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are and what the gospel message is saying to all of humanity.  They all reveal God’s love and His heart.  I still don’t have the money needed, but I am trusting that the Lord will provide the rest if He wants the same thing I am wanting.  It truly is up to Him.  If you remember, please pray for His provision and His direction.  I want His will to be done for His glory and work alone.  Thank you!

In the meantime, I wait, I pray, and I sing!  I have started to lead “Worship Times” every Monday at 3pm p/t on my Facebook page.  I also am sharing the songs on the album and new songs I have been writing there and on Periscope.  I know you’re asking “Periscope? Is it still around?” lol!  You know what?  It is! And I still really love it.  I love connecting with the world and having conversations. Periscopians are so used to conversing with one another, more so than on Facebook or anywhere else it seems.  So I am back on Periscope sharing songs and also reading the Bible from beginning to end.  I started that this week and we are already on the 10th Chapter of Genesis.  I read and we discuss what is going on and what stands out to us.  It has been a lot of fun!

So there you go.  That is what has been happening in parts of my world lately. =)  Please join me over on my social media platforms to stay up to date and connected.  Hopefully, I will get back into the habit of writing posts on my website.  I’ve actually enjoyed typing this out tonight.  It has been very cathartic.  Anyway, blessings to you.  Talk soon.

Lara~

My Next Worship Album Project!!

So it’s happening!  After 6 years of being quiet, God has opened the doors to record another worship album full of songs I’ve written and cowritten with other great songwriters.  40+ people have stepped up to partner with me in funding this project!  We’ve raised enough money for production on 3 songs so far, but we have a long ways to go.  Would you consider joining me and donating to this album?  I can’t do this with out you!  There are a few ways you can give: by using SongBird@hotmail.com you can give through PayPal and Venmo or you can click on my GoFundMe campaign to give: http://www.gofundme.com/laramarriottworshipalbum 

Anyone who is able to give $30.00 or more will be sent a signed copy of the album when it is done (you’ll just have to provide your email address) If there is someone (in the USA) who can donate $5,000 or more, I will do a full concert for free! =)

I know God is going to provide because He is already moving in powerful ways through this whole thing.  I am planning to share this music wherever God wants me to go.  Exciting times I tell ya!

Thank you for reading this blog post and watching the video for more detail and to listen to the first song my producer, Jeff Bohannon from http://www.jbomusicproductions.com

Blessings,

Lara~

NEW Original Worship Song!

Hey everyone,  so many things are happening, I have been bad not blogging for quite a while.  However, I just had to share this new worship song I co-wrote with Branon Dempsey and Holland Davis called, “I Call Your Name.”  Please feel free to share it in your churches.  This song will also be on my upcoming full length album that is in the works.  If you’d like to join the team behind this album project, you can donate by clicking the link below for my GoFundMe page.  It’s going to take a village of God’s people.  We can do this together for the Kingdom.  http://www.gofundme.com/laramarriottworshipalbum    Anyone who is able to give $30.00 or more will receive a signed copy when it’s out.

Many blessings to you.  I pray this song blesses and ministers to you like it has ministered to me.

Lara~

Where Is Joy?

Why is it when Christmas rolls around, life gets out of control?  It is suppose to be a wonderful time of cookie baking, Christmas shopping, tree picking, party going, Christmas light gazing, family gathering, and church going, right?  Yet, in-between all of those things, sometimes we deal with sickness, deadlines, financial difficulties, deaths, bickering, whining, loneliness, needing a vacation from the vacation.  Where in the world are we suppose to find joy in all of the mess?

I’ve found myself asking that very question this year.  Whenever I planned out my week, things changed and threw me into a forced decision; either I take the red pill of frustration and anger or the blue pill of calm and collected responses to life’s curve balls being thrown at me from all directions.

Normally, my default response is anger and frustration, but I don’t want to be that way this season.  So how do I change?  I need to find true joy!

The thing is, I know I can never find it from the world.  It is impossible.  The world only offers temporary gratification, like a box of Sees Chocolates. =) I don’t want to chase down happiness in empty promises anymore. I want the real deal.

