Think of it this way...

"All the other religions center on people’s righteousness — what we do and how good we are.

Real Christianity centers on Jesus’ righteousness — what He has done and how good He is." Jefferson Bethke

Sometimes it is so easy for me to miss this or mess it up, and to get confused.  Especially in a performance based world and culture.   We are all bombarded with images, ideas and slogans related to doing and being good enough.  I know I have been on that loop more than I wish to admit.  It's like a merry go round, an endless ride that takes you nowhere.  A nearby church sign once posted, it is like a Merry-Go-Round that rides you instead of the other way around.

Thankfully God's grace calls to me to stop doing and receive what has been done.  It is a call to get off the Merry-Go-Round and live in the trust that truly, "Jesus paid it all!"  Periodically I have to catch myself and there are weeks where I still get off course, but my God keeps coming back to me and relentlessly reminds me of the truth.  When Christ said, "It is finished!" he meant it.  I don't have to try to earn salvation or peace with God through a system of works and trying to be good enough.  

May my life and life stories always be lived, read and reviewed in the light of Christ working on, in, and through me.  When I fall, may I rise by the power and grace of Christ and a love that did, does and will do what I can never do.

We must always remember this, "There is no triumph without the cross and the empty tomb."

With love (& in triumph),
Cassius

Meeting God in the midst of a meeting

Our team at work uses a framework called Agile.  In this framework we conduct a planning session every three weeks to plan for the coming work.  Due to some organizational difficulties and personality differences our planning sessions often deteriorate into a reality show episode.  On one occasion two team members refused to call each other by name or even look at one another.  On another occasion, I was so frustrated I called my team lead and second lead babies, and told them to "grow up."  It was a low point.

So, in preparation for our next planning session I spent the morning before in prayer.  At some point during that prayer I made the request for patience.  I prayed to have patience during the planning meeting and all of the hysterics that might occur.  I felt good after the prayer and went into the meeting.  About 20 - 30 minutes into the meeting I was quickly reminded that things were not going to be smooth.  When the meeting started, so did the drama and hurt feelings of past meetings.  After 20 - 30 minutes there were arguments for the sake of arguments, back tracking, blaming and a round of name calling.  There were temper tantrums and more grown ups acting like babies.  In the midst of this disastrous meeting I was reminded of some very crucial truths about praying for patience.  The first truth I was reminded of is this, if you pray for patience... there will be an event that tests and forms your patience. You can't learn patience or peace in the midst of calm and prosperity.  True patience is forged in the midst of trials, difficulties, delays, frustrations and even drama.

Later, as I spoke with one of my employees about his impressions of the meeting I realized a lot more had taken place other than a bad planning session.  As we talked I learned that God had done more than what I had asked for.  Even though I felt like the meeting failed and I had failed, and even that God had failed to answer my prayer, I suddenly began to realize that I was wrong.  The meeting was a failure, don't get me wrong.  We spent six hours planning a couple of items that should have taken less than half that time.  The part that wasn't a failure was God's answer to my prayer and the truth about God.  As we discussed the meeting together, I told Jeff that God had answered my prayer in a way I didn't initially expect or even later recognize.  My God had answered my prayer for patience, not by giving me a perfect meeting, but by meeting me in the midst of the meeting and giving me peace.  The second truth about patience is this, true patience is a gift and a byproduct of waiting for God in the midst of difficulty. 

One final thought about that meeting.  After it was over I was blessed to have a quiet time of reflection with God.  As I reflected with God I realized that there was another very good life lesson buried in all of the meeting drama, and meeting issues.  The final lesson was this... my joy cannot be lost or changed by people's treatment of me.  My joy must stay firmly fixed and grounded in the truth of God's word, the hope of his promises and the enormity of His love for me.  As I said once before, I am already enough, and God loves me with an eternity to eternity and steadfast love.

This meeting and the rest of that week were reminders of the need to stay in God, let no one turn me off or away from his love, and to trust that God is faithful to meet us where we need him most.

So, to those of us who struggle to find patience, meaning and peace - God will always meet you in the midst of your meeting.

With love (& in triumph),
Cassius

Welcome to Friday - 5.30.14

Welcome to Friday!

I have had a great week, and I hope that you had a wonderful week as well.  The week has gone by rather fast for me, how about for you?  How was your week and what did you do?  What was the best part of your week and what would you do over?

