"Can I Get Your Digits, Baby?"

OK, so I totally just got hit on a few minutes ago, and I completely did not appreciate it- I just don't like it when guys "Hit On" me. Which causes me to wonder, "am I a typical girl, here? Or am I some sort of freak?" Yes, I totally want to marry someday and live happily-ever-after and I realize that in order for this to happen, people date. Or "court." (I prefer the principles of courtship, but we'll talk about what I mean by that some other time- you can call it whatever you want)

I have nothing against dating. I have nothing against relationships. But I have to get to know a person as a good friend before I would ever consider dating them- otherwise.... I dunno, that's just weird!!! I almost feel disrespected when guys hit on me. It's like "You don't know me at all, so why are you asking me out?"

Why do people ask people out initially based on physical attraction alone, without even knowing anything about the person they are asking out? I refuse to conform to the typical American dating scene!! After all, the purpose of dating is to find someone to marry..... or at least it is according to my worldview. And I would never date someone who I do not already know or who I cannot see myself marrying.

Thoughts & comments..... anyone???

UPDATE: The perpetrator of said "hitting on" has just entered the library where I am typing a paper and sat down precariously close to me- aggghhhhh!!!!

I would get so much more work done if....

It would be awesome if my school's library was open 24/7- yep, that would definitely rock.

I am Understood

Last night during my work out, I listened to this song by Relient K- the words are awesome.

sometimes it's embarrassing to talk to you
to hold a conversation with the only one who sees right through
this version of myself I try to hide behind
I'll bury my face because my disgrace will leave me terrified

and sometimes I'm so thankful for your loyalty
your love regardless of the mistakes I make will spoil me
my confidence is, in a sense, a gift you've given me
and I'm satisfied to realize you're all I'll ever need

you looked into my life and never stopped
and you're thinking all my thoughts
are so simple but so beautiful
and you recite my words right back to me
before I even speak
you let me know, I am understood

and sometimes I spend my time
just trying to escape
I work so hard, so desperately, in an attempt to create space
cause I want distance from the utmost important thing I know
I see your love, then turn my back, and beg for you to go

you looked into my life
and never stopped
and you're thinking all my thoughts
are so simple but so beautiful
and you recite my words right back to me
before I even speak
you let me know, I am understood

you're the only one who understands
completely
you're the only one who knows me yet still loves completely

and sometimes the place I'm at is at a loss for words
if I think of something worthy, I know that it's already yours
and through the times I've faded and you've outlined me again
you've just patiently waited, to bring me back and then

you looked into my life
and never stopped
and you're thinking all my thoughts
are so simple but so beautiful
and you recite my words right back to me
before i even speak
you let me know, I am understood

the noise has broken my defense
let me embrace salvaction
your voice has broken my defense
let me embrace salvation

Last Night

Well guys, last night was an awesome blessing. As some of you may know, I Have traveled to Israel twice to work with the Christian Embassy during the Feast of Tabernacles Christian Celebration in Jerusalem, and I have a heart for the Jewish people. Well, last night, my friends and I visited a Messianic Jewish congregation of Christians in Greeley, Colorado who do the Jewish dances and stuff- it was so cool! We started out in the beginners class, and then everyone came together and did these huge circle dances. I participated in the first three or four dances, but after that I couldn't keep up because they kept getting more and more complicated. It was such a blessing, to be immersed in that culture once again, and to participate in and observe how greatly these beautiful people of God praise Jesus Christ our Messiah through the dance. It was truly a powerful time of worship to the King.

Afterwards, they asked if they could pray for us and I of course said "yes"! The coolest thing was this little eleven year old girl who prayed over me. She was such a blessing. Seeing little children going for it in praise to Jesus and seeking the face of God just blesses my socks off.

"Who is like Him? Lion and the lamb, seated on the throne. Mountains bow down, every ocean roars to the Lord of Hosts. Come praise Him!

Praise Adonai! From the rising of the sun, to the end of every day. Praise Adonai! All the Nations of the Earth, all the angels and the saints sing praise....." - Paul Wilbur

Altitude sickness

Well dear readers, the promised article on Kansas inspired by the many many hours that I spent driving through it, has been postponed. Why? Because for the last three days that I have been in Colorado, my roommate Kayla and I have been suffering from Altitude Sickness. It is not fun. Symptoms are supposed to go away by the fourth day, so we will see how we feel tommorrow.

