In His way, in His time— He will make all things new

In His way, in His time— He will make all things new.

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18 NIV)."

Sometimes life deals us a crazy hand, a most unexpected blow that threatens to shatter our dreams, crush our hearts, and dash the last ounces of hope in our souls. And, some things (events, people, problems, break ups, and let downs, loneliness and heartaches) in life can wound us so deeply that it feels like our very hearts are broken in a million pieces and scattered to the wind...

When it feels this way, when it feels out of hand and beyond your strength, know that God sees you, is close to your broken heart, hears your plea, and will answer your prayers. In His time and in His way "God will breathe life into the shattered pieces of your story and create something new and more beautiful than ever before (Lysa TerKeurst)."

When you have arrived at the end of all your strength, trust Him. Trust Him to hear your prayers, and answer. Trust Him to to see your tears, and dry your eyes as He holds your hand. Trust Him to hear every desperate plea and trust Him to carry you through this day and this season. And then, thank Him for working on your behalf, even when you can't see it or feel it, and thank Him for bringing beauty and better days to your story.

Give yourself time, remembering that—"Forgiveness is a process. Healing is a long journey (Lysa TerKeurst) .”  And both are possible, in His way, and in His timing!

Be encouraged

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Here is what I know:

People can beat the best player, athlete, or prize fighter.  People can beat the best team, your favorite team, the mightiest militia, the special ops and any elite military on earth. People can beat the best coach, outwit the best strategic mind, out hustle the most ambitious, out fox the most clever, out man and out gun the most armored, out spend the most affluent, and out class the most sophisticated.  

But, no matter how many people there are against you, or how hard they try, they cannot beat, nor even come close to beating, THE ALMIGHTY GOD whose favor rests upon you. 

Be encouraged. Stay classy and confident. You are positioned for purpose. 

Grace and peace to you—Cassius

Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him

"Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His majesty is above earth and heaven (Psalm‬ ‭148:13‬ ‭ESV‬‬)." 

 For every storm that we didn't have to go through this week— praise the Lord.

For every trial we triumphed over, every challenge we overcame and every battle won— praise the Lord.

For every door of opportunity that opened for us, all the endless favor and uncountable blessings, and for the gift of His love and His compassion— praise the Lord.

For the strength that has kept us, the hope that we can hold onto, the peace that comforts us, the hand that protects us and the love of family and of God— praise the Lord!! 

 May the exalted and enthroned One, worthy of praise, be gracious and wonderful to us and make this a fabulous day!  And when he does— let’s remember to rejoice and— praise the Lord!

Grace and peace to you—Cassius 

There is no alternative. There is no substitute.

There is no alternative. There is no substitute. There is none in all the world and no one else under the heavens. Only the enduring Name is able to save, bless, calm, favor, lead us in the way of life, and give us peace. 

"Jesus is the only One who can save [us]. No one else in the world is able to save us (Acts‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭NCV‬‬)." 

May the Triumphant Savior give us His hope and salvation, rescue, refreshing and restoration for our souls so that we have a life abundantly! 

 Grace and peace to you—Cassius

Today's Pastoral Service Announcement

Today's Pastoral Service Announcement

Make it a point today to forgive at least two people. 

1. Forgive yourself— for anything you've done out of anger, out of disappointment, out of previous hurts and brokenness, out of fear, or anything you have done that was out of line with your character, goals and purposes for life
2. Forgive the other person— for anything they've done out of malice, ignorance, anger or fear, out of their own disappointments, or out of their own hurt and brokenness.

Today, may we open our hearts through forgiveness to receive forgiveness and the healing ointment of joy and peace that true forgiveness brings. It may be hard, but forgiving yourself and them to receive God’s forgiveness is worth it.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Love ya—

My answer is E

Pop quiz (multiple choice):
1. The Everlasting God is __________!
(A) Awesome and Almighty
(B) Loving and Faithful
(C) Sovereign and Powerful
(D) Worthy and Wonderful
(E) All of the above and infinitely, indescribably and incomprehensibly more

May the One "who moves mountains and causes walls to fall," the absolutely, incomprehensibly, phenomenal God help us bask in His beauty and live boldly in His love. Because He is indescribable majesty and infinitely, unconditionally good we will have an amazing day! 

 Love you—Cassius

Seeing more good!

Just wanted to reiterate that while 2020 has been one crazy year (the pandemic, racial, equity and justice protests, fires and earthquakes, trials and tragedies, and the contentiousness and anxieties leading up to the elections), there have been a lot of good things happening. 

For one, we have learned we can live a less busy life and still survive, even thrive. We have taken health and wellness more seriously. We have learned the value of family and time together in text, phone, Zoom or FaceTime. For some we have even learned the value of alone time. 

And now more than ever, when so little of what we used to use to value ourselves by still exists (corner offices, bonuses, packed churches, busyness, and large social gatherings for me) we have realized that none of these things were ever determiners of our worth. 

But, the best thing of all is having the opportunity in all of this to once again start seeing ourselves as valuable and worthy; we are still loved and blessed and still God's children even in the storm, even without jobs or new jobs, even without the markers we once considered keys to our self worth, and even when we don't know what tomorrow will bring! 

So while many things may make us feel overwhelmed and anxious, take heart— God is still God, you are still blessed and favored, and LeBron is among the greats. Okay, so that last one was for levity, but you get the point. Shift your gaze up and let your hopes follow!

Take heart

"In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world (John‬ ‭16:33‬b MSG‬‬)." 

Sure, in this jacked up and crazy "world we will have tribulation and distress and suffering," but take heart the Father is with us. Jesus told us so. 

Trust the Truth that He is with us and "be unshakable and assured," "be courageous and confident, be undaunted, and filled with joy," and above all "be deeply at peace," because of Christ Jesus— He has conquered the world by the triumph of the cross. 

May we dwell in the hope of His "abiding victory." Have a great day!
(John‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭AMP‬‬).
‭‭

Who to hope in?

"O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore (Psalm‬ ‭131:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬)." 

Not in an earthly king, candidate or president. Not in a Cabinet or Congress. Not in an office or set of officials. Not even in ourselves or our loved ones.   But, hope in God!

Hope in God— the Everlasting Father, the Eternal Monarch, the Triumphant Sovereign, the Prince of Peace, the Almighty God, the Grand Designer, the Alpha and Omega, and the Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnipotent Architect! 

From this time and forevermore may follow His steps and walk in His path and place all our hope in the saving grace, precious wisdom, flowing forgiveness, restorative justice, tender mercy, and in the reckless and overwhelming and effusive love of the Lord God. 

Yes, hope in God till His Kingdom comes on earth as it is in Heaven!