Hey everybody,
It's been awhile. What a summer...God has shown me new ways of how He can turn my life upside down. My friends have been going through some rough times, my best friend is going to college soon, and her family is moving to Texas. I'm gonna miss her. God couldn't send me another friend like Ali. I keep wondering where the justice is that I was around for her senior year, but she won't be around for mine? Well, such is life.
As I watch my senior year crawl closer and closer, I can feel my stress level go up. Deciding what college I'm going to, my major, finishing up the ACT, getting a job, playing soccer, playing in a church band, three concurrent classes, and Physics which freaks me out for some reason.
I'm still crawling along in Luke, and I came across these verses.
Luke 10:41-42a
"'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about so many things, but only one thing is needed."
I read over that, then read it again using my name.
"Sarah, Sarah, you are worried and upset about so many things, but only one thing is needed."
Sound familiar? It did to me. I was so stressed out and worried about so much all at the same time, when only one thing is important. In context, Jesus is talking about the fact that Mary was sitting at His feet, hanging on his every word. Martha was too wrapped up in her house work to notice that what was truly important was just listening to Jesus.
And that's just it! Why am I so worried about everything, when the ONE THING that is REALLY important is Jesus. And doing HIS will. If I can get that under my belt, everything else will fall into place.
All that said, Senior Year, Here I come!!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Who Do I Want to Be?
I've written before about the kinda school year I had this past year. How crazy everything was, and just how God was moving.
I remember people telling me "God will heal you." I'd always reply "If He chooses to." I knew He had a reason for keeping me where I was. I said what I believed almost bitterly because I didn't yet know the reason why God had me where He did. God showed me then that He wasn't my fairy godmother who'd poof out of no-where and say "bibbide-bobbide-boo" and everything would be just peachy. It wasn't as simple as all that. He wanted me to learn
There were times that I fasted later on. God showed me then what beauty truly is. Throughout my life I've struggled with being pretty. I've never been a girly-girl. I didn't where make-up until I was a sophomore in high school. I wore gym shorts daily and owned one pair of jeans until I was a junior in high school. I always struggled with the fact that I didn't fit in with other girls. I wasn't pretty like them. I was plain, simple, and in my eyes, ugly. God's been showing me that that isn't what beauty is. I shouldn't crave compliments like "I love your hair today!" or "Where did you get that shirt? It's so cute!" Those compliments aren't on my character, and don't make an adequate judgement of what kind of person I am. God changed my heart during this year to a new direction. I want to be the girl people say "Oh that Sarah, she is such a sweet girl." or "She really loves people and reaches out to them." or most importantly "Sarah is really a girl after God's own heart, and you can see her passion for Him!" THAT is who I want to be. THAT is who I hope people see. Not what my make-up looks like that day. Not what my hair decided to do with itself. Not my clothes. Just Sarah. Just a girl who strives every day to look more like Jesus. I'm not saying that I'm there. And I'm most certainly not saying people see that in me, but I hope I set that example. Because THAT is who I want to be.
I remember people telling me "God will heal you." I'd always reply "If He chooses to." I knew He had a reason for keeping me where I was. I said what I believed almost bitterly because I didn't yet know the reason why God had me where He did. God showed me then that He wasn't my fairy godmother who'd poof out of no-where and say "bibbide-bobbide-boo" and everything would be just peachy. It wasn't as simple as all that. He wanted me to learn
There were times that I fasted later on. God showed me then what beauty truly is. Throughout my life I've struggled with being pretty. I've never been a girly-girl. I didn't where make-up until I was a sophomore in high school. I wore gym shorts daily and owned one pair of jeans until I was a junior in high school. I always struggled with the fact that I didn't fit in with other girls. I wasn't pretty like them. I was plain, simple, and in my eyes, ugly. God's been showing me that that isn't what beauty is. I shouldn't crave compliments like "I love your hair today!" or "Where did you get that shirt? It's so cute!" Those compliments aren't on my character, and don't make an adequate judgement of what kind of person I am. God changed my heart during this year to a new direction. I want to be the girl people say "Oh that Sarah, she is such a sweet girl." or "She really loves people and reaches out to them." or most importantly "Sarah is really a girl after God's own heart, and you can see her passion for Him!" THAT is who I want to be. THAT is who I hope people see. Not what my make-up looks like that day. Not what my hair decided to do with itself. Not my clothes. Just Sarah. Just a girl who strives every day to look more like Jesus. I'm not saying that I'm there. And I'm most certainly not saying people see that in me, but I hope I set that example. Because THAT is who I want to be.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Let Down Your Nets
Golly, I love scripture. I've been digging into the Gospel of Luke the past few days, and I am LOVING it. Funny what you can pick up, and what you can apply if you read between the lines a little, and look at what the passage is actually talking about instead of just reading words.
