Love Your Life: Life and Death

Hello hello!

Long time, no see!  I am finally back and ready to pound the keys!

This summer has been an incredible one.  I graduated high school, counseled at my favorite summer camp, went on a missions trip with my youth group, and so much more!  It's been tiring but so worth it.

I would say that I have a pretty good life.  I'm not saying every moment is perfect, but there have been so many moments where I feel absolutely ecstatic with the joy of living.  I think most people can relate: that moment when you feel overcome with an inexplicable ecstasy and you feel as free as the wind.

That being said, let's talk about our lives.  I was just talking to my friend who made this point: "Isn't it totally weird that we're living and dying at the same time? It's like we're stuck in limbo between life and death.  There's a certain age that you start dying. But that's when you're living and dying at the same time."  As we tried to make sense of this mystery that is life and death, I offered this observation: "We're living our emotional lives but dying in our physical lives."

After marveling at our surprisingly deep observations, I realized that what we said kinda makes sense....I think....let me try to explain.

As we grow from newborns to adults, our physical bodies grow.  We are physically living as we grow.  However, once our bodies stop growing, scientists have discovered that we start dying.  As depressing as that sounds, it makes sense.

Once our bodies stop growing, we stop living.  Then, we are simply surviving.  Our physical bodies are dying, surviving, but our emotional lives are still intact.

Am I making sense?  I hope so because I'm gonna take this and run with it.

See, this is why I believe our emotional health is so essential to our lives.  Since our physical bodies so often fail us, what do we have left?  Our emotions.  Despite our age, whether we are two or ten or too old to move, we will always be able to feel emotion.  That's why I think we should always do things that make us happy.  Life is so dull without happiness.  Now, when I say do things, I don't mean the stuff you know you shouldn't be doing.  Just because it makes you happy doesn't mean that you should do it.

Be free and live because life honestly is so short.  We are just specks on the timeline of eternity.  But you are an important speck.  Without you, people's lives would not change.  You are changing history right now.  Yes, people are changed because they meet you.  Without you here, history would be altered.  Go out there and live and be a world-changer.  I believe in you!

Thanks for reading!

Sarah Beth

Philippians 1:20-21

From My Pen To Yours: Qanna

Hey people!

I profusely apologize for not posting in over two months.  Life happened and I'm graduating in three days so I've been minority stressed. . .but that's okay!

I wanted to share this poem with you.  It is another poem about one of the names of God.  The name I chose was Qanna, which means jealous.  Enjoy!

Qanna - Jealous

He promised me joy.

So why am I dejected?

He promised me love.

So why do I feel neglected?

I still wear my ring.

Why doesn’t he?

I still say, “Forever more.”

Where is his promise to me?

Forever is what he promised.

Does forever mean till now?

Barely one year and it’s over.

How can I move on?  How?

Was it just a dream?

Was it a green screen of

The love he promised me?

Where is the man I loved?

It was all cliches saying

“Forever, I will love you.”

And, “I’ll always be there.”

Where is the love I thought was true?

Torn apart and left alone,

I sit in silence all on my own.

I scream Your name, wanting

To run back into Your home.

But after all this time,

Will You really take me back?

After all my rejection,

Will You really give me the love I lack?

The despair and angry are washed away,

Your loving words remind me of this:

“I was the first to speak your name.

 I was the first to give you true love’s kiss.”

Back in Your arms, I remember one thing,

This promise I will forever hold true:

You are jealous for me,

And I am jealous for you.

Thanks for reading!

Sarah Beth

Philippians 1:20-21

Late Night Reads: The Hunger Games

Warning: this post will contain spoilers.

So, in addition to writing, I absolutely LOVE reading.  If I'm not reading, I'm writing.  If I'm not writing, I'm reading.  What can I say?  I love literature!

Anyway, I wanted to start talking about some books I've recently been reading.

This time it's The Hunger Games.  

I know this series is extremely mainstream and I'm not a fan of that. I don't like reading books that are extremely popular among mainstream teens but hey, the books were pretty good.  Definitely not the greatest plot line but I did quite a bit of reading between the lines and discovered many underlying themes and symbols that I wish to share.

I feel like most people who say they are "diehard Hunger Games fans" are only movie fans and have never read the books.  If you know who Madge Undersee is, you may continue reading. If you don't know who she is, you might want to leave because this post will contain spoilers from the books.

The basic storyline of The Hunger Games series is this:

Post-apocalyptic America.  Destruction.  Uprisings.  Governmental control.

After a huge uprising by the nation against the government, mass genocide happened.  America was split into 13 Districts.  The new country is called Panem.  Each District was given a specific job (i.e. mining, technology).  District 13, however, was different.  They began experimenting with nuclear bombs and such.  The people of District 13 lead an uprising again the Capitol (the tyrannical government control).

War ensued and the Capitol realized they better leave District 13 alone.  District 13 went underground and nobody heard from them for years.

To show the people who was in charge and to prevent another war from happening, the Capitol started the Hunger Games.  Now, the Hunger Games place 24 tributes (2 children, one male and one female, from each of the 12 districts) in a specially designed arena.  These children must fight to the death until one tribute remains.  This happens every year.

Now, Katniss Everdeen (the main heroine), Peeta Mellark (side hero), and Gale Hawthorne (even more side hero) are all from District 12.  Katniss hunts illegal game outside the district limits to feed her mother and sister.  Peeta works in the district bakery (which I don't understand because nobody can afford it).  Gale works in the coal mines.

