Skip to content
  • revlaurelj@gmail.com

  • Home
  • Gallery
  • Shop
    • My account
    • Cart
  • Blog
    • About Me
    • About the Site
    • Widowhood
  • Contact Us
  • Checkout

Blog

My Favorite Black-Owned Businesses & Products for Black Friday

Black Friday, November 27th, is swiftly approaching, and although it looks like there will not be the traditional, chaotic shopping that usually occurs after Thanksgiving, […]

November 17, 2020Product Reviews

Non-Creepy Halloween Evangelism

I’ve wanted to do something evangelistic for the children and teens in my neighborhood for a while, but life keeps happening. Covid-19 and the devastation […]

October 31, 2020Ministry, Parenting, Sermons

And a Little Child Shall Lead Them: Getting Children Involved in Outreach Ministry

Early in the Covid-19 pandemic and quarantine, I felt led to spend time in worship because stress and anxiety became too much. I went downstairs […]

July 12, 2020Ministry, Parenting, Spiritual Life

Damaged Goods? A Woman’s Worth

“Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land. And when Shechem the […]

May 13, 2020Ministry, Spiritual Life

Holding on to Your Peace…Even During the Most Horrific Circumstances

The story of Stephen in the book of Acts has always been fascinating to me because during the most violent and tragic part of his […]

May 5, 2020Ministry, Spiritual Life

Facing Uncertainty: Holy Week and the Coronavirus Pandemic

The season of Lent, Holy Week and Easter are the most holy days on the Christian calendar. However, the coronavirus pandemic took center stage and […]

April 6, 2020Spiritual Life

Product Review (Black Owned): Angie Watts

I pray everyone is doing well during this coronavirus pandemic. We will get through this by the grace of God. Please email me at revlaurelj@gmail.com […]

March 21, 2020Parenting, Product Reviews

How’s Your Spiritual Diet?

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”—Proverbs 4:23 (NIV). When I was in college, I could eat anything. It didn’t […]

March 7, 2020Healthy Home, Spiritual Life

Parents, Your Words Matter

This blog post comes with a confession. I like trash TV. I watch reality TV religiously. One show my husband introduced me to (I blame […]

February 27, 2020Parenting, Spiritual Life

Ash Wednesday: Why it Matters

Followers of Jesus Christ all over the world are recognizing Ash Wednesday today. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the season of Lent. Lent is […]

February 26, 2020Spiritual Life

Godly Glimpses

In my last post, I talked about how God uses everyday situations to teach us spiritual truths. Today, I am going to talk about godly […]

February 25, 2020Parenting, Spiritual Life

The Parable of the Onion

I’m a frank communicator. I don’t beat around the bush. I don’t tell a backstory. I get straight to the point. I used to preach […]

February 11, 2020Parenting, Spiritual Life

Spiritual Valentine’s Day Arts & Craft Activity for Children

My children are going through a sibling-rivalry phase. It is annoying me greatly because they are in constant competition with each other. They compete in […]

February 7, 2020Parenting, Spiritual Life

Widow-to-Widow: When You’re Ready to Start Dating Again

My husband and I love TLC’s “90 Day Fiancé.” We love it because the relationships are so outrageous. Despite red flags, language barriers and the […]

February 5, 2020Dating, Married Life

In Need of Good News

“Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country” Proverbs 25:25 (NRSV). Many people were – and still are […]

January 31, 2020Married Life, Spiritual Life

#GirlDads

I, like many others around the country, am mourning the tragic deaths of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gigi and the other persons on the helicopter […]

January 30, 2020Parenting, Spiritual Life

The Holy Spirit at Work – Even in the Midst of Autism

Two things happened today. I attended my son’s IEP meeting, and we talked about the Holy Spirit in the staff Bible study at my job. […]

January 23, 2020Parenting, Spiritual Life

Ezra Youth Seminary Inaugural Conference

In the summer of 2019, my former coworker from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., Tonya Miles, asked me if I wanted to sit on […]

January 19, 2020Ministry, Parenting

Spiritual Lessons from Parenting: Simply Ask

“Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks […]

December 19, 2019Parenting, Spiritual Life

Advent Reflections: Where is God?

