"In those days when you pray I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you," says the Lord. "I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes." Jeremiah 29:12-14
Everyday last week there seemed to be a depressing report of the work force in America. Over and over I heard the stats of how hard hit women have been. The plight of the number of people receiving food stamps, of those who are underemployed, seeking jobs or unemployed but no longer seeking jobs, and the many more that will soon be among their number were well covered. The inference was, this country is on the skids and there is very little hope and President Obama says the only answer is to trust in the government to take care of us. However, on Sunday I was ready to pray and put this enormous problem in God's hands. In reply He seemed to say, "Maybe if those who are stuggling in this financial recession knew a small part of your mother's story it would lift their spirits. Because the truth is that even when men and women have lost the plan for their futures, God hasn't."
On the day my mother, Marian, met Jesus in a little West Texas church and made a decision to live her life His way everything changed for her. In Jesus' presence she agreed to finally become responsible for her life and only trust Him to help her. The days of leaning on other people or things were over. All had failed her but Jesus promised that she would not be alone. When His vision disappeared she realized He had filled her with the peace and courage she had needed for so many years. She made a decision right then to resist the overwhelming terrors and fears that sought to control her as well as her violently abusive husband before she left the church.*
She returned home with new resolve to find her husband sitting in the living room. She grabbed a pillowcase and began to scoop all of the can goods into it. When she had gathered everything she needed from the apartment she went to where he sat and stood before him, she extended her hand to him palm up, and said, "The girls and I are leaving. We're going back to Dallas. I need the keys to the car." "Can I go , too?" he asked meekly now that he was sober. "Yes," she replied, "but only so far as your mother's house. I'll never live with you again."
Marian had been married since she was sixteen. And though she had owned a children's day care for a time, she had never trained for a job. She couldn't imagine how she was going to support and provide for her girls. But things began to fall into place. She found an apartment in a government housing complex as soon as she arrived in town. Then, looking through the Want Ads she saw the Bus Station needed help in the coffee shop. She was willing to learn the job and she was hired. My older stepsister, Susie, looked after her sister who was five years younger. There were only a few assets that Marian took to that job. She showed up on time with a smile, listened, and learned. "I didn't make hardly any money," she said later, "but I got a few tips and I could eat during my shift so the food money went to the girls."
Before long an actual restaurant downtown had an opening for a waitress. "I applied for it as soon as I heard about it," she smiled. "It only paid a little better but most importantly, I was allowed to take leftover food home so that was like a big raise to me and I learned more skills. Things were improving. I never figured to stay a long time anywhere. I was always looking for the next step up so I did the best I could everwhere just so I could get a good recommendation. But I always thought it was ironic that I would never have heard about the second restaurant if I hadn't taken the awful job working nights at the Bus Station.
"From there I got a job at a variety store. The trouble with it was it was so far away. I had to ride the bus to the end of the line then I still had to walk a couple of miles to the store," she related. However, she got a good raise and the sacrifice was worth it since she had some money for her children's needs. "I was working there at Easter and because of my boss the girls had the best Easter of their lives." When the holiday was over she asked if she could take some of the left over candy to her kids. Her boss replied, "You can have anything you want." She laughed as she related the story to me many years later, "You should have seen me getting on the bus with huge stuffed animals and big baskets full of candy, eggs, and grass. I still don't know how I carried it all until I reached the bus!"
The next job was only a few blocks from home at a high-end restaurant. There as one of the wait staff she was trained in table service and actually began to make enough money to cover the family's needs. That was when she realized her confidence in herself had changed. To her surprise, she actually believed that she could learn, she could grow, and she could succeed. After a little time she began to wonder if she could achieve the dream she had always carried.
One thing led to another and she was accepted into the local nursing program. The restaurant was only open in the evenings so she continued to work most of her way through school where she graduated at the top of her class.
For years Marian had believed she was a looser who couldn't succeed. She had been so beat up and beat down by life and her husband that her hope had run out. Once she started on her new path the problems didn't just magically disappear. Her husband continued to get drunk, intimidate, and terrorize her along with other trials, but she confronted each one with a new resolve and the knowledge that she was no longer alone. Once she put her faith in Jesus, knowing that she needed His directions and plan, in two short years she rose from a pit of despair and helplessness to achieve more than she had ever thought she could.
