What Love is This?

What love is this?
devotional
wild
crazy
full of zeal and passion
alive
just
faithful
merciful
beautiful

love like this shines even brighter than the sun
not blinding sunlight, but one that brings us out of the shadows

into an embrace so deep
that none could ever find us if this love were the ocean

salvation is a wonderful voyage

He is love
We are blessed.
..........................................................

I was reading Isaiah chapter 43 verse 1 last night and it  really made me realize what God is really trying to tell us through His word. I believe that if the Bible was written into one sentence it would simply say "I love you."

Isaiah 43:1-4 (MSG) says "Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end— Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you."

Look at that. Now imagine someone saying that to you in a letter. I think it reads like a love letter. I love the part where he says "You're mine." The whole paragraph summed up is just an amazing profession of love. Ahhh it's just so amazing!!!! He would sell off the whole world to get you back. Man, if that isn't love, I don't know what is- and that's just one paragraph in the whole Bible! I tried to look up how much Egypt costs at least, but I couldn't find anything....I doubt anyone is trying to buy it anyway ha. I imagine one country alone costs a lot. What would you do if someone came up to you and was all "I'd sell the whole world for you?" I'd probably go "awww" and then do some kind of cheesy smile with a flutter of lashes or something. But if that person were really super serious I'd honestly think they were a little crazy. But The thing is- God is crazy, and he's crazy in love with each of us. I find this love incredible, and I hope you do too. I hope that you would join me in this daily awe I have for my creator, even though sometimes I don't notice it.
Sometimes I forget that I'm being pursued by my incredible savior and I leave Him hanging in the gutters. I feel guilty, alone, and angry. But like any one who is in love he says "no, it's okay, because I will take that weight off your back. " But the fact is, it was our pains he carried— our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost. We've all done our own thing, gone our own way. And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong, on him, on him." (Isaiah 53:4-6)

But He still loves us.
It's incredible
He's insanely in love.
What love is this?

Christmas time is here...

Snowflakes in the air.... Ahhh Christmas time. It's the most wonderful time of the year!!! I love Christmas... well I should say I love the all the days right after Thanksgiving up until the 25th of December! I am "one of those people" who look for gifts waaaaay before any holiday season, and start playing all the traditional holiday tunes a long ways before anyone even gets their pumpkins off the porch. there's just something so beautiful, different, and innocent about Christmas. If you take the holiday the "right way", Christmastime should be full of love, joy, peace, and giving- not about the gifts WE get, the stuff that stresses US out, or making sure EVERYONE is happy. Everything, all the time, no matter what we do, should always put Jesus in the center, not the side. That dosen't mean that we have to attend every live nativity in our town, only watch The Nativity Story (good movie though), put signs everywhere that say "Jesus is the Reason for the Season", and close our eyes and ears at every Santa Claus related thing. We can bring Christ into everything we do by using the fruits of the spirit, and doing everything in love as Jesus did. We can accept the fact that we are not always going to get what we want, we can't always please everyone, and that He is our Prince of Peace! "Well Sharhaiah, here's the thing" you say " I still haven't gotten most (or any) of my shopping done!" Well then, its good you came here, because I've put together a simple little gift guide for you. It's not exactly to par like those Nordstrom's, or Real Simple Magazine gift guides, but I sure hope it will help!

    Sparkle the Stars Holiday Gift Guide 2012!

-For the Christmas Crazy:

1.Christmas (album) by Michael Bublé- swingy jazzy Christmas tunes!
2.We Have a Savior- Hillsong Christmas album- Christmas worship album
3.A Family Christmas by James C. Dobson- our family's favorite Christmas book! Very touching true stories.

-For the Kid who has everything:
1.Mr. Food Face Plate- what kid would like this?
2.Constructible Drinking Straw- an awesome way to drink your milk!
3. Okay- if all else fails- get them a gift card... to a bookstore!

