Hello Friends,
We have a new addition to the family! No, it is not the baby we have been waiting:) His name is Buster the dog. Buster eats with us, plays with us, rides in the car with us, and does about everything with us. He is the perfect family pet, however, we have never seen him because Buster is the imaginary friend of our 4 year old son, Cale.
We love watching the imagination of our little boy run wild and I have found out that imaginary friends run in the family. My husband had an imaginary friend named Mickey growing up that would play baseball and football with him. I love hearing stories from my mother-in-law about Chris and Mickey.
I can honestly say there have been times that I have felt like God is more like my imaginary friend rather than the creator of the universe. There are those times where you just don't feel Him, see Him, or hear Him. Every person goes though those times. The great thing is that God is the same whether I feel Him or not. The Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:13 that God is faithful even when we are faithless. Praise God!
There is an Indian legend that says when an Indian boy wants to make the transition to a man he must sit in the woods on a tree stump for an entire night without opening his eyes. No matter what he hears or how scared he might get, he can not open his eyes. For those who pass the test, they open their eyes to find that their father was sitting right next to them, protecting them the entire night. Although they did not feel their father-he was there. Although they did not hear their father-he was there. Although they did not see their father- he was there.
You may not feel, hear, or see God, but I promise you He is not imaginary-He is there!
P.S. I now have a follower list where you can add your name at the bottom of this page. I would love for you to sign up so that I know my husband is not the only one who reads this blog:)
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Finishing Strong
Hello Friends!
Finish Strong-Isn't that a saying that every sports team has used at one point or another? A saying that represents not giving up-playing with your whole heart until the last play of the last game. I am finding that right now I need this saying posted in my house, in my car, in my office, and any other place that I might see it. I am in the stage of pregnancy that I am having those days that it is extremely hard to finish strong. Hard to finish this pregnancy strong without breaking down daily because I am so uncomfortable and getting impatient to meet our little boy. Hard to finish out my work with FCA on a daily basis because all I think about is getting to my maternity leave and spending time with not only the baby, but watching my other two children interact and welcome Case into the family.
I was reminded this last week at Easter services of the last words Jesus said on the cross, "It is finished." If there was ever anyone that we could use as the ultimate example of Finishing Strong it is none other than Christ himself. We sometimes forget that because He was both God and man that He didn't want to go through what He did any more than you and I would. In the Garden of Gethsemane he fell to his knees and ask God "if there is any other way, please take this cup from me. Not as I will, but as you will." He could have quit right there, but He didn't. He could have quit when He went before Pilate, but he didn't. He could have quit when they were beating him beyond recognition, but he didn't. No! He went all the way to the cross and Finished Strong! And Praise the Lord He did!
There has been no other words that have changed the course of history more than these three words-It is finished! So once again, my Savior comes to my rescue and I am reminded that the same spirit that made Him finish strong is the same Spirit that will help me and you finish strong in our everyday lives. Whether it be a pregnancy, an end to another school year, a struggling marriage, a battle with an illness or whatever you may be facing, let these same words resonate with you, challenge you and encourage you to Finish Strong!
Finish Strong-Isn't that a saying that every sports team has used at one point or another? A saying that represents not giving up-playing with your whole heart until the last play of the last game. I am finding that right now I need this saying posted in my house, in my car, in my office, and any other place that I might see it. I am in the stage of pregnancy that I am having those days that it is extremely hard to finish strong. Hard to finish this pregnancy strong without breaking down daily because I am so uncomfortable and getting impatient to meet our little boy. Hard to finish out my work with FCA on a daily basis because all I think about is getting to my maternity leave and spending time with not only the baby, but watching my other two children interact and welcome Case into the family.
I was reminded this last week at Easter services of the last words Jesus said on the cross, "It is finished." If there was ever anyone that we could use as the ultimate example of Finishing Strong it is none other than Christ himself. We sometimes forget that because He was both God and man that He didn't want to go through what He did any more than you and I would. In the Garden of Gethsemane he fell to his knees and ask God "if there is any other way, please take this cup from me. Not as I will, but as you will." He could have quit right there, but He didn't. He could have quit when He went before Pilate, but he didn't. He could have quit when they were beating him beyond recognition, but he didn't. No! He went all the way to the cross and Finished Strong! And Praise the Lord He did!
