The 3 "Angels From Asheville

  Yesterday I spent the day in Asheville "Choice Booking" with CC. It was fun wearing my Choice Books shirt with my name on it, looking all professional again. Yes I think I miss my old job sometimes. =)

 Anyhow, Asheville is not my favorite city. It seems thatin the areas we go it is often dirty, New Age-ish and the people are often cold, distant and they stare. Not your typical southerners. Also you get this feeling that there are more white supremicists than not.

 Well yesterday my experience was different. It stated out while I was standing in line for coffee at Ingles Starbucks cart. One of the barista's walked up and greeted me with enough cheer for the whole store, and the air of one determind to give you the best service possible. And the coffee was THE best Starbucks drink I have ever had. =)

 The next was this beautiful black girl at another Ingles. She didn't say anything to me in particular, but she was always smiling at the customers and venders she came in contact with. There was something about her that made you feel comfortable. And she thought CC was funny and was laughing at him behind his back, which of course made me laugh as well. =)

 The third, but not least was at yet another Ingles. We had just finished up and I headed to the van ahead of CC with the cart, and this older gentleman came over and offered to help me load it up in the van. He said he didn't want me to have to do it by myself. I smiled and thanked him just as CC came around the van and loaded it himself. You don't find many real gentleman these days, and when you do it is a precious thing.

 Lets just say that after encountering these 3 people, I felt like I could smile all day. These people blessed me so much and made my day brighter, all because they took just a moment to think of someone else. I want to remember that.

Just like I had a bad idea of Asheville because of so many of the people I have come in contact with, I don't want to give people a bad idea of Christ because of how I am to others. I want them to have a good idea of "Asheville" so to speak, because I took time ot of my day to make theirs special.

 Its amazing how far a smile, and a kind word will go to brighten someones day!!!

Why Jesus Asked For the Cup to be Removed

I have been reading the book Radical by David Platt, and this excerpt really hit home with me and changed me entire view of that glorious yet terrible day of Christs execution. I hope it does the same for you too.

 " Our understanding of who God is and who we are drastically affects or understanding of who Christ is and why we need him. For example, if God is only a loving Father who wants to help his people, then we will see Christ as a mere example of that love. We will view the Cross as just a demonstration of God's love in which he allowed Roman soldiers to crucify his Son so that sinful man would know how much he loves us.

   But this picture of Chris and the Cross is woefully inadequate, missing the entire point of the gospel. We are not saved from our sins because Jesus was falsely tried by Jewish and Roman officials and sentenced by Pilate to die. Neither are we saved because Roman persecutors thrust nails into the hands and feet of Christ and hung him on a cross.

   Do we really think that the false judgment of men heaped upon Christ would pay the debt for all humankind's sin? Do we really think that a crown of thorns and whips and nails and a wooden cross and all the other facets of the crucifixion that we glamorize are powerful enough to save us?

   Picture Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. As he kneels before his Father, drops of sweat and blood fall together from his head.Why is he in such agony and pain? The answer is not because he is afraid of crucifixion. He is not trembling because of what the Roman soldiers are about to do to  him.

   Since that day countless men and women in the history of Christianity have died for their faith. some of them were not just hung on crosses; they were burned there. Many of them went to their crosses singing.

   One Christian in India, while being skinned alive, looked at his persecutors and said, "I thank you for this. Tear off my old garment, for I will soon put on Christ's garment of righteousness."

   As he prepared to head to his execution, Christopher Love wrote a note to his wife, saying, "Today they will sever me from my physical head, but they cannot sever me from my spiritual head, Christ." As he walked to his death, his wife applauded while he sang of glory.

   Did these men and women in Christian history have more courage than Christ himself? Why was he trembling in that garden, weeping and full of anguish? we can rest assured that he was not a coward about to face Roman soldiers. Instead he was a Savior about to endure divine wrath.

   Listen to his words: "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me." The "cup" is not a reference to a wooden cross; it is a reference to divine judgment. It is the cup of God's wrath.

   This is what Jesus is recoiling from in the garden. All God's holy wrath and hatred toward sin and sinners, stored up since the beginning of the world, is about to be poured out on him, and he is sweating blood at the thought of it.

    What happened at the Cross was not primarily about nails being thrust into Jesus' hands and feet but about the wrath due your sin and my sin being thrust upon his soul. In that holy moment, all the righteous wrath and justice of God due us came rushing down like a torrent on Christ himself.

                                                     *******************

      This is the Gospel. The just and loving Creator of the universe has looked upon hopelessly sinful people and sent his Son, God in the flesh, to bear his wrath against is on the cross and to show his power over sin in the Resurrection so that all who trust in him will be reconciled to God forever."

