tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73007649941707387792024-03-14T07:54:45.872-07:00Sarah's BlogSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-8507657747330140782013-11-26T11:04:00.002-08:002013-11-26T11:04:28.300-08:00Finding Joy in All CircumstancesIts not as easy as it sounds is it? I think that when we’re talking about being joyful its not always what we might immediately think of. Happiness and Joy are two very different things. Believe it or not you can be joyful without being happy and vice versa. Happiness is a fleeting emotion that comes and goes based on circumstance where as joy is a state of being, you can be joyful even on the worst of days if you choose to be. God says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16 to “rejoice always”, this however is not always an easy command to follow. How do you find joy when you’re missing your boyfriend, family and friends? How do you stay joyful when you’re overwhelmed with school work or stressed out about finances or when you come to a time of suffering in your life? Well thats just it…I’ve come to the conclusion that we can’t hold on to joy by our own power, we need to ask Christ to renew in us a joyful heart even when we don’t feel like being joyful. Maybe this is a lot of rambling but i mean it to be an encouragement to you that you can find true peace and joy in Christ and that no matter what you’re struggling with He can replace your heavy heart with a joyful one :) I love you guys, God Bless!
Sincerely,
SarahSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-35050027240100761042013-11-26T11:03:00.001-08:002013-11-26T11:03:12.311-08:00Live it Out
Romans 12:9-13
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
This is a verse that I have been starting every day with the past few weeks. I’ve been praying and asking God to help me live this out everyday in my relationships with my friends and my family and I know that I still fall short every day but I know that God honors us when we ask Him to help us become more Christ like. I want to encourage and challenge you all to take these verses to heart and focus on one or two sentences each day specifically, and maybe even commit these verses to memory. There are so many things to take away from these verses that are applicable to our every day lives and I believe to be areas in which we can always use improvement. I love you guys and I hope you find this scripture passage as challenging and encouraging as I have! Keep Shining His light!
Love Always,
SarahSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-59159124795959512732013-11-26T10:58:00.002-08:002013-11-26T11:02:03.126-08:00PatiencePatience is one of the things in my life that I struggle with immensely. I am not a patient person by any stretch of the imagination, I get frustrated easily and often times overreact. I am very aware that this is an area of my life in which I struggle and it is something that I have to constantly lay at the feet of God and ask him to change my attitude and my heart, and give me patience in all my relationships and in all that I do. As Christian women we ought to be seeking to reflect God in our lifestyles. The Bible speaks often to Patience as one of God’s many qualities. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. If God can be so patient with me as a sinner and with all of us than I certainly ought to be able to be patient with others. And the Bible specifically calls us as believers to be patient. Galatians 5 lists patience as one of the fruits of the Spirit, which are all characteristics that should be evident in the life of a believer. Of course the standard of patience is one that I will always fall short of but is one that I will continue to pursue as I strive to grow more in faith everyday and although I know that allowing God to transform our hearts is not always an easy or enjoyable process it is a necessary one. The Bible speaks about patience in many different places but one that has always stood out to me is found in Colossians 3:12-13 which says "Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." I'll leave you with that verse and with this reminder to be patient with yourselves as well :)
“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them– every day begin the task anew.” ~ Francis de Sales
In Christ,
SarahSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-68643422773643083772010-11-16T10:39:00.000-08:002010-11-16T10:40:42.602-08:00A reminder to the girls: God loves you, find your identity in himI made her...she is different. She is unique.<br />With love I formed her in her mother's womb.<br />I fashioned her with great joy.<br />I remember with great pleasure the day I created her.<br /><br />I love her smile. I love her ways. I love to hear her laugh<br />And the silly things she says and does.<br />She brings me great pleasure. This is how I made her.<br /><br />I made her pretty and not beautiful.<br />I wanted her to search out her heart and learn that<br />it would be ME in her that would make her beautiful...<br />And it would be Me that would draw others to her.<br /><br />I made her in such a way that she would need me.<br /><br />I made her a little more lonesome than she would like to be...<br />Only because I need for her to learn and depend on Me.<br />I know her heart. I know that if I had not made her like this,<br />She would go her own chosen way<br />And forget Me...her Creator.<br /><br />Because I love her, I have seen her broken heart...<br />and the tears she cried alone.<br />I have cried with her and had a broken heart too.<br /><br />Many times she has stumbled and fallen alone...<br />Only because she would not hold my hand.<br />So many lessons she's learned the hard way<br />because she would not listen to My voice.<br /><br />So many times I have sat back and sadly<br />watched her go her merry way alone...<br />Only to watch her return to my arms,<br />sad and broken.<br /><br />And now she is Mine again.<br />I made her, and I bought her...<br />Because I love her.