A Spacious Place

Living and Active

Sara — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:13:44 +0000

For the Word of God

is Living and Active.

Hebrews 4:12

There was a time in my life when the Bible was the last thing that I wanted to read. I felt that it was boring and dry, so I began to pray that God would help me want to read the Bible. That is the kind of prayer God loves to answer! Over time, I have become excited about reading the Bible, and I continually find treasures that inspire, encourage, and challenge me. God’s word is my lifeline.

Throughout 2012, I will be reading The Daily Bible. It is the NIV Bible, in chronological order with 365 daily readings. My mother-in-law shared her copy with me while we were in Missouri for Christmas. She has been reading it for the past eight years. In return, I gave her a copy of The Message, a version that I love. I invite you to join us as we read through the Bible this year.

I hope this will be a wonderful year for you. I am looking forward to discovering on an even deeper level what it means for God’s words to be “living and active” in my life.

NOTE: If you are new to Bible reading I suggest you start in the gospel of Mark or in Psalms or Proverbs. Also, listening to the Bible on CD is a great way to experience the Bible.

Filed under: Challenge verse, God, words

My Delight

Sara — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 18:21:42 +0000

As for the saints who are in the land,

they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.

Psalm 16:3

The words we use to define ourselves and others are powerful. Children are especially vulnerable to the labels that they are given. Personally, I can identify myself as a stay-at-home mom and a Christian, or a soul sculptor and one whose life has been disrupted and is now daily transformed by Jesus Christ. The first descriptions sound safe; the latter ones inspire me. What words do you use to describe yourself? More importantly, what words does God use to describe you? “Apple of his eye”, “beloved”, “friend”, “like a sheep who needs to be carried” …. You are invited to use God’s words instead of yours.

Inspired by Ann Voskamp’s use of the term “soul sculptor” and by To Be Told, by Dan Allender, Ph.D.

Filed under: God, Inspiring verse, Jesus

no more pain

Sara — Thu, 12 May 2011 18:28:20 +0000

Why is my pain unending and

my wound grievous and incurable?

Jeremiah 16:18

My heart is heavy because of the intense chronic headache pain of a new friend and the emotional pain of an old friend. The pain of my friends, my daily pain, plus the suffering in the world often feels overwhelming. It gives me hope to remember that ”there will come a day, no more tears, no more pain, no more fears” (Jeremy Camp). When our pain feels unending we can know that there will be an end to our pain.

This day is an actual day that will occur. It is not some far-off dream, but a reality and one we can look forward to like we would a wedding or a birth. For important days there are preparations and anticipation. Let’s prepare for and anticipate the day that we will be free from pain. God will wipe every tear from our eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain (based on Revelation 21:4).

“If you are hurting today, take heart. Every day you are one day closer to the other side of your pain.” Chrystie Cole

“Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create ….” Isaiah 65:1

To hear Jeremy Camp’s song There Will be a Day click here.

Filed under: encouraging verse, Friends, Hope, overcome

His saints

Sara — Thu, 05 May 2011 22:01:10 +0000

Precious in the sight of the Lord

is the death of His saints.

Psalm 116:15

Many people died last week due to the tornadoes in the south. There was another sudden death on April 27, 2011. David Wilkerson, who passionately loved God, died instantly in a car accident. Although I did not know him personally, his words touched me deeply.

This is what he wrote on his blog the day he died:

To those going through the valley and shadow of death, hear this word: Weeping will last through some dark, awful nights—and in that darkness you will soon hear the Father whisper, “I am with you. I cannot tell you why right now, but one day it will all make sense. You will see it was all part of my plan. It was no accident. It was no failure on your part. Hold fast. Let me embrace you in your hour of pain.”

Beloved, God has never failed to act but in goodness and love. When all means fail—his love prevails. Hold fast to your faith. Stand fast in his Word. There is no other hope in this world.”

“David Wilkerson’s last mission on earth was to be an advocate for the poorest of the poor”. Gary Wilkerson

Filed under: God, Hope, Inspiring verse, poverty

A Letter from Japan

Sara — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:44:17 +0000

From the ends of the earth I call to you …

Psalm 61:2

My friend Mika lives in Japan with her husband and seven-year-old twin boys. Mika was my next-door neighbor for a year at Wheaton College. I was very sad when I heard about the earthquake in Japan, but then thinking about Mika and her family, my emotional involvement doubled. I was so thankful when I found out that Mika and her family were safe. I asked Mika to write a letter about what is happening in Japan and what we can do to help. Here is her letter:

This is absolutely devastating.
So many people died and are still missing.
It is probably about over 13000 people.
The scenes from the disaster area are hollific.
We are far away from the area, but still have series of
aftershocks following the main earthquake. It is scary.

A friend of mine sent me the following website address.
You may take a look.
http://crashjapan.com/

Please pray that this difficult time will draw Japanese
people to God.

Love,
Mika

http://crashjapan.com/

crashjapan.com

CRASH Japan is the website for the disaster response network of Grace Japan located in Ome-shi, Tokyo, Japan

Filed under: friendship, God, Inspiring verse

Lent

Sara — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 02:43:38 +0000

I call out to the Lord and

He answers me.

