Salvo Sare

Searching for pupose

2009-02-25T05:36:00.000-08:00

My brother is a scientologist.. It causes so much trouble within the family, and so much confusion. My brother was looking and searching for a while. He always knew their was something missing. He said he tried catholic and christian churches, but it did nothing for him. I knew he was wrong, like duh. Jesus is THE answer! Going to church isn't supposed to 'do something' for you as such. We don't go to church so we can feel great about ourselves. It's not about us, it's all about Jesus. But that is something he just didn't pick up.
I heard him talking today to his girlfriend telling her that there are going to be 3 new scientology ads... oh yay, just what we need : He was explaining the ads were talking about people looking, searching. Finding their purpose, and that scientology had all the answers.

Are we as christians not doing all we can to spread the good news about Jesus? Letting the world know that Jesus is the answer.. I don't think we are, because a lot of people in the world are settling for something less. Something that seems to make sense to them, something to make them feel good. People are always looking for things to make them feel good. Being a christian isn't about making you feel good, infact being a christian you might feel crap a lot of the time, getting persecuted by the world, and spiritually attacked also, for standing up for Jesus. People who find things that make them happy is great. They'll be happy for life. But what about eternity...

It's not about us. We didn't do anything to deserve Jesus dying for us. We were Saved by the Grace of God. Praise Jesus!

'But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.' - Romans 5:8

Mark'd Foundations

2009-02-24T02:02:00.000-08:00

I started Mark'd Foundation today! For those of you who don't know what it is, it's a course in youth & childrens ministries. I study at the Salvation Army training college, and i think i do 3 or 4 classes a semester, and also placement within my church.

This morning I had a church history class. I got a few things out of it, but it was mostly confusing. Afterwards i was like.. what the heck was going on. But I feel confident that I can get through it. After my first class we had lunch. That was the best, because I got to have lunch with the cadets, some of which i miss very muchly =(
After lunch the Mark'd kids had an introduction to youth ministries class with Cath Garcia, wonderful lady! She took us out for coffee for the first bit of the class, as a 'get to know you' thing. Was good. We then got back to the college and got to have a look around, then got into our class. I love class discussions, we can really learn from eachother, and get different perspectives on things.. because it's sorta like one persons weaknesses are another persons strength. That class was really interesting, and i love Cath as my teacher =D

I cant wait for the year ahead, and to learn more and to grow closer and closer to Jesus, and just to take everything in His timing.
So excited I just cant wait! I just want more!

Bless you all x

Soldier choices

2009-02-17T20:46:00.000-08:00

Sunday the 15th of Feb I got enrolled as a soldier at Macleod corps. I was so scared at first, and the devil kept putting thoughts into my head saying why would i want to do this? just moments before. Maybe its like before you get married, and it that cold feet thing? =P
I was a bit nervous during the service. My family was there, who arn't christians, who dont fully understand the reasons why i wanted to become a soldier. I was thinking, what are they going to think. Would they laugh? disown me? I soon realised that I was scared over nothing. This was a covenant between me and God, no one else. It didn't matter if there was 50 people there or no people there. I became a soldier because I believe that's what God wants me to do. I want to please God & obey Him.

I have been in the Salvation Army for about 5 years now. A couple of years ago I felt like I was being forced to be a soldier. Like thats what people expected of me. I found that scary, and totally rebelled against it, and not sure if I could even say I had much of a relationship with God.

Being in a Salvation Army church, I've found that teenagers do feel pressured into becoming soldiers by usually the 'traditional' salvos. Being a soldier in the Salvation Army does not mean you're a better/more experienced christian. You don't have to be a soldier in the Salvation Army to be apart of Gods Army. God has different plans for everyone.

I am so glad that one of Gods plans for me was to be enrolled as a Soldier. Thinking about it about a year or more ago was heaps scary, and I praise Jesus that it was all in His perfect timing and no body elses. I don't regret my rebellious stage either, because it showed me what I didn't want to be like. Praise Jesus. It wasn't a mistake.. But more of a 'learning curve' ;) I feel really pumped up with the spirit since my enrollment.

Bless you all stacks!
Senior Soldier Sarah Eley ;) whoohoo!

Gods Call

2009-02-02T23:06:00.000-08:00

Nothing saddens me more than people turning away from God, and going there own way, ignoring the call upon their lifes.

Jesus has told us in Matthew 28:18-20 :

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Amen to that! Thats what God has called us all to do throughout our life. But I want to talk more about our individual callings. Some people are called to be officers, youth workers, nurses, dancers, police officers, missonaries.. i could go on.

Finishing school last year(finally) has made me think about the future a lot. I am lucky, for a few years now I know that I was going to be a youth worker. But for other people leaving school are confused about what they're supposed to do. I think i worry about my christian friends a bit- I want them to do something they'll enjoy, but most of all I want them to study or work for what God has called them to do. Some people might say I'm being silly. But God has a PLAN for our lives, he has set our paths for us.. I'm not saying everyone should become ministers, and all work in the church, so i hope ur not getting that vibe.

I just want people to follow Jesus and take His path for them. Maybe Jesus wants someone to be a dancer and open dance ministries or something like that. Or someone to be a nurse and witness for Jesus to all the patients? I have no idea what plans God has for anyone. All I know is that he HAS plans for everyone. We have to put our own personal interests behind us, and ask what God wants. I just hope and pray we follow what Jesus wants for us.

this is a bit scrappy this blog.

I have to preach later on this year, so hopefully I'll be able to preach on following Gods call.. I'm really passionate about this, and just want everyone to follow Jesus and live for Him.

