"...And be content with such things as ye have:..."

"...and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5

"What am I supposed to be doing today? Whats going on tomorrow? Whens my next appointment? What is that? When? Who? What?" Questions and thoughts can consume a persons mind sometimes. Oh I know for myself that once I have something on my mind, its hard for me to forget and to get it off. A prime example is this morning. I went to bed with a lot of things going on in my mind. I fell asleep thinking about it, and when I woke up, I was still thinking about everything that's going on around me, and in my life, and what I need to be doing, and whats going on in this persons life and how I wished I was already "moved on" in my life (married...found that special someone), and I just became overwhelmed and I sat there crying. I didn't know what to do, but to talk with the Lord. I told Him that I cant be waking up with thoughts and things of the future, and letting it overwhelm me. It's not necessary and its a waste of time. Why? Because God has me here right now, doing what He wants for me to be doing. I know I have said this in my last few blogs, but its so easy for me, for us, as humans to want what other people have. It is.

I want to move on with life and see what God has for me this coming year and so forth...BUT...I ask myself, "Why?" If God were to answer that prayer, I would miss on what God has for me now...today! As I sit here and type this, I am reminded that everyday is a new day, and how can God use me in this new day? I told God this morning as I sat there in bed looking out the window toward the sky, "Lord what would you have me do today?" I was listening to a song yesterday called "Grace", and the first part of the stanza says, "Lord, as I seek your guidance for today, I find my thoughts unyielding, confusion clouds my way, but then when I turn to you, the challenges you guide me through, Your promises are ever new, I give it all to you." Today is a new day like I said, and God must guide me through today, and I must let Him. How Lord can you use me today? Not tomorrow, not next week, but the day I am in today.

Philippians4:11 says, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." That is a verse that I am still working on. Being content no matter what others may have, but being thankful for what the Lord has given me. Being thankful for what He is doing in my life. I don't know about you, but I want God to use me in anyway that He can. I want to always keep my focus on the  Lord. I am a child of God and still a work in progress. I want to grow so much closer in the Lord. I want to glorify and honor the Lord with all of my heart. Have I accomplished that? No. But Im learning. The Christian life as I see it and as I know, entails a lot of learning. But with learning, comes growing, and that is what I want to do. Lord, help me to be content no matter what state I am.

"...and be content with such things as ye have:..." Hebrews 13:5

"It's Been A Long Journey, But I Have Been Blessed..."

"It's Been A Long Journey..."

The month of October... is the month where things started to change for me in my life...trials and situations I never once saw heading down my path, had entered in...The month of October...I went through a rough patch of depression, not wanting to eat, lack of sleep, alot of frustration and anger...things...things just weren't the same...

On October 6th - I lost my job that I had been working at for two and a half years. Oh, me loosing my job that day, and during that week, just was not right. I was already going through a rough week, and I really didn't need that to be added to my plate...or did I? I remember after finding out that I had lost my job, me asking myself,"So what am I going to do now? What am I supposed to do?" The one place where I knew God wanted me to be, had been taken away...I felt lost and confused. I won't lie to you, I was very upset at God. That whole week I spent every night crying and asking God, "What are you trying to teach me?? Do you even hear me? If you do, you sure aren't answering me..."

Friends kept telling me, "Its going to be okay. You are going to make it through this week. You can do it!" I knew I was going to make it through the week...that was something I knew, but how? I wasn't sure. Everything that was going on, was definitely taking a toll on me, and loosing my job at the end of the week, definitely didn't help. The following Monday, my mom told me that we needed to go out and job search. I was not going to have that. I wanted to morn over the fact that I had lost my job. Silly? Yes.My mom kept telling me how I needed to grow up, and that this has happened to a lot of people not just me. I kept trying to convince my mom that I wasn't everybody else, but just Cassie Miller. I put up a fight...oh I did.

What was I so afraid of about going to different places and looking for a job? Ill tell you in one word: REJECTION! Being told, "I'm sorry, we don't have any jobs for you right now." Every time I heard that, I thought to myself, "Well If I was still at the bank, I wouldn't have to deal with this..." But the fact was, I know longer would be working at the bank, and God has a different plan for me!

"...But I Have Been Blessed..."

The month of October was probably one of the hardest months for me. But what did I learn that month of October when everything just wasn't going the way that I liked to have it go? What did I learn through the sleepless nights? Nights where I would cry myself asleep? These are lessons that I am still learning, but am very glad that I am.