    

My Hero Mom's!

Ok so I think today must be; "#thankyourbirthmothers/adoptivemothers" day, and I want to get in on it too!!!!
 Over 23 years ago a young single mom made a very hard decision. Probably the hardest she had ever had to make, and I believe it was the wisest. She chose to give her baby girl what she knew she couldn't, she chose to give her a life that not only provided material stability, but also spiritual. She chose for me to be in a home that taught me about Jesus Christ and all that He did for me, and that brings me to the other ''wise decision!'' My Foster parents. (for real, I have always been a Foster kid lol)
 They were willing to go against the tide of they day do what ever it took to give 4 babies a life they could never have growing up in the environment they were born in. Even despite family discouragements, they raised and loved us as if we were their own biological children, teaching us the important things, along with the crazy things and creating memories that can only come with growing up in the country in the heart of Idaho. And no, we did not grow up on Idaho potatoes, we ate Washington potatoes, they're cheaper.
 Today I want to thank both my moms, first of all my birth mom for choosing to give me life, when it would have been much easier to just snuff it out. But most of all I want to thank my Mom for seeing me as her own baby girl, and pouring her love on me. I don't know where I would be if it wasn't for her. Thank you Mom for all you have done  for me. If I would have had the choice as to who to pick for a Mom, I would definitely pick you! Thank you for being my Mom. You two mom's are my heroes!!!

2012 Has Arrived!

Wow! I cant believe that 2012 has shown its face. 12 years ago on new years eve I remember watching the seconds count down, full of apprehension of what would happen as soon as it struck midnight. Now 12 years later I got to watch another year roll around. Last night it  hit me that I was given a fresh clean slate. Another chance to right the wrongs of yesteryear and and to learn from them. Last year is past and gone, but this year is new. Oh trust me last year is full of so many good memories. So many good times. And I am forever glad I got to live in yesteryear. But like every other human out there, it does hold its negatives.

Last night one of the first songs we sang in the new year went like this; "My heart, my mind my body my soul; I give to you, take control....." That is my prayer for this next year that I and the young people around me will make that our prayer and desire. That this year will be one of change in the world around us, because we stepped out on a limb and took a risk with GOD. I love the fact that we can take those steps of faith because we have a GOD that will never let us fight alone.

I normally do not do New Years Resolutions, but this year I am. I am resolving to take a risk with GOD, and next year when this time rolls around, I want to be able to see ALL the things GOD will be able to do because I got out of the way.
So here's to a new year!!

The Woman-Child

It was just a day like any other. Filled with the normal duties of gathering water, making meals, washing laundry, watching the children, taking care of the animals, and the list could go on and on. But those things weren't even what was important to this young woman child. No the biggest thing coursing through her mind was far from all the day to day normal's. It was filled with anticipation. Could today be the day? The day he arrives to carry her away to their small little home?
 She smiles as she thinks of him, so handsome and gentle, laboring away so hard for her. How did she get such a wonderful man? She knew he left many girls hopes dashed when they became betrothed, and she still cant figure out why he would choose her, a humble young maiden. Something told her that GOD had something big for them, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
 She let out a sigh of relief as she contemplated the joy she received trusting GOD with everything He chose to bring her way whether it be good or bad. Joseph was definitely a good thing. Oh how rewarding trusting GOD was. Her mind wandered many miles away to her cousin Elizabeth. Yes there was a perfect example. It was almost like Abraham, Sarah and Isaac all over again. Elizabeth taught her so much about joyful trust. And the joy she knew Elizabeth was experiencing was hers also.
 And then it happened. That moment that the patriarchs had been writing about and the grandmothers had been hoping for. The very thing that each young Jewish girl hoped would happen to her. That moment that GOD had been planning. The moment the GOD child was announced.
 Fear coursed through her veins. She had never seen an angel, let alone heard one speak before. And the holy, blinding light was almost more then she could handle. She dropped to her knees and bowed her head as he spoke to her. She was shocked when he called her ''Highly favored and blessed among woman''...who was she, a young maiden to be called 'Highly favored'? He continued talking to her, assuring her, and then he said it. He said the words young virgin girls had been longing to hear for centuries. Oh, who is she to bare such a privilege? Who is she, a humble poor handmaiden, to carry the Messiah in her womb?
 Her mind cast back to all those times she had trusted GOD and He had been faithful. And her heart bowed its self low, and willing accepted this glorious gift GOD was bestowing on her. She knew the consequences. She knew that she could be stoned and that Joseph, her dear Joseph would have to divorce her. Oh how she hated to disgrace him. But she knew that GOD would take care of everything, and that whatever He did was right and good. She knew that somehow GOD would  take care of her.
 A few months passed and it was time to tell Joseph. He took the news better then she thought he would, but oh how painful it was watching her words crush him. He didn't understand nor did he believe her. But then again, why should he? Her story was common among many secretly promiscuous woman. And he had no reason to believe otherwise. Knowing that he was going to divorce her broke her heart, but again she knew that GOD was in control. She knew that GOD would make it known to him, and he did. Joy filled her heart as she saw yet again what trust in GOD can accomplish.
 All of these things she hid in her womanly heart. Somewhere she had crossed over from girl to woman. And soon she would become mother. Mother to the GOD child. The GOD child that came swift and quick. The GOD child no one but animals had room for. But far out on the rolling hills tending their flocks, another marvelous thing happened. GOD announced the arrival of His Son to the humblest of the humble.The story these humble Shepherds told, the mother hid in her heart, keeping them as precious gems.
 Joy filled her heart as she gazed at the GOD baby. And she wondered how come GOD chose her, a humble girl. And she knew that this child would somehow save the world. Not with pomp and glory, but with humility and pain.
 And so she watched and waited................................................................

