My God is Able

Whenever David and I visit my parents we always get the treat of going to James River Assembly.  I'm not sure why, but this church has become a sort of therapy for me.  I always come away with a renewed heart and a fresh word from God.  It may just be that this is usually the only time I am ever at church without a thousand other things on my mind, people to talk to, or responsibilities to shoulder.  I'm just Sara, visitor.

 Don't hear what I'm not saying.  I love my church and the position God has put me in there, but it's been quite some time since going to church has been that simple.  There is something about coming into a place where you are completely anonymous and being able to let it all go.  There's no one waiting to talk after service, there is no one coming in whispering that the power has gone out in the Family Center, there is nothing but me and God.  I love visiting JRA because I know that my visit has been covered with prayer, I know that the ministry team is rooted in Gods word, and I know that God is going to meet me if I simply surrender.  (You don't always know that visiting a church.)

This past Sunday, I was highly blessed by the service and I will be writing future blogs about it, but this is just one of the ways God spoke to my heart and I am so grateful.  A simple worship song, that brought me to tears of joy because I believe my God is able.

Mark 11:23-24 tell us, "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.  Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. 

If you are wounded, wandering, wondering, worrying, or just wavering sing these words out to the Lord.  If you believe it and you say it-you will have it!  That is the amazing way of God!

You part the ocean

You calm the raging sea

You are able to do this in me

You said You're with me

So who can stand against

You are with me Lord I know that

Nothing is to hard for you

I know my God is able

I know His love never fails

I know my God is able

I believe in You

I trust in You with all that I am

Cause I know You have the master plan

So I'll throw my life into Your hands

For Your glory

Spread the Word

Psalm 40: 1-3
I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, 
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feel upon a rock,
And established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth-
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.

Reading this familiar passage last night, I felt a warmth come over me.  It is so good to remember what God has done; what He has brought me from and what he is bringing me through.  But last night, it was the last two lines that really had me in awe.  It's not just about what God has done in my life, it is about how He will work in the lives of others through what He has done in my life.  This is the miraculous way in which God works but it relies on our obedience.  I have begun praying this scripture over my life and asking the Holy Spirit to lead me to always be obedient to His calling, so that not only will my faith be built up, but the faith of many.    

October 25th

Today is the birthday of one of my favorite people in all the world!  Paro, as we affectionately call her, was born this day some time ago.  When I started teaching she welcomed me with open arms not only to the school, but into her home and family!  She has been like my mom away from home.  I don't know what life would be like without her funny antics at school, her generous spirit, and her sweet personality!  I love you Paro!  Thank you for being in my life!


If I couldn't laugh I just would go insane, If we couldn't laugh we just would go insane, If we weren't all crazy we would go insane. 
Jimmy Buffett 

Wishful Thinking

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  Ephesians 4:29  

AKA: If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could all put this into practice...just sayin'.  I'm talking to myself here too.  

Friends Forever

There are some people in my life who I know will be life-long friends.  People that, despite distance and time, will always hold a piece of my heart.  I have been blessed to have a few deep, life-changing friendships.  Some of the best and worst memories of my life include these people.  They know me in a way that takes real time and real adversity.  Some I may only talk to as little as every few months, or only see once a year if I'm lucky, but I treasure those times.  I wish I could keep these friends close.  I wish I could see and talk to them everyday, but life moves on and we all have to go our own ways.  I love these people more than words can say and know that because of them I am a better person.   After a short FB chat with one of my friends forever tonight I kept singing my old Girl Scouts song in my head...

        Make new friends, but keep the old.

        One is silver and the other gold.

You are more precious than gold to me friends!  I am so thankful for you!   

A man of many companions may come to ruin, 
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.  Proverbs 18:24

To Do List

I love lists!  Grocery lists, packing lists, supply lists, name lists, honey-do lists, any kind of list!  I always have a "to do" going on in some respect.  I just find the action of crossing things off refreshing.  I feel like I have accomplished something, made headway, gotten things done!  


The other night, I was reading my Bible and really looking at prayer.  I was reading all the prayer verses and of course the whole "pray without ceasing" came to mind.  So I found the verse (1 Thessalonians 5:14-22) and as I read it this time, God spoke a fresh word to me.  "This should be your to do list Sara.  These should be your goals everyday."  So here it is....the new and highly improved to do list....

-Warn those who are unruly 

-Comfort the fainthearted

-Uphold the weak

-Be patient with all 

-Pursue what is good for all

-Rejoice always

-Pray without ceasing

-In everything give thanks

-Do not quench the Spirit

-Do not despise prophecies

-Test all things

-Hold fast to what is good

-Abstain from every evil

This is a pretty tall order, but I am really trying to implement this into my daily life.  I know that shifting my priorities to God's to do list will help me to have a larger impact that any to do list I could come up with.  I will let you know how it goes.

Rainy Day Treat

You gotta love a lazy, rainy Saturday!  I had a bag of butterscotch chips sitting in my cabinet so I decided now would be a great time to whip my hubby up some yummy Butterscotch Chip Cookies!  He has been super sweet this week with me starting back to work and being under the weather.  I have been coming home and going straight to the bed with NyQuil.  I am so blessed to have him by my side!  So here we go...

I got out my ingredients (sans nuts...didn't have any on hand)

Got it all together

On the pan

In the oven

To the tummy....Happy Guy!

Here's the link to the recipe if you want to make your own rainy day treats!   http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,1910,156189-236193,00.html