A Pilgrim Journey http://parepidemos.posterous.com "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" -1 Peter 2:9 posterous.com Wed, 30 Jan 2013 21:30:18 -0800 Yield http://parepidemos.posterous.com/yield http://parepidemos.posterous.com/yield

P1200

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/2073090/P1100099b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/n5OcDA1IvVCLE Sarah Schiete parepidemos Sarah Schiete
Sun, 27 Jan 2013 21:21:00 -0800 Surrender: A Sacrifice of Worth http://parepidemos.posterous.com/surrender-a-sacrifice-of-worth http://parepidemos.posterous.com/surrender-a-sacrifice-of-worth

Surrender: common examples may include "surrendering" one's time to help another or "surrendering" a day to devote to worshipping and serving the Lord God solely. But surrendering that which is important and most intimate to me is extremely difficult for me to do...Corrie Ten Boom once wrote,

"Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open."


That which is not surrendered is the very thing that God wants from me. Submitting to Him and offering that which we would hold most dear is a sacrifice that actually holds worth.
Submission is key: Someone submitted so that I could be saved. Humility and submission are always good, and they always bring blessing (though sometimes not immediate, and not always in the way we'd expect). God Himself became a Man (Who Himself was the royal One, majestic and holy) and was rediculed, mocked, and tortured by His own creations...all the while completely and wholly surrendered to the Father's will.

"The fair petals must fall, and for no viable reason. No one seems enriched by the stripping.
And the first step into the realm of giving is like surrender - not manward but Godward: an utter yielding of our best. So long as our idea of surrender is limited to the renouncing of unlawful things, we have never grasped its true meaning: THAT is not worthy of the name, for "no polluted thing" can be offered.
The life lost on the Cross was not a sinful one - the treasure poured forth there was a God-given, God-blessed treasure, lawful and right to be kept: only that there was the life of the world at stake." Lilas Trotter, "Parables of the Cross"


This was the most costly sacrifice, but surrender is a sacrifice of worth, a sweet aroma to the Lord.

Romans 8:32 says, "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"

He gives all. He asks all.

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/2073090/P1100099b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/n5OcDA1IvVCLE Sarah Schiete parepidemos Sarah Schiete
Fri, 18 Jan 2013 10:52:50 -0800 Untitled http://parepidemos.posterous.com/174290725 http://parepidemos.posterous.com/174290725 I've noticed lately that a lot of conversations with my classmates have began with, "So, I decided..."
...and continue with such phrases as...
"...to just go ahead and try this..."
"...to wait and see..."
"...to stop allowing myself to be stressed..."
"...to stop caring what others think..."
And while there's nothing inherently wrong with any of those phrases, I always end up disappointed. Why? Because all of these phrases are centered around ME. "I this, I that". Truly nothing in my life is any longer about me.
Even my salvation is totally and completely of God, totally through Christ's finished work at the Cross, and not at all of myself. So rather than keeping all of these conversations so "me-centered", they need to be Christ-centered.
I have to give up this sense of self-sufficiency that somehow I'll make it work, when I won't. I'll never be good enough...and that's the point!
And so, I was thinking of this song that transfers the thought that "I'm doing" into actively following the One Who is doing, has done, and will do.
"I have decided to follow Jesus... no turning back...though none go with me, still I will follow...no turning back...the world behind me, the Cross before me...no turning back."
He Who has begun a good work in you WILL COMPLETE IT! Not of us, all of Him.

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Tue, 15 Jan 2013 19:54:36 -0800 Sharing http://parepidemos.posterous.com/sharing-28232 http://parepidemos.posterous.com/sharing-28232

Joy...it's contagious! That's something I'm learning a lot lately. The young ladies I'm privileged to nanny have learned quickly that complaining and grumbling are not behaviors I tolerate, and yet I still haven't learned that lesson! Anyway, joy is contagious though--joy founded in Christ, that kind that supersedes our present circumstances and reminds us of the Morning...fresh, bright, new! Joy in Christ!
This is something I'm learning, and I'm loving seeing how God carries me through every single moment.
To "share" some of my joy with those reading, here are some pictures that I think speak a lot more than my words can. :-)
J-O-Y, J-O-Y, joy instead of sorrow,
Cling to J-E-S-U-S, joy will surely follow!