Bless you all xx

UNITY

2009-01-22T16:38:00.000-08:00

Why, as christians do we fight about petty things?
Why in the Salvation Army are there feuds amongst us when we're all supposed to be working for the same thing. The thing that had brought us together as an army.

I've been attending the Salvation Army church for about 5 years now. I have observed a lot of things, and one of them which i notice is that there are a lot of feuds between soldiers, officers and churchs etc. It saddens me and even makes me feel sick that the people are forgetting what the Army does, what we're living for, what we're fighting for.

We are the Salvation ARMY:

Armies stick together, work together to achieve their goal they're fighting for, do they not? A true Army does not back down from achieving their goal. An Army is too focussed on their goal to let petty things stop them from achieving what they're fighting for.

The devil WANTS you to fight, have arguments and be negative on anything. Even though feuds may be small, its impact can be big.. its stopping us from letting Gods will on earth to be done. Doesn't God want us all to live in harmony? Jesus has called us to the army to fight FOR Him, not against Him. We're called to lead people to Christ, to be the light in the darkness.

We are an ARMY. A large body of persons trained up to work together and armed for war. Sounds about right yeah?

How can we work together when there are feuds within the church? Is there anything in your life thats stopping you from achieving the Kindom of God here in your life. Maybe its a petty feud with someone, or you havent forgiven someone.

Id say.. Get over it.

"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

Taming the Tongue

2008-12-09T06:21:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I am too quick to jump into things. I am quick to speak without looking at the bigger picture(which can lead me to judge things/people/situations), and at time i can be really sarcastic and rude. I don't mean to say anything rude, and i can't help my sarcasm- you have no idea how hard it is not to be sarcastic for me =P. People might think I am a bit obnoxious sometimes, but that's just the way I am. Im not happy with it, I don't enjoy doing it and I'm trying to think before I speak lately.
I have trouble with looking at the bigger picture, I like to be right, and when I'm wrong I do get embarrassed, but I'm too good at not showing it. Sometimes I put my foot in it so bad I wonder how I have ever recovered.
I want to be more observant to how things I say would effect other people. Tonight in bible study we were talking about taming the tongue, it made me kinda upset because I know I say things I dont mean, and I could be hurting people and not even realising it.

I Love Jesus.. I want to love my neighbours as I love myself. I'm living for Jesus, I want to do what he commands, I want to obey what he says.

Bless you all throughout the week xxxxx

1 Timothy 4:12

2008-12-04T17:28:00.000-08:00

Lately it seems like people are always telling me what to do. It seems to be coming from the people at church the most. I really dont like it. I know it's because I'm younger and people think sometimes that because they're older they're right and 'wiser'. I have one person belittling me because they're intimidated by me, and another few people treating me like im a child sometimes, and it really makes me feel outcasted. This has kind of made me feel like giving my opinion isnt important or taken in anymore.. or maybe has never been? These are people who are my friends but yet i dont feel they treat me equal to them. I just don't feel appreciated a lot of the time.

hmmm.. Just something thats on my mind.

12Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

- 1 Timothy 4:12

Amen to that!

Step into Soldiership

2008-11-30T02:21:00.000-08:00

Feb 22nd is the date I'm getting enrolled. All are invited to come :)

Today in soldiership classes we read the articles of war that we'd be signing on our enrollment. I am very excited! I couldn't help but smile, and I cant wait.

I'm the type of person that learns by observing and thinking a lot about things. You wouldn't think it. But.. its true. So I've been thinking alot, overtime, about:

'Why do I want to become a soldier' ...

I want to become a soldier to witness for Jesus. I want to become a soldier to take another step in my relationship with God. I want to become a soldier because I love God and I believe that becoming a soldier in the Salvation Army is His plan for me.
I dont want to become a soldier to reach peoples expectations. I dont want to become a soldier because that's what my friends have done. I dont want to become a soldier because I go to a Salvation Army church, and its the 'thing to do'.

I never wanted to be enrolled as a soldier unless my heart was right with God. I've known for a while that I am going to be a soldier, but it was nothing to rush into. I had all the time in the world because being a soldier doesn't mean you're a more advanced christian. I went through the phase of being a dependant christian, where I'd rely on older people and youth leaders to pump me up for God, and where I had also relied on my youth leaders more than I relied on God. But thats alright, that was a bit of my spiritual journey.

I had been waiting for God to let me go. To me this means to become more independant as a christian, to stand on my own, rather than waiting for other chrsitians, and to trust fully in God. This happened gradually overtime as I began to step out of my comfort zone more and more. God was going to let me go, but he was never going to push me. I had to be willing to take the step myself. Because I took that step, it doesnt mean I've stepped away from God, but its a step of faith with God by my side.

I am excited about my enrollment, even though its about 3 months away =P
I am excited to be living my life for Jesus.
I pray that you all step out of your comfort zones this week, and take that step of faith that has been waiting long for you..

Hope God Blesses you all through out the week!

