Something to Consider

http://martynballestero.com/2011/09/15/the-pentecostals-at-the-church-of-christ-funeral/

Read this.
At first glance, someone might think that this a great testimony to the advancement of the Kingdom, or even in a less denominational stance- that so many Christians advanced their walk with God that day.
True, and valid.


BUT. I think we missed a huge point about Christianity today. Did you notice how the whole article is about the "Pentecostals" and the "Church of Christs"? Why is Christianity so divided? Is that what Christ intended?

I don't think so. Actually, I know so. Christ rebuked the Pharisees over and over for their strict lawful practices and their exclusive behavior. Christ died to open up the salvation opportunity to ALL people. And as we know, salvation is not a one-time confession and statement of faith, but a continual, daily walk with the Lord.  Why in the world would we separate ourselves from people who want to know God just as intimately just because we don't see eye-to-eye on every verse in the Bible.

If you ask me, biblical themes are unchanging from denomination to denomination: grace, love, giving, modesty, mercy, sacrifice, devotion, etc.

As the article states, it is a great thing when Christians commune together, but why in the world are we separate in the first place? Battling our own sins and the temptation of the world around us is difficult enough, but add on fighting every denomination but your own? Seems impractical to me.

We are all on the same team here, instead of considering yourself better because you believe a certain way- strive to grow in your relationship with Christ, show that growth to your fellow Christians, and see where that leads them. It's simple, love people into a deeper relationship with Christ.

the newest.

It's been a minute, hasn't it?!

Well.. here's what Sarah has been up to lately.

School.. all consuming and completely exhausting, but I am thoroughly enjoying this semester. I am learning things that I love, working harder than I have ever worked, and it is paying off. I feel so accomplished just juggling my schoolwork, let alone the other things I have committed myself to this semester!

A few months ago I mentioned something about spending more time getting my self physically fit.. mission in progress. I joined Crossfit Murfreesboro almost a month ago and it sounds incredibly clique but the place is changing my life. I have pushed myself farther than I ever have and I know this is only the beginning! I haven't seen a huge physical difference yet but I know it is only a matter of time. Not to mention I have already met some amazing people who love taking care of themselves in every aspect.. physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I know I am in the right place to learn to take better care of myself.

theSpring youth/college age is taking off. This past weekend we had our first "Youth Fallout" which was a big bonfire of ages 12-18. We ended up having some college age kids come too and totaled out at 25. Not a huge number, but I count it as a success. Not to mention we have incredible teens who are funny, talented, smart, beautiful, and wholesome. I am so blessed to know each of them and I know that they are teaching me far more than I could ever teach them.

Yesterday I picked up my guitar and played until my fingertips were numb. Today, I did it again. I'm still learning my chords, but it is progress.. right? I have this fresh breathe of motivation this semester and it is so exhilarating!

And last but not least.. this time in 2 months I will be packing two very large suitcases for a 6 month vacation to the country of Belgium. I say vacation.. more like a work/study opportunity, but to me it screams vacation and opportunity :)

That's it for now! Until next time...

Financial Peace University

One of the great things my dad and stepmom taught me early on was the principle of giving.

When I was 9 I started getting a weekly list of chores and a payment plan was put into place based on the amount of work I did that week. Fortunately, dad was a big spender and I learned quickly that hard work pays well. Before I knew it, my piggy bank was getting quite full and I was faced with the decision of what to do with my earnings.

I would like to take credit for it, but I am sure that at 9 it was probably some persuasion from my dad that convinced me to start donating to Feed The Children. I believe my first donation was $10 per month. But soon, it was $20 and I believe I topped out at $40/month (from CHORES, y'all... I was scrubbing the toilets with a toothbrush).
Now, I was no saint, I definitely spent some of that hard earned cash on the newest Left Behind book or the best GameBoy Color game EVER. But... looking back, I am pretty proud of myself and thankful for a family that taught me the value of giving. I would receive a monthly newsletter from Feed the Children with some bios of kids who were now getting hot meals daily because of my contribution... it felt good.

And 10 years later, I am learning to re-adopt the love of giving. I am reluctant to say that I got greedy for a while, but I am back to putting consistent effort into being a servant of Christ, especially with my finances.

If I have learned anything on this perilous journey of mine over the last 2 years, it is that God provides. Whatever you need, whenever you need it.. He is there to fulfill and over-fill. Maybe not in the way we think He should, but hindsight is 20/20 and I can always look back and see God working in every area to protect, provide, and strengthen me.

Have I mentioned how liberating it is to give your money and time to something bigger than yourself? I literally get giddy when I look at all the things I have contributed to and connected my heart, money, and faith into.