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Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:08:00 -0800 [im]perfect http://parepidemos.posterous.com/imperfect http://parepidemos.posterous.com/imperfect

Read an article by Andrew Peterson today (one of my favorite modern-day Christian singer/songwriters). Here's a little tidbit:

Jesus is making us into something. C. S. Lewis wrote that God is making us into “little Christs.” We all ache for the day when we’ll be free of our sins, our bad habits, our bitterness, the things about us that we think ugly or undesirable. But perhaps the road of sanctification will be an easier one when we recognize in ourselves the sin of self-consciousness, the sin of reputation management, the sin of lying to ourselves. To live our lives with a pretense of self-sufficiency, strength, and have-it-togetherness is to diminish the visible work of God’s grace. One of your greatest blessings to the community around you may be your utter brokenness, it may be something about yourself that you loathe, but which Christ will use for his glory. When Jesus is Lord of our brokenness we are free to rejoice in the mighty work he has yet to do in us. We are free to enter the stage in the face of the devil’s accusation, “You’re not good enough.”
The Christian’s answer: “Exactly!”
And we dance.

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/2073090/P1100099b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/n5OcDA1IvVCLE Sarah Schiete parepidemos Sarah Schiete
Sun, 13 Jan 2013 15:07:13 -0800 Scary http://parepidemos.posterous.com/scary http://parepidemos.posterous.com/scary Do you ever scare yourself?
Allow me to put it this way, Do you ever shudder at realizing your own true motives, jealousy, pride, selfishness, etc.? Such is an accurate description of the conviction going on "in" and "around" me.
Isn't it amazing, though, that the Most High God already knew I would have these moments, of getting just a little glimpse of my sinfulness, and He still loves me anyway and determined before the foundation of the earth to pursue our hearts...to pursue MY heart?!
Questions/thoughts that swirl around and the answers get muddled when the world answers them with lies, I have to combat them with the TRUTH:
"Am I ever going to be enough?" Actually no, but Christ is enough! And I'll only be complete if I'm resting in Him.
"Others could do so much better...why would I be wanted?" God sees me as beautiful and went to the point of living for, dying for, and coming again for me! He has put every member of His Church where He wants.
"He/she is so much sweeter, Godly, pure, etc." God wants MY heart, affection, time, energy. This has nothing to do with how others look on the outside...it's not about your poetic lines, letters, stupid (pardon my language) pictures of reading your Bible on instagram, or anything else that makes you look "good". You're not. I AM is good. And if I can't find anything wrong with someone, then wonderful! Stop searching for flaws, but know that no one is perfect, and we all struggle in different ways.
All this is to say that...I'm glad God saves sinners like me! Redeemed!

He's coming back to take me home!

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Sat, 05 Jan 2013 23:36:00 -0800 Thankful http://parepidemos.posterous.com/thankful http://parepidemos.posterous.com/thankful

...I notice that when I'm consistently in the Word and in prayer, I become much more thankful for... well...everything! Thankful for the trials, thankful for what I KNOW they will produce in me, thankful that God is patient and merciful when I choose to sin or wallow after falling, thankful for Him never giving up on me. So thankful for encouragement from saints, meeting new people who help you see different aspects about God (a brother I met recently commented during a conversation of ours, "Isn't it amazing, that our great High Priest is praying for us right NOW? That He loves us that much!"). And incredibly thankful for the blessing of family. 
I am so thankful for the new addition to our family in the way of a future brother-in-law. My dear sister will be well loved and protected in the arms of this quiet man of God. "Outgoing" or "loud" would probably be the last words with which I would describe him, but the Lord alone has brought him to the point of salvation and now, simply living his life for the glory of God. It's the little things...love is not some boisterous outburst of feelings, but everyday simple obedience, humility, and action. That is, after all, how the Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated His love.
Melissa and Tim asked me to take some engagement pictures as they were running low on time. It was (IS!) a privilege to be a part of the preparation of their wedding. Plans for nuptuals are around May 18th...looking forward to a celebration of them and those close to them.


"TRUST in the LORD with ALL thy heart, and LEAN NOT on YOUR OWN understanding. In ALL thy ways ACKNOWLEDGE HIM and HE WILL make your paths straight" -Proverbs 3:5-6.