*See: Available Grace: True Short Stories of the Rewards of Intentional Living, "My Comforter In Trouble", pg.123. To order click on: http://sbpra.com/mariannecassell or www.amazon.com
I'm telling my mother's story with her permission.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
Guest Blog With Joanne Troppello
Hi! Joanne Troppello invited me to be a guest blogger on her blog site today. I hope you'll check it out. She has a wonderful site full of inspiration and information. Click on: http://joannetroppello.weebly.com/blog.html
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Prophetic Messages
Last Sunday, God spoke prophetically to our church as our Father. He said in part, "Little children, much like your earthly fathers, in My eyes you never grow too old to need My protection, provision, grace or comfort. I want to see you living as light-hearted children because I desire to enter into your laughter, into your dancing and into your joy!"
Later, at the time in our service when we are encouraged to greet those worshiping with us a lady came to me to tell me that she felt the prophecy had been meant especially for her. Then, as our pastor preached he referred to it several times. Their reactions led me to remember past prophecies that impacted my life in mighty ways.
In 1973, I spent three months running from a friend, Carolyn, who had prophesied that God wanted me to write 'first and article, then a book.' The idea was so terrifying to me I was willing to destroy my friendship with Carolyn because of it. Then, during an evening service our pastor gave a prophetic message to our congregation that said in part, "I have told you what to do. Are you going to be afraid or are you going to obey?" I knew God was speaking directly to me! All of my excuses fell away. When I reached home I repented and committed myself to writing as He directed. That day my life took a radical turn I never expected or sought, but I have been blessed by it over and over again.
In 1988, I was committed to obeying a direction God had given me to open a free soup kitchen for the homeless in our city. However, everyday a new roadblock seemed to spring up to defeat my efforts. Then, one Sunday morning the Lord spoke to our congregation. In the midst of a lengthy 'word' He said, "Self-doubt and unbelief are the only things that will keep you from the victory." Today, that is an understood principle of walking with Jesus who is always victorious, but it was a new and radical thought back then. However, it was the encouragement I needed to persevere and deal with each obstacle as it arose so that God's plan could come into being.
One Sunday morning in 1986 a guest minister came to our church. After preaching he asked for those wanting prayer to come forward. I was planning to start writing a new book so I went to the front. When the man came to pray with me He had a confirmation from God that I was on the right track. Afterwards, I went back to my seat but before I could sit down he pointed at me and said in a commanding voice, "The Lord says you are to remember that your children may not always understand you, but they do love you." Thinking about it at home, I knew God was showing me something important. So, I wrote down all that He had said and put it in my file of prophetic messages. Two years later, my husband and I separated. When that happened I pulled the word from my files and put it in my billfold where it was continually available. Through all of the dark days leading to divorce it was the only hope I had that my children and I would be reconciled.
God speaks to us in many ways; a prophetic message is just one of them. However, these messages are supposed to fulfill at least one of three criteria. They are given to encourage us, build us up or edify us, or comfort us. We're the ones who lose out if we don't listen carefully.
Later, at the time in our service when we are encouraged to greet those worshiping with us a lady came to me to tell me that she felt the prophecy had been meant especially for her. Then, as our pastor preached he referred to it several times. Their reactions led me to remember past prophecies that impacted my life in mighty ways.
In 1973, I spent three months running from a friend, Carolyn, who had prophesied that God wanted me to write 'first and article, then a book.' The idea was so terrifying to me I was willing to destroy my friendship with Carolyn because of it. Then, during an evening service our pastor gave a prophetic message to our congregation that said in part, "I have told you what to do. Are you going to be afraid or are you going to obey?" I knew God was speaking directly to me! All of my excuses fell away. When I reached home I repented and committed myself to writing as He directed. That day my life took a radical turn I never expected or sought, but I have been blessed by it over and over again.
