It seems as though in summer time...thunderstorms are a regular occurrence. Especially here in the South. You can almost set your watch by them. It's crazy to me how the beginning of the day could be so beautiful, and then by four o'clock on the dot, BAM...thunder, lightning, and Forrest Gump style "big ole fat rain."
I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel as though I have a thunderstorm curse. If I remember to bring my umbrella along with me, it absolutely will not rain when I'm outside. However, the second I leave it at home, the rain ALWAYS comes if I need to be outside.
And cars? Yeah to people in cars it's funny to see us walking in the rain without an umbrella. We almost become walking targets in the "let's drive through this puddle as fast as possible so as to soak the walking person" game.
Let's be real here...getting caught in a thunderstorm can ruin a perfectly good day. Once you get rained on...your clothes feel heavier...your hair is a mess...your shoes soggy...there's nothing good about getting caught in the rain.
Yesterday, as 5 o'clock came and I triumphantly neared the door to make my glory march to the car...I quickly stopped in my tracks. Rain...and I had no umbrella...and my car was three blocks away.
But then, something happened that doesn't usually happen. A nice lady who I'd seen before in the office offered me her umbrella. She said she was parked in the garage and didn't even need to go outside, and I could bring it back to her the next day.
Isn't life like that so many times?
Some people are in a perpetual state of thunderstorms. They feel weighed down...their life is a mess...and they feel like everyone who sees them is out to get them.
That lady who gave me her umbrella yesterday made my day. Momentarily, she took away my rain.
In the Bible, Jesus tells a parable in which he describes how we'll be identified as Christians.
In Matthew 25:40, Jesus says,
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Whenever we do things for others, we need to realize that we are doing those things for Jesus. What "umbrellas" have you given to others lately?
Our acts that seem as insignificant as lending out an umbrella could have effects far beyond what we can imagine. Taking away somebody's rain for a day could lead to big changes in their life. God brought that person to you for a purpose.
Give somebody an "umbrella" today...you may be the one key person who God wants to use to take away that person's rain in their life.
Remember...many many years ago, God sent us His son Jesus to be our umbrella to save us from an eternal thunderstorm. Let's follow His example.
Until next time,
ST
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
The Big Picture
Three words: God...is...faithful.
I'm sure after reading my latest few entries, I've had a pretty big burden on my heart: fear of the unknown. This fear combined with anxiousness resulting from waiting for an answer caused me to complete and utterly FREAK OUT.
Let me tell you a little story about myself that is rather humorous...but I have a point.
When I was six years old...I was deemed old enough by my parents to be worthy of getting my ears pierced. I was a big girl. I could handle the responsibility of earrings. I wanted these glistening gold balls in my ears so badly I could hardly stand it. So one afternoon, my dad brought home his ear piercing gun from the jewelry store, and he was going to give me the thing that I so desperately wanted...earrings. He wanted to make his daughter happy.
I was so excited about getting these earrings I couldn't WAIT to get started.
And then...it hit me. I had to go through BIG PAIN in order to get these shiny things in my ears! And then...the freak out began. Two hours of INTENSE, fluid flowing from all areas of my face, hard to breathe CRYING. I knew what I wanted, but the idea of the pain I'd have to go through was more than my six year old self could bear.
Then, my dad sadly decided that I wasn't ready. I wasn't prepared for getting earrings. He was going to put the tools away, and we'd wait til I was more mature to pierce my ears.
WHAT?! No earrings!!? I couldn't have this!! These things were my GOAL! I wanted them so badly I had been dreaming about them! I begged and pleaded with my dad to PLEASE pierce my ears...I promise I'll be still!
I swallowed my fear and closed my eyes. Two clicks and a surprising "that didn't hurt" later, I had my earrings!!!! The pain I had anticipated wasn't NEARLY as bad in reality as I had made it out to be in my head!
..........We do this a lot with many aspects of our lives, don't we? We ask God to bless us in our finances...in our careers...in our relationships...in our families...but then the first sight of pain or struggle we lose our minds entirely.
Do you think that if God told us we'd have to go through struggle in order to get what we want, we'd still ask for it? We want things to be easy...we want God to give us everything we want, right when we want it, no questions asked.
But God sees the bigger picture. Just like my dad did with my earrings. He knew it would only feel like a pinch. But I had to be the one to decide I still wanted the things I had asked for. God knows that we'll be okay at the end of the day, He knows He wants to shower us with blessings, but sometimes He wants to teach us important life lessons first: humility, patience, perseverance.
And when we look back on the struggles in our lives, and then where we stand today, we (more often than not) are able to say, as I did, "wow...that didn't hurt."