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/2073090/P1100099b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/n5OcDA1IvVCLE Sarah Schiete parepidemos Sarah Schiete
Sat, 29 Dec 2012 16:43:00 -0800 A Compilation of Quotes http://parepidemos.posterous.com/a-compilation-of-quotes http://parepidemos.posterous.com/a-compilation-of-quotes

As I read, I try to always have a pen on hand to write down thoughts or mark quotes that I enjoy. I'm about halfway through the Fellowship of the Ring (the first book in the Lord of the Rings series), and here are some of my favorite quotes. Grab a cup of coffee or tea, and join me! Loyalty, comradare, hope, faith, love, purpose, and courage are such prominent themes in these books that have only become more dear to me as time goes on.

'I am deeply grateful,' said Frodo; 'but I wish you would tell me plainly what the Black Riders are. If I take your advice I may not see Gandalf for a long while, and I ought to know what is the danger that pursues me.'
'Is it not enough to know that they are servants of the Enemy?' answered Gildor. 'Flee them! Speak no words to them! They are deadly. Ask no more of me! But my heart forbodes that, ere all is ended, you, Frodo son of Drogo, will know more of these fell things than Gildor Inglorion. May Elbereth protect you!'
'But where shall I find courage?' asked Frodo. 'That is what I chiefly need.'
'Courage is found in unlikely places,' said Gildor. 'Be of good hope! Sleep now!...' (Frodo and Gildor)
. . .
'It is going to be very dangerous, Sam. It is already dangerous. Most likely neither of us will come back.'
'If you don't come back, sir, then I shan't, that's certain,' said Sam. 'Don't you leave him! they said to me. Leave him! I said. I never mean to. I am going with him, if he climbs to the Moon; and if any of those Black Riders try to stop him, theyll have Sam Gamgee to reckon with, I said. They laughed.' (Frodo and Sam)
. . .
'Do you feel any need to leave the Shire now--now that your wish to see [the Elves] has come true already?' he asked.
'Yes, sir. I don't know how to say it, but after last night I feel diferent. I seem to see ahead, in a kind of way. I know we are going to take a very long road, into darkness; but I know I can't turn back. It isn't to see Elves now, nor dragons, nor mountains, that I want--I don't rightly know what I want: but I have something to do before the end, and it lies ahead, not in the Shire. I must see it through, sir, if you understand me.'
'I don't altogether. But I understand that Gandalf chose me a good companion. I am content. We will go together.' (Sam and Frodo)
. . .
'You can trust us to stick to you through thick and thin--to the bitter end. And you can trust us to keep any secret of yours--closer than you keep it yourself. But you cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone, and go off without a word. We are your friends, Frodo. Anyway: there it is. We know most of what Gandalf has told you. We know a good deal about the Ring. We are horribly afraid--but we are coming with you; or following you like hounds.' (Merry)
. . .
He fell silent again; but Frodo could not help asking one more question: the one he most desired to have answered. 'Tell us, Master,' he said, 'about the Willow-Man. What is he? I have never heard of him before.'
'No, don't!' said Merry and Pippin together, sitting suddenly upright. 'Not now! Not until the morning!'
'That is right!' said the old man. 'Now is the time for resting. Some things are ill to hear when the world is in shadow. Sleep till the morning light, rest on the pillow! Heed no nightly noise! Fear no grey willow!' And with that he took down the lamp and blew it out, and grasping a candle in either hand he led them out of the room. (Frodo and Tom Bombadil)
. . .
But either in his dreams or out of them, he could not tell which, Frodo heard a sweet singing running in his mind: a song that seemed to come like a pale light behind a grey rain-curtain, and growing stronger to turn the veil all to glass and silver, until at last it was rolled back, and a far green country opened before him under a swift sunrise.
. . .
...There is a seed of courage hidden (often deeply, it is true) in the heart of the fattest and most timid hobbit, waiting for some final and desperate danger to make it grow. Frodo was neither very fat nor very timid; indeed, though he did not know it, Bilbo (and Gandalf) had thought him the best hobbit in the Shire. He thought he had come to the end of his adventure, and a terrible end, but the thought hardened him. He found himself stiffening, as if for a final spring; he no longer felt limp like a helpless prey.
 As he lay there, thinking and getting a hold on himself, he noticed all at once that the darkness was slowly giving way: a pale greenish light was growing round him. ... The night was railing against the morning of which it was bereaved, and the cold was cursing the warmth for which it hungered... But the courage that had been awakened in him was now too strong: he could not leave his friends so easily.
. . .
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not whither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.

