life with a spirit of renewal

So I was listening to another Rob Bell sermon called “Lose Your Life to Find it”.
Skipping to the point I got from it: Sometimes there are moments in life when you wish everything and everyone would go back to how things used to be. How much of our lives do we waste thinking about how things used to be? Well… things are never gonna go back to how they used to be. They arent because we have all changed, the places, people, circumstances, relationships, lives, have changed. Everything is different. Its impossible to go back. Why would we even want to go back when there is so much good stuff ahead? If we keep looking back, we’ll begin missing what God’s doing in our lifves today. We need to ask God for a spirit to live for today. To be fully present today in everything that we do. In this place, this moment, these people.
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (matt 10:39)
So… it can’t ever be how it was. But it CAN be better (wow I‘m preaching to myself here..) . We just have to embrace it and listen as to what to do next.

God did not give us a Spirit of timidity- fear, regret, wishing…. Give it all up to Him.


[Enter your name here]: it is time to lose your life so that you can find it. It is time to let go.

Scott's Head

Scott's Head
Originally uploaded by SarahBeth.

THis is a picture of a place called Scott's Head in Dominica. It's one of the top 5 places in the world to go and snorkle because of all the differnet types of fish and other sea animals. Click on the picture to see more pics of Dominica... I will write about them later.

to all of my friends

I'm sorry if you are hurting.
I see it in your eyes and hear it in your voice.

When you're in pain I can feel it to.

I love you so very much
and am always praying for you even though I'm not always sure what to say.

even when it hurts....

I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands
and my soul refused to be comforted.
3 I remembered you, O God, and I groaned;
I mused, and my spirit grew faint. Selah
4 You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.
5 I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;
6 I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart mused and my spirit inquired:

7 "Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?" Selah

10 Then I thought, "To this I will appeal:
the years of the right hand of the Most High."
11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12 I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.
13 Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?
14 You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

16 The waters saw you, O God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.
17 The clouds poured down water,
the skies resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.
18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.
19 Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

psalm 77


Go to this website (Mars Hill Church, Grandrapids):
http://www.mhbcmi.org/listen/index.php

Listen to Dec.11, 2005 "Praying With An Ache"

its about 45 minutes but I felt it was completely worth it.
(Plus its Rob Bell :)

He's speaking out of Psalm 77... its very encouraging.
go listen bff....

romans 8:26- "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."

He hears your prayers even when you cant find the words to explain.

i love you

i found me an angel today

So I was waiting for my old testiment class to start today. I dont know many people in that class so i was sitting alone and this guy came over to sit down and introduced himself as Fuq (fuke). He commented that I looked tired and i replied that i was... yeah... great start to a conversation, eh... well alittle bit into the class he slipped over a little piece of paper that had this freshly written on it:


"MY GRACE IS ENOUGH FOR YOU; WHEN YOU ARE WEAK, MY POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN YOU."
FOR THIS REASON I AM HAPPY WHEN I HAVE WEAKNESSES, INSULTS, HARDTIMES, SUFFERINGS, AND ALL KINDS OF TROUBLES FOR CHRIST. BECAUSE WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN I AM STRONG!

-2 CORINTHIANS 12:9-10


I just sat there like... wow... angels do exist becuase this kind of stuff doesnt just happen coincidentally. All he knew about me was my name and that i was tired today.
This verse was such a great reminder and encouragement to me.. during this time. We are learning about ourselves and about GOd's awesome power throughout all our struggles and he will be there to pick us up when we fall and be our strength when we have none. He likes when we are forced to lean completely on him...then he can prove his power (not like he needs to).

Thank you God for this reminder... and fuq for allowing God to speak through you.


be encouraged, my friends. i love you.

spoiled americans

Hey all! Got back this afternoon... had a great trip and I cant wait to talk with all of you! Summary:: beaches..eco resort.. suntan.. broken toe.. hiking..proposal..fire ants..lizards..desolation and boiling lakes.. waterfalls.. abandoned puppies..laid back locals..hitchhiking.. beautiful sunsets.. eastern caribbean dollars= a funtime in paradise.
When i have time I'll unleash all of the great adventures that took place... until then I'll leave you in suspense.

i love you love you
***

farewell old friends

Going on a trip.. leaving tuesday morning at 530a out of lexington. Going to an island in the caribbean called Dominica (not dominican republic).. here is where we will be staying... check it out.. but dont be scared for me :) we're prepared..
www.3riversdominica.com

I'll be home on the 17th i think... will be missing first day of class...ooops...ill get over it.
I'll tell you all about it when i get back.

love you all...would like to say i'll be thinking of you but..hmm.. ill be on the beach so ill have other things on my mind :)

love you love you... peace