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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
#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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
“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 […]
“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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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). […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
My Latest Article for Sojourners
Here is my latest for Sojourners: https://sojo.net/articles/my-blackness-not-odds-my-faith-christ.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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
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 […]
How To Stay Warm On Those Cooler Summer Evenings
Although the warmer days are here, some nights can be a lot cooler and sometimes, not very comfortable. Don’t worry, this guide will have you […]
4 Ways To Feel Happy & At Ease In Your Home
Pexels How you feel in your home matters a great deal and can impact your health and wellbeing. The good news is that you can […]
Pros & Cons of Starting a Family Garden
Gardening has long been revered as an outlet of stress relief. Not only can it provide peace of mind, but starting a family garden comes […]