Be As You Are

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. " - Maya Angelou


"Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see." - C. S. Lewis 


"I hope I didn't bore you too much with my life story." - Elvis Presley 

Tuesday night my small group did something they haven't done since I've been attending. Everyone there told their story...the story of who they are and have been, what events and afflictions have affected their lives and how the testimonies of others have impacted them.

I've known most of the people there for a year now. These are people I truly like to spend time with, love for who they are and respect. We talk before and after small group, use Google Chat during the week, stalk each other and share links on Facebook and occasionally text but for the most part, their individual, personal stories have remained a mystery.

As a person who is pretty open about my life, I was fascinated. I guess I always assumed that people have and keep it together better than I do. I assumed that people have always been what they are and are content where they are, like they are static individuals, not the dynamic people that I now know them to be. In the midst of my own junk and struggle sharing my story, I forgot that everyone else has a story, and most of the time, I just see a page or two.

Knowing yourself is important, but there is a life beyond you (and me). I believe that life is about helping others, going beyond yourself, becoming more than you are through service to others. Everyone has different gifts and callings, so this looks different for everyone. Knowing the stories of others is an important part of life. It allows us to see more of the "pieces,"  more than just our storyline. Seeing the stories of others, especially those who have lived longer than we have allows us to see the broad strokes, the larger picture, the God of the universe and His larger plan.

I'm currently between courses in my Master's program, so I've had a little bit of time to work on my family genealogy, which has been an ongoing project for the last three or four years. My father's father's side has been a source of frustration since I began. I could not track farther than my great-grandfather, and I began to suspect something fishy in the records, but it turned out to be a matter of the census pages not being available until this month. So far, I've traced my father's father's family (Harris) back to the time they crossed the Atlantic from England to Isle of Wight, Virginia. My father's mother's side (Renn) came from England through Jamestown in the very early years of the colony. My mother's father's side (Baker) have been traced back through Jamestown to England, and my one of my ancestors served the Tudors as national treasurer. I'm not sure I'm fond of his nickname though, "Bloody Billy Baker." Oh well, nothing I can do about five centuries worth of history. My mother's mother's side (Hurdle) has yet to be unraveled beyond a few generations. Some of the ones who crossed the Atlantic show up on ship manifests. I know that two of my ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War, one of them rising to the rank of Colonel. At least four of my great-great grandfathers fought in the Confederate Army. I have a copy of my great-grandfather's WWI draft card, and my grandfather's ship's log from the destroyer he served on in WWII. I have uncles who served in Korea and Vietnam, and we lost a cousin in Iraq in 2004. My family has a long history of military service, and I am very proud of that tradition. There are some really interesting names, like Henry Augustus and Green Lafayette (pronounced la-FATE).

Knowing where you are from has some benefits. Family stories reinforce family ideals. Remembering where you've been personally and what you've come through will give you the strength to continue through present struggles. Sharing your story with someone else might make a difference in their story and the story of countless people you've never met and may never meet this side of eternity.

So I encourage you to share your story. Don't be afraid to open up to others. Your story may be salvation for someone else.

Be blessed, and be a blessing.

Always,

Sarah

Remember his marvelous works that he hath done, His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth, O ye seed of Israel his servant, Ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. - 1 Chron 16:12-13 (ASV)

Music Therapy Is Good For The Soul...

WARNING: This blog contains lots of links. They are in orange. You should check them out.

I know it's been a week or two, but I've had a lot going on. Lent, Shamrockfest and the mysterious 5-day fever of '11 have kept me in bed, but I'm back finally, just in time for the BIG 29 birthday this week. Yikes. Anyway, I've been wanting to write this review for several weeks, but I just haven't been able to get it done. If you've been following my Facebook/Tweets, you know I've been on a Dierks Bentley kick for a few weeks. Usually I'm a listener of rock music, and I prefer to leave music reviews to Brandee Nichols and her Philly Mostly Vegan blog, but I couldn't let this one go without comment. This is due mostly to my discovery of this AWESOME (not-so-new, 2010) album by Dierks. (I suspect he is getting ready to release a new album in the very near future, as he just today released a song that is not on any existing album or his website.)    

