Thursday, April 7, 2011

God has always been faithful

How many times must God prove His faithfulness to us before we bank on Him? I do not always trust the Lord, as absurd as that is!

He is not always the first thought I have in the morning. This means I don't rely on His power throughout my day. Is that crazy or what? I have His words.. his very words at my fingertips. and I chose to shower, eat, or whatever before I let Him feed me. *Hits head on wall.

Sometimes I ask for a sign.. "Is this the right ___ ?" How many signs must I need to understand that God has got it figured out! I don't need to know exactly how everything is going to go down.
The LORD has given so many signs in the Bible of His providence, His love, His devotion, His faithfulness, His mercy, His grace, His care to detail, His power... just to name a few.

Not to mention it isn't even about us.. its all about Him and His glory! Yet He is big enough to care about our daily lives and works intimately with us!

"You are she who is not, I am He who is."

God is the glory of the universe! Dance in your freedom today! Dig into his word and refresh your hearts and mind, cleanse and renew your joy!

It is enough that He has proven Himself to us, to our very core, and through His word.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Edify

We are to edify and lift up others. (1 Corinthians 10:32-33)

To edify is to instruct or improve someone morally or intellectually.

The past two years I have been wrestling with the fact that all things are lawful for me. Where do I draw the line of things I wont do? What is my reasoning for drawing that line?

I have friends who run hard and fast away from the Lord, and I think what if I do drugs with them? drink with them? The offer had been presented many times. Had been presented. Turns out, the people who persisted in pressuring me to to join them in drinking or drugs were trying to get me to fall, to sin.

 Three questions rise up for me:
Firstly I think, what kind of friends do I really have here?
Second I think why do they want me to fall?
And what If I had joined them?

Pertaining to the first question, these friends are lost. Their actions are just a bi-product of intense searching, self-fullfilling, and yes.. desiring of intimacy with Jesus. Those who know not the Love of Jesus may not consider the endless filling of holes in their life to be a search for Jesus, but indirectly, it will show them that nothing but Jesus can truly save and heal and bring the joys of the Christian Way.

Why would they want me to fall?? These friends are just longing for an even playing field. Their act of hatred was not directed towards me, rather to The Way in general. If I fall, they might not feel as bad "committing the crime", it would be some sort of justification.

What if I had joined them??
I may just have justified their actions. " If Casey the Christian can do it, surely I can."
Or I may have just accidentally proclaimed "The LORD Jesus does not mean as much as I say to me, therefore don't bother getting to know Him."
Possibly I just ripped any hope from them, they already do not believe or know Jesus, everything I do is supposed to point to Him. I am supposed to be the Messenger bringing love and JESUS with me wherever I go. If I do something that hinders this love, where is my true devotion? Even if its just a possibility, the chance is too high of a price.

So now,  where do we draw the lines and why?

If you are possibly stripping hope from someones life, do not live dangerously.

Do not do anything to cause anyone else to stumble. If you (who are of age) drink, yet someone else forbids that of them self for reason of it being sin against God, then don't drink. Who after all is your God? Not yourself and not the alcohol!

Consider others ways more righteous than your own, those who abstain from things, and do everything to edify them.

Your liberty (being able to do whatever you want, as a christian) is not affected by another persons conscience. But because of our command to live in love and esteem others higher than ourselves, we must not do things to serve them.

Love and NOT knowledge is the basis of christian conduct.

and Note from my Bible pertaining to 1 Corinthians 6:12

"All things are lawful for me was the theological slogan the Corinthians had adopted to justify their behavior, Paul affirmed his own doctrine of Christian liberty. But the Corinthians needed to understand that the "lawfulness" of any given behavior was qualified by its "helpfulness". Freedom to act as one pleases is not really freedom at all. It is the most insidious form of bondage."










  

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Dont waste your life

Ive been thinking about how everything really is meaningless. (ecc.)

I really like to wear dresses, pretty flow-y sundresses in particular. I feel so free.. like a bird sort of.. when I wear one.

That wont matter when i'm dead.

I also love my friends, and there are certain ones im particularly fond of!

Wont matter when we're all dead.

The things we spend money on, spend our time doing, spend our time loving, most of it wont matter.

Ive heard it said "Preach Jesus and die. " that pretty much sums up what a meaningful life is.. assuming whoever is preaching is loving and living out what they preach.



And living it out is so much simpler than we make it out to be!!

It occurred to me recently its not some huge task we have to do every day, but in everything we do just do it for someone else.

Driving? Pray for someone. Be a courteous driver... you know when there is a nice guy who gets over just to let you pass or something. Makes my day better!
Got money in the bank? Give it to someone in need
In a public place? Compliment someone, or encourage someone! How about share the love of Jesus with someone!
Idk what other circumstances you live every day.. but lets just be real honest here. If everything you do points to yourself then your life wont count. And it wont matter that it doesnt count. Yay Jesus loves you, but its not about you. And it sure as heck fire aint about me.

We dont remember anyone from 100 years ago, there have been significant moments in the past and people who have molded our society.. but they dont matter.

The only thing that matters is God and His glory. THE only thing.

