"inexhaustible grace for an exhausted world."

     Last night I went to bed relatively early, hoping to catch up on the sleep I have not been able to get this week. But I couldn't sleep - exams were stressing me out. I felt sick and shaky. So my mom, being the superhero she is, gave me some homeopathic medicine (homeopathy FTW) and spent a good 15-20 minutes finding me a sermon that she liked for me to listen to. It's one by Tullian Tchividjian from this year's Liberate conference. 

     I may have started listening to it stressed out and nervous, but by the end of it I was completely relaxed. In this sermon, Mr. Tchividjian talks about "Inexhaustible Grace for an Exhausted World," a concept I have heard many times. I know that I need grace. I know that I can't do anything in my own strength, and I know that I don't have to. But there is something about the way he preaches that really hit it home for me. I realized things at 1:00 last night that I never realized before. And I was blessed. I'm taking on these last two days of exam with all the power of God in me because that sermon reminded me that I don't have to be anything without Jesus. He is where my identity lies. Not in my achievements. Not in how hard I study or when I get my exams done compared to everyone else in my school. Not in my grades. NOT IN MY GRADES. 

     I was able to identify with a lot of the struggles Mr. Tchividjian talked about in his sermon. I realized that I am exhausted - physically, emotionally... spiritually, even - and that it's okay because there is more than enough of God's inexhaustible grace. 

     It's a little over an hour long, but I encourage you watch it if you get the time. It really is incredible. 

It's Vimeo so I'm not sure how to share the video directly on here but here's the link: http://vimeo.com/87839633http://vimeo.com/87839633

Happy Thursday. It's almost the weekend. :)
s

P.S. Audrey Assad came out with a new EP, "Death, Be Not Proud," a few days ago. You really should check it out. :) 

a quote for your thursday.

I take a couple classes with the lovely Hayley of Victorious Heroine, and the other day, she said this:

 "If God wants our hearts, it's kind of sad to hand him a fake one."

Just wanted everyone to hear that and think it over... thanks Hayley. :) You are wise and I love you. 

s

grace, grace, and more grace // an article

I'm pretty much in exam mode until next Friday. My mom read this article to my sisters and brother and I this morning with that in mind, and it was exactly what I needed. It's all about grace (and it's by Tullian Tchividjian, so it automatically wins). Enjoy. :)

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tullian/2013/12/13/grace-grace-and-more-grace/

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two faces of legalism // an article

     I have an article for you to reeeead. :) It's about legalism and it's incredible. I grew up in legalism (actually, I was in the very same situation as the author if this article), so it really hit home for me. This past year I have grown so much in living like I'm free in Christ. Kristen (the author of the article) is such a wonderful writer and has such a beautiful heart.

Two Faces of Legalism

(written by Kristen Morris)

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an article for your evening.

     I haven't really changed my tune since last I wrote - I'm still busy, busy, busy. :P The long, reflective posts will have to sit on the back burner for a bit, which is unfortunate because I'm overflowing.
     I'm posting now, however, because I read something today that was on the back of my mind for the whole day. I came upon it whilst looking for atheist quotes and stuff for a school discussion. Here's the link to the article:

http://www.everystudent.com/wires/atheist.html

     Please read it. It's so interesting and inspiring. :) 

s

giving

     My blogger friend Davi posted something recently on her blog about our weaknesses bringing us closer to Jesus. You should go read her post (busy high school students mooching off of other bloggers for the win! ;)), but she got me thinking about it. Like it usually happens (me being a "church kid;" someone who grew up learning all of the right answers), I had already heard this truth. But I think God pulled another layer off of it this morning and delivered it to me anew. He reminded me of this passage: 

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

"So to keep me from being conceited..."

"a thorn..."

"grace is sufficient."

SUFFICIENT.

sufficient. enough. all I need. 

I'm weak right now. So very, very weak. 

But right now, right at this very moment, I'M LETTING GO.

I can't do it! I just can't! But God can. He's the one who is SUPPOSED to be doing it, after all.

I'm letting it all go. I don't care if I have a paper and a chemistry assignment due on friday. I don't care if I'm behind on reading. I don't care if I'm getting a low grade in math. His grace is sufficient. I'm not going to fix my problems by myself, because that's impossible. So why try? 

God = Success. 

Success, meaning... living the life that God wants you to live. Davi also said in her post that stress can sometimes mimic the effects of being poisoned. I'm not going to live like that anymore.

Giving all of my circumstances to God means:

I'm giving up stress.

I'm giving up the false security that comes from trying to control it all myself.

