Into Great Calm

Some years ago, there was a documentary called, “Into Great Silence.”  In this documentary, Philip Groening, the Director, contacted a Carthusian monastery in the French Alps to enquire about making a documentary on their monastery.  Sixteen years after his request, the monks decided that they would let Philip live among them for six months to capture footage for his documentary.  The resulting film is an interesting experience for a viewer, because the monastery is almost entirely silent.  Consequently, much of the documentary only has the sounds of feet shuffling, doors opening or closing, pages turning, etc. 

Routines, Ruts and Revelry

A little while ago, I read Atomic Habits and found it to be very helpful in terms of setting up routines, thinking about habits, planning to achieve goals, breaking bad habits, etc.  As I read that book, I grew to appreciate all the more one of my daily routines:  having my morning fellowship time with God.  I always wanted to have this discipline in my life but struggled for many years to be consistent.  Getting up early was my biggest challenge and trying to squeeze it into the day or do it at night before bedtime wasn’t happening.

When God Breathes

When I was in college, I took a swimming conditioning class and discovered that I really like swimming. I liked working out in a pool, the rhythmic nature of kicking, stroking, alternating breathing, the quiet of a pool and exercising without jarring my joints. When I was first learning the standard freestyle stroke, I struggled to get the breathing thing into my actions. Thankfully, the teacher for my class gave me a few pointers, connecting the inhale when I turned my head on a stroke and doing the exhale when my head was in the water. After I became more proficient with that rhythm, I could swim increasingly longer and longer. In musing about breathing—the combination of inhaling and exhaling—I’ve been reflecting  on God breathing and how that’s important for us. Consider that the first time we read of God breathing is in Genesis 2:7 where it says, “Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”

Easter in the Middle: Unrecognizable Jesus

As we look to the Easter season, let’s take some time to think about what Jesus did in the middle of Easter. Join Sarah as she goes through Easter in the Middle, a series where she explores the interesting and often shocking choices that Jesus made in the middle of what we now know as easter. This series will challenge you to look closer at Jesus last days, and you might be surprised what you find.

Wholly, Holey and Holy

Happy Holy Week to you! We’re on the cusp of Easter, the day when we celebrate Jesus’s resurrection from the dead. In order to have Easter and resurrection, however, we must have Good Friday, the day when Jesus was crucified and died. And all of the week leading up to Easter is considered Holy Week, a week filled with very important events and lessons for us from Jesus’s actions, teaching, experiences and commitments.

Easter in the Middle: Unconventional Jesus

As we look to the Easter season, let’s take some time to think about what Jesus did in the middle of Easter. Join Sarah as she goes through Easter in the Middle, a series where she explores the interesting and often shocking choices that Jesus made in the middle of what we now know as easter. This series will challenge you to look closer at Jesus last days, and you might be surprised what you find.

Trauma Recovery: The Samaritan and the Innkeeper

In part two of our series on trauma, we talk about the important figures in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Each of the characters present us with an opportunity to relate and respond to trauma and how to receive healing and recover.

Fizzle, Flop, Triumph

One time, I tried to make a banana cream pie for my husband because it’s his favorite pie. I looked up a recipe that I knew would be great, assembled the ingredients and carefully followed the directions to the end. My only tweak was that I skipped the meringue because my husband doesn’t like it. I figured I’d do an upgrade to meringue and make homemade whipped cream as a replacement topping. Everything was going really well with my cooking efforts, and I was pretty confident that the pie would be very tasty. For the final touch, the recipe said to toast the meringue under the broiler for about ten seconds. Since I was meticulously following the recipe, I topped the pie with my homemade whipped cream and deftly slid it under the broiler to “toast” the whipped cream.

Easter in the Middle: Unexpected Jesus

As we look to the Easter season, let’s take some time to think about what Jesus did in the middle of Easter. Join Sarah as she goes through Easter in the Middle, a series where she explores the interesting and often shocking choices that Jesus made in the middle of what we now know as easter. This series will challenge you to look closer at Jesus last days, and you might be surprised what you find.

Trauma Recovery: The Priest and the Levite

In part two of our series on trauma, we talk about the important figures in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Each of the characters present us with an opportunity to relate and respond to trauma and how to receive healing and recover.

Coffee, Four Ways

In fairness, we have five coffee drinkers in the family, so everyone has a variety of ways for making whatever kind of coffee they want at any given time.  It’s also very clear to me that each person in my family has very distinct tastes and ideas about what they want and don’t want for their coffee.  In my family, one size does not, fit all as it relates to drinking coffee and many other things.

Facing Giants: Giants Again

Have you ever faced a giant? When we read through the Bible, we see countless examples of how our favorite Bible characters faced giants and came out the other side victorious. Join Sarah as she helps work through some of the examples of facing giants and apply practical skills to overcoming giants in your life today!

Trauma Recovery: The Traveller and the Bandit

In part two of our series on trauma, we talk about the important figures in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Each of the characters present us with an opportunity to relate and respond to trauma and how to receive healing and recover.

Fast and Slow

“I feel the need, the need for speed!”  This is a famous quote from the original Top Gun movie from 1986.  This is a fun movie about naval aviation pilots who fly fast, drive fast, think fast, go fast and live fast.  I’ve always loved this movie and the remake that came out a few years ago is also really enjoyable. Personally, I like speed.   As a result, it can be difficult for me when things go slowly, and I can’t figure out how to hasten the pace. 

Facing Giants: Giant Favor

Have you ever faced a giant? When we read through the Bible, we see countless examples of how our favorite Bible characters faced giants and came out the other side victorious. Join Sarah as she helps work through some of the examples of facing giants and apply practical skills to overcoming giants in your life today!

Trauma Recovery: The Parable Characters

In part two of our series on trauma, we talk about the important figures in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Each of the characters present us with an opportunity to relate and respond to trauma and how to receive healing and recover.

In The Daily

Do you ever sense God in regular daily living stuff?  Like when you’re driving or riding the bus / train to work?  Doing some grocery shopping? Changing the clothes from the washer to the dryer?  Writing emails? Cooking?  Doing dishes?  Paying bills?  Checking the mail?  You and I probably have lots of stuff that’s in the daily category and likely doesn’t hasten our heart rate with joy. 

Facing Giants: Giant Situations

Have you ever faced a giant? When we read through the Bible, we see countless examples of how our favorite Bible characters faced giants and came out the other side victorious. Join Sarah as she helps work through some of the examples of facing giants and apply practical skills to overcoming giants in your life today!

Saving Moses: 3 Pillars of Hope Program

For just $1 a day, you can help save a baby’s life. Sarah helps the world’s most vulnerable babies and toddlers where the needs are most urgent, and the help is least available. We establish lifesaving programs in areas where the infant and neonatal mortality rates are the highest in the world and protect babies most at risk to the sex industry in low-income countries. We do this by providing therapeutic milk specially formulated to treat severe acute malnutrition, we offer loving care for the babies of sex workers at night, and we provide community-based education and skilled birth attendants in high conflict areas. Tune in today to hear all the amazing ways you can join Sarah in saving babies every day.

Squishy Shoes

No stealth and no ninja. I have a pair of tennis shoes that are extremely annoying because they’re so LOUD! When I walk in them, I sound like I’m walking in soaking wet shoes, so every step makes a squashy, squishy, sloshy noise. If I’m not careful when I walk in these shoes, I can get really cranky as the noise can become more than tiresome to me. 

Facing Giants: Giant Slayer

Have you ever faced a giant? When we read through the Bible, we see countless examples of how our favorite Bible characters faced giants and came out the other side victorious. Join Sarah as she helps work through some of the examples of facing giants and apply practical skills to overcoming giants in your life today!

Facing Giants: Giant Problems

Have you ever faced a giant? When we read through the Bible, we see countless examples of how our favorite Bible characters faced giants and came out the other side victorious. Join Sarah as she helps work through some of the examples of facing giants and apply practical skills to overcoming giants in your life today!

Trash Day

It’s interesting to think about trash, waste, recycling, repurposing, reusing, decomposition, etc.  We can think about these things on our home front but they’re also important in our computers, parks and trails, bus stops, mass transit and lots more places.  If we don’t have a place to put our trash, then things get trashy.  If we don’t deal with our trash, it can pile up and become not only a nuisance but also a health hazard, to say nothing about the smell and unsightly vista.  So, trash management is important.

What’s Disturbing?

What bothers you?  What gets under your skin and rankles you?  No doubt, there could be a sliding scale of things that bug you: from stuff that’s minorly inconvenient to situations that are massively disturbing.  For me, I get cranky with people who drive slowly in the fast lane – the left lane is for passing, not sightseeing.  In the grand scheme of things, this is a minor inconvenience.  On the other end of the scale, I’m deeply disturbed by starving, abused and neglected babies.  I’m also impacted to the core of my essence from authentically engaging with the Bible and various verses that God accentuates to me. 

First Thing’s First: Stay in Love

First Thing’s First: we need to love! Join Sarah as she looks at Godly Love and what it looks like through the Bible. She will study what love looks like from the beginning of time to now, and even in the future, so get ready to encounter God’s love in a new way!

Designer Genes

Do you like wearing jeans?  When I was growing up, the popular jeans were Wranglers and Levi’s 501s.  In middle school, I wanted to be cool and wear them, but my physique didn’t really groove with those jeans, so it was a source of struggle for me, per the normal middle school angst.  Thankfully, as I’ve aged, I’ve come to learn that there’s a plethora of jeans that can be bought, in a variety of sizes and shapes along with an extensive range of price points – cheap jeans to the super ritzy and pricey options.  I’ve even heard there’s a brand called True Religion. With that said, let’s think about the interplay between jeans and genes.

First Thing’s First: Expressing Love

First Thing’s First: we need to love! Join Sarah as she looks at Godly Love and what it looks like through the Bible. She will study what love looks like from the beginning of time to now, and even in the future, so get ready to encounter God’s love in a new way!

Trauma Drama: The Healing Reaction

Trauma is an unfortunate part of living in a fallen world that we all experience—even those in Bible times. Through a study on the parable of the Good Samaritan, we will learn how traumatic events affect us, how we can receive healing, and how we can help to heal those who have also been affected by trauma.

First Thing’s First: Types of Love

First Thing’s First: we need to love! Join Sarah as she looks at Godly Love and what it looks like through the Bible. She will study what love looks like from the beginning of time to now, and even in the future, so get ready to encounter God’s love in a new way!

Trauma Drama: Defining Trauma

Trauma is an unfortunate part of living in a fallen world that we all experience—even those in Bible times. Through a study on the parable of the Good Samaritan, we will learn how traumatic events affect us, how we can receive healing, and how we can help to heal those who have also been affected by trauma.

First Things First – Genuine Love

First Thing’s First: we need to love! Join Sarah as she looks at Godly Love and what it looks like through the Bible. She will study what love looks like from the beginning of time to now, and even in the future, so get ready to encounter God’s love in a new way!

There Be Giants- Part 3

It’s interesting to consider that there was a city in the Bible that was known for have many giant inhabitants – this was the city of Gath.  It was one of the cities of the Philistines and the hometown for Goliath.  It’s also interesting to note that four other giants lived in Gath, as you can read in 1 Chronicles 20:4-6 and 2 Samuel 21:15-22.  In thinking about Gath and giants who lived there, if I was living in biblical times and I was Jewish, I wouldn’t list Gath as my top tourist destination.  Instead, I’d be inclined to put Gath on my “no go” list. 

Trauma Drama: The Parable Answer

Trauma is an unfortunate part of living in a fallen world that we all experience—even those in Bible times. Through a study on the parable of the Good Samaritan, we will learn how traumatic events affect us, how we can receive healing, and how we can help to heal those who have also been affected by trauma.

There Be Giants- Part 2

As it relates to giants in the Bible, we probably think first about Goliath the giant in 1 Samuel 17 whom David killed with a slingshot and stone.  This story has been recounted throughout history and used innumerable times to encourage underdogs when facing giants of all types. While we might love the story of David killing Goliath, it’s interesting to consider that Goliath wasn’t the only giant in his family.

New Year’s Resolutions: What Do You Want?

Ring in the New Year with Sarah as she talks about keeping our souls quiet! Have you set a New Year’s Resolution this year? Sarah will encourage you with what God has to say about our wants and desires for this year.

There Be Giants- Part 1

Feeling “less than” is a common ingredient for insecurity.  To this end, when we read Numbers 13:33, we see some of the words of the spies whom Moses had sent into the Promised Land to bring back a report of what they saw and learned.  Most of the spies described the Promised Land as flowing with milk and honey, but the people who lived there were a “big” problem. While the land was great, the inhabitants were huge and therefore intimidating to the “grasshopper” spies, minus Joshua and Caleb. 

Christmas Time: Time for a Fresh Start

When we think about Christmas, we can often think of time as a hot commodity. But, this season, join Sarah for her weekly teaching on how God uses time as a blessing in the Christmas season. Let’s learn how God wants us to love well with our time.

The Quiet

Is your week between Christmas and New Years mostly quiet?  Are there things that you normally do during this week?  Do you take this week to recover from the Christmas and holiday festivities?  Is this a time when you reflect on this year and think about next year? 

Christmas Time: Time to be Safe

When we think about Christmas, we can often think of time as a hot commodity. But, this season, join Sarah for her weekly teaching on how God uses time as a blessing in the Christmas season. Let’s learn how God wants us to love well with our time.

Anticipation

When I was a kid, I got really excited for Christmas!  My anticipation for Christmas started when we set up our tree.  We had one of those old white flocked trees that shed white bits, dust, gunk and crumbs every year until the twigs and branches were almost naked wires.  We also did some of the festive decorations like wreaths on the door and over the fireplace.  My dad was in charge of wrapping the presents, as he had a keen interest in precision and beautiful packages with ornate ribbons.

Be Strong and Courageous: Handling Transition Setbacks

We’ve all dealt with various transitions in our lives—whether big or small. Perhaps you’re going through one now. As the Israelites left the wilderness where they had been wandering for 40 years to enter the promised land, Joshua was told over and over to be strong and courageous. This series will help you discover that through the power of Holy Spirit, you can also be strong and courageous, conquering whatever transition you may be facing today!