Peeta is chosen to be the male tribute for District 12.  Katniss' younger sister, Primrose, is chosen but Katniss volunteers to take her place.

Let the games begin.

In the arena, Katniss and Peeta are the two remaining tributes.  The game makers had announced that two tributes could triumph if they were from the same district.  Katniss and Peeta are thrilled, until the game makers announce that the new rule has been revoked.  They refuse to kill each other, but someone has to die.  Katniss gives Peeta and herself some poisonous berries to eat.  Just before they eat the berries, the game makers say yet again that two tributes may be Victors.

Katniss and Peeta are dubbed Victors and life goes on, right?

Not exactly.

President Snow (obviously the president of Panem) is not happy with Katniss' actions in the arena.  He believes Katniss' actions against the Capitol's rules will encourage the districts to start an uprising.  He confronts Katniss about this, but to understand why, let's examine the books' love triangle.

Katniss loves Gale.  Peeta loves Katniss.  Peeta confesses his love for Katniss on national television.  Katniss realizes that she can no longer be with Gale.  Gale gets upset...understandably.

Haymitch, Peeta and Katniss' Games mentor, suggest they play on the 'love' between the two tributes.  This is raise more support from the people.  Thankfully, it worked.  The people fell in love with this 'couple'.

Now, President Snow doesn't believe that Katniss and Peeta are truly in love because he knew about Gale.  He tells Katniss that unless she convinces the districts that her act was not against the Capitol, her family will suffer.

In the second book, it is the seventy-fifth Games.  This means it is a Quarter Quell.  The Quarter Quell brings a twist to the Games.  This year, Snow announces that the tributes will be picked from the surviving tributes.  Peeta, Katniss, and Haymitch are the only surviving tributes from District 12.  Haymitch's name is drawn, but Peeta volunteers to take his place.

Do you see what Snow is doing?  What a tyrant.

To try to convince Snow that her act wasn't intended to go against the Capitol, Katniss tries to convince the president that she simply could not live without Peeta and would rather die.  To do this, Peeta and Katniss announce that they are married.  The people are ecstatic.

Before each of the Games, the tributes are interviewed on television.  When Peeta is interviewed, he announces that Katniss is now pregnant (which is false).  The people are horrified because they don't want to see Katniss go into the arena now.

Unfortunately, Peeta didn't know what President Snow threatened Katniss with, so his announcement only made matters worse.

Fast forward to the third book.

Lots of things have happened but I unfortunately cannot explain it because it would take hours to write it all down.

However, I can explain a few key points.

Plutarch Heavensbee, the Quarter Quell game maker, and a team from District 13 were planning an uprising against the Capitol.  When they saw Katniss' actions in the first games, they decided she would be the Mockingjay, the symbol of strength and hope during the uprising.

Plutarch, Peeta, and Haymitch were all aware of the plan.  After the Quarter Quell games ended, the Capitol captured Peeta and altered his mind to hate Katniss.  When Katniss is finally reunited with Peeta, she must slowly help Peeta regain his memories.  They end up falling in love and getting married for real.

First of all, I would like to say something about the Capitol and our world.  The Capitol's media focused so much on the love triangle when really they were trying to divert the attention from the Games.

Isn't that what our media does today?  They focus so much on the love and glamor but won't talk about what's wrong in the world today.  They ignore the real issues of today but will tell you all about what Kim Kardashian wore on Tuesday.  It's sickening.

Anyway, before I start ranting about today's media, let's talk about the love triangle.

You know what I think?  I don't think Katniss deserves Gale or Peeta.  Here's why:

Peeta is too kind and selfless.  Katniss simply takes him for granted.  She probably wouldn't even be alive if it wasn't for Peeta.  He was the one who had the stroke of genius to announce his love for her.  Even though she hated him for it, it saved their lives. Seneca (the seventy-fourth Hunger Games game maker) changed the rules so they could both live.  If Peeta wasn't there when Cato (tribute from District 2) attacked them on top of the Cornicopia (center of the arena), Katniss would've died.  There's two times he saved her life right there, let alone all the other times I won't mention.  He's too good for her.

Gale, on the other hand, is too strong-minded like her.  They would kill each other if they got married and had to live together.  Yes, Gale is sweet but they both need someone to balance out their large head and strong personality.

That and because Katniss treats them both like dirt.  Yes, there were times when she showed them affection but in reality, she used them.  That's why I think Katniss needs to keep looking and Peeta and Gale need to find their own princesses to love and cherish.

I could go on and on about the Hunger Games, but I'll leave it at that.  I know it's not one of my best posts but I really wanted to talk about the love triangle.

My rating on The Hunger Games Trilogy: 3 out of 5 stars

Thanks for reading!

Sarah Beth

Philippians 1:20-21

Please leave comments and suggestions!

Let's Be Real: Like a Lion

“Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,

At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,

When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death,

And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.”

I recently went on a retreat with the ladies of my church.  It was an awesome weekend full of laughter, tears, and fellowship.  During one session, the speaker, Shannon Perry, read 1 Peter 5:7 which states: "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."  When she read this verse, I was confused.  I love reading the Chronicles of Narnia, which portrays Jesus as the lion, Aslan.  The Bible talks about about Jesus being a lion: "They shall go after the LORD; he will roar like a lion" (Hosea 11:9a).  If the Bible says both Jesus and Satan are lions, that can get pretty confusing.  

I pondered this thought for a while.  Then I had an epiphany: The Lion King.  

Yes, Disney's The Lion King.  Originally, I only thought The Lion King was based on Hamlet, which is true.  

