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Who’s In Charge Here?
I’m looking at the skyline of Stavanger, Norway via my hotel room window. My family and I just arrived today for three concerts we’ll be doing this weekend. The people here are great and Norway is a beautiful country, but I’m not sure what day it is, what time it is…I’m all mixed up. My grandma would say I don’t know if I’m washing or hanging out.
Ever feel like that? Lately I’ve felt that I’ve been rushing around so much I can hardly find time to just be and breathe. I’m trying so hard to do all the things I need to do, want to do and feel God is calling me to do, yet with every effort to keep up the pace, I’m only driving myself batty. The other night, I was venting my frustration to God and He patiently indulged me. Then that still, small voice burned into my brain:
You’re not going to do it without Me.
It’s so simple, and so easy to forget. Our society and culture scream, “Be more! Do more! Try harder!” But Jesus says, “Apart from Me, you can do nothing.” His power has given us everything we need to live a Godly life, but His power works best when we’re weak. We go to great lengths to avoid acknowledging our weaknesses, until God brings us to a point where we have to accept our brokenness and receive His grace.
I think tomorrow is Friday, but I’ll let Him decide what happens from there.
GO Team!
Hey Lauren, I’m sending you a big hug! That was just so well said. It’s nice to know that we can relate to
other people who are experiencing the fast pace of life, and that just when we’d like things to get easier or simpler, they become harder and much more complicated. I don’t like it, but it seems to be the way it is. Just think of how much easier you’re about to make the lives of the Norwegians who just can’t wait to see the Talley’s perform. Take a deep breath, know that we’re out here with you, and that what you’re helping me see so clearly, is that we are in His hands.
Love,
Lisa
Lauren, Slow down, stay calm … don’t forget to cross your i’s and dot your t’s.
Progress always involves risk – you can’t steal second and keep your foot on first ! We are all on YOUR TEAM ! GO Team !
Your situation reminds me of the song Casey wrote:
“When I am Weak, He makes me stronger. When the load becomes too heavy, my world is in His hands. When I am down He lifts me higher, First I must be broken before He builds me up again. I have found that His grace is sufficient for me, When I am weak.”
Thank you for being that willing vessel, and remember your family and friends love and support you, and appreciate you doing what God has called you to do.
Can’t wait to see you guys. Only 22 days til cruisin’ time.
Love you,
Kay
Very well said Ms. Lauren, God is always in charge…Take A deep Breath and He will see you through it all…Gods always Faithful..and we are all behind you all…after all You inspire me and I am sure a whole lot others out there. Keep up the Awesome work….
Amen! Hope you don’t have as much snow to deal with there in Norway as we have here, but on the other hand they’re probably a lot more used to it than we are. We’ve been getting blasted here in Maryland. I just got done clearing about 20 inches off the driveways and the road in front of the house has about 3 foot of snow on it. The Trio might want to stay a few days longer! Take care Lauren! Say hi to your Dad, Mom and Jim for me.
I’ve been there too. I have to remind myself HE not I am in control! Enjoy the ride
Lauren, My sister & her husband used to live at Oslo, Norway, and they know about the times over there anyway. I like getting newsletters from ya’ll. I’m waiting until I hear from my sister about that Cruise at Jacksonville, Fl.
Lauren,
I just listened to the Extra Mile which immediately took me back to the time I was going through an unwanted divorce and my dear friend drove over & knocked on my door & insisted I get out of the house.
It is those kind of friends that get a through the tough times.
Thank you for your music.
Oh wow….sometimes it’s easy to forget that those aren’t just words in a song.
Thanks for sharing.
Great to hear you have all safely arrived in Norway, can’t believe you are so close to us here in Scotland and yet just that little bit too far for me to come see you all.
Have a great time in Norway
Heather
Aww…Norway is much closer to you than Louisville is!
Hope we get to see you soon.
Lauren I have had two deaths in my immediate family in the past few weeks which have devestated my family and have not been able to travel anywhere.
Hope all is going well for you all in Norway and I will be praying for a safe journey back to the USA for you all.
Heather
Hey Lauren! Thanks for the encouragement. I know how you feel, trying to keep up with everything will drive a person batty. God wants us not to try harder, but to depend harder. I’m counting down the days until your CD and everything else will be released. Can’t wait! Have a great time in Norway and a safe trip back!
