No Worries

As I was debating on what to post first, I looked to see when I last wrote anything.....it's been over a month! So much has happened and still so much to come. The first thing I wanted to share is the most recent, I have discovered a new life verse for myself. Or I should say, God have given me a new life verse.

It is 1 Peter 5:7:

"Cast all your cares upon Him for he cares for you!"

Like I said so much has gone on over the last several weeks, so much to accomplish, to get done, some things I have been anxious about and the words "what if" have seemed to become more apart of my thought process.

Then, this past Sunday, God gave me this verse. I decided to look it up on NetBible Website (which a wonderful site for breaking down scripture and getting the original Greek/Hebrew translations & user Friendly). I love doing this because it gives me more of what God is trying to teach me. So I here is what I came up with....

Starting with "Cast", the original meaning means "To Throw upon; place upon." I like the "throw upon". This would require complete let go of whatever it is your holding onto with decidation of trusting Christ to take "it" from you. It's not God "pulling" this from you or "prying back your fingers" to let go. Making me think that sometimes I am the latter and not so great as just giving it up to Christ until I am at my wit's end.

"All" is pretty straight forward of meaning "everything"; there is nothing to small or to big to give him. That's anything from "I want to lose 5 more pounds" to "Lord help me get everything done in one 24 hours of this day!"

"Cares". This one was the kicker for me! "Cares" had the definition of "care, anxiety, worries, concerns, worrying, castling." Those who know me, know I try to look for the positives in life, however I also pay attention to details, which can lead to being "concerned or anxious about things." That's my Positive spin on my worries so that it's not so much of a doubt or worry. But what this verse made realize, was not me being "concerned" and "just aware of the details", was that I was not Trusting Christ with my CARES and that I was not "CASTING" or "THROWING" my worries to Him. Even though my head knew God is bigger than our Circumstances, my heart was not living by that.

"Cares"....number 2.....Cast all your Cares upon Him because he Cares! This second "Care", the NetBible showed the original Hebrew Translation was slightly different from the first. It was defined as "to care about, cares, does worry, concerned, court." All of which were PRESENT tense. See God is the one that is meant to "CARE", as in worry about things, being concerned of the outcomes and concerned for everyone. He is the one who "Courts" our life.

The 1st "Care" is describing what we do and carry. The 2nd "Care" is describing what God does for us and how He feels about us. Therefore we should trust him more as he carries it all for us.

When I put all of that info together, here is what I saw (my own Message Translation):

"Throw upon every individual & entire care, concern or worry you castle onto Him(Our Saviour & God), SINCE He already worries courts & cares about You!"

The Paper Tower

Hey there-

It's been way too long. September just came and went. I have so much to catch you all up on and I have several posts saved up to typed up soon.

But first, I know some of you are advent scrapbookers, organizers and multi-taskers. Well you need to check out this item at the Original Scrapbook box Website. From the Workbox, to the deskbox to the Paper Tower, these pieces of furniture are great for the crafter/organizer in all of us.

As a bonus there is a contest you can currently entire for a chance to win a Paper Tower!!

For details go to Rachelle's Writing Spot.

I am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made!

A situation (I ashamedly admit was over 6 weeks ago) has left me in a timid estate. One where I have lost my self-confidence and become more timid than I probably should be. To the point (again ashamedly to admit) which now is rolling into other areas of my life.

It was a life situation of which I had no clue it was coming. It was like a gut sucker punch. You don’t see it coming, and it’s certainly not expected from the person it’s coming from. It knocks the breath out of you and your dazed, confused, defenseless. You get a hold of your self and then another punch…again out of nowhere. Before you know it, you’re in a fight defending yourself all while wondering “why are you in this position to begin with?’

That is was where I was. I completely didn’t see that coming and emotionally I struggled with how to handle it. I haven’t been in such a position that I could remember and not prepared for it; I froze. Over the last several weeks I have sought out advise, scripture and my elders, for resolution for myself and with this situation. I thought that objective was reached, however now I have discovered there are some remaining wounds. My dilemma now is my attitude and response to this person. I “flinch” in wondering am I going to be sucker punched again and find myself in this “timid” estate; which now has bled into other areas of my life.

So again I have turned to scripture wondering how do you get back to that safe place of home with my Lord, before the thief (the Devil) came to steal my peace from me? I have found scripture telling me,

“God did not make His children to be TIMID” 2 Timothy 1:7

(I am not made to be fearful, cowardice or cringing. But He has given us a spirit of power and of love, calm and of well-balance mind!)

