I had an early morning radio interview scheduled this week, so naturally I waked-up to ask the Lord what I should share. That day, I thought I was especially fuzzy-headed. Maybe I always am but I don't notice. This time I knew my brain needed to engage and my attitude needed to quick-charge before I contacted the DJ. Somehow I needed to get in touch with the Lord. It just wouldn't do for the stories in my book to seem so distant and lifeless to me, but I know I can't breathe life into the remembrances. The Holy Spirit is the One who does that.
I had awakened with plenty of time to prepare before calling the station. However, time was passing and my every thought seemed blah and emotionless.
I remembered years ago hearing a speaker talk about how God's miraculous grace had saved his life and started him on a new path. I was so irritated when the meeting was over I raved to my friend, "If God really saved His life why doesn't he act like it? I've never been so bored by the miraculous power of God in my life!" I didn't want someone to say the same thing about me.
So, I did what I could. I prayed, I sang worship songs, I read a Bible passage and yet nothing seemed to break through the fog in my mind. After an hour or so, I asked the Lord to show me what to do. How do I connect with You if You don't reveal Yourself to me, I wondered?
Immediately, a passage of scripture came into my mind. In the first chapter of Second Peter, the Apostle was assuring his readers that Jesus had given them everything they needed for life and godliness. Then he encouraged them to strive to develop godly virtues. Finally, he warned in verse nine that anyone who doesn't "is blind and cannot see afar off and has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins."
As soon as I began to think about who I was and what my life had been like on the day I encountered Jesus I began to connect with Him again. Suddenly, memories of specific moments that have happened over the years began to flow through my mind and heart. Quickly, I felt the hope began to rise that I would experience God's mercies and grace one more new day as He had promised. Finally, I was caught up again in the excitement of the adventure a daily walk with Jesus has always been. After all, who can remain unemotional in the face of that reality?
My book is: Available Grace: True Short Stories of the Rewards of Intentional Living
To find it, click on: http://sbpra.com/mariannecassell
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Spring, Season of New Life
Last week at our Bible study, my friends and I got into a discussion on the suffering Jesus asks of us and the admonition of the Apostle Paul to seek to know Him in the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings. (Phil.3:10)
I've always thought Paul was talking about the suffering we experience in our quest to share the good news of a life committed to God with those who don't know Him. I believe it's the suffering I encounter when my labor is motivated by love for those Jesus loves not the suffering that results from mistakes, error or trials.
My daughter, Chrissy, is a missionary to Mongolia and she is a teacher in the Bible School that she and her husband founded there. One of the classes she teaches is Evangelism. She sent an e-mail message this week describing the end of class projects she participated in this year. Because a portion of the students had decided to have a special children's service they, along with Chrissy, struck out into the community to invite all who would attend. Here is the account in Chrissy's own words.
Half of our students did a children's service outreach. The whole project was a battle. I struggled physically the whole time. Somehow on our first visit, we were in a ger (one room house, tent) and as I sat on the bed, I was attacked by bugs and got bites all over my one hip. There were struggles the whole time. The last day I had a woman that tried to pick a fight with me out in the ger district as we were inviting the kids to come to the service. Then , I had a drunk man chasing me around. (The good thing is that I can still outrun drunk men, ha ha)
However, the children's service went incredibly well. There were 80 children that came. I estimated that 50 of them stood indicating that they had never been to church before. Many of those children prayed to receive Christ. The children's church leaders at the church were so encouraged and excited to disciple these new believers.
As Paul seemed to say, we never know what we will encounter when we step outside our church walls, but there is no suffering that can outweigh the great joy of being apart of someones new birth in Christ.
As in nature, new life in the church seems to spring forth abundantly in the Spring. Every mother will attest when she holds her baby for the first time after suffering through labor, "It was all worth it!" Don't let any hindrance keep you from experiencing this joy for yourself!
I've always thought Paul was talking about the suffering we experience in our quest to share the good news of a life committed to God with those who don't know Him. I believe it's the suffering I encounter when my labor is motivated by love for those Jesus loves not the suffering that results from mistakes, error or trials.
