How can you hear with your ears closed?
How can you see without open eyes?
You don't even know where I'm from
But you sure had me crucified
If you listen with your heart now,
Your rhymes and all your reasons change so much
I don't even know you...
As if that makes a difference
Everybody's got something to get over now
Your bleeding comes from deep inside
Well, don't throw away your chance to be whole again
It's not over now
Can you feel the vibrations
stirring through your heartstream now?
You're in a bad situation,
But I know you can make it out
If you listen with your heart now,
Your rhymes and all your reasons turn to dust
I don't need to know you
To know it makes a difference
Everybody's got something to get over now
Your bleeding comes from deep inside
Well, don't throw away your chance to be whole again
It's not over now
Have you ever seen the light?
It's waiting for you
Have you felt that things aren't right?
It's waiting for you
Don't throw away your chance to wake
Everybody's got something to get over now
Your bleeding comes from deep inside
Well, don't throw away your chance to be whole again
It's not over now
How can you hear- by Jason Harwell
I said, show me Your truth Jesus, and He showed me this song.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Negative feelings with a negative outlook
Lift my fears, fall to my knees. I am able to be discouraged after all Jesus has shown me.. after all the testimonies I've heard. Just reminding myself, as well as hopefully reminding you, that all we need is Jesus. All. The more I pray it the more real it will become. Hah I tell so many of the youth I help lead that Jesus does not expect perfection after salvation. or Salvation does not equal perfection but a promise for the Holy Spirit make us the truest form of us.. Salvation is Jesus saying, "All of Heaven its time to celebrate! This Beloved is MINE! WhooHoo! I'm never letting go!" as He continues His work in our lives.
"So hold on my darlin', its goin' to be bumpy. So buckle in tightly..."
"So hold on my darlin', its goin' to be bumpy. So buckle in tightly..."
Thursday, July 28, 2011
I don't have anything to prove.
When you think "my identity..", who do you say you are? or Who do you want to be?
Is all this seeking who we are , us trying to prove something?
This question seems so hard to answer to me so it got me thinking...
What is the core of these questions, "What is my identity?" or "Who am I?". Okay so maybe we should ask, "What does an Identity consist of?" Is it something able to be labled? Such as popular, nerd, athletic, artistic, musical, dramatic, ugly, pretty, crazy, reserved, black, white, gay, straight, christian, or muslim? Are one of those lables what people see when they look at us? Are those lables what we think of ourselves? Do these things proclaim why we exist? (maybe thats the real question..."What am I doing here?")
None of those things tell anyone who you are. They all talk about things you believe about yourself or do. Not that they are all bad things. Like I am indeed a christian. But is that my identity? Is who I am really found in something I believe?
Hard questions. Because when we talk about this we get so close to the Truth!
We want to be known. Yeah, you're scared of someone knowing the deepest scariest places in your heart.. But guess what you're asking when you ask about your identity. You want someone to recognize WHO you are. Not what you do. Not what you look like . Not what you like. (Don't even get me started that all these things will pass away!)
You want someone to know the deepest parts of you. The good and great parts, the evil desires, the beautiful desires, and still want to know you. To strip down everything we consider our identity and see the core of why we exist. I don't know that we can find our 'identity' in any word. I do believe, however, that we can find freedom from trying to be someone, and let Jesus break through our walls and let Him stand there as our stronghold.
I've found my identity in many things before. Some good to the worlds standards, even some bad to the worlds standards. I have never been filled before allowing Jesus to BE for me.
Look guys, I know you all know something about me. If you've known me lately you might even say I'm a pretty good girl. Please, don't flatter me. "Pretty good girl" is not my identity.
Identity isn't what we long for. We long to be known and loved.
Maybe we were never meant to search for who we are. Maybe we just are.
Just maybe we don't have to prove anything.
Maybe we don't have anything to prove...
Just maybe Jesus really is who He says He is.
"For the death that He died, He died to sin once and for all; but the life that He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus."
Romans 6:10-11
Is all this seeking who we are , us trying to prove something?
This question seems so hard to answer to me so it got me thinking...
