Yesterday I mentioned my blind lunch date :) Here we are! She totally let me take a picture (thanks Nicole:) We had such fun chatting for 2 hours, and her sweet little guy was SO GOOD! Meeting Internet friends is so fun! Seems like I'll have to head south to meet the rest of
I woke up in the middle of the night with an old song coursing though my head. It's one that I haven't heard in years...we used to sing it at the church that I lovingly refer to as "the church I came from."
I've gone to several churches before tiny town...but this particular church is where I met the real Jesus for the very first time. I met the Jesus that wanted to transform me, and know me. Who knew the worst in me, and loved me the same. Who willingly went upon a cross for the worst in me so that I could be free from it. The Jesus who didn't require me to get my act together first (which was impossible) but instead said, "let me help with that"...and He's still helping with that...
From the ages of 15-20 the people of this church mentored me, loved me, taught me truth and showed me what it meant to really truly live for Him. Since then, it has still played an important role in my spiritual walk...the people there still continue to bless and encourage me. It really is where I come from, it shaped me into who I am today. And just like family, I'll always be one of them, no matter where I am.
The song is just this verse: Psalm 118:24
"This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it."
Sounds so simple, doesn't it...too bad I don't do this often enough.
So thankful for His reminder...today is the day He has created, planned and designed...I don't have to fix it, complain about it, or change it. I just need to rejoice and be glad in it.
I remember my life before Him...and I know life with Him, and the two are simply incomparable. I long for so many to experience Him, to know Him, trust Him, to feel the sweet release of forgiveness...all of which has nothing to do with religion, but with a relationship with Him.
It's the cry of my heart today. And I'm so thankful that 15 years ago I walked into that church, rather unwillingly at the time, and experienced a new kind of life.
Posts
Thanks for the reminder! I REALLY needed it!
ReplyDeleteuh, you and Heth both are inspiring today...love this"...today is the day He has created, planned and designed...I don't have to fix it, complain about it, or change it. I just need to rejoice and be glad in it."
ReplyDeleteYOU are quotable today! totally!
I may use that in a post today!
I struggle with accepting His grace and mercy. I loved when you said "Jesus didn't require me to get my act together...he said Let me help you with that."
ReplyDeleteThank you. Those words made my day today!
This is our favorite song to sing with the boys. Noah is a great echoer and now I will be singing it for the rest of the day.
ReplyDeleteMy Mom has always said that to us. When we moved into our own homes, she would call every Sunday morning and greet us with that!
ReplyDeleteGreat reminder of who He is and how He has changed our lives.
ReplyDeleteI meet one of my bloggy friends yesterday for lunch. It was so much fun and we took a picture also. You gotta have those pics!!!!
Very neat picture! I think it would be so amazing to meet up with some of the incredible ladies whom I have 'met' throguh blogging. Wow!
ReplyDeleteThis was such an encouraging post Sarah!
You have no clue how much you've helped me with my today...reading this made me take a few deep breaths and say to myself..."see!"
ReplyDeleteLOVE that song, Sarah! I just sang it with my Sunday School kids 2 weeks ago. And now I'll have it in my head all day!!
ReplyDeleteIts usually the "simple" things that we overlook so quickly and easily, isn't it? Why do we make it so hard for ourselves sometimes!
Rejoicing with you today.
Thank you for sharing what is on your heart. You just never know when someone that really needed to read what you just wrote will be strolling by and BAM - get hit upside the head AGAIN! I'm just saying - THANKS I appreciate all you do for us bloggers!
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Look, it's the Three Musketeers! That there is trouble. I bet you guys had lots of laughs.
ReplyDeleteThat very church is so dear to my heart. It's family.
oh, how fun that you got to meet a friend that lives in your computer (ha)
ReplyDeleteAnd yes! you did need to head south!
Just a little note ~ I'm trying to let everyone know that something went wrong with my old google reader url thingy. Have no clue! It just stopped pulling my feed. I'm sure I did something!!
But anyway, I just switched it to the feed burner url ~ the new link is up on my blog.
Also, we are trying to come up with another bible study, any ideas? I'm thinking maybe the Holiness one from the same girl that wrote Seeking Him.(her name has slipped my mind)
Praise God! Great post.
ReplyDeleteDivine intervention certainly brought me to your blog. What a grand site you have. I enjoyed reading your posts. I look forward to many more visits with you.
ReplyDelete~blessings,
Nichole
You know, my story is a tad different from yours--I accepted Christ just before my 4th birthday. That has cool factors all its own, but here's one that your story has that mine doesn't: you remember life before Christ. I don't, and I think it's stinking cool that you can remember (not just cognitively acknowledge, as I do) all that He saved you from. THAT is a special blessing indeed!
ReplyDelete-J
P.S. Heading South? Be sure to holler (at me)!
P.P.S. Michelle--was that Nancy Leigh DeMoss you were trying to think of?
New Life! How sweet the sound...may we talk about it as long as we have breath!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a fun day :)
I want a blind lunch date too! :-) Looks like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteThis is my favorite part of your post:
"I don't have to fix it, complain about it, or change it. I just need to rejoice and be glad in it."
That's something that I really, really needed to hear. It stings a little, but that's a good thing. Thanks for sharing.
very good reminder. i appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Sarah.
ReplyDeleteI'm rejoicing and doing my best to be GLAD IN IT!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your gladness with us!
ReplyDeleteYEAH it was a fun lunch, and this is a great post woman! Jack thought you were pretty cool, so if you are ok with the 6 year old....I really really really REALLY enjoyed chatting with you!!! We will have to go it again soon, oh wait, we are going to paint aren't we?!?!? hugs and smooches
ReplyDeleteThat is so fun! I am meeting some blog friends for the first time next Friday! So exciting
ReplyDelete