Deep into the waterfalls of His love. In Psalm 42 the passage talks about being in turmoil and putting your hope in the Savior. The psalmist cries out to God saying " Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me?" That is sometimes how I feel.
I also came to the realization today that all my blogs have been about myself...that isnt bad but I want to write a blog to others giving them encouragement so here it is dunn dunn dunn!!!
Psalm 42 starts out by saying "as the deer longs for the streams of water so I long for you, God". Wow what a cry out, the psalmist is at a point where so much hurt is happening that he longs for God. That is the first thought that comes to his mind how much his soul longs for God. I wonder if that is what you first think of when you are struggling....just a side note. A few lines later the psalmist remarks on how "my tears have been my food day and night" That is a ton of crying, this person is heart broken. People are saying to him "Where is your God" he feels alone. However this loneliness, this brokenness does NOT weigh him down for long. He soon realizes that there is "Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your [God] waterfalls all Your breakers and billows have swept over me the Lord WILL send His faithful love by day His song will be with me in the night-a prayer to the God of my life" This psalmist is committed to God. He wants to go deeper amidst turmoil...WOW!!! How may of us can say we have done that?
Here is my challenge, dont let your struggles keep you from God, call out to Him. Be honest with Him. His love is faithful. Marinate on that, God's faithful love. Deep into the calls of His waterfalls. Put your hope in God just as the psalmist did " Put your hope in God, for I WILL still praise Him my Savior and my God." That is how the passages ends, in praise. May your struggles end in praise and deep in God love
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Come Follow Me My Disciple
It is crazy to think that in a few short days I will be starting Skyview Ranch summer camp. To me the journey of beginning a new thing is always tough. So many unexpected questions and thoughts, will they ever end? Maybe it is the fear of the unknown that can keep me from experiencing what God truly wants me to? Or maybe I am just not ready to open my heart up yet for selfish reasons? Hmm but all these things...what do they matter? I guess right now I am just in a questioning state, hopefully something good (even if it isnt the answer to my questions) will come from this. While in this state, the thought that is pestering me is am I the only one going through this? As folly as that question may be it is still constant in my head. Following that question comes reasoning, I say to myself of course I am not the only one going through this. Thousand of people have the same thought, at least I hope so haha. Why then do I still feel alone?
For the most part I am super excited to start Skyview, I made a change. I went for the unexpected route, I followed God's will to a new place. AAAHHH there is the true joy....following. By following the Lord's voice I am becoming a disciple. One who "follows" day and night. Listening, waiting, wanting to hear Him. Maybe my state of mind isnt so much questioning but one of uncontentness (if that is a word haha). Crazy right? I never thought I wouldnt be content while following Jesus, being a disciple. However the reality is that even the 12 disciple struggled with fear and questioning in Luke 8:22-25
22 One day he [Jesus] got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, 23 and as they sailed he [Jesus] fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. 24 And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they [disciples] marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”
Where is your faith? now that is the question that I should be asking myself, if Jesus calmed a raging sea then He can surely help me. Even before that though the disciples followed Jesus into the boat...key word being followed. The disciples listened to idea to go across the lake Once on the lake they were fearful of the storm, right now that is my fear the storm, the unknown. However I know where my faith is, it is in Jesus who calms the storm and who I will gladly follow even if it is to the unknown because when Jesus says come a disciple follows. So I challenge you this week to see where your faith is and listen to Jesus' voice.
For the most part I am super excited to start Skyview, I made a change. I went for the unexpected route, I followed God's will to a new place. AAAHHH there is the true joy....following. By following the Lord's voice I am becoming a disciple. One who "follows" day and night. Listening, waiting, wanting to hear Him. Maybe my state of mind isnt so much questioning but one of uncontentness (if that is a word haha). Crazy right? I never thought I wouldnt be content while following Jesus, being a disciple. However the reality is that even the 12 disciple struggled with fear and questioning in Luke 8:22-25
22 One day he [Jesus] got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, 23 and as they sailed he [Jesus] fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. 24 And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they [disciples] marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”
Where is your faith? now that is the question that I should be asking myself, if Jesus calmed a raging sea then He can surely help me. Even before that though the disciples followed Jesus into the boat...key word being followed. The disciples listened to idea to go across the lake Once on the lake they were fearful of the storm, right now that is my fear the storm, the unknown. However I know where my faith is, it is in Jesus who calms the storm and who I will gladly follow even if it is to the unknown because when Jesus says come a disciple follows. So I challenge you this week to see where your faith is and listen to Jesus' voice.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Weakness
Aahhh the dreaded word of weakness. The stately manner of the post has just declined because of that word,some may say. Weakness is it something you fear or something to be feared? Can we grasp it or do we not want to have any part of it? These are the questions that I have been thinking about lately in relation to weakness. You see I do not always feel strong nor do I wish too. To further that thought I do not always feel confident or strong. Sometimes I feel weak.