There has been no other words that have changed the course of history more than these three words-It is finished! So once again, my Savior comes to my rescue and I am reminded that the same spirit that made Him finish strong is the same Spirit that will help me and you finish strong in our everyday lives. Whether it be a pregnancy, an end to another school year, a struggling marriage, a battle with an illness or whatever you may be facing, let these same words resonate with you, challenge you and encourage you to Finish Strong!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Blizzard in the Spring
Hello girls!
I hope you are enjoying your spring weather! I just wanted to let you know how mine started out-not what I expected. With spring comes warmer weather, beautiful flowers blooming, riding bikes outside with the kids, Easter, new life and I love it, but have yet to experience it. Last week my grandpa passed away and we went up to the Oklahoma Pahandle for the funeral. The funeral was supposed to be on Friday afternoon, but winter reared its ugly head again with a vengence or somebody really ticked off the groundhog. We were in an all out blizzard Friday and Saturday, unable to leave the house because all the roads were closed, and did I mention with 7 kids ages 8 and under. AHHHHHH!!!! Needless to say- it was crazy!!!
Even though I literrally experienced a blizzard in the spring, I really experience blizzards in the spring a lot. Things will be looking great in family, job, children, marriage or all of the above and (as Emeril would say) Bam-a blizzard hits. It could be an unexpected death in the family, an unexpected move or job loss, a child making bad choices etc. Whatever your blizzard is-it doesn't mean there will be no spring. God's delays are not his denials! Spring ALWAYS comes-just maybe not when or how you expected. Know that God is never late and will bring you Spring once again. In Romans 8 it says, God works all things to the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose." -Even blizzards in the spring!
P.S.-BABY UPDATE
We are now about 7 weeks out! Woo hoo!!! This baby is kicking my tail! Literally, he kicks so hard:) We will have a talk about that when we meet face to face! I love Him so much already! I am not sure I have told you all the name, but it is Case Graham Roberts! Thank you so much for your encouragement and prayers for this amazing blessing. I can't wait to introduce him to you all.
Love ya!
I hope you are enjoying your spring weather! I just wanted to let you know how mine started out-not what I expected. With spring comes warmer weather, beautiful flowers blooming, riding bikes outside with the kids, Easter, new life and I love it, but have yet to experience it. Last week my grandpa passed away and we went up to the Oklahoma Pahandle for the funeral. The funeral was supposed to be on Friday afternoon, but winter reared its ugly head again with a vengence or somebody really ticked off the groundhog. We were in an all out blizzard Friday and Saturday, unable to leave the house because all the roads were closed, and did I mention with 7 kids ages 8 and under. AHHHHHH!!!! Needless to say- it was crazy!!!
Even though I literrally experienced a blizzard in the spring, I really experience blizzards in the spring a lot. Things will be looking great in family, job, children, marriage or all of the above and (as Emeril would say) Bam-a blizzard hits. It could be an unexpected death in the family, an unexpected move or job loss, a child making bad choices etc. Whatever your blizzard is-it doesn't mean there will be no spring. God's delays are not his denials! Spring ALWAYS comes-just maybe not when or how you expected. Know that God is never late and will bring you Spring once again. In Romans 8 it says, God works all things to the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose." -Even blizzards in the spring!
P.S.-BABY UPDATE
We are now about 7 weeks out! Woo hoo!!! This baby is kicking my tail! Literally, he kicks so hard:) We will have a talk about that when we meet face to face! I love Him so much already! I am not sure I have told you all the name, but it is Case Graham Roberts! Thank you so much for your encouragement and prayers for this amazing blessing. I can't wait to introduce him to you all.
Love ya!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Being Real
Hello Friends!
I had the opportunity to speak at a women's conference this past weekend. It was a great time and fellowship with these ladies. I spoke on women of the bible, specifically those who had personal encounters with Jesus and how he changed their lives and how that relates to ours. One thing I have learned about working in women's ministry and, of course, being a woman myself we aren't always real.
