As Christians we are to offer our bodies, that includes our minds, as a living sacrifice pleasing to God which is our spiritual act of worship. In doing so, we are to no longer conform to the patterns of this world, but transformed by renewing our mind. (Ro 12:1-2) In our society today, I see the spirit of passivity running rampant even within the church. Passivity is a stronghold of begin emotionally ruled by the absence of feeling or motivation. I see it in my children’s generation especially. So, we often hear, “I don’t feel like…going to church. I don’t feel like …praying.” Through non-activity and non-commitment, we can give our mind over to the enemy. It is vital that we constantly be renewed in the spirit of our minds. We must be intentional to study and pray God’s word, then live it out. There are so many marriages struggling today because we have taken the mindset of the world and don’t feel like staying in the marriage or lack the feelings for the other spouse. To rely on our feelings is not always reality. God is love, even though I may not always experience His love every day, but I make a choice to believe He is with me and loves me. On days when I doubt, I take the time to renew my mind with scripture of this truth. Pray God breaks the spirit of passivity in you and those you love. Let’s beef up our commitment beyond our feelings and chose to renew our mind with His word and resist the subtle ways of the world.
Living By Faith not Feelings
April 29, 2008 at 2:30 am (Daily Journal Entry)
Tags: commitment, faith, feelings, marriage
Grow in Grace
April 23, 2008 at 12:00 am (Daily Journal Entry)
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen.”
Today, after reading this verse in the morning, I had forgotten to apply it within a few hours! Grow in the grace given us through Jesus! After hitting a bump in the road, and not liking some constructive criticism that I asked for, I did not want to accept the prossess that it takes to grow. It’s not always easy. I struggle with wanting to attain perfection, yesterday!! As I accept the process willingly and come in line with God’s purposes for my life, I grow extending grace to myself and others. I am on the right road, a work still in progress! Who said perfection was attainable anyway? Knowing and trusting HIs love for me as a free gift of grace is all I need to know. As I yield with grace to His plans and purposes, and His refining to perfection…He receives the glory for the work that He has done now and forever because we are willing to grow in grace.
God is GOOD!
April 12, 2008 at 9:03 pm (Daily Journal Entry)
Tags: God, pray, publishing, Unwritten
GOD IS SO GOOD! I have several praises to share!! First, this is a very exciting day for me. I just sent my contract to Winepress to be published!!! Eric and I have felt lead to self-publish. It is a big step of faith, but we/I am having to apply my book!“ “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” I had to read Heb.11 this week to get a little boost when of course the doubts came flying in my mind! I told many of you I felt like a pregnant missionary with twins! Birthing the book and journal has been and continues to be quite a process. We are also self-publishing so there is high risk, high reward…So keep me in mind this summer (presales) or fall to come speak and share my books!!
God has been with me/us every step of the way. Thank you for all your prayers, encouragement, questions, keeping my kids, etc. All of you have kept me going!
Please don’t stop praying!! Please pray for my editor who will probably have quite a challenge on her hands. J Also, for my project manager, publicist and whoever else lays their eyes on my book.
God has been so personal. I could tell you endless stories. Last Thursday, I was on my way to church for MOMS group and as I pulled my CD out, a non-Christian station was playing a song on the radio called “Unwritten.” Well, we usually just listen to Christian radio so I’d never heard the song before. Of course, I had goose bumps and started crying. If you have a minute go out and listen!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lFXy5bIiSA
It was such affirmation and a perfect opportunity to share with the ladies at MOMS what God was up to in my life. I think you will enjoy it. I apply a more spiritual meaning to the lyrics, not sure the artist is a Christian… the lyrics say…“Release your inhibitions. Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find. Live with you arms wide open…Today is where your book begins.”!!!! Look closely at the video…at the end there is a dove, the book is climbing a mountain…(which I certainly have felt!) The pages fall down on people..God will write His word, His love, however He chooses to use the book/journal on hearts!
The next steps will be setting up my new weblog at http://sarahbush.authorweblog.com. But I think I will keep this one to circulate to more people. I’ll be getting a photo for the book and log, etc. I am not sure of a projected date, but we are praying for next Sept. My MOMS group and women’s Bible study have asked me to teach my book next fall!
Thank you again for all your prayers!
Much love…
Thankful for you and praying too for you.
God is With Us!
April 5, 2008 at 11:51 am (Daily Journal Entry)
Tags: contract, faithful friends, God, journey
The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. Ps 118:6
Oh boy, as you can see I have not written in awhile on my blog. Forgive me!! I have been in the midst of working on a contract for my book. It is a very exciting, yet scary step. I have had my moments of looking down at the waves like Peter and sinking instead of looking to the Lord’s hand. My faithful friends who have come along my side in this journey in just the right time picked me up and renewed my mind to chose thankfulness, joy and peace. God has been with me every step of the way and that is where my focus must stay. The best way to describe it, I feel like a pregnant missionary!! Birthing this “baby” any time now which has been in incubation for 10 years, 5 seriously!! Then to step out by faith self publishing, trusting God to provide financially is a little scary. My husband has been with me every step from the beginning saying “Go for it!” to the current moment, “Where do we sign?” I would not be doing this if it were not for him. I am blessed to have such a supportive and wonderful husband who believes in God first and then me!! I will cling to the verse above, “God is with me; I will not be afraid.”