I just watched “The Birth of a Nation,” and despite the controversy around the movie, I thought it was very well done. It was inspiring […]

December 17, 2019Ministry, Spiritual Life

My Encounter with Possible Human Traffickers

When I lived in South Carolina, I would drive home to Maryland regularly. I would pack up my little ones into my minivan, and we’d […]

November 20, 2019Parenting

My homemade “Popeyes” Chicken Sandwich

I’ve had the Popeyes chicken sandwich, and it is good. I don’t think it’s worth all the hype, but it’s way more interesting than Chick-fil-a’s […]

November 13, 2019Recipes

Guest Post: Bible Foods: 4 Foods Mentioned in the Bible

You already know that some of today’s healthiest foods – olive oil, pomegranates, grapes – were a staple in the Bible. Jesus ate fish more […]

November 7, 2019Healthy Home, Partner Posts, Recipes, Spiritual Life

When the Light Comes on: God’s Promise

I think a lot of men are intimidated by dating a preacher. I also think some men are cautious about or completely avoid dating single […]

October 30, 2019Dating, Married Life, Ministry, Parenting

The Power of Choice

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so […]

October 27, 2019Spiritual Life

Should I Wear a Cassock to the Church Picnic?

A contemporary poet by the name of Drake once said, “That’s right I like my girls BBW, yeah…So thick that everyone else in the room […]

September 16, 2019Ministry, Spiritual Life

Entering a Season of Transformation: Lessons from the Butterfly

“What you have done is put aside your old self with its past deeds and put on a new self, one that grows in knowledge […]

September 4, 2019Ministry, Spiritual Life

What’s in a Name: Wedding Hashtags & Moving On

There are so many components to grief that if you’ve never gone through the process, you don’t know what is coming next. This week, I […]

August 23, 2019Dating, Married Life

Basic Invite to the Rescue!

A couple of months ago, we changed the location of our destination wedding – right after the invitations went out. It was a hard decision […]

August 21, 2019Married Life, Product Reviews

Spiritual Nuggets from a Brewery 

*Disclaimer: I am not a beer drinker. This post is not about alcohol. I am not promoting alcoholism. I have been a volunteer speaker for […]

August 14, 2019Spiritual Life

Back to School: 5 Tips for Anxious Parents

“Thus we may say with confidence, ‘God is my Helper and I will not be afraid; what can mere humans do to me?’” Hebrews 13:6 […]

August 7, 2019Parenting, Spiritual Life

Video: Preaching at Hillendale Baptist Church

This past Sunday I was blessed to share with Hillendale Baptist Church in Dale City, VA. Pastor Gareth and I have known each other since […]

August 2, 2019Ministry, Sermons

“Brown Skin Girl” & Songs to Build Black Children’s Self-Esteem

You’d have to be living under a rock if you haven’t heard Beyoncé’s “Brown Skin Girl.” The song is on “The Gift” album that’s part […]

August 2, 2019Parenting

“The Lion King”: A Trigger Warning for Fatherless Kids

I’ve never been a Disney-movie mom. My kids haven’t seen any of the Disney movies I grew up watching. So when the new “The Lion […]

July 23, 2019Parenting, Product Reviews

Contest: Win Money for College

Limitless Learners Contest Win $500 for college plus $1000 for a school or library. When you love learning, there’s no limit to what you can […]

June 27, 2019Parenting, Partner Posts

Friends & When Seasons Change

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity” – Proverbs 17:17 (NIV). This is the verse that […]

June 20, 2019Keeping Up with the Joneses, Ministry, Spiritual Life

The Dominican Republic, Haiti and Wedding Plans

“Lauren, my husband says I’m not going.” My matron-of-honor texted me this week and said her husband didn’t want her going. I don’t blame him. […]

June 17, 2019Dating, Keeping Up with the Joneses, Married Life

Trump’s Attack on Breastfeeding

Donald Trump serves college athletes McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Chick-Fil-A, what most people call junk or trash food because it has no nutritional value. So why […]

June 17, 2019Parenting, Postpartum, Pregnancy

Audio: Interview with The Wise Idea Podcast

Christopher Harris, the host of The Wise Idea podcast, reached out to me recently to interview me about my life as a widow, mother and […]

June 14, 2019Dating, Married Life, Parenting

Ayesha Curry Needing Male Attention

Ayesha Curry expressed on Red Table Talk that she wished she received more male attention because it would let her know that she’s still desirable…and […]

May 9, 2019Dating, Married Life, Postpartum

His Relentless Pursuit: A Short Story

What happens when Jesus Christ steps into the life of a young lady who previously denied Him. “3 AM” I said to myself. “It’s 3 […]