Love to you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I dont want to get boring

2008-11-28T17:53:00.000-08:00

I am a loud person; but if I’m in an environment where I hardly know any people, I can be a bit shy at first. I can be sarcastic which sometimes can lead me into trouble when I unintentionally become obnoxious. I like being spontaneous and doing random things; I do have my complaining moments… who doesn’t? I enjoy long sleep-ins and hate getting up early. Some people would call me messy, I’d call it ‘organised’ mess. I laugh at anything, and usually will be laughing at the same thing for hours… I’m always laughing at the wrong moments. I usually have an opinion, and like to be right; but I’m not bossy. I am constantly singing through out the day. Another thing that can get me in trouble is not thinking before I speak. I have a love for romantic comedy’s and Disney movies. I’m not set on one type of music; I like all genres of music except for like classical and boring music. I love banana sandwiches. Sometimes I get confused at what people are talking about, but sometimes pretend I know what’s going on. I’ll flip the radio station for a while so I can get the right song. I love playing pranks on people. Sometimes I talk about nothing. I love having fun.
When I move out in a few years time I think my family will be relieved, they’ve put up with me so far for almost 18 years. All I can say now is… good luck future husband, haha!

But I had a thought the other day… what if I become a really boring person when I get older? Not talking like 30’s… but when I hit 40, I’ll probably have a mid life crisis (if that’s what you call it?) because I’ll be scared of getting boring, then that will lead me to think too much, and I’ll be thinking too much to even do anything fun, and then maybe it will just go down hill from there, and by the time I hit 70’s and 80’s I’ll be thinking I may be kicking the bucket soon. I don’t want to become dead boring. (haha, how ironic ‘dead’ boring)
I’m not saying old people are boring... it's just me being paranoid about myself.
Pretty sure I’m just thinking too much =P

Then I just realised(yes after that big long paranoid think)-
I will never be a boring person, I'm living my life for Jesus. Now that's exciting!!

Bless you all xxxxxx

Taking the risk

2008-11-26T22:31:00.000-08:00

Just some thoughtss...

At Go For Souls the other night Steve Court said in Canada they spell faith like this = R I S K

Then it got me thinking.. there are too many people out there who dont put themselves on the line for God enough, who dont take risks, who are lacking faith. Makes me sad.
Jesus love you so much that he died for you, and if you were the only person left on the planet, he still would have died just for you!
Samantha said in her sermon the other day, that life on earth is so tiny compared to being in heaven for eternity. So who cares if you get embarrassed, its expected that christians get persucuted for preaching about Jesus, trying to get people saved. Thats why its called taking a risk. HAVE FAITH!

Im in a bit of an ergh mood, now i have to go to the city. SO cant be bothered! Im fasting aswell, so yummy fruits and veggies for me! while my friends indulge in Macdonalds or fish n chips. Also I have to go to a formal tomorrow night, and i wont be able to eat anything there. This is annoying haha.
Please Pray for me!

Bless you all
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Do actions speak louder than words?

2008-11-23T23:51:00.000-08:00

The other day I introduced myself to people, to tell them about Jesus. Turns out they were already saved and were from a baptist church down the road. I was just speaking to them telling them how excited I was, because Jesus is great, and I was high on the Holy Spirit yada yada. I was telling them about the Evangelism conference I had attended on the weekend, and they were like, oh good! and so on. Then one of them commented and said.. 'Also remember actions speak louder than words'. I think thats true in some cases too, in some situations that works, and its good to show Gods love.
But in getting people saved, and letting them know about Jesus, I dont think that this is the case...

Have you ever seen anyone been saved because you gave up your seat on the train, or because you opened a door for someone, or maybe you smile a lot? Do these things get people saved? 99.9999% of the time, it doesnt. I think christians use the phrase 'Actions speak louder than words,' because its more comfortable for them. Because people get uncomfortable talking about Jesus, and they care too much what people think of them. Some christians just wait and hope people will come up to them and ask questions about Jesus, so that they dont have to put themselves out there on the line for God, because otherwise they'll be seen as a 'bible basher'. When you give your heart to Jesus, you're surrendering yourself to him, giving him ALL you are, so he is in control, not you.

I hate it when people make christianity about themselves. ITS NOT ABOUT YOU! Its all about Jesus.

Dont get me wrong though, keep showing Gods love, but remember that there are millions of souls out there going to Hell.

God Bless you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sanctified in the name of Jesus!

2008-11-22T05:38:00.000-08:00

Tonight I have been sanctified.. Praise Jesus!!

I just came back from the 'Go for Souls' conference that was held this weekend. I am filled with the HolySpirit head to toe, just bouncing off walls, i was at macdonalds after the meeting and decided to share the good news of Jesus with all the people eating in at maccas. Because Jesus is coming, and he loves you, and Jesus does not want you to go to hell. Jesus died for us so that we can have a relationship with God, and so that we can go to heaven and have eternal life with him. Nothing you already dont know, but Praise God for the good news to share with people who dont know Jesus and who need to know Jesus.

We had our evangelising out on the streets day today. The elective I chose was Spiritual Readings. I didnt do any spiritual readings but I was so on fire for Jesus, it was easy evangelising when I thought it would be hard, I spoke to as many people as i could, to let them know that Jesus loves them and that Hell is the reality if they dont choose Jesus. Turn or Burn.

Before we went out, we were planning our elective. Talking about where we'd preach and where we'd set up our table- and I admitt, i was scared. I had fear inside of me that was not of God, and i was so scared. Before we went out to the plaza, we had a prayer meeting at the church. It was so powerful, Im glad i opened up my heart to God, because he was definately moving in the meeting. Jason Golden(a preaching from 'catch the fire' church) was praying over me as my eyes were closed, and i saw Jesus' eyes staring into mine; it was full on, the fire was there, i started panting, sweating even and it was like an explosion of the Holyspirit. But now I want more!