I had a really good week.  We were off on Monday for Memorial Day.  This was a nice change for our company.  In the past we have had a mixture of odd days off.  One year, against all of my wishes, we were given "Confederates Day" off.  All I could think was, really?  Monday was a really nice day and one of the highlights of the week.  I received a very nice text early on Monday to remind me of why we celebrate and to take time out to acknowledge those who have served.  After breakfast I took Paige, Sydney and Ava to the pool.  The water was extremely cold.  I stood on the steps with my feet in the water trying desperately to convince the girls to come back later.  However, after standing and shivering for a few minutes, Paige came and pushed me into the water.  She laughed!  I wasn't - at first.  But pretty soon I got used to the water and we had a blast.  Ava enjoyed the water this time.  Last year she was mortified by the pool.  This time she kept trying to jump into the water, or float out into the 5 feet part.  She really enjoyed jumping into my arms from the side of the pool.  She did this several times after going over to have a snack in the lounge chairs.  Paige, Sydney and I had a few races, and played a few games.  We had a contest to see who could hold their breath the longest, stay under the water longest, and swim the width of the pool.  Pool shape is different from basketball shape, and needless to say I'm not in pool shape.  We stayed long enough to get tired but not cranky.  Ava really enjoyed taking snack breaks on the lounge chairs when Trish, Emma and Gabbi showed up.  Our late sleeper didn't make it to the pool.  It was a really good day on Monday spending time with the girls. 

After the pool Paige went to TKD and we finally purchased her sparring equipment.  She was thrilled.

Tuesday and Thursday of this week were odd days.  At the start of Tuesday my calendar was filled with meetings and events.  But one after the other were cancelled.  This seemed to upset the whole flow of the day.  Thursday was odd b/c all of Tuesday's meetings and issues seem to find their way into Thursday's calendar.  At 8:00 am my calendar for Thursday was pretty light.  However, that quickly turned into a meeting at 9:30, 11:00, 1:30, and 2:30 - 5:00pm.  At least Thursday had the bright spot of dinner with Trish and the girls and catching up on the week.  All of the girls are counting down the days until summer.  I'm right there counting with them and I'm just as excited for school to be over, but not sure what we will do for the summer.

Along with Monday, Wednesday was a really good day.  I had the day off to celebrate graduation with Emily and Joshua.  I am so proud of them for their accomplishments and for completing this part of their academic journey.  Being a part of graduation was very nice.  Spending time with our families and joining in the excitement of this latest chapter and the promises to come.  Trish and I laughed thinking about how far ceremonies have come since we graduated.  Our graduation was outside in June and it was hot.  These days they graduate in doors, with the AC on full blast inside the coliseum.  Graduation was a blessing and now the clock/countdown starts for Cassarra (2016).

Today is Friday!  I can't wait for the weekend and the time to relax again.  After the nice showers of rain I'll get to spend some time in my garden and on the lawn.  I think a few of my plants are finally starting to grow.  I'm hoping that I can get some tomatoes and zucchini out of my garden this summer.  I've also got peppers planted and sweet potatoes.  I threw in some sunflower seeds and watermelon seeds too.  I haven't had much luck with the watermelons, so I'm not expecting a whole lot from them this year.  If I get one out of the patch I will be excited.  My favorite things to grow are zucchini and tomatoes.  

All said, the best part of my week was spending time with family and friends on Monday and Wednesday.  If I could do anything over, I wouldn't have checked email for work on Wednesday night and I would have handled the flood of meetings on Thursday a bit better.

Well, I hope you have a great weekend.  I hope you have a great day and that you are blessed and highly favored throughout the day and the weekend.  May you find joy in the works of you hands, and love in the works of His hands.  

Welcome to Friday!

"Make your life an arena for loving God and loving others." - 

Greg D. Gilbert and Sebastian Traeger, from The Gospel at Work: How Working for King Jesus Gives Purpose and Meaning to Our Lives

With love (& in triumph),

Cassius

The cure has begun

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

C.S. Lewis in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader says,

He had relapses. There were still many days when he could be very tiresome. But most of those I shall not notice. The cure had begun. - C.S. Lewis

The phrase "the cure had begun," caught my attention so much when I read through this devotional.  I am going through another one of those patches of nerves and nervousness, searching for answers to difficult questions and purpose, wondering about new things, grieving old losses, and praying not to fall and fail in my ongoing walk with Christ.  I am sometimes, more than I want to admit or wish, tired and angry or otherwise less than I desire of myself and less than I believe God desires of me.

My home life is busy and I often feel like I am failing my wife and children.  My prayer life took a tumble and is only beginning to recover, it seems.  I've restarted my morning devotional time, but haven't recovered the discipline of getting quiet, nor of fasting and prayer.  In addition, I've had my share of spiritual battles for the past few weeks.  For these reasons, when I cam across this devotional I could truly say that it speaks to my life.

