My bed never feels so good as right before I’m supposed to get out of it. And as of late, I’m finding it harder and harder to win the battle with my sheets in the morning. Part of it is that I’m feeling a bit of an ‘artist blues’ in my life right now. You know how some days everything just seems to go right and then others, well, they just don’t. Yeah. It’s been ‘one of those days’ for about a week and a half.
The song above, though has been so helpful for checking my attitude. There are a couple of lines that struck home big time… In the chorus, he sings “all these victims stand in line for crumbs that fall from the table, just enough to get by.” That’s what I’ve been feeling lately. Like I’ve been subsiding on the merest of crumbs from God’s fingertips. But the irony is in the next line: “All the while your invitation’s waiting, WAKE ON UP FROM YOUR SLUMBER, OPEN UP YOUR EYES!” It’s so plain and simple, our invitation is there to join God on the daily adventure of life.
Another interesting line is this: “Hearts are stronger after broken.” I know my heart has been shattered. Exploded into a million little fragments and I can’t even imagine finding them all, let alone having it put back together. But that’s the cool thing, God knows every little piece and is waiting to breathe life back into it so that it does become stronger and more sure of His love, instead of being dependant on everything around me.
What about you? Have you stayed in bed a little too long lately? Are you ready to get up and experience the life God has for you? Well consider this your invitation… WAKE ON UP FROM YOUR SLUMBER!!!
So this is the first year that in the last few that I haven’t made the trek across route 80 to Ohio to spend my birthday with my physical fam. My mom was a bit worried that it would be tougher being away from the loverly folks there, but she needn’t fret! Beginning on Thursday last week, I partied so much that I ran myself down and got a cold! Yup! Those are the BEST kinds of celebrations. I just had to shout out a few folks for making the weekend so wonderfully special.
Leah, she of the music reviews in the Fun section, made a beauty-ful-liscious red velvet cake and the drama team feted me at rehearsal on Thursday night. Then life group ladies Cookie and Jen (she of Family section fame) took me out for a mani-pedi, fabulous and frugal mexican fare and then we made the trek out to Cups (the delicous Fro-Yo place that we at Hope Center have begun to call our second home..) Saturday was our Rekindle Editors meeting, and Editor-in-Chief Danisia couldn’t let the day pass without a splendiferous (from scratch) banana cake with pinapple-walnut cream cheese filling and banana frosting with a crust of walnut crumbs. (Be jealous. OH BE VERY JEALOUS!!!) And finally, on Sunday, I made the trek out to visit my local family in Flemington to celebrate both mine and my cousin’s birthday (Happy happy, Shannon!! LOVE the chicken hat!)
I write all of this not only to make your mouths drool, but to remind you to reflect on the blessings God has placed in your life. (Side note, I even came home Thursday night to TWO legal parking spaces. What a birthday gift from God!!) It has been so cool this week just to sit and recount the weekend to numerous other folks. My mom, of course was thrilled with the outpouring of love and to all those involved she sends thanks and hugs!! Growing up, there was a hymn I loved to sing called “Count Your Many Blessings.” It was so cool because when everyone split into the harmony parts, the guys would do this cool counter melody thing and my mom always sounded so cool singing the alto part. A birthday is a great time to sit and count your blessings. But it’s not the only day. Hey, any day is a great one to recount your blessings! Rekindle surely has been one in my life, and after our editors meeting, (I can’t tell you all our secrets… but…) I’m sure Rekindle is going to become a bigger blessing in your life real soon!! But until we re-launch the website (keep your eyes open… it’s coming soon!!) what are some other blessings that God has placed in your life? I count each of you, our readers and supporters, among my blessings. I hope we have blessed you, and I look forward to continuing to show you God’s love!!
Love and THREE slices of birthday cake (and some fro-yo….),
Sarah
ps… cake pic of Danisia’s creation coming shortly…
It’s that magical day!! The calendar switches over and it’s SEPTEMBER!!! Now, I may be just a BIT prejudiced because September happens to be my birth month, but I know plenty of folks who will agree with me that it’s the perfect time of year. The nights start getting a little cooler, the days are still sunny and beautiful and all you moms get to send your kids back to school!! (am I right ladies??)
