True of False: Has this year been a good year?

I pondered the question in this morning's devotional by Shala W. Graham “True or False: 2021 was a good year?” As I pondered, I thought that even while it was better than 2020, this year— 2021—  was definitely not my favorite year and debatable as to if it were good, bad or somewhere in between. But as I read more of the devotional and Shala’s request to take a personal inventory I began to feel a need to reconsider.

Sure, physical distancing and masks and some of related societal incivility were far from desirable; in fact downright deplorable and despicable and disgusting. But despite the minor inconveniences, the larger economic and social and health difficulties, and even in spite of the other enormously difficult and nearly impossible challenges we have faced and fought, God has helped us endure the losses, survive the separations, and discover ways to overcome distance, differences and difficulties. Despite threats and injustice, injuries and setbacks, difficult days and long nights, and the deaths of dreams, desires and loved ones God has comforted our hearts, given our souls peace, strengthened our hands, blessed our families, and given us His favor and rescue!

Somehow the year 2021 reminds me of the phrases: "The power of light is most clearly seen in the darkness," and of Paul's declaration that God's grace is sufficient and His power is "perfected in weakness." It was in some ways a year of sadness and storm and darkness, and God knows the many times and ways we were weak mentally and physically and spiritually.

But God —  Unconquerable Light! Unrelenting Grace! Undefeated Power! Eternal Sovereignty!

Perhaps 2021 will not be in the top two of my life thus far, but admittedly it has been a year that is tops in demonstrating the sovereignty of God, revealing all the more dramatically the love and comfort of Christ, and showing how this world's idols and wisdom have fallen short and silent, and found utterly lacking.

"True or False: 2021 was a good year?" True, because in all things we have been strengthened by His might, carried and comforted by His love, and made hopeful and helped by His light. And through all the things we have endured, we experienced His indescribable joy.

Happy New Year! 

The unmistakable beauty of Christmas

There were no stockings hung by the chimney with care, no soulful Nat King Cole, no gift card holders or neatly wrapped presents under a tree, and no well laid out table topped with stuffing, turkey and all the fixings. But do not miss the unmistakable beauty of Jesus' birth— 

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah‬ ‭9:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬)." 

May the blessings of Christ , the savior who is given, be with us as we celebrate Him and His everlasting love. 

Love you—Cassius

The storm is not to blame

Two beach houses sit side by side. On the exterior they look grand and marvelous— the flowing architecture is rich with stunning features from the fabulously ornate roofs, down to the perfectly manicured lawns. And then the storm comes.

Both looked alike on the outside, but after the storm one house is all rubble and ruins and only the well grounded house remains.

Foundations matter!

I can tell you that I'm noticing more and more that the storms are not the problem with my life. How I build and what I am building on is my problem. The storms are just something that have a way of revealing the parts of my life that are built on sand, versus those parts which have their pylons driven deep in the bedrock, with pillars firmed and fortified on solid rock.

Maybe today you are reflecting on the last storm, starring at puddles that used to be porches, debris that marked the birth of a dream, broken glass and fallen walls that marked friendships now tossed and ripped asunder, or a marriage, a family, or a job. Maybe you are looking on at what was once lush and gorgeous and now blown to scarcely recognizable pieces. And maybe you are cursing the storm, screaming at the wind, grieving the waves that washed away shore and surety, and even angry at God. 

My heart goes out to you and I grieve your loss. And while I don't have words to ease the depth of your loss, I encourage you to anchor yourself to the bedrock of comfort, lay your weary head on the shoulder strong enough to hold it (and you), and pour out your tears to the one whose love and peace and power will not wilt or wash away as you cry. And I encourage you to look at what the storm could not move and rebuild again on the Rock

The life he has envisioned

God has not envisioned misfortune for us, nor has He designed trouble and thorns for our path.  If your path is filled with thorns, blocked with hedges, seemingly impossible to travel and the misfortunes you encounter therein are more numerous than the dust of the earth, then maybe it's time to turn around, change roads or at the very least ask God if you are walking in the purposes, plans, path, narrow road and Way that leads to eternal life.

May the road you travel have Christ Jesus as your guide, His Word as your light, His wisdom and truth as your compass, His presence, peace and Spirit as your companions, and His good plans for life everlasting and joy evermore as your destination.  Be encouraged, be blessed and be overcome with His joy and love.

Grace and peace to you—Cassius 

The road you travel—

May the road you travel have Christ Jesus as your guide, His Word as your light, His wisdom and truth as your compass, His presence, peace and Spirit as your companions, and His good plans for life everlasting and joy evermore as your destination. 

May the seemingly impossible obstacles on the road you travel become opportunities for greater breakthroughs and glimpses into the majesty, might and magnificent power of the God of all miracles. 

May the road you travel be filled with encounters of His glory, gifts of hope and joy, encouragement from His Spirit, and blessings more numerous than the dust of the earth. 

Have a great day walking in the purposes, plans, narrow road and Way that leads to eternal life. 

Grace and peace to you—Cassius

If you could measure the immeasurable

How do you measure commitment?  

Time? He is the Everlasting God who is with us always, even until the end of the ages.  Even before you were born He was with you and knew you  

Money? He owns the cattle on a thousand hill, all the gold and riches. He owns it all, and gives our daily bread, supplies all our needs according to His glorious riches, and desires to give us the kingdom out of His good pleasure  

Love? No greater love has anyone than this, to lay down one’s own life. And God, He loved us so much that He gave His only Son!  And nothing, not even life or death can separate us from His love  

Affection, faithfulness, touch, compassion, kindness or passion?  How do you measure commitment? 

No matter how you want to measure it, if you could measure the immeasurable ways and depths of God’s love you would see and understand that God is deeply and eternal committed to loving us and giving us Himself.  

May we have a day of exuberance and excitement, knowing that even when it is hard God is committed and faithful and good. Have a terrific Tuesday!  

Love you—Cassius

But, are we ready to receive it?

Even with all that is going on, God is ready to give us uncountable joy and laughter, an abundance of love and kindness, a deep sense of belonging and worth, immeasurable mercies and grace. But, are we ready to receive it?  

May we search out and then throw out any bitterness or resentment, anger or malice, doubt and disbelief, distractions and discouragement, fear and worry, and for that matter any other junk mindsets and attitudes that are clogging up the space where God intends to unload our blessings and unpack our breakthroughs. 

Make room, He has prepared a marvelous life of goodness and mercy for all your days!  

Love you—Cassius 

News flash! Awesome is His Name

"I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: my plan will take place, and I will do all my will (Isaiah 46:10)." 

News flash! 

"God never rolls the dice or crosses His fingers, hoping for the best." And no one has ever heard Him say, "Oops" or "I didn't see that coming." 

May we rejoice trusting that no matter what lies ahead He has seen it and knows how to see us through— for His glory and good. May the week ahead be well supplied and generously loaded with joy and hope, grace and mercy, and with laughter, love, and peace with Christ Jesus. 

Love you—Cassius