<br /><br />I have to reshape and remold her<br />To renew her to what I planned for her to be<br />It has not been easy for her or for Me.<br /><br />I want her to be conformed to My image.<br />This high goal I have set for her...<br /><br />Because I love her.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-30427761295568748432010-11-11T21:34:00.000-08:002010-11-11T21:35:08.215-08:00Verse to Commit to memoryTo him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.<br />-Jude 1:24-25Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-33209914154391503022010-11-11T21:17:00.000-08:002010-11-11T21:37:11.731-08:00Lessons of Love and Service at GordonIn his book The Four Loves C.S. Lewis says, “There is no safe investment. To love at all is to be vulnerable”. After our unit on love I am convinced that there is a valid connection between love and living out that love through service. Loving those around you is about investing in them by any means possible. Our investment in this case is our time. Time is an investment that shows someone that you truly care. You are willing to set aside your activities and take a break in your busy schedule to do something that is for their benefit and not your own. Although I believe that somewhere along the line serving others becomes a greater benefit to the servant than to the one who is being served. Service teaches us to look beyond ourselves and beyond our sheltered lives to a community and world of people who are hurting and for whom we have the opportunity to serve as reflections of Christ’s love for them. That type of learning can’t be done in the classroom and that is why I feel it is an important aspect of our education at Gordon.<br /><br />We read 1 Corinthians 13 in our Great Conversation class and some of the attributes that stood out to me is that love is supposed to be patient and kind and is not supposed to be arrogant. Those are all things that are so crucial when it comes to service and our service learning projects give us the chance to live out those aspects of love. If we look to a section earlier in the chapter we see even more about the importance of love in our actions. In verse 3 it says, “ If I give away all I have…but have not love, I gain nothing.” Our attitude towards our service should not be centered around the class or our grade but around love because if love is not our aim then none of what we do is truly worthwhile.<br /><br />There are so many other reasons to participate in service that reach far beyond it being an investment in humanity or an expression of love, although those are both wonderful reasons to serve. I would say that the most important reason to serve is to become more like Christ. Our Lord humbled himself and came to Earth as a servant to his people to redeem them, minister to them, love them and serve them. Our Savior was the ultimate example of servant hood. In John chapter 13 we see the story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. In this day it was the servants who were to wash the feet of their masters and their guests. This was not a pleasant or enjoyable task. You have to understand that the disciples and Jesus walked everywhere and all wore sandals, their feet at the end of their journey would have been covered in dust and dirt and yet there our Lord knelt providing us with the perfect guide for selflessness. He also tells us that in Matthew 25:40 that whatever we do for the least of our brothers and sisters we have done for him. <br /><br />Providing an opportunity to teach love in a personal way that cannot be taught in the classroom and that extends to the people outside of our sheltered Gordon community is what our service-learning component is all about. It gives us the opportunity to be examples of Christ to those who don’t see or experience that type of love and service everyday. And I should hope that along the way each of us discovers the joy that can be found in the process of serving others.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-86598166470217186452010-11-09T07:14:00.000-08:002010-11-09T11:48:55.851-08:00God calls us to do hard things.....This is a list that my small group and I came up with at Bible study a few years ago when we were talking about being in the world and not of it and how the things that it takes to be different are really really hard sometimes. Its definitely a challenge to me. Since today is the day of prayer I thought it would be a good day to put out a challenge to myself and to all of you to do hard things!<br /><br />1. happiness is easy. joy is hard<br />2. going is easy. staying is hard<br />3. gossip is easy. holding your tongue is hard.<br />4. immodesty is easy. modesty is hard.<br />5. lies are easy. honesty is hard.<br />6. silence is easy. speaking up is hard<br />7. judgment is easy. acceptance is hard. <br />8. frustration is easy. letting it go is hard<br />9. talking is easy. praying is hard.<br />10.watching a movie is easy. reading your Bible is hard.<br />11.spending is easy. tithing is hard<br />12.ignoring is easy. overcoming is hard.<br />13.friendship is easy. love is hard<br />14.distraction is easy. focus is hard.<br />15.stubborness is easy. compromise is hard.<br />16.secrecy is easy. confession is hard<br />17.pride is easy. humility is hard<br />18.amazement is easy. praise is hard.<br />19.jealousy is easy. gratefulness is hard.<br />20. complaining is easy. thankfulness is hard<br />21. exclusion is easy. inclusion is hard.<br />22. hanging out is easy. having fellowship is hard.<br />23. going with the flow is easy. having a higher standard is hard.<br />24. making a decision is easy, but making a good decision is hard.<br />25. acting is easy. living it out is hard.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-58634663716725459382010-09-26T17:50:00.000-07:002010-11-11T21:39:52.051-08:00Suffering Unit: The Great Conversation"A religious man is a person who holds God and man in one thought at one time, at all times, who suffers harm done to others, whose greatest passion is compassion, whose greatest strength is love and defiance of despair."