May 3, 2019Ministry, Spiritual Life

He is Risen: Children’s Easter Activity

We are excited today because it’s Resurrection Sunday or Easter. This day is the most important day on the Christian calendar because it reminds us […]

April 21, 2019Parenting, Spiritual Life

So They May Encourage the Young Women: Why We Grieve with Lauren London

Many of us were shocked by the murder of rapper and entrepreneur Nipsey Hussle, 33. Based on reports, he took an impromptu trip to one […]

April 18, 2019Dating, Married Life

Consistency on the Vine

I have a relatively new retainer. I haven’t had a retainer in over five years because I broke my last one. My teeth look like […]

April 17, 2019Ministry, Spiritual Life

Product Review: Basic Invite

If gushing about weddings bothers you, now is the time to take a break from my blog because I’m getting married on October 12th in […]

March 17, 2019Dating, Married Life, Product Reviews

Astroworld, the Momo Challenge and Demonic Attacks on Children

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV). […]

February 28, 2019Parenting, Spiritual Life

Valentine’s Day Activities for Kids

How was your Valentine’s Day? My children came home with bags full of candy and cards. We didn’t do much with the children yesterday because […]

February 15, 2019Parenting

To the Mother of the Girl Who Called My Daughter Ugly

Your daughter told my five year old she wasn’t beautiful in their ballet class last weekend. However, it didn’t upset my daughter too much because […]

February 11, 2019Parenting

Widowhood, Ministry and What Now

You don’t recognize the toll grief takes on your mentally, physically and spiritually oftentimes until in hindsight. I didn’t know in 2013 when my husband […]

February 7, 2019Ministry, Spiritual Life

Getting Specific in Prayers for Your Children

“I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be […]

January 7, 2019Parenting, Spiritual Life

Advent Season: The Only Sign You Need

It seems to me that this generation is infatuated with seeking signs. I have seen many posts on social media referencing numerology and signs in […]

December 17, 2018Spiritual Life

Thanksgiving 2018

“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things”-Psalm 107:8-9 (NIV). Thanksgiving is […]

November 26, 2018Keeping Up with the Joneses, Recipes

Teaching Children Inclusion

Last week my son had a horrible time in school. He’s been extremely frustrated because other children don’t include him in basketball and soccer during […]

November 2, 2018Ministry, Parenting, Spiritual Life

My Latest Article for Sojourners

Here is my latest for Sojourners: https://sojo.net/articles/my-blackness-not-odds-my-faith-christ.  

October 29, 2018Ministry, Spiritual Life

Restaurant Review: Is Urban Plates a Family Restaurant?

Urban Plates, a trendy restaurant that originated in California and prides itself on wholesome meals plated right in front of you, opened up at The […]

October 28, 2018Parenting, Product Reviews

When the Widow Gets Engaged

So, my boyfriend of two years proposed, and I accepted. I’m very excited to begin my life with him as he’s been a very close […]

October 19, 2018Dating, Married Life, Spiritual Life

Book Review: Simone Visits the Museum

So, I stumbled upon this great children’s book this weekend. After church on Sunday, I went to one of my favorite local restaurants, Franklin’s, and […]

September 11, 2018Parenting, Product Reviews

A Back-to-School Prayer

My little ones start school next week, and I, like many parents, are filled with trepidation. My youngest starts Kindergarten, and I’m praying she can […]

August 28, 2018Parenting, Spiritual Life

Sermon: “Willing to Risk it All”

My pastor, the Rev. Dr. Lee P. Washington, is retiring next year, and I’m so grateful for the years, 15 to be exact, I’ve spent […]

August 23, 2018Sermons

Product Review for Back to School: Miss Zee African-American Book Bag

I first learned about Miss Zee from Facebook. I saw an advertisement of one of the book bags, and I always wanted to purchase one. […]

August 13, 2018Keeping Up with the Joneses, Parenting, Product Reviews

The Father Factor: Lessons from Biking & Blending a Family

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” Ephesians 6:4 (NIV). I spent my formative […]

August 6, 2018Dating, Keeping Up with the Joneses, Parenting

Homemade Ground Turkey Empanadas

I LOVE Latin food. I love Peruvian, Cuban and Mexican food. Recently, I discovered one of my favorite lunchtime restaurants makes chicken empanadas. I’ve had […]

July 11, 2018Recipes

Product Review: Silk Flowers Direct Provided by CSI Gypsum3D™

One of the privileges blogging provides me is the opportunity to try out great new products. After seven years of blogging and reviewing products, I […]