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Wed, 26 Dec 2012 21:09:00 -0800 Looking back Looking forward http://parepidemos.posterous.com/looking-back-looking-forward http://parepidemos.posterous.com/looking-back-looking-forward

Sometimes I'll look back in my journal and can't believe that I wrote something...mainly because I've strayed so far from what my mindset was at that point. I came across this poem of mine that I wrote when I had this realization of surrender and obedience that must happen in order for revival to begin in my heart and life...it was a beautiful time, and I look back on the past number of months with so much regret. Filled with anger and bitterness, jealousy and pride, but I know that God has not abandoned me. He does all things well. I can look to the future with hope instead of fear and sadness.
Lord, please create in me the heart that I had when I wrote this...

Love is never simple,
And yet it is not vain.
It's not meant to be temporary
Nor fit into a span.

For 'tis a concept
Not fit for time,
Though it has stepped
Into your life and mine.

Love is never simple.
It comes at a cost.
And we shall never know it,
Until all is lost.

It is not, unless Someone pays,
For 'tis more costly
Than we can ever pay.
Jesus knew, and bore it softly.

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Wed, 26 Dec 2012 20:58:00 -0800 Here's My Rest: http://parepidemos.posterous.com/heres-my-rest http://parepidemos.posterous.com/heres-my-rest

My rest is in heaven,
my rest is not here,
Then why should I murmur
when trials are near?
Be hushed, my sad spirit;
the worst that can come
But shortens the journey
and hastens me home.

It is not for me
to be seeking my bliss,
And building my hopes
in a region like this;
I look for a city
which hands have not piled,
I pant for a country
by sin undefiled.

The winds of affliction
around me may blow,
And dash my lone barque
as I’m sailing below;
I smile at the storm
as I lean on His breast,
And soon I shall land
in the haven of rest.

The thorn and the thistle
around us may grow—
We would not lie down,
e'en on roses below:
We ask not our portion,
we seek not a rest,
Till in glory for ever
with Christ we are blest.

Let trial and danger
my progress oppose,
They only make heaven
more sweet at the close;
Come joy or come sorrow,
Whate’er may befall,
A home with my God
will make up for it all.

With Christ in my heart,
and His Word in my hand,
I travel in haste
through an enemy’s land;
The road may be rough,
but it cannot be long,
So I journey on singing
the conqueror’s song.

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Thu, 06 Dec 2012 23:36:00 -0800 Deserving of thought... http://parepidemos.posterous.com/deserving-of-thought http://parepidemos.posterous.com/deserving-of-thought

I'm borrowing this thought from William MacDonald's little collection of thoughts on modern education called, "Grasping for Shadows". Haven't read it for a while, but oh, does it challenge me!

Everyday, all around us, we're told to accumulate. Accumulate degrees, wealth, a good job, stuff, stuff, stuff. But Christ tells us to forsake all (Luke 14:33).
We're told that it isn't acceptable to be poor; Jesus said, "Blessed be the poor..." (Luke 6:20)
We're told to stay home and make good. The Lord tells us to "go...into all the world and preach the Gospel." (Mark 16:15)
We're told to provide ourselves/be provided with security on earth. The Savior tells us to lay up treasure in heaven. (Matthew 6:20)
We try to live for two worlds. Jesus says it can't be done. (Luke 16:13)
We walk by sight. The Word tells us to walk be faith. (2 Cor. 5:7)

Even when taking the path that seems "lower" or "less significant", I find myself with this "holier-than-thou" attitude, because in my diluted mind I think that somehow I am being more spiritual. God, break me so that the only path I tread is the one in which You pave each step of the way.

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Sat, 22 Sep 2012 16:23:00 -0700 ...is me http://parepidemos.posterous.com/is-me http://parepidemos.posterous.com/is-me

I'm the girl who will persist in her path,
I'm the girl who will make you laugh.
I'm the girl who strives to be open,
I'm the girl who's been heartbroken.