<br /><br />I love this quote. I think that it puts quite simply the essence of what it means to be a follower of Christ. The phrase about holding God and man in one thought reminds me to treat the people around me in a way that reflects the fact that I am aiming to live for Christ, so my actions towards others should be lived out in regards to Christ and my faith. I feel that so often we get caught up in our own struggles and trials that we neglect to suffer along with others and if we would just make ourselves vulnerable to the pain all around us then we would begin to have a heart that is broken for others in much of the same way that Christs heart is broken for us. There's a line in a song that says "break my heart for what breaks yours, everything I am for your kingdoms cause..." I feel like we just need to step back and look at the circumstances of those around us and our own circumstances through Christs eyes. Finally, in the last lines he says that our greatest strength is in love and defiance of despair. Do we love those around us as Christ has loved us? Do I Defy despair? Sometimes maybe, but does that defiance break me enough to change me? I wish that I could say it did. Its my prayer that God would really open my eyes and help me see the things that should bother me, the things that should break my heart and the situations in which i need to be love to people who are hurting.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-73741443280455284702010-09-08T21:17:00.000-07:002010-09-08T21:20:06.017-07:00Psalm 8:3-6When I consider your heavens, <br />the work of your fingers, <br />the moon and the stars, <br />which you have set in place,<br /><br />what is man that you are mindful of him, <br />the son of man that you care for him?<br /><br />You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings<br />and crowned him with glory and honor.<br /><br />You made him ruler over the works of your hands; <br />you put everything under his feet:Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-59953831651230879372010-08-30T20:50:00.000-07:002010-08-30T20:59:20.884-07:00A Day of RenewalFor me today truly was a day of renewal. God reminded me of so many wonderful things today, I guess I'll start with this morning around 3:30 am. I couldnt sleep so I got up to spend some time in the word. To be honest I must have been too tired to remember what was running through my mind but I ended up writing this on one of my notepads:<div>If as Christians our life is centered around God and God is love then in essence our lives center around love. Our speech and our actions should reflect love in the way that God intends it to be portrayed. Our priorities are often times the best way to examine what or whom we love or hold in the highest regard. Is God in that number one spot each day?</div><div>I may have been to exhausted to remember those thoughts this morning but what a challenge to myself. I need to keep God first and I need to make sure that Im setting aside that personal time to spend with him because i know that relationships dont grow unless you spend time together. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tonight some of the students here got together for "Worship Under The Stars" my friends did a great job of putting it together. I've only known them all for 10 days some of them not even that long but i am so blessed to have them. What a wonderful gift to have friends that love God with their lives an in all they do. I was amazed and overjoyed at the number of students that showed up for the time of worship and prayer. I am so thankful that God led me to Gordon College. I can't wait to see what else he has in store. </div><div><br /></div><div>God Bless you guys, Keep shining Gods light!</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-8324768830172184332010-08-30T06:25:00.000-07:002010-08-30T06:37:54.960-07:00"Unanswered" PrayerYesterday, on a few different occasions the subject came up of "unanswered prayer". The Sermon that I heard asked why some peoples prayers get answered time and time again while others of us pray and God seems to "change the channel". As a believer I dont think that there really is such a thing as an unanswered prayer, now before you start thinking of all those times that what you prayed for didnt happen, think about this: God can say no. I think that often times we feel as though God doesn't answer our prayers because he doesn't answer them the way we want or expect. When it comes down to it Gods ways are higher than our ways and he has a reason for everything in this life. Take a second to think about this quote from Beth Moore "Trusting God doesn't mean you expect him to do what you ask it means trusting him to do whats best". Its very important as believers to realize that God always answers our prayers and also to remember that God knows best and if we're praying in accordance with his will he'll grant our request but as any good father would if we ask for something that isn't in our best interest he may not give us what we think we want. So I'll leave you all with a verse:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><h2 id="passage_heading" style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 16px; ">1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New International Version) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; ">Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.