Mufasa is the king.  Simba is Hamlet.  Scar is the evil uncle.  Mufasa is killed by Scar and comes back as a ghost.  Timon and Pumbaa are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.  

However, in this epiphany that I had, I realized that these characters also represent these:

Mufasa is Jesus.  Simba is the church.  Scar is Satan.  

I think it's the perfect example.  Let me explain...

Mufasa is the wise king of the savannah.  He's a fierce but just ruler.  He tries to teach his young son, Simba, the ways of a true king.  Unfortunately, Simba believes his father is overbearing.  Typical of young children, this young lion pushes the boundaries one too many times.  However, Simba is not alone in his actions.  Not if his uncle has anything to say about it. 

You see, Scar wants the throne so desperately that he will stop at nothing to get what he wants.  Since his nephew is in line for the throne, Scar tries to alter young, impressionable Simba's mind.  He tries to give Simba fake sympathy; saying Mufasa is trying to brainwash Simba.  

That's exactly what Satan does, isn't it?  He lures us in by saying we are brainwashed.  He tries to convince us that Jesus is simply trying to control all of us.  He makes his argument sound so inviting. . . so appealing.  He makes us think that our Father is too controlling.  He makes us think that we are better off on our own.  

Look at where that got Simba: he ran off and it led to Mufasa falling into a stampede and dying.  Spoiler alert...

Anyway, that's what happened to Jesus, didn't it?  The human race thought they knew best. We thought we knew best.  We strayed from the Lord.  We were swimming farther and farther from the shore in our ocean of sin.  We realized what we did and started crying out to Jesus, blaming Him for our carelessness.  But did Jesus turn His back and say, "Oh well...your fault" ?  No.  He saw us in our time of need and said, "Those are my children. They need me. Father, Your will be done."  Jesus came to earth and died for us.  US. 

What did we ever do to deserve God's grace?  Absolutely nothing.  No amount of good works could pay the price of our sin.  However, Jesus paid the ultimate price for us.   

Now, when Jesus died for us, what did we do?  At first, we were the crowd calling for His crucifixion.  After He died, however, we realized what happened.  We immediately began apologizing and called on Jesus' name.  Why would He answer us?  

We asked for His death.  We wanted those nails in His hands and feet.  We acted as murderers.  Yet, that same day, we played the victims.  We wanted our Jesus back.  We were such hypocrites.  And even after everything we said and did, Jesus rose from the dead.  He came back to us.  He showed us His scars.  As He was hanging on that cross, bleeding to death, He screamed to heaven, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." 

He still loved us.  He still offered His unconditional love to us.  Though we were still sinners, Jesus died for us.  Jesus' act was the epitome of love.  No one else can beat what Jesus did for us.  

He came back.  He beat death.  Now He is in heaven, roaring like a lion.  

Yes, Satan is still a lion.  He is always seeking to tear us to shreds.  However, Jesus' roar overpowers Satan's.  We needn't fear because Jesus will always triumph over Satan.  Jesus will race in and roar at the top of His lungs.  

“When Aslan bears his teeth winter meets its death. When he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.”

C.S. Lewis

Two lions. One cross. Every life saved.

Thanks for reading!

Sarah Beth

Philippians 1:20-21

Please leave suggestions and comments!

I NEED YOU! - Help for Haiti

Hello everyone!

In this final year of my high school career, my classmates and I were asked to support four different missions over the course of this year.

For my first project, I held a yard sale at my house.  I wanted to support Sandy Bay Lighthouse Ministries: a child's home in Roatan, Honduras.  This is how my first project went:

After sitting outside all day and not making too many sales, we decided to pack everything up.  It was about 12:20 p.m. and we had almost packed everything away.  We still had our big items such as our sofa, treadmill, old bed frame, a set of tires, and table sitting out by the road.  No one had seem interested, until just when we thought everything was over.  

A man pulled up in a truck and bought the tires at $20. Another man and his son pulled up at the same time.  They ended up buying the bed, treadmill, sofa, and a set of lamps all for $50. A lady had expressed interest in our table at the start of the morning, so she gave us her number to call her if we still had the table left at the end of the day. We called her back and she bought it for $20.  In a matter of minutes we made $90!  

I know that was God.  I thank Him for blessing us with beautiful weather and generous people. Sandy Bay Lighthouse Ministries will soon have $160 coming their way.  I thank Him for blessing us with beautiful weather and generous people. 

Also, a huge thank you to my grandparents for donating items to be sold!  Also thank you to my parents for helping me set everything up and also donating items!

For my second project, my youth group decided to support the storm relief/clean-up in the Philippines.  I believe we raised around $300 as a group.  The Lord is so good!

For this third project, I wish to help Haiti.  

A few years ago, people from my church had the privilege to help down at an orphanage in Haiti.  My Sunday School class wrote letters to the children there in the hopes of receiving letter back.  I was able to keep in contact with both of my pen pals: Natalie (age 14 then) and Rutherline (age 6 then).  I love writing to them and sending them packages.  What I loved most, however, is the letters I received.  

These girls were absolutely incredible.  They have gone through so much and yet they were so happy.  I never met them but I knew these girls were special.  They were so curious.  Every letter was full of questions and lovely hand-drawn pictures.  Despite their hard lives, their writing always showed happiness and hope.  

Compassion International is one of the largest names in Christian missions.  They help tens of thousands of people worldwide.  In Haiti, they have helped 75,000 children who participate in 255 child development centers.  