The title here was a pun-intended, but let me also give a shout out to Dave Ramsey and all of his financial wisdom. Ramsey equips his listeners with the skills and knowledge to save money, reduce and eradicate debt, and get back on track financially- who doesn't love that?

Sigh

For what it's worth...

50 Lessons Life Taught Me

By Regina Brett

1. 

Life isn't fair, but it's still good.


2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.


4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.


5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.


7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.


9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.


10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.


12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.


13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.


15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.


16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.


18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.


20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.


22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.


23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.


24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"


27. Always choose life.


28. Forgive everyone everything.


29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.


31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.


36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.


40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.


41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.


42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.


43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.


44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.


45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.


47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.


48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.


50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift...

This is so clique and exactly what every old person would have to say about life, but it doesn't hurt to read through some of these and remind yourself of the way you are living or want to live. It actually stopped me in my tracks and made me re-think some things immediately. I high-lighted the ones that struck a chord with me... let me know which stand out most to you :)

PS- this is a good moment to add in something else I have been trying to do more lately.
I love to establish a set of goals for myself- some short and some long term, just to ensure that I am always improving, not to mention it creates a sense of completion and confidence :)
But FYI- we are now halfway through 2011! So re-evaluate those New Years resolutions and get to work on some of them!
I set a few goals for the remainder of this year... some spiritual, some financial, some physical, some educational, etc... so I know that I am only improving myself, not standing still or moving backwards.

Until,
Sarah J <3

Midnight

This evening I decided to take my dog on a midnight stroll. Not the safest idea, but by far best decision I have made in a very long time.. there is something about feeling like the only person in the world that I tend to relish in. So, I am on this little trek of mine; the air is filled with the scent of honey suckle and the temperature is that cool, brisk, summer-time air that immediately sends me back to late night outdoor games at jr high camp, and all I can hear are crickets (or more likely cicadas) chirping. For a city girl, this scenery is rare, but I absolutely adore it when I take the time to enjoy it. I can't help but marvel at the nature created solely for our benefit.
So I am walking which is usually when I take the time to process, organize, analyze and reflect on my day but tonight my mind was flooded with all of these memories of intensely spiritual moments in my life. I won't give a rundown of every single one (because there are SO many ;) but I quickly realized that not a single one of them was inside a church and yet all of them were so meaningful to me that I was moved to tears just thinking about them again.
So why do we make spirituality so much about a service, congregation, denomination, or building?

Don't you think God is more interested in a one-on-one relationship with you?
I do. I think God still walks to "walk in the garden with us" but not in the way I've been taught to communicate with my Creator and Savior. See, I think the church has been programmed to think that God has to be riled up to show up. As in, we need to create the perfect environment for God to enter into.

I'm learning that your heart is the perfect environment, no matter what condition it is in. God desires to know YOU, to communicate with YOU, to reveal things to YOU, to confide in YOU, to listen to YOU. This is not a communal relationship God is after, it is individual.

Did you catch my "no matter what condition it is in"?
Call me crazy, but I have met some very imperfect people that God has done huge things through. And yes, there are plenty of examples in the bible, but I am talking real-life, right now people that churches quickly condemn and write off because of their mistakes.
Here's a bit of wisdom I heard in high school that has stuck with me ever since: people with the biggest callings for God often struggle with their flesh the most. As in, some people who are doing the greatest things for God, can also do some of the worst things to people.

I don't think I'm getting too far off-base to say that I believe God knows our hearts and intentions and is going to bless our passions, even if our flesh isn't 100% in line with our intentions. We are human, and I think the goal is to grow stronger in your spirit so that you can deny your flesh more often. The goal is not to never sin, it is to grow away from sin.

Peace.

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.."

It is good to be reminded of this when I feel like my heart has been everything but guarded.. Protected.
Sometimes I forget how desperately God loves us... I quickly forget at what length Christ will go to give us security, confidence, and peace.
If we let him. 

I also tend to forget what a gentleman my Savior is. That even though every part of Him wants to rescue us from pain and restore our souls and minds, He sits by and waits for us to ask for Him (I personally imagine him sitting on his hands, trying to contain his eagerness and be patient- although I am sure that is not quite the case). 

Maybe this is all coming from a girl who wants nothing more than to feel valued, adored, and spectacularly unique... But that in and of itself speaks so highly of God's character- that He will be exactly what you need Him to be when you decide you NEED Him. 

Whether it is a Savior, a Provider, Father, Counselor, Rock, Lion, Shield, Prince of Peace, Giver of Life- He IS that. 

I love the part of Philippians 4:7 that states "which transcends ALL understanding"
As in, when you can't comprehend how anyone could care about you or find value in you, God will show you your worth
As in, when you don't understand why everything is happening to way it is, God will show you the light at the end of the tunnel.

Because He adores us and only wants us to trust and rely on Him.