It's like a lady who was asked to bake something for her church's bake sale, but she forgot. That morning she was fumbling around trying to bake something real fast and ending up making a chocolate cake, but when she pulled it out of the oven the middle had bottomed out. She was in a panic and an idea came to her head. She found a role of toilet paper put it in the middle of the cake and frosted the whole thing. She gave her husband strict instructions: "when I take this to the bake sale, you be the first one in line and you have to buy this cake." Her husband came home, but with no cake. He said it had already been bought. She was mortified at the thought of who bought the cake. The next day she went to a party at a friends house. When she walked in, she noticed the cake was on the table to be served for dessert. She was making her way to the hostess to tell her not to serve that cake when she overheard another lady complimenting the hostess on how beautiful the cake looked. She then heard the hostess say, "Thanks, I made it myself."
We laugh and joke, but we have all been there when it comes to saving face in front of other women, friends, family, enemies, fans etc. for the sake of looking like we have it all together. Being real is not reality for women these days. There is a sense of perfection that we feel we have to portray to the world. You know we all have those women in our lives who look as though they have it all together: marriage is perfect, children are perfect, house is perfect. I get winded even saying those things. We need to take the masks off and share with one another our imperfections so that God can use those imperfections to fulfill the purpose he has for you and me. When Jesus called His disciples he called the "unschooled and ordinary" not the blemish-free and perfect ones. Yes, I love my husband, but it is hard work sometimes. Yes, I love my children, but it is hard work sometimes. Yes, my house looks like a tornado hit it-most of the time:) We are all a work in progress and to appear to those around you that you have it all together means you are missing out on what God wants to do in you and through you. After all, why mess with perfection?
I had the opportunity to speak at a women's conference this past weekend. It was a great time and fellowship with these ladies. I spoke on women of the bible, specifically those who had personal encounters with Jesus and how he changed their lives and how that relates to ours. One thing I have learned about working in women's ministry and, of course, being a woman myself we aren't always real.
It's like a lady who was asked to bake something for her church's bake sale, but she forgot. That morning she was fumbling around trying to bake something real fast and ending up making a chocolate cake, but when she pulled it out of the oven the middle had bottomed out. She was in a panic and an idea came to her head. She found a role of toilet paper put it in the middle of the cake and frosted the whole thing. She gave her husband strict instructions: "when I take this to the bake sale, you be the first one in line and you have to buy this cake." Her husband came home, but with no cake. He said it had already been bought. She was mortified at the thought of who bought the cake. The next day she went to a party at a friends house. When she walked in, she noticed the cake was on the table to be served for dessert. She was making her way to the hostess to tell her not to serve that cake when she overheard another lady complimenting the hostess on how beautiful the cake looked. She then heard the hostess say, "Thanks, I made it myself."
We laugh and joke, but we have all been there when it comes to saving face in front of other women, friends, family, enemies, fans etc. for the sake of looking like we have it all together. Being real is not reality for women these days. There is a sense of perfection that we feel we have to portray to the world. You know we all have those women in our lives who look as though they have it all together: marriage is perfect, children are perfect, house is perfect. I get winded even saying those things. We need to take the masks off and share with one another our imperfections so that God can use those imperfections to fulfill the purpose he has for you and me. When Jesus called His disciples he called the "unschooled and ordinary" not the blemish-free and perfect ones. Yes, I love my husband, but it is hard work sometimes. Yes, I love my children, but it is hard work sometimes. Yes, my house looks like a tornado hit it-most of the time:) We are all a work in progress and to appear to those around you that you have it all together means you are missing out on what God wants to do in you and through you. After all, why mess with perfection?
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Chapel
Hello friends,
Wow! I can't believe it is March already! And with that comes OU softball chapels for me. I serve as the chaplain for the University of Oklahoma softball team. This is my 4 year and let me tell you- this one part of the ministry is more challenging than the other parts combined. We have a chapel on Sundays of home games and do a bible study every other week. We had our first chapel this past weekend and had 12 out of 16 players attended-our best attedance. Woo Hoo!
