Jars of Clay

George's first trip fishing

In my mind today, I am so full of the HS (Alley speak for Holy Spirit.) I have been granted more time to be with you. I recently spent nine days in the hospital. Four of those days were in ICU. I spent the last of Lent and part of Holy week in the hospital. It is a long beautiful story that I am putting into a book. After I was out of the storm, God whispered to me to write this book. So, I am writing the book. I am about six pages into it. It will probably be a novella and for the back row that is a smaller novel. I hear you cheering. Yes less words to read! I have so many blessings and miracles too relate to you through the book. Got also told me it would be a bestseller if I would just write it. So I have a lot of work to do students. Does this get you off of the hook? Never.

After I came home from the hospital, I can't say that I was not changed by it because I was. It is not the first time that I have almost touched eternity during my fight with ALS. After this visit my tongue has matured. A lot of you will think that is silly but it's true. All of the things that I think of when people come to me petitioning for prayers for their lives are now flowing out of me and my speech. My tongue is unleashed by the Holy Spirit. I just pray what God puts in me to this person or people. Yes, it is a little awkward for my family to see their mother just saying godly things to people and randomly speaking to those around me. Since I have been home I have not been able to venture out as much. I have no fear though because God is bringing people to me wherever I am.

Before the septic shock, I had joined the Bible study and then started one as well. One Bible study would be on Thursdays and the other would be on Mondays. This was all miraculous. One of my really good friends could tell that I was needing something. I would sit at my window all days without my grandson reading, praying, writing, and crying. I was crying for our little community, our government, our country, and our world. The tears would fall relentlessly down my cheeks. My heart would hurt because I was separated from all of those whom I loved on the other side of the window. I had not physically touched most of my siblings, my brother, or any of my beloved friends for almost a year. My heart was tortured. My friend suggested I joined a community Bible study. It was to be done online. So I did. I became engrossed in it whenever I was in the moods of desperation. It was so good. It gave me so much armor to use once I was back on the battlefield for God. A week after I had begun this Bible study a couple of my closest friends from bunco came by and asked if I could lead a Bible study. God definitely placed me in a position and gave me the words and materials to go deeper with his word. He gave me the words to share with these women. We began to meet on Mondays. The first meeting had several scratching their heads wondering what they had gotten themselves into because studying God's word is work. It is such fruitful work. After the first meeting I began to pray for the little group of women that they would see the glory, that they would see the sword of truth that we could use to battle the devil, and that they would understand the story of our faith. The next meeting the member that was the most confused and disheartened was on fire for God. The words were the nuggets of truth that she found and grew connections with her experience with God and catapulted her to a next level. Thanks be to God! The devil was not too happy I'm sure because the next week after meeting is when I was placed in the hospital. I promise you I will give you all of the details of the hospital to stay especially the back row because you like all the gruesome stuff! It's just going to have to be in the book. Our meeting this week I am happy to say God is still on fire within all of us. I believe that if I had gone on to heaven these women would rally together and continue to march forward searching for the truth. You see I need the Bible study to help me find the words the correct words that God wants me to use. I have figured out how to walk or roll the way God wants me to so he can shine through me but I need words. Words that will help other souls be on fire for God. That is what is happening right now in this study. There is a spiritual battle to be fought. There is good and evil. There are mysteries. I know that so so many of us are so far from God. We have tried to figure out all these mysteries and explain away the real truth. Everything comes through God. Everything. That means science as well. Somewhere down the line we have divorced our faith from science. We have to get back. I feel this call so deeply.

Yesterday one of girls from the Bible study called me urgently wanting to speak. It was a verse of 2nd Corinthians 4:7-11 that spoke so loudly to her that she wanted to share it with me. She said, " Sarah, God wanted me to share this with you today and I'm so glad I was able to catch you on the phone. " I told her I was so happy to receive her call. It was an explanation for me of what was going on with my life at this moment, at this time.

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.

As my life is consumed for Christ; death will come take my flesh.

Once freed from its mortal veil, my spirit will shine eternally with my creator.

That has been the goal from the beginning for us all No longer I. Today is a beautiful day. I thank God for each one especially ones spent with friends and family. I'll be sure to share it with you tomorrow. Lots of sun / dirt / plants and my sister Sandy.

Sarah Anderson Alley

Sal the Jar of Clay Gal

This is something else I want us all to start praying together. (Thanks Amy)

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.