One of my favorite markers of fall has only come into my life since I’ve been living here in New Jersey. See, I wasn’t a coffee drinker until I spent a year touring on the road and needing the caffeine to make it through a long day. Coffee is still an enjoyable part of my day, and since Dunkin is more of a northeastern chain, I didn’t get exposed to it until I became an East Coaster. But imagine my joy the other day when I saw it…. The notice in the window of my local Dunkin… “We now have fall flavors available: Pumpkin Latte, Pumpkin Donut, Pumpkin Muffin and Pumpkin Coffee. WOO HOO!!!
What about you? Do you love fall? If not (you’re crazy… just sayin…) which season do you love? And if fall does happen to be a favorite, what do you love about it and what’s your favorite sign that it’s here?
Love and a pumpkin donut,
Sarah
I was on my way home from a rehearsal tonight when I had to stop for some dinner. Things had run a little longer than I thought they would and my stomach was making it difficult to hear the gps lady over the grumbling.
So I stopped at Wendy’s. Had to. They’re making Oreo frostys and they will let you get one with chocolate ice cream! McDonald’s has the Oreo flury, sure, but they won’t let you do chocolate… Of course, had there been a Dairy Queen nearby, that would have won hands down.
So obviously, I’m a gal who loves me some fast food. But it’s not necessarily the best choice for the waistline or the heart. But every once in a while, a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do!
What about you? What’s your guilty pleasure? It’s back to the healthy menu first thing in the morning, (did I mention I had freshly steamed green beans from the community garden patch next to my office?) egg whites and such. Still grooving on the mugs from Hungry Girl, after all. But sometimes it’s just nice to have your cake and eat it too!
Love and a sweet tooth,
Sarah
Ps… due to computer issues, FINALLY got a pic up of Webmaster Ev’s Iphone cake.. Check it out HERE!!
I sat on my porch this morning to have my devotions when I saw him. A little bird eating a fluffy crumb of bread. I immediately thought of Matthew 6.26, ‘Look at the birds of the sky: they don’t sow or reap or gather into barns yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?’
Now, the last couple of weeks of vacation eating definitely had its affect. I’m certainly not hurting in the provision area. Yet, how often do I worry about where things are going to come from, if God will provide my needs, if He’s going to come through on my behalf yet again.
God seemed to answer my questions even before I could ask them this morning, though. After a moment’s contemplation, I looked up again to see the same little bird over on the next porch with the rest of the bread… a piece as big as his body. He spent the next 5 minutes happily nibbling away at it. Reminded me of another verse… ‘exceedingly, abundantly more than I can ask or imagine.’ Our God is cool, right? What have you imagined lately? Our God is big enough and more!
Love and abundance,
Sarah
So I’m still kind of away.. I’m back in Jersey but on my way out to a conference for the next 3 days here in a few. But til then, something to keep you laughing… me attempting to cook scrambled eggs on the griddle at camp. And just for those of you wondering, yup, that’s my mom doing the pouring. Learning from the best!!
Gripping on so tight with
the security I have inside
Knowing what is right
Holding onto my pride
Letting Go
Of the things I hold so dear
Letting Go
Of all my pain and all my fears
Letting Go
Of the Things I hold so dear
Letting Go
Of all my pain and all my fears
I have been brought to a place
Where I want to give up everything
Where all I can do is seek your face
and my brokenness I will bring
Letting Go
Of the things I hold so dear
Letting Go
Of all my pain and all my fears
Letting Go
Of the Things I hold so dear
Letting Go
Of all my pain and all my fears
Holding on to the things I deem so strong
Holding on even though my faith has been built so long
Holding on to the things I deem so strong
Holding on to what I know
I’m letting go
Letting Go
Of the things I hold so dear
Letting Go
Of all my pain and all my fears
Letting Go
Of the Things I hold so dear
Letting Go
Of all my pain and all my fears
Of all my pain and all my fears
Letting Go.