From Creator to Created

The day had finally arrived. A day that they had been planning for thousands of years. The rescue plan set in action more then 4000 years prior. His mind wanders back to that moment his Father asked him the question. Asked him to be the rescuer of humanity. From that day forward every thought, every action and plan was centered around that one beautiful, yet heart breaking day.
He watched on the sidelines as the angel appeared to the woman child. He knew all along that her beautiful humble heart would accept the proposal, but seeing it in action, seeing the surprise on her face and the willing obedience in her heart made his GOD-heart burst with love.
Moments later he was that dividing cell. 1 cell, 2 cells, 4 cells, 8 cells and on and on. 22 days later the heart begins to beat. Oh what a miracle, and he is re-amazed at how perfect the design is. He and his Father are pretty good at designing things.
It has now been 3 weeks and he is now looking more and more like a child. But yet he is so small the woman child would never know he existed except for the angels words.
Oh he can sense the anxiety in her heart as the sickness of pregnancy begins to show its self. He hears the questions in her heart as she wonders how this news will be told and explained. No one will believe her. They had been waiting on the Messiah for 4000 years and for her being just barely a woman to say she was pregnant with GOD, was impossible. And Joseph. How would he respond. Yes she needed to leave to get away for awhile to be able to think and sort this out. To hide the sickness until she had a plan or if not a plan the wisdom for what lies ahead. Oh how he wished he could comfort her beautiful heart. In time he would.
Weeks go by and he grows. In fact he is now just a miniature 4-6" person. Oh if only the woman child could see how perfect he was at this stage in his life, maybe it would still her heart for the inevitable. The explanation for the small baby bump on her slight frame. The day had come to tell the world that she was carrying the Son of GOD in her womb. He could feel her heart racing as she recounted all the happenings of the past 3 months and then feel it shatter into a million pieces as she was met with unbelief and betrayal. But yet he knew her peace and trust in the fact that the GOD who's child she carried, had it all figured out. And he smiled in his lil baby way, as he thought of how GOD would make the doubter the believer.
Days, weeks and months kept going by and as his day for arrival draws near he loses more and more space to move around. He chuckles because he knows exactly when and how he will arrive and he can just imagine the panic of the Man when he realizes there will be no room in the inn and they will have to settle with a nice warm, dirty and very smelly stable.
Oh it was so nice to be able to stretch, yet so cold. He had to internally laugh at the fact the only way he could let his wants be known was to cry.
Oh stop. It was so beautiful. Way out there in the distance he could hear the beautiful voices of the angels singing. Announcing, now celebrating his arrival. Oh how he loved the humble and lowly people. The rejected sitting out on the far off hills watching their sheep. Oh wait, here they come now. Running, racing to be the first to arrive to welcome this GOD-child. Oh how it made his baby heart swell with joy as he watched these bearded, dirty, smelly faces beam with joy because their Savior had arrived. Oh how he wanted to wrap them in his GOD arms, but instead he cooed and watched they're faces beam with happiness and listened to their big laughs rumble in their chests.
But wait don't think he only loved the poor man. On the contrary, for resting in the sky above where he lay was a beautiful star. And out on the desert plains following that star were 3 rich men, each bearing a gift meant for a king. Oh how he loves faith. The kind of faith that knows GOD is always right and chooses to act upon it. That's the kind of faith that will move mountains.
Oh and when they arrived, they humbly gave him the gifts, worshiping his GODness. Yes, though he was just a baby they recognized that he was GOD and they reverenced him.
Years went by and he had to learn to walk and talk. All over again actually. It amused his GOD heart so much to think that he created the whole system of the human body but yet he was now subject to it. He who is GOD had become a helpless babe.
Every day since the time the first cell divided he thought through the history of the future. Naming and seeing the lives of each person, and his GOD heart wept. It wept with love, pity and mercy. And again and again he said; "for you I go from being GOD to being human. From being Creator to being the created. From being perfect to being broken."
As he learned to walk, talk, read, work and play, he was always GOD but his body limited him. So he waited. He waited with patience and he watched. He watched the mother heart store everything in her treasure chest of memories. And he listened to the corrupted teaching of the scholars. He watched as the poor were stolen from, and the animals were bought and sold in the temple. He saw the proud pharisees praying on the one corner and the harlot soliciting for business on the other. And his GOD heart broke. But yet he waited and allowed his boy heart to grow into a man. He waited for the perfect time to allow his GOD heart to be GOD again. For 30 years he was the created preparing for the time he was again the Creator.
And then the day came. The day that marked the beginning of the 40 days of trying. He had to do it perfect or else the plan would be ruined. And so he fasted and he prayed, preparing himself for those three temptations. And he passed. He passed the test and yet again defeated the devil. And for 3 years he did just that. Proving to the world that there is hope and a place of perfection in him. And yet again he prepared. He prepared his disciples and the people around him. And he prayed. For himself? No. For his murderers. For the created's that were planning to kill him, the Creator.
And then it came. That day he and his Father had been planning for. Oh the grief on his heart. And the agony and apprehension weighing him down at the fact that his Father would turn his back on him as he became sin itself and die.
Yep. He was about to die. Not a slow quick, painless kind of execution but  a long drawn out, in-humane crucifixion.
And why did he allow himself to do all this? Because he was driven by his endless love to rescue you and me, at whatever cost it would take to get it done. He is GOD but he became a mass of cells. He is GOD but he was born in a nasty smelly barn. And his welcome party were a bunch of smelly un-kept shepherds. He is
GOD but he obeyed his parents even if it meant leaving behind his Fathers business to better prepare. He is GOD but he chose to be murdered in the most gruesome of gruesome ways. Why? because he wanted to rescue you and I.