Also Jesus showed me a vision of dirt in a square, and He had started digging a hole in the dirt, but then he stopped. I knew what this meant.. I had to get rid of all the dirt in my life in order to be Holy. I went down to the mercy seat and got a friend to pray with me, and I kept repenting of everything I needed to until Jesus finished digging out of all the dirt that was in my square. After that, its like i just saw visions of Gold, and my friend said she could feel Holiness running through my arm. How awesome is that!?

We all go to meetings and get high on Jesus, then sometimes its just like.. oh no, i ran out of Jesus juice. I thought I was on Jesus high before, but it just keeps getting more intense. I want this to last, I want to live on this high for Jesus 24/7. Tonight I have been sanctified, now the hard bit is keeping it. But Jesus is my saviour, and I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.

I pray that God will use me everywhere I go, and that I am only living for him. No one else, or nothing else. I want all my focus on God, on his will and his commands.
God is amazing! Keep seeking Him and he will be constsantly reveiling himself to you in different ways. I pray you keep your heart open to anything and everything he shows you.

Bless you all in Jesus name!
xxxxxxxxxxxx

Tongues in the church

2008-11-16T03:23:00.000-08:00

You might want to read 1 Corinthians chapter 14 before reading this.. If you cant be bothered, then i just hope you can follow along.

This chapter is about Tongues and Prophesy. Only a few weeks ago I found out that speaking in tongues in church was unbiblical. When I had found that out I stopped praying in tongues in front of people. I knew other people that do it too, so I just assumed it was normal; Planetshakers church also does it heaps, and no one ever said anything about it being unbiblical, until someone had told me a few weeks back. I had no idea at all.

1 Corinthians 14:6, 23, 27-28

6Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?

23So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?

27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.

I had approached a friend of mine today who prays in tongues a lot, and told him to read chapter 14. He was unaware of this and suprisingly he found it really interesting ;) My friend, myself & another friend of mine had a very good discussion about it today. It kind of seemed like my friend tried to get himself around it, and tried to twist it a bit. He wouldn't really give us his definate opinion.. So finally another friend of mine said - Do you think we should pray out loud in tongues in Church or not? Yes or No.. and He just stopped, and said no.

Hmmm.. you wouldnt think the stuff from the bible is Gods word hey? ;)

Tonight I also sent an email to Pastor Russel Evans of Planetshakers church. Ive attended their church a few times and know them to speak in tongues quite a bit. So I sent Russel an email, explaining what the bible says and asked for his views on it... Hope he doesnt take it as an attack, I made sure i said a million times, Im not debating i just want to know your views on it. lol

.. so we'll see what happens ay.

Just something I've learnt recently =)

Bless ya heaps xxxxxxxx Colour

Real Beauty

2008-11-14T04:16:00.000-08:00

I cant believe how shy i was. I was shy when i was little to about age 15. I was just so scared to talk to people, if a teacher pointed me out in class to answer a question i would be near tears, because i was so shy. If you know me, i dont think you'd believe me that i was that shy.
I started going to church at the Salvation Army around the start of 2004. I gave my heart to Jesus in 2004 at Planetshakers church in the city. After i gave my heart to Jesus, I definately felt I had way more confidence in who i was. It gradually sunk in that I am a child of God. I have been made in the image of Jesus. The creator of all things beautiful made me! But being a teenager in todays world, that didnt sink in straight away, it took a while. Of course being a teenager there are always lots of issues. Not being pretty enough, not being skinny enough, not having the latest clothes and always caring about what people thought of you. Issues; but not important ones, which i didnt realise at the time.
I am so glad that I have confidence within Jesus, which has made me confident in all things. I dont care what people think about me anymore; because I know negative things are not of God, and I'm not out please people over God, I love being loud and even sometimes enjoy embarrassing myself, self esteem issues are not a problem for me anymore because i now know who I am through Jesus Christ.

The world has made the 'perfect' person with the following features:
thin athletic body
flawless skin
blonde hair
tanned
big boobs
straight, white teeth
muscles(for guys)..
Look at all the people in the fashion Magazines. They all fit the 'perfect' factor. Because all the people look like this in magazines and on TV and movies, people think that this is what they're supposed to look like, and they compare themselves, then they think they're not good enough. This kind of thinking leads to people(especially girls) not eating, vomitting if they do eat, depression, leading to anorexia and many more diseases. This happens WAY more than you think it does. A lot of people in our society have minds sets like this, it could be happening to people you know already, but you're not realising it.

Nobody is perfect but Jesus was perfect. Not because he was ridiculously goodlooking, or because he was tanned or because he had really nice muscles. But because he was sinless. Perfection had nothing to do with looks at all.. Jesus could have been really goodlooking lol, who knows? But im sure it had nothing to do with his looks that made him the perfect person.

It doesnt matter what you look like, because your looks doesnt make you who you are. What matters is whats in your heart. It doesnt matter what people think of you, because God loves you just the way you are, its the way He made you! If you think you're not goodlooking enough, you dont like your body, or you dont have flawless skin then you're just insulting Gods artwork.

2 Thessalonians 3:5-

'May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance'

Making God about them

2008-11-13T04:27:00.001-08:00

There are some people, believe it or not, who got go church and there heart is not for Jesus. Some people go to church because it makes them feel good, comfortable and happy. It becomes more about the band, which seat they sit in each week, and it becomes more about the matieral possesions rather than God. Some people use the church walls to hide behind, because in their church they feel safe and comfortable from the world.
For 1. Being a christian is not supposed to make you feel comfortable.
and 2. We're supposed to be going into the world to get people saved
I dont remember Jesus saying- give you're heart to me and i will promise to make you always feel comfortable and all your dreams will become fine and dandy.
Being a christian isnt always easy. Our responsibility is to get ther world saved. Does that sound easy to you? Jesus gave up his life for us so we can have a relationahip with God, and so that we can go to heaven. Id rather live a hard uncomfortable life for Jesus and go to heaven, than an easy and comfortable one and go to hell.

