"No Offense" and "Savor"

Today's post is for those who enjoy themselves some poetry :)

Both are entirely different pieces, but both capture my heart and life to different capacities.

So, without further ado...

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Savor
by Sarah Faith
 
Flat air picks up whiffs of french fries and car fumes
and garbage and ... perfumes?
And the sun is screaming that its still late summer
despite school bus engines 
and scholarly murmurs.
Step by step passing by the ugly
my mind sets out to uncover something 
lovely.
Hints of treasure all hidden away
waiting to be found by a thoughtful gaze. Hmm.
Slippery-wet, my cup, my friend
joins me in the fun I tend
If taste was a song, then this was my theme
as my thoughts drift over the tops of trees.
a sip of coffee, iced and swirling
with cream, my tongue each flavor.
Contentedness comes with a sighing rest
 I, with happiness savor.



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No Offense
by Sarah Faith


The desert is a painful death
for there my dreams lay waste
devils blow to shift my path
I find no way to chase.

Unbearable the flames to test
my faith throughout the day
though in the night I must confess
feel set-up and ashamed.

Its in this place a judger's eye
would find me in the wrong
while my accusation and questions fly
to heaven, gusto-strong.

But You.  You know me thoroughly
even now there's no offense
For from this pain comes intimacy
under Your arm I'll know rest.

Yes, in Your arms I find rest.

New Song! "If this is Gold"

He restores my soul. He leads me in the right paths for His name's sake. Psalm 23:3


In the past few months I've been going through some relational things with a few of my dearest friends which ultimately conclude in remembering we aren't our own.  Our friendships are gifts, to whatever extent they are given by God.

I've been wanting a song to come out of my heart for a while now but this past weekend, within 20 minutes my journal entry became the very lyrics of my song, word for word.

And!  I'd like to share them with you all!

If this is Gold
by Sarah Faith

Its been quite the journey,
the paths that we're hiking
with you on the other side of the trees
going to the same way
our paths never crossing
yet we're sharing all the same scenes

Its been wonderful to
holler to you over the brush
it does my soul good to know
you care just as much

If this is real gold
it will remain through the fires of time
and the embers of change
but if this is wood
an idol we've made, it wont last in the flame
and we wouldn't want it anyway

Oh, I'm realizing lately
that our paths may not coincide forever
Life, God's been teaching me
can only come from seeds of buried treasures

Its been wonderful to
have a friend who gets where I'm at
but if you must go than run!  Just as fast as you can
(and I will bless you, my friend.)

Cus if this is gold,
it will remain through the fires of time
and the embers of change
but if this is wood,
just an idol I've made it won't last in the flame
and I wouldn't want it anyway

I was told "if you love it let it go"
I treasure you my friend, but you were never mine to hold
so with my deepest prayers,
I challenge you to fly
and if its God's will maybe someday our paths will intertwine
(but today is not that time)

But if its real gold,
it will remain through the fires of time
and the embers of change
but if its fire wood
an idol I've made, it won't last in the flame
and I'm looking for the real thing

But if this is real gold....
if this is real gold....
(only fire will show)


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I'm pleased that it so well speaks my heart on the issue of letting go of our friendships to allow God to move them as He pleases.
I'm blessed that He chose to give this song for me to write down and I hope the lyrics bless my readers.

Well off to bed with me!
I shall write soon,

Sarah

Whimsical Little Heart That I Have

A year ago, I was the person who hoped for spring in the middle of winter and was disappointed when my hopes were dashed with mounds of snow.

This year, I find myself lovingly embracing each season and hoping to experience exactly what is brought with them - winter, spring, summer, and fall.

It may seem to some that I'm a person who doesn't know what I want.
Its true.  I don't always.
Maybe though, the way that I find myself approaching the seasons this year is evidence that God has been changing my heart drastically.
I'm sad to see the snow melt AGAIN, for the 27th time this winter.

But, its a new season.  Its not last winter, its not next winter.  Its THIS winter.  And this winter brings a blizzard yesterday and 50 degree weather today.
And - its all in God's hands, which means that its beautiful.
I couldn't see the beauty in that, a year ago.
But now its this year.  A new year.
With THAT being said, feeling a little up heaved over these past few months has jostled my heart into a new rhythm of sorts - one that, upon speculation, seems best put within the context of a poem.
The title seems exactly appropriate for my thoughts.

The Rhythm-Changer
Moving about my day
to my own beat and to time
my hands to work I may
to keep the rhythm of my rhyme.
Day to day its kept
my heart was beating fine
'til in my life you stepped
I saw my world was never mine.
Now I dance about my day
twirling to a tune
with lyrics I can't say
but smell sweet like a perfume.
Moving about my day
to your beat and to your time
hands work is Kingdom play
face set, my heart sublime.

Sara Groves wrote a song called "Setting Up the Pins".
She sings about how life's rhythm is like setting up the pins and knocking them down.
I feel like that's life's rhythm except for ONE major difference:  I don't dance to my own beat.  I dance to His.  I dance to the beat of Jesus.  I dance to the beat of the Holy Spirit.
And He is ALWAYS doing a new thing - the things of God.