These are the children I want to help.  If I had the time and funds I would travel down and visit these children.  However, since I have neither of those, I would love to able to raise money to help these kids.  

These are children who are either orphanages or live in poverty.  Some are fortunate to live with a single parent.  

These children deserve a chance at life.  They need to hear about the love Jesus gives us.  They need a hot meal to eat every day.  They need shelter and an education.  They need to know that somewhere in the world is someone who cares enough to give them a fighting chance.  

You can be the person who gives them a fighting chance.  Don't think that an amount is too small.  Every penny helps.  A child can have food for a week if you donate just $13.  If ten people donated that amount, that's $130 going towards these children's futures.  

If you can't help financially but still wish to help, you can pray.  Prayer is a powerful thing.  Pray for these children and their parents.  Pray that they will receive the sponsorship they need.

Maybe the Lord will lead you to sponsor a child.  For $30 a month, you can sponsor a child and provide everything they need.  That $30 goes toward food, necessities, and their education.

Please give whatever you can.  If you wish to donate, click on this link:

Help the children of Haiti!

You can find all the information you need here.  You can choose to sponsor a child for $30 a month or donate any amount using the "Fund Spotlight for Haiti" at the bottom of the page.

Can we raise $100?  Let's see what the Lord does!

Please prayerfully consider donating.  If you donate, please send me an email at sarabethright@gmail.com .  I would love to know so we can add up everything and so I can send you a special thank you letter!

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."

Mark 16:15

Thank you so much for reading!

Sarah Beth

Philippians 1:20-21

From My Pen to Yours: The Lord is Peace

This is a poem I have penned for my Humanities class.  My teacher asked us to write a few songs based the names of God.  For the first one, I chose Jehovah Shalom which means 'the Lord is peace'. I would turn it into a song if I could sing.  Since I can't sing, here are the lyrics:

Jehovah Shalom - The Lord is Peace

Broken and bruised, I come before You.

You hear my cries in the darkness.

You never said this would be easy,

But why is this so hard?

I just want to come home.

I just want to be in Your arms once again.

But the enemy of my soul is here

Saying, “You’re nothing.”

I want to run and hide but

I’m sinking here in this pit of doubt.

I want to stand and hold my ground

But he just pulls me down again.

I’m drowning in this storm.

I’m losing all control.

I’m all alone in the darkness.

But then I see a light.

Can it be You? 
Is that really Your hand reaching down?

Are You really trying to save me?

I’ve done nothing worthy of Your help.

But You rescue me

You save me from the storm I’m in.

You have pulled me out,

Pulled me close to You.

The enemy of my soul is here

Saying, “You’re nothing.”

But You wrap me tight, saying,

“You’re everything to me.”

And I can’t help but cry,

Knowing all that I’ve done

Is forgiven in Your eyes.

And all that I can say is, “Thank You.”

Thanks for reading!

Sarah Beth

Philippians 1:20-21

Please leave comments and suggestions!

Love Your Life: Is Modest Hottest?

I want to talk about the clothing of today and modesty.  I have always dreaded clothes shopping (my mother will gladly tell you the horrors of shopping with me).  When I was younger, I hated it because I thought it was boring.  Now, I hate it because I can never find anything that is modest.  Here are my thoughts:

I recently went shopping with my mother.  I browsed the juniors' section of clothing, searching for nothing in particular.  I came to a realization that I come to every single time I walk through this section: I see nothing modest.  Let me clarify, I rarely see anything that is not labeled as 'skinny fit' or 'low cut'.  I'm going to start with girls' clothing.

Now, I'm not your average size or weight. I'm 5'11 and...let's just say athletics have never been my forte.  I'm not obese but I'm not a pencil.  The  problem with clothes today is designers don't realize that everybody has a different body shape.  I think they base everything off a 5 foot, pencil thin girl.  News flash: We're not all like that!

I have tried on more shirts than I can count and have rejected 99% of them.  Why?  Because they are either way too tight, way too revealing, or both.  It is possible to make shirts that are loose fitted.  We don't all want to look like we are wearing Spandex.  Believe me...Spandex doesn't look good on everybody.

Also, not all of us have sticks for legs.  Thunder thighs are pretty common.  Like I talked about before, we can be the healthiest person on the planet and our thighs could be touching.  Who's to say  stick thin legs are beautiful?  To me they look like they're ready to snap in half.  Also, skinny jeans don't have to cut off the blood circulation to your legs.  Please, spare us all and get a size that fits properly.  Also, let's all agree on the fingertip length rule for shorts and skirts: let your arms hang by your side and if your fingertips go past the length of the clothing, it's too short.  Reasonable and modest.  And last but definitely not least, I have a public service announcement:

LEGGINGS ARE NOT MADE TO BE PANTS.  THEY ARE MADE TO WEAR UNDER THINGS LIKE DRESSES AND SKIRTS.

Same goes to yoga pants.  I think I speak for everyone when I say this, "Please, keep leggings underneath and yoga pants in the gym."  I understand if you wear yoga pants to actually do yoga or just around the house.  However, they're so tight it's immodest and just plain unattractive.  Well, guys might find it attractive but for all the wrong reasons.  I don't care if you think you have the body to pull off tight fitting clothes.  It's not attractive.