In 1988, I was committed to obeying a direction God had given me to open a free soup kitchen for the homeless in our city. However, everyday a new roadblock seemed to spring up to defeat my efforts. Then, one Sunday morning the Lord spoke to our congregation. In the midst of a lengthy 'word' He said, "Self-doubt and unbelief are the only things that will keep you from the victory." Today, that is an understood principle of walking with Jesus who is always victorious, but it was a new and radical thought back then. However, it was the encouragement I needed to persevere and deal with each obstacle as it arose so that God's plan could come into being.
One Sunday morning in 1986 a guest minister came to our church. After preaching he asked for those wanting prayer to come forward. I was planning to start writing a new book so I went to the front. When the man came to pray with me He had a confirmation from God that I was on the right track. Afterwards, I went back to my seat but before I could sit down he pointed at me and said in a commanding voice, "The Lord says you are to remember that your children may not always understand you, but they do love you." Thinking about it at home, I knew God was showing me something important. So, I wrote down all that He had said and put it in my file of prophetic messages. Two years later, my husband and I separated. When that happened I pulled the word from my files and put it in my billfold where it was continually available. Through all of the dark days leading to divorce it was the only hope I had that my children and I would be reconciled.
God speaks to us in many ways; a prophetic message is just one of them. However, these messages are supposed to fulfill at least one of three criteria. They are given to encourage us, build us up or edify us, or comfort us. We're the ones who lose out if we don't listen carefully.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Need a Crutch?
It's funny to me that those who claim to be atheists or agnostics look down on Christians as emotional or mental wimps needing a crutch to get through life while Christian leaders are warning their congregations more and more often that the Christian life is not for the faint hearted. Since I have followed Christ as best I could for almost 48 years now. I have an opinion. This is not the life for anyone seeking an easy ride and if miracles along your journey do not excite you, then this is definitely not the way for you to go. I've come to the conclusion that the life Jesus asks us to live is impossible without His miraculous power.
There was one event in my life that allowed me to compare life with God and life without. That event was divorce. My husband and I were divorced the first time when we were 25 years old and had been married 5 years. At the time, I thought I was a Christian because I believed that Jesus was the son of God, however, I had not committed my life to Him. I attended church when I chose and didn't want to get too involved with the people. I believed I was in control of my life and should be!
So, opting for divorce as an answer to my problems I believed it was entirely up to me to make my life a success. But why wouldn't I, I was capable, I reasoned. However, I was not prepared for the demons of fear, worry, and loneliness that took up residence with me. I learned quickly that when any of them became overwhelming I had choices of medications...alcohol, food, men, or money. But none of them brought permanent relief and all of them left lingering consequences that brougtht greater misery.
For no reason I've ever discerned, my children who had only seen their doctor for shots and well check-ups were suddenly being rushed to the emergency room with spiking temperatures or bleeding injuries. No matter how long or hard I worked I couldn't get ahead. What didn't go to the hospital went to the baby-sitter or to a member of my own family who took my rent money while I was at work. The men who claimed to be enamored of me quickly proved to be untrustworthy and alcohol was out of the question since I needed to be clear-headed to worry. Yet, I was proud to be in control of my life and decisions.
The result of five long months of that agony brought me face to face with a question of life and death. Nothing short of that seemed to break through my stubbornness. At that moment, to my everlasting gratitude Jesus came to me. My life was redeemed and I was converted.
I remarried my husband and we were married for the next 27 years then we were divorced again. The second time I thought I was prepared for the loneliness, doubt, and brokenness that divorce produces. However, doing things God's way rather than hardening my heart and medicating my feelings was even more painful than before. It was intensely painful to try to keep a tender, open heart toward those who were angry, judgmental, or critical with me. I quoted Psalms 46:1(paraphrased) to myself every few minutes for years. "God, You're my refuge and strength, my ever persent help in times of trouble."