You all remember this time in our life when we were free to do whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted, and with whom ever we wanted. You are trying to find out what you believe and if its the same as your parents, grandparents, or none of the above. Its a time for fun and to find out who you are as a person. I once heard that college was "Satan's playground." How scary is that to think about and I think about it often as I deal with these amazing young ladies. All I know is that these girls are away from home, parents, family, friends, and I hope that I can be an outlet to them and give them advice based on the Word and not the World. If you have a child in college-pray for them! If you have a child in high school-pray for them. If you have a child in diapers-pray for them.
One of the prayers that I pray for my children everyday is that God would always put people in their life (friends, mentors, coaches, positive role models) that reflect that of Christ. So even though I may not always be there I can rest assured God is-even if they do go to Satan's playground.
Have a super week!
Sarah
Wow! I can't believe it is March already! And with that comes OU softball chapels for me. I serve as the chaplain for the University of Oklahoma softball team. This is my 4 year and let me tell you- this one part of the ministry is more challenging than the other parts combined. We have a chapel on Sundays of home games and do a bible study every other week. We had our first chapel this past weekend and had 12 out of 16 players attended-our best attedance. Woo Hoo!
You all remember this time in our life when we were free to do whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted, and with whom ever we wanted. You are trying to find out what you believe and if its the same as your parents, grandparents, or none of the above. Its a time for fun and to find out who you are as a person. I once heard that college was "Satan's playground." How scary is that to think about and I think about it often as I deal with these amazing young ladies. All I know is that these girls are away from home, parents, family, friends, and I hope that I can be an outlet to them and give them advice based on the Word and not the World. If you have a child in college-pray for them! If you have a child in high school-pray for them. If you have a child in diapers-pray for them.
One of the prayers that I pray for my children everyday is that God would always put people in their life (friends, mentors, coaches, positive role models) that reflect that of Christ. So even though I may not always be there I can rest assured God is-even if they do go to Satan's playground.
Have a super week!
Sarah
Monday, February 16, 2009
Burdened Heart
Hello friends,
I write to you all today with such a heavy heart. When you work in the ministry, you tend to see the best and worst of the spiritual battles that each person faces daily. You become well aware of the struggles that the human race faces when living the daily grind of life. I got to see one of the most intense spiritual battles unfold before me last week. I went to visit one of my coaches who is also a dear friend. We have had numerous "God Talks" about what He was doing in each of our lives. This time was different-and not a good different. She preceded to tell me that she had been in a relationship for 11 years with a married man and his divorce was final now, and they were going to try to make it work with them now. My heart sank to the pit of my stomach. She was very emotional and the conflict on her was just so intense. I walked out after our 2 hour conversation, sat in my car, and just cried. I called my husband and just poured out my heart broken over hers.
This may sound crazy, but my husband and I have been praying for over 18 months about God's plans for the Roberts' family. We just have this overwhelming feeling that God is preparing our family for something. I asked God that day in my quiet time to show me a glimpse of the the calling He had on my life and 3 hours later I was crying out to him with such a burden for all marriages. I felt like Isaiah when God was roaming the earth, and Isaiah overheard God say, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" I overheard God's calling to intercede on behalf of all marriages. I prayed for an hour for every marriage I could think of-including yours! There is no greater relationship, outside of your relationship with God, than your relationship with your husband. If God gives me the opportunity to go out and speak on the subject I would consider it an answer to the question I heard on that day-"Whom shall I send?"
Praying for your marriage and mine!
I write to you all today with such a heavy heart. When you work in the ministry, you tend to see the best and worst of the spiritual battles that each person faces daily. You become well aware of the struggles that the human race faces when living the daily grind of life. I got to see one of the most intense spiritual battles unfold before me last week. I went to visit one of my coaches who is also a dear friend. We have had numerous "God Talks" about what He was doing in each of our lives. This time was different-and not a good different. She preceded to tell me that she had been in a relationship for 11 years with a married man and his divorce was final now, and they were going to try to make it work with them now. My heart sank to the pit of my stomach. She was very emotional and the conflict on her was just so intense. I walked out after our 2 hour conversation, sat in my car, and just cried. I called my husband and just poured out my heart broken over hers.