There's a LOT of change happening in my life right now, but I'm not going to actually update all of you until plans are set in stone.  So my question is: would you pray for me?

I love you all,

Sarah

Time to Let it Go

Time to Let it Go
by Sarah Faith

Again my eyes beheld
the changing season scene
where once the burst of death
colored each leaf with a scream.

Quietly the trees resolve
each letting their own go
submitting to the Lord the old
so something new can grow.

Though the visible exclaims
a normal, boring gray
It obediently vacates
so transform inside, it may.

One day yes, in His time
the season next, comes soon
time's up in hope's deferring
roots deep in love, she'll bloom.

Luke 7:36-49 - Poem

Luke 7:36-49 

by Sarah Faith

With tears that stain
her heart of shame
she brought to Him
her most precious thing


She entered in
to the screaming sound
of judging eyes
with faith most profound.


With submissive air
and in no way proud
this darling girl
poured her whole life out.


Though battered and broken
within her sin
deeply she loved
and much was forgiv`n. 

Phasing Through

Phasing Through
A misty rain dusts my face.
The chill of which lets me know
that Autumn is passing through.
O winter, come thou slowly!
But alas, 'tis nothing new.
This belov'd, firey season
in one breath, is phasing through.
Dying, frost-tipped leaves blaze on;
crispy-crunch with ev'ry step.
Breathe! Behold - her moments, few.

Her Painted Story - Poem

Her Painted Story
miss-matched strokes
every which way
close up, folks
see not, or may
the beauty
meant to behold
as truly
her story unfolds.

The ABCs of my heart's thoughts

The ABC's of My Heart

Amount to nothing
Belly Up
Coming cleaning
Done with self
Easier said than done
Finding though its worth it
God, Your kingdom come
Heaven in heart, expanded.
I decrease for sure
Just the way I've asked
Knowing You more
Letting go of all my acts.
My masks come down -
Now is always time.
On His face is shown
Precious light, glory - mine.
Quiet stillness be -
Remaining before Him.
Stay a while with me
Til I sing as the Seraphim.
Unfortunate world in
Vanity they strive.
(Wane not from His way, dear girl!)
X the spot in
You I shall abide & my heart the
Zeal of God forever reside.

Sporatic Randomness

Here's a few thoughts that have spiratically happened in my brain in the last few months.

The song "Promises" by Desperation Band
"All Your promises won't let go of me."

Allure me
bring me to Your wilderness
speak tenderly
God my heart is such a mess.
-a tuesday night set

Nothing can I do
of my accord - I choose
to gaze into the Truth
-Haiku -8.22.11


The beginning of knowledge is the fear of the Lord
and I'll look like a fool if that means Your strength will be made
great in me.


Take me to where You are
don't leave me where I am
draw me to Your heart
into perfect communion.  - another tuesday set


Gazing
His eyes are
 like flames of fire
Just one glance
you say that you are ravished
-last nights set

Wholly Uncreated One
You're so much bigger than
My imagination
So much vaster than
My finite mind can comprehend
- last night

A list of who God is according to Psalm 7

vs 6-God can be angry
vs 8-He judges the peoples
(David asks God to judged him... gutsy move)
vs 9-He establishes the righteous
vs 9-He tests the hearts and minds
vs 9-He is righteous
vs 10-Our shield is in Him
vs 10-He saves the upright in heart
vs 11-God is a righteous Judge
vs 11-God feels indignant every day
vs 12-13-If a man does not repent God will whet His sword and ready His bow, preparing His deadly weapons
vs 17-Thanks is due to His righteousness
vs 17-He is the MOST High.

VERY interesting stuff!

Start at the End

I just took a thought stanza from my journal and created a poem from it today.

I put a lot of deliberation into this little bit of my heart. :) As a (sort of acrostic) syllabic verse, this follows a alternating 7-6-6-7/6-6-6-7 format. Enjoy!


Please Don't Go Away - Start At The End
by Sarah Faith

Dancing down rolling hills
with a leap and a whirl
that flies out of control
my dear safe place spins Away.

Face to face with whats real
Not as spiritual
as I thought I had been.
Where did all my green grass Go?

Color isn't gone away
I find that its just bare.
No longer can I hide;
As of now I think I Don't.

Before Your eyes I end
My desperate little heart -
Reality of need.
Begin again, if You Please.

Joseph and the starting of the book of Sarah's Proverbs.

Joseph
He got so screwed over - over and over again!  ...Yet...He ended up being a man who blessed a whole nation - his family AND His God.  Faithful, faithful guy.

Sigh.  Maybe I won't have my family bowing down to me... but thats okay.  I don't want that anyway.

I just want to know that what I've sown in love will not be wasted, thats all.

Once again, I know I'm writing a lot, but its awesome to just be free to write again... even if its not extravagant.

And ps:  I do have a new proverb - as Christian as I am - and as much as I love Jesus, I can say this very honestly:

Sarah's Proverbs 1:1 - Listen up, ladies (daughters) and don't ever forget this:  Just because you are a beautiful Christian girl and you love Jesus, doesn't mean you won't get screwed over in life by an a-hole at some point.  But it DOES mean God will grow you lots, if you let Him.  2. Thats why you need to guard your hearts, for it IS the wellspring of life... and you COULD die of heartbreak otherwise.  