I'm giving up sleeplessness.

I'm giving up not eating because I'm too busy.

I'm giving up cramming.

I'm giving up bad grades.

I'm giving up poorly managed relationships.

I'm giving up serving myself.

I'm ready for freedom. 

Do you have something you need to give to God? If so, I encourage you to do so right now. This very moment. It's scary, losing control of something. I know! I know. But freedom is on the other side of that fear. 

Sarah

 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1

sharing someone's thunder :)

     I read a post by Eimile over at Reflect the other day that really hit me hard. It's about judging people and thinking you get what you deserve - it's really good. you should read it. :) You can read her post here. Please do; it's very enlightening. :)

Happy October!
- Sarah :)

an award?!?!

     Wow... was not expecting to be nominated for any kind of award whatever. Haha. :)  It's called the Versatile Blogger Award, and you can find out about it here (this is also where you would go if I nominate you).

     My dear friend Hayley (from Victorious Heroine) nominated me. Thanks, Hayley! And to everyone else, please go look at her blog because it's incredible.

     I'm supposed to nominate fifteen bloggers I read - I'm not sure if there are fifteen that I really follow, but I can put some down that I love:

one) Rachel at Chasing Kite Tails
two) Eimile at Reflect
three) "The Pixie" at SimplyPixie
four) Davi at Band of Brothers
five) Abra at The Gift
six) Diana at Diana Droppings
seven) Carlotta at Carlotta Cisternas
eight) Sarah at Sarah Layne
nine) Kelli at She Learns as She Goes
ten) Elizabeth at SuperMegaFoxyAwesomeNerdyHot

     They also want me to give seven facts about myself. Here we go. ;)

one) I'm terrified of Darth Vader. Even just his little asthmatic sound. Ugh.
two) I LOVE Downton Abbey and am a bit of a Downton geek.
three) I'm a total introvert (read: hobbit, writer, thinker, terrible socially, etc.)
four) I love tea and hate coffee.
five) I am very ambitious - I want to study the Classics in college, but I have dreams of the musical theatre stage and becoming Cinderella at Disney World.
six) I'm an incurable night owl.
seven) I am half-Canadian. :)

     Thanks again to Hayley for nominating me! This is something a lot different than what I normally do, but it was cool. :)

how to cultivate hope

     My mom sent me the link to this article, and I just had to share it with you all. I have seen, by the grace of God, some of this taking place in my life, and while I'm definitely not all the way there yet, I can say from experience that this works, and it's so rewarding. Enjoy. :)

http://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/how-to-cultivate-hope

on and on and on and on it goes

God's love. Infinite, eternal, unconditional, perfect, superlative.

     I've always believed that. I've taken it for granted, really. I've sung and believed Jesus Loves Me for as long as I can remember. I never thought it was something that I "struggled" with. Sure, I struggled with other things, but knowing God loves me? Naw. Never. That's easy to believe.
     Or is it?
Recently, as I have grappled with the merciless unrelenting taskmaster that is school, as well as other areas of my life that require self-discipline, I've failed again and again. It's inevitable. I'm human, I like to think I'm self-sufficient, and I start to wonder unconsciously whether God still loves me after I've failed to read such and such a book for school or go to bed at a reasonable hour. I say "unconsciously" because until a maybe a week ago, I didn't realize I was doubting God's love for me. I knew something was wrong but wasn't sure what. And even when I realized it initially, I prayed about it and then kind of forgot about it. But just last weekend I went to Planet Wisdom, a Christian student conference, with my youth group. It was an amazing time of learning about all kinds of relationships, laughing much and often, and worshipping with amazing songs and an amazing band. One of the songs in particular, "One Thing" by Jesus Culture, really hit me hard. I'm talking on my knees, crying kind of "hit me hard." The Holy Spirit literally inside of me "hit me hard."

Higher than the mountains that I face

Stronger than the power of the grave

Constant through the trial and the change

One thing remains

One thing remains

Your love never fails 

it never gives up 

it never runs out on me

On and on and on and on it goes

It overwhelms and satisfies my soul

And I never ever have to be afraid

One thing remains

Your love never fails 

it never gives up 

it never runs out on me

In death and in life I'm confident and covered by the power of your great love

My debt is paid there's nothing that can separate my heart from your great love

The part I put in bold was IT. God's love goes on and on and on and that I never have to be afraid? I thought I knew that, but. . . wow. I always get overwhelmed when I sing that. It was God's way of showing me that he really does love me all the time, whatever I do, no matter WHAT. Unconditional. That's what it is. It's never ending, doesn't depend on anything I do or don't do. 

