*****I HAVE MOVED!*****
*****Find me here: sarahannrogers.com*****

Welcome! I'm so glad you've found your way here and hope you enjoy your time connecting.

Monday, June 30, 2008

Reaping

Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others - ignoring God! - harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.

Galatians 6:7-10 (msg)

Taking time out to focus on hardcore ministry always makes me examine my motives and the way I live my life.  After the trip to Mexico City this past week, I really was touched (again) by the way that God can use all of us to do His will.  And trust me, it has got to be Him, because I was tired and myself, and I know that all of the good things in me had to have come through God.  I am consistently convicted after mission trips in one particular way.  I end up asking myself, why do I think God is less here than He was there?  And because I know the answer, that God is the same everywhere, no matter when, no matter what situation I am in, I have to ask myself another question... Who do I think I am?  I know for a fact that My God is not kidding when He gives me a passion and a desire for His will and His ministry.  Romans 11:29 says that "God's gifts and His call can never be withdrawn."  He doesn't change in His ability and capacity, but he also doesn't change what He purposed in my heart.  If I have a heart for people when I am in Mexico, I should have a heart for people when I am in Charleston.  And, ultimately, I do.  I love to minister, I love people, and I love when God uses me, even here at home.  But am I being just as intentional here as I was on the mission field?  The verse above says to watch it because God doesn't joke around.  When you plant seeds of love and godliness, you will harvest the same.  But if I plant seeds of selfishness and pride, then why in the world would I expect God to use me?  If all I am concerned with is me, then how can I see the needs of others?  And another version says that the person who helps those in need finds the most possible personal satisfaction, and all because they are unconcerned with themselves.  I am so happy that God's ways are higher than mine, and even happier that His grace covers my inadequacies.


Friday, June 6, 2008

Con manos vacías

There is this song that I have been familiar with for some time now. It is a Spanish worship song that has meant a lot to me. However, sometimes, God really brings it back up to me in a very personal way. Not only does it have really emotional ties with my past, but it contains the very essence of the life that I would like to live. 

About 6 years ago now, a very dear friend of mine died. He was a worship leader, and originally was from Mexico. He used to love this song and it will always remind me of him. But tonight, as I was spending some time with God, this song came to me, and I went to look it up so that I could listen to it, and it just brought tears to my eyes. I want to be this open, this vulnerable. This is my cry. 

For those of you that don't speak Spanish, I have copied both the Spanish and English lyrics to this song. But I will always think it to be more beautiful in Spanish. Either way, the desperate cry and hope of the song remains the same.

(If you don't understand what he is saying, I recommend that you skip ahead in the video to about 1:30, so as not to get lost in all of the talking and to get straight to the song.)








CON MANOS VACIAS
Con manos vacias
vengo a ti
no tengo nada que darte
no hay nada de valor en mi
no puedo impresionarte


Hoy puedo entregar mi corazón
pero esta quebrantado
recibelo mi buen pastor
tu puedes restaurarlo


Pongo mi vida a tus servicio Señor
no sera mucho pero la entrego hoy
y si mis manos hoy vacias estan
puedes llenarlas con tu gran poder y amor
usa mis manos Señor...


Con manos vacias vengo a ti
no tengo nada que darte
no hay nada de valor en mi
no puedo impresionarte


Hoy puedo entregar mi corazón
pero esta quebrantado
recibelo mi buen pastor
tu puedes restaurarlo


Pongo mi vida a tus servicio Señor
no sera mucho pero la entrego hoy
y si mis manos hoy vacias estan
puedes llenarlas con tu gran poder y amor
usa mis manos Señor...
usa mis manos Señor.


 

 

WITH EMPTY HANDS
With empty hands,
I come to you.
I have nothing of value in me,
Nothing to impress you.


Today I can deliver my heart to you,
But it's broken.
Receive it my good shepherd,
You can restore it.


I put my life to your service Lord,
It doesn't hold much but I give it now.
And if my hands are empty today,
You can fill them with your great power and love.
Use my hands, Lord...


With empty hands,
I come to you.
I have nothing of value in me,
Nothing to impress you.


Today I can deliver my heart to you,
But it's broken.
Receive it my good shepherd,
You can restore it.


I put my life to your service Lord,
It doesn't hold much but I give it now.
And if my hands are empty today,
You can fill them with your great power and love.
Use my hands, Lord...
Use my hands, Lord.