I am going to equate weakness with vulnerability. That is a change in the direction of my post. You see to me weakness is a part of life. I am going to struggle. I am going to feel drained. I am weak. God does not call me to be strong 24/7 He says that in your weakness you are made strong. He will give me strength. After reading that my initial question is why then do I still feel weak? I thought I was suppose to feel strong. Well there is my problem...I want to feel strong I want, me ,me and me. I am so focused on myself that I do not have time to be vulnerable with God. The choice is mine whether I decided to be vulnerable and allow God to give me strength, and not just any strength but a strength that brings renewal and love.
It is so easy for me to constantly look as myself and feel weak, broken and burdened. Then from there to feel sorry for myself and to have the oohh pity me attitude. However God calls me to do something difficult, to not think about myself and to be vulnerable with Him. This is so I can be given strength. Lets just say it is easier said then done, but when it does happen God works through me and I am indeed strong. Not to say that I am not still broken or burdened but those things that weighted to heavily on my heart are not mine anymore because once I accepted that strength those are now in Gods hands.
So the craziness of this whole process is that I have to be weak to be strong...what? You mean I cant just be strong? I believe that the strength that comes through weakness is stronger than the strength that comes just because one day I decide that I am going to be strong. This is because anything that is of God isnt of me. Did you get that? ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that is of God is NOT of me. I am weak until God gives me strength. The strength of this world is fleeting and dull. But the strength of God can increase our weakness to make us strong "28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.30 Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary they will walk and not be faint.(Isaiah 40:28-31)".
So this week if you feel weak give it to God so He can renew your strength because sometimes that is just the little push you need.
I am going to equate weakness with vulnerability. That is a change in the direction of my post. You see to me weakness is a part of life. I am going to struggle. I am going to feel drained. I am weak. God does not call me to be strong 24/7 He says that in your weakness you are made strong. He will give me strength. After reading that my initial question is why then do I still feel weak? I thought I was suppose to feel strong. Well there is my problem...I want to feel strong I want, me ,me and me. I am so focused on myself that I do not have time to be vulnerable with God. The choice is mine whether I decided to be vulnerable and allow God to give me strength, and not just any strength but a strength that brings renewal and love.
It is so easy for me to constantly look as myself and feel weak, broken and burdened. Then from there to feel sorry for myself and to have the oohh pity me attitude. However God calls me to do something difficult, to not think about myself and to be vulnerable with Him. This is so I can be given strength. Lets just say it is easier said then done, but when it does happen God works through me and I am indeed strong. Not to say that I am not still broken or burdened but those things that weighted to heavily on my heart are not mine anymore because once I accepted that strength those are now in Gods hands.
So the craziness of this whole process is that I have to be weak to be strong...what? You mean I cant just be strong? I believe that the strength that comes through weakness is stronger than the strength that comes just because one day I decide that I am going to be strong. This is because anything that is of God isnt of me. Did you get that? ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that is of God is NOT of me. I am weak until God gives me strength. The strength of this world is fleeting and dull. But the strength of God can increase our weakness to make us strong "28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.30 Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary they will walk and not be faint.(Isaiah 40:28-31)".
So this week if you feel weak give it to God so He can renew your strength because sometimes that is just the little push you need.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Springs of Love
This blog is ironic for me to write seeing as I am a hopeless romantic! I love the cheesy, predictable chick flicks. The one where the handsome boy chases the girl and they fall madly in love in a matter of 2 days haha! The list of those movies is endless and Im pretty sure I have see most of them. Ohh for a handsome man to come riding in on a white horse and swoop me off my feet and we ride away in the sunset together (what a dream). Then reality sets in and I realize that the chances of that wish happening are slim to none. Even so I love the thought of it.
Love is what thousands of women desire and what many people go through life chasing. If you think about it love is all around us, in many different ways. Maybe the "love" of money, cars, clothes; the list is endless. Why then do people go around chasing love and never find it? Or why does their "love" of money seem to fall short to the point of disappointment? The simple answer to those questions is that the "love" those people desire or have is a love of the world. One that is planned and full of emotions that control it. We as humans constantly try to put love into a box or a emotion. However God calls us to love through the Holy Spirit " This hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has given it to us" (Romans 5:5).