My daughter, Chrissy, is a missionary to Mongolia and she is a teacher in the Bible School that she and her husband founded there. One of the classes she teaches is Evangelism. She sent an e-mail message this week describing the end of class projects she participated in this year. Because a portion of the students had decided to have a special children's service they, along with Chrissy, struck out into the community to invite all who would attend. Here is the account in Chrissy's own words.
Half of our students did a children's service outreach. The whole project was a battle. I struggled physically the whole time. Somehow on our first visit, we were in a ger (one room house, tent) and as I sat on the bed, I was attacked by bugs and got bites all over my one hip. There were struggles the whole time. The last day I had a woman that tried to pick a fight with me out in the ger district as we were inviting the kids to come to the service. Then , I had a drunk man chasing me around. (The good thing is that I can still outrun drunk men, ha ha)
However, the children's service went incredibly well. There were 80 children that came. I estimated that 50 of them stood indicating that they had never been to church before. Many of those children prayed to receive Christ. The children's church leaders at the church were so encouraged and excited to disciple these new believers.
As Paul seemed to say, we never know what we will encounter when we step outside our church walls, but there is no suffering that can outweigh the great joy of being apart of someones new birth in Christ.
As in nature, new life in the church seems to spring forth abundantly in the Spring. Every mother will attest when she holds her baby for the first time after suffering through labor, "It was all worth it!" Don't let any hindrance keep you from experiencing this joy for yourself!
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
He Hears Our Calls
Sometimes something happens that brings a scripture verse to my mind with such stunning clarity it rolls around my head like a marble. That is what happened to me last week when I listened to a young woman's testimony of God's deliverance.
Her story was one of spousal abuse so intense and evil it rivaled any fictitious tale of horror and suspense out today. This young mother knows how to tell a story! She had me on the edge of my seat as she detailed the harrowing events of a two and a half year period in her early twenties.
As her tormentor's cruelty continued to escalate I thought, there hasn't been a newspaper account or Lifetime movie to top this. And I couldn't help wondering, how did you escape?
My friend's terror continued to grow until she entered a phase where she was compliant and depressed. Having been thwarted by her husband at every turn, she was finally convinced there was no hope and he would do exactly what he threatened...kill her. Facing imminent death one snowy night, however, she connected with God as a person, not a concept. "If anything I've ever heard about You is true, show me!" she begged.
His answer came swiftly a few minutes later! That was when the verse flew into my mind with a resounding, "Tuh-dum!"
"It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear." Isaiah 65:24 (NKJV)
I suddenly had a vision of God sitting on the edge of His seat intently watching her every move. His love for her so great that He didn't want to miss the moment she might turn to Him. His gift of deliverance had been prepared long before. He was just waiting for her call.
In that moment, I was amazed all over again by the love Jesus has for us. It's so much greater than we can imagine or understand. Often we are so caught up in our trouble we don't think about why God is waiting. All the while He's waiting for that moment of connection when we call and He can act.
(I'm in the process of writing an account of my friend's testimony of God's miraculous grace. I'll post it on my story group when it's finished. Be sure to look for it. If you're not a member of the group send me your e-mail address and I'll add you to the group or you can join by clicking on: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thegracedgoup/ and follow the prompts under Invite.)
If you're looking for a copy of my book, Available Grace: True Short Stories of the Rewards of Intentional Living click on my website: http://sbpra.com/mariannecassell or http://www.amazon.com
Her story was one of spousal abuse so intense and evil it rivaled any fictitious tale of horror and suspense out today. This young mother knows how to tell a story! She had me on the edge of my seat as she detailed the harrowing events of a two and a half year period in her early twenties.
As her tormentor's cruelty continued to escalate I thought, there hasn't been a newspaper account or Lifetime movie to top this. And I couldn't help wondering, how did you escape?
My friend's terror continued to grow until she entered a phase where she was compliant and depressed. Having been thwarted by her husband at every turn, she was finally convinced there was no hope and he would do exactly what he threatened...kill her. Facing imminent death one snowy night, however, she connected with God as a person, not a concept. "If anything I've ever heard about You is true, show me!" she begged.