Christmas Time: Time for Waiting

When we think about Christmas, we can often think of time as a hot commodity. But, this season, join Sarah for her weekly teaching on how God uses time as a blessing in the Christmas season. Let’s learn how God wants us to love well with our time.

Be Strong and Courageous: Overcoming Obstacles during Transitions

We’ve all dealt with various transitions in our lives—whether big or small. Perhaps you’re going through one now. As the Israelites left the wilderness where they had been wandering for 40 years to enter the promised land, Joshua was told over and over to be strong and courageous. This series will help you discover that through the power of Holy Spirit, you can also be strong and courageous, conquering whatever transition you may be facing today!

Be Gentle

In the recent weeks leading up to Christmas this year, I have had several conversations with various friends and there’s some heavy wrestling and struggles with the Christmas season.  While Christmas is often associated with festivities, celebration, parties, joy, and pleasure, it can also be a season with lots of challenges. 

Christmas Time: Time for Visitors

When we think about Christmas, we can often think of time as a hot commodity. But, this season, join Sarah for her weekly teaching on how God uses time as a blessing in the Christmas season. Let’s learn how God wants us to love well with our time.

Be Strong and Courageous: The Process of Transitions

We’ve all dealt with various transitions in our lives—whether big or small. Perhaps you’re going through one now. As the Israelites left the wilderness where they had been wandering for 40 years to enter the promised land, Joshua was told over and over to be strong and courageous. This series will help you discover that through the power of Holy Spirit, you can also be strong and courageous, conquering whatever transition you may be facing today!

The Christmas Factor

Christmas can have lots of fun activities and cozy associations, but it can also have some additional stresses and unexpected tensions. How do we navigate such things?  Here are some helpful ideas!

Christmas Time: The Fullness of Time

When we think about Christmas, we can often think of time as a hot commodity. But, this season, join Sarah for her weekly teaching on how God uses time as a blessing in the Christmas season. Let’s learn how God wants us to love well with our time.

Be Strong and Courageous: Receiving Help for Transitions

We’ve all dealt with various transitions in our lives—whether big or small. Perhaps you’re going through one now. As the Israelites left the wilderness where they had been wandering for 40 years to enter the promised land, Joshua was told over and over to be strong and courageous. This series will help you discover that through the power of Holy Spirit, you can also be strong and courageous, conquering whatever transition you may be facing today!

Dining with Jesus: The Miracle Meal

If Jesus wanted to have a meal with you, what would you do? When would you eat? What would you say? Eating a meal with someone is a very personal and intimate experience. Throughout His ministry, Jesus shared multiple meals with many of His followers. In this series, Sarah will teach you about different meals Jesus had with different people, and how you can learn from their dining experiences.

Presence for Presents

We are officially in the holiday season, now that we’ve enjoyed Thanksgiving and December is here.  This is the time of year when we do lots of festive things such as:  Christmas parties, decorating our houses, buying and wrapping presents, baking special Christmas treats / cookies, Christmas cards and more.  There’s also the fun music that goes with this season, songs like:  The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Deck the Halls, O Holy Night, Jingle Bells, O Come All Ye Faithful and heaps more!  With all of the activities, hustle and bustle, it’s easy to miss some essential things that make Christmas such a great season. 

Ungrateful

The lack of gratitude can create some really unnecessary hurt, misunderstanding and disconnects.  There have been more than a few occasions when I didn’t say “thank you” and I was offensive.  Sometimes I’ve forgotten to say thanks because I was swamped with work and neglected to take the time to be thoughtful.  I’ve also skipped out on expressing gratitude occasionally when I’m angry or cranky.  I’ve missed saying “thanks” just out of sheer oblivion – my mind and focus were totally absorbed somewhere else, and I just plain overlooked a customary civility. 

The Thanksgiving Lifestyle

In this season, let’s remember that we must live a lifestyle of thanksgiving. Join Sarah as she encourages us to remember to thank God everyday and wishes you a very happy Thanksgiving!

The Upside to Insecurity

A few weeks ago, I was in Africa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), getting to experience our incredible work with Saving Moses.  This country has been through seismic changes in the recent decades and the eastern part of the country is continually wracked by violence, instability, and dozens of roaming militias who often inflict needless death and destruction.  The word I heard most often during my time there was insecurity. 

Dining with Jesus: The First Breakfast

If Jesus wanted to have a meal with you, what would you do? When would you eat? What would you say? Eating a meal with someone is a very personal and intimate experience. Throughout His ministry, Jesus shared multiple meals with many of His followers. In this series, Sarah will teach you about different meals Jesus had with different people, and how you can learn from their dining experiences.

Be Strong and Courageous: Going through Transitions

We’ve all dealt with various transitions in our lives—whether big or small. Perhaps you’re going through one now. As the Israelites left the wilderness where they had been wandering for 40 years to enter the promised land, Joshua was told over and over to be strong and courageous. This series will help you discover that through the power of Holy Spirit, you can also be strong and courageous, conquering whatever transition you may be facing today!

David: The Father

David is one of the most iconic figures in the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, such that we can learn many lessons from him. Thankfully, the Bible shows David as very much a human with flaws, failures, heartbreak, struggles and successes. In the next few weeks, we’ll look at various seasons in David’s life to make some helpful applications into our lives today.

Dining with Jesus: The Last Supper

If Jesus wanted to have a meal with you, what would you do? When would you eat? What would you say? Eating a meal with someone is a very personal and intimate experience. Throughout His ministry, Jesus shared multiple meals with many of His followers. In this series, Sarah will teach you about different meals Jesus had with different people, and how you can learn from their dining experiences.

David: The Warrior

David is one of the most iconic figures in the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, such that we can learn many lessons from him. Thankfully, the Bible shows David as very much a human with flaws, failures, heartbreak, struggles and successes. In the next few weeks, we’ll look at various seasons in David’s life to make some helpful applications into our lives today.

Dining with Jesus: The Wedding Feast

If Jesus wanted to have a meal with you, what would you do? When would you eat? What would you say? Eating a meal with someone is a very personal and intimate experience. Throughout His ministry, Jesus shared multiple meals with many of His followers. In this series, Sarah will teach you about different meals Jesus had with different people, and how you can learn from their dining experiences.

David: The Shepherd

David is one of the most iconic figures in the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, such that we can learn many lessons from him.  Thankfully, the Bible shows David as very much a human with flaws, failures, heartbreak, struggles and successes.  In the next few weeks, we’ll look at various seasons in David’s life to make some helpful applications into our lives today.

Journeys with Jesus: Jesus’s People

Looking through scripture, we can see Jesus and the many trips he takes throughout His ministry. This series will explore the different ways Jesus journeyed and give you practical tips for your own Journey with Jesus.

Thoughts about Hamas and Israel

Holy buckets and what the heck!?!?!!  Last weekend, I woke up to the news about Hamas attacking Israel and I’ve kept myself somewhat current on what’s transpiring in one of the world’s most significant powder kegs.  The things that are currently happening in the Middle East are a continuation of conflicts, atrocities, survival, tensions and convictions that are a part of the history and culture in this part of the world, unfortunately. 

Journeys with Jesus: Riding

Looking through scripture, we can see Jesus and the many trips he takes throughout His ministry. This series will explore the different ways Jesus journeyed and give you practical tips for your own Journey with Jesus.

Benefits of Slow

Have you ever struggled with being slow?  Did you ever wish that you were speedier and arrived at the finish line of a project or competition quicker? There have been innumerable occasions when I’ve bemoaned the fact that I’m slow.  For example, when I was in elementary school, I was almost the slowest runner in my class. While I’ve often thought that being slow wasn’t good, I’m also seeing that there are some good benefits to speeds that are less zippy.

Journeys with Jesus: Sailing

Looking through scripture, we can see Jesus and the many trips he takes throughout His ministry. This series will explore the different ways Jesus journeyed and give you practical tips for your own Journey with Jesus.

Journeys with Jesus: Walking

Looking through scripture, we can see Jesus and the many trips he takes throughout His ministry. This series will explore the different ways Jesus journeyed and give you practical tips for your own Journey with Jesus.

Resurrection Essentials: Pervasion

Do you need new life breathed into a situation, relationship, or circumstance? This series explores the essentials of resurrecting areas of our lives that need to be infused with hope, change, or sustenance.

Team Value

When you hear the word, “team” what comes to your mind?  Do you think of sports?  Maybe a work group? Have you been on a team for a class project?  Do you prefer to do things solo, like Pilates or other one-person exercises, or do you like playing on a team?  Have you been on a team that was frustrating to you? What good experiences have you enjoyed in relation to being on a team? 

Resurrection Essentials: Sustainment

Do you need new life breathed into a situation, relationship, or circumstance? This series explores the essentials of resurrecting areas of our lives that need to be infused with hope, change, or sustenance.

Resurrection Essentials: Selection

Do you need new life breathed into a situation, relationship, or circumstance? This series explores the essentials of resurrecting areas of our lives that need to be infused with hope, change, or sustenance.

The Investments

When we hear the word, “investment,” we can frequently think in financial contexts, considering things like money, earnings, profit, loss, interest and portfolios.  I’d like to suggest, however, that, “investment” can have more than just a financial application. In thinking about investments, who has invested in you?  If you reflect on your life, did you have some teachers who have made deposits in your growth and development?  Have you had coaches who invested to make you a better player or competitor?

Looking to the Interior

When we examine humanity from the outside, we can often overlook what God is doing in that person’s life. As we look at the story of David, we see that the anointing God had for him was not obvious to all present, because it was on the interior.

Trauma Recovery: The Samaritan and the Innkeeper

In part two of our series on trauma, we talk about the important figures in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Each of the characters present us with an opportunity to relate and respond to trauma and how to receive healing and recover.

Resurrection Essentials: Recognition

Do you need new life breathed into a situation, relationship, or circumstance? This series explores the essentials of resurrecting areas of our lives that need to be infused with hope, change, or sustenance.

Navigating Giants

Do you have any giants in your life?  Are there massive obstacles that seem to dwarf your abilities and talents?  Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that seem to have gigantic adversity and maybe we feel intimated.  For example, facing a health diagnosis that is very disturbing, experiencing a financial struggle that is well beyond our abilities and resources or trying to get into a school that feels like a huge long-shot.  There are lots of ways that we could feel like we are in a ‘David and Goliath’ scenario.

Resurrection Essentials: Death

Do you need new life breathed into a situation, relationship, or circumstance? This series explores the essentials of resurrecting areas of our lives that need to be infused with hope, change, or sustenance.

Regular Stuff

In contrast to the “exciting” things, you might agree that lots of our daily living can often play out in the, “lather, rinse and repeat” cycle. I think that lots of life is comprised of doing daily stuff and maybe that can get boring and mundane.  The “regular stuff” isn’t always exciting, but nevertheless, it is essential. 

Trauma Recovery: The Priest and the Levite

In part two of our series on trauma, we talk about the important figures in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Each of the characters present us with an opportunity to relate and respond to trauma and how to receive healing and recover.

Interview with Glen Berteau!

Join Sarah as she interviews Glen Berteau who has a passion for saving the lost, reviving the found and equipping God’s leaders for ministry!

God Talk

Have you ever been frustrated because it seems like God isn’t talking to you?  Have you ever asked God for an answer, and you felt like the reply was crickets?  Have there been seasons in your life when you thought God was giving you the silent treatment, for whatever reason? All of these experiences, thoughts and feelings are valid and real.  So, what do we do and how do we resolve these important struggles?  Here are some reminders that you can dwell on.

Trauma Recovery: The Traveller and the Bandit

In part two of our series on trauma, we talk about the important figures in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Each of the characters present us with an opportunity to relate and respond to trauma and how to receive healing and recover.

Trauma Recovery: The Parable Characters

In part two of our series on trauma, we talk about the important figures in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Each of the characters present us with an opportunity to relate and respond to trauma and how to receive healing and recover.

Being and Doing

When someone asks us about ourselves, we often give an answer that’s related to what we do as a profession: student, in-between jobs, teacher and things like that.  If we are trying to get to know someone, it might be helpful to know their profession.  But, knowing a person far exceeds knowing what they do.  Human doing isn’t the same as human being. 

Interview with Jonathan Cahn!

Don’t miss this captivating interview where Sarah Bowling and Jonathan Cahn discuss his heritage, the writing process, and the divine inspiration that fuels his books. Tune in for an insightful and inspiring conversation that will leave you wanting more!

Dog Lessons

Presently, we don’t have any pets in our home so when I go to various friends’ houses, I get to enjoy their dogs.  To this end, I’ve been around West Highland Terriers, a Chihuahua, Bolognese, Australian Cattle Dogs and a rescue dog.  All of these dogs are very unique, fun and challenging in different ways. It’s nice to enjoy them occasionally without having to do the daily work or pay the vet bills I’m also seeing some interesting lessons from these dogs that God can help me to employ.

Trauma Drama: The Healing Verbs

Trauma is an unfortunate part of living in a fallen world that we all experience—even those in Bible times. Through a study on the parable of the Good Samaritan, we will learn how traumatic events affect us, how we can receive healing, and how we can help to heal those who have also been affected by trauma.

Flip the Script 2, parts 3 & 4

Has Jesus ever flipped the script in your life and done the opposite of what you were expecting Him to do? Through this series, learn how Jesus may want you to flip the script in your own life and allow Him to use you to bring compassion, forgiveness, love, and understanding to a world that is traumatized and hurting.

Trauma Drama: The Healing Reaction

Trauma is an unfortunate part of living in a fallen world that we all experience—even those in Bible times. Through a study on the parable of the Good Samaritan, we will learn how traumatic events affect us, how we can receive healing, and how we can help to heal those who have also been affected by trauma.

Not In The Plan

Some people are planners and some aren’t so much into planning, you’re a “take it as it comes” kind of person.  No matter what your disposition, all of us go through life and experience disasters, surprises, crises, pitfalls, accidents, windfalls, shocks, etc.  In these times, it’s helpful to remember some things about God.

Flip the Script 2, parts 1 & 2

Has Jesus ever flipped the script in your life and done the opposite of what you were expecting Him to do? Through this series, learn how Jesus may want you to flip the script in your own life and allow Him to use you to bring compassion, forgiveness, love, and understanding to a world that is traumatized and hurting.