</span></h2><div class="result-text-style-normal" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><div><br /></div><p></p></div></span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-71956894429689199362010-08-05T14:58:00.000-07:002010-08-05T15:05:19.509-07:00Dread....and Excitement!Yes its true. I am dreading saying goodbye to my friends, my family and my amazing boyfriend. I keep reminding myself that its not 4 years all at once that I'll be away. Its truly only 4 months away then 1 month home. Then 4 months away then 3 months home. Then repeat the process 4 times. I know I'll survive and I know that God has amazing things in store for me out there. As the dread and apprehension increase so does my excitement to experience something new. I've already started getting to know so many amazing people that will be attending Gordon with me in the fall and i know that Im going to get along with them all splendidly. In all of this God knows my heart, my emotions, my setbacks and my hopes. The things I'll long for, the things I'll miss, The people my heart will ache to see. The new things that will make me smile, laugh, the new friends I'll make, the wonderful experiences I'll have and the spiritual growth i'll experience there in a thriving community of believers. So now at the end of my rambling I'll simply say that I know Gods in control, keep living for him :) God bless you!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-84598822499011893752010-06-03T16:17:00.001-07:002010-06-03T16:23:42.376-07:00Crossing the Finish Line<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">One day. Thats all that I have left in my time at Jefferson High School. And it feels GREAT! I am so ready to be done! Im starting a new adventure and I'm so excited to see what God has in store for me! Theres so much to do though with finals, grad parties, graduation, baccalaureate, and honors night. The verse that God's been bringing to mind lately is Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">worry</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> about tomorrow, for tomorrow will </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">worry</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." So my dear friends in all the business of wrapping up the school year take it one day at a time and remember that if its not worth praying about then its not worth worrying about :)</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-31706447432003010782010-05-19T11:12:00.000-07:002010-05-19T11:20:18.921-07:00A huge blessing in a great opportunityI've been asked to read and talk about a Bible verse at baccalaureate for our senior class. So what does that mean for me? It means I have maybe a minute to choose a verse that will hopefully resonate in the hearts of my fellow classmates and I have the chance to say something that will hopefully stick with them. So where to begin? There are so many verses, so many things to be said. We're leaving what we've known for almost our entire lives and setting off on an adventure that will lead us into the rest of our lives here on Earth and that is something truly exciting! But this transition in our lives also means that we will be facing all sorts of new struggles along the way. I know that whatever verse I choose Gods word will speak for itself, but if any of you have any suggestions for me I'd love to hear them. Right now Im leaning towards using Jeremiah 29:11-13...Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-72470787114004095332010-05-09T11:21:00.000-07:002010-05-09T14:20:07.340-07:00Mothers Day in a whole new way<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLQChWoEHVvta4aMpghP1loXwK2qEYgc7QBFI7moJqlx4ghuf8_0YluAQzSzRHiCN6cLjx0WdDQHM6M-cCvefuxN7Zabx09gqbIn6RYRZaPuaaPtwiXyR3MtLE3_mwn5cAdWPea708UyY/s1600/77866359.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLQChWoEHVvta4aMpghP1loXwK2qEYgc7QBFI7moJqlx4ghuf8_0YluAQzSzRHiCN6cLjx0WdDQHM6M-cCvefuxN7Zabx09gqbIn6RYRZaPuaaPtwiXyR3MtLE3_mwn5cAdWPea708UyY/s320/77866359.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469344105659166162" /></a><br /><div><br /></div>Wierd. Why is it that this year as I listened to the mothers day sermon, I was not only grateful for the blessing of a wonderful mother but was struck by the idea of the kind of mom i want to be when i have family of my own? I started thinking about the little things that I want to do with my kids to hopefully bring them closer to Christ. I want to be someone they can turn to with their struggles as well as their joys. Someone who listens to them, protects them, and loves them. Not overprotective but guarding, holding their best interests at heart. Its an odd thought to be struck by in a way but in the words of Mack I'm "such a girl" so maybe its not to weird. So what traditions do i want to have with my kids?<div><br /><div>1. Blessings before bed</div><div>My mom and step dad always blessed me before i went to sleep and they still do to this day. Its one of the things i remember most. Praying for the little things that i asked them to and<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>the<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>things that were coming up in my life. I love that they care enough to do that each night. </div><div><br /></div><div>2. Praying before each meal</div><div>Pretty self explanatory on this one. Pray before you eat. Thank God for his provisions and his blessings.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. Eating meals together on a regular basis</div><div>Its a chance to catch up and find out about each others day. If you miss a day or two a week <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span>for different activities or things its not the end of the world but that time together is very<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>important to me with my family and when i have a family of my own i want that time with them as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>4. Daily Devotionals</div><div>When we were younger my parents always did this devotional book with us each night. It<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>would have a story, a bible passage, and then some discussion questions. I feel like that really helped me grow in my faith. Learning the basics of applying my faith in my life with my parents by my side was a great thing for me. As we got older we started doing personal devotional books and Bibles by the Bedside and now we spend our own time in the word each night.