His answer came swiftly a few minutes later! That was when the verse flew into my mind with a resounding, "Tuh-dum!"
"It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear." Isaiah 65:24 (NKJV)
I suddenly had a vision of God sitting on the edge of His seat intently watching her every move. His love for her so great that He didn't want to miss the moment she might turn to Him. His gift of deliverance had been prepared long before. He was just waiting for her call.
In that moment, I was amazed all over again by the love Jesus has for us. It's so much greater than we can imagine or understand. Often we are so caught up in our trouble we don't think about why God is waiting. All the while He's waiting for that moment of connection when we call and He can act.
(I'm in the process of writing an account of my friend's testimony of God's miraculous grace. I'll post it on my story group when it's finished. Be sure to look for it. If you're not a member of the group send me your e-mail address and I'll add you to the group or you can join by clicking on: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thegracedgoup/ and follow the prompts under Invite.)
If you're looking for a copy of my book, Available Grace: True Short Stories of the Rewards of Intentional Living click on my website: http://sbpra.com/mariannecassell or http://www.amazon.com
Monday, May 7, 2012
It's All About Him
In 1966 as a twenty-something young woman I entered into a walk with God. As often happens, I'm more grateful everyday that He sent a mentor, Barbara, to come along side me to share her experience, strength, and hope. She taught me to hear Jesus' voice and recognize the path I was seeking. One of the first principles I learned was to daily entrust my life and my will to Gods care as I understood Him to be my guide and Lord.
Many years later I was nearing sixty when I attended a week long conference at my church. There was only one speaker and he only had one message, "Walking with Jesus is not about me, it's all about Him."
As I left the church after the second evening I was bored! How could I sit through a full week of such old information, I wondered? There wasn't anything the man said that I hadn 't heard a million times! Silently, I began to complain to the Lord, "Isn't there anyone who knows You better than I do anymore? Is there any minister who can inspire me rather than plow up old ground?" I was on a roll, waxing more eloquent with each complaint when the Lord spoke to me.
"If you know this so well, why aren't you teaching it?" He asked.
That shut me up! As I pondered the question searching for an answer I realized I had been deceived. Because I had heard the principle, could even quote it, I thought I was living it. But the truth was I had many internal conflicts that were caused by my own ambitions and desires. Many of my thoughts and prayers reflected my discontent and I had not seen it until now.
I repented for my rotten attitude before I reached home and asked God to shine His light on my heart. However, even though I listened with a new hope for the rest of the week I knew I had not had a breakthrough. I was merely more convinced every evening that there was a missing element in my relationship with Jesus and I needed to find it. I bought all of the speaker's tapes when the conference was over.
In the next weeks I completed the move to the Dallas area I had been planning. My job turned out to be about thirty miles by highway from my house. For three months I played those tapes over and over. As soon as one ended, I replaced it with the next. Going and coming from my work I listened and prayed that God was changing my heart so that I could change my mind.
Finally, one day I knew I had it. A friend was dealing me grief, but instead of thinking about myself my prayers were all about how to help her. As Time passed I realized my ambitions and desires for myself were fading while my concerns for those around me were growing.
On one of the tapes the teacher had said, "If we experience the glorious joy of God touching someones life through us then we will become hooked." I agree. Like the old Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson movie, it makes for a "magnificent obsession."
Many years later I was nearing sixty when I attended a week long conference at my church. There was only one speaker and he only had one message, "Walking with Jesus is not about me, it's all about Him."
As I left the church after the second evening I was bored! How could I sit through a full week of such old information, I wondered? There wasn't anything the man said that I hadn 't heard a million times! Silently, I began to complain to the Lord, "Isn't there anyone who knows You better than I do anymore? Is there any minister who can inspire me rather than plow up old ground?" I was on a roll, waxing more eloquent with each complaint when the Lord spoke to me.
"If you know this so well, why aren't you teaching it?" He asked.