Trauma Drama: Defining Trauma

Trauma is an unfortunate part of living in a fallen world that we all experience—even those in Bible times. Through a study on the parable of the Good Samaritan, we will learn how traumatic events affect us, how we can receive healing, and how we can help to heal those who have also been affected by trauma.

Getting Anxious

Where do we look and what do we do when we’re under pressure, when we are experiencing intense stresses?  Do we continually focus on the dwindling resources, time deadlines, etc?  Do we act on impulse, as a stress relief, maybe to help ourselves feel better?  What do we do and where do we focus?

Flip the Script 3 & 4

Has Jesus ever flipped the script in your life and done the opposite of what you were expecting Him to do? He flipped the script on James, John, and the religious leaders of His time when He told the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Through this series, learn how Jesus may want you to flip the script in your own life and allow Him to use you to bring compassion, forgiveness, love, and understanding to a world that is traumatized and hurting.

Summer Favorites

Summer reminds me that God bakes into our human existence the need for pause and margin.  When we structure our lives such that they remain in a state of perpetual action and achievement, we exchange short term results for long term sustainability. There’s a reason that God created the Sabbath and God made it one of the top priorities in the Ten Commandments.  God says that rest is important, full stop. 

Trauma Drama: The Parable Answer

Trauma is an unfortunate part of living in a fallen world that we all experience—even those in Bible times. Through a study on the parable of the Good Samaritan, we will learn how traumatic events affect us, how we can receive healing, and how we can help to heal those who have also been affected by trauma.

Flip the Script 1 & 2

Has Jesus ever flipped the script in your life and done the opposite of what you were expecting Him to do? He flipped the script on James, John, and the religious leaders of His time when He told the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Through this series, learn how Jesus may want you to flip the script in your own life and allow Him to use you to bring compassion, forgiveness, love, and understanding to a world that is traumatized and hurting.

The Power Struggle

Watching or being in a power struggle isn’t a new experience in our human journey. I’ve seen and experienced power struggles in a variety of situations, including: passengers on an airplane, an argument between a police officer and a driver, parents confronting a teacher about their child’s grade, workplace disagreements, sibling sniping, sport competitions and lots more.

Be Strong and Courageous: Handling Transition Setbacks

We’ve all dealt with various transitions in our lives—whether big or small. Perhaps you’re going through one now. As the Israelites left the wilderness where they had been wandering for 40 years to enter the promised land, Joshua was told over and over to be strong and courageous. This series will help you discover that through the power of Holy Spirit, you can also be strong and courageous, conquering whatever transition you may be facing today!

Travel Lessons

I recently did a fair amount of traveling in Asia – some work for Saving Moses and some vacation.  As with all travel, you do your best to plan such that you try to avoid unnecessary challenges and unpleasant experiences.  But alas, it’s impossible to anticipate every twist so it’s important to lean into God whether you’re traveling for vacation, work or just doing the journey of life.  Here are some lessons that I’m learning along the way.

Be Strong and Courageous: Overcoming Obstacles during Transitions

We’ve all dealt with various transitions in our lives—whether big or small. Perhaps you’re going through one now. As the Israelites left the wilderness where they had been wandering for 40 years to enter the promised land, Joshua was told over and over to be strong and courageous. This series will help you discover that through the power of Holy Spirit, you can also be strong and courageous, conquering whatever transition you may be facing today!

Be Strong and Courageous: The Process of Transitions

We’ve all dealt with various transitions in our lives—whether big or small. Perhaps you’re going through one now. As the Israelites left the wilderness where they had been wandering for 40 years to enter the promised land, Joshua was told over and over to be strong and courageous. This series will help you discover that through the power of Holy Spirit, you can also be strong and courageous, conquering whatever transition you may be facing today!

Transitions: Part 3

I’m not unfamiliar with obstacles, rejection, resistance, criticism and outright hostility.  At the same time, I know that getting to a goal or accomplishing something can be a long process and also that achievements go hand in hand with obstacles and resistance.  Perhaps the obstacles and resistance make the achieving of goals all the more significant and important. 

Using Talents Wisely: Saving a Nation

We each have supernatural gifts and abilities but using them can have a wide range of results and experiences (both positive and negative). So, how do we use them wisely? Join Sarah as she teaches about how to use our gifts with wisdom and discernment by looking at the life of Joseph.

Be Strong and Courageous: Receiving Help for Transitions

We’ve all dealt with various transitions in our lives—whether big or small. Perhaps you’re going through one now. As the Israelites left the wilderness where they had been wandering for 40 years to enter the promised land, Joshua was told over and over to be strong and courageous. This series will help you discover that through the power of Holy Spirit, you can also be strong and courageous, conquering whatever transition you may be facing today!

Transitions: Part 2

We all go through seasons and changes – that’s the nature of life.  Maybe some of us go through changes with more grace and maybe some of us go through transitions with gritted teeth and white knuckles.  In last week’s blog, we talked about the importance of our internal orientation related to change and in this week’s blog, I’ll talk about people.  I’m also using the beginning of the book of Joshua to help us gain wisdom and grace for navigating change, particularly with people. 

Using Talents Wisely: Supernatural Strategy

We each have supernatural gifts and abilities but using them can have a wide range of results and experiences (both positive and negative). So, how do we use them wisely? Join Sarah as she teaches about how to use our gifts with wisdom and discernment by looking at the life of Joseph.

Be Strong and Courageous: Going through Transitions

We’ve all dealt with various transitions in our lives—whether big or small. Perhaps you’re going through one now. As the Israelites left the wilderness where they had been wandering for 40 years to enter the promised land, Joshua was told over and over to be strong and courageous. This series will help you discover that through the power of Holy Spirit, you can also be strong and courageous, conquering whatever transition you may be facing today!

Transitions: Part 1

How do you navigate change? Is change a trainwreck waiting to happen or do you relish change because it’s exciting?  Are you in the middle of any changes now?  Do you know someone who is in the midst of changes or transitions? In thinking about changes and transitions, I’m going to do a three-part series on this subject because we can get lots of helpful wisdom and ideas to navigate our personal transitions.  To do this, we’re going to look at the book of Joshua in the Old Testament, because it’s a book that is situated in the crosshairs of change. 

Using Talents Wisely: Visions in Prison

We each have supernatural gifts and abilities but using them can have a wide range of results and experiences (both positive and negative). So, how do we use them wisely? Join Sarah as she teaches about how to use our gifts with wisdom and discernment by looking at the life of Joseph.

That’s Not Fair!

There are lots of opportunities in life that revolve around the fairness concern and there are plenty of situations in the Bible that speak to this issue. One such scenario is the whole tension between Hannah and Peninnah that’s discussed in 1 Samuel 1. These women were married to the same man, Elkanah, and they had very different experiences. To begin with, Peninnah had several children. At this time in history, having children positioned her to have value. In contrast, Hannah was barren and that was a huge detractor for her importance, even though this was unfair.

Resurrection Essentials: Pervasion

Do you need new life breathed into a situation, relationship, or circumstance? This series explores the essentials of resurrecting areas of our lives that need to be infused with hope, change, or sustenance.

Using Talents Wisely: When Gifts Backfire

Join Sarah Bowling as she teaches on using the talents and gifts God has given you! We each have supernatural gifts and abilities but using them can have a wide range of results and experiences (both positive and negative). So, how do we use them wisely? Join Sarah as she teaches about how to use our gifts with wisdom and discernment by looking at the life of Joseph.

Niche Languages

Since you’re reading this blog, it’s safe to assume that you have some proficiency in English such that we have some basic common ground with our communication.  Because we have some basic commonality with communication, sometimes we make assumptions that the other person understands what we’re saying.  This can be true when we order fast food, do some regular daily activities and pleasantries.  However, I’ve had some interesting experiences lately with “niche languages.”

Resurrection Essentials: Sustainment

Do you need new life breathed into a situation, relationship, or circumstance? This series explores the essentials of resurrecting areas of our lives that need to be infused with hope, change, or sustenance.

Interview with Ray Leight!

Join Sarah as she interviews identity coach, mental health advocate, and follower of Jesus, Ray Leight!

Identity Check: ἄγω

In our world, a person’s identity is a big deal.  It’s important for financial reasons, the integrity of a person’s interactions, stability with communication, and lots more reasons.  It’s also interesting to consider that the Bible has some important things to say about our identity; particularly related to the Greek verb, “ἄγω.”  This is a pretty common verb that’s used in the New Testament, and it means, “to lead.”

Resurrection Essentials: Selection

Do you need new life breathed into a situation, relationship, or circumstance? This series explores the essentials of resurrecting areas of our lives that need to be infused with hope, change, or sustenance.

Interview with Jason Cusick!

Sarah Bowling interviews Jason Cusick – listen to their thought-provoking conversation!

Jason Cusick is a pastor, father, and artist! He pastors in southern California and used to be hospital chaplain in the oncology unit. You don’t want to skip this interview!

Resurrection Essentials: Recognition

Do you need new life breathed into a situation, relationship, or circumstance? This series explores the essentials of resurrecting areas of our lives that need to be infused with hope, change, or sustenance.

Strength and Courage

New seasons, new assignments, new locations, new challenges all require strength and courage.  Recently, I started reading the book of Joshua and I was impressed with the four times in the first chapter that Joshua is told to be strong and courageous.  Three of these four times, it’s God who is telling Joshua to be strong and courageous.  The other time is when the Israelites told him the same thing. 

Conversations with Jacob: Walking with God

The conversations we have every day are extremely important and can impact the people around us, our circumstances, and even our futures. Walk with Sarah through the life of Jacob and the conversations he has with his family, his employer, and most importantly, God.

Delights and Dangers of Routines

For me, I have daily routines like brushing my teeth, washing my face, reading something in the Old Testament, a Psalm and something in the New Testament.  I have certain ways that I chop lettuce when I make a salad and there’s a pattern I tend to follow when I shovel snow.  There’s no doubt that I can adjust the routines and mix things up – sometimes I do just that.  But I find it helpful to have routines, until it’s not helpful. 

Resurrection Essentials: Death

Do you need new life breathed into a situation, relationship, or circumstance? This series explores the essentials of resurrecting areas of our lives that need to be infused with hope, change, or sustenance.

Conversations with Jacob: Reconciling Differences

The conversations we have every day are extremely important and can impact the people around us, our circumstances, and even our futures. Walk with Sarah through the life of Jacob and the conversations he has with his family, his employer, and most importantly, God.

Groan or Grown

Lots of times when I tell a joke, people groan because my jokes are pretty terrible.  For example, why can’t you hear a pterodactyl (dinosaur) go the bathroom?  Because the “p” is silent.  Now you can see why people would “groan” at my jokes.  It’s interesting to me that groan and grown sound the same and you can only tell the difference by their spelling or context.  At the same time, when we grow, we can “groan” because of the growing pains – like maybe when you joints ached as a teenager. 

Conversations with Jacob: Important Decisions

The conversations we have every day are extremely important and can impact the people around us, our circumstances, and even our futures. Walk with Sarah through the life of Jacob and the conversations he has with his family, his employer, and most importantly, God.

Seasonal Lessons

I like Spring!  I appreciate how Winter gets swallowed up in sunshine, warmer weather, singing birds, fragrant flowers, longer days and pervasive resurrection.  Spring is a great time to reflect on the conclusion of Winter and the springboard for Summer.  But no matter the season, we can look at Jesus’ life in a seasonal context to recognize and apply some important lessons for our daily living. 

Unseen Injuries

I’m raising your awareness about unseen injuries because lots of people in our daily living have invisible pain.  Some folks have physical maladies related to a variety of causes, but we don’t often see the evidence of such maladies nor their efforts to cope with the associated pain.  Beyond the struggles people might have with physical challenges, lots of humans have injuries in their souls from traumatic experiences.  Such traumas could include rejection, abuse, neglect, verbal and emotional wounds and lots more.  The evidence of soul trauma can be demonstrated in a variety of ways, but at the most basic level, when we experience trauma, we usually revert to one of two things:  fight or flight.

Anticipating Easter

What’s your favorite thing about Easter?  Do you like the date as a milestone on the move into Spring?  Do Easter egg hunts hasten your heart rate?  Do you like the candies that are often associated with Easter, like Cadbury eggs, Peeps yellow marshmallow chicks, chocolate bunnies, pastel jellybeans, . . . ?  Do you get really amped to think about Jesus’ resurrection?  Maybe an Easter sunrise church service?

Getting Some Pause

In less than two weeks, we have Easter Sunday and that’s a time of great celebration to remember Jesus’ resurrection.  Leading up to Easter, we have Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.  No doubt that the days that precede Easter are important to help us remember the journey that Jesus took to go to the cross and also experience resurrection. 

Lessons for Starting: Keep Going

Do you struggle with starting (or finishing) things? Have you made New Year’s resolutions that didn’t pan out? In order to finish well you need to start well, which includes focusing on the future, leaving the past behind, and staying consistent, even when you face obstacles and struggles along the way. Watch and be encouraged!

Flip the Script: Compassion vs Justification

Has Jesus ever flipped the script in your life and done the opposite of what you were expecting Him to do? He flipped the script on James, John, and the religious leaders of His time when He told the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Through this series, learn how Jesus may want you to flip the script in your own life and allow Him to use you to bring compassion, forgiveness, love, and understanding to a world that is traumatized and hurting.

Value in the Low Point

What are some of the low points that you’ve experienced in life?  Have you had some setbacks or failures that have tripped you up?  Low point experiences can bring us to our knees and cause us to be fully attentive to Jesus, praying for His help, intervention, wisdom, participation and presence. When I think about coming to Jesus for help in these low points, I’m reminded of several people who fell at Jesus’ feet and had some really incredible experiences. As you consider these examples, be aware of how Jesus could participate in your life.

Lessons for Starting: Fresh Start

Do you struggle with starting (or finishing) things? Have you made New Year’s resolutions that didn’t pan out? In order to finish well you need to start well, which includes focusing on the future, leaving the past behind, and staying consistent, even when you face obstacles and struggles along the way. Watch and be encouraged!