I could never have forgiven those around me if He had not constantly touched my emotions and directed my steps (through others as well as the Holy Spirit). There's no way to describe the heartache of remorse or the despair of dying dreams and desires. However, because God comforted me I've been able to come into peace with every person and I still have friends today who proved to be so trustworthy they walked through the deepest valley with me. There were times I was alone but I was never lonely like I was the first time and every obstacle of potential defeat has crumbled before it could do me permanent harm.
There were so many times I wanted to cut and run from the pain or problem I was facing, but without fail God sent soneone(s) to encourage me to continue. He really doesn't give up and if I hold onto Him I won't either. I learned it takes courage, real courage, and strength of character to lean on Jesus alone when I'm walking in unfamiliar territoy. But it seems like the Lord can only bring about His victory in my life if I follow Him through the flood or fire of traumatic circumstances. That means I've got to be all in with Jesus lest I wound someone by my selfishness.
Thinking about it, I've got to admit the rationales' of the atheists or agnostics make me smile when I hear them. I know what they don't. I have fought (and suffered) to become strong and courageous. That's not something their arguments can take away.
There was one event in my life that allowed me to compare life with God and life without. That event was divorce. My husband and I were divorced the first time when we were 25 years old and had been married 5 years. At the time, I thought I was a Christian because I believed that Jesus was the son of God, however, I had not committed my life to Him. I attended church when I chose and didn't want to get too involved with the people. I believed I was in control of my life and should be!
So, opting for divorce as an answer to my problems I believed it was entirely up to me to make my life a success. But why wouldn't I, I was capable, I reasoned. However, I was not prepared for the demons of fear, worry, and loneliness that took up residence with me. I learned quickly that when any of them became overwhelming I had choices of medications...alcohol, food, men, or money. But none of them brought permanent relief and all of them left lingering consequences that brougtht greater misery.
For no reason I've ever discerned, my children who had only seen their doctor for shots and well check-ups were suddenly being rushed to the emergency room with spiking temperatures or bleeding injuries. No matter how long or hard I worked I couldn't get ahead. What didn't go to the hospital went to the baby-sitter or to a member of my own family who took my rent money while I was at work. The men who claimed to be enamored of me quickly proved to be untrustworthy and alcohol was out of the question since I needed to be clear-headed to worry. Yet, I was proud to be in control of my life and decisions.
The result of five long months of that agony brought me face to face with a question of life and death. Nothing short of that seemed to break through my stubbornness. At that moment, to my everlasting gratitude Jesus came to me. My life was redeemed and I was converted.
I remarried my husband and we were married for the next 27 years then we were divorced again. The second time I thought I was prepared for the loneliness, doubt, and brokenness that divorce produces. However, doing things God's way rather than hardening my heart and medicating my feelings was even more painful than before. It was intensely painful to try to keep a tender, open heart toward those who were angry, judgmental, or critical with me. I quoted Psalms 46:1(paraphrased) to myself every few minutes for years. "God, You're my refuge and strength, my ever persent help in times of trouble."
I could never have forgiven those around me if He had not constantly touched my emotions and directed my steps (through others as well as the Holy Spirit). There's no way to describe the heartache of remorse or the despair of dying dreams and desires. However, because God comforted me I've been able to come into peace with every person and I still have friends today who proved to be so trustworthy they walked through the deepest valley with me. There were times I was alone but I was never lonely like I was the first time and every obstacle of potential defeat has crumbled before it could do me permanent harm.
There were so many times I wanted to cut and run from the pain or problem I was facing, but without fail God sent soneone(s) to encourage me to continue. He really doesn't give up and if I hold onto Him I won't either. I learned it takes courage, real courage, and strength of character to lean on Jesus alone when I'm walking in unfamiliar territoy. But it seems like the Lord can only bring about His victory in my life if I follow Him through the flood or fire of traumatic circumstances. That means I've got to be all in with Jesus lest I wound someone by my selfishness.
Thinking about it, I've got to admit the rationales' of the atheists or agnostics make me smile when I hear them. I know what they don't. I have fought (and suffered) to become strong and courageous. That's not something their arguments can take away.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Choose Joy
For the last two weeks it seemed like all my things and many parts of my body were falling apart! None were getting fixed even though I presented each to the Lord every morning. The wreckage just seemed to be piling up.