That shut me up! As I pondered the question searching for an answer I realized I had been deceived. Because I had heard the principle, could even quote it, I thought I was living it. But the truth was I had many internal conflicts that were caused by my own ambitions and desires. Many of my thoughts and prayers reflected my discontent and I had not seen it until now.
I repented for my rotten attitude before I reached home and asked God to shine His light on my heart. However, even though I listened with a new hope for the rest of the week I knew I had not had a breakthrough. I was merely more convinced every evening that there was a missing element in my relationship with Jesus and I needed to find it. I bought all of the speaker's tapes when the conference was over.
In the next weeks I completed the move to the Dallas area I had been planning. My job turned out to be about thirty miles by highway from my house. For three months I played those tapes over and over. As soon as one ended, I replaced it with the next. Going and coming from my work I listened and prayed that God was changing my heart so that I could change my mind.
Finally, one day I knew I had it. A friend was dealing me grief, but instead of thinking about myself my prayers were all about how to help her. As Time passed I realized my ambitions and desires for myself were fading while my concerns for those around me were growing.
On one of the tapes the teacher had said, "If we experience the glorious joy of God touching someones life through us then we will become hooked." I agree. Like the old Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson movie, it makes for a "magnificent obsession."
Monday, April 30, 2012
Godly Giving
Yesterday I saw an inspirational Hallmark movie, Beyond the Blackboard. It was about the lengths a young teacher went to for her deprived students. After she had made great sacrifices for one student the girl's parent selfishly took her out of school and into a homeless situation. When the teacher protested to her principal and threatened to quit he said, "You just keep giving. No matter what they do with it, you just keep giving."
That made me remember the first time I learned that principle. I was feeling like God had set His seal of approval on me just because He chose me to be a part of His grace to someone. It never occurred to me that He wanted to teach me to give like He does.
In 1973 my husband opened his own cotton office and soon began to make more money than we needed every month. Until then, we had been the ones receiving God's provision, but now He called us to be givers. One of the first things that happened was that we moved out of a nice-sized house where there was no place for the kids' friends to visit and found a new house that gave us the room we needed for our teenagers. As we were moving my husband told me he had rented our old house rather than sold it. A young couple from our church who had three very young children needed a home. "They can't afford all of the monthly payment we had so I'm making up the difference between what they can pay and our mortgage," he added.
A few months later, during my morning prayer time the Lord told me to give the couple a certain amount of money for their living room furniture. I was excited to take the gift but as I considered it I thought, "I need to take Jeri the name and number of the man who just re-upholstered my furniture. For this amount of money, he could make her couch and two chairs look like new!"
When I delivered the check, I explained in detail how she could have a new living room. Jeri seemed very grateful and receptive and I was elated as I left. I could see a lovely, finished room in my mind! A few weeks later, she invited me to come see.
It was all I could do not to blurt my disapproval! Jeri had trashed all of her living room furniture. A lone sectional sofa and TV now sat in the space. It was not only cold and stark but ugly, I thought. I really tried not to show what I was thinking while Jeri thanked me for the gift that enabled her to get what she wanted for her home.
Like the teacher, I felt betrayed, disrespected and abused. "Look what she did! Now her living room looks worse than before," I wailed once I was in the car. The Lord began to explain how godly giving was giving without strings...any strings. As Jesus' death and blood was given for us without strings or pressure of any kind, so are all gifts of grace. In the end, I saw God had only asked me to give a certain amount of money for Jeri's living room everything else had been my idea.
Each time God calls I make a choice to give again with no strings, no pressure. How a gift is used is not my business and since I'm only participating in Jesus' grace to someone there's no gratitude due me. But I've got to say, the blessing that floods over me is always so fulfilling I can't help but wonder who got the best of it, the one I gave to or me?
(I made up the name, Jeri.)
That made me remember the first time I learned that principle. I was feeling like God had set His seal of approval on me just because He chose me to be a part of His grace to someone. It never occurred to me that He wanted to teach me to give like He does.