I think someone should write a book about their "love-life" journey for the girls who love Jesus, don't really like the concept of dating around but don't live in a world where you're sheltered from all the "wrong Ones" out there.  Its just the truth.  Its hard to filter out who's real and who's not.  I'm not talking about a "how-to" book.  I'm just talking about a book where a real life girl gets hurt in REAL LIFE and still feels like she did what she felt God wanted her to do.
I of all people always wanted to marry the only person I courted, wanted to share my first EVERYthing with just him and have such an awesome, ideal, wonderful love story.  I'm so careful about who I feel might be worth my time if He's interested in me.  But... you can do all the right things... and still get the wrong end of the deal.  Wheres the book out there that encourages women like me?  I love Passion and Purity - but hey... honestly, I'm not praying that I have to wait 7 years to find out if God actually wants me and the man I love to be together or not!!!  Though... Elisabeth's point is both beautiful and very valid.

So... Joseph.   Got screwed over.  Many times.    But God used him BIG.
Maybe I have a small bit of hope yet.

My life in a Poem

Deep inside my heart I know

a desire within me grows - 

to put away all youthful lusts

for holiness and righteousness.

Struggle still,  easy, no.

For I, myself, my greatest foe.

My heart to long for heaven things

my flesh to fight in opposing deeds.

All I long for is out of reach

the things I hate, I try unteach.

I battle for the sweet and pure

I've lost, I feel; my victory's sure

For by God's grace I move ahead

sometimes I lose, yet still not dead.

One day I'll walk tall and strong

as the Son revealed, my Glory has won.

2-3-11 -Sarah Faith. 

 

 

Invitation Made

Invitation Made

The invitation made
prsented here for you
come know me for who I am
find treasure worth pursuit.

Find me more then lovely
and with an open eye
dig past all the smiles
press forward to the prize.

Strong and bold - O the walls
my fortress and surrounding
there is a place the King knows well
So know Him or no finding.

For it is He who lets one in
guarding heart and mind
by His peace I trust in Him
So in Him do abide.

Oh see all thats before you
be valiant, be strong
gird your sword and ride onward
for you, I've waited long.

I laughed because the truth is, I really AM a sinner without Christ!!

I would like to insert something I wrote to a friend on our blog this time last year, into this one. The truth is startling and absolutely full of laughter for its truth. I busted out and laughed at myself!

God is showing me the pride I sensed in myself but was never mature enough to face OR understand HOW to because it was so great and deep within myself.

I mean really? before, I would admit that I'm screwed up, but somehow get this twisted idea that there was no point to have to repent ABOUT it because you would screw up again anyway and why would God want you to do THAT if you didn't mean it?

So God has in a process actually said to me, "So you say you're screwed up."

"Yes" I say. "I am Definitely screwed up."
"Then you need to repent every day."
"Why? I'll just screw up again."
"Thats why I say my mercies are renewed every morning."
"But if I repent everyday that would mean..."
"that would mean that you screw up everyday..."
".....................wow................"
"Shocker isn't it?"
"........................wow................."
"You aren't perfect, are you?"
"..............wow.............you're right. I'm not............"
"Thats why you need it EVERY MORNING."
".....................wow....................I do!..........."



And so I have finally realized that I always held myself to a standard of perfection which in itself is an imperfect standard... and expected myself to be perfect and got so ashamed of myself if I did something IMperfect. But now I'm being broken down. And all of a sudden... I'm beginning to know my place. that place is, though I have a right to my own thoughts, I have no right to judge. I have no rights, period.



ah.



I'm tired.

I would be tired too, if I had just come up with that!

be reminded, had laugh! We think we're perfect, but the truth is, we think we're perfectly screwed up and we're really not! we're just... screwed up.

Praise the Lord that we are! I would be worried if we weren't!



So here's my next new song that I just finished today.

Enjoy and ask me to do it for you some time!

The Cry of a Sinner
By Sarah F. G-----
7/3/08-7/9/08

Sometimes I forget that this is not my home
Sometimes I forget that I’m not alone
And sometimes I forget that I’m alive
When all I’ve known comes crashing down before my very eyes

And this is my binding creed
This is what makes me, what breaks me

Lord you have me all the way through
I’ll drink of Your cup, walk on the billows blue
I understand that seasons change,
But you promise me that You stay the same
Yesterday, today and forever.

There’s no sense on dwelling on what is gone
Nor in wishing what’s true isn’t true.
So let my hope rise with the wind that blows my hair in my face
And whisk me off to the now of a new day

But this is my binding creed
This is what makes me, what breaks me

Lord you have me all the way through
I’ll drink of Your cup, walk on the billows blue
I understand that seasons change,
But you promise me that You stay the same
Yesterday, today and forever.