When God didn't seem to be listening to my prayers I began to hear a good friend's voice in my head. Over and over during this last year she had said, "It seems like my body fell apart in my 74th year."
Alarmed, I asked, "Oh, my God, is this what I've got to look forward to all next year?" (I'll be 74 in a couple of months.) Needless to say, I was getting more impatient, disheartened, and discouraged with each new problem. My burden was becoming heavy indeed.
Then Connie, one of my daughters, called. After listening to my complaints for awhile she said, "OK. I'm going to pray for you." That helped me change my attitude, but it wasn't all the Lord had planned.
A couple of days later, eight of us attended Connie's birthday lunch. Because of our talk she bought everone who attendd a 'Joy Journal'. When I explained the circumstances I was going through several others began to share all the problems piling up at their homes. But none of them had connected their attitude to a lack of joy either.
However, later that afternoon I was listening to an interview with Ann Romney. The reporter asked how she kept a positive attitude in the face of breast cancer and MS. She said, "I learned a longtime ago to choose joy."
Sometimes I'm thick-headed but not that day. I clearly got the message and wondered why I even needed the reminder. I had learned many years ago that the Holy Spirit brought joy into my heart but I had to choose to keep walking in the attitude. Also, even though joy makes me so spiritually strong I can fight any spiritual battle it is so fragile that disappointment, discouragement, and impatience, let alone unbelief, are enough to drain my supply and leave me dry and feeling defeated.
Choosing joy again has totally changed my preception of my life. The problems haven't yet changed but I have. The burdens are no longer heavy and I have no doubt that what I need, God will supply. Maybe because we humans continually need the reminder of others is one of the reasons the writer of Hebrews wrote, "Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on..." (The Message, 10:25) Thank you, Connie, Lacey, and Jan!
When God didn't seem to be listening to my prayers I began to hear a good friend's voice in my head. Over and over during this last year she had said, "It seems like my body fell apart in my 74th year."
Alarmed, I asked, "Oh, my God, is this what I've got to look forward to all next year?" (I'll be 74 in a couple of months.) Needless to say, I was getting more impatient, disheartened, and discouraged with each new problem. My burden was becoming heavy indeed.
Then Connie, one of my daughters, called. After listening to my complaints for awhile she said, "OK. I'm going to pray for you." That helped me change my attitude, but it wasn't all the Lord had planned.
A couple of days later, eight of us attended Connie's birthday lunch. Because of our talk she bought everone who attendd a 'Joy Journal'. When I explained the circumstances I was going through several others began to share all the problems piling up at their homes. But none of them had connected their attitude to a lack of joy either.
However, later that afternoon I was listening to an interview with Ann Romney. The reporter asked how she kept a positive attitude in the face of breast cancer and MS. She said, "I learned a longtime ago to choose joy."
Sometimes I'm thick-headed but not that day. I clearly got the message and wondered why I even needed the reminder. I had learned many years ago that the Holy Spirit brought joy into my heart but I had to choose to keep walking in the attitude. Also, even though joy makes me so spiritually strong I can fight any spiritual battle it is so fragile that disappointment, discouragement, and impatience, let alone unbelief, are enough to drain my supply and leave me dry and feeling defeated.
Choosing joy again has totally changed my preception of my life. The problems haven't yet changed but I have. The burdens are no longer heavy and I have no doubt that what I need, God will supply. Maybe because we humans continually need the reminder of others is one of the reasons the writer of Hebrews wrote, "Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on..." (The Message, 10:25) Thank you, Connie, Lacey, and Jan!
Monday, June 11, 2012
Easy Mentoring
When my Bible study group was discussing activating blessing streams* our leader, Judy, said she was going to take her granddaughter, Mackenzie, with her. Mackenzie is in grade school and will be spending much of the summer with Judy because her parents both work. "I think she'll really like doing that," Judy said.