UPDATE

After many many hours in the car and far too much time spent driving through -Kansas, we have arrived in the great state of Colorado. As we pulled into Denver, we witnessed a gorgeous sunset over the Rocky Mountains. It was so gorgeous- God is so awesome!

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night shows knowledge." (Psalm 19:1-2)

We arrived in Ft. Collins late last night and attended church this morning. Needless to say, we are still quite exhausted. Stay tuned for further updates and a special article on Kansas, inspired by the many many many hours that we spent driving through it (and seeing a bunch of nothing), and the subsequent theories that resulted.

I'm Off!!!!

Well, dear readers and friends, I am off to Colorado for Spring Break with my friend Wendy and my roommate Kayla. I will more than likely be able to post later on in the week. Keep me in your prayers!

Dirty Dancing.... Is dirty!!

A few minutes ago I had a conversation with a friend regarding our personal opinions regarding the film, Dirty Dancing and the recent release of it's sequel Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.

I understand that a lot of you in my age bracket have this strange nostalgia associated with the film because your parents actually let you watch it when you were that young. (Not gonna go there, wouldn't let my kid watch it if I had a kid, don't think grown adults should either for that matter) But my personal opinion is that the film is nasty and I will never watch it again, or see the sequel.

I was so amused at my friend Aaron's expression of his opinion that I decided to blog about it: "The film is nasty. Dirty Dancing is sex standing up. Won't watch it."

My sentiments exactly. :-)

Thus ends the reading.

Chosen for Joy

William Barclay says, "We are chosen for joy. However hard the Christian way, it is, both in the traveling and in the goal, the way of joy. There is always a joy in doing the right thing. When we evade some duty or some task, when at last we set our hand to it, joy comes to us. The Christian is the man (or woman) of joy. A gloomy Christian is a contradiction in terms, and nothing in all religious history has done Christianity more harm than its connection with black clothes and long faces."

Remember, "Most folks are as happy as they make up their mind to be." -Abraham Lincoln

Low-Carb Quail?

As someone who is on the Atkins Diet, I found this amusing:

Can I Even Begin to Express What I am Feeling....

Right now guys, I am completely amazed.... Completely taken aback at the love of God. I've sort of had this mind-blowing epiphany tonight. I have just felt tonight that God has been showing me that we, the people of God, are family. Now, it's not as though I didn't already know this all along.... But tonight God blew my mind and it has become even more real to me. For example:

There's this guy here at school who is incredibly obnoxious and he is mean to a lot of people. Tonight, in typical form, he was irritating me.... On purpose! I started to say stuff back at him, until God put me in check. My eyes were immediately opened up to the fact that this guy, though annoying as he is, behaves the way that he does because he is hurting inside. He shows out to get attention. So I made a sincere effort to be kind and friendly to him.... And you know what? He completely dropped the act! I was kind to him in spite of himself, (because of Jesus, might I add) and that is just what it took to break down the fake barriers and acts that he puts on for other people. And we had a nice visit with him. And we got to know a piece of the real him... Not the act.

People, I cannot stress to you enough... We are the family of God! We are brothers and sisters in Christ. We need to recognize our relationship as family first and foremost, and treat eachother accordingly, in love- because God loved us first, and we don't deserve it.

And we need to pray and lift up our brothers and sisters who have fallen away, or who are struggling in their walks. Instead of aiding in their demise through our Christian "gossip," we must lift them up to our father in prayer... And we must be there for them in love and in action! We must show the love of Christ to them on a consistent basis, and not give up on them.... No matter what happens.

Jesus is coming soon! Don't turn to the right or to the left! Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus Christ.... walk in love with your family, and lift each other up.

"God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

My Day

Today was a really fun day.

I slept through all of my morning classes and went to chapel, where Brother Jaffe delivered an awesome message on the redemptive work of the cross. Praise Jesus!

I had a really great time playing basketball with Aaron this afternoon.

This evening I chilled out and played games with a bunch of friends.

