Hope.

3 AM

-Matchbox Twenty

So, this past weekend I went to San Francisco with my church youth group. There was about 43 of us. We went and shared the Gospel at various locations in the city, lead worship at a church, and lead worship and talk to the homeless at the Page Street Mission. It was a really great experience. We also got the chance to go to Alcatraz and Ghiradeli. I think my favorite part was going to the church and leading worship. God was definitely in the room. We weren't very prepared, and some of us were sick, but it was amazing. Everyone was singing and dancing and worshiping right along with us. They were really glad to have us there and we were really glad to be there. During our trip, we also did daily quiet times (or solo times as some call them). During one of our quiet times we were reading a verse in Romans. Romans 5 to be more specific. After I read the passage, I went on to read the commentary that sits below in my MacArthur Study Bible. The passage said, "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope, does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." [[Romans 5:3-5]] Part of this passage talks about hope. The verses above this passage talks about the hope of the glory of God. In the commentary it says that the New Testament word hope has a totally different meaning than it does now. In the New Testament, the word hope has zero uncertainty. The hope we use now totally does. Think about it. We say I hope I get this for Christmas...meaning we probably wont. It just made me think. If someone hears me talking about the hope I have in God and later  hears me saying the word with uncertainty, will they think I have uncertainty about God? Hmm. Maybe I will edit the way I speak. I want to try to keep the integrity of my speech intact.

     

Being a girl.

I Still Sleep Alone

-Matthew McGinn

I was having a conversation the other day with one of my really good guy friends. The subject of being a girl came up. He said, "I am so thankful I am not a girl." I commented back saying something about how it has its perks, but also its great downside. Today I started thinking of a quote from Matthew Henry. "The woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of this head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal  with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved." This made me think that the role of women has been totally distorted. On one side of the spectrum we have women that are totally stomped on by men, and on the other we have those independent feminist that do not rely one bit on men. Personally, I think neither is completely right. There needs to be a balance. As for the extreme feminist view, God made us to live, work, and love together. It says in Matthew 19, "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate." On the other hand, God did not make us to be inferior to men. He did, though, create a role for us that is subordinate to our husbands leadership. [MacArthur] Even though our role is subordinate to men, in 1 Corinthians 11:7 it talks about how we are still supposed to be exalted. God created us for s specific purpose. Thinking about that makes me question comments I make about what God has made me. god has a purpose and plan for my life and it is his will that lays ahead of me.

Proverbs 31

"An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands in delight. She is like a merchant ships; she brings her food from afar. She rises also while it is still night and gives food to her household and portions to her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretched out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. she makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies belts to the tradesmen. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her, saying: 'Many daughters have done nobly, but you exceed them all.' Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates."  

[[Proverbs 31]]

Who Am I To Say?

"Slow Me Down"

-Emmy Rossum

"Rushing and racing and running in circles, moving so fast I'm forgetting my purpose. Blur of traffic is sending me spinning, getting nowhere. My head my heart are colliding chaotic. Pace of the world I just wish i could stop it. Try to appear like I've got it together. I'm falling apart. Save me,  somebody take my hand and lead me. Slow me down. Don't let love pass me by, just show me how because I'm ready to fall. Slow me down. Don't let me live a lie. Before my life flies by, I need you to slow me down." What an amazing song. I often feel like this. The line that pops out to me most is "My head and my heart are colliding, chaotic." How many times do we deal with that as humans? Logically we should do this, but we do something else instead, because our hearts are telling us too. I think I too often let my heart have the best of me. But, at the same time, I tend to be a person who lets logic control too much of my life. I need to find a balance. It is hard though. I wish I could skip ahead about 7 years. I just want to be married, finishing my education, starting my career, and enjoying the future God has planned for me.

Everything Is Fine

Everything Is Fine

-Josh Turner

"I'm feeling good, and everything is fine." I need to start looking towards the positive things in life, opposed to dwelling on the negative. Life is too short to be focused on the bad things. I am currently addicted to Josh Turner. He has an amazing voice and I love his songs. His cds are the perfect mix of romantic, witty, funny, and feel good songs. It is like there is a song that is perfect for every emotion. Plus, they are real feelings. Well, I guess I should finish this blog off, because I have nothing more to add. To finish, I will share on of my favorite verses. [[ 1 Samuel 16:7]] "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'"  

Just Another Day

Better Than Love

-Griffin House

Hello friends. Ever hear a song that just makes you smile? A song that has the perfect words, the perfect beat, and the perfect mood. Better Than Love by Griffin House is just that. If I am upset, this song is perfect to calm me down. It is totally relaxing and beautiful. My day was pretty uneventful. Help make it better?

Just A Snipit

 

Why Don't We Just Dance?

-Josh Turner

An Introduction

Hello, my name is Sara Marie. I have realized how much of an outlet writing is for me. I have realized how much I love having my own space that I can make anything I want it to be. I have three amazing sisters that I don't get to see as often as I wish I could. I will soon be a legal adult. I have a relationship with God, and I am learning how to trust him and love him with every fiber of my being. My favorite verse is Psalms 23. It says:

  The Lord is my shepherd,

I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside quiet waters.

He restores my soul;

He guides me in paths of righteousness

For his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil, for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You have prepared a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You have anointed my head with oil;

My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all of the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever 

This verse has kept me going through the hardest times in my life. I have big plans for my life, but whatever is in God's plan will happen. I am taking one day at a time, and trying to make the most of it. The fact is, we were never promised a tomorrow. Have a nice day, my friend.