God's own fool

     This song is a song that my dad used to play for me, and I used to listen to it all the time. I just recently heard it again and was reminded not only of how much I love it, but how much truth it holds. I have been reading 1 Corinthians lately, and these parts of that book made me think of the song:

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 

1 Corinthians 3:18-20

 "God's Own Fool" by Michael Card

  

Lyrics: 

Seems I've imagined Him all of my life
As the wisest of all of mankind
But if God's Holy wisdom is foolish to men
He must have seemed out of His mind
 

For even His family said He was mad
And the priests said a demon's to blame
But God in the form of this angry young man
Could not have seemed perfectly sane

When we in our foolishness thought we were wise
He played the fool and He opened our eyes
When we in our weakness believed we were strong
He became helpless to show we were wrong
 

And so we follow God's own fool
For only the foolish can tell-
Believe the unbelievable
And come be a fool as well
 

So come lose your life for a carpenter's son
For a madman who died for a dream
And you'll have the faith His first followers had
And you'll feel the weight of the beam
 

So surrender the hunger to say you must know
Have the courage to say I believe
For the power of paradox opens your eyes
And blinds those who say they can see

When we in our foolishness thought we were wise
He played the fool and He opened our eyes
When we in our weakness believed we were strong
He became helpless to show we were wrong

So we follow God's own Fool
For only the foolish can tell
Believe the unbelievable,
And come be a fool as well

s

love song for a Savior

     Alright guys, you're about to hear a song that is basically the epitome of my childhood. Not only does this song consist of absolutely beautiful lyrics and imagery and truth, but it's a song I grew up with. I remember hearing it all the time when I was little, and now when I listen to it I always tear up and get the biggest smile on my face.

     Please enjoy "Love Song For a Savior" by Jars of Clay.

thank you - hillsong

     We sing this at my church and it is one of my favorite worship songs at the moment. Enjoy. :)

a nice thought

// Your love is wide open spaces where I can run //

(ought to be - audrey assad)

he's for me and he hears me

     Jesus is my best friend. He's always there for me to talk to. Always. No matter what I have to say, he always understands me because he made me. He knows me inside and out. Perfectly. It's so very comforting to know that he's always on my side. He wants me to succeed. He wants to help me.

He's for me.

. . .If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:31

Kari Jobe - You Are For Me

 

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 :)

save your life - newsboys

     Do you have any friends or family members who are not Christians. I do, and as a Christian myself, it's hard when I can't seem to get through to them about the gospel. I don't want to shove it down their throats and give them this big long list of what they're doing wrong, but I want them to live free of condemnation. The best thing to do is to pray for those people in your life who aren't saved, and also to be a light in the way you live. 

     This song by the Newsboys, though, kind of sums up what I (and I'm sure many of you other Christians) feel like saying to those unsaved people in my life, "I love you, and I want you have eternal life in heaven. Just... please! Believe! This is the truth!" Enjoy the song. 

 

I don't know why their skin changes color... it's weird but the song is good. Haha. :)

Lyrics:

Dear Friend,
You've been trying again
Doing whatever it takes to fit in
Falling for the lies of the world
You tell me you'd pay anything just to not hurt
What you want, I ain't got
What I have, can't be bought

There's something better I can give
If you surrender you will live
Just gotta taste and see it's good
I'd make you see it if I could
It's gonna save your life, gonna save your life

Dear Friend,
I'd be lying to you
If I told you this road that we travel would be smooth
Sometimes, you just wanna give up
Trying, and trying, but nothing is ever enough
Chasing things, but what for? (what for?)
You've seen it all, but want more

There's something better I can give
If you surrender you will live
Just gotta taste and see it's good
I'd make you see it if I could
It's gonna save your life, gonna save your life

I can see now you want this
And you know that you need this
Get away from the darkness
Get away from the darkness

I can see now you want this
And you know that you need this
Get away from the darkness
Gotta know who Christ is

There's something better I can give
If you surrender you will live
Just gotta taste and see it's good
I'd make you see it if I could
It's gonna save your life, gonna save your life

(Nothing better than this life) It's gonna save your life
(Nothing better than this life) It's gonna save your life
It's gonna, it's gonna save your life 

-Sarah :)

P.S.  "And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." -Matthew 28:18-20