“Casting the whole of your care {all your anxieties, worries, concerns} on Him, for he cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” 1 Peter 5:7
(I should not and do not have to carry this with me. I can and will give it to Christ. I will only feel his affection for me!)

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalms 139:14
(I am made as I am for a reason and I rejoice in that for my Lord created me this way for a reason!)

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as name sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
(As this person sees me, does not mean that is accurate or even relevant! My God sees my heart and knows my heart as I seek my Lords will! That is all I should meditate on!)

"I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right head, I shall not be moved. “ Psalm 16:8, Isaiah 41:10
(My Lord is my strength, not others and what they think/say about me. My Lord is my right hand; He is My Compass and My Strength!)

I hope this gives strength to any of you that might have experienced the same thing. To know we are all human and will mess up. But we are not to care our burdens and to become TIMID. We are to take stride in our LORD. We are to turn to HIM and he will give us Refuge! Know that God is a God of Grace, Peace and Joy. Anything outside of that is of the DEVIL (looking to rob you of all things Righteous!)

With Great LOVE for you all-

Sarah

God will Get you Home

One of my favorite little Devotional books is entitled Grace for the Moment: Volume 1 by Max Lucado. He takes sections from his book, pairs it with scripture and then gives you great food for thought about our Gracious God whom shows us the way on a Daily basis and a great big serving of LOVE.

Todays was named "God will Get you Home." It has the same time of my last post, but slightly different. Hope you enjoy,

"What we see will last only a short time, but what we cannot see will last forever."

2 CORINTHIANS 4:18

For some of you, the journey has been long. Very long and stormy. In no way do I wish to minimize the difficulties that you have had to face along the way. Some of you have shouldered burdens that few of us could every carry. You have bid farewell to life-long partners. You have been given bodies that can't sustain your spirit. You have spouses who can't tolerate your faith. You have bills that outnumber the paychecks and challenges that outweight the strength.
And you are tired.

It's hard for you to see the City in the midst of the storms. The desire to pull over to the side of the road and get out entices you. You want to go on, but some days the road seems so long....

Let me encourage you....God never said that the journey would be easy, but He did say that the arrival would be worthwhile.

"What we see will last only a short time, but what we cannot see will last forever. "

2 CORINTHIANS 4:18

from Lucado's book In the Eye of the Storm

Come to me, all who are burdened....

Have you ever had a day, or a week or a month, of where your to-do list grows every time you mark something off. Or when you accomplish one task there is another 5 waiting....answer one email and there is another ten in your inbox....wondering when are you going to find the time to get it all done and yet still find REST/RESTORATION!

If your answer is Yes, then I can relate to you. The last couple of weeks, I feel like I am going from one thing to the next, squeezing every second out of the day as I possibly can and my to-do list the longest I have seen in a long time.

I was starting to feel worn out and wondering "How am I going to accomplish all of this when all I want is a Nap?".... But then God gave me this verse this morning,

Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest,

and in the Message Translation,

"Are you tired? Worn out? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll RECOVER your life. I'll show you how to take a REAL rest."

What a great since of peace that came over me! All I have to do to be restored is to get away with my LORD and I can recover! He will show me what REAL Rest feels like! So I am leaning on him and getting away with Him as He Restoreth my Soul! Wont' you do the same!?

Happy Wedding Anniversary #2

I'm a little late on this blog, however better late than never. Alex and I just celebrated our 2nd Year of Marriage this passed Monday. It has flown by. Sometime I feel like we are still dating and then I wake up next to this Wonderful, Godly man and realize we have been married for two years. I don't know when one officially no long is seen as a "newlyweds"; regardless I can certainly say, "I still feel 100% Newlywed!"

Keeping in Tradition from last year is our list of things in review while living year #2 together in "Constant love":