Questions for Jesus

Do you have any questions for Jesus?  What would you want to ask Him?  Maybe even more interesting, why would you want to ask Jesus the questions that you have? When Jesus lived on the earth, lots of people asked Him questions for various reasons. From these questions, we can see that people had a variety of questions for Him from very diverse motives. Sometimes, people were trying to trick or trap Jesus.  Sometimes, people were wanting Him to do something for them.  And sometimes, people had genuine curiosity and questions for Him, seeking to get answers for various dilemmas and struggles. 

Flip the Script: Mercy vs. Judgement

Has Jesus ever flipped the script in your life and done the opposite of what you were expecting Him to do? He flipped the script on James, John, and the religious leaders of His time when He told the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Through this series, learn how Jesus may want you to flip the script in your own life and allow Him to use you to bring compassion, forgiveness, love, and understanding to a world that is traumatized and hurting.

Using Talents Wisely: Saving a Nation

We each have supernatural gifts and abilities but using them can have a wide range of results and experiences (both positive and negative). So, how do we use them wisely? Join Sarah as she teaches about how to use our gifts with wisdom and discernment by looking at the life of Joseph.

Flip the Script, Part 3

The religious establishment had a very pinched and regimented script that they wanted Jesus to follow, but routinely, He flipped the script on them.  A great example of this flipping happened in the beginning of John 8.  In this situation, we read about Jesus being in the temple, teaching, early in the morning.  As He was teaching, the religious leaders interrupted Him by throwing a woman at His feet and making a very awkward commotion. 

Using Talents Wisely: Supernatural Strategy

We each have supernatural gifts and abilities but using them can have a wide range of results and experiences (both positive and negative). So, how do we use them wisely? Join Sarah as she teaches about how to use our gifts with wisdom and discernment by looking at the life of Joseph.

Flip the Script, Part 2

Last week, we looked at the idea of flipping the script related to James and John asking Jesus about calling down fire to consume a Samaritan town who wasn’t welcoming Jesus. To their question, Jesus confronted their mindset and flipped the script when He rebuked them in Luke 9:56, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” For this week’s blog, I’d like to add to last week’s thoughts and consider the script-flipping that Jesus did with the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10.  Jesus told this parable as an answer to the question of a Jewish leader who was wanting to justify himself in addition to trapping Jesus in a religious challenge.  The question that the Jewish leader asked Jesus was, “Who is my neighbor?”

Resources with Vision

Sarah discusses the resources that can come along with vision. Even our liabilities can be resources in God’s hands!

Jesus Gives Peter Vision

Sarah looks at Peter and the vision that Jesus puts in his life. How does this relate to us and Jesus’ vision for ourselves?

Flip the Script, Part 1

Flip The Script

Have you ever thought that you were being devoted to the cause of Christ, but found yourself  in tension or conflict with people around you?  I think this is a fairly common experience.  It seems to me that this is kind of what was happening in the verses in Luke 9, referenced at the beginning of this blog.  In these verses, James and John, two of Jesus’ disciples were reacting to the rejection of Jesus from a Samaritan village.  Their response, to call down fire from heaven to consume the Samaritan village, could seem to be an ardent defense and strong support for Jesus.  On the other hand, their response was really contrary to Jesus’ values and purpose for coming to earth. 

Against the Grain

Do you ever feel like you’re doing life against the grain, contrary to what’s expected or normal?  I think we can sometimes struggle to remain true to our interior convictions when the world around us doesn’t always complement or support our beliefs.  And we can find ourselves in a season or situation when we are at odds against our environs. 

Conversations with Jacob: Walking with God

The conversations we have every day are extremely important and can impact the people around us, our circumstances, and even our futures. Walk with Sarah through the life of Jacob and the conversations he has with his family, his employer, and most importantly, God.

Conversations with Jacob: Reconciling Differences

The conversations we have every day are extremely important and can impact the people around us, our circumstances, and even our futures. Walk with Sarah through the life of Jacob and the conversations he has with his family, his employer, and most importantly, God.

Conversations with Jacob: Important Decisions

The conversations we have every day are extremely important and can impact the people around us, our circumstances, and even our futures. Walk with Sarah through the life of Jacob and the conversations he has with his family, his employer, and most importantly, God.

Conversations with Jacob: Youthful Mistakes

The conversations we have every day are extremely important and can impact the people around us, our circumstances, and even our futures. Walk with Sarah through the life of Jacob and the conversations he has with his family, his employer, and most importantly, God.

Lessons for Starting: Keep Going

Do you struggle with starting (or finishing) things? Have you made New Year’s resolutions that didn’t pan out? In order to finish well you need to start well, which includes focusing on the future, leaving the past behind, and staying consistent, even when you face obstacles and struggles along the way. Watch and be encouraged!

God Speaks to Us

Sarah talks about the Shepherd’s journey to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and we learn that God speaks to us in context specific to us!

Lessons for Starting: Fresh Start

Do you struggle with starting (or finishing) things? Have you made New Year’s resolutions that didn’t pan out? In order to finish well you need to start well, which includes focusing on the future, leaving the past behind, and staying consistent, even when you face obstacles and struggles along the way. Watch and be encouraged!

Dealing with Bad Stuff

All of us have bad stuff that happens in our lives – some of the bad stuff might not be too bad at this moment.  Or some of the bad stuff in your life right now is beyond horrific.  It seems to be that dealing with bad stuff is part of what it means to be human.  So who could we look at in the Bible to give us some ideas and wisdom on dealing with bad stuff?

Assets and Liabilities

All of us have assets and liabilities, strengths and weaknesses.  It’s helpful when we can live wholly in our strengths and avoid our weaknesses, but life doesn’t always work out like that.  In general, we live a blended life, enjoying our strengths as the assets God has put in our lives along with navigating our weaknesses, trying to offset our liabilities. 

Conversations with Jacob Part 4

Do you have conversations with God?  What do such conversations look like?  Are you careful about what you say, how you express yourself, the emotions that you share with God, calibrating any anger or disappointment such that you aren’t disrespectful or hostile with God?  If you get angry with God, do you withdraw, get sullen, cut back on church, worship, Bible studies or quiet times with God?  Are you honest with God even if you don’t have a lot of faith or trust in God? 

Conversations with Jacob Part 3

Do you have brothers and/or sisters?  What is your relationship like with your sibling(s)?  If you have a sibling, you have likely had some challenging interactions with them and it’s possible that you might have some hot spots or tension with them now as an adult.  For myself, I had a brother who was eight years older than me, and we didn’t have a close relationship in any way. There are lots of reasons why we weren’t close and maybe most of all, we had drastically different personalities and values.

Conversations with Jacob Part 2

Have you ever had some difficult conversations with an employer or employee?  Have you ever received a review from work that was less than pleasant?  Have you had to give a review to an employee that made you feel squeamish? In this blog, we’re looking at the conversations Jacob had with his uncle and employer, Laban.  We’re doing this because this is the second part of this blog series that’s looking at the various conversations that Jacob had over the course of his life.

Gratitude: Filled with Everlasting Love

You may be used to hearing about giving thanks in November, but have you ever considered the gratitude that Jesus showed throughout the Gospels? In this series, we’ll look at three different situations where Jesus gave thanks, and finish in the Psalms on Thanksgiving Day. These aren’t your usual teachings on gratitude, so we encourage you to watch each episode!

Mind the Gap

If you go to London and ride the tube (subway), over the loudspeaker at all tube stations, you’ll repeatedly hear the phrase, “Mind the gap.”  This announcement refers to the space between the platform and the train–the gap that could be hurtful if a passenger isn’t paying attention.  It’s also interesting to think about a gap year, when someone takes a break after high school, before going to college.  It can happen such that the year becomes a longer gap and it’s not uncommon for people to find their way in life without attending college. 

Conversations with Jacob Part 1

For me, there are heaps of Bible folk with whom I’d like to chat.  I think it would be fascinating to ask Abraham about his interactions with God, being told to leave his homeland and go where God would tell him to go.  I’d love to chat with David to hear about his flight years from Saul, his intimacy with God and why he made various decisions about his kids.  I’d be interested to do a Q&A with Paul to unpack his ideas about women being silent in church and keeping their heads covered – were those his thoughts based on the culture and era in which he lived? Another person I’d like to have some conversations with in the Bible is Jacob, whom we read about in Genesis.  Truth be told, he’s one of my favorite people.

God Speaks to Us

Sarah talks about the Shepherd’s journey to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and we learn that God speaks to us in context specific to us!

Lessons for Starting: Fresh Start

Do you struggle with starting (or finishing) things? Have you made New Year’s resolutions that didn’t pan out? In order to finish well you need to start well, which includes focusing on the future, leaving the past behind, and staying consistent, even when you face obstacles and struggles along the way. Watch and be encouraged!

Gratitude: He Was Broken for You

You may be used to hearing about giving thanks in November, but have you ever considered the gratitude that Jesus showed throughout the Gospels? In this series, we’ll look at three different situations where Jesus gave thanks, and finish in the Psalms on Thanksgiving Day. These aren’t your usual teachings on gratitude, so we encourage you to watch each episode!

Lessons for Starting: Finish Well

Do you struggle with starting (or finishing) things? Have you made New Year’s resolutions that didn’t pan out? In order to finish well you need to start well, which includes focusing on the future, leaving the past behind, and staying consistent, even when you face obstacles and struggles along the way. Watch and be encouraged!

Gratitude: He Was Broken for You

You may be used to hearing about giving thanks in November, but have you ever considered the gratitude that Jesus showed throughout the Gospels? In this series, we’ll look at three different situations where Jesus gave thanks, and finish in the Psalms on Thanksgiving Day. These aren’t your usual teachings on gratitude, so we encourage you to watch each episode!

Gratitude: He Always Hears You

You may be used to hearing about giving thanks in November, but have you ever considered the gratitude that Jesus showed throughout the Gospels? In this series, we’ll look at three different situations where Jesus gave thanks, and finish in the Psalms on Thanksgiving Day. These aren’t your usual teachings on gratitude, so we encourage you to watch each episode!

Merry Christmas

How has your Christmas season been this year?  Have you enjoyed the festivities?  Do you feel settled and relaxed or stressed and frantic?  My Christmas season has been busy – all the regular stuff and a few extra unexpected things.  No matter what’s happened in the recent weeks, we’re closing in on Christmas in just a few days.

Gratitude: Bless Your Provision

You may be used to hearing about giving thanks in November, but have you ever considered the gratitude that Jesus showed throughout the Gospels? In this series, we’ll look at three different situations where Jesus gave thanks, and finish in the Psalms on Thanksgiving Day. These aren’t your usual teachings on gratitude, so we encourage you to watch each episode!

Jesus is our Wiseman!

Watch part of Sarah’s sermon discussing the wisemen’s journey to welcoming Jesus!

Christmas in Motion Part 3

In the bustle of Christmas, it’s easy to lose track of the main thing. Which brings us to the third part of this blog series, “Christmas in Motion.” In the first two blogs, we looked at the activity and effort it took for Joseph and Mary to land in Bethlehem–thinking about that in terms of God’s help with miracles and some of the struggles we might go through in relation to God’s promises.  In the second blog, we looked at the journey of the wisemen, making their way from the remote East to find Jesus, being led by a star to direct their journey. In this blog, we’re considering the shepherds in the field who received an angelic visitation and the instruction to look for the baby laying in a manger.

Christmas in Motion: The Shepherds (Reaction)

The holidays are a season of activity and motion. This Christmas, let’s stay in motion so that God can steer us in our pursuit of Jesus, who was God’s gift and expression of love for us.

Christmas in Motion: The Magi (Purpose)

The holidays are a season of activity and motion. This Christmas, let’s stay in motion so that God can steer us in our pursuit of Jesus, who was God’s gift and expression of love for us.

Christmas in Motion Part 2

Christmas is a really festive time of the year, filled with activities and some obligations.  In light of this season’s bustling, let’s take a few moments to think about the stuff that happened around Jesus’ birth. For this week, I’d like us to think about the activity or motion that happened with the Magi or wisemen making their way to worship the newborn king.  In Matthew 2, we read about the Magi following the star for the King of the Jews that led them to Jerusalem.  When we look at the wisemen of this era, we learn that these men came from the East, likely Babylon or Persia.  

Interview with Yvon Attia!

Join Sarah as she interviews Yvon Attia. From Egypt to Australia, Yvon and her husband moved to America. Yvon grew up as a pastor’s kid and experienced intense persecution. She has a passion for God and His word, loves ministering to people, and shares how God walks through every fire with us!

Christmas in Motion Part 1

Welcome to December and the launch into Christmas festivities!  This is the time of year when everything seems to get really busy with parties, decorating, concerts, activities, shopping, wrapping, baking, etc.  Truth be told, when the calendar turns to December, I always feel like I need to tighten my seat belt because life goes from fast to warp speed.  Sometimes I resent the speed and hustle of Christmas, but I’ve been thinking about Jesus’ birth and how there was activity and motion around His birth. 

Christmas in Motion: Joseph and Mary (Miracles)

The holidays are a season of activity and motion. This Christmas, let’s stay in motion so that God can steer us in our pursuit of Jesus, who was God’s gift and expression of love for us.

Conversations with Jesus – The Big Reveal Sermon

Enjoy this sermon from Sarah! She continues her series on conversations with Jesus, and explores the contrasts between the sinner woman and Mary during dinner with Jesus. Follow along in Luke 7:36-50, and John 12.

Who Will You Be?

Sarah wraps up her discussion of meals with Jesus, and gives us some things to consider!

The Gratitude Challenge

Do you ever struggle to be grateful in difficult seasons or challenging situations?  How could a person be thankful who has recently been diagnosed with cancer or who lost a loved one, now struggling in the throes of grief?  How is it possible to be grateful when there’s more month than money, when you work for a horrific boss or when you have a deep friendship that has gone awry?

Interview with Barry Bennett!

Join Sarah as she interviews teacher and missionary, Barry Bennett. Barry is a teacher from Andrew Wommack’s Charis Bible College in Woodland Park, Colorado. Healed from stage 4 cancer, he has a passion for the healing ministry and teaching all how to access it.

Do You Like to Laugh?