Life happens to all of us, you and me
But it all happens for a reason
So let my bitterness roll away with the stone from His grave
And let me rise with the Son who saves [it’s a new day]

And this is my victory
This is what makes me free

Lord you have me all the way through
I’ll drink of Your cup, walk on the billows blue
I understand that seasons change,
But you promise me that You stay the same
Yesterday, today and forever.

God I thank you for my circumstances. Its what the most beautiful perfumes of worship come from, what my most lovely fall comes from. I know that someday I'll see the whole picture and I'll see it through your eyes. But today I recognize that I am but human, and that I do feel loss and pain and betrayal and rejection. I feel hurt. Thank you Jesus for your gift of emotions. Here is my offering to you. Here is my praise for all you've cleaned out of my life... and out of my closet. Praise you Jesus. You are my sweet song. I love you.

I wonder if a week can change my life...

Alive Festival - my first year.

What to think, what to say, what think some more...

It was awesome. There were so many things that went wrong the week before and it was so discouraging, but the truth is that God does what He wants, and that I really didn't have to worry about stuff if what He wants was going to happen anyway, as it so very often does (because He knows what'll happen, so it works into His amazing plan as it always does. Wasn't THAT enlightening?)

So I went to Alive Festival and slept on the hard, cold ground for 3 nights. It was one of those things where you feel like you just want to complain about it except that you ALSO know how good it is for you and how it was your choice to begin with, so you bear it all and somehow take joy in the whole situation... except for when you're tossing and turning all night long *wink*.


I have got to say: I LOVE working behind the scenes. I love working in front ON the scenes. I love just working for God. Honestly, as I worked the booths I worked, I knew that half the bands could've cared less because really, when its being taken care of, you don't have to worry about it. But that didn't matter. I worked knowing that whether those people knew it or not, I was blessing them with my time. I was blessing them with my love to their fans. I was blessing them before God. And it blessed ME to bless them.

Is that selfless? Not really. I totally understand that I got gratification out of it. Its not really why I did it though. Its just where I fit in: serving people when they'll never know I was.

GOD!

I LOVE doing that! I LOVE doing stuff that no one will ever know I did. Its weird to get gushing gratitude. I'm not even telling this to GET recognized either - its just such a JOY that its hard to hold it in!

Talking to the different people I did, God showed me some things.

First, God showed me that God loves these people. He loves every single one of them.

He loves the gorgeous little blond girl that waltzes on by, who looks like she's 24 when in all reality, she's only 14.

He loves the overweight lady with the cane who's having a hard time being on her feet all day.

He loves all the little 12 year old guys who cultivate their long-hair-over-the-eyes-and-think-hawk-nelson-is-a-sissy-band group and who jump off of the high-dives in the middle of the night to impress the girls.

He loves all the guys and girls who pack it all up, leaving their family and friends for weeks on end to tour the different festivals because they're in "the band".

He loves all the people in between.

He loves them all and He wants to love them through me.

He wants to love them through you.


This festival really hit the music in me. I forgot that I love music. I forgot that I love how it draws people - how it makes them forget themselves - how it makes them think of God and the bigger picture. I forgot that it makes my heart sing and my feet dance. I forgot that its the soundtrack to my life.
I forgot that it is worship if I chose it to be.

I think I forgot that its a ministry in itself.

And this is a totally Biblical idea, really. Music being a ministry. David would play his harp before the Lord in the fields. He'd play his harp before the king. No matter where he was, private or performance, he did it as worship unto the Lord, and he was a man after God's own heart.


So I sat back and watched.

Music as a ministry and music as an industry.

I notice that some have been lost in the industry.

I notice that some have been lost in the ministry.

But I must say: its the most lovely thing to find someone who isn't lost in either of those things but rather, that they are lost in Jesus.
Its such a struggle of pride no matter where anyone goes.
No matter what you're interested in or what you want to do with your life, there is a WHOLE SET of pride issues that you need to fight if you want to do it souly for the Lord.



Those are things to think about.

God's reeally been humbling me lately. Its kind of a mix of humiliation and just testing my faith some more. I don't usually like to give satan a lot of credit for whats going on because usually alot of it stems from my own sinful nature and the crap that God has been bringing up and out of me lately but... I've definitely felt like I'm hated by the enemy. I'm reading the Screwtape Letters for the first time, (and ha! it LOOKS like a fast read, but its really not, especially if God's reading it with you. Its a LOT to take in and think about.) and I'm just noticing all of the pitfalls I fall into on a REGULAR basis. Fantasizing being one of them. I'm prone to think about what COULD be when to be honest I'm spending THIS MOMENT living in a NOT guaranteed future. Its a dormant waste of life! Or how about distractions? I'm terribly distracted all the time. The only time I'm almost completely focused is when, well, I'm completely focused like right now. When I write, it drives me nuts when someone is right next to me or even in the same room as me. I HAVE to be by myself. But if something is deliberately being a distraction to me, it freaking annoys me. BUT if its not obvious, it slowly attracts my attention away and before I know it, I've lost all focus on my original focal point all together!

I HATE that!

Why? Because that is exactly how I turn from God. That is exactly how I lose focus on Jesus. Every day I fight to re GAIN focus on Jesus. If I don't meet Him every couple of hours, I'm a gonner and I totally forget Him all together.