I was speaking to someone the other day about the brass bands, and he was saying "If i was a core officer, id only let the band play if they did outreach, because the band can be good for outreach." At first i was confused, i was like- let them have the band even if they dont do outreach who cares.
THEN i thought about it more... Who are we trying to get saved? Who are the people we want to come to church? Why is the brass band in the salvationarmy?
We are obviously trying to get this generation saved! We want this generation to come along to church. But our generation isnt into brass bands, they'd be bored as. Shouldnt we be making changes to the church to get people saved? Are people into brass bands these days? I understand why there was a brass band in the Salvationarmy many years ago, because people were into that thing THEN, but not so much anymore!
Church isnt supposed to be about what we like, because then it becomes more about us than God and saving souls. Obviously the uniforms been changed because of the fashion changes, imagine if we wore the same style of uniforms as the original first made ones..We'd look pretty silly dont ya think? Why they havent changed the band, i do not know.

People dont like change, yes i will point it at more of the older generation(yes i am just generalising because of the majority). They want to keep their brass bands, and they'll worship the mercy seat and holiness table and salvationarmy flags above God. >>Heaven forbid that the flag will touch the ground!

I am so happy to see a lot of this generation rising up, and being so passionate for Jesus. People have been sitting on their backsides for too long, for a lot of there life, and they probably wouldn't even know any better. So i understand why they would be scared of change at first, but they're feeding their own happiness and what makes them feel good which has led them to put themselves infront of God.
Nothing you guys wouldn't know, but that just my point of view.

It is very late now, i cant believe it took me so long to write this.
My formal is in a week, and i have no dress or shoes yet:S im going shopping tomorrow, i really hope i can find something.. Pray for me..seriously haha.

Bless yas all xxxxxxxxxxxx

Big

2008-11-11T14:41:00.000-08:00

Gods power is underestimated by a lot of people. Sure we say.. "Jesus can do the impossible. He's God he can do anything.." But do you believe it?

A lot of people are like- of course He can do that He is God. But when is comes to something really big, they dont think God is able. Or they are unable to believe such a big thing could happen because they havent seen it.

Gods power is beyond the smartest person in the world, the latest ipod touch phone, even so big that our minds wouldn't even be able to comprehend, or make sense of it. Most things in our mind is revolved around common sense and obviously what makes sense to us. I dont think Gods power would even make sense to us. I'm sure if God himself came to us and tried to explain, it would be too much, and im sure our heads would be near to exploding.
God can do absolutely ANYTHING, he created the world, how would he be inadequate in any way?

He knows everything. We know that, but how much do u actually stop and think about. We sometimes think we can hide; even though in the bible there is more than enough proof we cant..Praise God that he is always with us even when we forget. We doubt sometimes, so sometimes we just need a reminder:

Psalm 139 (tis a bit long, so i just took out some nice bits)

1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

You might want to read the whole of Psalm 139, and pray through it. It's really good to pray through this and meditate on it.. Its simple and straight forward. Love it =)

God Bless you all! xxxxxxxxxx

Bad Friend of Jesus

2008-11-09T05:27:00.000-08:00

2nd blog today.. i must be addicted =P

Something that I'm really anal about is Honesty (can i use the word anal in that sentence, does it make sense? hmm) Well honesty is a really big thing for me. I hate lies. Especially those lies that people will say to get attention. People just lie out of no where, and some people think oh yeah not a big deal. If someone lies to me, even about something little, it would make me a tad frustrated, and I just dont get why people lie about little things.

One of my spiritual gifts is decernment.. or WAS. I could tell when people would lie, id just get that descernment feeling, and i would just know.
The past couple of weeks its like, a strong part of descernment has been taken away from me. I can think of 2 possible solutions:
1. God only gave me temporary Descernment for my spiritual growth, and now has taken it away because I am on a new level spiritually
or
2. I've stopped listening to God

Id like to believe number 1 for the possible solution. But lately I haven't been really listening to God. I always talk to him like non-stop, but maybe I'm just being a blabber mouth, and not listening to him.
Selfish of me if you think about it.
Think about your best friend. You talk to them all the time; when you're happy, when you're sad, when you're excited or when you're going through hard times..
Now when its their time to talk, would you just ignore them? Or would you sit and listen to them like they've listened to you..

This all just came to my head as im writing this right now.. whoohoo, Blog theropy for myself.

For the past couple of weeks, I've been living in a selfish relationship with God. I myself hate one way relationships. God is listening to me blab on and on, and I didnt even stop to listen to what he has to say to me. All those confused times I've had, I didnt even listen to him to ask for an answer. I'm a bad friend!

Praise Jesus that I have observed my faults, and giving me space to grow Spiritually.
Praise Jesus for these times for me to seek for God more and to grow closer to Him.

I love Jesus!

Exciting!

2008-11-08T20:59:00.000-08:00

Im at church right now. I just had to blog to say that I am so pumped for tonights meeting, i love getting high on the Holy Spirit. Its gonna be good.. i planned the worship band, and picked the songs- so it must be really good ;) haha.
Danielle Strickland is preaching tonight, so im excited about that. Im praying that a friend of mine comes. She goes to an anglican church, but i want her to get a taste of what aggressive christianity is. It'll blow her away, and i know God will really challenge her through this meeting.