I'm the girl who's been on her own
And I'm the girl who's felt alone.
I'm the girl who holds your hand
And I'm the girl who wants you to stand up and be a man.

I'm the girl who tries to make things better
I'm the girl who's the dorkiest person ever.
I'm the girl who's lost more than she's won
I'm the girl who's turned but never spun.

I'm the girl you couldn't see.
I'm that girl.
And that girl is me.

And God sees me when I feel alone and invisible, reminding me that He thinks I'm beautiful and His own. He will always pursue me, He will always protect me (even when I don't protect myself), and He's carrying me, holding my hand. He knows that I can't do it alone. He sees my sin, and loves me still. Jesus died to give me a right standing. He is amazing. He grace overwhelmes me, and His truth stands when I'm not sure. He is my Savior, and my Savior loves me.

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Tue, 11 Sep 2012 21:31:00 -0700 Selfish http://parepidemos.posterous.com/selfish http://parepidemos.posterous.com/selfish

This world is not all about me. No, it's not even about anyone reading either. I often lose this perspective and love becomes so self-centered, so me-focused, that is really isn't love at all.

Love is never simple, because true love is unconditional. This means, you don't have to "do X and Y" in order for me to love you...as a person, I don't often operate like that. We things as action, reaction, or "stimulus, response, and reinforcement" (this is Skinner's behavioral model that SLPs stick to at all costs). Not so with real love. No stimulus or response needed, just "I love you, so I will do what is best for you. I will love you when you don't love me back". This is how God loves us, this is how He sees us, not as humans constantly prone to messing things up again and again, but as His creations that He has CHOSEN to LOVE! Unconditionally!

Love is shown through actions that stem from a well-watered heart. Heart watered with what? The Word of God! The kind of love that we ought to show to one another is not natural (just as submission and SURRENDER aren't usual or our first choice), so we our source has to be SUPERNATURAL. And the Lord Jesus Christ gives us that unnatural, that supernatural, ability to love as we ought.

Even when that love means sacrifice.

That's how He showed His love, after all. It has gone unnoticed by many, His sacrifice, which is why He knows so much greater than anyone else that concept of unrequited love when I feel like no one could ever understand. He does. And I can never understand the depths of agony that He went through for me.

We love Him because He first loved us. Now that is love. Expecting nothing in return. Love.

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Sat, 08 Sep 2012 20:22:00 -0700 A Different Perspective http://parepidemos.posterous.com/a-different-perspective http://parepidemos.posterous.com/a-different-perspective

Let me begin by saying that I am odd, and somewhat outlandish. I make no attempt to deny this, but rather accept it wholeheartedly. Here are some thoughts that were spurred by a conversation I had with a dear saint today, and have been running through my mind for quite a while. I'd say it's a "new" perspective, but it really isn't, rather an old perspective that has been buried over and muffled for the past few decades. It's about that crazy little thing called love.
I pray that the things I say are acceptable in the sight of my Savior, and are not taken as offensive, but rather as a source of encouragement to others who may think the same way I do. :-)

Love is never simple.


Now, love is not a feeling in your chest,
It is bending down to wash another’s feet.
It is faithful when the sun is in the west
And in the east.
It can hurt you as it holds you
In its overwhelming flood
Till only the unshakeable is left.

Love is not some diamond ring, it is not words of flattery, it is not feelings of excitement. It is not what glitters, what seems "wonderful", and it is not boastful. True love does not trample over people, it does not make others feel small, it does not exalt itself. It doesn't parade itself. And what do we see today? Especially, sadly enough, amongst followers of Christ? They find themselves enraptured, entralled, totally consumed with it. Weddings are about "the ring" (which I am so fond of because it reminds one of the commitment made, but it's just about how "big" it is now), the pictures (which should remind oneself of the covenants made, but instead are instant flashes into the internet to everyone who wants to know...and the people who don't, too :-)), "the dress" (which ought to be pure and modest, like Christ's bride, but instead are flamboyant and revealing), and just the whole event in general. And yet, I'm sure that at most of these good Christian weddings 1 Corinthians 13 will be read...Does not parade itself? Is not boastful? Doesn't insist on its own way? 
Weddings are not marriages. Let's face it. Weddings are the first moment in a marriage, a sort of nice "prelude" to a marriage, but not the marriage itself. I realize that I am just ranting now, but what happened here? What happened to just 25 years ago, when my parents got married in a meager ceremony, helped by their nearest and dearest, my mom wearing a beautifully modest gown, and both my parents exchanging simple wedding bands (and no, there was no engagement ring *gasp*). What if we learned to be thankful again, for the simple things?