I like to laugh in the whole range of laughing.  I like the little chuckles that I get when something is humorous.  I like the spontaneous big laughs that happen from a surprising and funny experience or witty exchange.  And I love the laughing that’s so massive that my belly aches and my eyes water.  If you watch my YouTube channel or follow me on Instagram, you have probably heard me whip out a stupid joke, something corny and groan worthy.  But no matter how bad my jokes are, I still like to laugh and I’m very convinced that it’s good to laugh!

Pausing with purpose: Pausing To Process

Do you ever find yourself in a rush? Trying to do many things at once and not getting a lot done? Sometimes we need to take a pause to get focused and listen to what Holy Spirit is trying to tell us. In this series, join Sarah as she talks about the importance and values of taking a pause while giving examples of when Jesus took pauses in his life.

Love Jesus More

Sarah discusses how Judas gets cranky about money, and Simon gets cranky about sin. Jesus speaks to the cranky and pours love into it. Sarah also reminds us we must love Jesus more than anything!

Managing Expectations

What do you expect from God?  Do you think that if you obey God’s directives in your life that you will live a struggle free life?  There are a lot of times when we read the Bible, we pray, extend our faith, trust God and hope that our efforts and obedience to God will facilitate a life of greater ease and less struggle.  And no doubt, we can find lots of scenarios in the Bible that could affirm this transactional mentality. In the Bible, we can find a plethora of verses which confirm, “If I do everything right, according to godly principles, then my life will be smooth, prosperous and devoid of hardship.” 

Pausing with Purpose: Pausing to Recover

Do you ever find yourself in a rush? Trying to do many things at once and not getting a lot done? Sometimes we need to take a pause to get focused and listen to what Holy Spirit is trying to tell us. In this series, join Sarah as she talks about the importance and values of taking a pause while giving examples of when Jesus took pauses in his life.

Snips and Quips for Practical Living

Over the course of some recent months, I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy reading and discussing the book of Proverbs.  My discussions have been with various people in my church, folk who have a wide array of life experiences, diverse ages, different religious perspectives and political persuasions.  It’s both interesting and comforting to me that Proverbs has wisdom for all of us, no matter our age, experiences and points of view. 

Gratitude: Filled with Everlasting Love

You may be used to hearing about giving thanks in November, but have you ever considered the gratitude that Jesus showed throughout the Gospels? In this series, we’ll look at three different situations where Jesus gave thanks, and finish in the Psalms on Thanksgiving Day. These aren’t your usual teachings on gratitude, so we encourage you to watch each episode!

Gratitude: He Was Broken for You

You may be used to hearing about giving thanks in November, but have you ever considered the gratitude that Jesus showed throughout the Gospels? In this series, we’ll look at three different situations where Jesus gave thanks, and finish in the Psalms on Thanksgiving Day. These aren’t your usual teachings on gratitude, so we encourage you to watch each episode!

Gratitude: He Always Hears You

You may be used to hearing about giving thanks in November, but have you ever considered the gratitude that Jesus showed throughout the Gospels? In this series, we’ll look at three different situations where Jesus gave thanks, and finish in the Psalms on Thanksgiving Day. These aren’t your usual teachings on gratitude, so we encourage you to watch each episode!

Gratitude: Bless Your Provision

You may be used to hearing about giving thanks in November, but have you ever considered the gratitude that Jesus showed throughout the Gospels? In this series, we’ll look at three different situations where Jesus gave thanks, and finish in the Psalms on Thanksgiving Day. These aren’t your usual teachings on gratitude, so we encourage you to watch each episode!

Pausing with purpose: Pausing for What’s Next

Do you ever find yourself in a rush? Trying to do many things at once and not getting a lot done? Sometimes we need to take a pause to get focused and listen to what Holy Spirit is trying to tell us. In this series, join Sarah as she talks about the importance and values of taking a pause while giving examples of when Jesus took pauses in his life.

Dinner with Jesus

Sarah compares and contrasts the sinner woman and Mary, and how they each expressed their love to Jesus in similar ways!

The Difficult People

What kinds of people are difficult for you?  Do you struggle with people who have different points of view than your perspective?  Are you challenged with people who are unkind and/or self-absorbed?  Do people who are less-than-moral bother you?  Do you get cranky with self-righteousness folk? 

When Jesus Disappoints: Lazarus and Jesus

Should Christians ever be disappointed in Jesus? Have you ever been disappointed in Jesus? Instead of denying or ignoring our disappointment, let’s dig into what it may be like to experience frustration or even disillusionment in Jesus. Using John 11 as our guide, this series will peel back the layers on expectations, assumptions, and the reality of what it’s like to be in a season of disappointment. Get ready to be encouraged by Jesus’ interactions with each person in this biblical account, how He handled their unmet expectations and ended up giving them so much more than they could have ever imagined!

Pausing with Purpose: Pausing to Prepare

Do you every find yourself in a rush? Trying to do many things at once and not getting a lot done? Sometimes we need to take a pause to get focused and listen to what Holy Spirit is trying to tell us. In this series, join Sarah as she talks about the importance and values of taking a pause while giving examples of when Jesus took pauses in his life.

When Jesus Disappoints: The Spectators and Jesus

Should Christians ever be disappointed in Jesus? Have you ever been disappointed in Jesus? Instead of denying or ignoring our disappointment, let’s dig into what it may be like to experience frustration or even disillusionment in Jesus. Using John 11 as our guide, this series will peel back the layers on expectations, assumptions, and the reality of what it’s like to be in a season of disappointment. Get ready to be encouraged by Jesus’ interactions with each person in this biblical account, how He handled their unmet expectations and ended up giving them so much more than they could have ever imagined!

What Are Your Routines?

Do you have things that you do every day, like brushing your teeth, wearing deodorant, changing clothes, making coffee / tea, etc.?  It’s important to look at what we do or don’t do every day because such routines will predict our future in these respective areas.  For example, for many years, I didn’t have the routine of flossing my teeth consistently.  As a result, my dental hygienist would spend lots of time at each cleaning scraping my teeth, my gums would bleed, and I never enjoyed these appointments.  As I’ve begun to integrate consistent flossing into my daily habits, my dental appointments have been lots quicker and significantly less painful. 

Following Jesus

In our modern world, we have lots of people who say that they want to be Jesus followers.  I am one of those people and I find it very challenging to be a Jesus follower.  I suspect that my challenges aren’t much different than those who followed Him during His physical existence and those who followed Him shortly after His resurrection. 

Interview with P. Brian Noble!

Join Sarah as she interviews special guest, Brian Noble. P. Brian Noble is an everyday guy who loves Jesus. He has been married for 20 years, and he’s a founder and CEO of Peacemaker Ministries.

Sheep, Shepherd and Shams Part 4

Join Sarah as she explores John chapters 9 and 10. This relevant teaching on sheep (us), the shepherd (Jesus), and shams (impostors) will help you learn to follow the Good Shepherd, recognize neutral and negative voices, and experience what relationship with Jesus is actually like.

When Jesus Disappoints: Mary and Jesus

Should Christians ever be disappointed in Jesus? Have you ever been disappointed in Jesus? Instead of denying or ignoring our disappointment, let’s dig into what it may be like to experience frustration or even disillusionment in Jesus. Using John 11 as our guide, this series will peel back the layers on expectations, assumptions, and the reality of what it’s like to be in a season of disappointment. Get ready to be encouraged by Jesus’ interactions with each person in this biblical account, how He handled their unmet expectations and ended up giving them so much more than they could have ever imagined!

When Jesus Disappoints: Martha and Jesus

Should Christians ever be disappointed in Jesus? Have you ever been disappointed in Jesus? Instead of denying or ignoring our disappointment, let’s dig into what it may be like to experience frustration or even disillusionment in Jesus. Using John 11 as our guide, this series will peel back the layers on expectations, assumptions, and the reality of what it’s like to be in a season of disappointment. Get ready to be encouraged by Jesus’ interactions with each person in this biblical account, how He handled their unmet expectations and ended up giving them so much more than they could have ever imagined!

Conversing with Jesus

We learn about Mary’s reaction to Jesus coming after Lazarus’s death. Instead of talking like Martha had, Mary is emotional. Jesus wept. Through this example we learn that Jesus speaks to us by how we are on the inside, emotional or calm, he will converse with us.

Let Jesus Exceed Expectations!

We have limitations that we project onto Jesus’ abilities. We need to give him the opportunity to exceed our expectations!

Thinking About Seasons

Have you noticed the change in the weather?  Have the leaves on the trees begun to make a little bit of change in their color?  Have you observed the sun rising a little later, setting a little sooner?  Are you using your air conditioning less?  And have you seen some changes with the birds?  We are definitely changing seasons, moving away from summer and into the fall season with cooler temperatures, shorter days and maybe the hummingbirds are deciding to go where it’s warmer. 

Walking On Water Part 3

Are you caught in the middle of a stormy circumstance? Do you feel like you can’t see Jesus because of the waves crashing around you? Gain inspiration from this timely word on reaching for Jesus during distracting or difficult seasons.

Deconstructed Healing Part 1

Are you or someone you love, sick or injured? Do you need healing? Receive hope through this series on John 5:1-16, when Jesus heals the man at the pool of Bethesda. Sarah makes timely observations on the adversity, attitude, agreement, and action that accompany healing. Listen and be encouraged!

Deconstructed Healing Part 2

Are you or someone you love, sick or injured? Do you need healing? Receive hope through this series on John 5:1-16, when Jesus heals the man at the pool of Bethesda. Sarah makes timely observations on the adversity, attitude, agreement, and action that accompany healing. Listen and be encouraged!

Deconstructed Healing Part 3

Are you or someone you love, sick or injured? Do you need healing? Receive hope through this series on John 5:1-16, when Jesus heals the man at the pool of Bethesda. Sarah makes timely observations on the adversity, attitude, agreement, and action that accompany healing. Listen and be encouraged!

Deconstructed Healing Part 4

Are you or someone you love, sick or injured? Do you need healing? Receive hope through this series on John 5:1-16, when Jesus heals the man at the pool of Bethesda. Sarah makes timely observations on the adversity, attitude, agreement, and action that accompany healing. Listen and be encouraged!

Show & Tell Part 1

Do you remember having “show and tell” in school? Where each student gets to show their assets and tell their classmates all about it? Join Sarah in this series on John 8:1-11, when Jesus’ teaching was interrupted by the Pharisees, with bringing in a woman caught in the act of sin. In that moment, the attention was taken off Jesus by putting the woman in the spotlight to be humiliated. Watch as Sarah makes deep connections about having a learner’s mindset, a humble heart, and a forgiving nature.

Show & Tell Part 2

Do you remember having “show and tell” in school? Where each student gets to show their assets and tell their classmates all about it? Join Sarah in this series on John 8:1-11, when Jesus’ teaching was interrupted by the Pharisees, with bringing in a woman caught in the act of sin. In that moment, the attention was taken off Jesus by putting the woman in the spotlight to be humiliated. Watch as Sarah makes deep connections about having a learner’s mindset, a humble heart, and a forgiving nature.

Show & Tell Part 3

Do you remember having “show and tell” in school? Where each student gets to show their assets and tell their classmates all about it? Join Sarah in this series on John 8:1-11, when Jesus’ teaching was interrupted by the Pharisees, with bringing in a woman caught in the act of sin. In that moment, the attention was taken off Jesus by putting the woman in the spotlight to be humiliated. Watch as Sarah makes deep connections about having a learner’s mindset, a humble heart, and a forgiving nature.

Show & Tell Part 4

Do you remember having “show and tell” in school? Where each student gets to show their assets and tell their classmates all about it? Join Sarah in this series on John 8:1-11, when Jesus’ teaching was interrupted by the Pharisees, with bringing in a woman caught in the act of sin. In that moment, the attention was taken off Jesus by putting the woman in the spotlight to be humiliated. Watch as Sarah makes deep connections about having a learner’s mindset, a humble heart, and a forgiving nature.

Sheep, Shepherd and Shams Part 1

Join Sarah as she explores John chapters 9 and 10. This relevant teaching on sheep (us), the shepherd (Jesus), and shams (impostors) will help you learn to follow the Good Shepherd, recognize neutral and negative voices, and experience what relationship with Jesus is actually like.

Sheep, Shepherds, and Shams Part 2

Join Sarah as she explores John chapters 9 and 10. This relevant teaching on sheep (us), the shepherd (Jesus), and shams (impostors) will help you learn to follow the Good Shepherd, recognize neutral and negative voices, and experience what relationship with Jesus is actually like.

Sheep, Shepherd, and Shams Part 3

Join Sarah as she explores John chapters 9 and 10. This relevant teaching on sheep (us), the shepherd (Jesus), and shams (impostors) will help you learn to follow the Good Shepherd, recognize neutral and negative voices, and experience what relationship with Jesus is actually like.

Revealing Jesus

In this passage we learn how Martha reacts to the news that Jesus is the resurrection. Martha returns to Mary mourning the death of their brother, and tells her who Jesus really is.

When Jesus Disappoints: Three Siblings and Jesus

Should Christians ever be disappointed in Jesus? Have you ever been disappointed in Jesus? Instead of denying or ignoring our disappointment, let’s dig into what it may be like to experience frustration or even disillusionment in Jesus. Using John 11 as our guide, this series will peel back the layers on expectations, assumptions, and the reality of what it’s like to be in a season of disappointment. Get ready to be encouraged by Jesus’ interactions with each person in this biblical account, how He handled their unmet expectations and ended up giving them so much more than they could have ever imagined!

Extravagant or Cranky

Do you pause to think about your reactions, words and decisions?  Sometimes I go back through an experience or conversation and think about how I felt, what I said and how I behaved because I want to consider if I’d do or say things differently.  There have been more than a few times when I’ve done this reflective exercise and I’ve decided that what I said or did wasn’t really accurate to what was in my heart.  At the same time, there are times when I’ve been reflective and come to the conclusion that I accurately reflected what was in my heart.

The Basics

Sometimes, the world in which we live feels chaotic, stressful, uncertain and maybe even hostile.  This can be really difficult to navigate, particularly when we have work challenges, family stresses, health struggles, financial difficulties, making important decisions for the future, along with loads more pressures.  While I’m thankful that we’re moving forward in relation to recovering from the Covid pandemic, I also know that we can feel and be under tremendous stress in our daily living and we need divine help to keep the proverbial, “wheels on the bus.” 