</div><div><br /></div><div>5. An Open Home</div><div>I want to have a house that my kids feel comfortable inviting their friends too, not to focus <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>on material things but i want them to have fun inviting their friends over. Theres always <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>one or two of your friends that seem to have everyone over all the time and i want my <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>house to be that one. There's a lot of things out there that i want my kids to stay away from and if they and their friends have a house they have fun at then maybe it will help keep them out of trouble. I suppose in a way is so i can monitor what they do as well haha. </div><div><br /></div><div>6. Love </div><div>One of the greatest things that my parents did to encourage my faith was letting me watch<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>the way they treated each other. They loved each other they treated each other and us in a<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Christ-like manner and it was such a shining example to me and i want to be that to my children as well. </div><div><br /></div><div>I guess this all fits into my dream for the future. I am so blessed to have the wonderful mother I do, I appreciate all that she does and has done for me. I hope that one day I'll be as good of a mother to my kids as she has been to me. </div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-17540934711023824342010-05-05T13:30:00.000-07:002010-05-05T13:38:21.134-07:00Prayer in SchoolYup thats right. You can pray in school. I was always so worried to ask people if I could pray with them. I thought they'd be offended or just flat out refuse, we're not all that open to things like that here in America. But the stories of some friends of mine after they returned from Haiti really encouraged me to step out a little bit. Why can't I at least offer to pray with them right on the spot? Why do I always offer up a simple "I'll be praying for you"? So I decided that if I had an urge to pray for someone today that I would ask them if i could pray for them right then and there.... Today I prayed with two different people. Its a start. And ya know what? Neither of them seemed to think that was wierd or out of line and they actually thanked me. So Im just gonna throw a challenge out there for you guys. Pray <i>with</i> someone. Out loud. On the spot. <div><br /></div><div>Have a blessed day!</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-5961485925173470092010-05-03T20:07:00.001-07:002010-05-13T06:08:55.904-07:00God Help MeI've come to realize that we are going to encounter things in life that we dont understand. They'll be hard, they'll make us cry and they may very well have us asking why. I had it happen today with one of my very close friends. He means so much to me and i've watched the change in him.... I wont go in to details but by doing the right thing, and the thing that i believe is best for him in the long run i made him very upset with me. He said he'll never talk to me again. I really hope thats not the case but... even if it is I know that God brought him into my life for a reason and I hope that one day he'll realize that I did it because i cared and not to get him in trouble. God never promised us that life would be easy in fact i can assure you that you'll face adversity but he does promise to be with us every step of the way. My thoughts and prayers are with my friend and I hope that one day he'll forgive me and that he'll have the strength and courage to give God control of his life. <div><br /></div><div>Jeremiah 29:11</div><div>"For I know the plans I have for you; declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and future."</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-88146885817832850592010-04-26T20:13:00.000-07:002010-04-26T20:24:32.309-07:00A joyful HeartAs i slid into the church pew on sunday i was a little bit distracted and ready to sit out a sermon that i knew would be good, but i still wasn't much in the right mind or rather "heart"set. And then something new, a woman with a walker sat down in the pew in front of us. Little did i know that she was going to teach me an even bigger lesson than the sermon that day. As the worship music started the woman in front of us began to dance, lift her hands, and sway side to side. She didnt care what anyone thought. I looked at her and what i saw in her face caught be off guard. Authentic, Genuine Joy. She was praising God and she didnt care what anyone thought. I glanced around and i saw the smirks on the face of some of the kids sitting in the pew across from us. They didnt get it they didnt see what i saw but it didnt matter. I was transfixed on her. I realized that I wanted to be consumed in the same way she was. I watched her throughout the rest of the service, maybe i should have been paying closer attention to the sermon but i couldn't help it. Everytime the pastor said Jesus or God her face lit up she amened (idk if thats a word) in agreement with the sermon and during the video that played during communion she sang along even though no one else was. It wasn't about attention, in fact it was like for her no one else existed. This was about her praising God. Maybe for me it isnt dancing or speaking outloud my agreement to a sermon but i want to have that passion, i want to burn when i hear the name of Jesus Christ. So thats my prayer, to have a heart that desires God and his will more than anything in life. I hope you guys feel the same way, God bless you!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-34943007723333532382010-04-20T19:13:00.000-07:002010-04-20T19:26:27.215-07:00Confirmed...