Like the character in the story, I know that I have been re-created by the Lord.  I know that I am a new creation.  I know that old things have passed away just as the author of the letter to Corinth states:

Therefore, if anyone is united with the Anointed One, that person is a new creation. The old life is gone—and see—a new life has begun!  2 Corinthians 5:17 (VOICE)

I also relate to the character in the truth that I too have relapses and failures.  I also have bouts of fear about home, work, finances and sometime even about my eternity.  I have falls and setbacks that I thought we long past and over.  That is why the phrase really stood out.  It reminded me that I can take heart that God has begun a work in me and He is faithful to complete it.  It reminded me that God is faithful and that he is able.  It reminded me that God is able to save completely those who have placed their hope and their trust in them.  I was even able to remember that Christ said, "It is finished."

As Randy Kilgore says in the "Our Daily Bread" devotional for May 28, 2014,

The moment we find Jesus, our eternity with Him begins. He walks alongside us so He can change us into the people we long to be and were created to be. - Randy Kilgore

It is true that today I am not who I'd like to be, and today I am not who I shall at last be.  It is equally and of better news that I am also not who I was yesterday. Indeed, I am in the journey of being remade into the image of Christ.  As John says,

Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 (ESV)

It is not clear yet, but, oh when I see Him face to face it shall at last be clear that I am His and I have been made like Him.  I look forward to that day, and thank you dear Lord that you have begun a good work in me and I trust like Paul that:

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  Philippians 1:6 (ESV)

I am praying that the Lord God Almighty who shouts and whispers, will be with us all, and continue to speak to our hearts, and continue the process of sanctification till completion.

Father, my actions aren't adequate to fix my failures. And I am too weak to pull myself up to you and your holiness.  Thank You for doing that through Your Son Jesus who gave Himself for us so that our sins may be covered and our relationship with You restored.  Help me to look up and walk with You.  - Our Daily Bread

Indeed the steadfast love of the Lord never fails and His mercy never ends.  His love, mercy, grace and peace are new (and available to us) every morning.  Yes, Lord, how great is your faithfulness.

References:

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, compiled in A Year with Aslan.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Copyright © 1952 by C. S. Lewis Pte., Ltd. Copyright renewed © 1980 by C. S. Lewis Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved. A Year With Aslan: Daily Reflections from The Chronicles of Narnia. Copyright © 2010 by C. S. Lewis Pte. Ltd. Extracts taken from The Chronicles of Narnia. Copyright © C. S. Lewis Pte. Ltd. 1950-1956. All rights reserved.

The Crash, Our Daily Bread.  May 28,2014
Copyright © 2014, RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI 49555 USA. 

Hyped up and let down...

About a week ago I was reading a morning devotional from the book Devotions for the Beach & Days You Wish You were There by Thomas Nelson about crisis.  The title of the devotional was "Are you worried about a crisis?"  At that moment, the title was enough to capture more than my attention.  

At work, my team had learned that a critical team member was taking a new job.  In addition, we spent an hour mapping out his roles and duties.  With each  new item my heart raced.  I began to think about all of the ways I depended on his expertise at work.  I began to nervously imagine a crisis occurring where I wouldn't be able to solve it.  On top of this issue, the product team that I manage, was facing a host of quality issues.  Some of the issues were very real, others were imagined or user induced.  In any case I felt a storm brewing and I was in full "fear and flight" mode.  I was snapping, angry, anxious, frustrated, worried and desperate.  When the title of rolled into my inbox I was ripe for the plucking.  

I read on through the devotional and I stopped at this section:

We get hyped up about situations and conversations, just knowing they're going to be awful. Especially if we're the one who has messed up.

This kind of thought process is defeating. We assume that we already know the outcome, as though we can read minds and predict the future.


"Defeating" and "assume" were the key words for me.  In my mind I had created a huge mountain of issues and responses.  I had concocted every scenario from wiping out my team to save my hide, to being wiped out to save theirs.  I imagined hateful emails and bad reviews from my boss, and cold calls from the sales team about impacting numbers.  I envisioned unhappy customers and confused and frustrated employees.  By the time I arrived at these words my "assumption" factory was in full force and full scale production.  My heart and chest hurt like a finger caught in an anvil.  For days I was assuming the worst, and for days the worst case "cataclysmic failure" had not occurred.  Did things go well?  Not quite?  Did my career end?  No, and it won't even if my job does.  What was the change?


Well, the change is ongoing, but it started with reading the rest of the devotional and trying to live by it.  

We can prepare for certain conditions and should. If God knows our steps, however, then we also need to trust Him with our path. We may even realize how much time we've wasted building up this situation in our heads instead of praying for wisdom and words.

So much can be defused by sincerely saying, "I messed up, and I'm sorry. Is there something I can do to help at this point?"