When I was a wee lass, dad and I used to go to this bluegrass bar in Chesapeake. At least, I suspect it was a bar. I don't remember us drinking anything but A&W Cream Soda, probably because I was so short...and seven. Anyway, it seems like my dad's favorite song of all time is "Fox On The Run," but I have no idea why he thinks it's a bluegrass song, except that a couple of well-known bluegrass bands covered it. The earliest version I can find is by Manfred Mann in 1968. To hear the Zac Brown Band version, click here. It's pretty epic, and even features a dog yip. But back to the story...so dad and I used to go to a bluegrass bar and occasionally Doc would take me square dancing. My mom also sang in a church quintet, and we sang hymns with the actual music on the pages of the hymnals when I was growing up, so I learned the value of singing parts and fell in love with high harmonies. (I know having the words up on the jumbotron for contemporary worship is fun, but knowing which way the music is going in the future keeps control freaks like me happy.)  Add a good dose of Willie Nelson, Charlie Daniels, The Eagles, and Ray Stevens, and I couldn't escape the pull of bluegrass as an adult. Now we have great groups like Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum, the aforementioned Zac Brown Band, Sara Evans, and long-time bluegrass superstar Alison Krauss bringing a hint of bluegrass into mainstream country. Even Steve Martin, the great comedian from old-school SNL has a new bluegrass album out...he plays a mean banjo, and apparently that was how he started his show biz career.

I've been a fan of Dierks Bentley since his first song "What Was I Thinkin'" was released in 2003. I follow country music off and on, as rock music is really my favorite genre, but occasionally I go back and catch up on my favorite country artists. I found his song "Up On The Ridge" on YouTube and immediately downloaded the album. I read one review that asked something to the effect of, "Who releases a bluegrass album at the height of their career? Dierks Bentley." If you only buy his chart-topping songs, I can possibly understand the incredulity expressed by some reviewers. If you buy entire albums like I do, you probably won't be surprised. Some of my favorite songs are the unreleased bluegrass tracks hidden at the end of each album: "Train Travelin'" from his self-titled album, "Good Man Like Me" from Modern Day Drifter, "Prodigal Son's Prayer" from Long Trip Alone, and "Last Call" from Feel That Fire.

Up On The Ridge is a 12-song album that I quite honestly played for a week straight. My favorite songs are "Rovin' Gambler, " which starts by checking the readiness of "Critter,""Gabbers," "Arkansas," (all guys from the band Punch Brothers) and "Tenacious Dierks"; "Down In The Mine," a sad shout-out to the miners of Harlan County, West Virginia (the county made famous by the show Justified starring Timothy Olyphant); and an AMAZING cover of U2's "Pride (In The Name of Love)" [Live/Album]. Side note: the mandolin player in the live video looks kinda like Jude Law.

Anyway, I said all of that to say this: If you like bluegrass, or Deirks Bentley, or good music, you should check out this album. I love it. And if you want to go to a DB concert this year, hit me up. All of my concert-going-Dierks-Bently-fan peeps' schedules conflict with his concert dates.

The Fasting Function

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them,and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings." - Isaiah 58:6

For Christians, yesterday was Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the season of Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter. It also mirrors the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert before he began his public ministry. Traditionally, Lent is a time of fasting with emphasis on self-reflection, self-denial for a time, and purification in preparation for Holy Week. Today I want to look at the purpose fasts serve in our lives, both food-based fasts as well as fasting "things."

In ancient Israel, the people of God observed fasts for different reasons. Let's look at a few here: Observed on occasions of public calamities (2Sa 1:12), Afflictions (Ps 35:13, Dan 6:18), Private afflictions (2Sa 12:16), Approaching danger (Esth 4:16), Ordination of ministers (Acts 13:3, Acts 14:23), Accompanied by prayer (Dan 9:3), Confession of sin (1Sa 7:6, Neh 9:1, Neh 9:2), Humiliation (Deut 9:18, Neh 9:1), Forty day fasts of Moses (Deut 9:9, Deut 9:18, Ex 24:18, Ex 34:28) and Jesus (Mat 4:1, Mat 4:2, Mark 1:12, Mark 1:13, Luke 4:1, Luke 4:2), Habitual fasts (Mat 9:14, Luke 2:37), Mat 9:14, Mark 2:18, Luke 18:12, Acts 10:30, 2Co 6:5, 2Co 11:27); In times of bereavement (1Sa 31:13, 1Ch 10:12, 2Sa 1:12, 2Sa 3:35)


People tend to fast a variety of things for Lent. Some people choose to fast a specific food. For example, I have fasted fast food (say that three times) or sodas. This year I am fasting all sweets and unnecessary sugars. Some people choose to fast time wasters or distractions, such as social media or television. In more drastic cases, some may choose to fast from certain unhealthy relationships. The idea is to abstain from something and refocus on God. I find that a structured fast is also useful for breaking bad habits and addictions, and many (including myself) participate in a Lenten fast for this purpose. 