Love isn't a concept fit for what we know as time. God's love transcends time.

What if we remember that weddings and marriages are not fully centered around love? I know, I'm sure I sound crazy. But there is so much more! Entwined is this beautiful truth of headship, order, respect, provision, and yes, love.
I am so sad over how the term is over-used nowadays, trampled on, never followed by any sort of commitment or faithfulness. It loses all of it's BANG, all of the beauty that it should entail. The proverbial "magic" is lost. (A slight reference here to a certain kind of "magic"...a longstanding inside joke between a friend and myself)

I am by no means well versed in all of this, but when I look at what the Bible says, I see that I have been willfully deceived. Dissollusioned. And I see how I fall short.
Love is bending low. But more importantly, a relationship often doesn't start with feelings of love. It starts with respect and obedience. This is where I fall so very short. I'm a "go-getter". But this proves to be problematic in terms of relationships, because I am tempted (and much to my shame, I often do) to initiate. Rather than waiting on God's timing and realizing that I don't need a man to make me complete, I pursue it anyways.

Wrong.

If God ever chooses to give me a husband, it will be one who pursues me and who I will learn to respect and love, who will provide, protect, and lead. Is this not how God has shown His love toward us? He pursued us, demonstrated the depth of love He had by sacrifice, and He has "proposed". I have accepted His proposal, and am learning to love and respect Him, and while I am looking forward to that wedding day between Him and the Church, I do not have to wait until then to experience a wonderful relationship with Him. He provides for me, protects me, and leads me along.


"Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]." -1 Cor. 13:4-8a

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/2073090/P1100099b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/n5OcDA1IvVCLE Sarah Schiete parepidemos Sarah Schiete
Mon, 27 Aug 2012 15:03:00 -0700 Unknown to Me... http://parepidemos.posterous.com/unknown-to-me http://parepidemos.posterous.com/unknown-to-me

...yet known to Him!
He knows what path will bring Him the most glory, and whither shall I go from here until there. Until then, shall I restlessly complain that I must drudge along here below? Surely not, for even the smallest of things are precious to the One Who truly cares. Even so, come Lord Jesus!

"Do not trouble your hearts overmuch with thought of the road tonight. Maybe the paths that you each shall tread are already laid before your feet, though you do not see them." -Galadriel, The Fellowship of the Ring, Tolkien

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/2073090/P1100099b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/n5OcDA1IvVCLE Sarah Schiete parepidemos Sarah Schiete
Sat, 25 Aug 2012 16:51:00 -0700 Overnight http://parepidemos.posterous.com/overnight http://parepidemos.posterous.com/overnight

So, you've handed in your resignation,
contemplating why nothing turns out right.
A little fed up with all the disappointments,
so what's the point in wasting any time?

It's only temporary, so what's your hurry?
No need to worry. Don't you know that...

If it all just happened overnight,
you wouldn't know how much it means
If it all just happened overnight,
you would never learn to believe
in what you cannot see.

I feel like pace is at a standstill.
Do I wait till it falls into my hands?
A long highway ahead, getting started.
Steady hearted, is what I think I am.

There's something to be said for experience.
Who knows what's ahead. Keep on going.


Take it a day, a day at a time
One foot in front of the other,
No need to hurry,
It won't happen over night.
It won't happen over night.

Have a little faith,
Must appreciate,
Every single day,
Don't give up, no.

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/2073090/P1100099b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/n5OcDA1IvVCLE Sarah Schiete parepidemos Sarah Schiete
Tue, 21 Aug 2012 03:43:15 -0700 Perseverance http://parepidemos.posterous.com/perseverance http://parepidemos.posterous.com/perseverance “[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (1 Cor. 13:7)

If I really love someone, it ought to be manifested in action, not just flowery words. Do I protect those I love? Trust? Hope in Christ working in him/her? Persevere even the hardest difficulty?