I hate that about myself.

Its how Jesus humbles me. I see it and I hate it. But He loves me anyway. That blows me away, folks. It should blow you away too.

He sees the depths of my heart and He loves me the same... He is amazing God.
Its a test of my faith to fight it. But I think God is testing my mind. He says He tests the minds.

"But I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give each man according to his ways, according the results of his deeds." - Jeremiah 17:10

Hmm...


so I wrote a new song. It needs some refining, but you know? So does everything in life. Ask me some time to sing it for you.

To Live what One Sings
By Sarah F. G-------
6/10/08-6/12/08

Verse 1
I remember having high hopes for my life
I could look out and almost see myself in flight
And now I sit here on this floor
As I find the depth of life is so much more

Pre-Chorus
It's praying and it's waiting on the Lord
It’s moving and it’s seeing by His word

Verse 2
There are many who’ve answered Your call
So why do I feel so alone, left to weigh out it all
I look down through my tears
And I see my legs are broken, and that I’m facing my fears

Chorus1
And now I find myself in Your heart
Starting to see things the way You are
I now that You found me, I know
That to lose myself in You, I must let go


Verse 3
I feel like I’ve just left boot camp
I don’t feel like a loser, but sure don’t feel like a champ
I morn the loss of familiar ways
But I’m following God, and he’s not there anymore
He’s on to a brand new day


Chorus 2
And I’ll find myself where You are
As I see things the way You are
I’ll press on to all that is new
I’ll go through it all to see that I grew
I grew in You

Bridge
I’ve built a callous to all the pain
And the first time I’m way, I realize all I have to gain
My little hurts all come out of hiding
Each one met with mercy and healing – I’m healing

Pre-Chorus
I see that praying and waiting on the Lord,
Is what moves me to live by His word…

Chorus 3
And I find myself wrapped in Your arms
No counterfeit could touch Your part
As I allow You to make me whole
My life matters less and You matter more…

++++++++++++++++++

Well, I hope you guys are growing as much as I am. Its the worst, most wonderful thing in the world to be doing all the time.

But alas, it is time for my departure.

So be blessed and find Jesus as your complete joy. He never changes. That is exciting!


:)

God is exciting.

After the Twenty First Time, Its time I got my hands dirty.

There's a song that has really impacted me a lot lately. Every time I hear it, it blows me away.

Monk & Neagle - The Twenty-First Time

Nowhere to live, nowhere to fall
He used to have money, but he’s wasted it all.
His face is a photograph burned in my mind,
but I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time

He sleeps under stars, that’s all he can afford
His blanket’s an old coat he’s had since the war
He stands on the corner of Carter and Vine
But I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time

He may be a drifter, he’s grown old and gray
But what if he’s Jesus and I walk away?
I say I’m the body and drink of the wine
but I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time

She’s twenty-nine but she feels forty-eight
She can’t raise three kids on minimum wage
She’s cryin’ in back of the welfare line
but I pretend not to see her for the twenty-first time

She may be a stranger tryin’ to get through the day
but what if it’s Jesus and I walk away?
I say I’m the body and drink of the wine
but I pretend not to see her for the twenty-first time

This is a call for a change in my heart
I realize that I’ve not been doin’ my part
when I needed a Savior, I found it in Him
He gave to me, now I’ll give back to them

Drifter or stranger, father or son
I’ll look for Jesus in every one
’cause I am the body and drink of the wine
and I’m thankful there’s more than the twenty-first time

This song hits me hard in that... we SAY we love poeple. We SAY we're doing our best to be Jesus' hands and His feet...

but then, What are we like inside our hearts? What thoughts do we entertain in our brains?

Does it seem like you turn away and ignore whats going on around you, for the twenty first time?

You want to know why 21 is so important?

it means that 3 TIMEs, we as the body had 7 opportunties to be Jesus to the world.

and 3 times 7, we ignore the tug of the Holy Spirit.

the part that gets me about this song is that it can relate to us as idividuals, OR as the Body of Christ in one person. What the body does is what we do. We're His Bride. We are One Body.

So figuratively speaking, the Body has turned and looked the other way, rather then to get their hands dirty with someone else's sin.

How many times does the Lord get His hands dirty with our sins.

How many sins did he bear on the cross.

How many times did He hurt because of us,

and yet we think we're too high above to "stupe down the their level".

How many times do you think Jesus could have had that attitude... that He's too high above us to stupe down to our level?
How many times do we forget who God is and who He's call us to be?

We sing along to Hands and Feet by Audio Adrenaline. But what have we done besides say the words and go on with our lives?

Do you know that the band couldn't just write the song and do the same?

They had to LIVE IT OUT AFTER THAT.
They couldn't just be hypocritical. They started an orginization. They WENT places. They did THINGs. They got down and dirty and made a difference.

"But they're a band!" you say. "They can DO that stuff!"

So?

I'm a worship leader. Does that qualify me any less?

I'm a girl who loves Jesus. Does THAT qualify me any less?

I can't write this and not try to make a difference.

