When was the last time you felt awe and wonder? Creative rest is more than taking a break—it’s an invitation to reconnect with the Creator through beauty, nature, and play. In this episode, we talk about why creative rest matters, practical ways to embrace it, and how it can refresh your soul and deepen your walk with Jesus.
Miramar Salvation Army Message Archies: Messages Archives | The Salvation Army Miramarhttps://miramarsalvationarmy.co.nz/messages-archives/#seriesStarting Feb 13 2022, Create: In His Image
Reflections Questions:
• What inspires awe in you?
• How might engaging with beauty help you reconnect with the Creator?
• What creative gifts has God given you? How can you use them to worship Him?
• how could you make space for creative rest in your season? What might this look like?
Connect with Sarah on Instagram: inthedustpodcast
What if your word for the year still has something to teach you before December ends? In this episode, Sarah reflects on her words—contentment and hope—and shares practical ways to finish the year with purpose.
You’ll find reflection prompts, tips for staying focused, and encouragement to listen for what God might be saying for the next season.
🎧 Listen now and take 10–15 minutes to journal your own reflections!
Word for the Year Check-In: Reflection Questions
1. Looking Back
• What was your word (or goal) for this year?
• Why did you choose it? What did you hope it would shape in you?
• How have you been shaped by it so far?
2. When It Was Tested
• When did your word or goal feel hardest to live out?
• What helped you stay anchored during those moments?
3. Practices That Helped
• What rhythms or habits supported your word?
(e.g., journaling, prayer walks, gratitude lists, accountability)
• Which of these could you keep or strengthen for the rest of the year?
4. Holy Discontent
• Did you notice areas where you felt stirred to act for justice or change?
• How did you discern what God was calling you to do?
5. Finishing Strong
• What do you sense God inviting you into for the remainder of this year?
• What could derail you before the finish line? How will you guard against that?
• What practical step can you take this week to lean into your word?
6. Looking Ahead
• Are you beginning to listen for next year’s word?
• What themes or patterns have you noticed that might shape that choice?
Connect with Sarah on Instagram: inthedustpodcast
This week, Sarah reflects on the worship song Nothing Else by Cody Carnes—a song born from conviction and a longing to return to the heart of worship. Through scripture, personal experience, and theological insight, we’re invited to strip away distractions and rediscover the beauty of simply being with Jesus.
Featuring:
Whether you’re in a season of spiritual dryness or renewal, this episode offers space to be honest with God and seek Him above all else.
Reflections Questions:
1. Heart Check: Am I seeking God for who He is—or for what He can do for me?
2. Spiritual Posture: What does it look like for me to “sit at Jesus’ feet” in my daily life?
3. Repentance: Is there an area where I’ve been going through the motions in my faith?
4. First Love: What was my relationship with Jesus like when I first believed? How can I return to that?
5. Distractions: What “else” might be competing with Jesus for my attention or affection?
You can connect with Sarah on Instagram: inthedustpodcast
This week, Sarah explores the spiritual practice of social rest—the intentional rhythm of managing relational energy in a way that honours God. From Jesus’ example of withdrawing to pray, to the wisdom of setting boundaries and choosing life-giving relationships, this episode invites listeners to reflect on how rest in our social lives can be both sacred and strategic.
Sarah shares personal rhythms, biblical insights, and practical ways to discern when to connect and when to step back. You’ll be encouraged to seek the Holy Spirit’s leading in your relationships and consider how rest can help you live freely and lightly in the dust of Jesus.
Reflection Questions:
o Who in your life helps you rest in God’s presence?
o Where might God be inviting you to step back socially to restore your soul?
o Are your relationships life-giving or draining right now? What boundaries might help you honour God with your social energy? What does it look like to honour God with your boundaries?
o What relationships might need to be dialed up in this season? Iron sharpening iron?
o Who might God be inviting me to bring refreshing friendship to?
o Am I using socialising with others as a way to avoid working on myself?
o If you have limited choice over your social interaction – family, job, other reasons, what insights and options could God be leading you to?
Connect with Sarah on Instagram: inthedustpodcast
This week, we take a closer look at sensory rest—the kind of rest that helps us quiet the noise, reduce overstimulation, and make space to hear God more clearly. Sarah shares personal reflections, biblical insights, and practical ways to honour God with our senses. From tech sabbaths to silent commutes, this episode invites you to consider how stillness can become a spiritual discipline.