Psalm 37:23-24 says,"The steps of a good man are orderd by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand." Man...to know that my Lord IS with me no matter what I go through and that He IS right here next to me through every trial and situation that I go through, is so comforting. And yet sometimes when a trial or situation does come, I find myself so wrapped in it, that I forget His promises.

1 Peter 5:7 says, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." That week I found myself constantly calling out to the Lord, and asking Him to help me. I knew I couldn't make it through the day unless He was there to guide me through it.

Psalm 139:23-24 says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." I found myself throughout the week, quoting this verse. I wasn't exactly sure why, but I knew that all that was going on, was God molding me, and shaping me into His image. Yes, the situation and trials weren't good, but to know that my Lord was using it for His glory and honor, and to help me look to Him and just trust Him, was well worth it, and still is.

Well all face trials and tribulations everyday. I still am. But to know that I have the Lord on my side, and Hes with me each step of the way, its comforting. I still am looking for a job, but God has blessed me with a little part time job that doesn't pay a lot, but it helps. I also sometimes forget how He has blessed me with 6 piano students as well! So, I must keep doing what God has for me, and not give in or up! Even though its been a long journey, God has sure blessed me!

I Have Been Blessed!

Man, it has been a long time since I've last blogged. A lot has been going on in my life, and to be quite honest, I am not even sure where to begin. You know it's so easy, well for me, I find it so easy to focus on what I don't have, then what God has put right in front of me. I find it easy to say, "I wish I had this" or "I envy you because...". I focus on what I want, rather than asking God, "God what would you have me to do?" or "God, how can I serve you today?" My mind is always going to the future...not like in tomorrow, but as in "where am I going to be in the fall? Here in North Carolina or away at college?" or  "What is Gods plan for me in the future? A husband, a family?" I'm always reminded that I shouldn't worry about tomorrow, but focus on what God has for me right now.

So what...what is that God has for me right now? He has blessed me with a great church, where I am able to use my talents that He has given me to serve Him. You know, If I was away at college right now, I wouldn't be able to play piano for Patch the Pirate club, or play Preludes, play for the nursing home, work in the nursery, help serve at Bailey's Grove Baptist School and so much more. It's so easy to get side tract...so easy...but when you can serve the Lord, man what a blessing. Sometimes I need to step back and regain my focus, and remind myself why did God make me? He made me, so I can serve Him, and be a light for Him, to glorify Him. Ha, how can I serve the Lord, when my eyes are on myself?

God has a perfect plan for my life and He already knows what lies ahead and I need to trust Him and rely on Him. He doesn't give me anything that I can't handle, and I have to remind myself of that. It's good to know that no matter what I go through, that the Lord is always there for me. Psalm 37:23-24 says,"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not utterly be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand." It's so good to know that God is with me no matter what I go through, where I am at, what I am doing, what I am going through!

Trust in the Lord

Well, this week has been a very good week for me, and I know it's because of the Lord. God has been teaching me a lot this past week, but the one main thing that had seem to keep coming up, is thought of trusting. Trusting what? This week He has reminded me, of how important it is to trust in Him, the Lord, and how important it is to trust His Word.

Last Friday, Saturday and Sunday at my church, we had Prayer School (which is learning great tips and lessons, on how to pray and have a better prayer life.) Wow...it was so good! I was reminded of how important it is, to have that special time with MY LORD!! Each day, is so sweet! The song My Quiet Time Alone (by Ron Hamilton), starts off like this: ""Before I start each day, there is a special place I love to go alone and seek my Savior's face: I find wisdom in His Word to instruct me in His will, And I hear His gentle voice say, "My child be still." My quiet time alone gives me power to obey, My quiet time alone with God each day. I talk to Him in prayer; ev'ry day He meets me there, My quiet time alone with God." How true! I enjoy getting on my knees, bowing before Him and just talking to Him, and hearing what He has to say!


 Ha, this is kind of personal, but when I am about to start my devotions, I ask the Lord, "Are you ready for our date?" You've heard of people having "Date Nights" right? Some people have it on just one day of the week, and some people have it maybe more than just one day of the week. BUT...I love having "Date Nights", every day with my Lord. There is no dressing up fancy or anything like that. He simply tells me, to come just as I am. The spiritual food this week, the fellowship this week...oh has been amazing. Why do we eat? So we can get nourishment for the day, and the Lord has been really been giving me the spiritual nourishment I need each day. I'm not going to lie, each day, I can't wait to spend that special time with my Lord. Now I am not saying that this week has been 100% perfect, because it hasn't. I have definitely had some down times. But being able to apply what I have been learning in my devotions, and taking time to pray to the Lord, has been a huge blessing.
 