One of my favorite bits of scripture is Luke 5:1-11. It's a story we've all heard billions of times, (ok, maybe not THAT many ;)) but this time around, I caught on something new. Here's the story:
1One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, 2he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."
5Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" 9For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." 11So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Interesting little story. What I love about this is what happens in verses 4 and 5. Jesus tells Simon (later named Peter) to let down the nets just one more time. Peter makes it clear that he and his companions have been working ALL NIGHT with no luck. They probably smelled like mirky lake water. They were tired. I bet their feet hurt too. I wonder if Simon was thinking "I just want to go HOME!" I know I would've been. But he says "because you say so, I will let down the nets." And guess what?! They pulled in so many fish, their boat couldn't carry them all! It's like a fisherman's dream come true!!
I love Peter. He had his rough spots, but he was a really neat guy. I love his faith here. Despite all the discouragement I'm sure he went through that night, he was willing to try one more time because Jesus asked him too. Am I willing to do that? Are you? Sometimes in life I can get wrapped up in excuses like "God, I'm too tired", or "God, I already tried that", or "God, that's crazy". Is it enough for me to do what he asked me to do just because he asked me to? Interesting to think about. I've thought a lot about this lately with my life decisions, and what's just been going on with me lately. Why is it not enough for me to make a decision I feel like God is leading me to? Why do I worry about what people will say, and the looks I'll get. Do I have the guts, the FAITH to cast down my nets, put it all on the line, and do what He asked me to do just because I am THAT on fire for His kingdom?
At the end of the story, Simon, James, and John leave EVERYTHING and follow Jesus. Not a word, not a single complaint, they just leave. No thoughts to their future, no thoughts to their next meal, they just followed.
Sometimes you'll find yourself at what seems like a rocky cliff. You look down. Rocks. Sharp ones. They represent all your worries. "What if it doesn't work out?" "What if I'm wrong?" Jesus stands behind you and whispers "Do you trust me? Take of leap of faith! An unsure step won't get you across. I'm here. I'll help you on your way. Let down your nets. Leave it all. Trust me."
One of my favorite bits of scripture is Luke 5:1-11. It's a story we've all heard billions of times, (ok, maybe not THAT many ;)) but this time around, I caught on something new. Here's the story:
1One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, 2he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."
5Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" 9For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." 11So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Interesting little story. What I love about this is what happens in verses 4 and 5. Jesus tells Simon (later named Peter) to let down the nets just one more time. Peter makes it clear that he and his companions have been working ALL NIGHT with no luck. They probably smelled like mirky lake water. They were tired. I bet their feet hurt too. I wonder if Simon was thinking "I just want to go HOME!" I know I would've been. But he says "because you say so, I will let down the nets." And guess what?! They pulled in so many fish, their boat couldn't carry them all! It's like a fisherman's dream come true!!
I love Peter. He had his rough spots, but he was a really neat guy. I love his faith here. Despite all the discouragement I'm sure he went through that night, he was willing to try one more time because Jesus asked him too. Am I willing to do that? Are you? Sometimes in life I can get wrapped up in excuses like "God, I'm too tired", or "God, I already tried that", or "God, that's crazy". Is it enough for me to do what he asked me to do just because he asked me to? Interesting to think about. I've thought a lot about this lately with my life decisions, and what's just been going on with me lately. Why is it not enough for me to make a decision I feel like God is leading me to? Why do I worry about what people will say, and the looks I'll get. Do I have the guts, the FAITH to cast down my nets, put it all on the line, and do what He asked me to do just because I am THAT on fire for His kingdom?