I'll be filling out an application for Mark'd foundations course in the next week, that i hope to be doing next year. I've heard that there might not be enough people interested, so please pray that there is so that I can do it. If not.. ill probably do classes at the college, and ill be doing youth work anyway at church. So next year will be a fun year whatever God has planned for me =)

Ill be going on a roadtrip next year with my friends. We'll be going around australia (excluding WA, and Tassie- coz they cant be bothered). We're hoping for it to be a mission trip, so ill be calling up salvos around Aus, and see if they have anything that they need help with. So if any of you guys know of anycool programs let me know ay!

Heaps of Grace to all of you xxxxxx

Spreading the Truth.. not so easy

2008-11-03T19:59:00.000-08:00

Yes, I had another dissagreement with my family, mostly one of my brothers who doesnt shut his mouth and keeps talking, and according to him he's "always right".
I do not know why i continually try and tell my family about Jesus.. I know why i started, I dont want them to go to hell. But I try and try and try. It never gets me anywhere except in tears. Everytime something comes up about God or the bible or my brothers weird scientology theorys(yes it makes my situation even worse), I always have to jump in. Im sick of trying, but i never give up. I want to, but its like God keeps pushing me too.
I remember my brother saying- 'people have to find there own beliefs, for what feels right for them'. Which i replied- is that going to lead them to eternity in heaven?
Just because something feels good, doesnt mean its the right way to go. They just dont get it, and it makes me so frustrated.
I just want to get outta here already. Im going to burst :

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

yeah, i know :(

God never changes.. should we?

2008-11-03T18:03:00.000-08:00

First of all.. Beyoncés new song, 'If I were a boy', confuses me so much! Its the weirdest song.

Sunday night I was talking to a friend who is having a bit of a rough patch at the moment. Her uncle has had a serious heart attack. I told her id be praying for him and herself. My friend not being a christian said that she'd pray aswell. I was so excited to hear that, made me so happy =) Thats not all, she said the next day they took him out of critical care, because he's heart became stronger. How awesome is that! She said she'll be praying again tonight. whoooohooooo! Praise Jesus.

Yesterday I went to church to organise our worship bands sheet music that we had lying around on the 'stage' area. I went in, thinking it would take me like an hour... I was there for 5 hours. Doing it all by myself.
I didnt realise how much music we had. We had so many copies of each of the songs aswell. I churcked out heaps of old worship band music aswell, like im pretty sure some are from the early 90's... songs ive never heard of.
As tiring as it was, I had lots of fun. I got to use the audio stuff in the church aswell, and pump some worship music, Im sure the neighbours would have appreciated it =P I got to worship for 5 straight hours! It really pumped me up, God is amazing.

Our church was pretty much dead at the beginning of the year. My minister has had a vision fom God, and we can definately see our church building up more. At the moment God is providing a solid foundation for us, its just starting. So that is really exciting, and I am so pumped for what God has planned for us in the near future.
While I was sorting out all the music, it just hit me then. Our church is changing. Kinda like, out with the old in with the new. Not saying out with the old god in with a new one lol. God is a never changing God, but we have to change to grow within him, to grow more in our faith, a change in our attitudes, a definate change in our actions. How many people just read and hear Gods word, but do not live by it?!

I am so excited. I feel like screaming out loud 24/7 about it.

May God Bless you all during the week.

Why

2008-10-31T05:07:00.000-07:00

I would like to take all credit for this blog, but i kinda just took it of this sik as card from my wallet, its pretty sweet... check it yo! I Love it =)

Why Should i say i can't when the bible says I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength?

Why should i lack when I know God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus?

Why should i fear when the bible says God has not given me a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and a sound mind?

Why should I lack faith to fulfil my calling knowing the God has allotted to me a measure of faith?

Why should I be weak when the bible says that the Lord is the strength of my life and that I will display strength and take action because I know God?

Why should I allow Satan supremacy over my life when He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world?

Why should i accept defeat when the Bible says that God always leads me in triumph?

Why should I worry and fret when I can cast my anxiety on Christ who cares for me?

Why should I feel condemned when the Bible says I am not condemned because I am in Christ?

Why should I feel alone when Jesus said He is with me always and He will never leave me nor forsake me?

Why should I feel worthless when Christ became sin on my behalf that I might become the righteoussness of God in Him?

Why should I be confused when God is the author of peace and He gives me knowledge through His indwelling Spirit?

Why should I feel like a failure when I am a conqueror in all things through Christ?

Why should I let the pressures of life bother me when I can take courage knowing that Jesus has overcome the world and its tribulations?

Praise Jesus! xx

.. I love colours .. and different sizes

Making church boring

2008-10-21T22:21:00.000-07:00

Every Sunday night there is a church that comes to my school(or should i say my old school now that i finially finished!! heck yeah), and they come and hire out our auditorium. Ive been to their services and they're awesome.

A few days back I heard someone saying that they had sat in on the service and how funny it was, and they raised there hands did a little dance and watever(this was not a christian btw).. i took it to offence, so i turned and said - "excuse me! thats how people worship God." ... This is not what got to me though. A friend of mine talkign to this person said that this church was a very evangelistic church, and very full on. Then she went on to say- at her church, they just sit in their pues, stand up for worship time and raise there hands, sit down again and listen to the preacher. She said that her church does 'everything by the book'.
(Shes a very sweet girl and very christ like, and im sure if she had to rephrase her words she would =P) I didnt say anything to her, but it got me thinking. I was confused..
Where in the bible does it say that church has to be like that? - if it says it somewhere, someone please let me know where lol.
Sit down, stand up, listen to preacher, worship, on cue.. dont forget to raise your hands. Worship time is now over so you cant raise your hands after that, now sit down again.
I'd feel like a robot, and would be very bored.