Scriptures referenced: Psalm 46:10, Mark 6:31, 1 Kings 19, 1 Corinthians 6:19–20
Reflection questions included to help you discern how God might be inviting you into deeper rest.
o What environments help you feel most at peace with God?
o What sensory inputs might you need to reduce to hear God more clearly?
o When was the last time you truly experienced stillness? What might God be inviting you to turn down or turn off?
Connect with Sarah on Instagram: inthedustpodcast
This week, Sarah explores how pain and societal conditioning lead us to embrace self-sufficiency—but how God’s Kingdom calls us into interdependence and connection. Through Scriptures like John 17 and Acts 2, she reflects on Jesus’ example and the early church’s care for the vulnerable.
Sarah shares personal stories, spiritual insights, and practical tools like Examen questions and affirmations to help us soften, trust, and grow in community. It’s a gentle invitation to peel back the layers and rediscover the beauty of being known and held.Examen questions • Where did I feel most connected today?
• Where did I resist help or connection? Why?
• Did I notice any moments where I felt alone or believed I had to handle things on my own?
• Was there an opportunity to trust someone today that I didn’t take?
• What emotions surfaced when I considered asking for help?
• Where did I experience grace or tenderness from another person?
• What protective habits showed up today? What might they be guarding?
• Did I offer someone else a safe space to be vulnerable?
• Where might God be inviting me to soften or open up?
• What truth do I need to remember about God’s design for community and connection?
Affirmations
• I am not alone. I was created for connection.
• It is safe to be seen.
• God’s strength is made perfect in my weakness.
• I am worthy of love, even when I need help.
• Asking for help is an act of courage and trust.
• I honour the protection I’ve built—and I trust God to gently peel it back.
• I release the lie that I must do everything on my own.
• I am part of a body, not meant to function in isolation.
• Connection is holy and healing.
You can connect with Sarah on Instagram: inthedustpodcast
This week, Sarah shares reflections from aprayer walk up Mt Kaukau, woven with scripture and spiritual insight. As she walked and prayed for friends planting a church, the journey through bush, stairs, and lookout points became a metaphor for the spiritual path we each walk. From staying close to the living water, to trusting the custom-made steps ahead, this episode invites listeners to consider how God is guiding them in their current season. It’s a gentle, thoughtful encouragement to pause, reflect, and walk with purpose—keeping eyes up and hearts open.
Reflection Questions:
• Are there areas in your life where you feel tempted to turn to the left or right instead of staying on the path God has marked out for you?
• What helps you stay focused on the path God has set before you?
• What might be blocking the flow of “living water” in your life right now?
• How can you stay close to the source of life even when the path leads away from it?
• What “step” is God inviting you to take in this season?
• Does it feel like a steep step? What encouragement can you draw from knowing others have gone before?
• Are you journeying with others or trying to go it alone?
• How might slowing down to walk with others enrich your spiritual journey?
• Are you currently in a season of shade or sun? How does that feel?
• What might God be doing in this part of your journey?
• What does it look like to be a good guardian of the spiritual ecosystem you’re part of?
• Are there ways you can nurture rather than dominate the space you’re in?
• What markers has God placed in your journey recently?
• Who can you honour that has gone before you in faith?
• Is there a “top” you might be missing without realising?
• What might God be inviting you to explore further?
• What recent “exercise” or step of faith has shown you how you’re growing?
• What’s going well in your spiritual walk, and what might need attention?
You can connect with Sarah on Instagram: inthedustpodcast
This week, we explore 1 Thessalonians 5—a chapter full of encouragement, challenge, and practical wisdom for Christian living. From staying spiritually awake to honouring leaders, rejoicing always, and testing everything, Paul’s words offer a guide for walking closely with Jesus. Let’s reflect together on what it means to live as children of light, open to the Spirit, and grounded in hope.
Reflection Questions:
1. How am I living in light of Christ’s return—awake and alert, or distracted and drowsy?
2. What does being a “child of light” look like in my relationships and daily choices?
3. How do I respond to spiritual leadership—do I honour, support, or resist it?
4. Am I open to the Spirit’s leading and truth, or do I tend to dismiss or ignore it?
5. What practices help me rejoice, pray, and give thanks—even when life is hard?
You can connect with Sarah on Instagram: inthedustpodcast
In this listener-requested episode, Sarah explores the theme of daily forgiveness—not just as a spiritual concept, but as a lived practice. Through Scripture and reflection, we’re invited to forgive as Christ forgave us. Includes a forgiveness-focused Daily and Morning Examen to help you walk closely with Jesus—covered in his dust.Forgiveness-Focused Evening Examen
• Did I invite God into my day today?