At the end of the story, Simon, James, and John leave EVERYTHING and follow Jesus. Not a word, not a single complaint, they just leave. No thoughts to their future, no thoughts to their next meal, they just followed.
Sometimes you'll find yourself at what seems like a rocky cliff. You look down. Rocks. Sharp ones. They represent all your worries. "What if it doesn't work out?" "What if I'm wrong?" Jesus stands behind you and whispers "Do you trust me? Take of leap of faith! An unsure step won't get you across. I'm here. I'll help you on your way. Let down your nets. Leave it all. Trust me."
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Memorizing Scripture
After getting back from Mission Waco, I've realized how HORRIBLE I am at disciplining myself to memorize scripture. I plan to fix that. Here are some good verses I'm working on.
James 1:16-17
"Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
James 1:26
"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless"
Luke 1:45
"Blesses is she who has believed what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished."
I'm making a list of what I want to do this summer, and I will post it later on. So happy to be home!!
James 1:16-17
"Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
James 1:26
"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless"
Luke 1:45
"Blesses is she who has believed what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished."
I'm making a list of what I want to do this summer, and I will post it later on. So happy to be home!!
Friday, May 28, 2010
Exhausted
Have you ever taken a deep breath and realized how exhausted you are? I did that today. My friends have been going through some tough stuff today, and I've been trying to be there for them, but stuff like this, and getting ready for a garage sale just drains me. I am so tired. My feet hurt, I'm a tad sun-burned, and I'm trying really hard to keep my eyes open. You ever have days like that? When you are just so tired. I don't mean just physically, but just emotionally, spiritually, AND physically worn out.
I'm the type of person who wants to fix things. I'm the type that wants to just talks things through and work it out. I will not just let a problem pass my way without doing something about it. My problem here is that I try to load too much on myself and will just wear myself out trying to fix it. Beyond that, because I try so hard to fix it, and it doesn't always work out, I get discouraged and wonder if I do any good for anyone. Here are my two challenges for myself today: #1. To give these burdens back to the Lord, instead of doing it on my own. #2. To not get discouraged in trying to help people. Below, I wrote out Galations 6:9, one of my favorite pieces of scripture. I'm clinging to this scripture today. I hope you can draw encouragement from it as well.
Galations 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
I'm the type of person who wants to fix things. I'm the type that wants to just talks things through and work it out. I will not just let a problem pass my way without doing something about it. My problem here is that I try to load too much on myself and will just wear myself out trying to fix it. Beyond that, because I try so hard to fix it, and it doesn't always work out, I get discouraged and wonder if I do any good for anyone. Here are my two challenges for myself today: #1. To give these burdens back to the Lord, instead of doing it on my own. #2. To not get discouraged in trying to help people. Below, I wrote out Galations 6:9, one of my favorite pieces of scripture. I'm clinging to this scripture today. I hope you can draw encouragement from it as well.
Galations 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Life to the Fullest!!
I watched my best friend graduate today. I saw her transparency as she read one of her amazing poems. I watched her parents give her her diploma. Our eyes met when she was onstage and I was in the crowd. I grinned and gave her a thumbs up, and she smiled back at me. I was so proud of her. She's grown so much, and has become a woman truly after God's own heart.
Today was a powerful day. Looking back on highschool and seeing where we are now. I'm embarking on my final year in highschool and part of me is ready to be done, and the other part thinks it's coming too fast. I think of what will happen after highshool, about recording, and seeing where God takes me and my music. It's been a crazy year of trials, growth, and everything inbetween. It's been a year of friends, a year of enemies, a year of anger, a year of forgiveness, a year of promise, and a year of unexpectancy. More or less, it has been a year of life.
I wonder, what would happen if we lived everyday like there was no tomorrow? What would happen if we embraced every moment, and were thankful for every day? How would our lives change? Life is racing by right now, and I hope I can grab as many memories as I can along the way.
My challenge for you today: Live life to the fullest! Live your life to the glory of God because we are NOT promised tomorrow! Love your family, thank your friends, forgive the people who've hurt you, and give your all to the Lord. Take everything one day at a time, and let God lead you. You'll find a peace in that that surpasses understanding.