God never made church like that, thats just how people have made it over years. When i was in primary school we had to go to a catholic church(boringest thing ever). We had to walk in ever so silently, sit down, not allowed to talk to our friends, if we turned around to look at the back we'd get in trouble. I'm sure if we ever talked to the preist while he was preaching, it wouldn't make a very happy preist. I really did fall asleep a few times, and laughed out loud when it was silence. (The bread also tastes like those icecream cones from macdonalds.)

You can raise your hand to God any time in the service, it doesnt just have to be worship. You can talk to the preacher and ask them questions and give them encouragement while they preach. You can dance in church, you can yell in a church(preferably out to God, not in violence) Guess what.. you can also take off your shoes!
Church will be boring if we make it boring, and Im pretty sure our God is NOT a boring God. Im sure God doesnt want us to be bored, He wants us to get excited, and drunk on the Holy Spirit! If you're excited - do you reckon you could sit in silence and not make a sound, not laugh even.. Just be a robot? I reckon when you're excited to be in church to worship God you'd want to laugh, yell, dance & cheer. Be happy and get EXCITED!!!

Praise Jesus for dying on the cross for us to give us the holy spirit to get drunk on. Please fill us up more God, let the fire bounce through our bones and to get excited. Dont be afraid to shout out in church, dont let the stereotypical word of 'church' to hold you back from truely worshipping God.

blah blah blah, im just ranting now.

I pray God Blesses you all heaps during the week!

xx

Whats the Big Happ?

2008-10-17T04:33:00.000-07:00

havent blogged in a week or more.. just thought id update a bit on my life atm.

I have almost closed another chapter in my life.. i finish year 12 this coming tuesday. Scary buuuuuut, exciting at the same time! What will i do without all my friends? I know ill loose contact with a heap of them, but thats the way life is. You meet new people, and gain new friends all the time, and unfortunately you loose some friends. But Im excited of what God has in store for me, Im ready to jump from my school life and hopefully just ease in my course next year. Speaking of, Im hoping to apply for the Mark'd Foundations course.. its a course within Melbourne Central and Eastern Victoria divisions. It invloves biblical studies and children & youth ministries.. yada yada. So i am SO pumped for it.

Graduation is this coming thursday.. Then i have formal. Then i guess after that, no more school stuff.

Work is going well, i babysit most saturdays which pays good money haha. Also ive been working a bit at the JuiceBar- ive become a real pro ;) My boss is selling his shop, but will still have my job, Praise Jesus. AND something exciting happened yesterday.. He's not a christian, but he asked me to pray for him and that the shop would sell. I was so excited.. I was like- Heck Yes Ill pray! Id never think he'd ask.

I know I'll be going to college in Melbourne in 2012 im hoping. I was talking to my officer about it, and I reckon ill gop to this information night thing they're having soon.. or maybe they already had it? LOL, hope not. I may be applying for college soon though for 2012. How exciting! haha. everything is obviously exciting to me lol.. Its Great to be excited about stuff =D

I went to youth group tonight, and the girls went out afterwards to a club i think tonight. Kinda annoyed me because one of them asked if i was coming, then said - oh wait i forgot you're not 18 yet.. very sarcasticly, so annoying. But that didnt really annoy me, i just feel left out. Everyone is 18 before me>.<>

BUt yeah thats all thats happening with me.. just a little rant =P

Bless yas!!

Sin

2008-10-07T23:34:00.000-07:00

Searching for Holiness.. God has been telling me to search for Holiness for a while now. In the past week He's been really digging it in to me. He has been making me VERY MUCH aware of my sin.

I dont lie. Well at least i thought i didnt. You know how we all just let those little white lies go. Maybe because we dont want someone to get upset, or maybe you might be scared of something, or you dont want to get in trouble.. In the past week- everytime i sin, God is making me aware of this, and i get these real uneasy feelings and it doesnt feel too great. Even the other night this old weird guy was like asking where i live, and then asked me if i had a husband(haha, i thought that was funny) or a boyfriend. I was scared as!! So im like. uhh.. yeah i have a boyfriend. I thought yeah that was fine to lie to that guy, i was just protecting myself right? But no no no, God had made me realise, even a lie like that is wrong. Annoying as it is.. of course he's right! lol.

To make excuses for our 'little white lies' is exactly what the devil wants us to do. Thats the start of his little pothole, as im going to call it. Thats the way it starts you know.. its just one little lie, its not going to hurt anyone. The hole starts little, then it has the potential to get bigger and bigger.. its ok, it was only a little handbag i stole from the shop, no ones going to find out.. and bigger.. i only cheated on my boyfriend one time.. and bigger.. i only broke into that car once, im not going to do it again..
God doesnt see one sin bigger than the other. But the devil provokes us to sin, and then makes excuses of why its ok. Sin seperates us from God, and the devil doesnt want us to have a relationship with God at all. The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy, and satan wants to destroy us.
Jesus died on the cross for us so we can be free from sin. We repent, and then we sin again anyway.. To Repent = a change of mind to do things differently.