<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Today God confirmed something for me. I love working with youth. Especially Junior High and Im sure that I'll enjoy Senior High more once Im out of it. Some days I feel like nothing I do really makes a difference but getting up today and watching my peers go up and share their stories and their experiences, watching the reactions of some of the kids and just looking around and knowing some of the things that those Junior High students are dealing with... Man I can't even explain what came over me. I really feel like Im being called into Youth Ministry but it can be so discouraging when you feel like you're not having impact but God gave me a glimpse of something today. And i guess the way i'd explain it is hope. Hope that our society, our teens, and the problems they face aren't too far gone, that those who are hurting and those who stray down the wrong path really need someone to love them and show them that there is another way and just be a friend. I can't even believe some of the things that they have to deal with in SEVENTH grade! Its crazy! But wow to watch the people who do step up and just dont let that hold them back astounds me. I had so many of those kids come up to me or talk to me on facebook about the stories that were shared and the biggest thing that came up seemed to be this amazing song that my friend Sam wrote. It really challenged them and made them consider the way they were treating their peers.. and those are there words not mine. I am proud of all the groups that came in and listened and Im so thankful for the other highschoolers i was with and for the courage they have in sharing some really personal things and for the examples that they are to those kids and to me! I guess Im kind of rambling but this is just me trying to put that small feeling that swept over me into words... <div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Then I got to speak at the 7th grade FCA.... There were kids sitting on the floor! They have the courage to leave there friends once a week, mix up who there hanging out with, and do something that in our society and in middle school culture isn't really very popular and whether you see it or not that is a hard thing to do.. But I'll tell ya something. I have never been so proud of a group of kids in my life. I remember how hard it was in 7th grade to do things even a little bit differently and I am so glad that these are the kids that are soon gonna be leaders and actually already are in their school and soon they'll move on to Jefferson and be leaders there. They are such strong, bold examples of Christ and i know that God is gonna use them in big ways! </div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-38110171108595983272010-04-15T19:13:00.000-07:002010-04-15T19:22:21.743-07:00WaterScience is absolutely my least favorite subject by far. I mean after we've talked about molecules and how they bond then we find out we have to write a nearly two page paper on, yup you guessed it, water of all things. But ya know what as much as i resented writing that paper on the unique properties of water it really made me think. We had to focus on 6 different characteristics of water and most of those unique properties don't make sense scientifically but ya know what blows my mind? If the properties of water were any different than they were life as we know it here on Earth would cease to exist. Suddenly that little lightbulb above my head went off, okay just kidding, there was no lightbulb but still i realized that we serve an almighty God and a glorious Creator who specifically designed every aspect of our world to support his creation. How amazing is that to think about? All those little things that make life possible, if any one of them was different we wouldn't be able to survive but God worked out all those tiny little details specifically. Pretty cool huh?Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-60235034719033566402010-04-05T11:25:00.000-07:002010-04-05T11:34:12.755-07:00God's Greatest GiftYesterday was Easter and it never ceases to amaze me that God actually loved us enough to send his only son, perfect and blameless, to die for us on the cross. The son of God died a criminals death to cover over our sins. Death by crucifixion was a very painful death. After the beatings and being whipped and mocked, while Christ hung upon the cross he experienced the worst consequence of our sin. Separation from a perfect God. Bearing all the sins, and the shame of those sins, from everyone who ever had and ever would exist and then having his father turn away from him.... that i can't even imagine. A holy, pure son who had always known God and been one with him and reigned in heaven alongside him suddenly not having that and knowing that he was at that very moment he was separated from God just as we would have been for all eternity had he not taken that from us... That is truly unconditional love and i can't even begin to fathom it. I hope that you all had a blessed Easter. Don't forget to keep in mind the great price that Jesus Christ payed for us to spend eternity in heaven with him.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-22093513014387253362010-04-01T20:45:00.000-07:002010-04-01T21:06:46.204-07:00Homosexuality<div>Im in a facebook group called Protect Marriage: One Man and One Woman but they posted something today saying that it was impossible to be a christian and then be gay, but don't we all stray and fall into sin? Im not condoning it at all, Im just saying that we need to love people where they are and putting them down is not gonna draw them back to Christ. This is what I said. Feel free to agree or disagree or correct me in what I've said but as far as Im concerned the bottom line is sin is sin, Christ died for our sins and is willing to forgive us if we repent. If they've come to Christ and then turn from him for a period I dont believe that they are no longer Christians i just believe that they need to repent of their sin and turn back to Christ. Granted I think that the way Christians handle is different then how an unbeliever handles it. I mean Christians can still be tempted or tricked into thinking that they're born that way and they can even fall into that temptation but they will be ashamed of it and feel guilty and repent but it doesnt mean they wont commit that sin. Unbelievers however will not feel shame at their behavior and will stand by the worlds view and will not see any need to turn from that type of a lifestyle. I'd say the difference is lifestyle choice vs temporary sin followed by repentance. Here's what I posted:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. God loves them 2. He hates the sin 3. Quite a few of the comments that had been posted above blatantly disregarded commands in the Bible to love, not judge, and to consider your own sin before pointing fingers. 