Finally, dresses.  Now, like I said before, I'm really tall.  Taller than the average girl, at least.  I am never able to buy dresses because they are all way too short.  What should be a dress on someone average height is a shirt on me.  Literally.  No exaggeration here.  However, even though it might be called a dress, it might as well be a really long shirt because there isn't much more fabric.  Dresses are getting shorter and shorter.  Again, with the fingertip rule.  It's not that hard to make modest dresses.  Just a few more inches of fabric at the hem and everything's all good.  No, you won't look like an old school teacher with the long skirts and cardigans.  You'll be modest, and that's all that matters.

You might be thinking, "I dress how I want and nobody can tell me what to wear."  Well, let's be honest for a minute here.  Guys are wired much different than women.  Guys have lustful thoughts.  The way you dress speaks volumes.  If you wear the tight shirts and the short shorts, guys receive all the wrong messages.  So please, have some self dignity.  Loosen the shirts and lengthen the shorts and dresses.

And finally, I have a note for the men...boys...guys of today.

PULL YOUR PANTS UP.

Nobody wants to see your underwear.  Excuse me, Sir Gangster?  Your trousers are descending.  Pull up those pants, Mr. Droopy Drawers.  Thank you.

Alrighty, well, I think that just about covers everything.  Dress in what makes you comfortable but make it modest.  To end, here's one of my favorite quotes about modesty:

Thanks for reading!

Sarah Beth

Philippians 1:20-21

Please leave comments and suggestions!

Night at the Cinema: Frozen

Warning: this post will contain spoilers.

Hi, I'm Sarah, and I like warm hugs!  Just kidding, don't hug me.  Anyway, if you have been out in public or on the internet in the past few weeks, you have probably heard of this movie called Frozen.  It's Disney's newest animated movie based on the fairytale "The Snow Queen" by Hans Christian Anderson.  Frozen was nominated for 22 awards and had 28 wins.  It won both a Golden Globe and a BAFTA award for Best Animated Feature Film.  It was nominated for two Oscars as well.  In addition to the film itself, it also has an incredible soundtrack thanks to its Broadway voice cast.  Idina Menzel's song 'Let It Go' has climbed straight to the top of the Billboard and iTunes charts.  The entire soundtrack has remained as the #1 Soundtrack for quite a few weeks.  While the awards and music are all very well, it's the storyline that really drew me in.

In Disney's adaptation of the story, two sisters get in a fight. One thing lead to another and the entire city of Arendelle was doomed to an eternal winter.  Just kidding, let's go a little deeper.

It starts with two royal sisters: Elsa and Anna. Elsa is the eldest sister with the ice powers.  Anna is the youngest sister who does not have powers.  As young girls, the two enjoying playing in the snow created by Elsa's powers.  One night, the two are playing inside the castle.  Elsa accidentally hits Anna in the head with her ice magic.  The entire family rush to a group of trolls.  They are able to heal Anna, but Elsa is warned that fear of people finding out about her powers will be her downfall.  The trolls remove Anna's memories of Elsa's powers.  Elsa locks herself in her room, shutting Anna out of her life.  Anna continually reaches out to Elsa, trying to win her sister back.  Despite the continual cold shoulder from Elsa (hehe), Anna determinedly persists.  Unfortunately, their parents die at sea.  This only causes Elsa to retreat further into herself.

Finally, Elsa turns 21.  She has come of age for the throne.  It's coronation day!  The gates of Arendelle are finally open after many years.  Anna meets Hans whom she believes is her soulmate.  They rush to Elsa to ask for her blessing on their marriage.  Elsa says no because obviously you cannot marry a man you just met (DISNEY FINALLY UNDERSTANDS).  Anna gets upset, Elsa gets upset.  Elsa accidentally uses her powers and reveals her identity to the people.  She retreats to the mountain and builds an ice castle for herself (she LET'S IT GO while singing brilliantly and looking sassy in her new dress).  Here's where I want to discuss some deeper things.  Anna, despite everyone's warnings and protests, goes after her sister.

This is where things get interesting.  On her way up the mountain, Anna meets a man named Kristoff.  Anna demands he take her up to see her sister, to which he agrees.  Despite the cold, a wolf attack, and an interesting snowman named Olaf, nothing stops Anna from reaching her sister.  She is determined to prove to Elsa that someone still loves her.  She wants to show Elsa that she does not need to fear any longer.  Unfortunately, Elsa does not share Anna's views.  She tells her sister to leave her alone.  Elsa wants to love Anna but she's afraid her powers will hurt Anna again.  And they do.

Elsa becomes upset and sets off her powers by accident.  An icy shot hits Anna's heart.  Anna still refuses to leave, despite the icy force that begins to freeze her from the inside.  She sees the good in Elsa.  She refuses to believe that her sister has become a monster.  Speaking of monsters, here comes one now.

Since Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf refuse to leave, Elsa builds a huge, angry snow monster to chase them away.  (For those of you who are asking the question "Why is Elsa all about protecting her sister one minute and then creating a snow monster to chase here away the next minute?" This is my response, "Clearly you've never had a sister.")

So now that Anna is turning into an icy statue, Kristoff takes her to his family: the trolls.  When the trolls see Anna and Kristoff together, they immediately assume that it's meant to be.  They burst into song about how Anna and Kristoff should be together.  In this song, Kristoff yells, "Enough! She's engaged to someone else, okay?!"  Let's talk about this quote for a bit.

Did he say, "It's not like that!" or "I'm just here to help!"?  No.  He's stating a fact.  He's putting Anna's priorities first.  If she is engaged to someone else, she is off limits to Kristoff.  You can tell he loves Anna, but he's so selfless he would never say anything to compromise her engagement.  He's a simple ice delivery man.  How could the princess love him?  He's not pointing out her engagement to the trolls.  He's pointing it out to himself.  He has to remind himself that she is off limits. End of story.