So, let me ask you? How has your walk with God been, and how has your prayer life been this past week? Have you been spending time with the Lord? If not, I would encourage you!
 
"O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry, Everything to God in prayer."

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

We all know the song, "I Have decided to Follow Jesus". It goes:

"I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
No turning back, no turning back."

As I was on my way home from Soul Winning, I was listening to some of my favorite hymns, when this song came on. After the first time listening to it, I replayed it back, and started listening to the words, and applying it to my life. I started thinking back to a conversation I had tonight with a friend, and how I was talking about my life and the different things that were going on. She said to me, "Cassie, you've got a lot going on right now." I kinda laughed inside, and I said to her, "I'm not a busy person..." In reality, I am. GOD, yes God has blessed me, and has allowed me to do so much. In my church...man oh man...He has allowed me to be part of the Music Ministry, and Nursing Home Ministry and many other things. Yes, these are only a few that are listed, but man, there is a lot involved. Now, I'm not complaining. Yes, sometimes it is overwhelming, but..."I have decided to follow Jesus... no turning back....." Yes, there is a lot going on in my life and in my family, but..."I have decided to follow  Jesus....no turning back..."

I thought to myself on my way home, "man the day that I accepted Jesus into my life, is the day I said, "Lord, here's my life, do what you will." Or in other words, "Lord, I will follow you." Like the last part of the song says, "no turning back." I thought about the things that are going on in my life, and I asked the Lord to help me keep my eyes forward and on Him. I asked Christ to help me to do my best, in what He has for me now, and what He is allowing me to. In Patch the Pirate Club, in nursery, in choir, teaching my piano students, play offertory's, helping out with my Sunday school class, while playing prelude for church, at my job, and at home...I want God to be magnified and lifted up. Sometimes...I do fail. But God...Hes right there and Hes telling me not to let "failure" get me down, but to keep on going.
 
In my devotions today, I was reading in Matthew 11:28-30 and it says, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Man, how reassuring was, and is that verse to me. No matter what I go through, I can turn to Him and lean on Him! I want to be so much closer to the Lord. I want Him to continue to use, and I want all the praise to go to Him. So how about you? What does the phrase, "I have decided to follow Jesus...no turning back...." mean to you?

"...And He Holds My Hand."

This weekend has been really good. I have definitely been enjoying my four day weekend :0) On Saturday, (September 3), some of my sunday school class (Connections Adult Bible Class) and I, went class/prospect visiting. Man, that was one of the most amazing times I have had. God used some of the people we met, to be a hug blessing to me. While we were out visiting, and as we were talking to certain people, I was reminded of how we all go through hard times, trials, and even struggles in our lives. I know that in my own personal life, when trials do come down my path, I sometimes let it have "control" over my life, instead of letting the Lord have control.

I know in my life when things get crazy, I start to question God. "God what in the world is going on? Why is this or that happening? Do you even know what you are doing?" I was reminded on Saturday morning of what God says in Psalm 139. Psalm 139:1-4 says, "O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it." This verse was a great reminder that He, Jesus Christ knows me, and He knows everything that is and is going to happen in my life. All He wants me to do is trust Him. (Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.")

Now I am not saying that when trials and tribulation happen in my life I handle it the right way, because I don't. I don't handle things like that too well, but I want to and I try. I can't make it on my own, relying on my own strenght. Why? Bcause my own strength fails me. Like Ive been learning, and still will be learning, I can only make it through the valleys and trials, with the Lord. In Hebrews I am reminded that He never leaves me, nor forsakes me. He is always there for me. I just...just have to call upon His name. Its amazing to feel Gods presence!

Well, I just wanted to share that with you all! Have a great day!

"Fake It, Till You Make It"

This week, the phrase "fake it till you make it" has come up repeatedly in my mind. "Fake it till you make it"...I kept asking myself, "what does that mean to me?" This week has had its ups and down. One day I'm feeling great...and the next day, not so great. You all know what I am talking about. I'm sure we have all had one of these days, if not many. But, how do we handle the "not so great days." How do I handle those days? In my life, its so easy to become stressed out, about a bad day. Its so easy for me to get frustrated and upset about things that aren't going my way.  But that's where the phrase "fake it till you make it" comes in.