Lauren, I know how you feel!! We all have days like that. Just hang in there and God will help you through it. In the meantime, you guys have a wonderful time in Norway and a safe trip back home!
Lauren,
Welcome to the world of sacrificial giving and great responsibility. If anyone can handle it you can! I have watched you fight your battles and you have fought every one with intentions to win and you have. We are all more than conquerors through Christ.
I certainly know how you feel and my prayers are with you. I agree with Jeff. Without being willing to take risks there will be no reward for your hard work. With risks comes the gift of growth and effectiveness. You go girl : ) God is with you and for you. I love you much
Lauren, I just got done with a week like that!! And the Lord got me through it so just keep looking to Him. And do take a few minutes to just enjoy God’s creation in Norway!!!
Lauren, 1st I want to say Happy Valentines Day to you. What comes to my mind is what is stated in the New Testiment, “Be Not Weary In Well Doing” I sometimes feel as you, so tired and wonder which way is up. Then I get one of those “P.S.” notes from God after I’ve had my personal time with Him and reading His Word, and He tells me, “Youre living & doing what I have called you to do”. Then I find Peace and rest remembering it’s all about Him, not about me. I have a little saying that comes back to mind [quite often] is “when you feel you are at you’re wits end, God is always there. I Love You & your family and your music. and Lauren, just one quick question, I believe his name was Ray Talley thay played piano for the original Kingsmen Qt, is he related to your family??
Hey Lauren,
I loved your Grandmas analogy about the wash, but remember God told us and still tells us that he sees us coming through the rain, the storms and those pesky stumbling blocks. You know we are never ” Complaining, Just Explaning.”
May you and your family bring the love and words of our Lord Jesus to all those in Norway as you have in the U.S. Your music is a wonderful way of delivering Gods word to all who will lend the ear and open their heart. I just want to thank you and your family for listening to God and following the path he has set for you folks.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing
Darrel
Hang in there Loren. I tell my daughter when she has a week like you had — Just ask God to get you through it one day at a time. My daughter is Pam and she had a week like you described. I had just sent her that poem “Its In The Vally I Grow “. Sometime I will send it to you if I have an address to send it to. Enjoy the mountain top but grow in the the valleys of life. It sounds like Norway may be a mountain top for you.
I was just reading the article above. I know what you mean. Somedays I have the slightest clue what the day or date is. Being the mother of three teenagers and going back to college for an associate’s degree can leave you all mixed up.
But, that is where you do realize that you would not be where you are, if He had not chosen to put you there. And although this is all I could dream of doing, God can change that in a moment,and I am willing to except anything He wants to do. He always knows what is best for us and I learned the hard way, DO NOT make plans for yourself. He holds it all in His hands.
Hi lauren take it easy and give GOD time to work through you. We all have those times of why are we like we are or feel like we should be doing something or something else.I will use myself as an example. I feel like I should be in the military but my blood pressure will not let me do it. When I see the footage from the middle east something inside is telling me that is where I belong. Now after I have shoveled snow around the church or helped the pastor with 1 of his vehicles,helped work around the church it will come to me that is what I was here for. You have a beautiful voice that is a gift from GOD so let him take the lead in how to use that gift and your other gifts for his glory.
GOD BLESS
Jeffrey Mears
Hi Lauren,
It sounds like you are doing just fine, all you needed to do was tell HIM all about your need and HE reassured you, yes HE did. As long as you keep your eyes on HIM you will succeed. Enjoy your time in Norway and think about this country girl back here in the states that would truly love to be there too!! God bless, Shy
Laura would you please tell Johan and his family that the mother-in-law of Anne Grethe Bjerga Hanks said hello! My son, John Hanks, is married to Anne Grethe. She grew up in Stavanger. He met her in Stavanger while he lived there back in 2002-2005. She said she knows Johan and his church very well. I have talked to you Dad before at a couple of Houston, Texas concerts about the church and Stavanger. Maybe the next time you all go to Norway we can all meet you all in Stavanger. I know what you mean about what time it is and what day. I have a lot of good memories of when I would visit my son every year in Stavanger.
God bless and keep safe.
Love,
Gay Hanks
Everyone needs to stop and smell the roses. Get some rest, and then order room service!
Thanks for that sharing Lauren. Too much pressure at school was driving me mad. Reminding us that God is with us through all this is encouraging . God bless your concert in Norway .