John 10:10 The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come so that you may have life in all it's fullness.
Today was a powerful day. Looking back on highschool and seeing where we are now. I'm embarking on my final year in highschool and part of me is ready to be done, and the other part thinks it's coming too fast. I think of what will happen after highshool, about recording, and seeing where God takes me and my music. It's been a crazy year of trials, growth, and everything inbetween. It's been a year of friends, a year of enemies, a year of anger, a year of forgiveness, a year of promise, and a year of unexpectancy. More or less, it has been a year of life.
I wonder, what would happen if we lived everyday like there was no tomorrow? What would happen if we embraced every moment, and were thankful for every day? How would our lives change? Life is racing by right now, and I hope I can grab as many memories as I can along the way.
My challenge for you today: Live life to the fullest! Live your life to the glory of God because we are NOT promised tomorrow! Love your family, thank your friends, forgive the people who've hurt you, and give your all to the Lord. Take everything one day at a time, and let God lead you. You'll find a peace in that that surpasses understanding.
John 10:10 The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come so that you may have life in all it's fullness.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
God is Good
Have you ever gotten a look that says "you've got to be kidding me"? Have you ever heard that tone of voice that says "you're insane"? I have. I've felt crazy the past few days. This year, I've been to the end of the spectrum and back. I've gone from the cookie-cutter "good girl" plan of going to college and getting my degree, to the plan of pursuing my dream of being a recording artist and then worrying about my degree. Whenever I hear the question "so where are you thinking of going to college?" I flinch. I hate saying "nowhere?". After my explanation of what I want to do I get the "Ok..." answer which means "you're soooo throwing your life away".
The funny thing to me is I sound like that kid that rebels against her parents and says "I don't WANT to go to college! I want to play MUSIC!" For anyone who assumes that of me, I've got a news flash: My parents are all for this! My dad was one of the main people who affected my decision of following this path. I really love my dad. He's the kind of guy you go to when you want an honest opinion of whether or not your plan will work. My dad is a critical person. I don't mean it in that he's mean or anything, but he will tell you the truth of things. But here's the best part: because my dad is encouraging me to pursue Sarah Camille and a career in the music industry, HE THINKS I CAN DO IT. That says a lot coming from my dad. I have a growing respect for him every day. One day he said "I'll be happy as long as my kids are doing what they want to do." I love my dad. I really do. And I appreciate so much that he encourages me to chase my dreams.
It's still hard to follow this knowing I seem like an idiot. But here's something I've learned about life: it has it's twists and turns, but at the end of the day so much of what people think doesn't matter. My best friend sent me a text today saying God is good. I replied saying "yes He is." But man! Take those words to heart! God is Good!! In times when everything fits together, God is good. In times when you're watching your life fall apart, God is good. In times of blessings, in times of trials, God is still GOOD!! I'm clinging to that. God is good. God knows best. God has the plan. God is good.
The funny thing to me is I sound like that kid that rebels against her parents and says "I don't WANT to go to college! I want to play MUSIC!" For anyone who assumes that of me, I've got a news flash: My parents are all for this! My dad was one of the main people who affected my decision of following this path. I really love my dad. He's the kind of guy you go to when you want an honest opinion of whether or not your plan will work. My dad is a critical person. I don't mean it in that he's mean or anything, but he will tell you the truth of things. But here's the best part: because my dad is encouraging me to pursue Sarah Camille and a career in the music industry, HE THINKS I CAN DO IT. That says a lot coming from my dad. I have a growing respect for him every day. One day he said "I'll be happy as long as my kids are doing what they want to do." I love my dad. I really do. And I appreciate so much that he encourages me to chase my dreams.
It's still hard to follow this knowing I seem like an idiot. But here's something I've learned about life: it has it's twists and turns, but at the end of the day so much of what people think doesn't matter. My best friend sent me a text today saying God is good. I replied saying "yes He is." But man! Take those words to heart! God is Good!! In times when everything fits together, God is good. In times when you're watching your life fall apart, God is good. In times of blessings, in times of trials, God is still GOOD!! I'm clinging to that. God is good. God knows best. God has the plan. God is good.
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