Fasting can also be a part of a healthier lifestyle. Fasting all food for a day (some sources even encourage 40 day fasts, but I do not unless you have heard a clear call from God) gives your body a chance to rid itself of accumulated toxins, as your body has a rest from digestive processes and energy is directed towards healing. Again, I do not recommend complete fasts for more than a few days, and not at all if you are taking medications requiring you to eat. Partial fasts can still be beneficial. Consider the "fast" that Daniel requested in Daniel 1:8-16: 
But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the royal rations of food and wine; so he asked the palace master to allow him not to defile himself. Now God allowed Daniel to receive favor and compassion from the palace master. The palace master said to Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king; he has appointed your food and your drink. If he should see you in poorer condition than the other young men of your own age, you would endanger my head with the king." Then Daniel asked the guard whom the palace master had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: "Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. You can then compare our appearance with the appearance of the young men who eat the royal rations, and deal with your servants according to what you observe." So he agreed to this proposal and tested them for ten days.  At the end of ten days it was observed that they appeared better and fatter than all the young men who had been eating the royal rations. So the guard continued to withdraw their royal rations and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
To me, this sounds more like a lifestyle choice, one that excludes rich foods in favor of simpler, plant-based meals. Hmmm...


Have you chosen to fast this year? If so, what are you fasting? 

The Barefoot Breakdown

I LOVE warm weather. I love the extra hours of sunlight, the time spent outdoors, the smell of freshly cut grass. I love warm breezes and fresh produce from my garden. But most of all, I love being barefoot. I hate wearing socks, but I hate the discomfort and pressure of wearing shoes. I keep my house abnormally warm because I hate wearing shoes and socks. Even slippers are awfully constricting and they make my feet sweaty, although they are better than regular shoes.

When I was a kid, if it was warm we were barefoot most of the time. Indoors, outdoors, if we were in the yard we went sans shoes. We climbed trees, ran, jumped, and rode bikes barefoot. Other than a few splinters here and there, we didn't have any problems. If we had to wear shoes, a lot of the times, we wore sandals. Living in North Carolina, I could basically wear sandals from March to November, and only wore shoes if I was participating in sports or was in a dangerous environment (some kids had jungle gyms, we had the woods and swamps).

My dad would tell us stories about going to school barefoot, how he refused to wear them at all. He would leave them at the store at the end of his road, where the bus would pick him up and drop him off. My dad had no accidents or negative problems due to his barefoot-ness.

This morning I was watching Japanese tv. (Crazy, I know but I had very little energy.) There was a show on called Cool Japan, and they were focusing on footwear. One of the segments featured a school in which the dress code encouraged the children to go barefoot, and part of the curriculum focused on foot health and exercises. In a study done before the curriculum was implemented, they found that the majority of students had flat feet, were exceedingly tired, and could not stand up straight. When the students feet were printed, their entire foot was visible, but after several years of following the program, their footprints showed marked arches.

This got me thinking. What would happen if this were implemented in the US? Thanks to Google, I found this interesting site Why Barefoot Is Best. This has tips and tricks to help develop good foot and arch health.

Other things not mentioned:
You have 3 arches in each foot.
Limit the amount of time spent in heels.
Get properly fitted for shoes.
Wear shoes with good arch supports.
Massage the bottoms of sore feet with a tennis ball.
If you wear sandals, buy high-quality sandals with proper arch support. Reef sandals are my personal favorites. They were designed for people with high arches, and they mold to your feet over time. I've heard similar things about Rainbows, but I don't have personal experience with them.

To this day, I have very high arches. You should see my footprints on a pool deck. They look like this.

Black Forest Oatmeal Cookies

Chocolate covered strawberries are ok, and I rarely ever turn them down, but chocolate and cherries are one of my favorite taste combinations and I have been craving for it for a few weeks. I successfully resisted for a while, but my subconscious found a way to work around my willpower. I was making oatmeal the other day, and I glanced down at the recipe on the lid. For a cookie recipe, it didn't have a lot of sugar and could easily be modified for chocolate and cherry. So here's my modified Black Forest Oatmeal Cookies. These cookies got rave reviews at work. I don't normally ship my experiments, but I'm offering a special military/overseas blog follower treat: if you want to try these, send your address to me at sarahbethharris@gmail.com. They'll ship well and won't melt.


 Let me know what you think!


1 1/4 sticks butter, softened
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 
1 tsp baking soda
3 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt (optional)
3 cups Quaker Oats (quick or old-fashioned, uncooked) 
1 cup dried cherries

Heat oven to 350.
Beat margarine and sugars until creamy. Add egg and vanilla, beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cocoa, and salt; mix well. Chop cherries in food processor. Combine cherries and oats (this keeps the cherries from sticking together in the batter, break up clumps with your fingers). Stir oats and cherries into batter; mix well.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheets. 

Bake 8 to 9 minutes for a chewy cookie or 10 to 11 minutes for a crisp cookie. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets, remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered. 
About 3 dozen
For high altitude: Increase flour to 1 3/4 cups.


Now, back to my work and Genius playlist based on The Dire Straits "Sultans of Swing." ;)