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/2073090/P1100099b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/n5OcDA1IvVCLE Sarah Schiete parepidemos Sarah Schiete
Sun, 19 Aug 2012 21:06:00 -0700 Come Clean http://parepidemos.posterous.com/come-clean http://parepidemos.posterous.com/come-clean

How did I get here standing in a mess that I have made?

Little by little adding to the chaos everyday

I know it's time, it's time to come clean

I know it's time, it's time to come clean

 

Boxes full of things I've shuffled and shifted place to place

All the years of me, everything I want to keep and throw away

I know it's time, it's time to come clean

I know it's time, it's time to come clean

 

I empty out the pieces

And I put them where they go

 

But where do they go?

Where do they go?

Does anything in me know?

Where do they go?

 

I'm finding what I've covered and holding it up to the morning light

I'm opening my life a little at a time and it's all right

'Cause it takes time, it takes time to come clean

Yeah, and I know it's time, it's time to come clean

 

I'm picking up the pieces

And I put them where they go

 

But where do they go?

Where do they go?

Does anything in me know?

Where do they go?

 

Because I need to know

Just where do they go? Where do they go?

I've got to know just where do they go?

Where do they go? Will I ever know?

Where to begin with this?

 

Well, a number of weeks ago I had written up some notes and mullings-over on faith and the like. Much to my dismay, when I went to post them an “error” screen showed up and thus the notes were lost. Face turned hot, blood pressure rose, and I stare motionless at the object of my newfound frustration. “Those notes took me two hours to write! Arg!” This was followed by me baking cookies and walking a few miles…my domesticated way of doing things (though everything inside of me longed to bust out some Tae-Kwon-Do moves on my laptop, and some pillows, and goodness, anything in my way!).

I am certain God created ironies, for this was one of them. After writing out all of these notes about getting rid of useless garbage, stop following my feelings or other peoples’ opinions and walking by faith, the Lord allows the notes to be taken away, and I…pray? Nope. Thank God for showing me they didn’t need to be posted at the time? Nay. Be still and trust Him? No.

Quite frankly, I was ticked.

This has been happening much more than usual for me lately…getting upset at little things, taking note of wrong-doings, and the like. Why?! Because I’m responding out of bitterness.

Every day, something new comes up. Just when I think I’ve surrendered something to my Father, He shows me that not quite all of it is done. This is going to be a slow and painful process. This bitterness comes from a deep-seeded disappointment, as I’d let myself trust and hope in something that was so very far out of my control. I know that I was hoping in the wrong person because when I hope in Christ, I will never be disappointed. So who is the object of my embitterment, really?

A dear friend of mine had asked me at least a month or so ago, “Are you angry at God at all for all of this?” to which I promptly replied, “No, of course not! That is…no, not at all.”

I lied.

The very God Who led me into this suffering is also the only One Who can sympathize with my isolation and estrangement. Talking to a friend the other day who is normally such an encouragement in Christ, I just felt even more alone and that no one could possibly understand what I am going through. Truth is, no one on this earth is going to be able to understand what I’m going through.

Rather than being angry at God, I have to let go of all of this because He’s the only One Who can possibly carry me through.

A lot of me doesn’t want to come clean, to surrender all, because I’m afraid that this will mean the end of what I have thought to be the Lord’s will for me for a few years. This is the most delicate, intimate, most precious thing to me, and yet…I don’t trust God with it?

Of course I can offer those things like getting a bad grade, a bad day, but those good things? My closest friendships? Most intimate relationships? Surely I can keep them to myself, right? No, surely not. They must be poured out as an offering before the God Who gave those good things to me in the first place.

The same God Who brought me in will most assuredly lead me out!

Those who walk by faith will never be disappointed. Obedience to God is always right. Jesus loves me. He will never fail me. These things I know, and with this I must leave everything.

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Sun, 19 Aug 2012 16:06:35 -0700 BOOKS http://parepidemos.posterous.com/books http://parepidemos.posterous.com/books

I would like to just say...I love books! :-)

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Thu, 16 Aug 2012 16:19:01 -0700 Hodgepodge of Pictures http://parepidemos.posterous.com/hodgepodge-of-pictures http://parepidemos.posterous.com/hodgepodge-of-pictures

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/2073090/P1100099b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/n5OcDA1IvVCLE Sarah Schiete parepidemos Sarah Schiete