Help is on the way!!! God is soo good!!!

Something Amazing happened this morning!!!! 

Friday, July 29, 2011

And the Winner of the Doorposts Charts is...

Oh how I wish I could share these wonderful charts with each and every one of you! Thank you all for your help in making this giveaway a success. The comments you left here on my blog were a real blessing to me.

I was amazed to see the number of emails that were coming in yesterday (though the children were singing at the county fair, my trusty Android phone kept showing "new email"). Last night I clicked on Doorposts' Facebook page and realized they had posted this giveaway. Thanks Pam and Daniel and the whole Forster family for not only sponsoring this giveaway (and promoting it), but for dedicating yourselves to producing these fantastic products to teach us parents how to apply Scripture in order to discipline, disciple, and character train our children. You have benefited my family in so many ways and I am eternally grateful to you!

Now for the winner...
RANDOM.ORG chose  # 51 Cassandra said...

I am so glad I stumbled upon your blog. My husband and I have recently returned to Christ and have realized we have been raising MONSTERS! I am encouraged that maybe it's not too late to turn things around. There are so many things on Doorposts I would love especially the book on dating and courting (My oldest is eleven and already feeling pressure to date!) Thank you so much for sharing this.
Cassandra

I have to tell you this; as I clicked "choose winner" I began praying that the Lord would hand-pick the winner; someone who would REALLY benefit from these charts. Congratulations Cassandra; I KNOW you will be blessed! I'll be contacting you for your mailing information.

God heard the lamenting of my heart and He answered!!! I know my family will be so blessed by these tools. I am so excited and reassured. It is truly amazing to me that when I ask God to show me how to become more like Him that He is faithful to send me the tools that He has chosen for us.

I have been realizing that in order to be more like God you first need to know Him. I mean really know Him. So how do you get to know God??? It seems like an impossibility. Then one night it hit me like a ton of BRICKS.

 

Let me give you a little background on me. I'm a reader. I LOVE to read as a child I would escape in my books. I have traveled around the world probably three times in books that I have read. I can devour a novel in two days. One if I hyper focus lol. But SHAMEFULLY I have never read the entire Bible from cover to cover. I have read certain books of the Bible and verses here and there but never have I sat down to curl up with a book and that book be Gods word.

God has used that conviction to inspire me to correct it. He has also lead me to start in the New Testament so that I may know him more clearly. Who better to teach us who God is than his only Son!

I own a Nook and I do most of my reading on it because it is light and easy to take along with me. So my search was on for a free KJV of the Bible compatible with my Nook. It took me about 10 minutes to find it and install it.

For the last 2 days I have been using my free time to delve into the Word of God. What a Blessing!!! Thank you Lord for all of your blessings and for your gentle teaching ways.

 

Forever Praising the Almighty God,

Cassandra

Ruined?

One of my greatest fears as a Mother is that I will ruin my children. Already I see signs that I haven't been doing something right. Lately I feel like the Spirit has been bringing the worldliness (is that a word?) of my family into focus and I don't like what I see. Then the scary thoughts start that cause me great anxiety, is it to late, are we ruined forever, are we destined to feel disconnected from our savior by our own selfishness?  *Deep Breath* I feel the tears creeping up on me. The more I focus on God the more I feel pulled in two separate directions. Why is this? Am I being to "Religious"? Am I taking it to far? Is this not what I was created for? Do I need to be careful about the number of times I mention God's name to my children? How can this be? The Bible directs us to constantly keep our eyes on Jesus.

This tearing away of my old self is painful and bewildering. So much of what I have known about myself is not so and yet so much of myself has been brought back to life in Him. For His glory. The only one I can change is myself and by constant learning and constant prayer the hearts of others will change also.

All I know to be absolutely true is this, I was created by Him for Him and to Him I will forever be grateful.

Blessings Always,
Cass

My Testimony part three: The slow return

At 20 years old I married the man of my dreams. I had visions of late night Bible studies and deep meaningful prayer with this strong man of God that I would forever be bound to. I really expected that he would shape me into this Godly Woman that I so desired to be. I truly believed that once we were married he would magically change into some sort of super Christian. Turns out I was wrong and I soon found out that my husband had many of the same struggles I did.

The first ten years of our marriage wasn't entirely bad but we weren't nice to each other and we weren't good stewards and we really had no idea what we were doing. (LOL) I let some weeds grow in my heart, I didn't protect it as I should. What a mess!