1. I got to see how Alex can over come difficulties and has amazing perseverance. He has completed yet another year with great discipline in wearing all of his hats (Godly man, husband, student, employee). God continues to help him finish out his Degree. At this pass I will be blogging of his graduation in MAY!
2. This last year we started to find ourselves praying over and persuing possible houses to purchase. As we started the process of praying, researching, contracts, working with banks/realtors/etc,.....I learned how knowledgeable Alex is and see for myself his great eye for business. It was also such a time of bonding to see how we work together in such decisions, leaning on the Lord and each other, seeing how we have the same taste and expectations for a HOME. End result: no home for now, GOD'S ANSWER: "Wait. I have perfect timing!", An adventure for us.
3. Alex threw me my very first Surprise Party Ever for my 30th Birthday.
4. Went Skiing in Red River, NM, with the Constien/Tipton family for Christmas. It was a fun and long road trip. The cabin was beautiful and Alex and I even got to have a date there. We went to a local coffee shop (similar to our Arsaga's in Fayetteville) and Alex taught me how to play chess. I got Alex a ski lesson with an professional(winter Olympian) in Taos, NM (something he has always wanted to do). Also where I got my first Concussion.
5. Bought a king size mattress set but couldn't afford a nice bed or headboard, so we made one.
6. Working for the Church has so many rewards and joys, however big paychecks aren't one of them. There are times it can be a struggle but for the most part we are constantly shown how the Lord provides. It has been a blessing to see God ALWAYS multiply our "fish & loaves" when we thing the "basket is almost empty". First, in October, God gave Alex a job at Lewis -n- Clark in Springdale. It is close, flexible with his school schedule and understanding with mine so Alex can still, ever-so-often, still serve with me. He even has off Sundays to attend church with me. That is rare for Retail. Next, in December, the church was blessing to give something to the staff which was just enough in answering prayers in wanting just a little more breathing room financially. HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!!?!!
7. Got to together, yet again, to Colorado to take the Singles skiing. I can't tell you the blessing in this. I love we don't have be separated during things like this. Not everyone gets this luxury (the time off, the money saved to pay for it, etc).
8. We lead another mission trip, this time we served in Port au Prince, Haiti! What a blessing!!!!
9. One thing to experience as a couple where you see the raw emotions and love for one another is the loss of a loved one. My dad's mom, Fannie Brown a.k.a. Grandma Brown, passed away days before we left for Haiti in June. Alex's willingness to be with me and to make anything happen so I can find my closure was so enduring and compassionate. One of the many things I feel in love with about him. It was a chance to see how he would be there for me and he exceded any expectations I might have had. What a man!
10. Alex took me to many firsts: first time kayaking, first time to Lamberts (home of the thrown rolls), first time hike Petite Jean Mountain, first time to eat Duck.
11. Went to my first Constien Family Reunion to experience a Potato Gun competition with fireworks and Potatoes, homemade catapults competing in watermelon and water balloon tosses and lots of food and huge Fireworks over July 4th!

There were more of lessons to learn as a family, life experiences to experience with one another, opportunities to support and love one another (like Alex completing another OutStanding Year of School! I'm so Proud). IT was a blessed year. We finished it off with Alex surprising me to a very nice night out at Bordino's! I have wanted to eat there for years now! So we got all dressed up and had dinner together. Afterwards, we walked down to Common Grounds to share dessert (10 pound chocolate cake). Lastly we went home to cuddle! One of my favorite pass times!

We give thanks for all of the memories and lessons we can take from last year. We give God all of the Glory for all things that come from us our home and our hearts. He is our provider, the Center of our Home and the reason we can be in "ConstantLove."

Now is it Sarah Brown or Sarah Constien?

>Funny thing happened yesterday....I get a phone call from my sister asking if I was still married!? Ha Ha! I know, too funny huh?! She was laughing as she asked me and we got a good kick out of the story as well. It reminds me of the game called "Telephone" where one person says something and then the next person repeats and by the time you get to the person at the end of the line....the end statement is not even close to the original statement.

Here's what happened. The Singles minisitry I work with has been blessed with this wonderful woman that worked for us, Mrs. Adrienne Varnadoe for the last year. Well she was offered a full-time position at the church which lead to us needing to hire a new Adminstrative Assistant this passed June. Out of all the outstanding applicants to apply, the one we all agreed on was Sarah Brown (my maiden name). She accepted and has been apart of our staff for about 3 weeks now.

Sidenote: She is actually a friend of mine from college. And we got married the same year. I went from Sarah Brown to Sarah Constien in July and she went from Sarah Roberts to Sarah Brown in December!

Anyways, back to the story....So as her name is circulating through the Fellowship curciut (staff, ministries, etc) some people who didn't know any better thought I had gone back to my maiden name and that Alex and I were getting a divorce!

Now anyone who knows Alex and I or have ever been around Alex and I know that we are still very much married and in love! Most of the time we just can't keep our hands off each other! (running theme we hear from our parents) But it started with someone asking \a question about us, to then someone asking a question and making somewhat a statement to someone asking a question, etc.....until it got back to my sister who just got a kick out of it all together! Don't you love it!!! I can't stop smiling/laughing about it every time I thing about it!

So to be clear, I Sarah Constien, am married and I couldn't be more happy to be Alex Constiens Wife.

Also I know that Sarah Brown is going to be just as much of a blessing upon this ministry as Mrs. Adrienne Varnadoe was and is in her new position with the Communication Ministry!