• Where did I sense His presence or absence?
• What moments today am I thankful for?
• Did someone show me unexpected kindness or grace?
• Was there a moment I struggled to forgive someone—or myself?
• Did I judge or hold resentment toward anyone today?
• Did I offer forgiveness, even silently or in prayer?
• What is God inviting me to release or let go of?
• Is there someone I need to forgive tomorrow?
• How can I respond with compassion and humility?
• Can I rest tonight with a peaceful heart?
• Have I asked God to renew me with His mercy and love?
Forgiveness-Focused Morning Examen
• How is God inviting me to begin this day?
• Am I open to receiving and offering grace today?
• Is there any unresolved tension or hurt from yesterday?
• Do I feel burdened by unforgiveness—toward myself or others?
• Who might I encounter today that needs compassion or patience?
• How can I reflect God’s mercy in my words and actions?
• What do I need from God to forgive well today?
• Can I ask for courage to let go of judgment or bitterness?
• Am I willing to trust God with the outcomes of today’s interactions?
• Can I begin this day with a clean heart and open hands?
Connect with Sarah on Instagram: inthedustpodcast
In this episode, Sarah reflects on the biblical “one another” commands and how they shape our relationships and community life.
Inspired by a sermon at Johnsonville Salvation Army, she explores how we can love others deeply while maintaining a healthy sense of self-worth.
From humility and unity to forgiveness and encouragement, this episode invites listeners to walk closely with Jesus—covered in his dust—and live out the gospel in everyday interactions.
One Another Scripture references:
Love & Devotion
• John 13:34–35 (NIV) – Love one another as I have loved you.
• Romans 12:10 (NIV) – Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
• 1 Peter 1:22 (NIV) – Love one another deeply, from the heart.
• 1 John 3:11 (NIV) – We should love one another.
• 1 John 4:7, 11–12 (NIV) – Let us love one another, for love comes from God.
Unity, Harmony & Peace
• Romans 12:16 (NIV) – Live in harmony with one another.
• Romans 15:5 (NIV) – Have the same attitude of mind toward each other.
• 1 Peter 3:8 (NIV) – Be like-minded, sympathetic, love one another.
• Ephesians 4:3 (NIV) – Keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
• Colossians 3:14 (NIV) – Love binds all together in perfect unity.
Forgiveness, Patience & Compassion
• Ephesians 4:2 (NIV) – Be patient, bearing with one another in love.
• Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) – Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other.
• Colossians 3:13 (NIV) – Bear with each other and forgive one another.
• James 5:9 (NIV) – Don’t grumble against one another.
Teaching, Encouragement & Accountability
• Romans 15:14 (NIV) – Instruct one another.
• Colossians 3:16 (NIV) – Teach and admonish one another with wisdom.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) – Encourage one another and build each other up.
• Hebrews 3:13 (NIV) – Encourage one another daily.
• Hebrews 10:24–25 (NIV) – Spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Humility, Service & Submission
• Galatians 5:13 (NIV) – Serve one another humbly in love.
• Philippians 2:3 (NIV) – Value others above yourselves.
• 1 Peter 5:5 (NIV) – Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.
• Ephesians 5:21 (NIV) – Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Warnings & Correction
• Romans 14:13 (NIV) – Stop passing judgment on one another.
• Galatians 5:15 (NIV) – If you bite and devour one another, watch out!
• James 4:11 (NIV) – Do not slander one another.
• James 5:16 (NIV) – Confess your sins to one another and pray for each other.
What ‘one another’ do you think that Jesus is inviting you to cultivate in your life right now?
You can connect with Sarah on Instagram: inthedustpodcast
This week, Sarah invites us to sit with Romans 8 from The Message—a chapter overflowing with hope, identity, and assurance. Through gentle reflection and “I wonder…” questions, we’re reminded that we are not condemned, not forgotten, and never separated from the love of God. Whether you journal, walk, or simply listen quietly, this episode is a space to breathe deeply and be held in truth.
“You are held in love that cannot be broken.”
Some questions to ponder
1. I wonder what it means for me to live “freely and lightly” in the Spirit today.
2. I wonder what part of me still feels like it’s under condemnation—and what God might be saying to that.
3. I wonder how I’ve seen God work all things together for good—even when I couldn’t see it at the time.
4. I wonder what groaning in prayer looks like for me right now.
5. I wonder what it means that nothing can separate me from God’s love—not even the things I’m afraid to name.
6. I wonder how I can live more like a child of God and less like a slave to fear.
7. I wonder what it would feel like to truly believe that God is for me.
8. I wonder what part of creation’s longing I feel most deeply in this season.
9. I wonder how I can join the Spirit in interceding for others.
10. I wonder what “more than conquerors” means in the context of my everyday life.
I wonder what part of Romans 8 felt like it was written just for you today?
