Welcome to Friday - 04.10.15

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Phil 4.19).

Welcome to Friday!

What a wonderful and amazing week!  Welcome to Friday!  How are you doing today?  I just wanted to check in with you and see how things are going with you and your loved ones this week?  Did you enjoy the week of joy, love, hope, and favor given to you this week?  How did your plans turn out for the week?  I hope and I pray that this week was filled with victory, power, strength, courage, prosperity, and the ever abiding presence of God.  I hope and pray that you are doing well and that you are feeling well.  I pray that your week has gone well and that you met or exceeded your goals.  

Last week was good, but I spent a fair portion of it sleeping off a really debilitating sinus infection.  I am so grateful for Trish and the girls.  This has been a much better week than last week the sinus and allergy fog that has tormented my nose, head, and chest are clearing.  I feel much better.  Not only has it been a good week b/c of my improving health, but because of all the joy that poured into this week.  

Saturday and Sunday were amazing.  I had training on Saturday for the Walk to Emmaus and then went to Manna Station at the church.  It is always exciting, interesting, and an opportunity to see God do wonders when you arrive at Manna Station.  And, this month a friend shared his good news, they now have an apartment and he is clean and sober for over 12 months.  God is awesome.  From the excitement of this news, to the unmatched reminder that "He is risen!"  Easter Sunday was a blessing.  Our church was filled with friends and family, smiling faces and beautiful sights and sounds.  The choir was amazing.  Gabbi did an unbelievable job on "Oceans."  I was just so blessed by the spirit, the promise and the hope of Easter.  The Sunday service also had the funny moment in the sermon when the pastor mentioned "Empire" and talked briefly about his surprise that some of his members were watching the show.  

After church we had a great family gathering and even though not everyone was there it was still so good to be with those who were and to enjoy the food, family and fellowship.  I had my fill of ham and this dessert that my cousin Lauren made.  I tried not to eat too much of anything, but when I got a bit of Lauren's dessert that changed.  It was so good that I took a few extras home,  and didn't regret the extra time on the treadmill.  Spending time with everyone is one of those priceless moments that could be on a commercial.

On Monday I had to get back to work after being out sick and off for Good Friday.  The day turned out to be amazing and work flew by quickly.  The girls enjoyed their last day of spring break from school and it was a good day for them as well.  After dinner Emma made us all laugh when it was bath time.  I asked Ava if she wanted to take a bath first, and before Ava could answer, Emma came running over with her arms up high saying, "pick me!"  She practically raced up the stairs and then proceeded to splash around in the tub during bath time.

Tuesday the girls returned to the school routine.  Sydney and Paige had no problems getting up and getting ready.  Gabbi was dragging just a bit, but Cassarra was probably the funniest of them all.  She was so used to being on break that she actually went to school without doing her hair.  Gabbi apparently noticed, but failed to discretely mention it, choosing instead to plop a brush down in front of her at the table in the library.  We are still desperately and prayerfully working on the "treat others exactly the way you want to be treated (Luke 6:31 MSG)," concept.

Thursday was Sydney's birthday and we celebrated together.  She asked me to make dinner instead of going out to eat.  He menu:

• crab legs
• shrimp
• pasta

The girl's got taste!  Thankfully the store was having a sale on crab legs.  It turned out quite nice.  Tina and Britanny came over for dinner.  I made the main course and Trish baked up some delicious cupcakes.  We all sang "Happy Birthday!" and then Ava helped Sydney open and play with her presents.  It is just so amazing to see how big the girls have gotten and seemingly the time has flown by.  The days pass so slowly, but the years seem to go in a blink of an eye.

This weekend is shaping up to be a busy one, but I am very excited for it all.  As always, you are in my thoughts and prayers and I know that God is able and so I believe that he will continue to love on us and do great things.  I hope you get time to rest, enjoy yourself and spend time with those you love.  Have a great weekend! 

Welcome to Friday

God be your never ending supply of love, hope and strength so that you may continue in the way and be victorious.   

With love (& in triumph),

Cassius

New doors will open

This post is a set of letters from friends (extended family) that spoke the truth in volumes. I am posting them here because they speak of success, victory, and the favor of God.

But also, and more so, because each letter came at a time when I needed it most. They were answers to my prayer to understand and be at peace with missing out on an opportunity to be promoted at work.

The neat things is, the first letter below came moments after I prayed.  Literally, moments after I prayed my cell phone buzzed to life with this text message of encouragement and faith.

Hi Cassius, you may be there already, but I wanted to share this with you...the more I speak victory and favor into my life the more God favors me and gives me the victory.  I recently was speaking with someone and shared with them that, "I could have saved myself a lot of stress had I only trusted God and had the faith that I have now."   Instead of just praying for blessings I am blessed, knowing that if I stay focused on God and have faith and stay joyful in all circumstances it will work for my good.   Yesterday in church a Rev Scott apologized to God... for not trusting him enough and having enough faith throughout his life.  I thought wow Rev. Scott is with me in this. I know that God has a plan for my life. I accept His plan joyfully and excited!

After reading and re-reading this message of inspiration and hope I felt a lot better about work, my purpose, position, and the changes that were coming my way.  I felt like I no longer needed to defend myself, or try to make "my will" come to fruition.  I was starting to feel so much peace that God is in control, and that it was ultimately going to be great.  I may not have gotten the position at work, but God has something even better in mind.  

I felt better, but God isn't just a good God, he is an awesome God.  He wasn't done with sending encouragement and hope my way.  He didn't just send one letter, but two.  Right after the text message was read, and my heart amazed at God's goodness my hip felt the familiar tinge of email notification buzzing.  When I checked my phone I found yet another set of encouraging words.  How great is God!

Cassius, in spite of what happened with the position, knowing you, I am certain that you handled your interim duties with grace, class, skill, and dignity, and that your successor knows that he can count on you to help facilitate a smooth, seamless transition.
Even through disappointment, our God knows our name and our frame and remembers that we are dust. He sees the bigger picture.
And... these are just a part of our various light and momentary afflictions.

God, I have so long worried about how things will turn out.   I get worked up about positions, power, prestige and my way. God, I haven't trusted you enough, or had the type of faith  to believe that your will is the best for my life.   Help me, help me God accept with joy, hope and excitement the plans that you have for me.

When a door closes in my life, help me anticipate with glee, excitement, and child like joy the new and next opportunity that you have waiting for me.  You are awesome and I thank you for your words of life, encouragement, wisdom, faith, favor, blessing, and promise.

So, I just want to re-iterate how awesome God is, and why I love Him and the big extended family he has given me.  My extended family has given me so much encouragement during my times of wrestling and in those times of "needing to find understanding."  I am so thankful that God sent the reminder that these are just "light" and "momentary" afflictions.  And the reminder that He is in control and the best is His desire for us.  

"When we lose one blessing, another is often

most unexpectedly given in its place."

- C.S. Lewis

Empty....

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He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.
 Matthew 28:6

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The empty tomb... this changes everything!

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