 

be still my soul

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain

Leave to your God to order and provide

In every change, he faithful will remain

Be still, my soul: your best, your heavenly friend

Through thorny ways, leads to a joyful end

Be still, my soul: your God will undertake

To guide the future as he has the past

Your hope, your confidence, let nothing shake

All now mysterious shall be bright at last

Be still, my soul: the waves and wind still know

His voice who ruled them while they dwelt below

Be still my soul: the hour is hastening on

When we shall be forever with the Lord

When disappointment, grief and fear are gone

Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last

     I had forgotten about this hymn. I was singing (I'm always singing, and nearly always looking for something new to sing), and I thought of this one. I started singing it, and when I got to the line "in every change, he faithful will remain," I lost it. I tried to keep singing, but it was hard because I was crying.

     Lately, I have still been struggling with all the change and the sadness, disappointment, et cetera that comes with it. Most of the time I'm fine; I forget that it's hard and enjoy life. It was one of those times when I started singing "Be Still My Soul." Singing "in every change, he faithful will remain" dug out the emotions I have in the times I'm struggling. 

     This really is an incredible hymn. I want to take a minute and talk about what it means for me.

In every change, he faithful will remain

Be still my soul: your best, your heavenly friend

Through thorny ways, leads to a joyful end

     Jesus is my best friend. He is always faithful. He's the still, never-changing rock above my swirling, changing, chaotic life. I know that though he leads me through thorny ways, I will reach that joyful end.

Your hope, your confidence, let nothing shake

All now mysterious shall be bright at last

Be still my soul: the waves and wind still know

His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

     God is in control of the waves and the wind: he rules them just as he calmed them when he was incarnate on the earth. I may not be able to control my circumstances, but God has it all under his control.

When disappointment, grief and fear are gone

Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored

     All I can say is that I can't wait for when there will be no such thing as disappointment, grief, or fear.  Revelation 21:4 says: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." As Christians, love's purest joys will be ours like they once were for Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. 

Have you found any songs recently that God used to speak to you?

-Sarah :)

     

audrey assad

     I'm sorry the blog has been slow. I feel like I would be repeating myself and pretty much every other school-aged blogger to say why, so I'm not going to. Anyway, while I'm waiting for time to write a post of some substance, here's my latest music discovery. Audrey Assad. Particularly her newest album, "Heart."

     She's an amazing Christian artist and songwriter (not to mention her absolutely incredible voice). If you want to, check her out on Grooveshark or iTunes or something and let me know what you think of her! :) Below are the lyrics to one of her songs, "Sparrow." (you can listen to it here.)

Why should I be lonely

Long for heaven and home

When Jesus is my portion

And a constant Friend I know

I sing because I'm happy

I sing because I'm free

For his eye is on the sparrow

His eye is on the sparrow

And I know he's watching me

Why should I be troubled 

When his tender voice I hear

Know I rest in his goodness

In my doubt and in my fear

I sing because I'm happy

I sing because I'm free

For his eye is on the sparrow

His eye is on the sparrow

And I know. . .

I sing because I'm happy

I sing because I'm free

For his eye is on the sparrow

His eye is on the sparrow

His eye is on the sparrow

And I know he's watching me

He's watching me

He's watching you

He's watching me

jesus freak

     More and more, I'm discovering that I really am a "Jesus freak." I love it - it shows that God is really working in me and becoming everything I am, my whole life. I'm definitely not completely there (we won't ever be there - until heaven, that is), but I am so in love with Jesus and I love witnessing him to the world and telling them about this great friend I have that listens to me patiently every time I want to ask or tell him something, and is always telling me what's best for me - and he's ALWAYS right, of course.
      Speaking of witnessing, I'm sure you have heard the song "Jesus Freak" by Dc Talk. If you haven't, LISTEN TO IT. In fact, you can do it right now if you click here. :)

Enjoy!

-Sarah :)

P.S. It's a link to Grooveshark.com. For some reason, the normal version of it doesn't work (at least for me), so this is the live version. It's good, but I just thought I'd let you know. :)

you can't take away my God

John Chrysostum and Empress Eudoxia

“You cannot banish me for this world is my Father’s house!”

“But I will kill you!”, said Empress Eudoxia.

“No, you cannot, for my life is hid with Christ in God!” said Chrysostum.

“Well, then, I will take away your treasures!” said the Empress.