-For Guys:
1.I know that girls play guitar too, but I know that my brother would really like this pick punch.
2.What guy doesn't want a nice scarf? It's made out of alpaca too!
3.Not for sale...yet, but these pillows could easily be made if you're the crafting kind

-For the Ladies:
1.Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge- every young woman should own this book!
2. Get her a cookbook or twenty
3. Society6 has some pretty iPhone covers including this one

-For the Jesus Freak:
1. If he/she doesn't already have Crazy Love by Francis Chan- get it!
2. Pay for them to attend the Jesus Culture Conference in Redding California
3.For the Sake of the World (album) by Bethel

-For the Techie:
1.iPhone Pocket Projector... now you can project your movies on your iPhone (iPhone 4) to your walls
2. Instagram Photos? Wanting to do something cool with all those iPhone photos you have? Here's an iPhone printer!

-For the hard to shop for/ the person who doesn't need anything:
1. I actually did this this year. I have two groups of people who just asked for gift cards, or a service (babysitting, cleaning, etc.) But I had a better idea- why not  give to people who need more than we do? I donated a portion of my Christmas money to Samaritian's Purse in these people's honor.
2. Gift cards- Starbucks, amazon, your local book store, iTunes ( dosen't take up any room in the house!)
3. IOU coupons- make them fancy, or type it up. The coupons can be for from anything to a babysitting service ( sitter employees appreciate this!), a free homemade pie or cookies, a song you wrote yourself, a date, a picnic, a hike, a party... be creative! It's the thought that counts!

I hope that my little gift guide helped a little bit. Most of the things above are things that I actually have, or heard of from Pinterest or word of mouth. I sure hope you enjoy the holiday season! I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

                                                                                -Sharhaiah :)

The Heart of Worship

Just last week I was on Pinterest and I saw this video of Kim Walker Smith talking about leading worship. After the video was done I clicked on the next video (below) which is about the heart of worship. I think that we as followers of Jesus Christ, need to know where our heart's are at. We may have the idea that our hearts are totally in Christ, but do our actions, and the way we present our selves toward the Lord really speak for us? Watch this video :)

And if you haven't heard this wonderful woman of Christ sing. Here you go! 

It's a heart change...

"For where your treasure is, your heart will be also" - Matthew 6:21

Sometimes we all just need a break! Not the kind of break where we stop our work, stop our school, sit on Pinterest all day, tweet about whatever, Facebook it up, and sit around lazily doing nothing at all. But the kind of break where we suddenly hear the roar of His voice, we stop, and we say once again "wow, I'm really sorry Jesus! I've been living for myself again." It's the point where we come humbly to God and realize that we really are not as cool and awesome as we thought. It's the crazy, a little embarrassing, but totally worth it- heart change!

Recently I realized that as much as I complained and just sat around "taking a break" I wasn't going to go anywhere good, or anywhere in general. I started to see that I had been putting the talents and gifts which I delighted in so much- had been put off due to stupid worldly distractions. I would be so full of worry and just dumb ideas and thoughts, and then only say a little prayer before bed to hopefully mend my circumstances.

As I started noticing my behavior I wrote this poem called Broken Heart about one who is trying to please God and the world;

My heart is broken
but slowly breaking
like a piece of iceberg
cracking into the sea

What could have caused this
rather pure mess?
Is it mine?
or yours for the taking?

It's a slight pull
a tug
God nudges
to His side

Beauty calls clear
He is near
and as He calls
He roars.


And then it was crazy because just this week I was at my church college group and the leader was speaking about how we go about life ad then instead of going to Jesus for our troubles- we just go back to our sin again. I was totally just sitting there thinking "eh, I don't even know why I'm listening" until she read a part of Hosea 11 which says "He will roar like a lion. When he roars his children will come trembling." Boom! There it hit me! I had been trying to get closer to God when I had really just been pushing him away, and here I was like a little child trembling at his call once again. I believe that God was speaking to me through that poem and then totally just hit it home with me when I heard a leader confirm it.