In the case of work, realizing that I messed up will be a big help.  I'm also planning to do the second part of the advice from this devotional:

Before building a crisis in your head, stop the rush of thoughts, and pray.

Pray for peace, pray for wisdom, and pray for words. Ask God to calm your anxiety and guide you.

This morning I took a moment to ask God about my worries and I'm also trying to constantly focus my thoughts on the positive and promises of God.  I'm sure this isn't the last time I get hyped up and then realize it was for nothing.  In fact, as I write I am reminded that I got all hyped up about financial concerns and bank balances yesterday - but the world is still turning and I'm still in my own home.  


Moving back from the edge of exageration mountain will be hard, but it is already promising to be worth it.  Pray for me as I pray for you, that God will give us peace, wisdom, words and direction to guard and guide our anxious hearts.  Until at least we rest in Him,


With love (& in triumph)

What a wonderful day!

Yesterday, was my birthday.  It was an amazing day!  The whole day was a gift from God and it was filled with gifts from the people that God has placed closest to me.  My morning started a bit with my routine.  I got up, early, and proceeded to the study to read the Bible and exercise.  

When I reached the study I was surprised with a note that wished me a Happy Birthday!  My beautiful wife stayed up late and printed off two letters that said Happy Birthday and "I love you!"  I was surprised and I smiled a huge smile.  It was such a nice twist to the morning routine.  I loved it.  

During Bible study I read Psalm 90 and all of the promises that seemed so appropriate for this special day.

The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.  Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.  Psalm 90:10-12

After Bible study I managed to hang in there and even enjoy my full workout.  I have scaled my workouts back over the last two months due to some aches and pains in my knees and feet.  I am almost back to normal.  I've started icing my knees a bit more and I am confident that healing has begun.  Today I managed to make it through the full workout.  It was nice.  I walked, lifted weights for a few minutes and walked some more.  While I was in the office working out, four of my six girls came in and wished me a Happy Birthday.  Gabbi was first and Ava was last.  They each walked in, said Happy Birthday, smiled, gave me a high five and walked back out.  All in all I got off the treadmill feeling pretty good about my time in the "gym."  

When I got off the treadmill I was in for another surprise.  Paige made me breakfast.  She made waffles.  They were delicious.  I had planned to make the kids waffles, but Paige got help and made the batter and then made four waffles.  Enough for each one of us to get breakfast.  

After breakfast, Trish and I took a nice walk through the neighborhood.  We went around to look at the new houses and to imagine what our next house will look like.  We got to chat without interruption and to dream out loud.  It was a beautiful morning; not too hot or cold.  The sun was shining and the clouds gave you just enough cover and shade.  The best part was walking along the sidewalks and the side of the road with my wife.  This was an amazing morning.

After the morning walk I watched the Lorax and fell asleep for a short nap on the couch.  That was followed by a nice long shower and an equally long stroll through Walmart.  I picked up a few things for the grill and a few things for me.  When I got home the girls and Trish were back from choir practice and I started work on lunch.  I enjoyed making lunch, which included a zucchini stir fry, turkey burgers, hot dogs and chips.  I also put some chicken wings on the grill, but those became dinner.  The turkey burgers were great and even the hotdog was good.  I don't usually eat both for lunch, but I gave myself a pass for my birthday.

After lunch we sat around and talked for a bit, laughing about the last few years, the early years of our marriage, our introduction into parenthood and past birthdays.  Trish and I went to get coffee after that, both the kind for brewing and some from Starbucks.  Really and truly it was less about the coffee and more about getting to spend some more time together.  We rode from one end of Irmo down to Harbison and then back to the house.  

At the house we had cake and ice cream.  For my birthday we had three kinds of cake.  A celebration of my inability to make a decision and the gift of kindness from my wife.  We had a refrigerated cake from Publix, vanila with butter cream icing.  We also had a red velvet cake from "Sweet Temptations" bakery and a sour cream cake from the same.  The red velvet cake was unbelievable.  It was so good I barely at much of the other cakes and just helped myself to the personal red velvet cake.  I did share with the rest of the family.  

The girls all gave me thoughtful gifts.  Sydney gave me her last dollar in a birthday card.  Paige gave me a CFA gift card.  Cassarra and Gabbi gave me a bottle of soda, candy and t-shirts.  Trish, Ava and Emma gave me two beautiful shirts.  Unfortunately we had to take the shirts back to get a smaller size and longer sleeves.  

After cake and ice cream, dinner, and some time for it all to settle we spent a few hours playing UNO and Monopoly Deal before starting the bedtime routine.  I won at least two games of UNO and one game of Monopoly Deal.  Trish one most of the UNO games and thankfully Paige won one of each.

Trish and I got all the girls off to bed reasonably early and we were able to sit and chat and catch up on an amazing day.  Best of all I got to go to bed and get some rest before Ava woke up to start our night shift.