All in all, it was a really awesome day and I do believe good times were had by all! Praise God for His many blessings upon my life.

Now, I sleep. Nite all!! :-)

Check Me Out!!

Sarah's Stuff has gotten a face-lift, courtesy of Kyle of "That Other Guy." Kyle, you are sooooo completely awesome and I say to you,

Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You

That should do it. Bye the way..... THANKS! I love it!

Now, all you guys head on over to That Other Guy's Thoughts and give the man some traffic!

I have just experienced the most productive study session of my college career to date. Three other friends and I just spent hours in IHOP, agonizing over research papers and readings and our exams this week. (I am taking my scuba diving certification exam tommorrow night- yay!!) It proved to be a very productive couple-hours of work and I must say, I feel that I have accomplished a lot tonight. (The fact that my friends and I accomplished this while in each other's presence is the remarkable thing)

My brain is fried.

I am exhausted.

Now, I sleep.

So Long, My Friend

For one reason or another, I have been contemplating the words to this song by DC Talk, all evening. Read the words... they are great.

"I heard your record on the telephone. It was my cousin, Joan. She picked it up from the top 40 rack and then I read your interview in Rolling Stone. You threw the boys a bone- And so I genuinely felt obliged to call.

I know You never meant to hurt us, man. We're just a baby band. You found a quicker way to scale the wall of fame.

The situation's awfully dim. Should we up and go with him? No way!

Chorus:
We know exactly where you are, and you're gone
Don't know exactly where you're coming from
You've gone away my friend
We know exactly where you are, and you're gone
Don't know exactly where you're coming from
Have you gone astray?

I saw your video on VH-1, looks like they spent a ton. How does it feel to be the flavor for a spell? And I remember when you used to say, "Jesus is the way." I never thought I'd see your light begin to fade.

The situation's awfully dim. Should we up and go with him? No way!

Bridge:
Don't think we don't miss you
(We think about you every day)
We still love you anyway
(Love don't go away)
There's still this burning question
(I got to know) WHY?"

Ouch.

It really stinks when someone thinks things about you that aren't true. It stinks even worse when having integrity also means being silent and letting it be.

It has always been so important to me that people understand what I am about... and I have worked very hard to live my life in an integrous, consistent manner.

My integrity will speak for itself, and time will reveal the truth.

Thanks be to God.

I went and saw "The Passion of the Christ" last night for the first time. I left the theatre in a state of utter speechlessness. I had an exam to study for, but when I got home it was truly the farthest thing from my mind. All I could do was pray.

I left the theatre in a very thoughtful state of mind. I have spent the last 24 hours contemplating so many things. Among them are the realization that in my mind, I am so so small- but that's not how Jesus sees me. His thoughts towards me blow me away, and make me feel my imperfection. At the same time, I feel His amazing love for me, and I know that I cannot comprehend it.

I also realize that nothing else matters. For me, it is to preach "Christ and Him Crucified," and the rest is details.

“For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified”-1 Corinthians 2:2

My own comfort doesn't matter. My temporal "stuff" is irrelevant.

"Behold, I say unto you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest,"–John 4:35.

They need to hear about my King, Jesus. That's all that matters. Oh, for a crown to lay at the feet of my King! And to hear those words, "Well done, good and faithful servant...."
(Isaiah 6:1-8; Revelation 4:6-11; Matthew 25:14-30)

My Impassioned Reaction

I just read Real Live Preacher's post on "The Passion of the Christ." The comments that I left on the post were such that they merited posting on my site.

Here is my official position regarding Mel Gibson's Movie, "The Passion of the Christ." (Stay with me, this is my longest post ever)

My cousin went and saw the passion and cried her eyes out- afterwards, she went to church and devoted her life to Jesus Christ. That sounds like a changed life if you ask me.

My friends father, who is a minister, has been given permission by the theatre owner to give ALTER CALLS for salvation after the movie has played. I go to a Bible College, and I have heard many praise reports of similar events occurring. To me, it sounds like lives are being CHANGED.