What is the core of these questions, "What is my identity?" or "Who am I?". Okay so maybe we should ask, "What does an Identity consist of?" Is it something able to be labled? Such as popular, nerd, athletic, artistic, musical, dramatic, ugly, pretty, crazy, reserved, black, white, gay, straight, christian, or muslim? Are one of those lables what people see when they look at us? Are those lables what we think of ourselves? Do these things proclaim why we exist? (maybe thats the real question..."What am I doing here?")
None of those things tell anyone who you are. They all talk about things you believe about yourself or do. Not that they are all bad things. Like I am indeed a christian. But is that my identity? Is who I am really found in something I believe?
Hard questions. Because when we talk about this we get so close to the Truth!
We want to be known. Yeah, you're scared of someone knowing the deepest scariest places in your heart.. But guess what you're asking when you ask about your identity. You want someone to recognize WHO you are. Not what you do. Not what you look like . Not what you like. (Don't even get me started that all these things will pass away!)
You want someone to know the deepest parts of you. The good and great parts, the evil desires, the beautiful desires, and still want to know you. To strip down everything we consider our identity and see the core of why we exist. I don't know that we can find our 'identity' in any word. I do believe, however, that we can find freedom from trying to be someone, and let Jesus break through our walls and let Him stand there as our stronghold.
I've found my identity in many things before. Some good to the worlds standards, even some bad to the worlds standards. I have never been filled before allowing Jesus to BE for me.
Look guys, I know you all know something about me. If you've known me lately you might even say I'm a pretty good girl. Please, don't flatter me. "Pretty good girl" is not my identity.
Identity isn't what we long for. We long to be known and loved.
Maybe we were never meant to search for who we are. Maybe we just are.
Just maybe we don't have to prove anything.
Maybe we don't have anything to prove...
Just maybe Jesus really is who He says He is.
"For the death that He died, He died to sin once and for all; but the life that He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus."
Romans 6:10-11
Be still...
Being still is a foreign concept to me.
I cant count on two hands the things that have gone wrong the last few weeks, yet God is asking me to be still? What!?
I have a million and two things to do before school starts. How can I be still and wait? wait for what?? for these things that "keep my life running" to complete themselves?
I hear "Get it done whatever the cost. Excel. Be the best you, you can be. Be strong. You can do it. "
'Be still my child, your toils are not necessary. Here, let me carry that heavy class load for you. Yes, Casey, give me your transportation to college, I will provide. Ask me for patience with Sami, I will supply you with what I demand. You're upset about things that are not everlasting, sweet child of mine, I AM. You have stumbled and while carrying your own heart. Focus on Me. Give Me every thing. Youre anchored in Me."
Im anchored in love divine! His love shall control me in life and in death.
-Anchored in love by Jenny and Tyler.
Carry Me- Jenny and Tyler
I cant count on two hands the things that have gone wrong the last few weeks, yet God is asking me to be still? What!?
I have a million and two things to do before school starts. How can I be still and wait? wait for what?? for these things that "keep my life running" to complete themselves?
I hear "Get it done whatever the cost. Excel. Be the best you, you can be. Be strong. You can do it. "
'Be still my child, your toils are not necessary. Here, let me carry that heavy class load for you. Yes, Casey, give me your transportation to college, I will provide. Ask me for patience with Sami, I will supply you with what I demand. You're upset about things that are not everlasting, sweet child of mine, I AM. You have stumbled and while carrying your own heart. Focus on Me. Give Me every thing. Youre anchored in Me."
Im anchored in love divine! His love shall control me in life and in death.
-Anchored in love by Jenny and Tyler.
Carry Me- Jenny and Tyler
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Jesus is THE Truth.
Okay.. so we all know Stumbleupon is a big way to waste our time.. though I found a site on Contradictions in the Bible. This was very interesting to me. I believe if there is no Jesus then we are wasting our time. (Though don't get me wrong, undoubtably there is.) I also believe God will come out as the Truth if indeed He is, so I seek truth. The site posted numerous contradictions, giving a phrase then verses to dispute. [[ I would like to note that in order to be a contradiction, someone must deny the truth of one statement and proclaim the opposite. That will never be seen in scripture, for God cannot deny Truth, therefore He cannot deny Himself. ]] Here are some fabulous examples:
1. How many men did the chief of David's captains kill? 2 Sam 23:8 - 1 Chron 11:11
Contradiction? Nah.. look it up for yourself. I laughed.. different number of men killed yes, also different chief.