4. Sin is sin its ignorant to think that we can tell a white lie here and there or slip up and use a bad word but still be a believer because of the amazing thing that Jesus Christ did for us on the cross and then turn around and say that someone who is commiting a different sin can not be a christian. 5. Im NOT saying it's right, I joined that group because i believe its wrong I am simply saying that we have to guard what we say and make sure that we have the right motives when you say that you're supposed to keep your brothers and sisters in Christ in line are you saying that out of love or are you saying it because you view this sin as worse than any of your own? 6. I hope you all have a blessed Easter and realize that this is the time of year that shows exactly how much God was willing to sacrafice for his children to cover over a great multitude of sins so that we could be with him even though we all sin.</div><div><br /></div><div>Can we start a discussion on this? I'd like some feedback, what do you guys think?</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-67539008998712041652010-03-31T19:41:00.000-07:002010-04-01T11:14:14.175-07:00Check this out<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg34WwHeaGwQqC3QGU-Fo3E8lYczAGUlR0LVf2M85Kw9m2QsoT1uSiJAwGFI2P2SGGM3aB_MWkBPJypuHFyVi_rp_eilIF-UfgBJeO4hmEjUnNcyhZ7zN5a5zG8nfoAFFuEkyqpWMk6NBl/s1600/laminin-large2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454994217431282114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg34WwHeaGwQqC3QGU-Fo3E8lYczAGUlR0LVf2M85Kw9m2QsoT1uSiJAwGFI2P2SGGM3aB_MWkBPJypuHFyVi_rp_eilIF-UfgBJeO4hmEjUnNcyhZ7zN5a5zG8nfoAFFuEkyqpWMk6NBl/s400/laminin-large2.jpg" /></a><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 20px" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">We watched "How Great Is Our God" tonight and I am absolutely amazed by what the speaker talked about. Take a look at the picture above and think about just how crazy cool our God is!<br /></span></span></span><div><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 20px" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 20px" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Laminin is a protein that holds our cells together. Without laminin, our bodies would not function. The crazy thing is that under a microscope laminin looks like a cross, how insane is that?! I mean seriously, How amazing is it that just like this little cross holds us together just like the cross of Christ holds us to him.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 20px" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Colossians 1:15-20 (New International Version) </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.</span></span></span></span></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-82953578155832230792010-03-31T16:07:00.000-07:002010-03-31T19:10:25.211-07:00He truly is everything to me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UNoDPHHn_B2R_fAMjM4Rj5gOtXEkgX5s-n7ySuDWzbGD0Zl7xvfCT3vQw105MLIjH0Us7qBUtNQuWZFig_zUrjnPoZInUoArQ_DFrpNavQpESjUHqqo6eJxER1Z2VkNP9XNP3psXlQLv/s1600/DSCN8139.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UNoDPHHn_B2R_fAMjM4Rj5gOtXEkgX5s-n7ySuDWzbGD0Zl7xvfCT3vQw105MLIjH0Us7qBUtNQuWZFig_zUrjnPoZInUoArQ_DFrpNavQpESjUHqqo6eJxER1Z2VkNP9XNP3psXlQLv/s320/DSCN8139.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454941889435435922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGmh84yIhgw_RFGpUMNKyzyOMWckzsc6UlwTGA00qCLkPs2ODvVy8JEamJpKQUMw5xY9DUSRQfsvxdvN68SpegLiUdIaAAjgrNuQbn8tyvZtuUYEUj7ud-SK4VBqq93iaQgYa4SVYZ3Hd/s1600/DSCN8145.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGmh84yIhgw_RFGpUMNKyzyOMWckzsc6UlwTGA00qCLkPs2ODvVy8JEamJpKQUMw5xY9DUSRQfsvxdvN68SpegLiUdIaAAjgrNuQbn8tyvZtuUYEUj7ud-SK4VBqq93iaQgYa4SVYZ3Hd/s320/DSCN8145.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454941886582298722" /></a><br />Easter's coming up soon. Lately i've hit a lot of rough times. I'm busy, Im tired, Im stressed, Im worn down, I've had some hard times with friends, my dad had open heart surgery and i know that God is always there and that in him I can find rest but its still really hard sometimes. In the midst of all of it though I would have moments where right when i reached that point where I wasn't sure if I could handle one more thing I felt this peace rush over me, a calm that I can't describe and felt God reminding me calmly that in that he was there for me, that everything had a purpsose even if i couldn't see it but mostly that he loves me more than i could ever ask or imagine. Enough to send his son to Earth for me. What a reminder! I mean when's the last time you really thought about that? The Almighty, Creator of the universe, our Savior and Lord loves us more than we could ever fathom and he calls us his children and his friends. We can't even comprehend that kind of love..... In Alexandria, where I live, we have this thing called the Passion Drama put on by a local church where you walk through scenes of Jesus' life. It's amazing to think about all that Christ went through for us, as many times as we deny him, and disobey him, and turn our backs on him, he forgives us anyways and never for a second does he ever stop loving us. That is truly unconditional love. No one could ever even come close to loving us the way that God does. So I hope that you all have a blessed Easter. I've posted some lyrics below, let it be a reminder and an encouragement to share and to realize that the Easter story isn't just a story, It is the ultimate demonstration of God's love for us.