Thinking over our conversation reminded me of the year and a half before my youngest daughter, Carrie, started to school. At that time everything about my relationship and understanding of God seemed like new. Instead of reading the latest best seller or watching TV in my spare time I read my Bible, testimony books, or attended classes. I was fascinated by the nature and abilities of God, so I was willing to try any new activity I heard about to get closer to Him. After all, I reasoned, if it doesn't work or I look foolish who will know?
One morning, I was committing my day to God while I brushed my teeth (as was my normal routine) when a thought passed through my mind, "Go into the living room, bow down at the couch and pray out loud." That idea was so startling I sputtered and spewed toothpaste all over the sink! I had quit bowing to pray out loud since bedtime when I was 3 or 4. My average morning devotional consisted of a little reading and a little silent prayer accompanied by a cup of coffee and a cigarette before I dressed for work. However, the more I thought about it the more convinced I was that God must have made the outrageous suggestion...I never would have!
The older girls were already at school. Carrie and her baby-sitter were playing in her room. I seldom saw her until I was ready to leave the house. This is a good time to see what happens, I decided.
I got myself situated at the couch and addressed the Lord. Just the sound of my voice was so intimidating all thought flew from my mind! There I remained with my eyes screwed shut, my head bowed, and my hands folded trying to think of something to pray for anyone that I knew. But my overriding thought was, this is much harder and more embarrassing than I thought!
After mumbling "help her/him" after each name I could think of I called it quits, even though I knew this was going to require lots more practice. I rose from my knees and turned to find Carrie and her babysitter standing behind me. They were staring at me as though awe-struck with their mouths hanging open! Without a word, I lifted my chin, stiffened my spine and proceeded to my bedroom. However, the next morning as I knelt at the couch Carrie silently came to kneel beside me, bowed her head and folded her hands. It only seemed polite to ask her if there was someone or something she wanted to pray for before I stood up. That was how she became my prayer partner.
Driving around from one errand to another seemed like a good time to practice the choruses we were singing at church. They were new to me and difficult to remember. However, when a tune or lyric eluded me I was surprised that Carrie could often insert it. We drove around town singing at the top of our lungs. I don't know if it helped Carrie learn the songs, but by the next Sunday I could sing most of the selections instead of just humming along.
Then, one day I told Carrie about a testimony I'd heard where God directed a woman to a specific house to meet a specific need. "Do you want to practice and see what happens with us?" I asked. Immediately alert, she sat up straight and nodded emphatically. So, we did. Asking and listening, we twisted and turned along the streets of Lubbock until the Lord seemed to say, "Here." I parked while Carrie and I prayed for the people who lived in the house (sometimes houses.) We prayed everything we could think of until we were finally prayed out. Then, we ran our errands, visited friends or whatever else we needed to do.
There were many other 'spiritual games' we played that year. Mostly it just seemed like fun, but through the years there have been times I've thought, if I hadn't practiced that year I wouldn't be prepared to handle whatever was happening now.
As for Carrie, she was a normal kid growing up, but it did seem to be natural for her to hear God's voice. One night when she was 11 we had to take her to our home group meeting. We always got sitters for that meeting but since my older girls had plans we took Carrie along. During the meeting I could see Carrie sprawled on the floor of the next room coloring paper napkins to entertain herself. When we broke for refreshments she came to my side. I thought she wanted something to eat and drink but she said in a voice just above a whisper, "Mommy, God told me something for your group."
"He did?" I asked surprised.
She handed me a folded orange napkin as she nodded. Opening the napkin I found a message printed in her childish scrawl, "Oh, my children I shall love you all of your lives I shall never leave you. My children trust in me all of your needs shall be supplied." (punctuation Carrie's)
*See blessing streams in my blog Let the Church Be the Church posted on June 4, 2012
If you're looking for my book, Available Grace: True Short Stories of the Rewards of Intentional Living click on: http://sbpra.com/mariannecassell
Thinking over our conversation reminded me of the year and a half before my youngest daughter, Carrie, started to school. At that time everything about my relationship and understanding of God seemed like new. Instead of reading the latest best seller or watching TV in my spare time I read my Bible, testimony books, or attended classes. I was fascinated by the nature and abilities of God, so I was willing to try any new activity I heard about to get closer to Him. After all, I reasoned, if it doesn't work or I look foolish who will know?