'If i had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuses for their sin.' - John 15:22

More evangelism

2008-10-05T21:53:00.000-07:00

Last night our worship band went to geelong to play at a Laos service, and to go support James who was preaching. Really great night! James preached so well, God really spoke through him and people got healed and baptized in the Holy Spirit. Praise Jesus for that!
We read from Ezekiel 37, where God brought Ezekiel to a valley full of bones.. The bit that stuck with me the most was when James was saying that the Salvationarmy is like the dry bones. That we're just, sorta dead. Not like how the Salvationarmy use to be, we used to be marching in through streets, preaching on the streets.. the church used to be SO full that people were flowing out the door, and would have to stand on the streets (they should have arrived earlier to get better seats)
Ive told people i attend the Salvationarmy church.. and people get suprised to hear that we are a church. How sad is that!? Most people just think we're a charity. Praise God that we have the opportunity though to help people on the streets and around the world with troubles that they may face. But we're not as alive as we used to be!

I admitt i suck at evangelising but i do try, but i really need to step up more myself. All where my evangelising gets me is in fights with my family, coz they get offended when i say that they'll go to hell if they dont get saved and live be Jesus lol.
With my family i can tell it out straight, but when talking to people i dont want to hurt them. I dont want to think like that anymore, i want to tell it how it is.
There have been times where i actually feel physically hurt and sick because there are so many lost people out there. I pray that i can feel like that again, because i deffinatly need more motivation, dont know about you. But thats just me =P
I also get scared at times trying to evangelise, but also remember that >>perfect love drives out all fear<<

I pray that God will break peoples hearts for what breaks his so that we can all hurt for the lost.
Who wants there family and friends and neighbours burning for eternity?

i dont!

people coming and going

2008-10-03T19:16:00.000-07:00

People come in and leave your life. They come in, maybe you are lifetime friends? Maybe for years and years, maybe just for a few months, maybe for only a couple of weeks. Then they leave again, just like that. Sometimes people move away, or you just didnt catch up with that friend, or you may have had a fight with this person?

A few months ago now I had someone taken out of my life(just mentioning they didnt die). It hurt, it still kinda does hurt.
At the time it killed me, it felt like someone kept repeatedly hitting me in the chest, over and over again, and everyday i would cry for about a month.. from sooking in my bedroom, sobbing into my pillow to just a tear or two. That was a pain i had never really experinced before.. and Thank God i am over that stage! haha.
The fact was while i was hanging out with this friend of mine, a lot of the time we were smoking and drinking. At the time it was all fine for me, i was like oh yeah this is normal im fine yada yada. Also at the time i didnt know that i was in a bad spot until i actually came out of it. I wasnt right with God and he wasnt number 1 in my life. Everytime i felt upset, i wouldnt go to God id go to my friend. So pretty much this friend of mine was my number 1. Stupid i know.

I do not regret being friends with this person, they taught me a lot of things. I now know who i truely am through God, and having no connection with God was like i was in a never ending hole. But i deffinatly came out of it stronger and more closer to God. As i have grown with God I have changed, not for the bad but definatly for the good. God always gives us what we need, not always what we want.. He knows whats for the best- even if we dont agree at the time. But afterwards you'll see. God puts different people in our life for different reasons for a long period of time- to maybe just one day. Maybe to teach you something, someone to laugh with, someone to help you out in times of need, people just to hang out with. Whatever the reason, there is always a reason =P We dont always need to know the reason.. We just need to know that God is always taking care of us, and whatever he does is for the best..
Jeremiah 29:11 - says he has a plan for us, whatever God is telling us to do, dont be scared, because whatever it will be he would never do anything to harm us.

I truely believe, that when something bad happens, God will always, always, always bring good things out of it.. most of the time we dont realise, and sometimes it take us a while to think back.. and you think- hey if this never happened, then i wouldnt have met this person, or learn that thing, or become a stronger person.
..think about it

Thank God that he has a plan for us, and get excited!! If he is calling you to do something, dont get afraid, because you're not alone, God will always be there.

Let your wil be done =)

God Bless yas!! xxxxxxxx

Pleasing people or God?

2008-10-03T02:31:00.000-07:00

Just so you all know.. Before my blog.. All of my blogs are sort of just 'blab collumns' haha.

A few weeks ago i was appraoched by someone who asked me..
"Sarah, why did you take you're shoes off when you're singing in the worship band at the service the other night," to which i replied simply, coz it was more comfortable for me. This person had told me some of the older people in the core had mentioned it and were not impressed, possibly offended??

Was it really that big of a deal? I wasnt there to perform for these people, i was there to worship God. There are certain things which you should care about peoples opinions and what they think, but i really couldnt care less if they wernt impressed.. i wasnt at church to impress anyone. I dont go to church to look cool or to impress (most of the time i look like a bum at church anyway, so its kinda obvious already =P) Its not the people in the church im trying to please; i just want to please God and give him a smile=) Do you think God would have mind if i took my shoes off while worshiping? Is that going to come up on judgment day?
If God wanted me to wear shoes 24/7, im sure we all would have been born with them on! haha.

It just annoys me sometimes, when people pick out the silliest things. Like, we were all there to worship God, and i get a complaint about me not wearing shoes??
Im pretty sure on the fact that God cares more about whats in my heart than whats on my feet.. or whats not on my feet!?
How would those people feel if i said.. why are you sitting in that seat, it makes me feel uncomfortable. How silly does that sound? lol.

Dont worry about what the other people in the service are doing, just love God and dont let anything get in the way of that. Ecspecially something as silly as someone not wearing shoes.

Love you all xxxxxxxxx

should i re-write?

2008-10-01T10:25:00.001-07:00

i use to write on this.. but then i deleted it all.
thinking about writing this one up again- buuuuuuuut i cant be bothered right now.
give me a couple of days hahaha.