I am thankful for everyone who remembered my birthday and sent me a text, or took time to call.  I am thankful for my friend Londa who calls and sings Happy Birthday to me every year.  She does it even when she is on vacation.  My brother Felix called and had his whole family on the phone.  Daddy called, although I missed his call.  I was so glad he called and left a message.  Of course, when Vincent called it was a highlight too.  We got to talk for a while about my birthday and what we both have been going through.  Many others called or took the time to send a text message.  It was so wonderful.

It was a really, really great day.  There were so many more moments that I could capture about today.  I am just so thankful for each special gift. 

God, I am so thankful that you have allowed me to see so many years.  

God, please grant me many more years of Your favor and blessing.  

Grant me good health, long life and the joy of Your love and the love of

friends and family.

With love (& in triumph),
Cassius

A prayer to accept that I am accepted

God wants us to serve and worship Him not for our selfish reasons, but because we love Him and owe Him everything. - Kids 4 Truth International

Merciful God I forsake my selfish and foolish ways of trying to clean up myself and of trying to earn my salvation and your love.  God hold me fast to the cross and the love of Christ, the one who loved me so much He died for me.  God I pour out my fears, my longings, my wants and all of my needs to you.  Rescue me quickly and speak to my soul.  Speak over my soul and say to it:

 "Christ is enough and I am loved!"

Welcome To Friday - 5.23.2014

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all of our days (Psalm 90:14)!  

Welcome to Friday!

As I often do, I have prayed and hoped that throughout the week you have heard kind words of appreciation, and felt genuine love for who you are.

I have had a very interesting week and thankfully, through it all my anchor has held.  

Monday was awesome!  We celebrated Gabbi's 14th birthday.  She was very excited and wore a tiara to school and even most of the afternoon.  She looked very beautiful and fashionable as she left for school.  I was so excited that she made it home with no horror stories of a bad day at school.  She was wished well by all the people she had hoped for and even a few surprise text messages and calls.  It all made for a very good day.  After school, Trish picked up a cake and some ice cream and we celebrated at home.  We also discovered later that night that Emma and Ava cannot handle that much sugar that close to bedtime.  We all had a great time talking about Gabbi's birthday, her tiara, and memories of our baby girl growing up.  I can remember when Gabbi was born and even many of the details of the pregnancy.  Gabbi is just amazing.  All of our girls are!

Tuesday was a tough day at work and I wasn't at all prepared.  When I left work Monday a very good friend of mine, who is now one of the employees I managed told me he was going to come back to work.  However, after an unpleasant encounter at the end of the day, he announced on Tuesday that he had changed his mind.  He decided that the offer he had received was too good to turn down.  As his friend I absolutely agree with him about the magnitude and the amazing offer.  I am proud of him and excited for this well deserved new opportunity at a new company. As his friend I was also sad to hear that he was leaving.  We have studied the Bible together, prayed together, laughed, and lamented together.  He is the one person from the office who calls when I am sick, or out of work, and he organized two or more baby showers for Trish and me at work.  As his manager it was also tough.  This was my first time having to accept a resignation and having no ability to counter all of the tangible and intangible benefits of the new offer.  It was also tough as a manager because I know how much he does that most others take for granted.  Funny how that happens.

Wednesday was a great day and compared to the difficulties of Tuesday.  Gabbi's cake seemed to taste even better on Wednesday than it did on Monday.  It was twice as good before breakfast too!  Of course, last night I learned that Gabbi didn't appreciate how many slices of "her cake" that I enjoyed.  I guess I'll have to share more of mine on my birthday.  The girls spent a lot of time talking about Paige's upcoming TKD test, end of year parties and field day.  Trish and I spent our time trying to keep Ava and Emma out of the last slices of cake and away from the ice cream.  I have started putting most of the sweets in the chest freezer that Ava seems to ignore.  

Last night Paige impressed and amazed as she participated in the Tae Kwon Do belt testing at her school.  All week Trish and I asked her to practice and we never quite noticed the type of effort we expected.  When the test started Paige had a focus that I haven't seen in some time.  She was ready and she went right to work.  Her forms or "poomsae" was breathtaking like a graceful dance.  I tried to get her to do it again for Trish at the house, because Trish couldn't go to the school, but it wasn't the same.  It was breathtaking.  Paige is really an amazing little lady.  Ava and Sydney joined me as we went to watch Paige.  She broke her two boards, did her forms, and is now a "high green" belt.  She has a way to go before she reaches her goal, but I'm sure she will be happier today when she begins sparring with her own gear.  