... I drafted this a few days ago so i could read it later and see if i wanted to post it. I still do... but just wanted to clear up somethings.

Don't belittle the love the Lord has toward you... because that does matter. And you matter to Jesus. Very very much... just not so much to someone you'll never meet. So while on this earth point to the things that will matter so those people you will meet might know and really know the love of Jesus.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Thankful

I feel the need to write down all the things i'm thankful for... the past few days have been rough on my heart for multiple reasons. A few being, my big mouth gets me into trouble, I have ignored Jesus (Seriously.. how did I manage to ignore my first and foremost person?), and some times relationships don't work out but it's for the better!

BUT...

Lately my family has mended and been getting together so well! I am so thankful for this... tis been a big petition to God. And see, He worked in my heart to where the bitterness receded and I was able to be sweet and generous instead of waiting for them... and it feels so good!

     Am I obviously thankful for my friends? My job, school, and family have been first before you guys (at least it's not drugs, shopping, or sports right?) and I miss you! So much! I am thankful for my friends from high school, Taylor, Blaze, Lauren, Erine-Fay, Ashton, Megan and some friends I didn't know as well but still you are dear to me!
     Shout out to my new girls, Tracy Jo, Kelly, Taylor R. (who has actually been my cousin for my whole life but we're just now friends), Lauren S, Ensley, Amanda, Rhiannon, Maryam (My awesome roomie!), and Stacers!
     There have been a couple of friends who  have stuck around since middle school like Sarah Jo and Arianah and we have had some crazy, and boy do I mean crazy times. Heck we went to six flags dressed up as super heros, ie The Bibleteers. haha oh man. I was bird girl, Jo was BUNNY girl hahaha and Arianah was Fish girl. we had masks and a pillow case cape and everything! What a blast! We have been on beach trips and gotton in trouble together, snuck out of our houses together.. scratch that just my house, and made messes together! ( messes of our lives, rooms, ext.)
     I moved around a lot and have never really had core friends so each and every one of you mean the world to me!! My prayers revolved around you being in my life for years so every one of you, whether you have been in my life for one season or many you are answered prayers and have inspired, helped improved me, been my confidants, my shoulders, my dance partiers, but most importantly, lovers (in the friendly sense) and will forever be my soul sisters! (Hey soul sister, aint that mister mister on the radio, stereo.. you know you're singing!)

     Just for your information, because I tried it, Grape powerade and peanut butter does not go together. YOU should be thankful for the heads up.


     Those two are the most important on my list of thankfulness right now, also i'm tired of blogging. I just cycled for 45 min and it was hard core and awesome! Im thankful for working legs! So gotta get ready for work!!

     If any of you have any crazy memories of us youre more than welcome to comment!

lastly but not leastly, loves yas!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Wish List

Ill add on.. probably not take off.. and if you want to join me on one of these (and I know you) then dont hesitate to plan and surprise me. Seriously, I love surprises.

These include everything I've ever wanted to do and am glad I did (maybe not so glad for all!) or still want to do! Some of these I know I wont ever cross off... but that is part of creating a wish list.

And this is just a wish list. My life is in no way based on doing these things,  for I have more important things to spend my time. (Jesus is my commander in Chief.)  However, during leisure hour why not.. leise?