Remember how I said the blog is ironic for me to write? Well that is because we are called to love through the Holy Spirit. WOW!! What a wake up call, our springs of love should be according to Gods standard and not our own. By springs of love I mean a source of freshness and life. So to have that love in God then there is no way that kind of love can be mine. I dont have the resources or the mind power to control or grasp that kind of love. I believe that Oswald Chambers captures this idea when he states "the springs of love are in God not in us". So what does this love look like? Well to me it is spontaneous, a fire inside that justifies a desire to follow God and we have no idea why except that we want to serve Him. Then looking back on that time we realize how much of those thoughts or emotions werent our own and then through that we can see the real love. The second I try to contain or control this I am not letting God love me, I am not allowing the Holy Spirit to have a spring of love in my life....wow that is a lot to take in. Through this whole thought process I realize I still have much to learn about Gods Love. My challenge for you is to see how Gods love can manifest itself in you this weak and the spontaneity that it brings!
Love is what thousands of women desire and what many people go through life chasing. If you think about it love is all around us, in many different ways. Maybe the "love" of money, cars, clothes; the list is endless. Why then do people go around chasing love and never find it? Or why does their "love" of money seem to fall short to the point of disappointment? The simple answer to those questions is that the "love" those people desire or have is a love of the world. One that is planned and full of emotions that control it. We as humans constantly try to put love into a box or a emotion. However God calls us to love through the Holy Spirit " This hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has given it to us" (Romans 5:5).
Remember how I said the blog is ironic for me to write? Well that is because we are called to love through the Holy Spirit. WOW!! What a wake up call, our springs of love should be according to Gods standard and not our own. By springs of love I mean a source of freshness and life. So to have that love in God then there is no way that kind of love can be mine. I dont have the resources or the mind power to control or grasp that kind of love. I believe that Oswald Chambers captures this idea when he states "the springs of love are in God not in us". So what does this love look like? Well to me it is spontaneous, a fire inside that justifies a desire to follow God and we have no idea why except that we want to serve Him. Then looking back on that time we realize how much of those thoughts or emotions werent our own and then through that we can see the real love. The second I try to contain or control this I am not letting God love me, I am not allowing the Holy Spirit to have a spring of love in my life....wow that is a lot to take in. Through this whole thought process I realize I still have much to learn about Gods Love. My challenge for you is to see how Gods love can manifest itself in you this weak and the spontaneity that it brings!
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Battle of the mind
When I think of the brain I think of the place from where all my thoughts stem from. A place that is full of thoughts about everything from a small cotton swap to a decision about what to eat (which we all know is difficult haha). Anyways I constantly find myself struggling with a defeated mind. Where I blame myself for things that are out of my control or a find a memory that I wish to erase. Either way the mind is a tough thing to control. So the question I keep asking myself is why do I have such a desire to control my mind? God calls us to give our burdens to Him because His yoke is easy and HIS burden is light. Yet daily I struggle with giving control. A few days ago the thought (from my mind) came to me: I need to give my mind to Christ daily with all the struggles it carries. God repeatedly in the Bible calls us to a renewal of our mind (romans 12). This is a huge wake up call. My mind needs to be focused on what God desires instead of my own. Instead of the nonsense I find so difficult to conquer because I am MORE than a conquer through Christ Jesus. That is no battle at all but a VICTORY!! My challenge to you is to surrender your thoughts and see how God can work in your mind.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Armor of Light
My name is Cassy Wallbrown and I started this blog because some of my close friends also have blogs. It is strange to think that some people will be able to read my thoughts, this challenges me to allow my thoughts to be clear and concise haha.
I just completed my freshman year of college and I did not complete it without my fair share of struggles. Throughout those struggles I saw Gods mercy and joy. This was a experience I wish any to partake on. The great thing about God's joy is that is brings you out of the darkness and clothes you in an armor of light. In Romans 13 verse 12 it talks about such things "The night is nearly over and the daylight is near, so let us discard the deeds of the darkness and put on the ARMOR OF LIGHT." A true calling from the Lord Jesus Christ. To cast off whatever you are struggling with and put on the armor of light. To have faith that God will rescue you and to be radiant! So I encourage everyone to walk in the light amongst the darkness and to live with undaunted radiance!
I just completed my freshman year of college and I did not complete it without my fair share of struggles. Throughout those struggles I saw Gods mercy and joy. This was a experience I wish any to partake on. The great thing about God's joy is that is brings you out of the darkness and clothes you in an armor of light. In Romans 13 verse 12 it talks about such things "The night is nearly over and the daylight is near, so let us discard the deeds of the darkness and put on the ARMOR OF LIGHT." A true calling from the Lord Jesus Christ. To cast off whatever you are struggling with and put on the armor of light. To have faith that God will rescue you and to be radiant! So I encourage everyone to walk in the light amongst the darkness and to live with undaunted radiance!
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