Today, is going to be a great day and I hope that you will enjoy it as well.  Its Friday and a long weekend is coming.  I hope you make the most of today to end your week in a positive light.  Enjoy the weekend and all of your family and friends.  I hope you will take some time to enjoy all the best that God has for you, and that you will experience great joy and abundant love.  I pray that you have had a good week, and that the weekend will bring you the rest you need and the time with family to recharge and renew your spirits.

Welcome to Friday!!

May the light and joy of the Eternal shine in your hearts and give you peace.  

May the unending and unfathomable love of the One guide hold you through the ups and downs of your week.  

May the Almighty bless you and keep you and make this a great day and an even better weekend!

With love (& in triumph),
Cassius

Happy birthday to Gabbi

Is there any vacancy?

During Lent I signed up for a devotional series that walked through the life and death of Christ.  It was an interesting devotional because it drew the story from all four gospels.  The text was arranged to tell a complete story of the Christ.  When reading on one day, I noticed that the text was actually from the birth of Christ.  

Luke 2:7 (KJV) And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

For that moment, I thought to myself, "What a curious scripture to use at Lent?"  I wasn't sure this scripture made sense considering other Lent devotionals focused on miracles, the Passover, and the prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Perhaps the scripture would have remained curious unless God allowed me to consider how often we still find a world hustling and bustling, brimming and overflowing -with no room for a Savior.  

Even so many years later after that first night when Bethlehem was bustling with visitors, shop keepers, inn keepers, visitors, and leaders it still seems like the inns are full.  Even after all these years, we find Jesus waiting to be born into reflective hearts, but there is no room.  He longs to find a space in my day, a time when I pause and call out to him, he waits - but my mind says, "No Vacancy."  He tugs at the strings of my heart, but as I move between work, home, duties, chores, hassles and hobbies - "Still no room."  

I think back to my time during Lent and I realize that Jesus was there in those early moments of the day, longing to enter into the darkness and frustrations, chaos and confusion of my life.  Into darkness and despair he longed to enter, but with an "I can do it" attitude I turned the light on - "No room!"  

I'm still amazed that Christ waits for me and, for that matter, all of us.  He waits outside of hearts set on violence, and longs to speak peace.  He stands at the edge of hard hearts and longs to perform a transplant and to put a new heart into us.  I have seen him as He stands at the doorway of men, women, and children too busy getting and having to give room for God to get hold of them.  He stands and knocks on the hearts of those giving themselves away for the hope of finding true love.  He longs to give them what they truly desire, and what they will never find in back alleys, strange beds, or the smokey haze of an induced high.  Even this morning, in the middle of my day dream, I heard him break in and knock.  He asked, "When am I going to give Him room?  When will I stop dreaming and start living the life he has planned for me?"

Surely it seemed a curious scripture to include in Lent, or for that matter any time other than Christmas.  Curious, that is, until you and I realize that after all these years - there is still no room for Christ.  Curious until we recognize that, still he finds no room in our worship; still he finds no room in fasts that aren't the fasts that he desires.  Still finds no rooms in schools or assemblies, still no vacancy in marriages and at the family dinner table.  

Still God, the Eternal and Everlasting God, comes near to us and comes to the center of our story.  But does God still find no room?

Merciful God, you search for soft and malleable hearts and minds so that when you knock we may open to you and be blessed.  Too often, I too have given You no room.  May the doorway of my heart open to welcome in your love and truth.  May the rooms of my soul be opened and ready for my King to enter.  May your peace, love, grace and mercy find room in this earth - the earth that you formed years ago.

With love (& in triumph),

Cassius

Welcome to Friday - 5.16.14

Welcome to Friday!!!

I hope that you had a great week and that you found it to be successful, fulfilling and enjoyable.  I hope that you were able to spend time with those who were most important to you?

My week has been busy on the work front, busier than normal and I am even more excited than normal that today is Friday!  Even though work has been extremely challenging, it has had some amazing and thrilling moments.  

For example, Wednesday I was able to enjoy a free training conference.  I learned a lot about what I can do on my job, should be doing on my job and how to work smarter on my job.  The conference had two exceptional keynote speakers and I enjoyed their presentations tremendously.  I even won a free DVD during one of the raffles.  My friend and co-worker was hoping one of us would win the free Android, but the DVD was good enough.  In addition to the DVD I picked up a lot of other conference freebies and some information for additional training.

The girls are doing well.  I believe they had a very good week.  At least Gabbi said it was good b/c she didn't have a lot of homework.  Paige said it was really good b/c school is almost over.  Paige is all about "Summer Break!"  All of the girls are in the finishing up mode. 

Cassarra finished up her AP exams this week on Thursday.  She did very well.  For most of her classes she will not have much left to worry about.  Her math and history classes are essentially over because she has taken the final exam for both.  