2. Who was Abijam's mother? (nevermind that I dont know who Abijam is.. ill study him later.) 1 Kings 15:1-2-2 Chron 13:1-2
Misspelling. Its Machaah vs Michaiah. You decide if this is enough to claim God does not exist.
3. Was Abraham justified by faith or works? Romans 4:2-James 2:21
Contradiction? Purely vs by vs, yes. Paul is so fun to study to me because he is sarcastic...
The contradiction is disproven by simply reading one sentence further. God has always saved by Faith btw... He never changes, guys.
4. What color was Jesus' robe? Mat 27:28- Mark 15:17.
Error? Yes. Purple vs. Scarlett. Good thing the big saying today is "Nobody's perfect!" or "I'm only human!" Yeah guys, believe it or not, the authors were human. Seeing as the contradiction is not on whether Jesus died or not, or whether He rose from the grave, I think we're still standing on rock solid ground.
5. Is it good to be happy? Proverbs 17:22 - Ecc. 7:3-4.
Contradiction? No. Words of wisdom appeal to certain circumstances.
Many "contradictions" are considered so because :
o The reader compares one verse to another without continuing the authors' thought.
o The author misspelled a name, place.
o Intellectual dishonesty.
o Comparing the Old covenant to the New covenant. (Rules have indeed changed, thanks to Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice.)
o Authors compared have different details. (purple vs. scarlette, # 4)
o The question asked is very one sided. (#5)
I could go further, and undoubtably will. I will continue to seek to disprove my God because He always has, and always will come out on the side of Truth.
Also, be left with this: seek truth! It is important, and very interesting actually, also if you seek truth and are honest with yourself, you will always end up on the right side. I'm seeking truth, even yet, as I have found Him. If you find that you have disproven my God, please don't leave me in the blue.
Thanks for reading,
Casey
1. How many men did the chief of David's captains kill? 2 Sam 23:8 - 1 Chron 11:11
Contradiction? Nah.. look it up for yourself. I laughed.. different number of men killed yes, also different chief.
2. Who was Abijam's mother? (nevermind that I dont know who Abijam is.. ill study him later.) 1 Kings 15:1-2-2 Chron 13:1-2
Misspelling. Its Machaah vs Michaiah. You decide if this is enough to claim God does not exist.
3. Was Abraham justified by faith or works? Romans 4:2-James 2:21
Contradiction? Purely vs by vs, yes. Paul is so fun to study to me because he is sarcastic...
The contradiction is disproven by simply reading one sentence further. God has always saved by Faith btw... He never changes, guys.
4. What color was Jesus' robe? Mat 27:28- Mark 15:17.
Error? Yes. Purple vs. Scarlett. Good thing the big saying today is "Nobody's perfect!" or "I'm only human!" Yeah guys, believe it or not, the authors were human. Seeing as the contradiction is not on whether Jesus died or not, or whether He rose from the grave, I think we're still standing on rock solid ground.
5. Is it good to be happy? Proverbs 17:22 - Ecc. 7:3-4.
Contradiction? No. Words of wisdom appeal to certain circumstances.
Many "contradictions" are considered so because :
o The reader compares one verse to another without continuing the authors' thought.
o The author misspelled a name, place.
o Intellectual dishonesty.
o Comparing the Old covenant to the New covenant. (Rules have indeed changed, thanks to Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice.)
o Authors compared have different details. (purple vs. scarlette, # 4)
o The question asked is very one sided. (#5)
I could go further, and undoubtably will. I will continue to seek to disprove my God because He always has, and always will come out on the side of Truth.
Also, be left with this: seek truth! It is important, and very interesting actually, also if you seek truth and are honest with yourself, you will always end up on the right side. I'm seeking truth, even yet, as I have found Him. If you find that you have disproven my God, please don't leave me in the blue.
Thanks for reading,
Casey
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.
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."
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."
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