This may sound crazy, but my husband and I have been praying for over 18 months about God's plans for the Roberts' family. We just have this overwhelming feeling that God is preparing our family for something. I asked God that day in my quiet time to show me a glimpse of the the calling He had on my life and 3 hours later I was crying out to him with such a burden for all marriages. I felt like Isaiah when God was roaming the earth, and Isaiah overheard God say, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" I overheard God's calling to intercede on behalf of all marriages. I prayed for an hour for every marriage I could think of-including yours! There is no greater relationship, outside of your relationship with God, than your relationship with your husband. If God gives me the opportunity to go out and speak on the subject I would consider it an answer to the question I heard on that day-"Whom shall I send?"
Praying for your marriage and mine!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Love-Hate relationship
Hey Girls!
I have listened to people tell me their stories over the past 6 months and although they have different characters in their stories, the context of the stories are the same. People love them one day and dislike them the next. Some people have no idea where these changed feeling are coming from and some know exactly where these feeling harvest. Nobody knows these type of relationships more than coaches and their families. It is because of these relationships that Coaches build walls all around them and only the horns of Joshua could break them down. It can be anything from playing time to not having as good as season as last year. Whatever it is-it causes loneliness for the coach, the wife, and the kids. So, what do we do?
I was doing my quiet time and guess what I read? Jesus went through the exact same love hate relationship with his followers. In Matthew 21 you can read of his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. As He was riding his donkey, people were shouting words of praise, "Hosanna, to the son David. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest." What amazing words of praise and acclimation and only days later would be beaten and crucified by these same people. You hear Peter says things to Jesus like, "Even if I have to die with you. I will never disown you." And as we all know, Peter not only denied him, but did it 3 times. Ouch!
If we want to know what to do when people love us and then hate us, we have to look at the example of Jesus. Jesus said, "Forgive them for they know not what they do." He says we must pray for those who persecute us. He says if someone strikes one cheek, turn them the other.
Are you kidding? Maybe its just me, but it is so much easier to be bitter, bicker, and gripe. After all, they are the ones with the problem-not you. Yes, and these are very human things to think and feel. So how do we follow Jesus' example? We have to remember that although we are human, as Christ-followers we also have the same spirit within us that Jesus had in Him. We can do it because of Christ and Christ alone. Ask Him! He wants to help us become all that He is:) It is our time to be coached by the Head coach!
I have listened to people tell me their stories over the past 6 months and although they have different characters in their stories, the context of the stories are the same. People love them one day and dislike them the next. Some people have no idea where these changed feeling are coming from and some know exactly where these feeling harvest. Nobody knows these type of relationships more than coaches and their families. It is because of these relationships that Coaches build walls all around them and only the horns of Joshua could break them down. It can be anything from playing time to not having as good as season as last year. Whatever it is-it causes loneliness for the coach, the wife, and the kids. So, what do we do?
I was doing my quiet time and guess what I read? Jesus went through the exact same love hate relationship with his followers. In Matthew 21 you can read of his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. As He was riding his donkey, people were shouting words of praise, "Hosanna, to the son David. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest." What amazing words of praise and acclimation and only days later would be beaten and crucified by these same people. You hear Peter says things to Jesus like, "Even if I have to die with you. I will never disown you." And as we all know, Peter not only denied him, but did it 3 times. Ouch!
If we want to know what to do when people love us and then hate us, we have to look at the example of Jesus. Jesus said, "Forgive them for they know not what they do." He says we must pray for those who persecute us. He says if someone strikes one cheek, turn them the other.
Are you kidding? Maybe its just me, but it is so much easier to be bitter, bicker, and gripe. After all, they are the ones with the problem-not you. Yes, and these are very human things to think and feel. So how do we follow Jesus' example? We have to remember that although we are human, as Christ-followers we also have the same spirit within us that Jesus had in Him. We can do it because of Christ and Christ alone. Ask Him! He wants to help us become all that He is:) It is our time to be coached by the Head coach!
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