God sees the bigger picture. He is faithful. If you're in the struggle or pain phase of this process, just remember, it's all for a reason, and God is holding us in His hands. He won't let us fall.
Here's a video that Rob Bell did about this same topic...we can learn a lot about God's sight of the bigger picture by watching parents' relationship with their children. Check it out.
"Kickball"
Feel free to leave comments...I love reading what you all think.
ST
I'm sure after reading my latest few entries, I've had a pretty big burden on my heart: fear of the unknown. This fear combined with anxiousness resulting from waiting for an answer caused me to complete and utterly FREAK OUT.
Let me tell you a little story about myself that is rather humorous...but I have a point.
When I was six years old...I was deemed old enough by my parents to be worthy of getting my ears pierced. I was a big girl. I could handle the responsibility of earrings. I wanted these glistening gold balls in my ears so badly I could hardly stand it. So one afternoon, my dad brought home his ear piercing gun from the jewelry store, and he was going to give me the thing that I so desperately wanted...earrings. He wanted to make his daughter happy.
I was so excited about getting these earrings I couldn't WAIT to get started.
And then...it hit me. I had to go through BIG PAIN in order to get these shiny things in my ears! And then...the freak out began. Two hours of INTENSE, fluid flowing from all areas of my face, hard to breathe CRYING. I knew what I wanted, but the idea of the pain I'd have to go through was more than my six year old self could bear.
Then, my dad sadly decided that I wasn't ready. I wasn't prepared for getting earrings. He was going to put the tools away, and we'd wait til I was more mature to pierce my ears.
WHAT?! No earrings!!? I couldn't have this!! These things were my GOAL! I wanted them so badly I had been dreaming about them! I begged and pleaded with my dad to PLEASE pierce my ears...I promise I'll be still!
I swallowed my fear and closed my eyes. Two clicks and a surprising "that didn't hurt" later, I had my earrings!!!! The pain I had anticipated wasn't NEARLY as bad in reality as I had made it out to be in my head!
..........We do this a lot with many aspects of our lives, don't we? We ask God to bless us in our finances...in our careers...in our relationships...in our families...but then the first sight of pain or struggle we lose our minds entirely.
Do you think that if God told us we'd have to go through struggle in order to get what we want, we'd still ask for it? We want things to be easy...we want God to give us everything we want, right when we want it, no questions asked.
But God sees the bigger picture. Just like my dad did with my earrings. He knew it would only feel like a pinch. But I had to be the one to decide I still wanted the things I had asked for. God knows that we'll be okay at the end of the day, He knows He wants to shower us with blessings, but sometimes He wants to teach us important life lessons first: humility, patience, perseverance.
And when we look back on the struggles in our lives, and then where we stand today, we (more often than not) are able to say, as I did, "wow...that didn't hurt."
God sees the bigger picture. He is faithful. If you're in the struggle or pain phase of this process, just remember, it's all for a reason, and God is holding us in His hands. He won't let us fall.
Here's a video that Rob Bell did about this same topic...we can learn a lot about God's sight of the bigger picture by watching parents' relationship with their children. Check it out.
"Kickball"
Feel free to leave comments...I love reading what you all think.
ST
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Strength
It seems as though these days everyone is tired. Whether we're in class, working on homework, going to our jobs, or taking care of things around home...there never seem to be enough hours in the day......and it's exhausting.
On top of all the things we have to do...throw on all kinds of emotional stress on top of that. Dealing with siblings, parents, friends, neighbors, boyfriends, girlfriends...sometimes the drama can be overwhelming.
If this description fits you and your day to day dealings...just remember these verses...they're pretty appropriate:
Isaiah 40: 28-31
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
These were the verses of the day that popped up on my screen this morning. Nothing is coincidental. God knew that these verses needed to be read today. He is so good!!
I love the beginning part..."Do you not know? Have you not heard?" It's like they're saying, "HELLOOOOO! Don't you realize??? The EVERLASTING GOD doesn't get tired like we do!!" We should take comfort in this part from verse 28....HE will not grow tired or weary. So when we're worn out and we feel like we've got nothing left, God is still going strong. The God who created the universe just by speaking that it be so, is on our team, and wants to renew our strength. Just trust Him.
Feel free to leave comments,
ST
On top of all the things we have to do...throw on all kinds of emotional stress on top of that. Dealing with siblings, parents, friends, neighbors, boyfriends, girlfriends...sometimes the drama can be overwhelming.
If this description fits you and your day to day dealings...just remember these verses...they're pretty appropriate:
Isaiah 40: 28-31
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
These were the verses of the day that popped up on my screen this morning. Nothing is coincidental. God knew that these verses needed to be read today. He is so good!!