Psalm 3:4

My friend Beth just forwarded the following e-mail to me from youth Pastor Damon Kelly. It was a timely e-mail as my family was discussing Lent tonight.

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the season of Lent in the church year …. For those who might not know a ton about Lent, it is a time of taking stock of our lives with God and one another and taking a 40 day period to consider where we are at in relationship to God. This time has become a time to potentially give up something that may be rivaling our attention from God and then also ADDING something in it’s place that would encourage us towards God in some way. Maybe TV gets less and God gets more somehow. Maybe lack of exercise gets less and caring for our bodies, God’s temple gets more. There is no right or wrong about the subtracting something and adding something as long as it is pointing us Godward.

You could gather at dinner tonight or sometime in the evening or even at breakfast tomorrow and spend time sharing about the idea of Lent with your family. There is no pressure to start tomorrow on Ash Wednesday. There is no pressure for this to look a certain way, but it is an opportunity for you as Dads and Moms to love and lead your students towards God in a simple family observance.

Here is a link that you could use or even read as a family that talks a bit about Lent and the ideas behind it.”
http://www.upperroom.org/methodx/thelife/articles/lent101.asp

**************************************************

The past few years I have abstained from sugar, but this year I felt like I needed to do something different. I have decided to “give-up” talking on my cell-phone (conversations with family and friends) and to “add” praying for my family and friends more deliberately. My decision was confirmed by my children’s adamant belief that I will not be able stay off the phone!

Filed under: encouraging verse, God

A Valentine from God

Sara — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 14:06:37 +0000

You are

Precious

and

Honored…

I love you.

Isaiah 43:4

Filed under: heart, Inspiring verse, love

Valentine’s Day

Sara — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 21:47:50 +0000

“Real religion … is this:

Reach out to the homeless

And loveless in their plight…”

The Message

Would you like to be a part of a Valentine’s Day Conspiracy?

For the past two years, I have proposed that we remember orphans and those who are lonely on Valentine’s Day. This year, along with caring for those who are hurting, I suggest that we do not spend any money on Valentine’s Day, and instead use that money to make a difference in the lives of orphans, widows, and homeless people. Just think of how much money is spent on chocolate, flowers, dinner, etc. Instead of showing love in these ways, let’s think of other creative ways to express our love. For example, instead of buying each other cards my husband and I have a journal where we write each other letters. This has become a treasured keepsake.

One of my friends was slightly appalled when I told her about this Valentine’s Day Conspiracy idea. She told me that her husband could still buy her flowers AND help orphans! She helped me realize that this idea may be more popular with my male readers than female readers. : ) Actually, a Valentine’s Day Conspiracy would require more effort because you would have to find ways to show love without spending money. If we start to look at Valentine’s Day in a different way, and spend our money in a different way, the good things that could happen are more than we can imagine.

External religious worship [religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world. James 1:27 The Amplified Bible

If you would like to contribute to the needs of precious Chinese orphans who are sick or have disabilities click here.

This idea was inspired by the Advent Conspiracy.

Filed under: Challenge verse, love

overflow with hope

Sara — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:19:06 +0000

May the God of Hope

Fill you with all joy and peace …

So that you may overflow with Hope.

Romans 15:13

When I find something that truly helps someone who has overcome horrific physical and emotional pain, I pay attention. My friend Christine gave me the book The Allure of Hope for my 40th birthday. This book helped her tremendously after she was burned in a grease fire. (You can read about her story by clicking here.)

In the book The Allure of Hope, Jan Meyers Proett clearly shows how hope is not a passive concept, but an active, life-changing reality. This book touched my heart by giving words to how it feels when I am “jolted by life’s suffering.” Seeing hope as a radical way of responding to life, rather than a mere desire for something good to happen, helps me to coexist with pain. When you live with pain on a daily basis, it is hard to have hope, but it is possible. This book invites you to do the courageous — and glorious work — of hoping.

Hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts. Romans 5:5

Filed under: encouraging verse, fire, God, Hope, overcome

eat with joy

Sara — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 20:19:32 +0000

Go eat your food with joy ….

Ecclesiastes 9:7

I found this verse last year, on the last day of my fast. I wrote it in my journal along with these words: ”God wants us to enjoy our food and appreciate it. Not eating for a while certainly makes you appreciate food!” I know that sounds simple, but fasting helps put food in its proper place in life — something to be enjoyed in a healthy way. Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, and taking a break from eating (or eating certain foods) causes you to notice how you are caring for your body.

Eating can be very complicated for some people. I have one dear friend who is struggling with an eating disorder and another one who is trying to lose weight. For them, food is not a source of joy, as God desires. Thankfully, there is hope for all who struggle with food issues. Embracing hope is one of the first steps to discovering how eating can be a joy.

You still the hunger of those you cherish. Psalm 17:14

Fast

Book recommendation: The Allure of Hope, Jan Meyers

Disclaimer: I am not recommending that anyone with an eating disorder fast or that fasting be used as a weight loss strategy. I am only recommending fasting as a spiritual discipline for healthy adults.

Filed under: 5 senses, encouraging verse, friendship, Hope