Deep down I know it comes from keeping my eyes on Jesus.  That is the only way I have ever felt true joy in the past.  When I stop looking at Jesus, my mind returns back to the chaos and I take the red pill.  So I am making it my goal this Christmas to get my eyes back onto my relationship with Jesus.  He is so loving and such a great companion.  He has never been unfaithful to me.  I know He has all of the solutions to every conflict I face.  He needs to become my number one priority again.  I don’t know if you can relate to the same struggle I am having.  If you are, let’s pray that God will help us get our eyes off of our problems and onto His love.  As my pastor said, we receive joy from the Holy Spirit’s outpouring of joy over our lives.  We don’t create it, it is poured over us.  Plus, there is so much to be grateful for.  Pray that we counter negative thoughts with thankfulness instead.

I am thankful for being able to serve my family.  I am thankful I was able to sit and watch a show with my teenage kids.  I am thankful that I saw God’s faithfulness and grace today.  I am thankful for a loving husband and loving children who love Jesus.  The list goes on…What is your list?

Lara~

This Christmas ~

I drew this on an airplane, flying up to the Northwest last year.  I don’t remember what it was that inspired me to pen this picture, but I just happened upon it today as I perused through my pictures and it was ironic how timely remembering such a beautiful memory was for me this Christmas.  Advent has been about unpacking the concepts of Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace and how they came to us through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

My life has been jam-packed with four jobs, as a Worship Pastor, voice and piano instructor with 20 students, singer/songwriter, and a care-taker for my in-laws.  Because I have rarely had enough margin to rebound, I had lost the excitement of celebrating Christmas; until today.

Today, I sat down to listen to Christmas music as I planned out my Christmas Eve worship set.  As I listened, my heart softened in remembrance of how much God’s love was for me and my family.  “Angels We Have Heard On High,” “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You,” “O Holy Night,” “O Come All Ye Faithful.”  The lyrics in these songs have been carried from one generation to the next over hundreds of years, reminding us of the true promise of Christmas.   It is not about the Christmas parties, or the gifts that we must buy for everyone on our list, or the acts of service we participate in; it’s about how God reached down to His creation by sending His only son, Jesus as a baby, fully God and fully human, to be the redeeming sacrifice for our sin, and to rescue us from the chains of darkness that constantly entangle us, offering eternal life with Him.  When we think about it, why would we ever want to be separated from our Father?  Wouldn’t we want to be in His loving arms forever?

So, as I looked at this picture, I saw the gifts of the Spirit pouring down to a surrendered heart.  I saw an exchange taking place, a broken heart for Joy, Peace, Grace, Hope, Love, Forgiveness, Mercy, and Faith.  What an exchange!!  Let’s not forget about the real reason for the Christmas season and let all of the frustrations, sadness, uncertainties, sin, busyness be put to the side, so that we can be filled with the love of Jesus.

Lara~

Last Day of Being 30 Something ~

Today has been a good day.  I got a good sleep.  Hung out with my great family.  Took a long nap (I’ve been very tired lately) and dyed my baby girl’s hair (she is 13).  I wanted to sit here and document something on my last day before turning the BIG 40!  What has happened to me these last 30 years?  Well, I grew up in a loving, worship pastor’s home, traveled a lot and lived in 8 homes, in Canada, California, Washington, and Detroit, graduated high school, studied vocal performance privately and in college, traveled the world as a singer and speaker for World Vision and Mission of Mercy, got married to a worship pastor-in-training, had two beautiful kids, was called by the Lord to write, started writing songs, moved to three churches, produced my first debut album, continued writing and performing, homeschooled our kids for 3 years, was gently nudged to lead worship more often, became the women’s director for our church, moved again as an act of faith, put our kids in public school, became a leader for a moms group, had much needed rest from ministry, got confused about songwriting, my purpose, and my calling, so after every resource was gone and every idea was spent, I prayed and God opened the door for me to be a worship pastor and a private music instructor.  Because our church was in dire need of specific worship songs, my songwriting bug returned and I began writing again.

That is a lot of living in 30 years.  What’s next?  Hmm… Well, I’m getting more tired as I age, I have to dye my hair to cover grey.  I can pass as a 30 something still, but definitely not a 20 something.   My thinking has changed a bit.  I’m definitely more seasoned which has been the byproduct of years of patience, humility, disappointment, knowledge, experience, and perseverance.  I’m still someone who has too many ideas swimming in my head.  I like moving forward.  I don’t like being content with the same ol’.  I am more excited as a worship leader, more patient and sanguine as a music teacher, more social with my children, more grown up as a wife, more focused as a songwriter, more prayerful as a child of God.  What’s wrong with that?  Nothing.