I love the beginning part..."Do you not know? Have you not heard?" It's like they're saying, "HELLOOOOO! Don't you realize??? The EVERLASTING GOD doesn't get tired like we do!!" We should take comfort in this part from verse 28....HE will not grow tired or weary. So when we're worn out and we feel like we've got nothing left, God is still going strong. The God who created the universe just by speaking that it be so, is on our team, and wants to renew our strength. Just trust Him.
Feel free to leave comments,
ST
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Be Still
Today I want to tell you about one of my favorite words. It's not a word that you hear every day. In fact...many of you probably haven't ever heard of it, much less said it. I don't even say this word that often, but it's not about saying it, it's about what this word means, and how it's done.
I know...cut to the chase, Sarah. But forreal, I want you to know how amazing this word is before I tell it to you. It totally re-vamped my life and gave me a new perspective on things that happen in life.
Selah. That's my word. Heard of it? It is used seventy-four times in scripture: mostly in the book of Psalms and a few times in Hebrews. Here's one definition I found for Selah:
Selah (Hebrew: סֶלָה, also transliterated as selāh) is a word used frequently in the Hebrew Bible, often in the
Psalms, It is probably either a liturgico-musical mark or an instruction on the reading of the text, something like
"stop and listen". "Let those with eyes see and with ears hear" is most concise. "Selah" can also be used to
indicate that there is to be a musical interlude at that point in the Psalm.
Here are some instances in the book of Psalms where Selah is used:
Psalm 46: 1-3
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah
Psalm 46: 10-11
10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah
This chapter is a song. These people are praising God and singing about how good God is and how BIG God is! But yet, after the big song, they take a pause, a Selah. They stop the noise of their lives, even if it's singing and praising God, and they take the time to hear God's still small voice.
Stop and listen.
It is an act of worship. Worship doesn't always mean singing your guts out, it can be silent. An act of obediently listening to God's voice. After all, how can you have a conversation without listening? You can't have a relationship if you're the one doing all the talking.
Stop and listen.
Check out this video by Rob Bell, same guy from the video yesterday, he has a great video about being silent before God. Check it out, its worth the 10 minutes.
"Noise"
The next time your life gets crazy...be still. Know that HE IS GOD. Selah.
Let me know what you think of the video :)
-ST
I know...cut to the chase, Sarah. But forreal, I want you to know how amazing this word is before I tell it to you. It totally re-vamped my life and gave me a new perspective on things that happen in life.
Selah. That's my word. Heard of it? It is used seventy-four times in scripture: mostly in the book of Psalms and a few times in Hebrews. Here's one definition I found for Selah:
Selah (Hebrew: סֶלָה, also transliterated as selāh) is a word used frequently in the Hebrew Bible, often in the
Psalms, It is probably either a liturgico-musical mark or an instruction on the reading of the text, something like
"stop and listen". "Let those with eyes see and with ears hear" is most concise. "Selah" can also be used to
indicate that there is to be a musical interlude at that point in the Psalm.
Here are some instances in the book of Psalms where Selah is used:
Psalm 46: 1-3
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah
Psalm 46: 10-11
10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah
This chapter is a song. These people are praising God and singing about how good God is and how BIG God is! But yet, after the big song, they take a pause, a Selah. They stop the noise of their lives, even if it's singing and praising God, and they take the time to hear God's still small voice.
Stop and listen.
It is an act of worship. Worship doesn't always mean singing your guts out, it can be silent. An act of obediently listening to God's voice. After all, how can you have a conversation without listening? You can't have a relationship if you're the one doing all the talking.
Stop and listen.
Check out this video by Rob Bell, same guy from the video yesterday, he has a great video about being silent before God. Check it out, its worth the 10 minutes.
"Noise"
The next time your life gets crazy...be still. Know that HE IS GOD. Selah.
Let me know what you think of the video :)
-ST
Monday, June 21, 2010
Fear, Part 2
What is it about waiting that makes us lose our minds? This idea of not knowing something and having to wait to find out the answer...it's enough to make most people go batty.
And if anyone tells you that they don't mind waiting...that it doesn't bother them...chances are they're lying.
I was at the Doctor's office on Friday. I waited for THREE HOURS before I was even seen. Everyone I talked to was just in shock of how long it was taking me to get seen. I waited for so long that by the time I was seen by someone, I missed my window of opportunity to get to the nurse I needed to see. So after all that waiting, I didn't get what I needed. I then had to travel to ANOTHER Doctor's office that was still open, wait some more, and finally I accomplished what I came to do.