Can you read this and not be convicted to do the same?

I dare you to follow Jesus and be the outcast he's called us all to be with Him.

I'll try my best to be a voice in the dessert as the personality that I am and proclaim, "prepare ye the way of the Lord!"

In the name of Jesus so let it be done.

How fanatical are YOU willing to be?


Or are you even willing?

My Concensus on the Purpose Driven Life - from one who once despised the idea of reading it.

The Purpose Driven Life

By Sarah G

10/1/07
revised 10/7/07

So I must say, I was proud about not reading “The Purpose Driven Life” all through out high school. What’s funny is that the first book I was handed in the beginning of this internship was the one I took pride in never reading! I’ve been humbled quite a bit however, and God truly prepared my heart for it.

First, on a humorous note, Rick Warren hit his peak when he said, “God made ants to be ants and you to be you.” You can’t touch that!!

The first third of The Purpose Driven Life mainly focused on beginner Christian content.
It was hard to get interested in the book until my attention was caught in Day 17, when it started talking about finding one’s place in the Body of Christ. That really stuck out o me and it began to help shape my understanding of what the Body should be to one another – REAL.

There was a whole section on forgiveness and how God expects it to be immediate, though He doesn’t expect or even encourage trust right away; and I can tell you right now, it was encouragement I needed to hear in my life. Warren talked about how to love people even after they’ve hurt you, and how to go about showing them the love of Jesus without becoming a doormat to more pain. Just the idea that I am at this exact place in my life where I needed to read this, shows God’s unbelievable faithfulness over and over again.

Reading on from this point, the book goes into how to approach and confront fellow believers in your church family, and that if you are to do anything, it must always be done in love. Situations I’ve been in where people thought they had a right to confront me about something that was NOT a sin in my life and correct it, has put me in a place where I absolutely believe in being in Love (God) before speaking into someone’s life, using the right of “Siblingship” as the means to do so. Whenever this happened to me, I would walk away feeling dejected and depressed. That’s not right, and in fact, it’s wrong. This whole part of the book put into words what I’ve been struggling with inside of me; and I always felt crazy, like I’m the only one dealing with this sort of thing. Am I the only one who tries to forgive with her whole heart, but struggles over that pain caused, over and over again? Am I the only person who finds herself forgiving that same offence as many times as it plays over and over again, through painful memory?
I’m NOT!! I’m a normal person! Jesus, Jesus was a normal person. I’m not crazy.

I LOVED how the book dug into REALITY and how the truth is, its hard to love people. It’s hard to be selfless, and yet we try anyway. Why? Because we’re attached to the believers forever. I love the analogy of the blood family – you hate them, you love them, you mistreat them, you bless them, but you gotta make it work because you’re related them, you’re stuck with them, and really, because you love them.

Another favorite part of mine started in Day 23 – Growing up, and how we grow. It talked about growing up spiritually and why it matters so much, and it does! I’m not even sure how to explain how blessed I was by this message. “The Purpose Driven Life” emphasized on always needing to grow up in the Lord by “working out our salvation with fear and trembling”. It went on to talk about how we need to change our mindset – what (or how) we think shapes our life.

Change became the focal point of the book at this revelation, and things really hit close to home when Warren talked about how we try to do things in our own will-power which only results in short-term results. This really began to speak to my heart as I began to realize that I depend a LOT on my own will-power by default! I’m finding that I’m terribly immature, spiritually, which in all truthfulness means selfishness and self-seeking. I don’t know what else to say except that the Holy Spirit convicted my heart in an awe-full way.

By Day 25, Warren began to touch the topic of letting truth transform you and ALSO letting troubles shape who you are. It seems that every topic this book targeted was EXACTLY the topic God wanted to speak to my heart about at the exact time I read it. The fact that I can’t get over this truth runs right into what the book was saying at this point about how God allows certain things to happen to us for specific reasons. This section turned out to be somewhat of a pep-talk. It talked about how to take hurts as they come and what to always keep in mind when you’re going through them: God’s got a bigger picture in mind. It really holds high the building of character through all the issues we face, and I’ve begun to ask myself if maybe I’m looking at things the wrong way in my own life.
What blessed me most was the overall message that said, “When you allow yourself to be refined by your trials, people will see Jesus’ reflection in you.”

From that point, the book flowed into how to deal with temptations: physical, mental, emotional – all spiritual. It reminds us that God takes His time with us, and how the people that God used in the past had major issues in their lives. But if we’re willing, He’ll go through those major issues in our lives WITH us, as He did with them, by allowing us to be challenged in our faith. Our biggest hurts and pains? His biggest source of ministry through us.

The next section was all on servanthood which just convicted my spirit of my self-seeking ways: even when I think I’m being servant-like, I’m really just doing it because I feel good about myself. What about the times I won’t and I don’t feel good? Will I still hold fast to being a bond-servant to Jesus Christ? I didn’t even know how deep this issue runs into everything I am!! But God allowed me to see this, through the words written in this book, and even in this rebuking of the soul, I am blessed.