Yes, it’s hard to think I will be 40 stinkin’ years old tomorrow, but I like who I am now way better than who I was at 19.

My hope is that in the years to come, Lord willing, I will be closer to the Lord, moving in the Holy Spirit, more thankful for what God has blessed me with instead of always wanting more.  I love my husband dearly, even though it doesn’t show too well when we are talking about finances, sorry babe.  I want to play more and do life together.  I love my kids deeply, even though they drive me up the wall with all of the questions and emotional outbursts, sorry kids.  I want to play more and be present in their lives.  I love my family members, even though most of them live far away.  I want to write them letters more and find ways to spend time with them.  I love to write songs, even though in the industry standards they are still not cutting it.  I want to continue having songs flow out of me and write for my church because it brings me so much joy and deepens my understanding of God.  I love being able to be a worship pastor, even though I don’t know how long this season will last.  I want to follow God’s lead and grow this church up to be in love with Him and transformed by His glory.  I love passing down what I know about singing, songwriting, and playing the piano, to the next generations coming up, even though it requires a lot of work and patience lol.  I want to invest all of my experience into them so that they can become great at their musical abilities.

I won’t be able to eat the amazing food I use to.  I won’t be able to shed the extra pounds that I use to.  I will probably still need to take naps and drink coffee.  But, that’s okay.  Here’s to the next 40 years.  I pray God will help me make each day count and never wasted.

Lara~

Praise the Lord for All He Has Done – Psalm 111

111 Shout praises to the Lord!
    With all my heart
I will thank the Lord
    when his people meet.
² The Lord has done
    many wonderful things!
Everyone who is pleased
with God’s marvelous deeds
    will keep them in mind.
³ Everything the Lord does
    is glorious and majestic,
    and his power to bring justice
    will never end.

⁴ The Lord God is famous
for his wonderful deeds,
    and he is kind and merciful.
⁵ He gives food to his worshipers
    and always keeps his agreement
    with them.
⁶ He has shown his mighty power
    to his people
    and has given them the lands
    of other nations.

⁷ God is always honest and fair,
    and his laws can be trusted.
⁸     They are true and right
    and will stand forever.
⁹ God rescued his people,
    and he will never break
his agreement with them.
    He is fearsome and holy.

¹⁰ Respect and obey the Lord!
This is the first step
    to wisdom and good sense.^[a]
    God will always be respected.

Back To Periscope!

Happy 2017!  Can you believe we are in the year 2017?  I am really having a hard time coming to terms with this.  =)  Well 2016 was a good year, full of learning experiences and rest.  God was faithful and a good, good Father and I know He will continue to be this year!

Through prayer, I am starting back up on Periscope again in a more focused and structured manner.  I really feel led to broadcast about things that I am passionate about.  So I am including my schedule on this post for those of you who would like to join me in the broadcasts that matter to you! periscope-broadcast-sheet

We will begin our study in the Book of Matthew today at 9am p/t.  Then, I will teach a vocal class at 11am p/t.  Lastly, we will have some casual worship time at 6:30pm p/t where I will lead you in worshipping the Lord through song, with prayer time at the end.  It is going to be a good day!

Hope you will be able to join me on Periscope.  Here is the link to my Periscope page: https://www.periscope.tv/LaraMarriott/1yNxadnkyBXJj

Blessings to you as you go into this year.  It is my prayer that God’s Holy Spirit will draw you closer to Him.

Lara~

 

By The Streams Of Grace

Here is another song I wrote years back.  It is based out of Psalm 23, my absolute life verse.

By The Streams Of Grace

©2007 Lara Marriott

By the streams of grace I find You

Down the paths of righteousness

In the stillness of Your mercy

Is where I long to rest

By the streams of grace I find You

You supply what I need

A place where Your abundance flows

You renew me

 

By the streams of grace You restore my soul

By the streams of grace is where Your love is shown

You’re my shepherd, my father

I serve and adore

I long for nothing, but to be

By Your streams of grace

 

Your rod and staff protect me

Through the valley of dark despair

You are walking right beside me

Taking me away from all my fear

Your rod and staff; they guide me

Your blessings are awaiting me

It is only in You I trust for

You are saving me, Oh

 

By the streams of grace You restore my soul

By the streams of grace is where Your love is shown

You’re my shepherd, my father

I serve and adore

I long for nothing, but to be

By Your streams of grace

By Your streams of grace

I will forever rest

By Your streams of grace

By the streams of grace I find You

Celebrate The Seasons

I’m sharing three of my songs today that I’ve written.  I hope they will bless you.

