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Showing posts from September, 2012

Pride & Idolatry

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This is a video that my brother just made. I hope it will be an encouragement to you!

Patience

I was tired. I mean, isn’t that enough of a reason? “Sara, what’s up with your attitude? Are you okay?” “I’m tired...” “Oh, I’m sorry.” Instantly, I was justified. After all, we all know it’s impossible to control ourself when we’re tired, right?! Wrong..... That was Thursday morning. I didn’t want to be cranky. I didn’t want to be rude. I just wanted a nap... or two.... and and early bedtime... We were gone all day that day at a friends house that we hadn’t seen for a while (which was absolutely wonderful! I just wish I had been more awake so I could have enjoyed it more...). Needless to say, we didn’t get home until midnight (we squeezed as much visiting time in as we could!), and I felt like I could collapse. All I had to do was bring my two Schnauzer’s in and put them in their crates, and then I could succomb to sleep. Which would have worked beautifully... if not for Mini. Mini is our 4 pound Yorkie/Pekingese puppy. She’s not fully trained and one of her favorite things to do is

Fear of the Brethren

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Several months ago, my Mom and David were talking to an acquaintance of mine about something that was going on in her life. And David suggested that she talk to me about it because I had gone through the same thing. She shockingly replied, “Talk to Sara?! She’s like a perfect angel; she never does anything wrong!” I wasn’t quite sure what to think of that. I was flattered, of course, but it was quickly turned to shock. I hardly know her, do I really seem to be perfect to people I hardly know? [I had known of her for several years through an acquaintance/friendship with her sister, but I had never said more than a “Hi, how are you?” to her]. It was very concerning since I don’t want someone not to talk to me because I appear to be “perfect”. (Especially since I’m not perfect!) And it made me realize something, we (as Christians) are scared of each other. We won’t talk to each other about our problems because we are afraid of what the other person would think of us if th

Meekness

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Meekness in our society is often looked at as weakness. Meekness means: humbly patient or docile, as under provocation from others; enduring injury with patience and without resentment; showing patience and humility; long-suffering. Yet, in our society, we often praise the opposite. Those that are rudely forceful and “tough” are viewed highly, as men aspire to be like them. Being forceful in conversation is especially noticeable. I’m reading through the gospels right now and I have greatly noticed Jesus’ character and personality. If anyone had a reason to act tough or have an “I rule the world” type of attitude, it was Jesus. He could have called legions down and simply killed the Pharisees. In fact, He probably could have simply spoken and He could have killed them. But He didn’t. The Pharisees, Sadducees and Herodians wanted to kill Him (Mark 3:6; Matt: 26:3-4; Luke 22:2), and His townsmen probably thought He was crazy (Mark 6:3). I can only imagine what His younger brothe

Sensitivity

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Sensitivity can be a plague sometimes. Women are naturally sensitive and I have apparently been given and extra measure of it. Some ways it’s handy and other times it’s horrid. I am able to connect with people easily because I pick-up on their emotions, and I’m able to get them to talk because of it. But, I also pick-up on their anger and displeasure, and I guess I like to please people too much. One harsh(ish) word and I can burst into tears. “How could they say that ?” It can be quite a challenge sometimes. I tend to play things over-and-over again in my head. “What did I do wrong? What could I have done better to not make them angry/displeased?” Yet, that thinking is very selfish. “Why did they do that to me ? Do they enjoy making me feel miserable? They don’t understand me . I’m uncomfortable with what they said. It hurt my feelings.” Which only comes back to pride and the breaking of the 2nd commandment from an inordinate view of self. Since when did I become so import

Honor Your Father and Mother

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“ Honoring your parents I believe is living a God-honoring life, not parent-honoring life, even though it honors the parents that is not the focus. ” - Heather Patenaude On and off for the last year or so, I’ve been thinking about what it means to honor your parents. In the Old and New Testament, it is something that children are expected and instructed to do. Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” Deuteronomy 5:16 ‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.’ Deuteronomy 21:18-21 “If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and who, when they have chastened him, will not heed them, then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elder