Faith vrs. Obedience

My mind has been an ocean swirling with many different thoughts and subjects. And I can just hear the guys saying "well duh, your a girl." That might be part of the reason but the other part is that there are just so many things to think about when it comes down to living your life completely sold out to GOD. There is so much involved. So much at stake. And so many things on death row.
But yet it is all so simple if the human doesn't get involved. If the human doesn't exert its need for control, or declare its non-existent rights as existent.
From all of this thinking I have come to a very obscure conclusion. [If that is possible] I believe faith and obedience are the two cornerstones of a life sold out for Christ. Without faith our works are dead [James 2:20,26] but yet without works, [obedience] faith doesn't exist. [James 2:18].
I was thinking about Esau the other day and mulling over why he couldn't receive the blessing, though he desperately sought after it with tears. I believe the reason was that he was not willing to obey GOD by repenting of his sin. He loved the pleasures of this world too much to sacrifice it to GOD. He wanted the blessing along with the sinful pleasures he desired. He wanted GOD & the World.
Repentance is the first step of obedience. And with obedience comes faith, and with faith comes the power of GOD, and the ability to live to glorify him. The strength to be the light on the hill. Jenna said a very powerful thing this morning at our Bible study. She said; "God cant work with half our heart....what if that one thing your holding back is that one thing GOD needs so that he can change your life?"
Thinking about that I saw this mental picture of arrival time at the throne of GOD. And he looks down at me and says; "Sarah, I had this huge plan and purpose for your life but you wouldn't give me that one area in your life, so I had to get someone else to do it instead of you."
How desperately sad. How absolutely horrifying. I think one of the things I am the most afraid of for myself is that I would miss the life changes GOD sends my way to prepare me for something greater. The little trials here and there or the those little area's he expects obedience. I do not want to sacrifice GOD's purpose for my life for some stupid measly little pleasure, attitude or 'right.' There is too much at stake in this fallen world for that. We complain the church isn't the way it is or that millions, let me rephrase that, billions of people will die without knowing Christ, and yet we forget that the reason is because we as individuals are not willing to sacrifice that one area and obey GOD.