So here I am still so very blessed. The strange thing is that even when I was pulling away from God I continued to receive his blessings not only on myself but also on my marriage. He has always provided for us and our family and has been so patient just waiting for this day.

Now I return. I have received so much grace that I do not deserve. Even at my worst most selfish, lying and ugly God loved me and waited. He waited for me to run back to Him weeping and broken and ready to be what He had always known I would be. Truly a prodigal daughter.

Blessings Always
Cassandra

My Testimony part two: The drift away

When I was 12 my parents divorced. My Mom will tell you that it was what all of us kids wanted and that's true. I think we really wanted the fighting to stop. I was also a greedy and selfish creep and I wanted two Christmases. Most of my friends had parents who had divorced and they made it sound so great. I truly had no idea the ramifications of my request.

I think this was the point when I really started slipping away. We moved twice that year. Once into an apartment with my Mom and my Sister, then into a mobile home with my Moms new husband his son and daughter. It felt like the longest year of my life. I slowly made friends and started Jr.High. We really didn't discuss church or faith and yet I still had this little seed in my heart struggling to grow. I became a follower just trying to fit in. Somehow I never felt like I did.

Then I started High School and I went about doing enough just to get by. Most of my friends didn't go to Church and it never occurred to me to seek one on my own. I met my Husband when I was 15. He was home schooled and went to church every Sunday. To me his family dynamic seemed very strange. I had many discussions with his parents about God and the Bible and I even went to church with them a few times. He was and still is my best friend.

Once we graduated High School his family decided to move about 45 minutes away. On my eighteenth birthday he proposed and I accepted. I was terrified I would loose him. We tried for awhile to maintain a long distance relationship. I admit it wasn't that far but again I was eighteen, ten minutes was like a lifetime. We were trying hard to figure life out.

 I had a bit of a falling out with my Mom and in anger I moved out. Looking back I recognize the manipulation aspect I hurt her just so I could have my way, it's not easy to see myself like that but it's the truth and I won't hide it. I think as teenagers and young adults our selfishness reaches cataclysmic proportions and we end up hurting those we love the most. I moved in with my husband and his parents.

During this time we were required to attend church. We did and I learned a lot, for the first time I began to recognize the Holy Spirit and the changes that were trying to take place in my heart. I grew ever so slightly and yet I still had no idea how to be a Godly Woman.

Logan and I had a few sessions of pre-marital counseling and finally we were married. Now that we had our own place we thought we were ready for anything.lol

Part three coming up.

Blessings Always 
Cassandra

My Testimony part one- The early years.

After much prayerful consideration I have realized I need to stop procrastinating and just spill it already. Eventually I want this on it's own tab at the top of my blog but I don't know how to do that yet. So here goes.

I was raised in Southern California and I think we started attending Green Hills Baptist Church when I was 3 years old. Just to be clear not all of my memories will be 100% accurate but I am writing it how I remember it. My Dad was raised Baptist and my Mom was raised Lutheran they are both amazing people. We went to church as a family pretty sporadically. As soon as I was old enough I started to ride the bus to church. I tried my hardest not to miss a single Sunday and the only time I did is when my family had plans out of town. I also attended choir practice on Wednesday evening and often begged my Dad for a ride until he gave in even when he was utterly exhausted.

I loved going to Church. I didn't always fit in with the other Church kids and I had very few Church friends but I got to meet with God there so I loved it. I would sing at the top of my lungs,include all hand motions or marching with great zeal, and I would worship with my entire soul. By the time I was 10 years old I had heard the Gospel message thousands of times. I had heard the invitation to accept God into my heart just as many times. I never not once raised my hand. I was painfully shy and I was terrified. One Sunday I was enjoying "children's church" when he invitation was given and  I felt my heart swell up like it was about to explode. I slowly inched my hand up, I was terrified. I was taken aside by Mr.& Mrs. Aguirre who I highly respected and admired. What a relief I felt after praying for Jesus to enter my heart. I can remember this like it was yesterday.

Shortly after I accepted Christ I was baptized. Again I remember it like it was yesterday. When I rose out of the water I felt so incredibly clean and shiny. I have no other words to explain it. I couldn't stop smiling and I felt like I was literally glowing from the inside out.

