Stop it, Sarah!

If only getting rid of the attributes we don't like were this easy, hmm?

Enjoy! :)

Whiter than SNOW!!

A song from Psalm 51:

"Create in me a clean heart, oh God.  And renew a right spirit within me!  

Create in me a clean heart, oh God.  And renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from Thy presence, oh Lord.  And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and renew a right spirit within me."

Snow is bright white.  The brightness is so brilliant, that I literally squint when I walk outside.  Even opening the shade in my apartment makes my eyes have to refocus to shield out some of the color.  I cannot imagine anything whiter.

And to think, when God cleanses us of sin, He makes us even WHITER than snow!  Psalm 51, verse 7 says, "Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be WHITER THAN SNOW...."  Verse 10, "Create in me a clean heart, O God.  Renew a loyal spirit within me."  Verse 12, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you."

This is my prayer today.  Last week was difficult. I have been struggling with bitterness, frustration, pride, and jealousy.  I have been asked to do things by people that I did not want to do, to which I reluctantly agreed, making me bitter.  The bitterness made me frustrated.  Classes were not going so well, which added to my frustration.  When help is available for concepts in the classes I don't understand, my pride gets in the way, and I'm not willing  to accept help.  And when people understand those concepts of which I struggle, I get jealous, and think, "God, why didn't you give me that knowledge?  Why can't I understand this material?  God, make me smarter!"   And on top of all these negative feelings, I did NOT go to God with them last week, instead I harbored them in my heart (hence the bitterness) OR complained to people here on earth.  Wrong, wrong, wrong!

Well, enough is enough!  I am praying today for a renewed spirit.  I want Him to wash me clean, whiter than snow.  I want a fresh start this week.  I want to thank Him for the GIFTS he has given to ME and use them according to HIS PURPOSE.  I am praying He can renew a loyal spirit within me, to come to Him with my frustrations.  And finally, I want to be refreshed with the restoration of JOY for His salvation (that I may be no longer stagnant in the realization of His sacrifice for me). 

Father, I don't understand how you can make us whiter than snow!  But you do.  I praise you for it!  Lord, I ask that you will make me whiter than snow today.  Father, remove every blemish that is within me that is not of you.  I repent of my bitterness, frustration, pride, and jealously.  Cleanse me of them, Lord.  I pray that you would replace them with joy, patience, praise, and understanding.  I love you, Lord!  Help me to be open and receptive to what you have to show me this week.  Help me to use my gifts to glorify you.  Thanks, Jesus!

Your daughter, 

Sarah

Finding JOY in ridicule...

For my friend, Jessica:

I was reading through Acts 5 and 6 today.  I was just going to read through chapter 5, but the Holy Spirit prompted me to keep going.

This chapter takes place during the time the apostles whom Jesus left on earth to carry forth the good news are going crazy telling people about how Jesus is the Messiah, and how there is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved.  Verse 17 introduces an interesting story.  The high priest and sadducees are laden with jealousy at the apostles for winning so many people in the name of Jesus.  Thus, they order the apostles to be thrown into prison.  The angel of the Lord comes and releases them from prison and instructs them to keep spreading God's word, so the apostles go to the temple and begin proclaiming God's word to the people.  The high council contemplated killing the apostles; however, one of their members advised against it.  Therefore, in verses 40-41, the apostles are "merely" flogged and sent on their way!

Verse 41 reads, "The apostles left the high council REJOICING that God had COUNTED THEM WORTHY to suffer DISGRACE for the name of JESUS."

I know that getting ridiculed for your faith or being asked difficult "in your face" faith questions can be difficult.  (Believe me, being a people-pleaser myself, I find one of the most difficult concepts in scripture to accept is that we WILL be ridiculed and persecuted for our faith).  However, I do have a word of encouragement for you!

The footnotes in my Bible talk about this verse.  I don't always read the footnotes, because I like to interpret scripture myself.  But this particular verse so piqued an interest within me, that I could not help but seek additional reflection.

"Have you ever thought of persecution as a blessing, as something worth rejoicing about?  This beating suffered by Peter and John was the first time any of the apostles had been physically abused for their faith.  These men knew how Jesus had suffered, and they praised God that he had allowed them to be persecuted like their Lord.  If you are mocked or persecuted for your faith, it isn't because you're doing something wrong but because God has counted you 'worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus!' "

Wow, Jessica!  How encouraging is that?!  That is for you today!  God counts you WORTHY!  Woo-hoo! 

Remember He is with you every step of the way to give you His words of wisdom.  Remember that He will grant our prayer requests if they are in agreement with His will!  All we need to do is pray for His wisdom and guidance to show Him to others, and He will surely grant our request, for that is our purpose here on earth.  I thought that was so cool.  I hope that encourages you...

Finding "refreshment" in God's presence...

Wednesday, Nov. 12:  Blog entry #1

I am walking in God's peace regarding my decision to pursue a degree in pharmacy.  I still am not sure that I am going to end up with a Pharm-D; however, I rest in the fact that I felt the wash of God's complete peace rush over me and I was filled with joy upon my decision to begin school again.  Therefore, at this time, I will try my very best with getting the best grades I can and having a good attitude about school.