“No, you cannot, for my treasure is in heaven and my heart is there.”

“But I will drive you away from your friends and you will have no one left.”

“No, you cannot," said Chrysostum. “For I have a friend in heaven from whom you cannot separate me. I defy you for there is nothing you can do to harm me.”

~~~

All around, all of us fear has come
And so we must ask ourselves in who we trust
What we have here is not enough
So let it ring, in freedom sing

You can take away everything that I've been holding
You can take away the sum
You can take away the very air that I've been breathing
But you can't take away my God, oh my God

Waves will come, winds will blow
But it's not here, I've found my hope
My beating heart, my very soul
Is held by one who won't let go
And so I'll cling to You my King

You can take away everything that I've been holding
You can take away the sun
You can take away the very air that I've been breathing
But you can't take away my God, oh my God

A hope that can't be lost, a love that can't be bought
But you can't take away my God
Nothing high or low, nothing you can control
You can't take away my God, you can't take away

You can take away everything that I've been holding
You can take away the sun
You can take away the very air that I've been breathing
But you can't take away my God, oh my God, oh, my God

Can't Take Away - Mikeschair (Listen to it here)

~~~

     Something I recently read a poem in "Streams in the Desert" about walking with God through trials:

The hill was steep, but cheered along the way

By converse sweet, I mounted on the thought

That so it might be till the height was reached;

But suddenly a narrow winding path

Appeared, and then the Master said, "My child,

Here thou wilt safest walk with Me alone."

I trembled, yet my heart's deep trust replied,

"So be it, Lord." He took my feeble hand

In His, accepting thus my will to yield Him 

All, and to find all in Him.

One long, dark moment,

And no friend I saw, save Jesus only.

But oh! so tenderly He led me on

And up, and spoke to me such words of cheer,

Such secret whisperings of His wondrous love,

That soon I told Him all my grief and fear,

And leaned on His strong arm confidingly.

And then I found my footsteps quickened,

And light ineffable, the rugged way

Illumined, such light as only can be seen 

In close companionship with God.

A little while, and we shall meet again

The loved and lost; but in the rapturous joy

Of greetings, such as here we cannot know,

And happy song, and heavenly embraces,

And tender recollections rushing back

Of pilgrim life, methinks one memory

More dear and sacred than the rest, shall rise

And we who gather in the golden streets,

Shall oft be stirred to speak with grateful love

Of that dark day when Jesus bade us climb

Some narrow steep, leaning on Him alone.

     Do you see how this ties into the quote and song that I have at the top of this post? Everything can be taken away from us, but we will ALWAYS be walking with God. No one can take him away from us. That means that we can survive leaning on God alone! For example, friends are wonderful to have, and I'm positive I can speak for everyone when I say that it's hard not to have friends. But even if Christians don't have any friends on earth, isn't it comforting that we have a friend that sticks closer than a brother? (Proverbs 18:24) Of course, it's not always easy to apply that to our lives - to lean on Jesus alone. Honestly, it makes me long for heaven, where we won't have to walk on the narrow path at all. But while we're down here, it's nice to know that "while I carry this cross, He'll carry me" (Audrey Assad).

Coming up - a post about how my family is looking for a church home (that's the daunting post I have yet to write. . . so many emotions and the like to mix in).

-Sarah :)

Lo Grande Que Eres Dios

     My sister sent me this song (you may remember she's on a missions trip in Guatemala). She sent me both the Spanish and English versions, and I have to say that even though I can't really understand the Spanish version of the song, it's absolutely beautiful, and I feel like if I sang it in Spanish without knowing the language, I would still be able to worship and be close to God through it.
     So here, I am posting lyric videos for both languages. Please listen to the Spanish version first. :)

Here's the Spanish:

And here's the English:

Enjoy! and please, tell me what you think of the song. :)

-Sarah :)

fiery trial - part 7 (turn your eyes upon Jesus)

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in his wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of his glory and grace

     

     I can not tell you how utterly comforting these words are to me. I can look at my wonderful Jesus instead of feeling miserable about my circumstances! The things of earth are not even worth being compared with his glory and grace. 

-Sarah :)

fiery trial part 6 (blessings)

     We pray for blessings, we pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for your mighty hand to ease our suffering

     

     As I continue further along the path of suffering, it's easy for me to focus my attention on how I am being disappointed again and again. It's easy to give up trying to be strong – trying to make it through. 