One morning, I was committing my day to God while I brushed my teeth (as was my normal routine) when a thought passed through my mind, "Go into the living room, bow down at the couch and pray out loud." That idea was so startling I sputtered and spewed toothpaste all over the sink! I had quit bowing to pray out loud since bedtime when I was 3 or 4. My average morning devotional consisted of a little reading and a little silent prayer accompanied by a cup of coffee and a cigarette before I dressed for work. However, the more I thought about it the more convinced I was that God must have made the outrageous suggestion...I never would have!
The older girls were already at school. Carrie and her baby-sitter were playing in her room. I seldom saw her until I was ready to leave the house. This is a good time to see what happens, I decided.
I got myself situated at the couch and addressed the Lord. Just the sound of my voice was so intimidating all thought flew from my mind! There I remained with my eyes screwed shut, my head bowed, and my hands folded trying to think of something to pray for anyone that I knew. But my overriding thought was, this is much harder and more embarrassing than I thought!
After mumbling "help her/him" after each name I could think of I called it quits, even though I knew this was going to require lots more practice. I rose from my knees and turned to find Carrie and her babysitter standing behind me. They were staring at me as though awe-struck with their mouths hanging open! Without a word, I lifted my chin, stiffened my spine and proceeded to my bedroom. However, the next morning as I knelt at the couch Carrie silently came to kneel beside me, bowed her head and folded her hands. It only seemed polite to ask her if there was someone or something she wanted to pray for before I stood up. That was how she became my prayer partner.
Driving around from one errand to another seemed like a good time to practice the choruses we were singing at church. They were new to me and difficult to remember. However, when a tune or lyric eluded me I was surprised that Carrie could often insert it. We drove around town singing at the top of our lungs. I don't know if it helped Carrie learn the songs, but by the next Sunday I could sing most of the selections instead of just humming along.
Then, one day I told Carrie about a testimony I'd heard where God directed a woman to a specific house to meet a specific need. "Do you want to practice and see what happens with us?" I asked. Immediately alert, she sat up straight and nodded emphatically. So, we did. Asking and listening, we twisted and turned along the streets of Lubbock until the Lord seemed to say, "Here." I parked while Carrie and I prayed for the people who lived in the house (sometimes houses.) We prayed everything we could think of until we were finally prayed out. Then, we ran our errands, visited friends or whatever else we needed to do.
There were many other 'spiritual games' we played that year. Mostly it just seemed like fun, but through the years there have been times I've thought, if I hadn't practiced that year I wouldn't be prepared to handle whatever was happening now.
As for Carrie, she was a normal kid growing up, but it did seem to be natural for her to hear God's voice. One night when she was 11 we had to take her to our home group meeting. We always got sitters for that meeting but since my older girls had plans we took Carrie along. During the meeting I could see Carrie sprawled on the floor of the next room coloring paper napkins to entertain herself. When we broke for refreshments she came to my side. I thought she wanted something to eat and drink but she said in a voice just above a whisper, "Mommy, God told me something for your group."
"He did?" I asked surprised.
She handed me a folded orange napkin as she nodded. Opening the napkin I found a message printed in her childish scrawl, "Oh, my children I shall love you all of your lives I shall never leave you. My children trust in me all of your needs shall be supplied." (punctuation Carrie's)
*See blessing streams in my blog Let the Church Be the Church posted on June 4, 2012
If you're looking for my book, Available Grace: True Short Stories of the Rewards of Intentional Living click on: http://sbpra.com/mariannecassell
Monday, June 4, 2012
Let the Church Be the Church
Some of the major responsibilities of the church are to pass along the encouragement, comfort and strength found in living with Jesus. Today the church is taking a beating and many are saying the church needs to be more proactive. This weekend a scripture verse and a quote have been circling in my thoughts to the exclusion of everything else. I have finally decided that the Lord wants me to share them in order to dispel them.