Meanwhile, Hans has lead a mission to rescue Anna.  He finds Elsa's castle, where he kidnaps her and places her in Arendelle's dungeon.

The trolls tell Anna that only an act of true love can save her.  Typical love story, right?  She just needs to get back to Hans and kiss him and everything is peachy keen, right?  Let's see.

Anna is halfway to her icy fate.  Kristoff wraps Anna up and hops onto his reindeer Sven's back.  With Olaf by their side, the gang begin rushing back to Arendelle.  When Anna reaches Hans, Kristoff leaves with Sven.  Anna is with her true love, so he is no longer needed.  Hans turns out to be a sneaky, conniving, two-timing jerk.  He only pretended to love Anna in order to get Arendelle's throne.  He locks Anna in a room with Olaf and leaves her to freeze.  He goes to tell Elsa, only to discover that she has blasted her way out of the dungeon.  He goes looking for her while Kristoff senses something is wrong.

Kristoff feels like something is wrong.  He hops on Sven and begins rushing back to the castle.  There Anna realizes Hans was not her true love: it was Kristoff.  She escapes the castle to search for her love. Meanwhile, Hans has found Elsa.  Because Elsa is angry and upset, she has created a terrible blizzard.  Hans tells Elsa her sister is dead.  Elsa falls on her knees, devastated.  The blizzard stops.

Kristoff has returned!  He sees Anna struggling to walk outside, the ice almost consuming her.  He runs towards his love, determined to save her.  Anna looks behind her and sees Hans standing over her sister with a sword.

Anna's entire life has been filled with losing people she loves.  She lost her sister when Elsa shut her out.  She lost her parents at sea.  She lost a man she thought was her true love.  She can't lose her sister for good.

With Kristoff too far away, Anna rushes to save her sister.  She stands between Hans and Elsa as his blade comes down.  As Anna transforms into a statue, Hans' blade falls on her solid ice form.  The blade cracks, and Hans flies backwards.

Elsa looks up and sees the face of her frozen sister.  Horrified at what she has done, Elsa hugs her beloved sister.  Kristoff stops running a few feet away.  His one true love is gone.  He hangs his head in despair.  True love's kiss didn't happen.  Anna is gone....or is she?

Since when was the act of true love a kiss?  When was it between a romantic couple?  Why can't the act of true love be between two sisters?

Anna selflessly sacrificed herself for her sister.  Anna's act was the act of true love she needed.  Sisterly love was the saving grace.  This is why I love Frozen.  It shows that men and 'true love' isn't what always saves us.  Sometimes it's the love between family and friends.  It's the love between sisters.  And the thing that I love most about the ending is when Anna and Elsa hug.  Elsa never touched anyone because she was afraid her powers would hurt them.  This is her first hug in years.  Now that she can finally control her powers, she can hug someone: her beloved sister and best friend.

I love my sisters more than anything in the entire world.  I think this is why Frozen is one of my favorite movies.  The love that sisters have is powerful.  Yes, we drive each other crazy.  Yes, sometimes we wish we didn't have sisters.  But at the end of the day, we love each other and we would go to the top of a frozen mountaintop to prove our love for our sisters.

Stay warm and remember: sisters before misters!

Thanks for reading!

Sarah Beth

Philippians 1:20-21

Let's Be Real: Hide-and-Seek

Alright, let's be real, we all love the game of hide-and-seek. We've all played it at one time in our lives. One person is the 'seeker', and the rest are the 'hiders'.  It's a simple childhood (or adulthood...yes adulthood..be honest) game, but it can also relate to the Spiritual battle between Satan and Jesus.  Let's dive right in:

       Life is a game of hide-and-seek between us, Satan, and Jesus.  We want to hide from Satan while seeking Jesus. Satan is seeking us to lead us down the path of destruction. Jesus is seeking us to lead us down the path of righteousness. Romans 12:2 says, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." We should be hiding from Satan, but we can't take this verse out of context.  Christians are so focused on hiding from Satan they believe that they need to stay cut off from the world.  They believe they are doing what God commanded but in reality, they are doing the opposite.  Yes, we need to stay hidden from Satan but we also need to be seeking out others.  Other believers and nonbelievers.  Seek and save the lost. Preach the gospel in all the nations.  Satan will eventually find us, but we need to trust that Jesus, who has been seeking us all along, will help us resist Satan.  Be in the world; in the world preaching and bringing others to Christ.

      Hide-and-seek is tricky game. In this game, you want to stay hidden from one seeker but be found by the other.  If you trust in Him, you can count on Jesus to find you first, but only if you want Him to find you. If you cut yourself off from Him, Satan will find you and attack.  You will fall.  If you accept Jesus, He will help you prepare for when Satan finds you. When he does, Jesus will be standing behind you.  The devil says, "I found you, you're mine", but Jesus steps forward and says, "Over my dead body." We can always trust Jesus to be on our side when we play the game. Deuteronomy 31:6 says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”  Jesus will always be by our side.  He died to prove that.  Can we ask for anything more? I certainly can't.  I love my Jesus, and I am unashamed to say it!

Thanks for reading!

Sarah Beth

Philippians 1:20-21

I Stand with My Sister

I'm going on a long rant today.

So I was just scrolling around on the internet and I saw this.