On live Television, one of our local news people interviewed a Jewish man coming out of the theater after seeing the film on opening night. With tears in his eyes he exclaimed, "As a member of the Jewish community, I can't help but ask the question.... What if Jesus really WAS our Messiah, and we missed him?....... TO ME it seems as though this man is contemplating Christ.

Furthermore, it's not as though nearly EVERYONE in America doesn't know about the message of the cross. It is not anything that any of us haven't heard before. Many of us were raised in church or have family members who are Christians. American's KNOW about Jesus. Arguments that the story cannot be effective based on the fact that we don't understand the relevancy behind it are unfounded. EVEN IF you took this film and showed it to a remote village in Africa who has NEVER heard the name of Jesus Christ EVER BEFORE, the Message of the Cross would still have a profound impact. Know why?

I believe that "The word of God DOES NOT return void" (Isaiah 55:11) and "What you do for Jesus Christ is NOT in vain." (I Corinthians 15:58)

I could go on for days of ways that the story of JESUS CHRIST is impacting lives. Camera and film have no power to change a person.... But the MESSAGE OF THE CROSS cuts to the heart of even the most reprobate sinner imaginable. You know why? Because it is what it is- it is God's message of salvation to a dying world!! (John 3:16)

There is POWER in the blood of Jesus!!! (Luke 22:20; Hebrews 9:12, 14 & 24; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 12:11) No matter how the message of the cross is related to the masses, let us NOT underestimate that power.

And as the church, let us take advantage of the amazing opportunity for evangelism!! Get out there in the community and talk with people about Christ. Pass out literature on salvation outside of movie theatres!!! We've been handed on a silver platter, a tool for evangelism with the potential to literally reach the world.

And lastly, EVERY SINGLE Christian who I have talked with after their viewing the film has relayed to me a deep sense of questioning and ultimately, the strengthening of their own walks with Christ Jesus.

Now, I will tell you what I am NOT saying: I am NOT saying to worship the film. I am not even saying that it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. What I am saying is that the message of the cross is relevant, no matter by what method it is conveyed because the word of God is living and active. (Hebrews 4:12)

Church, let's get out there and reach the masses for Jesus. Let's take advantage of EVERY SINGLE opportunity for evangelism that we can get our hands on. (Matthew 28:19-20, "The Great Commission")

Wow, this is cool!

Today is an awesome day here in Springfield, Missouri! (Sound like an oxymoron to anyone else besides me?? Ironic, I know) The reason: It reminds me of home. Oh wait, yes it does. Okay... let me explain:

First of all, it is very very very sunny today. So sunny in fact, that I am wearing a jean skirt (since we're not allowed to wear shorts to class) with my flip flops on. Those of you who are acquainted with our cold weather as of late will understand what I mean. Anyway, not only is it uncharacteristically sunny today, it is also very very windy!! That's right- wind is cool. Earlier I'm outside with Chaas, Wendy, Nate, and Kira and we are commenting on the wonderful wear-shorts-and-flip-flops weather. When all of a sudden a gust of wind about knocks me over. While all my friends are complaining, I am shouting "YES!!" It's just like home. I'm from the SanFrancisco Bay Area... You know- at the coast it's very windy? Anyway...

Another reason why the weather is so cool is because my friend Angie, (who is also from California) and I are sitting here in the computer lab doing various random things. All of a sudden, the entire (old, rickety) building starts to shake!! Everyone's freakin' out like maybe it's an earthquake, and Angie and I are laughing and smiling and commenting on how cool it is that the high-speed winds make it feel like we are actually having an earthquake. I have been in more earthquakes than I can count. Now, I know this must sound sadistic to most of you: those of you who are from the Midwest, I am sure think I am nuts, and those of you who are from California, but have never spent any lengthy period of time away, also don't understand my mental state. And that is okay with me- I can live with that.

Basically at this point, anything that reminds Angie and I of home, whether good (like sunshine) or bad (like an earthquake) makes us happy. These things are including, but not limited to: the smell of the ocean, the constant rain, the sunshine and the flip-flop tan-lines on our feet. The sound of ambulances and lots of police cars remind us of home. I miss diversity. Everyone here is white.

Now, don't go getting the idea that I am depressed or something. I am just enjoying the sunshine, and the joy that it is bringing to my memories on this beautiful, windy day.