The scripture is a comment in the verse II Samuel 11:1 "The following spring, the time of year when Kings go to war..." (NLT) The quote was repeated several times by our guest speaker, Charles Fiesel, in his sermon yesterday, "For the church to be the church, the church has to get out of the church."
For many years Christian pastors have been teaching that we fight the war against our enemy, the devil, by praising God. Also, many pastors across our land have become convinced that rather than expecting people to come to us we must go out to where they are if we are going to help them. My pastor is one of those.
Last night we had this year's first 'party in the park' for the park's surrounding residents. It was so much fun! We had food, drawings for lots of prizes, balloon animals, a wonderful variety show, and to top it off an opportunity to accept Jesus and start a new life for everyone who attended. What a blast!
However, as much fun as these parties are, waiting for the next planned event is not enough excitement for me. The day before I had had several errands to run and wanted to complete them early. I was congratulating myself when I realized I had made every stop and it wasn't yet nine o'clock. Then, I had a thought, "Go by McDonald's and start a blessing stream."
I hadn't ever thought in those exact terms but I knew what it meant. There was a McDonald's a few blocks up ahead so I pulled right into the Drive Thru and almost immediately a woman pulled in behind me. For the first time I felt that the simple random act of kindness I planned was more than an insignificant little incident. "Since God suggested the activity He must have brought the person He wanted to bless into line behind me." I reasoned. So, as I waited to reach the window to pay for her order as well as mine, I prayed for her.
As I prayed thoughts began to materialize. What if there were many 'blessing streams' active in town on the same day? What if several people made passes by a Drive Thru somewhere and the receivers decided to become givers to the next person in line? What if, while waiting, each one prayed that the stranger behind them would be blessed by God and his needs met? Would it make a difference in our city? Wouldn't it be fun to see?
If this experiment seems fun to you and you want to start a stream, let me know. I'll coordinate a day. Leave a comment on this blog or e-mail me at: mariannecassell@yahoo.com
If you're looking for my book, Available Grace: True Short Stories of the Rewards of Intentional Living click on: http://sbpra.com/mariannecassell
The scripture is a comment in the verse II Samuel 11:1 "The following spring, the time of year when Kings go to war..." (NLT) The quote was repeated several times by our guest speaker, Charles Fiesel, in his sermon yesterday, "For the church to be the church, the church has to get out of the church."
For many years Christian pastors have been teaching that we fight the war against our enemy, the devil, by praising God. Also, many pastors across our land have become convinced that rather than expecting people to come to us we must go out to where they are if we are going to help them. My pastor is one of those.
Last night we had this year's first 'party in the park' for the park's surrounding residents. It was so much fun! We had food, drawings for lots of prizes, balloon animals, a wonderful variety show, and to top it off an opportunity to accept Jesus and start a new life for everyone who attended. What a blast!
However, as much fun as these parties are, waiting for the next planned event is not enough excitement for me. The day before I had had several errands to run and wanted to complete them early. I was congratulating myself when I realized I had made every stop and it wasn't yet nine o'clock. Then, I had a thought, "Go by McDonald's and start a blessing stream."
I hadn't ever thought in those exact terms but I knew what it meant. There was a McDonald's a few blocks up ahead so I pulled right into the Drive Thru and almost immediately a woman pulled in behind me. For the first time I felt that the simple random act of kindness I planned was more than an insignificant little incident. "Since God suggested the activity He must have brought the person He wanted to bless into line behind me." I reasoned. So, as I waited to reach the window to pay for her order as well as mine, I prayed for her.
As I prayed thoughts began to materialize. What if there were many 'blessing streams' active in town on the same day? What if several people made passes by a Drive Thru somewhere and the receivers decided to become givers to the next person in line? What if, while waiting, each one prayed that the stranger behind them would be blessed by God and his needs met? Would it make a difference in our city? Wouldn't it be fun to see?
If this experiment seems fun to you and you want to start a stream, let me know. I'll coordinate a day. Leave a comment on this blog or e-mail me at: mariannecassell@yahoo.com
If you're looking for my book, Available Grace: True Short Stories of the Rewards of Intentional Living click on: http://sbpra.com/mariannecassell
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