To seek and to save.

This was the message of the gospel today. That Jesus came to seek and to save what was lost.

Though I am not worthy, I celebrate in this beautiful mystery every week. Jesus brings himself to earth and humbles himself so that I may receive him through the body and blood. Every week he comes to meet me- to seek me out, and to save me from damnation. How beautiful and how precious a gift that I take WAY too lightly.

At the altar we come before the Lord as sinners. All we have to do is ask for his forgiveness, and we receive it. We leave as saints, all because of an encounter with Christ.

In all honesty, the lack of blog entries lately has reflected my lack of zest for my faith life. I am really striving to find it in my heart of hearts...the excitement I once had with my faith. I am human...and I am working to leave behind this complacency I have fallen into.

A very wonderful man I know once told me that "It's not about successfullness. Its about faithfullness." We shouldn't be counting the times we fall away, but about the times we come back to the Lord and become immersed in his love again.


Oh Lord, help me to see more clearly,
to love more dearly,
and to follow more nearly
day by day.

Looking for the good.

Speak Lord, your servant is listening.

You just never know what you're going to be handed.

All of a sudden today there was rain. Then heavy winds. Soon to follow was raining slush. No longer did the rain come from above...no no. Today the rain came from the side. With my feet completely still, the wind literally blew me three feet down a wet driveway. I felt like I was ice skating...only in tennis shoes, on concrete. I think the word for that is hydroplaning.

Today so many people let the weather effect them. Myself included, for a short time. When our surroundings are dark and gloomy, it is easy for our spirits to get down. However that does nothing for ourselves or those around us. We need to be striving to be the best light we can- to bring the light into dark places. Even in the smallest of ways, this changes hearts. Despite the weather and a headache, I managed to remember the goodness of the day. The Lord allowed me to wake up to a new day, full of his love and mercy, how beautiful is that?! While standing in line for supper a friend of mine said "Geeze Sara, you're in a good mood for this rainy weather." I smiled, and continued on with conversation. By the end of our meal together, he looked over at me and said "Wow. That was a great meal, and I feel better about the day. Your attitude was contagious."

My teachers used to tell me things like this all the time in elementary school. Things like:
"Smile, and the world smiles with you."
"Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching?"
"Make it a great day or not- the choice is yours."

Somehow, in some way, all these sayings are true. As juvenile as they may sound, there is truth to each one of them.

Each day is only what you make it to be. 

Being positive and cheerful in this world is not easy. In fact, it takes practice. It takes a conscious decision. We may not be in control of what happens to us, but we are in control of how we respond to what happens to us. 

Make a conscious effort to strive for positivity. People see it, recognize it, and appreciate it. Carry the light into the dark places, even if that means in small ways.

And remember- you only get one shot at today. How are you going to choose to be?

Constant Love.

A few months ago, a dear friend of mine named Thomas Andrew was really teaching me about what it means to be a musician. I was hearing stories about how God was working in his life through his guitar playing and song writing, as well as how hard it was when he was dry of what to write about. One night after doing some praying, Tom encouraged me to write a song. I laughed in his face at the idea...I have no musical background and I am in no way a musician. Thomas encouraged me not to doubt the power and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I went to adoration that night, where I sat in silent prayer for about thirty minutes. Shortly after I felt a prompt to get out a pen and paper. I sat with my arms crossed in my chair, ignoring the prompt the spirit was trying to give me. Yet again, I felt like I needed to begin to write. I caved in, opened my bible and grabbed a pen to begin writing the lyrics to a song that is now called Constant Love. It is based off of Psalm 31, and is written more in a story form, as a cry out to the Lord. The song begins by pleading the Lord to be the protector. The chorus gives praise to the love that God always surrounds us with. The next verse is yet another petition to the Lord to hear our cries. The final verse is in thanksgiving for in fact hearing our cries and saving us. I sent the lyrics off to Tom, who wrote the song on his guitar within the next couple days. What a beautiful piece of music this turned out to be. Its true- never doubt the power of the holy spirit.  Listen to the voice that comes from within. Below you will find the lyrics to this song as well as a link to the youtube video.

CONSTANT LOVE                 By Sara Pinkney and Tom Thielen
Be my refuge to protect me,
my defense to save me.

Lord hear my cry.

Be my guide  

Lead me Lord

hear my cry.

My enemies set traps for me,

they lead me to danger.

I place myself in your shelter

And you will save me Lord,

in your constant love.

Some who know me, how they fear me,

and many just forget me,

 Lord hear my cry.
They whisper about me,
make plans to harm me,
Lord hear my cry.


CHORUS


Still you hold great things for me,
call evil away from me,
Lord you hear my cry.
I thought you had forgotten me,
yet again you saved me,
Lord you hear my cry.

My enemies set traps for Me
they lead me to danger
I place myself in your shelter
and you always save me Lord,
in your constant love.
Yeah in your constant love.
Amazing Grace, unfailing love.
You always save me, Lord
In your constant love.

Check out the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFSHx87F-z0

God is so good, and so merciful. He always wraps you in his mantle of love.