“But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” - Philippians 3:14
This song has really been ministering to my heart as I have been learning to let go of those people and things that I have clung to with tight cletched fists knowing full well that they are not good for me.
Many Blessings to you as you release your brokeness to God,
What if we trusted the Lord with our entire heart and stood on His word that tells us, “Do not be afraid, (of that relationship, where God is taking you next, your children’s deliverance, that financial burden, the will of God for your life, your family’s salvation) stand firm, and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptian you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” (Ex. 14: 13-14). As I ponder this scripture for the past two weeks, I realized some battles you were just never meant to fight. The only thing you can do is to be still.
Sometimes God wants us to fight, but other times God wants us to trust His fight; He wants to fight for us; and that takes faith on our part. Psalm 63 v.7 reminds us “Because you have been my help, therefore in the shadow of my wings, I will rejoice”. Faith to trust that “Daddy God” will be there for you, that He is capable of handling any situation, and that trust on our part will require letting go. Instead of us “doing” and “fighting” to get the job done, we need to let go and allow Him to take care of the Egyptian army in our lives. Choosing to rest in the shadow of His wings will bring us joy. Even if our situation in the natural is unbearable. The world system teaches us to fight for what we want, but God says “Stand firm in your faith in ME, for I want to fight for you.”
For God desires us to remember His word that promises, Do not fear, For I am with you, do not be dismayed, For I am your God, I will strength you and will help you. I will up hold you with my righteous right hand. (Isa 41:10)
Ask yourself this question, “Have you allowed God to fight for you?” If you haven’t, remember He is the only one that can take care of any armies you are facing.
Stand still in faith trusting your God that says, ” Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9).
I’m at camp this week and I’m always amazed by the food we eat here. There are around 60 campers, counselors and staff here this week, and my mom heads up the kitchen. We have a running joke in the family that mom spends all year practicing for camp, and performing the feeding of the 5000 in reverse, cooking for the 5000 when only 12 show up.
But seriously, it is an amazing task to feed the bottomless pits that are campers. And so for today, I’d like simply to salute the ladies pictured above, Ginny Chamberlain, Sue Richman (yup, my mommy) and Susie Foster. Every year they plan, shop, cook and spend most of the week preparing for the throngs of kids who need fed at camp. They don’t get paid, it’s hot and they have to get up waaaaaaayyyy too early. Especially for a night owl like me. But it’s their labor of love… Their only desire is that the kids who come to camp can see the love of Jesus in them.
Oh, and some side notes… we have to come up with interesting team names based off our theme scriptures (this year, 1st Peter…) The kitchen staff used 1st Peter 2:3 “Now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” And this morning, I got to learn how to make scrambled eggs on the griddle… Video to come next week. …
It saddens me that we only have one month left of summer left. In fact in some states school will be starting next week. I am so happy that the kids here in New Jersey do not head back to school until after Labor Day.
My children are very excited that next week Vacation Bible School starts up. My 8 year old daughter has been talking non stop about it and is very excited to have the opportunity to help lead worship. I love seeing her excitement and it is very contagious. When I was passing out the information cards to the neighborhood children I saw an excitement in them also and I am really praying that I can get them to all go there with my children.
There is something so wonderful about a child like faith. Such an innocence and a simple drama free relationship with God. I so long for that in my life. I thank God that he has given me children that remind me of that childlike faith.
“Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:15
God loves to see our faith. His blessings flow upon us when we walk in Faith.
I would love to talk with you about what your experience was like when you first got saved. Were you like a child? I remember having such an excitement and wanting to read my Bible all of the time and talk about God to everyone I met. Somewhere through the years things have gotten so complication and I started seeing more ugly in the world and things have changed.
I pray that God can help me to get back to the basics, the innocence and the childlike faith.
The LORD protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me.” Psalm 116:6