As soon as I recognized this huge void in my heart that I had been ignoring for quite some time, I had to let stuff go. First of all I stopped going on Pinterest which has been so good! I found that even though Pinterest is a very cute site with lots of good ideas- I had become very materialist-minded and had been trying to be as awesome and chic as the women on the unrealistic style boards which made me look at my God given beauty as flawed. Since removing myself from the site- I have found a new happiness in who God has made me to be! Second I stopped tweeting and going on Twitter- as I realized the site is a wonderful way to waste time and complain about my life. Wow. Third- I started to write down ways that I could focus on Jesus throughout the day/week:

1. Wake up with Jesus! Spend a little time in prayer and devotion. Start your morning right!
This has been the hardest for me- as I am not a morning person and cannot think clearly until I am fully ready for the day.
2. Do an activity that encourages thoughts towards Jesus- take a walk, draw/paint with worship music, play music on piano/violin/ukulele/guitar, sing, write a letter to God, go outside and take a look at His creation...
Ahhhhh!!!!! My painting is back!!!! This was the most wonderful thing! I had totally forgotten that God had given me the gift of prophetic painting- and man that brush felt so good in my hands!
3. Daily encourage at least 1 person in the day and pray for them.
Yep. And people really appreciate this.
4. Dig deep into your word!
So for this one, I've been taking it really seriously- I've found myself sitting on a couch totally immersed in book after book of the bible and just so in awe thinking "wow, I'm so happy to be doing this now!" Jesus has given me his joy and hunger for his word!
5. Pray without ceasing (1Thessalonians 5:17)
Talking to God- love it :)
6. Read up on knowledge concerning godly values. I've been doing this without realizing it. My recent "knowledge" is getting involved in a ministry that gets women and children out of human trafficking. My friend Kaitlan is involved in  Shared Hope International which does exactly what I've been looking for!. Check it out!

These past two weeks have been a serious heart change for me, and an amazing wake up call! Since I have been focusing more on my creator and less on the created, I have found more joy, peace and love than I have ever thought possible. I am becoming more content in Jesus, and that is the way it's supposed to be! If you are finding yourself in the time for a "heart change" I highly encourage you to do so as soon as possible! As hard as it may be- ask yourself  "what is pulling me away from Jesus right now?" And then respond to his voice! He wants to talk to you, speak through you, speak to you, give you the best dreams ever (for real), and just be one you can stare at in awe! "Cheer up on your feet! He's calling you!" (Mark 10:49)

Liebster

Alrighty.... Hey everyone. So my friend Joanna recently won the Liebster Blog Award. The Liebster Blog Award is an award which you get if your blog has less than 200 followers. I see it as a sort of encouragement thing, and then other people get to interact with other bloggers I guess... Anyway, since Joanna got awarded- she got to nominate some other bloggers, which included me (thanks Joanna :)). When you are nominated or awarded you have to answer 11 questions. So here are the question with my answers:

1. If you had one day completely free of obligations and responsibilities, how would you spend your time?

Probably going on an adventure with one of my friends, or just chilling at home... or sleeping.

2. What is your greatest fear?

Needles- I hate them so much.

3. What is your favorite Bible verse and why?

I have so many... Psalm 119:32 "I run in the path of your commands for you have set my heart free", is one of them. I think that it's just so freeing to know that when we follow God's words he lets us run and be free, not be captive and enslaved. This verse just puts a wonderful visual of running with Jesus. 

4. If you had the opportunity to meet anyone you wanted to, who would it be? (living or deceased)

Hmmm... that's a hard one. Here's couple: Jesus ( like in person), Mary (Jesus' mother), Taylor Swift- I just love her, and Josh Groban- he has the voice of an angel. 

5. What is the most exciting thing that's happened to you in the past year?

Past year? As in last year or this year? Okay last year I went snowboarding for the first time- that was pretty crazy and exciting! And this year I graduated and am starting college soon which is really exciting!

6. Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?

Tea. I think that coffee counts as a kind of tea also- its a brewed plant.

7. Do you enjoy traveling? 

Depends on where I'm going. If you're talking about going to Hawaii or on a cruise, I'd say yes I enjoy traveling.

8. What are you most passionate about?

Life.

9. What is your biggest pet peeve?

That chewing sound that people make even if their mouths are closed. I know I do it too, but it bugs me all the time!

10. What is something that puzzles you?

God. If you just think too hard about the why, wheres and who of God- it just gets confusing!