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:medium;"><span class="txt_1" style=" text-decoration: underline; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;color:red;"><div class="KonaBody"><div id="div_customCSS"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I grew up in sunday school<br />I memorized the Golden rule<br />And how Jesus came to set the sinner free<br />I know the </span></span><a href="http://www.lyricsdownload.com/avalon-everything-to-me-lyrics.html#" class="kLink" target="undefined" id="KonaLink0" style="font-family: verdana; text-decoration: underline !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; cursor: pointer; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-top-color: transparent !important; border-right-color: transparent !important; border-bottom-color: transparent !important; border-left-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-attachment: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-color: transparent !important; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; text-transform: none !important; display: inline !important; font-variant: normal; top: 0px; right: 0px; bottom: 0px; left: 0px; position: static; "><span style=" position: static; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="kLink" style="border-top-width: 0px !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-color: initial !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-color: initial !important; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: initial; padding-top: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- width: auto !important; float: none !important; display: inline !important; position: static; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">story</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> inside out<br />I can tell you all about<br />The path that led Him up to Calvary<br />But ask me why He loves me<br />And I don't know what to say<br />But i'll never be the same<br />Because he changed my life when He became...<br /><br />Everything to me<br />He's more than a </span></span><a href="http://www.lyricsdownload.com/avalon-everything-to-me-lyrics.html#" class="kLink" target="undefined" id="KonaLink1" style="font-family: verdana; text-decoration: underline !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; cursor: pointer; border-top-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-top-color: transparent !important; border-right-color: transparent !important; border-bottom-color: transparent !important; border-left-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-attachment: initial !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-color: transparent !important; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; text-transform: none !important; display: inline !important; font-variant: normal; top: 0px; right: 0px; bottom: 0px; left: 0px; position: static; "><span style=" position: static; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="kLink" style="border-top-width: 0px !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-top-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-left-color: initial !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-right-color: initial !important; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: initial; padding-top: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background- width: auto !important; float: none !important; display: inline !important; position: static; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">story</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />more than words on a page of history<br />He's the air that I breath<br />The water I thirst for<br />And the ground beneath my feet<br />He's everything, everything to me<br /><br />We're living in uncertain times<br />And more and more I find that i'm aware<br />Of just how fragile life can be<br />I want to tell the world I found<br />A love that turned my life around<br />They need to know that they can taste and see<br />Now everyday I'm praying<br />Just to give my heart away<br />I want live for Jesus<br />So that someone else might see that he is...<br /><br />Everything to me<br />He's more than a story<br />more than words on a page of history<br />He's the air that I breath<br />The water I thirst for<br />And the ground beneath my feet<br />He's everything<br />And looking back over my life at the end<br />I'll go to meet you saying you've been...<br /><br />You're everything to me<br />You're more than a story<br />More than words on a page of history<br />You're everything to me<br />You're more than a story<br />More than words on a page of history<br />You're the air that I breath<br />The water I thirst for<br />And the ground beneath my feet<br />You're everything to me<br />Lord, you're everything to me</span></span></div><div id="div_customCSS"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div id="div_customCSS"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Everything to Me by: Avalon</span></span></span></div></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><div><br /></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7300764994170738779.post-19012414266115216522010-03-29T15:32:00.000-07:002010-03-29T15:39:38.725-07:00EverythingToday I was looking through the sites I've saved in my favorites and i came across the lifehouse, everything skit. It is sooo powerful. Heres a link:<div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA</a></div><div><br /></div><div>When is the last time you guys really thought about God's gift to us? He loved us so much, despite all the wrong, messed up, sinful things we do, that he sent his only son to die for us. Can you even fathom that kind of a true, unconditional love? I can't even begin to comprehend how much God loves us. I hope that the skit touched your heart, i know that no matter how many times I watch it It will always make me stop and stand in awe of my amazing God and the unconditional love that he has for his children.</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07830922471109651594noreply@blogger.com0