     Far too easy. And far too tempting.

I want what I want, and I want God to give it to me! Why should I try to conform my will to his, when I'm sure he can't know best?

All the while You hear each spoken need

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

The thing is, he does know best. I have to believe that. I am starting to, but it's hard. I would even be tempted to say it's too hard.

     But even as I'm writing this, I'm realizing that I have been depending too much on my own strength to make it through this trial. What makes me think I can carry myself through something I didn't even bring about? Am I that full of myself, that I would assign that much power to myself? It's a problem all Christians face at one time or another. We try to handle things by ourselves. But we can't handle things by ourselves. 

     It's not my place to take over; to be sovereign. It is my place, however, to fill myself with Jesus, who is sovereign, and with the power that he gives me to walk through my suffering. Exodus 14:14 says, "The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” I will not stop putting my hope and trust in Jesus. I know he will fight for me. 

     I know that what I am experiencing will result in his blessings. He will give me something much greater than anything I could ever imagine. I must believe that. I must keep my eyes on Jesus. 

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears?

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You're near

And what if trials of this life

Are Your mercies in disguise?

     I look forward to the wonderful things God has in store for me. I pray that he will give me the strength and wisdom to keep walking in the path he has set for me, without looking back. It is exhausting to think about the whys of the doings of God; he is incomprehensible, and as such, I will not try to understand his reasons for directing my life the way he does. 

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear

We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near

We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love

As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

And all the while You hear each desperate plea

And long that we'd have faith to believe

     It's all that I can do to keep these beliefs from dashing to pieces. I have to fight to keep my eyes on Jesus. But I'm fighting with his power, not my own. Romans 8:31 says, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" I sing songs about God's love for me and his sovereignty, sometimes just to remind my doubting heart that it's true. 

     It is true, even if that seems hopelessly preposterous. It's not. There is a purpose, and God is working all things out for my good because I love him. 

What if my greatest disappointments

Or the aching of this life

Is the revealing of a greater thirst

This world can't satisfy?

     And so, I lean on Jesus, knowing that he loves me and that he wants and intends to bless me. "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” - Lamentations 3:22-24. 

And what if trials of this life

The rain, the storms, the hardest nights

 Are Your mercies in disguise?

Blessings - Laura Story

-Sarah :)

fiery trial - part 3 (if You want me to)

     Here's a video of one of my current favorite worship songs - If You Want Me To, by Ginny Owens. Please listen and be encouraged! I always am when I listen to it. This video has the lyrics in it so that you can follow along if you'd like. Also, at the end of the video, there's a section of Isaiah 43 that is one of my favorite "trial" passages.

-Sarah :)

fiery trial - part 2

     I think I am going to make posting about my "fiery trial" a somewhat regular thing, since it is so prominent in my life. I hope you all will be able to benefit from what God is showing me through this.

     This will be a rather short post - I just wanted to share a few lyrics to a song that has encouraged me through this lately.

I am here

I'm holding you

you'll make it through this

I am here

I am here

It's really quite simple, but it helps to know that God is always with me, and that I will make it through this.

If you ever think of it, I would appreciate your prayers as I continue to struggle through my trial. And please comment or email me if there's any way I can pray for you, or if you want to share something that has helped you through a hard time (be it a song, a Bible verse, a quote, etc.). 

God bless you!

-Sarah :)

the fiery trial

     I'm here to post about my fiery trial.

Nota bene: In this post, I will not be pouring out my woes or using my blog as a medium to complain to all of my readers. I am simply using this example in my own life as a testimony to what our Father can do with the trials he allows to enter our lives.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. . . Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. . . Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

1 Peter 4:12-13, 16, 19

 
     I have been struggling recently with a certain trial that has come into my life. As far as I can see right now, I will not be able to do something that I want to do more than anything I can think of. Most of the time, I'm able to live my life normally, and forget about this desire to do something I can not do. But I can not avoid conversation that pertains to this, as it surely does up often. Once I am reminded of it, I can get overwhelmed by disappointment and anger. It's then that my view of God and of my faith starts to change.

