Casting Cares

You are BEAUTIFUL

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 16:50:01 -0400

This is a message for all you gals out there who don’t think you are beautiful, or good enough. Who are you comparing yourself too? The world’s standards—based on fakes! When you put yourself down, what are you saying about God? Nothing good. What you think about yourself really reflects what you think about your Creator. He made you in HIS image, you are HIS creation. His works are WONDERFUL.

Psalm 139:14: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Find comfort in that and allow your confidence to grow, because then you’ll glow. Confidence is beautiful, just like each and everyone of you women!

Christ is Risen! <3 by Carly Woodland

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:59:25 -0400

Christ is Risen! <3

by Carly Woodland

Photo

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 22:11:55 -0400

Living a Life of Contentment

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:45:07 -0400

Can we live a life of contentment? Paul learned to, and he found the secret. Philippians 4:10-13 says:

“I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through him who gives me strength.”

*Lie: I will be content when my circumstances align with my desires.*

1. The circumstance isn’t the problem.

It is our attitude towards the circumstance that is. We focus too much on what we don’t have, or on the bad that we don’t focus on the blessings.

2. Contentment is an attitude we learn, not a thing we achieve.

God teaches us and molds us through our circumstances to be more like him. But we have to be teachable and willing. God’s #1 priority is not to make us happy, but to align our lives with the character of Christ; to be like him.

3. Prosperity does not have power to give us contentment, nor does poverty have the power to take it away. Unless, of course, we give it that power.

4. God doesn’t give us anything he knows he can’t handle. He wants us to become dependent on him, not ourselves. He knows that if we have him, “…we can do anything through him who gives us strength.” (4:13)

The strength that God gives us, the attitude we have, and our willingness to be mold-able. And that, is the secret Paul found.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” - 1 Timothy 6:6

“The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our...

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:36:50 -0400

“The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” - Isaiah 40:8

A New Journey

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 22:22:11 -0400

There are many times in life where it feels like we have a fresh start. Perhaps your family is moving and you get to restart a new school and make new friends; a new first impression. Starting high school, university, moving out onto your own into the world. Even just starting a new school year. You make plans and promise yourself you’ll always do your homework, and you linger over the new school supplies you will of course take good care of this time. How about a new relationship? A healed relationship? Perhaps, it’s really not a big occasion at all…

For me, this moment is now. I just finished my first year of mind stressing and persistence testing nursing school, I’m living with my mother in a city which I’ve never lived in before, and I’m hours away from all my friends and my boyfriend, church families and parts of actual family. I’m starting a job in fast food, which I have zero experience whatsoever, and I must master my fear of driving by attending drivers ed for three weeks. What’s so special about all of this? In fact, it seems I’m in the middle of a rather jumbled place. Nevertheless, this fresh start feeling does not come from being in a new place, starting a new job, or finishing a school year, and even being in a new relationship. It comes from the place that I am at with God.

Despite all the trials I’ve encountered over the past four years, I never let go of God. I struggled at times yes, but never did I let my doubt fully override my faith. I’ve just come out of a very low time (not the first I will say) as I struggled with many things during my first year of university. And I realized that though during this time I didn’t let go of God, I sure wasn’t fully running towards him. No, rather, I stayed put in my quite comfortable bubble. Actually…it was becoming quite uncomfortable, and something was not right.

Let me give you an analogy.

In field sits a flower. It’s leaves are out, soaking up all the rays of the sun. The sun gives this flower life. After a couple weeks of this, the flower starts to wilt and its leaves dry. Just days before the flower is to die, dark clouds begin covering the sky, and it rains down on it. And rains and rains. The flower is saved.

If you were the flower, about to die, would you deny the rain? Of course flowers need sun, but if all they had was sun, they would die. Rain is essential for the flower to grow. Just as the rain in your life is essential for you to grow. God would not deny us of the rain.

But the rain stops. And though the storm may have not been so pleasant, God uses it to help you grow. To help you, heal you, and shape you. Well, it seems that right now , the rain is dwindling, turning into a light sprinkle in my life. It was all so hard, but it helped me to be the flower I am today. No doubt there will be more rain, but I can rest in the fact that He makes all things good for those who love him.

And so here I am. Fresh out of the storm. Sometimes it’s hard to see him through the clouds, but now I have a clear view, and I’m using this view as a fresh start with him, with me, and with those around me.