A couple weeks ago, I was at Collette's house for our Bible study.  I was telling her about how frustrated I was with applied calculus and chemistry, and how it just feels like there's some sort of a dense "veil" over the area of my brain that's supposed to comprehend this material.  She replied that we all have our gifts in different areas...and maybe the math and sciences just is not my gifted area.  I completely agree.  I've known all along I'm not good at math and science.  I KNOW that I was meant to work with people in some way.  I know that I'm a good communicator, and I have been learning, especially lately, how to be a more effective listener. 

 She suggested a meeting with the pharmacy dean (who's a great christian man and his wife is too...Collette is best friends with his wife), herself, Garrett, and me.  I'm excited to look at this  matter from different perspectives!  Hopefully this will help me make a decision.  

We then started talking to one of the girls in the Bible study who was having issues with her roommate.  I proceeded to give some advice...and Collette said that she wished she had a recorder to record my responses to different situations.  She said I gave great advice....she then asked if I'd ever considered counseling...?  I told her I had (I have considered MANY career paths....), but that the schooling in that area seemed too incredibly yucky.   She assured me that it was only a two year program because I already have a bachelor's degree.  

"Unfortunately,"  she said, "I think the only christian-based counseling program is all the way in Colorado."  Well, yeah, that doesn't seem like the most ideal situation.  However, the ironic thing about finding this out, is that Garrett keeps bugging to maybe end up in Colorado some day!  Crazy.  My sister (Anne) is a social worker, and she is also considering counseling.  This summer, she and her husband, Garrett, and I are going out to Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming (just for a fun car trip), and Anne was already talking about touring the school with the counseling program.  I guess I'll have to tour it too...

However, I refuse to borrow trouble here.  This stuff could be a long way off!  Thankfully God gives me the patience I need to wait and see what happens...he always keeps me on my toes! 

My prayer for quiet time:

Father, thank you that you have complete control over my life.  I pray that you would reveal those things in my life that I haven't completely given over to you.  Lord I praise you for freedom to come to you whenever I want in prayer.  Thank you for the opportunity of education.  Father I am striving to know you more and more each day.  Give me a hunger for your word, your advice, and your love.  I pray that I would not feel satisfied in any other thing I do during the day before I've met with you.  Lord I commit this Bible reading time to you.  I pray that you would reveal to me new things I need to learn so that I can apply them to my life to make me more like you.  Thank you for your patience with me.  I love you Father!  Amen.

I read in the book of Acts today.  Acts chapter 3.  In this chapter, Peter and John are going to the temple, see a lame man, and heal him.  As the people are gawking over this event, Peter seizes the opportunity to address the people.  

One part that I enjoyed was verses 19-20.  "Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so hat your sins may be wiped away. 20 Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah."   

I find the part..."times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord..." especially encouraging. Even though I have already ultimately repented of my sins, and therefore have received Christ into my life, this statement is still very pertinent to me.  I DO feel refreshed after every moment spent with my creator.  It helps me to refocus.  I am such a worrier about earthly things.  Being in His presence reminds me that he has a much bigger purpose than the little everyday worries I tend to focus on.  And I don't have to be anxious about my bigger purpose, because he only advances me to a higher level in that purpose when I am ready.  HE is in control!  He knows me better than I know myself.  If I seek Him, He will guide me in every step.  What a promise!

Thank you again, Lord, for being in control!  I pray that you would guide my words and my actions the rest of this week to reflect you.  I pray that you would help me in my studies this week.  Help me to be able to focus.  Thank you for Garrett being willing to help me understand my chemistry today.  I pray that we would have a great focused time on chemistry and that you would help me with understanding so that I may bring up my chemistry grade.  Help me with applied calculus today.  I pray that my mind would not wander in class and that I can follow the teacher and keep up with the new concepts I am learning.  Thank you for J and L.  They have been such awesome friends!  Bless J's birthday today.  I pray that he would feel joy in knowing that his dad is in your presence this day.  I pray that you would continue to be with his mom, brother, and J as they are still grieving their husband and dad.  I pray that you would bless our conversation this evening.  I pray it would glorify you, rather than being filled with any gossip or anger.  I lift up L to you.  Help her to feel peace with where she is at.  I pray that she would feel your freedom in being able to make decisions.  Whisper your words of comfort and peace into her ears father, and I pray that she and R would be support for one another.  Father, I lift up my accountability partner to you.  What a blessing you have given me in having accountability with someone who is seeking you with all her heart!  Lord, I pray for her family situation.  Father you know every hurt that is going on in her family....every miscommunication and misunderstanding.  You know where her parents' hearts are.  I pray for healing for JA's family.  I pray that walls of hostility would be torn down in your name.  Father, if it is your will, use JA as a peace maker.  Equip her with your words and wisdom when she visits each parent, and give her peace Lord.  I thank you that you heart us when we cry out to you!  

God, you're the ultimate AWESOMENESS!!  I want to glorify you in everything I do.  Thank you for every rich blessing!

In your name, Amen.