You can connect with Sarah on Instagram: inthedustpodcast
This week, Sarah reflects on Brooke Ligertwood’s Bless God and the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. What does it really mean to be “blessed”? And how can we bless God in return — even when life is hard? Join the conversation about worship, formation, and the kind of praise that costs us something.
Connect with Sarah on Instagram: inthedustpodcast
This week, Sarah reflects on the spiritual rhythms of winter and invites us into the preparation of spring. Drawing from Hosea 10:12, she explores tending the soil and cultivating a heart ready for growth.
Spring is not just for planting—it’s for preparing. What parts of your heart need breaking up, weeding, or nourishing? Sarah shares personal reflections, practical rhythms, and prompts to help you walk closely in the dust of Jesus this season.
🌱 Let’s dig deep, seek the Lord, and make space for new growth.You can connect with Sarah on Instagram: inthedustpodcast
In this episode, Sarah reflects on the invitation to live at a sacred pace—one shaped not by hustle, but by the gentle rhythms of Jesus. From a spiritual retreat to quiet morning routines, she shares her journey of learning to rest, listen, and walk in harmony with God’s timing. If you’re feeling stretched thin or weary, this episode is a gentle call to come closer and find rest for your soul.
Connect with Sarah on Instagram: inthedustpodcast
Winter’s dragging on, energy is low, and survival mode is real. In this episode, Sarah shares a heartfelt pep talk for the weary—those still showing up in the everyday, even when it’s hard. Through personal stories and Galatians 6:7–10, we’re reminded that our imperfect efforts matter. Every seed of hope and faith we plant makes a difference. So let’s keep showing up, keep planting, and trust that the harvest is coming.Connect with Sarah on Instagram: inthedustpodcast
In this episode, we explore what it means to be led by the Holy Spirit rather than driven by pressure or purpose alone. Inspired by a quote from Jackie Pullinger, we reflect on how the Spirit gently guides us—through nudges, impressions, and moments of compassion. Sarah shares personal stories and scriptures that help us recognize and respond to the Spirit’s leading in everyday life.
“Addicts are driven. Satan drives. The Holy Spirit leads.”
Let’s learn to notice the nudge and walk in step with the Spirit.You can connect with Sarah on Instagram: inthedustpodcast
This week, Sarah invites us to reflect on the spiritual seasons we find ourselves in. Are we resisting, resenting, or relishing the season we're in?
Sarah encourages us to ask, What can I do with what I have? rather than focusing on what we lack.
This episode builds on themes of integrity and trust, reminding us to walk closely with Jesus and embrace the invitations he offers in every season.
You can connect with Sarah on Instagram: inthedustpodcast
This week, Sarah reflects on the invitation to live with integrity—being the same person in every space, with a life aligned inside and out.
Sparked by the recent Coldplay kiss cam moment and a powerful testimony from the Outside of Sunday podcast, this episode explores how small choices shape our spiritual walk and how guardrails and rumble strips can help us stay on course.With scripture, practical action points, and encouragement, you're invited to examine your own journey and walk closely in the dust of Jesus.
Connect with Sarah on Instagram: inthedustpodcast
In this episode, Sarah concludes the 3-part series on the Armour of God, diving into how we can apply it in our everyday lives. She explores the enemy’s tactics and how strategic prayer can be our proactive defense. Drawing from Ephesians 6:10–18 and insights from Priscilla Shirer and Strahan Coleman, Sarah encourages listeners to pray with precision—covering areas like identity, calling, relationships, and more. This is a call to stand firm, stay alert, and live in the dust of Jesus.
Connect with Sarah on Instagram: inthedustpodcast
This week, Sarah continues her three-part series on spiritual warfare with a deep dive into the Armour of God from Ephesians 6. Building on last week’s conversation about recognizing the spiritual battle we’re in, this episode unpacks each piece of the armour—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God—and explores how they equip us to stand firm in our identity and authority as children of God.
With rich biblical insight and practical encouragement, Sarah invites listeners to walk closely with Jesus, living “in the dust” of His presence, and to prepare for the battles we face with confidence and clarity. Stay tuned for part three, where we’ll develop personal prayer strategies for key areas of life.
You can connect with Sarah on Instagram: inthedustpodcast