I know I haven't posted in awhile but I have been under the weather first with a cold and then with some intestinal issues. Some of my issues aren't resolved yet but I'm getting better.
Lately I haven't been managing my home as well as I should. Housework has gone undone and I am behind on just about everything. I would like to blame this on my illness but really that's just an excuse to be lazy and I need to nip it in the bud.
I recently received my first issue of the magazine Above Rubies and I must say I am move inspired and convicted all at once. What a blessing, I highly recommend it. Check it out at www.aboverubies.org .
Along with neglecting my housework I have been neglecting my Bible and prayer time. The Spirit has lead me to commit to a 30 day Internet fast so that I can institute the things I have learned instead of being distracted and reading about what I should be doing lol. So starting tomorrow my computer will be turned off and will not be turned back on for the next 30 days. I know I will still need encouragement and I would like to ask you to call me every now and then. If you don't have my phone number please Email me and I will get that to you.
I am planning on reading the rest of the book of Mark and also memorizing Romans 6. I pray during this time I will also be able to see a Doctor to get my medical issues under control.
Please pray for me and my family during this time of rediscovery. Know that all of you that read my blog and support me and encourage me are so incredibly important to me. Words cannot express how much I learn and grow from you. Thank you. See ya soon :)
Blessings Always,
Cassandra
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Focus
A few years ago I found out that I am an inattentive type ADD personality. Not a big surprise to those who know me best. I really don't see it as a disorder but really a personality type. God made me this way for a reason. I struggle with it most when my schedule gets thrown off by sickness or unexpected events. I am not the most organized person in the world but I have found that I work best when I have a detailed schedule written out. If I get sick, like I did this last week, my schedule gets thrown off and then I get behind which leads to feeling like I have to catch up and then to feeling overwhelmed and then an anxiety attack.
With all of my kiddos in school during the day I find myself spacing off more than usual. This isn't good because it leads to me disconnecting from everyone around me. It takes alot of energy to overcome these little obstacles but I'm trying so hard. The last 3 days have been my worst in a long time. I can't seem to clear my head and focus on the tasks in front of me. It's times like this when I would reach out to my closest friends and ask them to come over and chat with me while I cleaned the kitchen or folded laundry. That's really how I get the most done in the least amount of time. It also helps to keep the depression at bay that creeps up on me when left in my own thoughts to long.
My goal for this next week is to stay the course and tweak my schedule a bit more. So join me in praying for focus on what I should be doing so that i may be a blessing to my Husband and my Children.
Blessings Always,
Cassandra
With all of my kiddos in school during the day I find myself spacing off more than usual. This isn't good because it leads to me disconnecting from everyone around me. It takes alot of energy to overcome these little obstacles but I'm trying so hard. The last 3 days have been my worst in a long time. I can't seem to clear my head and focus on the tasks in front of me. It's times like this when I would reach out to my closest friends and ask them to come over and chat with me while I cleaned the kitchen or folded laundry. That's really how I get the most done in the least amount of time. It also helps to keep the depression at bay that creeps up on me when left in my own thoughts to long.
My goal for this next week is to stay the course and tweak my schedule a bit more. So join me in praying for focus on what I should be doing so that i may be a blessing to my Husband and my Children.
Blessings Always,
Cassandra
Parables
Hi, I am back and feeling much better. I was down with a nasty summer cold for the last week. The good news is I finished the book of Matthew and have moved on to Mark :) But I still wanted to write about what Matthew taught me.
If you haven't read it I encourage you to do so but I will give what info I know. Matthew was a Jewish tax collector that was busy doing his job when Jesus walked by, looked at him and said "follow me." So he did. Amazing right? No conversation no ifs ands or buts he just did it. Maybe he was one of the few Jews who recognized the Messiah immediately. Something about that intrigues me because I have always heard Matthew mentioned as a tax collector but never as a Jew. I think it is more important to see him as a Jew first because then you realize that he had been taught from a very young age that the Messiah was coming and to watch for Him.
That's what the Book of Matthew describes, the coming of the King. The Ruler the one who will set us all straight. Not a whole lot of fluff or warm fuzzies. I also learned why Jesus always told Parables when addressing the masses. In Chapter 13 Jesus explains that unlike his disciples the general public isn't really prepared to hear his message so he must give it to then in a way that they can understand. Kinda like feeding your baby rice cereal at first and then gradually moving into solid foods.
I have to admit that sometimes I had to read a parable a few times sometimes switching translations until I got it. I am glad I took the time to stop and really figure out what Jesus was saying. Oh and another thing I think is pretty awesome is if you go back to the later chapters of Isaiah it is almost like reading Matthews account of the life of Jesus only it was written 700 years before Jesus was born. You probably knew that but like I said I have never sat down to read the whole book :).
I do have a few favorite parables that I will share but I'm not going to quote them here you'll just have to look them up :) Matthew 18:12-14 5:21-26 6:5-18
OK so one parable the other two just hit me hard. So on to Mark :)
I will be posting again tonight just so ya know I have peace and quiet and I am taking advantage of it.
Blessings Always,
Cassandra
If you haven't read it I encourage you to do so but I will give what info I know. Matthew was a Jewish tax collector that was busy doing his job when Jesus walked by, looked at him and said "follow me." So he did. Amazing right? No conversation no ifs ands or buts he just did it. Maybe he was one of the few Jews who recognized the Messiah immediately. Something about that intrigues me because I have always heard Matthew mentioned as a tax collector but never as a Jew. I think it is more important to see him as a Jew first because then you realize that he had been taught from a very young age that the Messiah was coming and to watch for Him.