July 7, 2018Healthy Home, Product Reviews

Emerging from the Ashes

I drive by this house every day. When I first saw it, it did not have a second floor. I don’t know what happened—fire, natural […]

June 7, 2018Ministry, Spiritual Life

MADD Volunteer Work, Noah on Patrol and How God Uses Us to Intercede in the Earth

I volunteer for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). I do so because a drunk driver hit my husband when he was a teenager and the […]

May 24, 2018Ministry, Spiritual Life

Childish Gambino’s ‘This Is America’ Video Is Also an Indictment of Today’s Church

I’m grateful to contribute this piece to Sojourners. https://sojo.net/articles/childish-gambino-s-america-video-also-indictment-today-s-church  

May 9, 2018Spiritual Life

Radio Appearance: Married Men Don’t Talk

So, I participated in the “Married Men Don’t Talk” radio show. They wanted to hear about my experience as a widow and how that affects my […]

May 2, 2018Dating, Married Life, Ministry, Sermons

5 Secrets to Keeping Your Child Healthy and Smiling

via Pexels As a parent, you want to do everything in your power to keep your child healthy and smiling. It can be difficult to […]

January 23, 2023Parenting, Partner Posts

Healthy Food To Boost Your Exercise Regime

Source – CCO License If you want to make sure that you are working out as effectively as you would hope, there are a lot […]

January 20, 2023Partner Posts

Retirement: Endless Fun Activities

Retirement can be an exciting time for many people as it marks the end of a long career and the beginning of a new chapter […]

January 20, 2023Partner Posts

Posts navigation

Older posts

About Me

Categories

  • Blogger Posts
  • Dating
  • Healthy Home
  • Keeping Up with the Joneses
  • Married Life
  • Ministry
  • Online Housekeeping
  • Parenting
  • Partner Posts
  • Postpartum
  • Pregnancy
  • Product Reviews
  • Recipes
  • Sermons
  • Spiritual Life
  • Uncategorized
  • Weekly Roundup

check us out on amazon

Grab my button

Throw Up and Theology
<div align="center"><a href="http://throwupandtheology.com/" title="Throw Up and Theology"><img src="http://throwupandtheology.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Button.png" alt="Throw Up and Theology" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Categories

  • Blogger Posts
  • Dating
  • Healthy Home
  • Keeping Up with the Joneses
  • Married Life
  • Ministry
  • Online Housekeeping
  • Parenting
  • Partner Posts
  • Postpartum
  • Pregnancy
  • Product Reviews
  • Recipes
  • Sermons
  • Spiritual Life
  • Uncategorized
  • Weekly Roundup

check us out on amazon

Grab my button

Throw Up and Theology
<div align="center"><a href="http://throwupandtheology.com/" title="Throw Up and Theology"><img src="http://throwupandtheology.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Button.png" alt="Throw Up and Theology" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Recent Posts

  • 5 Secrets to Keeping Your Child Healthy and Smiling
  • Healthy Food To Boost Your Exercise Regime
  • Retirement: Endless Fun Activities
  • A Guide to Keeping Yourself Healthy
  • 4 Tips to Protect Your Child’s Mental Health

Recent Comments

  • Zachary Tomlinson on What to Look for When Choosing an OBGYN
  • Rev. Mrs. Mommy on To the Mother of the Girl Who Called My Daughter Ugly
  • Leila on To the Mother of the Girl Who Called My Daughter Ugly
  • Rev. Mrs. Mommy on Damaged Goods? A Woman’s Worth
  • SomePersonWhoRecentlyResearchedThis on Damaged Goods? A Woman’s Worth

Archives

  • January 2023
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • September 2017
  • June 2017
  • April 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011

Categories

  • Blogger Posts
  • Dating
  • Healthy Home
  • Keeping Up with the Joneses
  • Married Life
  • Ministry
  • Online Housekeeping
  • Parenting
  • Partner Posts
  • Postpartum
  • Pregnancy
  • Product Reviews
  • Recipes
  • Sermons
  • Spiritual Life
  • Uncategorized
  • Weekly Roundup

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Recent Posts

  • 5 Secrets to Keeping Your Child Healthy and Smiling January 23, 2023
  • Healthy Food To Boost Your Exercise Regime January 20, 2023
  • Retirement: Endless Fun Activities January 20, 2023