Gabbi has really excelled on her last few assignments and it looks like everything is coming together for a great final nine weeks.  She is starting to get things to click in Math and Science.  She is also applying her skills and talents (all of them) in her other classes.  It is so good to see her work with passion and purpose.  It is also easier on her parents when she is applying herself fully.  Gabbi is also looking forward to he upcoming birthday.  I'm not sure Bill Gates could afford her plans, but Trish and I are going to do our best to make it memorable.

Sydney is doing extremely well and she was selected for an end of the year Spanish spelling bee.  She is a bit nervous suddenly.  We are trying to get her to accept the invitation and give it a try.

Paige is trying to convince me to let her take the next Tae Kwon Do exam.  This will move her up in belt rankings and that is exactly what she wants.  At her next rank she would enter sparring training as well as traditional Tae Kwon Do forms and techniques.  I'm not sure I'm ready to see her sparring with other kids (bigger or smaller).  I'm also, not quite sure I want to spend the cash for all of the sparring equipment she will need until she is a bit more responsible with her things.

Ava and Emma are getting back into their routines.  Our travels and weekend away got them out of their routines and this was another good adjustment week.  Last night they actually went to bed and fell asleep at a reasonable time.  Emma actually fell asleep early, but a diaper change and the walk up the stair woke her up.  Those two are so funny.  Last night at dinner they were both trying to sneak food while we were setting the table.  Ava also patrolled the table after dinner trying to sneak dessert from her unsuspecting sisters.  She managed to score a big gulp from Gabbi's kool-aid cup.

Trish is doing well. She is a bit exhausted from the impact of allergies and the hard work of getting Ava and Emma back on schedule.  Hopefully some rest over the weekend will be just what the doctor ordered.  

May the One who is eternal and everlasting, satisfy your hearts and minds with His unfailing love.  May your hearts and minds be satisfied by the knowledge that you are loved.  I pray for all the best to you and your family for a great weekend!

Have a great weekend!!!

Welcome to Friday!!!

 

Welcome to Friday - 5.9.14

Welcome to Friday!

I hope that your week has been filled with moments that open your eyes to the beauty, joy and wonder of the world around you.  I hope that you know how amazing you are and what a blessing it has been for me to pray for you this week and today.

What has been your greatest triumph, and what has been your biggest challenge this week?

I like to think that we had a good week.  It started with having a great weekend.  Trish and I spent the weekend at a Weekend to Remember marriage retreat in Concord, NC.  The retreat is put on by FamilyLife (www.familylife.com/weekend), and is held at different locations across the country.  It started on Friday and ended on Sunday.  It was a fabulous conference and it was great to spend some quality and quantity time with my beautiful wife.  We enjoyed catching up and not having to change diapers for a few days :)!

On Monday we were treated to Sydney's final honor choir concert of the year.  The honor choir was beautiful and the sound was fabulous.  They did so well that Ava and Emma sat still for most of show.  They became restless once the music stopped and the director began handing out awards to the participants.  

Tuesday night was Cassarra's final band concert of the year.  The band did an amazing job.  The sound was incredible.   Over the weekend Cassarra and several of her band members received "Superior" ratings at "Solo and Ensemble."  One of the groups performed the introduction for the concert.  Cassarra was in the front section as the full bands performed.  She has enjoyed band a lot this year, participating in full band, jazz band and the winds ensemble (by audition only).  Her final concert of the year was bittersweet.  Cassarra's band director will be changing schools next year and I must say she has really enjoyed playing for her current director.  I just hope she will enjoy and appreciate what she can learn and apply from the new teacher.  We weren't so lucky with Ava and Emma during the band concert.  They sat still for the first four of seven songs.  

The rest of our week has been filled with preparing for PASS testing and AP exams.  Cassarra will take her AP exam today and another later on.  I know she will do well, she is very prepared and is taking her exam seriously, something I don't recall doing - even though I did well.  

We also had a nice family dinner last night with a new rendition of baked chicken and skillet mashed potatoes going over real well with Trish, Cassarra and Emma.  Ava, unfortunately was only interested in the breadsticks.  If Ava had approved of the new creations I would have resigned my job and become a chef.  Oh well, maybe the next experiment will meet the approval of my pickiest critic.  I enjoyed our Thursday dinner because we got to slow down and just chat, laugh, and share.  We all shared three things we were thankful for and the list was refreshing.

Thanks for letting me share my weekend and week with you and thanks for your thoughts and prayers.  I hope your weekend will be blessed and that you will be surrounded by those you love.  May the comfort of friends, family and memories bless you today and throughout your weekend.  Have a great day and be blessed.

Welcome to Friday!