In 1973 my husband opened his own cotton office and soon began to make more money than we needed every month. Until then, we had been the ones receiving God's provision, but now He called us to be givers. One of the first things that happened was that we moved out of a nice-sized house where there was no place for the kids' friends to visit and found a new house that gave us the room we needed for our teenagers. As we were moving my husband told me he had rented our old house rather than sold it. A young couple from our church who had three very young children needed a home. "They can't afford all of the monthly payment we had so I'm making up the difference between what they can pay and our mortgage," he added.
A few months later, during my morning prayer time the Lord told me to give the couple a certain amount of money for their living room furniture. I was excited to take the gift but as I considered it I thought, "I need to take Jeri the name and number of the man who just re-upholstered my furniture. For this amount of money, he could make her couch and two chairs look like new!"
When I delivered the check, I explained in detail how she could have a new living room. Jeri seemed very grateful and receptive and I was elated as I left. I could see a lovely, finished room in my mind! A few weeks later, she invited me to come see.
It was all I could do not to blurt my disapproval! Jeri had trashed all of her living room furniture. A lone sectional sofa and TV now sat in the space. It was not only cold and stark but ugly, I thought. I really tried not to show what I was thinking while Jeri thanked me for the gift that enabled her to get what she wanted for her home.
Like the teacher, I felt betrayed, disrespected and abused. "Look what she did! Now her living room looks worse than before," I wailed once I was in the car. The Lord began to explain how godly giving was giving without strings...any strings. As Jesus' death and blood was given for us without strings or pressure of any kind, so are all gifts of grace. In the end, I saw God had only asked me to give a certain amount of money for Jeri's living room everything else had been my idea.
Each time God calls I make a choice to give again with no strings, no pressure. How a gift is used is not my business and since I'm only participating in Jesus' grace to someone there's no gratitude due me. But I've got to say, the blessing that floods over me is always so fulfilling I can't help but wonder who got the best of it, the one I gave to or me?
(I made up the name, Jeri.)
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Build Up Your World
Last Sunday, my pastor, Ed, was preaching about our responsibility as Christians to build up our world. He didn't specify exactly how we were to do that, but encouraged us to ask God for directions. At that point my thoughts leaped to something I had encountered at my book signing the day before.
The table displaying my book had been set up directly in front of the entrance. It was impossible to miss and made me feel a little like a fish in a bowl sitting behind it. For the first hour my friends and family crowded around me, but for the second hour I was left alone. That's when I noticed that the strangers entering the store fell into one of three categories that reminded me of a living parable.
The first and largest group was made up of ones who studiously ignored me. I wasn't offended because I identified with them. Before I met Jesus I had put on my blinders when I went out in public. In my mind I gave myself several excuses. I was in a hurry or I wasn't interested in... but most important to me was the feeling that if I acknowledged an unexpected presence I would be vulnerable to the stranger's desires or needs. Then how could I escape? Yes, I assured myself it was better to pretend to be blind in public and mind my own business.
The second group was smaller but they were the ones who had captured my attention in the first place. I didn't want to miss that moment of eye-contact and the smile or nod as each passed the table without breaking stride. I also identified with those folks. Many years ago, I had felt I was spreading God's cheer and goodwill when I had decided to smile and nod at fellow-shoppers in the grocery store instead of focusing intently on my purchases or when I actually looked at the checker and let her know I recognized she was a person. You get the idea. Through the years this second of eye-contact in public has made me feel we are all connected; a part of the human race even though we're strangers. Surprisingly, this practice has made me feel strong and secure rather than vulnerable.
But on Saturday, I experienced one more category that I really didn't identify with. That memory is the one that returned while Ed was preaching. About half-way through the last hour a lady came into the store. She obviously wasn't browsing but had a specific reason for coming. After she finished her business she retraced her steps to arrive at my table. Smiling she said, "I just came over to say 'hi'."
"I'm glad you did!" I said smiling back.
She picked up a book and glanced at the back cover as she made another comment or two. I don't remember the gist of our conversation because it wasn't important. The truth I was suddenly aware of was important.
She has come over for me, I thought. She doesn't want a book and is not impressed that I wrote one. She saw me sitting alone and has come to encourage me!
About that time she replaced the book as she said, "I hope you have a really successful book signing and sell lots of books."