Now, after all that waiting, I'm STILL waiting to hear back from my checkup. And yes, I'm losing my mind.
But it's kinda crazy...amidst all this waiting and heart racing madness...I hear a still small voice deep within me speaking to me, "Peace my daughter, I know the plans I have for you, Peace, Peace, Peace."
God is so good. I can feel Him holding me as I worry. When I am weak, He is strong.
Here is a link to one of my favorite depictions of God's love for us during our darkest times and our fiercest storms in life. I pray you take the time to check it out, it makes me cry every time.
"Rain"
Until next time,
ST
Let me know what you think about this video or how it touched your heart. Cause it will.
And if anyone tells you that they don't mind waiting...that it doesn't bother them...chances are they're lying.
I was at the Doctor's office on Friday. I waited for THREE HOURS before I was even seen. Everyone I talked to was just in shock of how long it was taking me to get seen. I waited for so long that by the time I was seen by someone, I missed my window of opportunity to get to the nurse I needed to see. So after all that waiting, I didn't get what I needed. I then had to travel to ANOTHER Doctor's office that was still open, wait some more, and finally I accomplished what I came to do.
Now, after all that waiting, I'm STILL waiting to hear back from my checkup. And yes, I'm losing my mind.
But it's kinda crazy...amidst all this waiting and heart racing madness...I hear a still small voice deep within me speaking to me, "Peace my daughter, I know the plans I have for you, Peace, Peace, Peace."
God is so good. I can feel Him holding me as I worry. When I am weak, He is strong.
Here is a link to one of my favorite depictions of God's love for us during our darkest times and our fiercest storms in life. I pray you take the time to check it out, it makes me cry every time.
"Rain"
Until next time,
ST
Let me know what you think about this video or how it touched your heart. Cause it will.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Short and Sweet
Don't you hate it when you're always the one who works works works to do things for other people and they never say so much as a thank you? Or even acknowledge what you've done for them?
That's how we treat God, ALL the time. We beg beg beg for Him to do things for us, whine when we don't get them, and when we do get them, we just sigh and say "it's about time." So tell Him thank you today for something He's done for you. Bet it'll make you feel real good, and Him too!
Have a great Tuesday, blog land!
ST
That's how we treat God, ALL the time. We beg beg beg for Him to do things for us, whine when we don't get them, and when we do get them, we just sigh and say "it's about time." So tell Him thank you today for something He's done for you. Bet it'll make you feel real good, and Him too!
Have a great Tuesday, blog land!
ST
Friday, June 11, 2010
Fear
Let's face it: no one likes being afraid. Being afraid isn't fun. Your heart rate pumps up, your palms start to sweat, you begin to breathe heavily. Your eyes dart back and forth quickly. And eventually, if you let it get the best of you, the thing you fear can start to consume your every thought, to where you can focus on nothing else.
The past couple of weeks I've had some fear in my life. For me, it's fear of something unknown. And I think the scariest part is, the unknown will become known next weekend...and I'm afraid to find out what it is. I had a breakdown at work yesterday about it. Just cried and cried in my office.
Why is it that something can be so scary and consume our entire thought process, even before we know if it's true? For all I know, the thing I'm afraid of could turn out to be nothing at all.
I think the devil uses fear to try and distract us from focusing on God.
But in Isaiah 41:10, God tells us just what He wants us to do with fear:
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
And in Romans 8:15, God tells us that fear is DEFINITELY not from Him:
15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear,
but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."
This verse gives me chills. God didn't give us fear, He adopted us into His family as His children. So when we become afraid, we must get rid of that fear, give it to our Heavenly Daddy...as this verse says, and we cry "Abba, Father."
Dear God, take away my fear. Make it all better. You're such a good and loving Daddy.
The past couple of weeks I've had some fear in my life. For me, it's fear of something unknown. And I think the scariest part is, the unknown will become known next weekend...and I'm afraid to find out what it is. I had a breakdown at work yesterday about it. Just cried and cried in my office.
Why is it that something can be so scary and consume our entire thought process, even before we know if it's true? For all I know, the thing I'm afraid of could turn out to be nothing at all.
I think the devil uses fear to try and distract us from focusing on God.
But in Isaiah 41:10, God tells us just what He wants us to do with fear:
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
And in Romans 8:15, God tells us that fear is DEFINITELY not from Him:
15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear,
but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."
This verse gives me chills. God didn't give us fear, He adopted us into His family as His children. So when we become afraid, we must get rid of that fear, give it to our Heavenly Daddy...as this verse says, and we cry "Abba, Father."
Dear God, take away my fear. Make it all better. You're such a good and loving Daddy.
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