Pausing with purpose: Pausing To Process

Do you ever find yourself in a rush? Trying to do many things at once and not getting a lot done? Sometimes we need to take a pause to get focused and listen to what Holy Spirit is trying to tell us. In this series, join Sarah as she talks about the importance and values of taking a pause while giving examples of when Jesus took pauses in his life.

Be Authentic with Jesus

Sarah discusses a conversation between Jesus and Martha, where Martha expresses disappointment in Jesus for not being there to save Lazarus. Jesus then reveals to her who he really is, and shows us that we need to be our authentic selves to converse with Jesus.

Jesus Can Disappoint

Enjoy this short Sunday sermon from Sarah, where she begins discussing how Jesus can disappoint us and starts to teach the story of Lazarus!

Why Do You Read Your Bible?

This is an interesting question to think about and maybe more so the answers that we choose. Over the course of my life, I’ve read the Bible for loads of different reasons. In my childhood, growing up as a pastor’s kid, I was often told that I should read my Bible. Consequently, I read the Bible for many years because I should, and that motivation worked for a little bit. 

Jesus Fills the Gaps

Sarah explains how Jesus is always the missing man. She also gives us her takeaways from her message!

God’s Great Plans for You!

Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”

I love this verse, full stop.  It has encouraged me more times than I could count, offering me comfort that God has really good plans, hope and a future for me. There have been seasons in my life where I’ve been discouraged and even hopeless.  In these seasons, God has repeatedly encouraged me with this verse and I’m abundantly grateful. 

Pausing with purpose: Pausing For What’s Next

Do you ever find yourself in a rush? Trying to do many things at once and not getting a lot done? Sometimes we need to take a pause to get focused and listen to what Holy Spirit is trying to tell us. In this series, join Sarah as she talks about the importance and values of taking a pause while giving examples of when Jesus took pauses in his life.

Who Would You Be?

Sarah talks about the woman who was found committing adultery and was thrown at Jesus’ feet. What does Jesus do as he is confronted by the leaders of this city? He shows them no one is above sin, and we must ask for forgiveness.

Pausing with Purpose: Pausing to Prepare

Do you every find yourself in a rush? Trying to do many things at once and not getting a lot done? Sometimes we need to take a pause to get focused and listen to what Holy Spirit is trying to tell us. In this series, join Sarah as she talks about the importance and values of taking a pause while giving examples of when Jesus took pauses in his life.

Unmet Expectations

“I hoped that this would be different!”  I have no doubt that you’ve thought or said this more than once over the course of your life.  Maybe you took an elective class in high school or college that was different than you thought, going into it.  Perhaps you thought that a job would play out differently than the reality you experienced.  And I think that we’ve all had relationships that didn’t turn out the way that we anticipated.  In all of these experiences and others, we can find ourselves disappointed and maybe disillusioned.

Pervasive Mentality

Sarah discusses how the mindset in communities with illness or impairment can become pervasive. When you become well you need to give up your behaviors that accommodated the illness. Jesus also shows us that he is our missing man!

Sheep, Shepherd and Shams Part 4: Recognizing Shams and Impostors

Join Sarah as she explores John chapters 9 and 10. This relevant teaching on sheep (us), the shepherd (Jesus), and shams (impostors) will help you learn to follow the Good Shepherd, recognize neutral and negative voices, and experience what relationship with Jesus is actually like.

Getting Weary

I’ll bet you can think of a time in your life when you were dead tired, stretched beyond capacity, energy depleted and maybe even discouraged from the lack of progress or growth.  I’ve had more than a few of these seasons and experiences in my life, such that it can be really tempting to quit.  I remember many times when I wanted to give up, such as:  trying to get better at playing basketball, getting frustrated with my German phonetics class in college, parenting challenges, feeling ineffective with teaching and writing and lots of other stuff. 

Sheep, Shepard, and Shams Part 3: Following Jesus

Join Sarah as she explores John chapters 9 and 10. This relevant teaching on sheep (us), the shepherd (Jesus), and shams (impostors) will help you learn to follow the Good Shepherd, recognize neutral and negative voices, and experience what relationship with Jesus is actually like.

Five Shams

Sarah talk about the five shams that Jesus gives us, and explains what they are.

Individual Experiences,  Part 3

In the recent few weeks, we’ve been looking at a family who was close to Jesus and their unique interactions with Him.  We looked at Martha, her practical, rational discussion with Jesus and her concern with convention and achievement.  We also looked at Mary last week and came to see that her experience with Jesus around her brother’s death was lots more emotional than Martha’s experience in the same event. 

Jesus Restores Missing Relationships

Sarah discusses the story of the woman at the well. As their conversation continues we find out that Jesus is the person who can fix what is missing inside of her.

Sheep, Shepherd, and Shams Part 2: Jesus is Our Good Shepherd

Join Sarah as she explores John chapters 9 and 10. This relevant teaching on sheep (us), the shepherd (Jesus), and shams (impostors) will help you learn to follow the Good Shepherd, recognize neutral and negative voices, and experience what relationship with Jesus is actually like.

Individual Experiences, Part 2

When I was growing up, I had the opportunity to do a multiple day cruise.  It was an amazing experience and on one of the nights, our small ship went through a very tumultuous storm.  I remember trying to walk down the corridor after dinner, to get to our room, with lots of hugging the walls and railing, bobbing up and down like a cork and laughing my head off.  I thought it was loads of fun to experience all of these gyrations, kind of like a free roller coaster ride with no seat belt.  The next day, I quickly became aware that other people on the ship didn’t perceive the storm like I did.  Lots of the passengers looked kind of green, maybe from throwing up and maybe from being tossed and turned in their beds.  I still look back on this memory with a mischievous smirk. 

Division in Conversation

Sarah digs into John chapter 10, and discusses how we don’t always understand what Jesus says. The questions we have when we don’t understand can lead to a better connection with Him!

Individual Experiences, Part 1

Have you ever gone through the same events with someone, but had a totally different experience?  I was talking with a friend about one of our middle school teachers and she thought he was a total jerk.  Her recollections about him revolved around his sarcasm, disdain and dismissive behaviors.  For me, this same teacher wasn’t such a horrible guy.  I remember him being kind of sarcastic, but more so, I remember having some really vigorous and engaging conversations about the Bible, theology, values and religious practices.  To this day, my friend has a bad taste in her mouth about this teacher. In contrast, I’m grateful for him because I really dug into the Bible to have a more grounded idea of what I believed, rather than living on someone else’s opinions or coattails.

Sheep, Shepherds, and Shams: A Study of John 9-10

Join Sarah as she explores John chapters 9 and 10. This relevant teaching on sheep (us), the shepherd (Jesus), and shams (impostors) will help you learn to follow the Good Shepherd, recognize neutral and negative voices, and experience what relationship with Jesus is actually like.

Return Our Mind to Holy Spirit

Sarah wraps up her sermon and tells us to give our mind back to Holy Spirit so Holy Spirit can continue to renew our mind. She also prays for us to do so!

Deconstructed Healing Part 4: Comfort & Convenience

Are you or someone you love, sick or injured? Do you need healing? Receive hope through this series on John 5:1-16, when Jesus heals the man at the pool of Bethesda. Sarah makes timely observations on the adversity, attitude, agreement, and action that accompany healing. Watch and be encouraged!

What About Doing Something New?

How do you feel about new stuff?  Do you like trying new foods?  Do you like going to new places?  Do you like meeting new people, having new experiences, learning new things?  Maybe some of our perspective on new things is shaped by past experiences as well as some of our personality. In our childhood, we experience lots of new things.  Indeed, childhood is a time of discovery, exploring, epiphanies and novelty.  As we grow and age, maybe we grow accustomed to doing life in certain ways, with less exploring and new discoveries.

Holy Spirit Renews

Sarah discusses how Holy Spirit can help renovate and renew us. She also gives us some important action points to take away from her sermon!

Show and Tell Part 4: Redeemed and Renewed

Do you remember having “show and tell” in school? Where each student gets to show their assets and tell their classmates all about it? Join Sarah in this series on John 8:1-11, when Jesus’ teaching was interrupted by the Pharisees, with bringing in a woman caught in the act of sin. In that moment, the attention was taken off Jesus by putting the woman in the spotlight to be humiliated. Watch as Sarah makes deep connections about having a learner’s mindset, a humble heart, and a forgiving nature.

Who Is Your Best Self?

In a perfect world, I’m kind, patient, understanding, gracious, accommodating, secure, wise, steady and funny.  In my non-perfect world, I aspire to these characteristics, but I can get frustrated when I don’t seem to be my best self.  Of course, I can often feel these frustrations  because lots of my life is lived in a non-perfect world.  So how do we keep aiming to be our best selves when most of our life is lived in the non-perfect world? 

The Importance of Pausing

I’ve just returned from a Saving Moses trip in Angola Africa, where we do malnutrition clinics for babies and toddlers.  These trips can be really difficult.  They’re difficult because of the long travel along with seeing babies, toddlers and their moms struggle to survive.  To see a baby / toddler struggling to live, emaciated from malnutrition, lifeless, suffering and even hear a death rattle, is horrific.  When you layer on the pain of a mom who is trying to keep her baby / toddler alive, it is gut wrenching. 

Show and Tell Part 2: Pointing Fingers

Do you remember having “show and tell” in school? Where each student gets to show their assets and tell their classmates all about it? Join Sarah in this series on John 8:1-11, when Jesus’ teaching was interrupted by the Pharisees, with bringing in a woman caught in the act of sin. In that moment, the attention was taken off Jesus by putting the woman in the spotlight to be humiliated. Watch as Sarah makes deep connections about having a learner’s mindset, a humble heart, and a forgiving nature.

The Shepherd Factor

Does your cell phone have facial recognition?  Does “Alexa” recognize your voice? It’s interesting to me that our modern technology has developed to the degree that various devices, computers, etc. have the ability to discern specific people.  Maybe as a distant precursor to modern technology, perhaps sheep were hardwired by divine design to recognize their shepherd’s voice.  To this end, in John 10, Jesus said that His sheep know His voice. 

Are You Blind?!?

Sometimes when I’m driving, I get cranky with other drivers on the road with me and I want to yell at them, “Are you blind?!?!??”  I also know that a driver can get cranky with me when I don’t see them in my blind spot.  The whole blind topic reminds me, with a playful chuckle, of basketball refs in high school when my friends and I would watch a game.  If I thought some refs were particularly awful, I’d loudly sing “Two Blind Mice;” my variation on the children’s sing-along, “Three Blind Mice.”  I understand that I was being disrespectful and at that time, I didn’t care.  The whole subject of blindness can include being blind-sided, having blind spots, color blindness and sometimes we use the word, “blind” to mean oblivious or clueless, being unaware. 

A Home for God’s Presence

In this sermon clip Sarah talks about what our endgame with God should be. Sarah also ends with a special verse and message!

Show and Tell Part 1: A Learner’s Mindset

Do you remember having “show and tell” in school? Where each student gets to show their assets and tell their classmates all about it? Join Sarah in this series on John 8:1-11, when Jesus’ teaching was interrupted by the Pharisees, with bringing in a woman caught in the act of sin. In that moment, the attention was taken off Jesus by putting the woman in the spotlight to be humiliated. Watch as Sarah makes deep connections about having a learner’s mindset, a humble heart, and a forgiving nature.

Word of Wisdom

Sarah ends her sermon with a special message from 2 Peter 3:9.

Deconstructed Healing Part 3: Agreement & Action

Are you or someone you love, sick or injured? Do you need healing? Receive hope through this series on John 5:1-16, when Jesus heals the man at the pool of Bethesda. Sarah makes timely observations on the adversity, attitude, agreement, and action that accompany healing. Watch and be encouraged!

The Bible as a Weapon

“Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” When the religious leaders confronted Jesus with the woman caught in adultery, telling Him about Mosaic law, they were using the Bible to challenge Jesus, condemn the woman and possibly kill her with stones. Maybe this is one of the best examples of almost literally weaponizing the Bible.

Deconstructed Healing Part 2

Are you or someone you love, sick or injured? Do you need healing? Receive hope through this series on John 5:1-16, when Jesus heals the man at the pool of Bethesda. Sarah makes timely observations on the adversity, attitude, agreement, and action that accompany healing. Watch and be encouraged!

Pick and Shovel

What’s your favorite genre of movie or book?   When I think about what’s popular and sells well for entertainment, I quickly think about Marvel movies, spy or thriller books, along with murder mysteries or science fiction.  Maybe we like to be excited and surprised, maybe we like a distraction from our day-to-day grind.  While I know that some of us like such excitements and distractions, I also recognize that lots of us also find great comfort in routines and consistency. 

Who Is Mama Wisdom

Sarah discusses who mama wisdom is, and how Holy Spirit may be a part of it. Sarah also gives you some takeaways to think about!

Gallows, Insomnia, and Cluelessness

Did stuff about you ever happen behind your back?  No doubt that people talk behind our backs and people make decisions involving us without getting our input.  I don’t particularly enjoy learning that things have been planned about me, but I wasn’t included in such planning or conversations.

Healing Deconstructed Part 1: Obstacles & Opposition

Are you or someone you love, sick or injured? Do you need healing? Receive hope through this series on John 5:1-16, when Jesus heals the man at the pool of Bethesda. Sarah makes timely observations on the adversity, attitude, agreement, and action that accompany healing. Watch and be encouraged!

Wisdom Empowers Generosity

Sarah discusses what Mama wisdom encourages us to pray for. Wisdom can bring out generosity and righteousness in us and in the people we pray for.

Walking on Water Part. 3: Focus on Jesus

Are you caught in the middle of a stormy circumstance? Do you feel like you can’t see Jesus because of the waves crashing around you? Gain inspiration from this timely word on reaching for Jesus during distracting or difficult seasons.

Summer Ready

Are you ready for summer? Have you planted your garden? Put out your flowers? Wrapped up the spring cleaning? Put away the snow shovels?  Many of us have our list to get ready for summer.  My list includes setting out the hummingbird feeders, putting up the hammock, getting the porch furniture set up and a few other things.