1.Go Skydiving.   Skydive the Farm, Summer 2010
2. Climb a billboard.
3. Wear Red Lipstick like a pro.
4. Get married to a man I love love love love love.
5. Bungee Jump off a bridge or waterfall.
6. Climb a water tower.
7. Learn To Juggle.
8.Wash my hair with Beer.
9. Have children.
10. Adopt children.
11. Host or attend a Dundees Party. (If you don't know what that is watch The Office, season 3.)
12. Host or attend a similar event to Office Olympics. (Ditto.)
13. Skate backwards.
14. Get kicked out of class.   (Not the reason I wanted, but still.) - Feb 14, 2011. UWG
15. Switch to all natural beauty products. (Its definitely possible.)
16. Get old enough to not have to shave my legs anymore. (or use laser technology..)
17. Sell a piece of art to someone who genuinely likes it.
18. Die my hair. (Highlights or all out blonde or red or whatever...)
19. Use ear candles. (Its fun to see gross stuff inside our ears...)  May, 2011. (If you try it, don't do it in a closed space. STINKY!)
20. Fly an Airplane. Orlando, Fl. Summer 2005.
21. Work at a youth camp as a counselor. PineCove 2011, 2012
22. Publish something. (Book, song, poem, article, essay..)
23. Build a canoe or kayak with Daddy.
24. Sew a dress and enjoy it.
25. Ride an elephant. (preferably in Africa)
26. Sleep on a warm, secluded beach. (preferably not alone)
27. Get my first kiss.  2005. Backseat of Aunt Donna's Car (next to my cousin Taylor Roberts with Josh Dewberry...shoulda coulda woulda waited...)
28. Learn to play the guitar. Christmas 2005<
29. Be BFF with my sister, Sami.
29. Learn to Salsa Dance. (High Museum w/ Tracy Jo. January 2013.)
30. Show off salsa dancing skills in a latino club.
31. Play guitar and sing a song I like in front of my family and friends all together.
32. Make my Daddy so proud he cries.
33. Road trip with a friend to the beach. (Summer 2010, Spring Break 09, Spring Break 11)
34. See Needtobreathe in concert.  Nov. 2012. IT WAS SOOOO GREAT
35. Go to an Opera.
36. Be in a play and know all my lines. (Couldn't really stop laughing...WestSidePlayers Summer 2011)
37. Use only my hands, feet, and hair to paint on a canvas as big as the average american living room floor. (maybe watercolor if my hair is involved..)
38. Catch an oyster and find a pearl.
39. Learn to give a good massage. Not sure when that happened.. but every one is glad it did!
40. Kiss like a movie-star in public with my husband while keeping a straight face. (why yes.. we will get a room!)
44. Write a song using only verses from the Bible.
45. Complete a tri-atholon.
46. See a real life kissing booth. (Those only happen in movies as far as I know.)
47. Fly. (Maybe with the force behind me as a cannon?)
48. Have people laugh hysterically at something I say or do. (Purposefully.)   This happens all the time... now. #comedian
49. Visit San Francisco in the Winter.
50. Enjoy Bar-B-Que on a sandbar in the ocean.
51. Watch my husband carve our names in a tree. (I'll probably want to chop it down and take it home, too.)
52. Conquer my fear of being around large bodies of water at night.
53. Own a rocking chair. (I mean OWN it.. not just buy it.)
54. Sleep in the brush in Africa, with the lions and baboons.
55. Make a scrumptious-so-good-you-die dinner.- Feb 8, 2012. Stuffed spinach and mushroom chicken breast topped with a white wine sauce and asparagus on the side.
56. Build a castle out of grapes and toothpicks.   2000(ish). With my Mom and Sister.
60. Learn to whistle.
61. Go on a cruise. (See #52)
62. Almost get arrested. March 19, 2011. Climbed Taco Mac with Hope Howard.
63. Make popcorn from scratch. (That I doubt I'll ever do...)
64. Tat it up.
65. Meet a nose.(Someone who creates the scents and formulas for perfumes..I want to know how they got that job.)
66. Take some pretty pictures in Texas' Blue Bonnet fields.
67. Visit NYC and while there get a hot dog from a street vendor, and see something hilarious  or b-e-a-utiful on broadway.
68. Successfully pull off a good, old fashioned prank. April 1, 2011. Froze some hats and toothbrushes. No harm done... the boys of apartment 212 were still really mad.
69. Go on a hot air balloon ride!
70. Skydive with my grandma. (She did it before me... and there isn't exactly an age limit.)
71.
72. Be a Midwife.
73. See a sunset in Abilene, Tx.
74. Dance at Billy Bobs and have a blast getting groovy like country people. (Honkey Tonk Badonkydonk... but not really)
75. Help birth an animal, like a cow or horse or elephant. (I guess they dont really need help. Still think it would be cool. A human would satisfy this wish, as well.)
76. Climb Kennesaw Mountain at night. (Nov. 30th with Bobby Hinsdale. - illegal and cold but gorgeous views!)
77. See Guster in concert.  (W/ B.H.)
78. Get my wisdom teeth out.  .  (Dec 13th. I could hear the dentist cracking my teeth. Isnt that fabulous and wonderful and exciting? #gag)
79. Play on a ropes course at night. (Dec. 7th. w/ B.H.)




**I just re-read some of these posts and might I add that I know some of them are quite ridiculous, which makes them even more worth-while thank you!

American Dream

Listen Here!
It is amazing how writing down feelings, hopes and thoughts releases negative and positive energy. I just finished a post and deleted it because I realized how much it did not make sense, releasing negative feelings concerning myself. Of course it is not as if Jesus played no part in me being closer to peace.

Anyway, I've heard it said that we do not have souls, we ARE souls and we have a body.

Have some fun with this thought! How foreign it is to us! I was driving in my car thinking, this is my body, yet I am alien to it. I'm going to try to help you understand just exactly how it makes me feel... explaining feelings is especially difficult though. Thats why we have words for them, and still everyone is never really sure how you feel when you try to explain deeper.

It feels peaceful, as if you have no attachment to the rest of the earthly world and no matter what happens your security in Christ is more than enough. I think this is where people who die for Christ have found themselves. They are being tortured by every means possible, emotionally, physically, but their peace is overwhelmingly pure. Considering myself as an alien to this world is not a lonely feeling at all, because I realize this is my temporary home and the Lord also places us here before we can enter His kingdom so we have the chance to chose Him. Blessings, hardship, heartbreak, happiness, death, life, everything giving a glimpse of who God is or is not.

Really our bodies are like our cars.. we feed them, take them in for check ups, try to fix them when they are sick and sometimes they just can't be fixed, all the while our souls in the drivers seat, taking this or that turn, stopping here and going there. We care how it looks, want it to be pretty and have a good body. But what really matters is the interior, keep it free of clutter so Jesus can drive and we can ride passenger, room enough in there for the Holy Spirit and God too. Since they are 3 in 1 you KNOW they will take up some room!

haha.. oh me.