That's what the Book of Matthew describes, the coming of the King. The Ruler the one who will set us all straight. Not a whole lot of fluff or warm fuzzies. I also learned why Jesus always told Parables when addressing the masses. In Chapter 13 Jesus explains that unlike his disciples the general public isn't really prepared to hear his message so he must give it to then in a way that they can understand. Kinda like feeding your baby rice cereal at first and then gradually moving into solid foods.
I have to admit that sometimes I had to read a parable a few times sometimes switching translations until I got it. I am glad I took the time to stop and really figure out what Jesus was saying. Oh and another thing I think is pretty awesome is if you go back to the later chapters of Isaiah it is almost like reading Matthews account of the life of Jesus only it was written 700 years before Jesus was born. You probably knew that but like I said I have never sat down to read the whole book :).
I do have a few favorite parables that I will share but I'm not going to quote them here you'll just have to look them up :) Matthew 18:12-14 5:21-26 6:5-18
OK so one parable the other two just hit me hard. So on to Mark :)
I will be posting again tonight just so ya know I have peace and quiet and I am taking advantage of it.
Blessings Always,
Cassandra
Thursday, August 4, 2011
I'm not Perfect.
We have all said those words before right? When met with criticism we say well I'm not perfect what more do you want? Is it really that we aren't perfect or that we are uncomfortable with examining ourselves and plucking out that imperfection? I use it sometimes as an excuse, like somehow it's a good reason to say something or do something offensive.
I am about halfway through the book of Matthew and one thing that has been eating at me the past few days has been this word "Perfect." What is so scary about perfect? More than that does the word perfect hold the same meaning to everyone? OK so enough questions.
Matthew 5:48 says Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Jesus said this while he was teaching the multitudes on a mountainside. Otherwise know as "the Sermon on the Mount." So maybe I am crazy but there it is Be Perfect. Really? It baffles the mind.
So to apply this in my own life I have decided that maybe I need to take criticism with grace and really listen when others call me out on things. I have never really tried to be perfect, I wonder what would happen if I ever put some effort behind it.
Now just so people don't get worried I am not one of those that will really get hung up on trying to be perfect all the time to the point that I would end up in a mental institution.
But really Read Matthew yourself I think you will like it :) The end of Chapter 5 is like a bit of a Nike commercial "Just Do It" lol.
My next post I'll talk about Parables, Oh yeah fun stuff sure to entertain.
Blessings Always
Cassandra
I am about halfway through the book of Matthew and one thing that has been eating at me the past few days has been this word "Perfect." What is so scary about perfect? More than that does the word perfect hold the same meaning to everyone? OK so enough questions.
Matthew 5:48 says Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Jesus said this while he was teaching the multitudes on a mountainside. Otherwise know as "the Sermon on the Mount." So maybe I am crazy but there it is Be Perfect. Really? It baffles the mind.
So to apply this in my own life I have decided that maybe I need to take criticism with grace and really listen when others call me out on things. I have never really tried to be perfect, I wonder what would happen if I ever put some effort behind it.
Now just so people don't get worried I am not one of those that will really get hung up on trying to be perfect all the time to the point that I would end up in a mental institution.
But really Read Matthew yourself I think you will like it :) The end of Chapter 5 is like a bit of a Nike commercial "Just Do It" lol.
My next post I'll talk about Parables, Oh yeah fun stuff sure to entertain.
Blessings Always
Cassandra
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
My Mom
I feel like it is important in order to know me you need to know my Mom. Growing up there is no one I would rather hang out with than my Mom and thats the truth. She makes me feel calm, she carries all of my worries, simply her touch radiates the love she feels for me. Even to this day I get a little homesick for her every now and then. We live pretty far apart so we can't see each other as much as we would like.
Most of what I learned about being a Mom I learned from her. I learned how to treat each of my children as individuals. I learned not to sweat the small stuff and that kids are messy sometimes and thats ok. Mostly I learned how to love without conditions. Thats my Mom, she loves me no matter what I do no matter what I say she just loves me. Even when I open my big mouth and insert my big foot.
I love the fact that even my Husband loves my Mom. He thinks she is a very kind and loving woman and He admires Her.
Right now my Mom is having a difficult time. She is in near constant pain due to a problem with a nerve in her back. This is my plea for your healing prayers. She is in desperate need for healing so she can get back to work.
I miss you Mom and I Love you very much. Call me :)
Blessings always
Cassandra
Most of what I learned about being a Mom I learned from her. I learned how to treat each of my children as individuals. I learned not to sweat the small stuff and that kids are messy sometimes and thats ok. Mostly I learned how to love without conditions. Thats my Mom, she loves me no matter what I do no matter what I say she just loves me. Even when I open my big mouth and insert my big foot.
I love the fact that even my Husband loves my Mom. He thinks she is a very kind and loving woman and He admires Her.
Right now my Mom is having a difficult time. She is in near constant pain due to a problem with a nerve in her back. This is my plea for your healing prayers. She is in desperate need for healing so she can get back to work.
I miss you Mom and I Love you very much. Call me :)
Blessings always
Cassandra
Friday, July 29, 2011
Help is on the way!!! God is soo good!!!
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.
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
Monday, July 25, 2011
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
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
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