Walking on Water: Recognize Jesus

Are you caught in the middle of a stormy circumstance? Do you feel like you can’t see Jesus because of the waves crashing around you? Gain inspiration from this timely word on reaching for Jesus during distracting or difficult seasons.

Clog or Cog?

When you hear the word, “clog” what comes to your mind?  Do you think of shoes? Zits from clogged pores? High blood pressure from clogged arteries?  A few years ago, we had a clog in one of the drainpipes from our kitchen sink.  We didn’t know about this clog until we ran the garbage disposal and the water backed up only to leak through the basement ceiling.  Not only was this clog and experience unpleasant, but it was also expensive.

Wisdom as a Mother

Sarah discusses mothers in the Bible, and how wisdom speaks to us as a mother.

Walking on Water Part 1: Participate and Recalibrate

Are you caught in the middle of a stormy circumstance? Do you feel like you can’t see Jesus because of the waves crashing around you? Gain inspiration from this timely word on reaching for Jesus during distracting or difficult seasons.

Finish Lines

Do you know anyone who is graduating this month?  May tends to be the main month for graduations, be that kindergarten, high school, college, etc.  So this month can have a celebratory feeling to it, as we applaud what people have accomplished and celebrate crossing various finish lines. Getting to a finish line of any sort is important, and when you think about it, there are all kinds of finish lines. When we think about people who crossed finish lines in the Bible, there’s no shortage of examples and very helpful lessons we can employ from these individuals.

Reminders

injuries? I think there are lots of things in our lives that recall past experiences or help us stay on track for accomplishing things. Reminders can be helpful or hurtful, depending on our perspective and what we do with them.

Growing in Christ part 4: Living Alive

We all have different journeys on our walk with God. Whether we have known Him for most of our lives or have just started our walk with Him. Join me in this series about growing in Jesus and what it means to stay in student mode!

Jesus Provokes

Sarah discusses the final part of Palm Sunday, where Jesus provokes the religious establishment. Sarah also leaves you with a statement and a question to think about.

Heart Problems

Our hearts are very important organs in our body, and we can do lots of things to maintain heart health.  It’s also important to think about our hearts in a spiritual context and the Bible has some very helpful verses for us to consider about our hearts.

Celebrate and Promote Jesus

Sarah discusses the party phase of Palm Sunday. While we celebrate Jesus on Palm Sunday, we also need to look at our motives behind celebrating Jesus.

Growing in Christ part 3: Renew

We all have different journeys on our walk with God. Whether we have known Him for most of our lives or have just started our walk with Him. Join me in this series about growing in Jesus and what it means to stay in student mode!

Struggles and Stresses

“Are you joking?  I have all the paperwork here to easily show you what you’re asking for!”  I was way beyond stressed out as I stood in front of the airline representative in Germany, trying to catch a flight to Asia.  The airline dude was telling me that I didn’t have the proper paperwork filled out and uploaded, so he wouldn’t let me on the plane until everything was properly completed.  If I had a few hours, I could’ve overcome these hurdles, but I didn’t have enough time.  I still tried to get everything uploaded, but ultimately, I missed the flight, and I was not just a little stressed out.  This was just the beginning of a very challenging trip that had abundant struggles and stresses. 

Party Preparation

Sarah teaches on the preparation for the Palm party! She also discusses how it is not just the righteous people that carry Jesus, but everyone, even jerks.

Growing in Christ Part 2: Lay Aside

We all have different journeys on our walk with God. Whether we have known Him for most of our lives or have just started our walk with Him. Join me in this series about growing in Jesus and what it means to stay in student mode!

Wait Training

How do you feel about waiting?  Do you get antsy when there’s a long line to get fuel?  Does it stress you when it takes some time to get a return call to answer a question or book an appointment?  Do you have any issues about paperwork processing taking a long time or taking a number at the DMV?

We are His Home

Sarah talks about how God is timeless, and how God’s home is in us, not in some structure. God designed us specifically to be His home!

The People Factor

Happy Holy Week to you! Over the course of Holy Week, Jesus has lots of exchanges with the religious leaders in the temple and these interactions were increasingly hostile.  The crowds were excited for Jesus’ arrival but the religious leaders were threatened by Jesus and combative with Him.  To be fair, Jesus was none too friendly with these religious leaders either.  It seems to me that their interactions became increasingly tense, to the point that the religious leaders looked for an effective way to dispose of Jesus, ultimately hiring Judas to betray Him.

Location for God’s Presence

Enjoy this short clip from Sarah’s sermon, where she discusses establishing the locations of God’s presence. She also discusses choice, and how every child and every generation of people gets to make their own decisions.

Prioritizing God’s Presence

In this clip Sarah discusses how the Israelites prioritized God’s presence, beginning with Moses and the tabernacle, and moving on to David and his determination and prioritization.

Have a Palm Party!

This upcoming Sunday is Palm Sunday and it’s the day that we joyfully remember Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem at the end of His earthly ministry.  After Palm Sunday comes Easter when we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and conquering death.  In between these Sundays, there are lots of events that spiral into Jesus’ death on the cross on Good Friday.

Sore Ears

travel in the Covid season is continually wearing a mask through all airports and on all planes.  From the time you enter the airport until you exit the doors, you have to keep wearing a mask.  On this trip, my ears have been sore from wearing this mask for so long and it’s starting me thinking about the various usages for our ears.

Receive Holy Spirit

Sarah talks about how saying yes to Holy Spirit’s renewal can impact you in a positive way, whether it’s playing pickleball, or something else you’re passionate about.

Seeing and Believing: Vision Correction

There are a lot of things that we see through our physical lens. But have you wondered what you could see through a spiritual lens? Join me as I teach about seeing things through a whole new perspective with Jesus!

Lessons From Madness

Is it possible to learn anything from insanity? Are there good takeaways from crazy? In general, I’d respond negatively to these questions. However, this is the season for March Madness, and I’m learning some really great lessons in this season.

Help Feed Families – Ukraine

Can you imagine having to suddenly gather your children and then fleeing for your lives, bringing only what you can carry in a suitcase or two as you leave your home and everything else behind? We’re seeing this happen right now to countless families all across Ukraine. I invite you to join with me in […]

Pillage, Rape, Kill and Other Bad Stuff

Have you ever watched a movie or web series that has lots of shady characters, horrific violence, stealing, lying and pain?  I can think of many movies and series that have such darkness – Game of Thrones, American Gangster, John Wick, The Revenant and The Witcher are a few examples of this darkness.  What we see in fiction or entertainment is hopefully not what we experience in our human existence.  But I’m old enough and have talked with enough people to see that sometimes we live in a nightmare that can be worse than any movie or web series. 

Seeing and Believing: How Do You See?

There are a lot of things that we see through our physical lens. But have you wondered what you could see through a spiritual lens? Join me as I teach about seeing things through a whole new perspective with Jesus!

Small Beginnings Can Be Huge

Sarah continues to discuss Paul’s journey in Ephesus. Even after riots and unrest, Paul decides to stay. Not only does Paul continue on, but he sends Timothy to be pastor there, and John and Mary go there to live. Small beginnings can lead to huge results!

Sweet and Savory

Which do you prefer, savory or sweet food? For your snack choices do you go with potato chips, Cheetos, ranch dressing for celery and carrots, pickles, etc? Or do you have a sweet tooth with cookies, candy, brownies, toffee, caramel corn, or anything sugary to catch your fancy? It’s also possible that you like the […]

Seeing Jesus: Beyond Religion and Politics

Do you tend to only see Jesus through a single lens or with the same perspective? In this series, explore the different dimensions of Jesus and expand your perceptions of Him!

Does God Love You?

If this is a rhetorical question for you, the answer is probably, “Of course!” If this question gives you pause, then you might answer, “Maybe.” Regardless of your answer, I’d like to ask you to take an adventure with me related to this question. This adventure could help you since it is deeply rooted in the Bible and I’ve found the Bible to be very effective and enlightening.

Helping the “Least of These” – United States

If you have been downtown in any large city you have seen them. The overlooked. The excluded. The ignored. Often you find these individuals in the run-down parts of town. People struggling with poverty. Homeless men and women. Those tangled in addiction. Those tormented by mental illness. The disabled, the lonely, the victimized, and the vulnerable. Veterans, runaways, and refugees from other lands.

Teachers Receive Support – United States

Recently I learned that it is very common for teachers in poorer school districts to spend significant amounts of their own money to provide the students in their classrooms with basic school supplies that their low-income families simply cannot afford

Hope after a Super Cyclone – Bangladesh/India

It was heartbreaking last year when the huge Super Cyclonic Storm, Amphan, hit West Bengal, India, and Bangladesh—one of the poorest and most densely populated areas in the world—destroying over 8,500 square miles of land and devastating the lives of millions of people.

Hospital Outreach – United States

Think for a moment about the greatest need you have. Express your concerns to Jesus and invite Him to share His wisdom and guidance related to this need. As we begin to encounter the genuine love of God through these needs in our own lives, we find that God’s love overflows, and encourages us to love […]

Providing Relief after Catastrophic Explosion – Lebanon

In 2020, a catastrophic explosion shattered Beirut, Lebanon, killing over 200, wounding 6,500 and displacing over 300,000 people.  Amplified by COVID-19 and political and economic chaos, the blast shook the city and nation to its core.  But, Living Genuine Love was able to help by partnering with organizations in that area to help people like Blanche and George.

Making Lemonade

Did you ever have a teacher who was horrible?  Maybe you’ve had several bad teachers, and hopefully, you’ve had a few good teachers as well.  Recently, I was remembering a few of the teachers I’ve had who were no bueno.  They were probably doing their best and not purposefully unkind, but a few of my teachers had some severely negative impacts on me.  One of them even humiliated me in front of the entire class, telling me that I was stupid, arrogant, irresponsible and entirely oblivious to his subject matter.

Contrast Validates Jesus

Sarah discusses contrast, and how contrasts can validate Jesus! Paul’s efforts also show that the growth of Jesus is gradual, happening little by little.

Seeing Jesus: An Unlimited Perspective

Do you tend to only see Jesus through a single lens or with the same perspective? In this series, explore the different dimensions of Jesus and expand your perceptions of Him!

Do You Like Jesus?

This is an interesting question, and it’s worth thinking about. If you consider yourself to be a Christian or a follower of Jesus, then it seems automatic to answer that you like Jesus. At the same time, it’s important to remember that He rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.

Investment Pays Off

Sarah talks about Paul and his journey in Ephesus. Paul worked hard for 2 years through resistance to get to the supernatural miracles God sent. Paul shows us we must be open to the supernatural from God!

Seeing Jesus: Expand Your Awareness

Do you tend to only see Jesus through a single lens or with the same perspective? In this series, explore the different dimensions of Jesus and expand your perceptions of Him!

Seeing Jesus: Healer and Provider

Do you tend to only see Jesus through a single lens or with the same perspective? In this series, explore the different dimensions of Jesus and expand your perceptions of Him!

Stir Fry Mystery

What did we order?  When I collected the box, it had bright pictures of vegetables with a splashed title, “Delicious Stir Fry.”  I wondered who in our house ordered a huge box of stir fry because some of my kids are less than enthusiastic about vegetables.  When I asked my husband if he was starting a new diet that was vegetable intense, he chuckled, “No, not anytime soon.”  So how did this box come to land on our front porch?  It was really mysterious to me. 

Appetite for Jesus

Sarah encourages you to read the Gospels over the next few months, so you can get to know Jesus. Jesus is the only one who can speak to our insatiable appetites, He should be the core desire in our soul, so let your appetite for Him grow!

Investment in Ephesus

Sarah discusses Paul and his investment in Ephesus. When in Ephesus Paul meets disciples and helps put Holy Spirit on them, and they became baptized in Holy Spirit. Growth can come from accepting and knowing Holy Spirit!

Pivot Principles: Express Genuine Love (Jesus)

Do you feel like you’re constantly changing and adjusting to a “new normal”? How can we be successful when we’re continually having to flex to the demands life throws at us? In this teaching series, we will explore the lives of biblical men and women who pivoted successfully as they followed God’s plan for their lives.

Pivot Principles: Stay at Jesus’ Feet (Mary)

Do you feel like you’re constantly changing and adjusting to a “new normal”? How can we be successful when we’re continually having to flex to the demands life throws at us? In this teaching series, we will explore the lives of biblical men and women who pivoted successfully as they followed God’s plan for their lives.

Discipleship with Jesus

Sarah and Isabell discuss moving into discipleship with Jesus and letting go of brokenness to heal. As Isabell describes, we should be like the moon and reflect the sun, because without reflecting the sun, the moon isn’t seen. By reflecting Jesus, He is seen!

The Comfort We Recieve

What are the difficult things that you’ve walked through? Have you lost someone from a death that made grief a cruel interloper, too real and too unkind? Have you struggled with poor grades, limited opportunities and rejections from universities, causing you to be gun shy from pursuing higher education? Did you grow up in a highly dysfunctional family, maybe around family members with painful personality disorders? Have you lived with the consequences of poor financial decisions that led to bankruptcy, house foreclosure, eviction, etc.? 

Friendship with Jesus

Sarah and Isabell discuss friendship with Jesus, the hurdles faced in becoming friends with Him, and how this friendship can hold you together.

Pivot Principles: Follow Jesus (Peter)

Do you feel like you’re constantly changing and adjusting to a “new normal”? How can we be successful when we’re continually having to flex to the demands life throws at us? In this teaching series, we will explore the lives of biblical men and women who pivoted successfully as they followed God’s plan for their lives.

Levels of Connection with Jesus

Enjoy Sarah’s newest Short Sunday Sermon!! Sarah and Isabell discuss the 3 different levels of connection, describe acquaintances, the hurdles it can face, and how it can grow into something more.

Pivot Principles: Focus on God

Do you feel like you’re constantly changing and adjusting to a “new normal”? How can we be successful when we’re continually having to flex to the demands life throws at us? In this teaching series, we will explore the lives of biblical men and women who pivoted successfully as they followed God’s plan for their lives.