The LAST part talked about the Great Commission and spreading the gospel. I’ll admit, I kind of skimmed over the last 2 days since they were just conclusive in their content.

All in all, “The Purpose Driven Life” was good because I needed to read it. It wasn’t the most amazing book, it wasn’t the most horrible either. But truth be told, it’s not about that. It’s about what God did in my heart as a result of going through it, and THAT result is eternal. I’m glad I read it.

Sing to the Lord a New Song.

so I wrote a new song. it has almost a messianic sound to my "Sarah" sound.

Anyway,

enjoy the lyrics.


My Attempt to Glorify.

By Sarah Faith


I've tried and cannot express the way You are
Radiance and splender are no-dimension words by far
and You're bigger than my thoughts, Oh God.

From one breathe of Your lips, the stars were formed and shaped.
In the span of Your great hand You hold and call each one by name.
Who is man that You would think thoughts towards me?
Who am I to You in this vast galaxy?

[I am a vapor, a wave on the sand. just one in a billion
and yet you take my hand.]

As Your Lightnings blast the skies
the oceans roar all Your praise
the mountains tremble as the earth quakes in Your name.
And who am I that all that I have to bring
are some simple chords strummed to a melody?

[up from the dust I'm called - thats me
somehow resembling powerful Beauty]

Rescuer, Your name is chilvary
Highest One, You're Right arm is Mighty
Fire goes forth before Your mouth to consume my enemies
YHWH, Father, my Hero and my King.

Stepping into creation You painted with Your hand
Forming to our custums, confined to our sinners land
Who are You that You would care enough to be
so degraded to save us - to show You know our needs?

[letting us abuse you with all of our shame
ignorant that we had hung you on a tree You yourself had made...]

Rescuer - You won us on a tree
Healer - Your wounds are mine for me
Highest One, Praise from my mouth won't cease
YHWH, Abba, to You I bow my knee.




~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

the words in brackets are optional.



anyway, thats my song and my sisters love it (at the point no one besides them has heard it sooo....)


anyway, be blessed.

New song.

I wrote a new song. I guess none of you really know when I do anymore... but the truth is, its been a while.

I have decided though, that I'm going to begin writing a journal series of Songs.

Thus, I will post my most recent, and the begining of this new series.


Journal Entry: 911.1

By Sarah Faith



When did Life become so tough?
Its seems just like yesterday
the world was at my fingertips
now all I know is Pain - (the World's name)

Jesus I feel so stupid
Cause I just don't understand
Your ways are far above my ways
But Lord, I feel like I've been had - (I'm strugg'ling)

Chorus

But I know that this will last a moment,
and I know, this season will pass soon
All I see is a fraction of my lifetime
so I'll stand on what is true, I will trust in You.


So I look over all my time
I take my journalled words and make then rhyme
cut them out & apply them to the tree
the foot of which I lay all and bow my knee - (weeping)


ending chorus

Child I know & this will last a moment.
and its hard, but this will all end soon.
All you see is a fraction of your lifetime,
just stand on what is true, and I will carry you.



-~`*'~--~`*'~--~`*'~--~`*'~--~`*'~--~`*'~--~`*'~--~`*'~--~`*'~--~`*'~-



right out of my heart.

the point 1 on the end of the number is so that I may write another song "point 2".

But right now, thats what I have.

Thats what God and I are in and where we are right now.

and... for the first time in the last 6 months, I have a beautiful peace within my soul.

THank you Father, for carrying me through.

The Rescue of th Dancer

"The Rescue of the Dancer"

By Sarah Faithy, 4/21/06

Once, there was a dancer. Now, not just any dancer. She was a dancer of Stories. She danced of life before the King. She weaved stories of heroes, of heroins, of love and of music. She danced the tales of simple mystery, of Truth and its opponent who always seemed lost  in the victory of Good.

The Dancer never talked. No, for she was meant to dance and the King took great delight in her - for it was He who had created her. The Dancer had not always danced for the King, however. She was once captive and bound in a cage of shame and struggle. Even then she danced of course - for that is what she did. It was for who, for what, and the wind that whispers of her shackled beauty-distorted, that leads the curious reader, on.

As is all things before manglement, the Dancer was young and hopeful and naive. Her purity could not be matched by even the most lovely of babes, and many admired her beauty. For some, the intentions were souly to comprehend and even thereon, attain this light she carried. For others, the intents were not so pure. It is here, that we meet our foe disguised in sheeps' wool - the Manipulator.

He desired the Dancer's beauty, but not for his own admiration and delight. It was another notch in his stick he was looking to acquire. His only pursuit was to ruin her. The Dancer of course, he knew was not familiar with shadow.   But he also knew she was not a fool. She knew what evil was, and with that he would not be able to tempt her. He knew that in order to grasp her, he would need to speak her language. ... apparent Love in the form of dance.

She loved to dance - and dance she did. She danced for Love. She danced in the hope of the wonder of falling in love. She danced dreams of Love - and she danced in the innocence of a clean-heart anticipating this beauty she kept in her vision.