Thanks for helping me to get my four year old Grandson into to see Guy Penrod, his favorite singer. Just wanted to let you know your my favorite female singer/
Sometimes we need to know that we can nothing without Jesus! Thank you for your updates and faithfulness. My prayers for your peace and success! My Best, Chris
Lauren,
It’s snowing again in NC, and if it’s any consolation to you in Norway, I believe we are starting to resemble Norway. As coach of a youthbasketball league team, I have to get the kids to slow down in order to understand the goals we are trying to accomlpish. It was a hard lesson to teach them, but once they learned that if you do things the right way, you don’t have to go 100 mph all the time to win and reach your goals. Once they slowed down and realized this, the game became fun, and our team started winning and playing the way I believed they could. They had the individual talent, but to win, they had to put self aside for the sake of the team, and slow down in order to run. I believe in Psalms 46, where it says ” Be still and know that I am God…” Enjoy the journey! Go team!
Hi Lauren,
Good luck and God bless you and your famly,
Hi Lauren,
God will never leave us especially when He has called us to do anything. All we need to do is just to put our faith in Him. If we focus too much on the results many a times they may discourage us, but instead focus on Jesus and follow and obey the Father’s plan,He’ll take care of the results. We just have to give our best and God will do the rest.
May the Lord be with you and your family wherever you go.
Hi Lauren,
Thanks for some great songs and great singing in Stavanger on Friday. So good to see you and your mom and dad again.
I really thank God for the desire that “He” has put in your heart to serve so faith-
fully. I am 87 and oh how I wish that I was younger. I would love to go on the cruise to Alaska, the worship with the saints would be wonderful, but the pocket book says it isn’t possible. Instead I can watch a video of the Gaithers. Enough for now. God Bless.
Virginia in Brush Prairie, WA
Hi Lauren! on back-to-back weekends last November, i had the good fortune to see your family perform and meet you personally. thru your Mother’s testimony and invitation to come home to Jesus, i raised my hand and gave ALL my heart to Him. since then, albeit a few struggles, my walk with the Lord has been terrific!
now i read about your own battles with frustrations and anger. this opened my eyes to my own issues, and made me realize that the lofty pedestal that i had put your family on, doesnt actually exist in earthly terms. you, your family, and all of us are just human, and impossible sinners. but the beauty of your admissions is that you, Lauren Talley, have found still another way to witness and minister positively to me, and to all your Talley Trio fans out here in the real world. isnt it wonderful how thru the Holy Spirit, the Lord continues to work for us in mysterious, and boundlessly loving ways.
Lauren, bless you girl ~ thanks so much for sharing a bit of your inner soul.
Spike in Liberty Center, Ohio
sorry for the duplication; i thought i could erase my first post
Spike,
Well if the stress wasn’t for any other reason, it was worth it just to read that from you! More than anything I want people to know we’re all in the same boat and God can work through our imperfections and struggles to bring good in our lives and the lives of others. We’re gonna have a great time at Extra Mile! See you soon!
May God bless “the Talley Trio”, common Christian people raising their voices to the Lord in a very uncommon and sinful world!
“The Edge” in only 16 days? YES!
i think we’ll come in thursday evening just so we can get acclimated, and see some sights friday. cya then!
Spike in Liberty Center, Ohio
Very good points, Lauren! Keep on keeping us straight! Love your spirit, Wanda
CONGRATULATION!!!!!!! SAW YOU WERE UP FOR A DOVE AWARD!!!!HOPE YOU WIN
I am?
Cool…where’d you see that?
saw it on gospel music update
Congrats Lauren! I can’t wait for the Extra Mile Event! I am soo excited I can’t stand it anymore! lol! See ya there
Hey, Lauren! You need to take time out to smell the roses, girl! Praying for you. Love you. Glad you are listening to God. Can’t wait for the Extra Mile to be released. Wish I could be at the event but that’s not to be. Love you.
Lean on my, says the Lord. Have been listning to your cd after Stavanger…thank you so much for sharing testimony and songs whit us.
Love you all.
Welcom back..miss you.
Love from Marita
I have never been out of the United States unless you count Canada. I hope you and your family had a great time in Norway. I like what your grandma would say. Life gives us all so much and it is up to us to appreciate what we have. Just take everything one step at a time-you are only human my friend. Take care Lauren and I did sign up for the cruise in November to-thanks for the information on that. But first is March 20th and looking forward to that a lot.
God bless,
Ron