Isaiah 40:31 says, "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint." Constantly this week, I was reminded of this verse. It was, and still is, a great reminder to me, that when I am having a "not so great day", that I can turn to my Heavenly Father, and ask Him to help me get through the day. Let me tell you, He is and was there! Those days that started out rough? Didn't get rougher, but better! The days were I might have felt weak tired? He gave me the strength to get through the day.

Ive been saved for almost 11yrs now, and I'm just now understanding, and I'm just still learning, that when things come down my path that I never saw coming, I have a choice on how I can handle it. I can either let the trial and circumstances overwhelm me (which is what I normally do, because I'm human), or I can take that situation, and let God have control. Oh how I was reminded of that this Wednesday. I am a pianist for my church (Bailey's Grove Baptist Church), and this Wednesday, I felt like I had a lot going on with the music. I had to prepare for Patch the Pirate Club, Offertory, Congregational, and Prelude. I'm not going to lie, my mind was overwhelmed. Many times during the day at work, I found myself reviewing my music. I just wanted everything to be ok...As the time got closer to start, I just asked God to take control of the music. I told God I wanted Him to be glorified! What great peace He gave me. As I played for each thing, I knew and I felt Gods presence! Praise the Lord.

So, I guess I want to ask you this question. How do you handle circumstances and trials that may not be seen coming down the road? Do you. (I), stress, freak, let it take control? Or do you, (I), "fake it till you make it" and trust the Lord do get you through. Ha, I am not perfect by any means, and I do struggle with this. But I am learning, and it's amazing! So I challenge you, the next time something comes down your path, "fake it till you make it", and lean on Christ.

Satan, So You Think You Have Won?

The Christian life is full of ups and downs. One day we can be like, "Praise the Lord" and the next day the complete opposite. I think sometimes to myself, "hey Lord, since I'm a Christian now, isnt my life supposed to be easy?" God never said life was going to be easy once we got saved. He told us in His Word that there would be trials and tribulations in our life. Ha, I thought of a small incident that happened today.

Saving money...I am not the best at it, and have a really hard time with it. I am trying to get on the ball with that, with the help of my family and friends. "I am trying to get on the ball.." See that phrase right there. Here I am realizing that I need to start saving money and I take the steps to do so like, opening up a savings account, not spending money where money doesn't need to be spent...Yep, everything is right on track...things are looking up!

(Knock, knock)
Satan knocking at my door.
"I hear everything is going well for you. Saving money finally? Listening to your parents and friends? Well, I don't like that, so here is a broken computer screen where you will need to use money to spend to fix it."
Yep, that happened today. Just when I got home to type something up, the screen cracks. Well not the screen. The plastic part around it. I tried to fix it...just wasn't working, in fact it got worse. Ha! I can laugh now. But 20 minutes ago, I wasn't.

I'm not going to lie, I was a little upset and I was thinking, "where in the world am I going to get the money to fix this?" Well, then it occurred to me, that this was the devil trying to pry his way back in my life and see if he could discourage me. Well, when I realized that, I told Him:
"Hey Satan, you think you have one this battle but you haven't. I see here you broke the outside of my screen, but there ain't nothing like duct tape to keep it together, until I have the money to fix it. So you can go to someone else and bother them, because your not having defeat over me."
I realized as soon as I told him that, there was a huge smile on my face. Yes, my screen is messed up, but there is nothing that tape cant fix. So Satan, you think you have won? I don't think so! For you see, I am on the Lords side and that's the winning side.

Who Said Saying Goodbye, Was Easy?

This past week, I have been saying goodbye to all of my friends that are heading back to Hyles-Anderson College..Who said saying goodbye was easy (I often remind myself). Man what a great summer I have had with all of my friends, and I truly hate to see this fun summer end. Well praise the Lord for memories, and memories I will cherish of the times we have had. My friend Mayra left on Tuesday, my friend Emily left Saturday, and the rest of my friends (Nicole, Whitney, Jerry, Elizabeth), they all leave tonight. Its gonna be a bittersweet moment, but I know they will be back either for Thanksgiving or Christmas. I guess for now I have to wait!