Thus it came to be that a man, dressed in white garments came to *surly* show her the meaning  she had tried  so long to express with her creamy hands and un-touched feet. It was he she knew, who had come to whisk her away. He - the Interpreter - The one she waited for so long, who had come to understand her soul - her body - her being. It was he who danced with her the tales of imagination, of fantasy and of ...heaven. Or so she  believed.

But it was not the Interpreter that she danced into love with. It was not of beauty, it was not of purity that this man had danced of. No. It was a web he danced, around her. One of egg-shells of lust and shame. He knew that the Dancer could not see it - for he knew the Book of Poetry like the back of his hand, and it declared, "To the pure, all things are pure..." And he knew that she was fresh and unsoiled. And he knew who he was.

"...But to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but even their mind and conscience are defiled."

He was the Manipulator. And it was HE that had fallen the Dancer captive, not the Interpreter, for whom she had saved her heart. Indeed, there came a time where the Dancer realized she no longer was a poet-dancer of Light. For when she leaped for the freedom she once knew, she saw that she was bound with chains of succumbtion. And when she spread herself to run for joy, she slammed into the iron gates of shame and sorrow. Her feet bled from the razor-shells and pieces of glass she stood upon with her master - one wrong move and he would turn. - Not knowing He was always against her. He gleefully basked in her tears and enjoyed the presence of hopeless desperation and pain. She danced on still, though weak and - to a death she found she had gained.

As time went on, the Dancer became reckless.  She had never spoken before, but she reached for the light that peaked through the crackish hole in the cave-like dungeon she found herself in. Surely a Rescuer would hear!  She had heard of a King, once. Fact was, she had danced for His Son - and His eyes shown with a Loving pride she'd never seen before. He had said she could be a princess - and even more so, He spoke. He had said to her, "Seek first, My Dancer-friend, the Kingdom of Heaven. Seek with diligence the King of that Place - for He is My Father. And Little Dancer, if you seek Him with all your heart, you will find Him, For He first loved you."

...The King Loved her? Heaven. Heaven...was...up, right? Heaven was pure, right? What if she sought to pursue this Heaven, seeking to call on the King? Would she find Him?  Would He save her?   The Dancer looked in and around her new home of sham and shackle. It was worth her try;  staying here meant she would die anyway. So, she danced. She danced and she called a word she'd never known, never heard, never uttered before but somehow it fit with all she danced.

"ABBA!!!!" She cried. "ABBA!!!" she called, moving - yanking - at her chains of contempt. She hated them.  But she remembered what the Rescuer had said and so she called and danced on, despite the angry threats of her master the Manipulator.

So it was, not long after she begun, the crack where the light had been,burst through with as with a mighty force. Down jumped the Rescuer, a golden key shaped like the form of a cross is His bronze-like hand. He unlocked her cage, her shackles and chains as fiercely silent agents poured through the entrance, warding off the Manipulator and His ploys.
 He screamed, "She is MINE, Rescuer! She beckoned into MY way and into MY life which I have risen. She gave herself away... to ME."

As the Rescuer picked the Dancer up into His arms, He turned to the Manipulator and said, "She may have given herself to you once, but the King has called her, and I have WON her. You cannot touch her now - your doom will soon find you, but it will NEVER find those who are Mine."

With that, the Rescuer left, with the Dancer, and with His warriors, to the sound of the screeching, powerless Evil. HE had spoken, and True Authority had staked its claim. It WAS Finished.

The Dancer knew this faithfulness she had once danced for, for the first time that day and it was right then, that she was made clean her heart once more.

"You shall dance for the King,  My Sister." said the Rescuer. "Take My yoke upon you, for it is easy and My burden is light."

With that, He wiped away her dirty tears and waved a new cloak woven with gold upon her,  more beautiful than the one which she was even born into as an infant. It shone like a star in the clear night's sky. He then gave her His "burden" which was but 3 things.

The first was a beautiful white-gold neck-chain which held on it an intricately designed Cross...one that seemed to be made only and just for her.
 "First, you must take up your cross and follow Me, Dancer," The Rescuer said as He put it over her head.

The second  given to her was the Book of Poetry, of which The Rescuer said, "These are poems My Father and I have written - specifically for you to dance to."

The third was not physical substance so it caught the Dancer's attention.
"I may not always be available like I have been today, my Dear Friend," began the Rescuer.  "So, this I leave you with:  My Spirit.  When you feel lonely in Your dance, it is He who will surround you and interpret  EVERY thought of your heart - and You will never again be left alone to find your own way."

The Dancer's heart melted ... into a bigger shape somehow and an overflow of thanksgiving seemed to be on the tip of her once-stuttering tongue.  She  knew who she would live to please all the rest of her life - the Rescuer. The King.

And so, we find her dancing before her King - The King who delights in her so - the King who knew her before she was made. Who still knew what she had always, deep-down desired. It was there, before her King, that another man first saw her, and admired her beauty and purity - seasoned and even refined, it seemed. The King knew that this man would soon desire her - the Dancer, for in fact, the King had planned it all the long. The Man's name, of course who was so captivated by this young woman was the Interpreter... The one that the King had planned for the Dancer to meet from the beginning of Time.



The Beginning.