Someone had posted it with the comment "I'm dying of laughter". Clearly this sweet little girl has Down Syndrome.  Anyone could tell that she has some kind of disability.  Is this what the world is coming to?  We're starting to laugh at the kids with disabilities?  I know that lots of people have laughed at them for a while, but this made me extremely angry and upset.  Oh, I'm sorry, I guess this is just called freedom of speech.  What a cruel world we live in.  I look at this little girl and I see Hannah. I'm extremely protective of Hannah and if anyone talks bad about her I'm going to say something. If someone talks bad about anyone with disabilities, I'm going to say something.

For those of you who don't know, my little sister Hannah (14) was born with Down Syndrome.  She spent the first 7 months of her life in the hospital.  When she was born, her esophagus was not connected to her stomach so she had to be rushed into surgery the instant she was born.  They managed to connect the esophagus but it left a hole so thin no food would be able to pass through it without Hannah choking.  This meant she needed a g-tube. A g-tube goes into your stomach with a port on the outside where liquid nutrition is pumped through.  Hannah gets all her medicine, water, and formula through this g-tube.  She has never eaten by mouth and probably never will.  She also needed a trach, which is a tube in her neck that helps her breathe.  Thankfully she was decannulated (her trach was removed) a few years ago.  She still has her g-tube.  All this stuff left her with a very weak immune system.  She was sick probably every month.  When Hannah gets sick, it's not an easy thing to deal with.  She usually needs to be placed on an oxygen tank, sometimes needing five or more liters of oxygen.  Since the oxygen tank we had at home only went up to five liters, if she needed more than that it was time for a hospital visit.  These visits could last for two days or two weeks.

I remember that me and my sister always had a bag packed in case we needed to be woken up in the middle of the night and get picked up by my grandparents because Hannah needed to go to the hospital.  We would get passed off from grandparent to grandparent to aunt and uncle to neighbor.  Sometimes we would wake up and my parents and Hannah would be gone and my grandmother was sleeping on the couch.  It was all normal for me because I was two years old when Hannah was born.  I didn't know any other way.  That's why it was so hard for me to understand why people would stare at Hannah when we went out in public.  I didn't see anything different about her.  She was my little sister.  I didn't see the Down Syndrome.  I didn't see the trach and the g-tube.  I didn't see all the tubes hooked up to her when I went to see her in the hospital.  I saw a beautiful little girl who always had a smile on her face.  Even in the hospital, you would never see her without a bright smile on her face.  Even the hospital staff would come in and ask "Is this girl actually sick? She looks so happy."  I think my sister is the only person who would thank the nurse after she changed Hannah's IV.  You would never guess that she was in pain or on ten liters of oxygen.  She was the happiest girl around.

Can you see why I get so upset when I see offensive pictures like that?  Why I get so upset when I see people stare at my sister?  Why I get mad when people call others with disabilities 'different'?  Just because they look or act a little different does not make them any less of a human being.  They were created by God just like you and me.  Why should an extra chromosome change how you view them?  I like to say that the extra chromosome that comes with Down Syndrome makes those people kinder and happier than anyone else (also much more stubborn).  So don't be so quick to judge.  My little sister has gone through more in the first few years of her life than most people have to go through in their entire lives.  She's so precious and I wouldn't trade her for anything in the world.  I wouldn't trade the disabled kids I work with for anything in the world.  Every single person is special.  We were all made in the image of God.  Period.  No matter what they look or act like, everyone is a precious child of God.

Thanks for reading!

Sarah Beth

Philippians 1:20-21

Love Your Life: Skinny v. Healthy

This one is going out to all my ladies out there!  Boys, this kinda applies to you but I'm focusing on the girls.  Sorry.  In this post I would like to discuss the difference between being skinny versus being healthy.  There is a HUGE difference that society seems to ignore.  I'm going to sort out the grey matter between the black and white.

Society has defined a woman's beauty by her facial features, fashion sense, and of course, her weight.  Skinny women are complimented while "fat" women are reprimanded for not following society's standards.  Whose to say what's pretty and what's not?  The same people that rate the "Most Attractive People of This Year" and release pictures of both men and women half-dressed?  I think it's inappropriate and degrading to everyone.  Why do some people think they have the right to set the standards of what's beautiful for the 7 billion people on the planet?  Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but it becomes a problem when people try forcing their ideas on others.

Just look at how society has changed.  A few decades ago women were trying to gain weight because that was considered beautiful.  A few centuries ago women with full figures were admired because it was a sign of wealth and financial stability.  Now, women starve themselves to match what society says is beautiful.  I see pictures all the time of supermodel women who are nothing but skin and bones.  Their ribcages are prominent yet the press calls them beautiful and healthy.  That's not healthy.  I find it mind-boggling how people can look at an animal with its ribcage showing through and they call it starving and pitiful but when a ribcage shows on a woman it's called beauty.  It's sick!

You are trying to tell me that just because I weigh more than that supermodel I'm ugly?  That I'll never find a man who loves me because I'm what you call fat?  Let's sort this out right now.

Being healthy and being skinny are two completely things.  Being healthy means you treat your body right: you exercise and eat right.  That doesn't mean your body is going to be skinny.  If you are a healthy weight, why should it matter if you have a flat stomach or that your thighs don't touch?  If you are healthy and your thighs touch, no problem!  If you are really skinny but you are considered a healthy weight, no problem either!  Everyone's body is different.  Some people are a healthy weight but it shows.  Others are a healthy weight and they are skinny.  See, it's one thing to want to be healthy.  Personally, I don't want to be really skinny, I want to be really healthy.  If being healthy means my thighs still touch, I'm okay with that.  My body is a temple unto the Lord, therefore I need to care for it. He made me in His image.  He made every single human in His image.  We are all beautiful to God, and that is all that matters.  If I know that no one on earth finds me physically attractive but my Heavenly Father loves me for who I am, I would be perfectly happy.  God is the only one I need to please, not society.  Not the boys who called me fat.  God told me I am beautiful.  God says we are all beautiful.