Lessons: 1, 2, 3

Jonah is an interesting book in the Old Testament, and the spark notes go something like this:

God tells Jonah to go to Nineveh, and he runs away from God’s directive, booking passage on a ship heading to Tarshish. A life-threatening storm ensues, and the sailors toss Jonah overboard to save themselves. A giant fish swallows Jonah and pukes him up three days later when God again tells Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach repentance. Jonah does this, and the city repents, which makes Jonah mad. He props himself on a nearby hill, waiting to see what will happen to Nineveh. God grows a plant to make some shade for Jonah, sends a worm to eat the plant, and finally a blasting hot wind. Jonah is cranky about all of this and lets God know how angry he is about the whole Nineveh fiasco, wanting the city to undergo God’s judgment.

This little book is filled with many curious events and thoughts, but here are a few simple things for your consideration and application.

The Pivot Principle

In basketball, we have a pivot foot.  This means that we have one foot anchored on the court, and we can turn our bodies, protect the ball and maintain some flexibility without “traveling” and turning the ball over to the opposing team. I like the idea of pivoting because it includes the premise of being anchored along with some adapting and flexibility to move. 

God Uses Context for Us

Watch Sarah’s latest Short Sunday Sermon! Sarah talks about Gabriel’s visit to the shepherds, their search for baby Jesus, and how Jesus is a light in the darkness.

The Holding Pattern

When I think about the idea of a holding pattern, it reminds me of airplanes that have to wait until they can land. A holding pattern also makes me think about the waiting that we do before: an appointment, getting a job, acceptance into a college / university, a decision for our profession and heaps more. some stuff that could be helpful when we find ourselves in the holding pattern season.

Jesus will Guide You

Watch Sarah’s latest Short Sunday Sermon! This time Sarah discusses the wise men’s travels and how they follow the star in the dark to get to Jesus. Even in the dark seasons of our lives, God directs us and shows us the path to light.

Jesus is the Light

Watch Sarah’s short Sunday sermons! Today Sarah teaches on how even in the darkness, Jesus is here to be the light. When Mary was pregnant out of wedlock with Jesus, that created darkness, but through it Jesus became the light.

Merry Christmas!

I suspect that you might be in full Christmas mode! This could include wrapping presents, going to parties or concerts, organizing Christmas day festivities, last-minute preparations and maybe squeezing in a Christmas Eve service to round out the holiday season.  No doubt, this is the time of year when we are very busy.  I hope that your Christmas has lots of peace in your soul regardless of the external activities that might be swirling around you in this season. 

Holy Spirit the Helper

In this short sermon nugget Sarah discusses how Holy Spirit can be our helper, comforter, and counselor if we can just say yes and accept Holy Spirit!

Jesus Does Contrasts

Merry Christmas! I think we have officially moved into the Christmas season, considering that we’re less than ten days from the actual day, December 25th.  I think that we each have struggles and pleasures when it comes to Christmas.  To that end, what is a pleasure for me might be a struggle for you, and the reverse could also hold true.  What you enjoy could be difficult for me to navigate. 

Finding Jesus

I think it’s central to Christmas that we keep Jesus as the focal point for the festivities that go with this season.  Of course, there are the customary parties, decorating, obligations, celebrations, etc. that accompany this season.  At the same time, I’d like to encourage you to let these activities serve to sharpen our focus for finding Jesus.  It’s very easy to get caught up in all the festivities of this season, going about all the parties, concerts, customary activities and expectations, in the weeks that culminate to Christmas Day. 

Finding Jesus in the Dark: Hope

Hey hey, Join Sarah as she starts her new series, Finding Jesus In The Dark, where she talks about areas in your life that need some finding Jesus!

What Kind of Love?

In biblical Greek, there are about eight words for our one word, “love.”  I’m not going to dive into each of these words – I’m just bringing it to your attention that there can be many kinds of love.  In our modern world, we can use “love” to describe our intense feelings for something we really enjoy – hobbies, Christmas, sunsets, etc.  “Love” is also frequently used in romantic contexts, particularly around Valentine’s Day.  I’ve also this word to describe the immense satisfaction I experience when I do a puzzle with my son – a fun activity with a massively important person in my life.

Calibrating Holy Spirit

Start your Sundays with Sarah as she continues her series called Short Sunday Sermons! These will be short inspiring nuggets cut from Sarah’s sermons!

Why Is Gratitude Important?

‘Tis the season to be grateful and Happy Thanksgiving! So what’s the big deal? Why is it important to be thankful? For starters, let’s look at our lives if they exclude gratitude. When there is an absence of being thankful, I think this deficiency can lead to an entitlement mentality. This mentality is when we think that various blessings and benefits in life are owed to us. When we adopt this way of thinking it sets us up to be disappointed and we become very unpleasant people. When we don’t get what we think we deserve, then our emotions and thoughts can go into dark places. In contrast, I’ve found it very helpful to under-expect and over appreciate.

Join the Table

Start your Sundays with Sarah as she continues her series called Short Sunday Sermons! These will be short inspiring nuggets cut from Sarah’s sermons!

Let’s Keep Going!

I would suggest that we let Holy Spirit help us with some of the mental narratives that can be so prevalent in our daily living.  Have you ever been discouraged or disappointed in yourself, having made a poor decision, quipped out a snippy comment, made a degrading remark, felt inadequate for a situation or been unraveled from a difficult exchange?  In these experiences, it’s easy to get down on ourselves and wither from accusations.

Love Never Stops

Start your Sundays with Sarah as she continues her series called Short Sunday Sermons! These will be short inspiring nuggets cut from Sarah’s sermons!

Particulars and Principles

“Don’t cut your hair!”  In 1 Corinthians 11:15, it says, “but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her? For her hair is given to her for a covering.”  Reading what Paul says about women and hair in 1 Corinthians 11 could be disturbing for us chicks who have shorter hair.  There are some other things in the Bible that can also make me jittery, such as:  head covering, don’t wear jewelry, restrictions on eating meat sacrificed to idols, circumcision, etc. 

3-2-1: Something Fun!

Happy November to you!  As we are coming to the end of Fall and about to enter the Holiday Season with Thanksgiving and Christmas in the near future, I have an idea for you to consider that could be really fun and constructive.  I call this my 3-2-1 plan, and it’s something simple to integrate into our daily routines – it’s even possible that it could facilitate a noteworthy upgrade in your life!

Jesus Flips the Tables

Start your Sundays with Sarah as she continues her series called Short Sunday Sermons! These will be short inspiring nuggets cut from Sarah’s sermons!

The Unexpected

Listen to Sarah’s Teachings and Interviews on her podcast!

Forgiveness is Love

Start your Sundays with Sarah as she continues her series called Short Sunday Sermons! These will be short inspiring nuggets cut from Sarah’s sermons!

Trick or Truth

he idea behind this mantra is that the house owner should give us a treat, or we’d play a trick on them that would be unpleasant.  As I think about the whole idea of trick or treat, I think that Satan tries to do the same kind of shifty stuff to us.  Satan tries to trick us with deception, allure us with temporary pleasure, encourage our doubts in God, hurt us with memories from the past, discourage our faith, accuse and shame us with our failures as well as whisper hopeless thoughts and feelings into our souls. 

Table Talk

In Germany, there’s a really fun cultural distinctive called Stammtisch. This is a table in a restaurant, biergarten, etc., where the regulars have a guaranteed place to sit, converse with each other and enjoy some food and beverage. This is a really great custom and enjoyable to observe and occasionally join when invited. The talk around the table can span from global politics to the local gemeinschaft (community), from the latest Fußball scores to garden enhancements and heaps more. Because the stammtisch is reserved for the regular folk who frequent the establishment, the conversations can also be more intimate and connected.

Jesus is Irresistible

Start your Sundays with Sarah as she continues her series called Short Sunday Sermons! These will be short inspiring nuggets cut from Sarah’s sermons!

Psalms for Soothing Stress: Bathsheba and The Royal Screwup

Hey hey, I hope you are enjoying this season so far, in the comments, I would like for you to answer this question:

“When we mess up, fail, or do the wrong thing, what is the best way to respond? and how does that differ from your initial response?”

Flip the Script

Have you ever seen the negative for a picture?  Back in the dark ages of photography and film processing, it used to be a laborious journey to make a picture.  The process included capturing an image on film through a camera lens, developing the film, transposing the negative image and printing on paper or slides the actual picture.  Somewhere around my house, I still have some strips of film with negative images, pictures of my kids when they were little. 

Us Vs. Them

Listen to Sarah’s teachings and interviews on her podcast.

Highlight Reels

Have you ever watched a cricket match?  Cricket is a very popular sport in countries where there was substantial British colonization efforts.  In its original format, a typical cricket match will last anywhere from seven hours to more than three days.  When I learned about this length of time, I immediately wanted to know if […]

God’s Decision

Start your Sundays with Sarah as she continues her series called Short Sunday Sermons! These will be short inspiring nuggets cut from Sarah’s sermons!

Tapas with Jesus: Realtors

Hey hey! tune into my last episode of my series, tapas With Jesus! I hope you enjoyed it. In this last episode, I will be talking about relators, specifically in the story when peter has denied Jesus after saying he wouldn’t.

Kingdom Etiquette

Start your Sundays with Sarah as she continues her series called Short Sunday Sermons! These will be short inspiring nuggets cut from Sarah’s sermons!

Does Genuine Love Have Limits?

Do you go through difficult things?  Do you face struggles, hardships, uncertainties, unresolved challenges, maybe feeling like you’re in way over your head?  Of course, we go through seasons, and life has its ups and downs.  Sometimes we have the strength and wisdom to navigate turbulent times, but sometimes we flounder. 

The Love Vaccine

such hurtful experiences don’t have genuine love in them, but we can often become highly protective—shielding ourselves from further pain.  Unfortunately, sometimes our protective instincts can also vaccinate us from experiencing genuine love.  Some of the experiences that Satan has used could include heartbreak, broken relationships, childhood trauma, deception, shame, accusation or even an imitation of love.  These kinds of things can be springboards for Satan to facilitate protective defenses in our thoughts and outlook to make us cold, brittle and resistant to genuine love.  We protect ourselves from pain but also build up protections that shield us from experiencing and living in genuine love. 

Sermon 4.18.21

Listen to Sarah’s teachings and interviews on her podcast

A Feast with Jesus

Start your Sundays with Sarah as she continues her series called Short Sunday Sermons! These will be short inspiring nuggets cut from Sarah’s sermons!

Holy Spirit is Equal

Start your Sundays with Sarah as she continues her series called Short Sunday Sermons! These will be short inspiring nuggets cut from Sarah’s sermons!

Tapas With Jesus: Opposites

Hey hey! Welcome back to my channel! As we continue my series, Tapas With Jesus, We will be talking about how the love of Jesus is so unconditional, that his mercy remains even to the ones who do the opposite to his will.

Lessons from the Road

I recently traveled to Ghana for my work with Saving Moses, and this was my first time to travel internationally since January 2020 because of all the Covid restrictions.  Needless to say, it was a very different experience than all my pre-Covid travels.  Here are some things I learned from my recent trip.

The Team Thing

Hello from Ghana, Africa!  This week, I have the great privilege of getting to do international travel, and I’m in Ghana, which is in Equatorial Africa, kind of near Nigeria.  This is a Saving Moses trip, and we’re exploring what opportunities might be available for us to do some work here.  While I love getting to explore a new culture, I’m keenly aware that teamwork is an essential ingredient to accomplishing anything significant beyond my talents and abilities. 

Tapas With Jesus: Reverent

Hey hey! Welcome to my new series, Tapas With Jesus! In this episode, I’ll be speaking on how commandments differ from tradition with connections to Jesus’ connection to the religious leaders.

Appetizers and Entrées

What’s your favorite food?  Do you prefer sweet or savory?  When you get a chance to eat your favorite food, do you eat lots of it, like eating a full entrée?  For myself, when I find some tasty food, I like to eat a lot of it!  I think life can sometimes be like this:  we acquire lots of what we like, minimize what’s unpleasant to us and sometimes overdo what we prefer. 

Table Talk with Jesus: Breakfast Dates

Holy Buckets! we are on the last episode of my series “Table Talk With Jesus”. Join me as I talk about love being the central discussion with connections to a conversation between Jesus and Peter.

Holy Spirit as a Person

Start your Sundays with Sarah as she continues her series called Short Sunday Sermons! These will be short inspiring nuggets cut from Sarah’s sermons!

Thermometer or Thermostat?

What’s the difference between a thermometer and a thermostat?  I never really grasped the importance of these unique instruments until I made a really big mistake.  When I was first married, we lived in Kansas City. In January, we took a trip to Florida, and being a frugal person, I turned the thermostat to “off” so that we’d save money on heating while we were gone for a week.  Upon returning to our house, I observed the important difference between the thermometer, which had been well below freezing for several days, and the thermostat, which regulated the temperature in the house.  This lesson became massively expensive because the pipes in our house froze and broke. When we turned up the thermostat, the water in the broken pipes unthawed and began to pour out of the broken pipes, and we had lots of damage to the drywall, carpet, cabinets, etc. 

Table Talk with Jesus: Ultimate Sacrifice

Hey! Come join me as continue my series on “Table Talk With Jesus”. I will be talking about the ultimate sacrifice in our lives, most of which Jesus has done for us.

Reverent’s Conversations

Start your Sundays with Sarah as she continues her series called Short Sunday Sermons! These will be short inspiring nuggets cut from Sarah’s sermons!

Tares, Terrors and Tears

These three words, tares, terrors and tears, all sound the same and have some interesting commonalities.  We have all had tears in our clothing, ripped jeans, or holes in our socks.  And we have also experienced terror in our lives from something very scary.  In relation to tares, this is the word that Jesus uses in one of His parables to identify a weed that was masquerading as wheat. 

Fear Factor

I think that all of us have varying base levels of fear in our lives, and some of us are more prone to fear than others.  To be sure, I think it’s good to have a little bit of basic fear so that we have a reasonable perspective on the frail nature of our existence and the reality that we are not bullet-proof.   As an example, based on the concussion that I had from snowboarding some years ago, I now have a healthy outlook that I’m not invincible.  Having some fear related to my physical frailty isn’t a bad thing for me as I’m now in my early 50’s.  And it’s also good to have the fear of the Lord which is spoken about a lot in Proverbs.

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