     I have found myself asking, "if God loves me, why would he do this to me?" I have started to doubt God's love at times, and it's scary because I have heard of people asking that same question, and regard it as a "trial cliche" of sorts. My thought-process usually went something like this:

   

"I would never doubt God's love! After all, I'm a Christian, and the Bible clearly states that God loves us! Why is it so hard for those people who are going through trials to understand that?!"

    

      I have since learned that it is hard. Extremely so! I can lose perspective so easily, and just keep my eyes on what I want. That's when the world seems to come crashing down; when my world comes apart. All I want is that thing that I can't believe I'm not getting. That's all that I can see.

     But that's not all there is.

It's so important to remember that God isn't confined to my plan for my life! There is so much more that only God can see. I want him to say that I can do this thing! That I can have what I want! That this would be the best thing for me to do! God loves to give us good gifts, right? Yes – but, in truth, he knows what's good for us better than we do.

Here in this waiting room

Yearning for You to say go

And though I'm convinced that a yes would be best

This time You're telling me no

     Like I said before, it's hard! One time I considered bitterly how perfect my trial was for me. God gave me a great experience, let me look forward to the next time it could happen, and allowed me to be disappointed.

      But it's crucial to remember that God didn't do this out of hatred, or whatever! He's doing it out of love for me, and out of his infinite wisdom.

It's not that I don't have an answer

It's just not the one that I'd like

But through this time Lord I must keep in mind

You're always wiser than I

   
     God still loves me! He does. Even when he says that I can't have something I want. Think about it this way.

     God can see my entire life as, say, a map, showing every single thing that has happened and will happen from the day I was born until the day I die. He also sees me, walking along the little path on that map. He sees me experience something that he planned for me to do, and he sees me enjoy it to the fullest. 

     Sounds great! God loves it. I love it. Life is good! Here's when I start to see a little bit differently than God, the one who's holding and drawing that map of my life.

     I'm walking along this little path, and all I can see ahead is that thing that I want. I start running towards it: thinking about it, preparing for it, expecting it. And then, a big wall just drops down right in front of it. BOOM. The path suddenly starts leading me to the side. The wall made the path turn. Looking down the new path, I see a really, really dark forest. I can't see anything that remotely resembles what the wall blocked off; that thing that I wanted so much. Doesn't look promising.

     I start to walk down this path. In some strange way, that wall keeps following me, all the while blocking off what I want. 

     OK, maybe omnipresent walls is where the analogy ends.

The point is, As I walk through this dark forest of my life, I keep wanting to bang my head against that wall. To fight for what I want. To somehow break through the difficulty. To make it through and carry out my plan for my life after all.

     Meanwhile, God is watching me writhe in discontentment and disappointment, and then looks over farther down that path that I'm walking down. There's a wonderful surprise up there. A "light at the end of the tunnel." THERE IS ONE!!!!!! There is one. And God is guiding me to it. It's OK to leave my "wonderful" plan behind, because there's something so much better than that up ahead. Something better than that! It must be really something!!!! I'm reminded of a quote from Corrie ten Boom about God guiding us: "If God sends us on strong paths, we are provided strong shoes." God knows we can't do this alone. He knows!

     

'Cause you have a much better purpose

And You have a far greater plan

And You have a bigger perspective

 'Cause You hold this world in Your hands

     Please realize that I really am struggling. I'm not quite to the point where I can believe totally and completely that God has something better ahead for me. That's partly why I'm writing this all down; to impregnate myself in this truth. It's hard to let go of my plan. So very hard. But I know God will get me there. And he will also help me to not entertain any doubts about his plan for me. He will help me to trust that there is nothing better than what he has prepared for me to do.

The things that I seek are from You

Like the strong healing touch of Your hand

But when You say no, help me trust even though

There's a reason I can't understand

      I'd like to think of Job, and the way he responded to his trials. (In case you are not familiar with the story of Job in the Bible, Job was a man who lost literally everything he had, even his health, as a test from God. Because God loved Job!) Though Job was experiencing deep pain and heartache, he said, "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” That's the way I want to respond! God can help me do that. 

     There will come a time when I'm through that dark forest and at the wonderful surprise. Right now, by the power of God, I'm choosing to look to Jesus and not lose perspective. I'm choosing to believe that what's up ahead is incredibly good. I'm deciding, should God see fit to have me experience another tribulation farther along in my life, that I will bless his name and believe that he is wonderful and sovereign, regardless of how I'm feeling.

