The Journey is NEVER complete...

Hello Dear Friends,

I will let this be my thank you note to everyone who has been following my blog and praying for me and encouraging me. Thank you so much!

I didn't finish reading in three months. New Year's Eve came and went and I just looked at my Bible as it sat s on the corner of my kitchen table.  My heart felt heavy but I was also preoccupied with cooking our New Year's Eve seafood FEAST.

Fried Lobster
Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Shrimp Fried Rice

Yes, those who know me personally, know I was floating on cloud 9. But shamefully, I made sure I took the time to prepare all of my heart's desires for the evening when I could have changed the menu or solicited help so that I could've continued reading the Bible and finished on schedule.

I can make all kinds of excuses about distractions, guests, and other things, but the bottom line is you always have a choice in life. I chose to not finish the Bible in virtually 90 days.  I am not proud of that. I am proud that I finished. Actually in the video I said I finished in 124 days but actually it was 104. Bad nerves equals bad math. :)

The biggest blessing I have received out of this journey was the realization that God still sees me. He still wants me. Now that I realize I have been redeemed I don't want to forsake that. I want to live for it.  If my brother jumped in front of a bullet to save my life. I would say that I was forever indebted to him. In the chance the bullet didn't fatally wound him, I probably would live my life trying to thank him. If I would do that for my earthly brother, why shouldn't I fully live for Christ who died for me and The Heavenly Father God who sent Him and the Holy Spirit who continuously works in my life and intercedes on my behalf.  I will no longer take His love for granted because He sent His only son to pay the ultimate price for me.

God Bless EVERY single one of you and your families and the works of your hands. May God continue to reveal Himself to you and in you. Remember to pray for people, it is the best gift you can give.

Sincerely,

Sarah
A sinner whose flesh is dying, so her spirit can rise and live in Christ.

Finishing Touches

I have a great representation of what has happened to me during this wonderful journey. Stay tuned. Thanks to everyone who has been stopping by.

Day 91, Almost there!!!

Let me tell you...

The closer I get to the end the harder it is to finish.  I am incredibly tired and everything is distracting me!!!!!

I am determined but I have piled so much on my plate for the day I am concerned I will not be able to do it all. Because some people (who will remain nameless) don't want to stay the night at my house for the new year I have to have dinner ready at a certain time. But it is okay loved one, it is okay.

Never the less, I am a fast reader and I am reading slower as well, I think I am running into what some of my family and friends were running into.  The Word was speaking to them and they needed to take the time to understand what it was saying to them.  I told myself this couldn't happen to me I have a deadline.  LOL!  I am silly I know.

Ultimately, for me, the most important thing is that I am finished by midnight tonight. I will highlight or fold the page of all the verses that speak to me. I will look over them in the upcoming days.

To finishing on time and honoring my commitment to the Lord.

Day 91, My arms are too short

As I am wrapping up, I am realizing how much of a struggle this has been for me.  I have experienced so much doubt along the way.  At some points, especially reading the words of the prophets I was beginning to think that I was just Jewish. I have been reading different Jewish websites and blogs to gain true understanding as to why they don't believe Jesus was the Messiah.  Unlike anything else I have encountered there were some incredibly valid points. Just when I thought I may have lost it all, I turned the page to the New Testament

I had been questioning my faith. I was afraid. Plus, I am always confronting my husband about his doubts and how he should stand up so he can lead our family; but I am having doubts of my own. (Hypocrite) Secretly, I wanted him to be stronger so I could lean on his faith. (Wrong move)  I needed to check myself.

So here it is:

Gary, I am sorry for every time I have tried to through God in your face without having Him in my mouth and heart.  I am sorry for harboring a grudge against you for not continuing to read the Bible with me these past months.  I am sorry for denying you the respect you have ultimately deserved as my husband throughout our entire marriage. I am sorry for blaming you for things I have had a hand in also. I am sorry for everything I have hidden. You are an a amazing husband.  I am proud of you. I am glad you are showing interest in getting to know the Lord and it will be my pleasure to continue to pray for your strength in Him. I am sorry for being mean, I can't wait to get to know you better. I can't wait to be a better support system for you.  Thank you for sharing your life with me. I love you, please forgive me.
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I pray almost every morning for God to lead and guide me. Finally, I am ready to surrender. I give up, I realize my arms are too short to box with God.

Day 88, Revelations 18-22

I missed the bus.

Not only did I literally miss the early bus home yesterday, I have been missing the bus of success everyday.  I pray everyday for God to help me live for Him to be upright, resist temptation and sin not.  Everyday the bus drives by me and I am granted the opportunity to get on, meaning I won't tell that lie, I won't judge this person, I won't use foul language. But most days I just let the bus pass me by leaving dust in my face. On my worst days I won't even attempt to catch it.

The more I read the Bible, the more I pray and mean it, the more I make conscience attempts to live for God the more obstacles come my way. I can choose to engage them, jump over them, or ask God to guide me around them.

When I decided to be obedient and read the Bible in three months I knew I was going to be blessed.  One of the greatest blessings I have received so far is realizing how much I was already blessed.

My Uncle's funeral is tomorrow. If I am honest I can not say that he was an Uncle that I spent an enormous amount of time with.  But I do know that he was an honorable man who loved his family, a mathematical genius, a charismatic speaker, one of the smartest men I ever knew.  He suffered pain that I don't want to comprehend, though he may have retreated he never caved to defeat.  I have learned so much from his life and I thank God for him.

Marshall David Ellington, now your heart will forever be mended... 1957-2010