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."

Psalm 139:14

So remember, no matter what anyone says, there could never be a more beautiful you. No amount of make-up or starvation could change that.  God will always love you for who you are, not for your looks.  You are beautiful in His eyes, and that is all that matters.

If you are ever feeling down about your looks, go listen to one of my favorite songs by Jonny Diaz: More Beautiful You - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ks3R2BwyO0 

Thanks for reading!

Sarah Beth

Philippians 1:20-21

Real Relationships: Being Single

All the single ladies! All the...no, let's not go there.  Hello to all my fellow single people out there!  Or maybe you're not single!  Either way, HELLO!  But, to all my singles out there, do you think your life isn't complete because you don't have a significant other?  Think again!  I'm here to show you that being single isn't all that bad!  Sure it might be lonely and the only dates you go on are the ones where you're sitting on the couch with a packet of Oreos watching reruns of Downton Abbey and Doctor Who in your sweatpants... hey, first of all, that sounds way better than having to get all dressed up and go out somewhere for a date.  If someone asks me out (probably never but that's beside the point), he'd better be cool with some dates involving my couch and sweatpants.  I think staying in and watching movies together is a better date than spending money anyway.  Okay, now that we have all that out of the way, let's get into the good stuff!

Song of Solomon, Chapter 3

All night long on my bed

    I looked for the one my heart loves;

    I looked for him but did not find him.

² 

I will get up now and go about the city,

    through its streets and squares;

I will search for the one my heart loves.

    So I looked for him but did not find him.

³ 

The watchmen found me

    as they made their rounds in the city.

    “Have you seen the one my heart loves?”

⁴ 

Scarcely had I passed them

    when I found the one my heart loves.

I held him and would not let him go

    till I had brought him to my mother’s house,

    to the room of the one who conceived me.

⁵ 

Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you

    by the gazelles and by the does of the field:

Do not arouse or awaken love

    until it so desires.

This is possibly my favorite passage about finding love.  This woman is wandering around, looking for her love.  She eventually finds him, and they live long, happy lives together.  The perfect love story.  I especially like the last verse: "Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires."  Hmm.  Let's talk about this one for a bit.

Boyfriend.  Girlfriend.  I love her.  I love him.  She said he said I said this.  I'm breaking up with you.

STOP.  ENOUGH.

I am 17 and I am sick of hearing this.  So many people my age are in and out of relationships so fast I don't even know who's dating who anymore.  If you are in a happy relationship with someone, congratulations, I wish you the best.  If you find someone who truly makes you happy and you think he could be the one, go for it.  The only problem I have with dating is when people date just so they can say "I'm dating."  Please, don't try to say, "You're so wrong because he's the perfect guy and we are gonna live happily ever after and you don't know what you're talking about and--" Lemme stop ya right there.  First of all, you're (probably) still in high school.  You haven't even lived 1/4 of your life yet.  You think this man...guy...boy..is the one for you even though you have so much life let to live?  I'm sorry but from what I've seen, high school relationships don't last.  More often then not the couple drifts apart with college and simply life and they eventually find someone else.  No offense to those in high school relationships, but stop and think.

God has a perfect man or woman out there for you.  One day, He will lead you two to each other.  Yes, it might be in high school.  However, you can't rush true love.  You'll know when the time is right.  Don't say yes to the first boy who asks you out.  Don't ask a girl out because she's "hot".  Take your time with love.  Believe me, it will be worth the wait.

I personally have never dated.  Never be asked, never asked anyone.  Didn't even ask my best guy friend to act as my date for the prom.  17 years and always single.  But guess what?  I've been happy, happy, happy.  Yes, I've been lonely a few times, but maybe my girl Tori Kelly can help me out:

But I'd love to have a soulmate 

God will give him to me someday

& I know it’ll be worth the wait

So if you’re out there I swear to be good to you

But I’m done lookin’, for my future someone

Cause when the time is right

You’ll be here, but for now

Dear no one, this is your love song

But sometimes, I just want somebody to hold

Someone to give me their jacket when its cold

Got that young love even when we’re old

Yeah sometimes, I want someone to grab my hand

Pick me up, pull me close, be my man

I will love you till the end.

Tori Kelly - Dear No One

There you have it.  This is exactly how I feel.  Sure, I want to find my man as much as the next girl.  However, I'm not willing to give my heart to just anyone.  He's gonna be a real special guy because God will give us to each other.  Hopefully.  Lord willing I will find my man but you never know.  Love is a tricky thing, but it's beautiful.  There is someone out there for you, I promise.  Just give it time and a little patience and I promise it will be worth the wait.  Your soulmate is going to make you the happiest person in the world.  Anytime you ever feel lonely, just remember.  Remember that God knows, and when the time is right you will know, too.  Stay single and crazy until that time!  Have fun! Enjoy yourself in the singleness!  Hey, 17 years and I'm still going strong, just waiting for my perfect guy.  

The most romantic story isn't Romeo and Juliet.  It's when Grandma and Grandpa grew old together.  That's the love story I hope I have.

Thanks for reading!

Sarah Beth

Philippians 1:20-21