     Aren't you glad that God doesn't fluctuate with our emotions? I sure am.

That's my story. That's where I am right now. I know, as Chris Tomlin's lovely song, "How Can I Keep From Singing" says, "I know I am loved by the King, and it makes my heart want to sing!" By God's grace, I "can sing in my troubled times." There's no reason for me to be cast down; I'm simply adjusting to a plan-change. While this is painful, it is not too painful for my Father to handle. He can carry my burdens for me. He wants to.

     Please be encouraged by the truth in this post; not that anything I wrote is so very spectacular. God gave me this post. He made the words flow out of my fingertips and onto the keyboard so that I can hopefully bless all of my readers. We are all on a journey; a pilgrimage. We're all going to face sloughs of despond and valleys of the shadow of death. But God's our Father, and we're alive and strong in him! And we can look forward to everlasting relief from trials in heaven. Forever happiness.

When that miracle comes 'cause Your answer is yes

I will praise You for all of my days

But when Your wisdom declares that a no is best

I will praise You just the same

"Waiting Room" by Jonny Diaz

 God bless you!

-Sarah :)

     

Isaiah 43:1-7 (my favorite trial passage)

But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
    he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
     I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you. 

For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
    Cush and Seba in exchange for you.   

Because you are precious in my eyes,
    and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
    peoples in exchange for your life.
Fear not, for I am with you;
     I will bring your offspring from the east,
    and from the west I will gather you. 

 I will say to the north, Give up,
    and to the south, Do not withhold;
bring my sons from afar
    and my daughters from the end of the earth, 

 everyone who is called by my name,
    whom I created for my glory,
    whom I formed and made.”

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! 

Children of God and the Mystery of God's Love

     Recently I have really enjoyed listening to a song by Third Day called "Children of God." Listen to it here; it's a great song.

     The main reason I love it is because it's a wonderful reminder of the truth about us, Christians: we ARE God's children! True, we are still going to sin (the presence of sin in our lives will exist until we arrive in heaven), but the guilty record of that sin is no longer ours. Jesus took it on himself when he died on the cross, so "there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1) Enough with the silly question of "why would God love ME?! I'm a sinner, deserving of his wrath!" It's just a lie, really. We AREN'T deserving of his wrath, anymore!!! He has saved us from his wrath! That's the point. 

     The song I linked to above has a line in there about it: "He has proven his love."We don't need to wonder why God would love us. We don't need to know why; it's enough to just know he does.  The truth is, we don't know everything about God, and it's not up to us to unravel every mystery about him. We will NEVER fully understand God, even when we get to heaven. Another song about this comes to mind (I don't know who it's by but it's a really good song). The line that sticks out to me is: "But the one thing I don't question is You; You really love me, like You say You do." This is only one of the beautiful things about our Lord Jesus; we don't have to know everything and "do it ourselves." All we have to do is give our lives to God and act like the children we are; his children. What a freeing concept!

     Now, I'm not saying that we shouldn't strive to know God better and grow closer to him. Far from it. We SHOULD be growing in our knowledge of God, and fellowshipping with other believers to seek God love him more! It's just that there are some things about God that are mysteries, and maybe some of them will be uncovered when we get to heaven.

     So. As Christians, we are God's sons and daughters, and God loves us. We don't need to know everything about God, or why God loves us. He just does, and that's enough for our weak, mortal brains to think about. All we need to do is give our whole lives to him to take care of. He can do it so much better than we ever could. :) 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7

One of your sisters in Christ's big family, 

-Sarah :)

     

     

A QUICK LITTLE NOTE

      I'm afraid this little blog has been neglected dreadfully . . . you'd think I have some time, it being Christmas break! But no––nothing has really slowed down a whole lot. (New-year's resolution: stay on top of my homework!!) I hope to get on here and post a little more often, soon. Hopefully there will be a nice little Christmas post sometime in the next week? :)

     Today, I just got it in my head to sit down and post some lyrics from a Chris Tomlin worship song called I Will Follow. Please listen; wonderful song. All the lyrics are amazing, but the bridge really hit me today as I was singing it.

In You is life everlasting

In You is freedom for my soul

In You is joy, unending joy

And I will follow You

Merry Christmas, friends! I hope and pray that this unending joy will accompany you not just on the 25th, but the rest of the year and your new year! 

- Sarah :)