Yeah, those friends have either already left or will be leaving...But praise the Lord I have my very best friend, Jesus Christ, who never leaves me and is always with me, no matter what I may go through, through my ups and down...man, "what a friend we have in Jesus!" But, I have a great church family that I still get to be with...a church family whom I truly love. I have my dear friend Shelley whose still here, and I am truly grateful for that as well.

Who said saying goodbye was easy? No one. Life goes on, and we must live our fullest for the Lord! That's what my plan is. No matter what life may throw at me, I must keep a positive attitude, and keep my focus on the Lord, and He will carry me on!

"Even In the Valley, God is good"

Wow, its been a long time since I have written on my blog, and alot has happend. I was going to say I don't know where to start, but what better way, than to give a summary of what God has been doing in my life since January 2011. Now, I know some of you are saying "come on Cassie...not from there..." but, stay with me. God has been doing a lot in my life, and still is.

God has been showing me this year, how important it is to lean on Him and to trust Him, even when I dont feel like it. At the beginning of this year, God had been dealing with me in my heart, about attending Christian college at Hyles-Anderson College, in Indiana. For the longest time ever, I didnt want to go to that school. Why you ask? For a lame reason. The reason of not wanting to go there because "everyone" in my church went there. Well God over the past few years had been really working on me, and not having a heard heart toward there. Well in March of 2011, God showed me that Hyles-Anderson College, was the place to go. I was soooo excited. I was able to visit the college twice since march, and I have totally fell in love with it! The people there (students, faculty and staff) truly love God, and want to serve Him with there all.

Like I said before, I was supper excited to attend Hyles, in the fall.I knew this is where God wanted me so I was ready to go. I came home, told my parents I wanted to go there, and started to get everything ready. I got accepted to the college, and I was then applying for one of the colleges scholarships, The Jericho Plan. I knew there was going to be a long time before I heard if I got the scholarship or not. I kept emailing people there and calling, to see exactly when we would find out. After weeks and weeks, a lady said that the week of July 18th, we would find out.

The week of July 18th was the week that my church was attending Youth Confrence at Hyles. I was really excited about it, so I signed up to go! We had a blast and heard some very convicting messages about the Cross. The cross...where Jesus bore His blood for me, and took away all my sins. The cross...where they guards pierced nails into His hands and feet for my sins. The cross...where they the stuck the crown of thorns into His head, and pierced His side, and He did for me and my sins, in hope that I would recieve salvation....
The week was coming to an end, and i knew that when I got home, I would find out if I was accepted to the Jericho plan or not....

I made it home and found one letter on my dresser. It wasnt the letter I wanted to see...It wasnt till about 5 weeks later, I got the letter....and it said...I did not recieve the scholarship...I tried to be strong, and I kept saying it was okay...but it wasnt. I was so sad and dissapointed. I started to question God on why I didnt get it..I should have known better. Well, I emailed my Preacher, and he wanted to meet with me and my parents about what was going to happen. In my head, I was expecting the meeting to go one way, but it so didnt go the way I thought it should.

I wont go into all the details that went on in the meeting, but I will tell you the end result. Preacher left me with two choices. He told me I could either go right now to college, or step back and try to save money to go at a later time. Everyone in that room agreed that they believed God was and has called me to attend that college. Preacher said that I need to listen to what God said, but to also listen to what my parents said. My parents suggested that I stay home and save money. I have to admitt something. I was not happy about that at all. After I have been accepted to the college I wasnt even going to get to attend? A couple days later I called the school to let them know, and the lady said she would just move all my stuff for next year. Thats a blessing :0)

The next few days or months....werent easy... I was going through a valley....a valley were I didnt see the light at the end. Friends and family were telling me that it is going to be okay, and I...I just didnt see that at all. People kept tellign me that He has me here still for a reason. I just didnt see how that could be, espically since I know He wants me at Hyles. On tuesday (8/23/2011), I was talking with a dear friend, and she just talked to me and reminded me again, that God has a reson for me being here. She than began to open her heart to me and just share some things, and through that, God used her to open up my eyes. He reminded me that He has blessed me and has allowed me to work in different ministries. Piano, Patch the Pirate club, Nursing Home, Jr Church, Choir, Teaching piano...blessing from the Lord. He reminded me that I need to give my all, and hey maybe Hes not finished. But I must keep going on. That night I began to see the light at the end of the valley. "Even in the valley, God is good, even in the valley, He is faithful and true, He carries his children through, like He said He would, even in the valley God is good."