IT NEVER ENDS. 

EVER.

IN MY LIFE.

(It's always a good idea to use a (paraphrased) quote from "Up" to drive a point home).

But reeeally, it doesn't depend on how bad I'm doing (or how great I'm doing, on the other hand). The following lyrics from Jenny Simmon's song "This I Know" basically sums up the struggle of trusting God's love:

When it comes to being free, I am my own worst enemy

'Cause I can criticize every move I make

I've got a microscope on my mistakes

And I steal glory from the One who made me me

I know the words, but help me believe

Jesus loves me, this I know

And I know it's not because of anything I've done

This love is unconditional

So at my worst, and at my best

You don't love me less, you can't love me more

This I know for sure

Never worried or impressed by any failure or success

'Cause I know somehow, some way I'll make You smile

You can not help but love Your child

So I can sing this song to You

You never change your mind about it

And I don't know why I ever doubt it

     As it is always with God's promises, it's comforting to know that you are safe in God's love, and that he will NEVER leave you (insert selfsame "Up" quote here). 

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 

1 John 4:8

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 

1 John 4:18

-Sarah :)

passion 2013

Hi, friends!

   I haven't been in the blogging world for a while due to a very restful Christmas break and preparation for school to start back up on Monday. I wish I had time to write a long post or something, but for now I just wanted to share with you this link: http://live.268generation.com/. It's the live stream of the Passion Conference, a Christian conference in Georgia (this year). My sister's at it so I have been watching some of the live stream of it and it looks awesome! I think there are about 60,000 people there – makes me so happy that so many people gathered together to worship God. :) Just thought I'd share the link in case you'd like to follow along with the conference. Enjoy! :)

-Sarah :)

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.

Matthew 18:20

testimony of God's faithfulness

     I just wanted to point y'all to a recent post about God's faithfulness on a blog I read. Jessica Shae, the blogger, was in a car accident, and in this post she tells about how she saw God's hand on her, protecting her. It was inspirational and encouraging to me, reminding me to thank God for the good in hard circumstances. So please, go read and be encouraged. You can find the post if you click here.

-Sarah :)

worship songs I like

     God has been showing me his glory very clearly of late, mostly through worship music. I think I blogged about this before - something about worshiping God vocally makes his glory quite real to me. Below are links to a few (OK, well, there's a lot) songs I really enjoy listening to (the links go to Grooveshark.com). Some of them simply praise God, some cry out to God in the midst of trials. All of them are pretty awesome songs. :) Listen if you want to and enjoy!

Addison Road:
What Do I Know of Holy

Natalie Grant:
Your Great Name 
Held

Meredith Andrews:
You're Not Alone 
Draw Me Nearer 
Come Home 


Starfield:
Can I Stay Here Forever 
Everything is Beautiful
Saving One

Casting Crowns:
Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)
Until the Whole World Hears

Chris Tomlin:
How Great is Our God
White Flag
Our God
No Chains On Me

Third Day:
Children of God

Mandisa:
Stronger

Plumb:
Beautiful History


Carrie Underwood:
How Great Thou Art

Nicole C. Mullen
My Redeemer Lives
 

     Also, I wanted to let you all know that for the next couple weeks I'm going to probably be a little slower with the blogging, as school is finishing up. You will still be getting verses every Wednesday, and I will try to post at least once in between some of those. :)
    
-Sarah :)

P.S. In case you missed it, here's the link to my post on Ellie's Guatemala mission's trip. Also check out her post about her trip (I linked to it in my post), and if you feel like you can give financially, I think she still needs some money for it! Thanks! 

Money/Prayer Request

      My sister, Ellie, is going on a missions trip to Guatemala this summer. She has had such faith in God in all areas of this trip and the preparation necessary for it. She still needs quite a bit of money to go,  but she has total faith that God will provide it.
     So - if you feel called to do this, could you please donate some money to Ellie's mission trip? If you would like to donate, please comment on this post and let me know, and I'll pass it on to Ellie so you and her can get in touch. Also, if you would like to have your pictures taken as well as donate money, you can pay $100 for a photoshoot by Ellie (of Ellie Be Photography), the proceeds from which will all go to Ellie's trip. You can get more details about that here, as well as information about how much money she needs and when she needs it by.
     Whether you feel called to give financially or not, your prayers for Ellie would be appreciated. :)

     Thank you for considering!

-Sarah :)

"He has all – who has the Haver of all." - Augustine

I got this quote from Carrie's blog. I love it!!!! :)

- Sarah :)