I continued to attend Church until my family and I moved and I'm not sure why but we never searched for another Church.

Tomorrow I will post Part 2: the drift away.

Blessings Always
Cassandra.

Rested and ready.

Sorry I haven't written in awhile. My kiddos spent a week in Arizona with Grandpa so I spent some time resting and reflecting. I feel so recharged now even though I missed them terribly.

School started today and all three of them are in school now. It is kind of bitter sweet when you no longer have a baby with you all day.

I am working on writing my testimony. God has laid it on my heart to write it and share it here. This will actually be my first time sharing my entire testimony so this should be good. Stay tuned I may be able to post part one later today.

Blessings Always
Cassandra

Overcomming fear

Today I only have a picture to share. I have been a busy Mom this morning teaching my 8 year old son how to ride a bike without training wheels. :)

Prayers Answered

Lately my Husband and I have been a bit worried about money. This is nothing new to most people it is the #1 thing we all tend to latch onto and worry about. About a week ago I decided that I really needed to exercise my faith muscle in this area. After all God is our provider and we need to trust that it will come in his time. Easier said than done no doubt.

So here is a little background, my Husband works purely on commission. If he has no customers we have no money. The economy has affected everything and so I was a bit worried when we decided to make this leap of faith and move back to California. It has no been easy but really it hasn't been incredibly hard either. We have been blessed beyond measure with the support of our extended family.

So fast forward to yesterday. My husband has received news that will potentially triple his sales! Amazing! Even though the way this came about was very unexpected and definitely has it's own consequences we are again completely blessed. It has really taught me that sometimes the answers to our prayers come about in ways we could never fathom.

There are quite a few scriptures I could post to further illustrate my point but I have a dirty kitchen calling my name :) I know I just started blogging and my following is very small but I so much appreciate your support and continued prayers for our family.

Blessings Always,
Cass

The reactions of an imperfect Mommy and the Grace of her Savior.

Hello again! After a long restful weekend I have some catching up to do.

Thursday afternoon I struggled to hold my temper. My children are testing my limits and I failed to step up to the task of leading them with a quiet spirit. I am guilty of loosing control of my words and lashing out at them. That is very hard to swallow because I long to be the Mom who has all of the answers and can discipline her children with love and kindness. A friend of mine posted on her Facebook that " it is our spontaneous, unconscious, unscheduled reactions that reveal who and what we really are." There it was staring me in the face the reality of my Sin. There is no excuse all I can do is lay it all out before the Lord and pray for his Grace.

 Lamentations 3:22-23 says, "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
 ²³They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."

Amazing Grace indeed. Everyday is new and I am given a new heart to serve my Lord. How completely and utterly amazing is that? I have no words to express the humbling and joyful feeling that fills my heart to level of bursting when I read those words.

My story does not end there. After such a rough day I quieted my spirit and decided I would sit with my children at dinner and discuss their behavior. My dear Husband was working late so I was able to focus on each one of my children. I started with Jacob the oldest. We somehow ended up talking about his salvation and about the fact that he was saved. This lead to me giving my children my testimony (albeit a shorter kid friendly version) for the first time. This lead Jordan to ask questions and to express his desire to accept Jesus as his personal savior! I was SHOCKED! how can this be? How can the Holy Spirit reach this child when his Mother is such a blatant sinner?

Thursday night in the quiet of his bedroom my son accepted Jesus into his heart with tears of joy. Oh be still my heart the light that shone from my boys eyes I have no words for. The complete understanding of his sin and the acceptance of the savior moved him so that I had no doubt in my mind that the spirit was behind it all.

As God continues to mold and shape my heart I must remember that He is also working on the hearts that are closest to mine. It is not me that lead my son to Christ but the spirit to which I am merely a servant.

This morning during my quiet time God continued his work teaching me how to come to him. Psalms 51 is where I was lead and it has taught me how to daily confess. Something I have never been faithful in doing.

Psalm 51

King James Version (KJV)

Psalm 51

 ¹Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
 ²Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
 ³For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
 ⁴Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
 ⁵Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
 ⁶Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
 ⁷Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
 ⁸Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
 ⁹Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
 ¹⁰Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
 ¹¹Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
 ¹²Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
 ¹³Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
 ¹⁴Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
 ¹⁵O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
 ¹⁶For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
 ¹⁷The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
 ¹⁸Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
 ¹⁹Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

May you have a blessings filled day.

Always
Cass