I thanked her as she walked away. Then I marveled at how only a minute of two of the woman's kindness had lifted my spirits and renewed my hope. It wouldn't take much, I thought as Ed preached, to build up my world one person at a time.
The table displaying my book had been set up directly in front of the entrance. It was impossible to miss and made me feel a little like a fish in a bowl sitting behind it. For the first hour my friends and family crowded around me, but for the second hour I was left alone. That's when I noticed that the strangers entering the store fell into one of three categories that reminded me of a living parable.
The first and largest group was made up of ones who studiously ignored me. I wasn't offended because I identified with them. Before I met Jesus I had put on my blinders when I went out in public. In my mind I gave myself several excuses. I was in a hurry or I wasn't interested in... but most important to me was the feeling that if I acknowledged an unexpected presence I would be vulnerable to the stranger's desires or needs. Then how could I escape? Yes, I assured myself it was better to pretend to be blind in public and mind my own business.
The second group was smaller but they were the ones who had captured my attention in the first place. I didn't want to miss that moment of eye-contact and the smile or nod as each passed the table without breaking stride. I also identified with those folks. Many years ago, I had felt I was spreading God's cheer and goodwill when I had decided to smile and nod at fellow-shoppers in the grocery store instead of focusing intently on my purchases or when I actually looked at the checker and let her know I recognized she was a person. You get the idea. Through the years this second of eye-contact in public has made me feel we are all connected; a part of the human race even though we're strangers. Surprisingly, this practice has made me feel strong and secure rather than vulnerable.
But on Saturday, I experienced one more category that I really didn't identify with. That memory is the one that returned while Ed was preaching. About half-way through the last hour a lady came into the store. She obviously wasn't browsing but had a specific reason for coming. After she finished her business she retraced her steps to arrive at my table. Smiling she said, "I just came over to say 'hi'."
"I'm glad you did!" I said smiling back.
She picked up a book and glanced at the back cover as she made another comment or two. I don't remember the gist of our conversation because it wasn't important. The truth I was suddenly aware of was important.
She has come over for me, I thought. She doesn't want a book and is not impressed that I wrote one. She saw me sitting alone and has come to encourage me!
About that time she replaced the book as she said, "I hope you have a really successful book signing and sell lots of books."
I thanked her as she walked away. Then I marveled at how only a minute of two of the woman's kindness had lifted my spirits and renewed my hope. It wouldn't take much, I thought as Ed preached, to build up my world one person at a time.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
When I'm Happy
I sat down in the sactuary as usual about thirty minutes before church started. I like to be early since it gives me time to turn my thoughts to God and quietly prepare for the service. All of a sudden I heard my daughter, Carrie's voice from somewhere behind me. I couldn't tell what she was saying and didn't turn around to see who she was talking to. Suddenly, however, I heard her laugh then her voice dropped as she continued to speak before she laughed again. "She's happy today," I thought as I smiled. As she laughed again I wanted to enter in and laugh with her.
Then the Lord spoke to me, "I joy over you when you're happy," The thought passed through my mind with a reference Zeph. 3:17.
Then, He continued, "Don't waste your days in complaints and worries. I came to help every trouble you'll ever face." Another reference, Psalm 46:1, sprang into my mind to confirm the truth He had just spoken.
Then He continued again, "Remember how your attention was instantly focused on Carrie when you heard her voice just now and how you wanted to join in her happiness? And yet, there are many times you cannot meet the needs she has? How much more do I joy over you when you are happy and carefree in your faith knowing that I can always make a difference in your life!"
Then the Lord spoke to me, "I joy over you when you're happy," The thought passed through my mind with a reference Zeph. 3:17.
Then, He continued, "Don't waste your days in complaints and worries. I came to help every trouble you'll ever face." Another reference, Psalm 46:1, sprang into my mind to confirm the truth He had just spoken.
Then He continued again, "Remember how your attention was instantly focused on Carrie when you heard her voice just now and how you wanted to join in her happiness? And yet, there are many times you cannot meet the needs she has? How much more do I joy over you when you are happy and carefree in your faith knowing that I can always make a difference in your life!"
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