With love (& in triumph),
Cassius

Prayers for our week....

Monday

May you find blessings, joy and encouragement in the eternally sure promises of the One who alone is almighty and eternal. May His ever present love and infinite greatness provide for and satisfy your deepest needs. May the blessings of God be yours in abundance.  Prepare to enjoy a great week and may God bless you abundantly beyond measure. 

Tuesday

God loves you unconditionally! I hope you will understand and enjoy the truth of how much you are loved and always have been.  Because He loves you, you will be surrounded by hope, covered in grace and showered with blessings. May the One who is Sovereign lead you triumphantly through every episode, situation and circumstance of this day. May you be able to enjoy each blessing He has planned for you. 

Wednesday

Keep growing up in the knowledge and truth that God loved you so much that He was willing to suffer, die and be raised to give you hope, new life and steadfast love. Enjoy the wonderful and limitless love that God has for you, today and always!  Remember that God's favor, compassion and unshakable love is awaiting you today. Walk into the blessings, claim the anointing, and enjoy the wonders of His promises to you this day and always! 

Thursday

Place your hope in the One who loves us so much that he has opened the windows of heaven to pour out on us today's blessings in such abundance that we will not be able to contain it all. May your cup run over with love, joy and peace due to the tremendous amount of grace and love God has for you.  

Friday

I am excited about the great and wonderful things that are in God's plans for us today. God's tender love and unfailing compassion will bring us joy, sustain our spirits and bless us in ways that exceed our imagination. This is going to be an awesome day. 

Saturday

I can barely find the words to describe how much I long for and hope for the favor of God to rest upon you and your family. I am praying that this will be an amazing day for you. I pray that God's love will fill your cup until your blessings run over and flow freely through every moment of your day. Be blessed and rest in the arms and presence of the One who loves you. 

Sunday

I pray that you will be reminded that there is nothing too hard for the Eternal. May the full love, mercy and grace of the Almighty conquer your every foe, and remove every obstacle in your path. May you find the light and comfort you need for today and the week ahead.God bless you in every way that you need, and in every circumstance that you face.God grant this prayer that today you will see with your own eyes the power and the majesty of God.  

May God bless you always in abundance for the great love that you have and the wonderful things that you do.

With love (& in triumph),
Cassius

Welcome to Friday - 5.2.14

Welcome to Friday!

I am praying that you had a good week and if not that you will have a better week next week.

This week has been a tough week at work, but a refreshing and exciting week at home.  At work we spent all day Monday and Tuesday in meetings only to prepare a plan for our next 2 releases.  The planning meeting was difficult in its self, but seemed much worse when we were told on Wednesday morning that our parent company needed additional items.  This change meant that we needed to revisit our work plans.  That led to more meetings all morning on Wednesday, and by Thursday morning our parent company had once again identified additional needs for our team.  That of course led to a 2 hour meeting on Thursday where we finally got everything right.  Or at least we have it right for now.  Thursday afternoon was a blast because I could already see the weekend.  I am off today and that is great.  

The girls are in between concerts so the after school schedule was pretty light.  The Jazz band has a concert next week, and the honor choir that Sydney performs in has one as well.  Sydney's honor choir took home a "Superior" rating from the festival of music at Carowinds last Friday.  She enjoyed the trip, especially the food and snacks from the park.  

This week has been a bit slower since testing takes place next week.  The homework and classwork side  of things (right or wrong) has been focused on reviews and preparation.  Sydney and Gabbi have PASS testing, while Cassarra has to get ready for AP testing.  I think both Cassarra and Gabbi have end of the course exams to prepare for as well.  

The three younger kids are doing well, even as they continue to battle all of the allergy season.  Paige is doing well and counting down until the end of the year.  Actually, Paige started counting down after the first week of school.  Ava and Emma are of course growing very fast.  Emma has learned to walk very well and even tries to run.  I'm so thankful that Emma, Ava and even Paige will still try to great me at the door when I come home from work.  Emma tries to run to the door each afternoon, but Ava and Paige blow past her with ease.  

Trish is doing well.  She is fielding last minute calls from frantic parents regarding the yearbook orders.  This is "supposed" to be her last year doing the yearbook.  It has been fulfilling and challenging for her.  Right now, Trish and I are getting ready to go to a marriage conference retreat in Concord, NC.  We have gone every year or so for the last several years.  It is a great retreat filled with good information, insight and practical ways to apply what you learn.  Not to mention it is always fun to just get away ad spend time together.

Again, I hope that you have had a great week.  I pray that you and your family are well and that the love and joy of the Eternal will give you joy to carry you through all of your days.  Enjoy the rest of your Friday and have a great weekend!

Welcome to Friday!

With love (& in triumph),
Cassius