 

Celebrate The Seasons

©2007 Lara Marriott

I found myself reflecting back to memories

I thought about every numbered year

In all the things I’ve gone through, in all the years I’ve found

Times of joy, love, hope, and the tears that I’ve battled

What do I do with all these painted pictures

There are too many to count

 

I celebrate the seasons of life

Capturing each one of them in my mind

I celebrate the seasons of life

Too precious to let go

Unique to me alone

I am blessed by my journeyed road

 

Each year of mine in worn upon my face; in my eyes

I wear them as proud badges of honor

The portraits of my life are completely designed

My experiences come in every kind of color

What is told in all of these painted memories

They are what I’ve been blessed to leave behind

 

I celebrate the seasons of life

Capturing each one of them in my mind

I celebrate the seasons of life

Too precious to let go

Unique to me alone

I am blessed by my journeyed road

 

What a gift from God I’ve been given

To say this is where I’ve been

To tell the stories of my past glories

And the hard times I’ve come out of

Oh and still I will say

 

I celebrate the seasons of life

Capturing each one of them in my mind

I celebrate the seasons of life

Too precious to let go

Unique to me alone

I am blessed by my journeyed road

I am blessed by my journeyed road

I am thankful…

It’s All About You

 

It’s All About You

©2009 Lara Marriott

When I am sick, You make me well

When I am tired, You provide my rest

When I am cast down, You lift me up again

When I am poor, You offer Your wealth

When I am lost, You see that I’m found

When I’m in doubt, You reveal Your promise

For it is You who’s life

You are truth

You are the way

 

It’s all about You

You have my heart

It is You my bright light

When I am weary from the dark

Oh, it’s all about You

You’re in the lows and in the highs

You’re the giver of my life

It’s all about You

 

When I am joyful, You make me dance

When I’m at peace, I see all Your goodness

When I have faith, with you nothing can stop me

For You are life

You are truth

You are the way

 

It’s all about You

You have my heart

It is You my bright light

When I am weary from the dark

Oh, it’s all about You

You’re in the lows and in the highs

You’re the giver of my life

It’s all about You

 

You have restored me

You’ve forgiven me

You have made all things right (2x)

 

It’s all about You

You have my heart

It is You my bright light

When I am weary from the dark

Oh, it’s all about You

You’re in the lows and in the highs

You’re the giver of my life

It’s all about You

Vocalizing Is A Must (Show #91)

Here is a blog post I wrote and also a couple of vocal sessions I did with Branon Dempsey today.  Hope they are helpful! =)

Worship Team Training® Articles and Videos :: Live Workshops and Personal Mentoring for Your Worship Team That Comes To You! http://www.WorshipTeamTraining.com/Blog

Source: Vocalizing Is A Must (Show #91)

What Legacy Are You Leaving?

This question really hits home when you attend funerals.  You look around at how many people came to pay tribute.  You listen to the stories of how lives were forever changed.  As a worship leader, do you ever ask yourself what kind of legacy you’re leaving?  How are you investing in the people you serve?  Does your family see one person on stage and another at home?  How’s your integrity; your loyalty; your leadership?

It is so important for us worship leaders to keep this front and center in our minds; not as a prideful thing, but as a God honoring thing.  Too many times we allow the fruit of the spirit to take a backseat to our own agendas as well as compare ourselves to others.

There is something so beautiful to experience when going to a funeral for someone who lived out a life for Jesus.  Their legacy doesn’t stop when they pass away, it outlives them many times forward.  It can even cross the generational divide.  We need to be “legacy- minded” worship leaders.  It keeps us from focusing inward and drives us out-word towards others.

Being a “lime-light” worship leader can only bring superficial satisfaction, but being a “legacy-minded” worship leader will bring long-lasting fulfillment and love.

How do you want your eulogy to read?  Who would you like to see at your memorial service?  What would people say about your character? Do you want everything to point to your achievements and accolades?  Or, would you rather the stories told about you and the memories shared end up pointing other to Jesus?

What legacy are you leaving?