11. What is your favorite song?

Right now at the moment- Divenire by Ludovico Einaudi ( there's a video of it below)

Hope you enjoyed that :) 

-Sharhaiah

Cinnamon Bread and sorts...

Today I would like to talk about some things... such as fall, and college, and summer too, and also bread.

I haven't been on here much this summer season, which is good because this summer weather has been absolutely lovely! Would you care to agree with me on that? Thank you. But it's so crazy because I thought I had all this time to enjoy summer and all of a sudden some of my friends can't hang out next week because school starts!!!! What?! No! Yeah I guess some high schools start next week, which I think should be changed to at least the first week of September! My oh my! And I want to do lots of adventurous things, lots of them with people who are awesome, but I cannot because I guess education is important, and people have jobs... haha. I found this quote while perusing online which is by the very amazing J.R.R Tolkien which says "I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging and it's very difficult to find anyone." Sad day. Oh Mr. Tolkien- those are my exact thoughts! Anywho...

Speaking of school I decided I'd better do something with my life this year in the form of education, so I applied for College Plus which is a private christian online college. Sweet beans bro. I don't know if I'll be accepted or whatever but at least I'm trying. And just in case you're wondering- I applied in the interest of getting a Bachelor's Degree in English. College smollege...

Lately I've been hankering for some delightful cinnamon bread- like really yumtastic nom homemade cinnamon bread. I should just go make some :) There's a slight problem though- it's summer, it's hot, oven's are hot, people don't like getting hot from the oven... yeah. I'm going to have to wait until fall, which is bitter-sweetly, not too far away. Fall means leather boots, scarfs, sweaters, leafs, bonfires, and of course that cinnamon bread :)

Well, I hope y'all are having a great end of summer :) When fall comes I'll be sure to post some bread recipes :) Blessings!

                                                                                                         -Sharhaiah

America, America!!!

Hooray! Hooray! Happy Independence Day of the USA!  Points for rhyming... Yay! I was just sitting in my living room the other day thinking about America. It's so cool, there are no other words. This place, which we call America is just so blessed. I mean- yes we do have wars, terrible things going on, drugs, gangs, and lots of other things, but I've just heard so many negative things about our country so far, it's pretty sad. Can't we at least take one day to be happy, to stop complaining, and to keep our chins up? God has blessed our country so much, let's thank Him today for all the good things he has given us! Anyway, back to me being in my living room. So- I was in my living room thinking about how cool America is and just started listing off all the awesome things that give our country so much diverse character. Here's the list:

  -List of Things that I appreciate in, around and about America-
Freedom, liberty, love, family, Lady Liberty, Washington State, Montana's Mountains, Old Faithful, geysers, donuts, hot dogs, Food Network, camping, Teen Pact camps, churches, Nashville, wheat fields, picturesque views, museums, people, farms, cities, old diners, fireworks, community, aquariums, books, restraunts, Broadway, Ballet companies, diverse languages, friends, old buildings, history, houses, swing dancing, farmer's markets, snow, warm weather, Frank Sinatra, Taylor Swift,orchestras, music, sand dunes, The Great Northwest, cupcake places, New York, Microsoft, photographers, horses, cars, nail polish, Disneyland, cable television, Pinterest, California, pie, the variety of Colleges, homeschooling, our Military, doctors, theaters, people who serve our country, life, the ocean, Josh Groban, The Space Needle, buffaloes, Yellow Stone National Park, parks, aquatic centers, oreos, malls, kind people, the ability to do most everything, country music, guns, big trees, zoos, the kinds of candy we have here, the police, Oregon, the views, places to go, freedom of religion, food.


Of course you can find some of these things in other countries, but I really do appreciate them being here in America also. Also, I'm sure I'd appreciate some other States, I just haven't been to many of them. I'd encourage you this week to write down a list of everything you love about America, as it really reminds us of how much we are really blessed to live in America. I'd also like to thank all the people who are serving this country in order to make it free. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Again- Happy Independence Day everyone! Have a safe and blessed 4th of July! 


                                                                                                                 -Sharhaiah