Tuesday, November 9, 2010
one of those little things...
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Amazing Podcast
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/april-11-2010-speaker-ray/id373611658?i=83473698
We love you all and miss you so much here in Sophia!
Jonathan
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Completely overwhelmed in the most beautiful way...
I am more than settled back in Norway and I am having such an amazing time being back here. I have more responsibilities now that I am a second year student in YWAM. My class is so great - I am pretty much always laughing. The joy of the Lord has enveloped and enraptured me in every possible way; its overwhelming. We have been learning about the fear of the Lord and it has been so good! He has ruined me... I have been more than challenged... I have been CHANGED. What a wonderful message we carry. We have each been intrusted with the gospel and it is a privelige to tell one about Christ and His love, and He is SO worth it all! I was challenged to talk to people on the street the other day about Jesus... like, how does one start a conversation off without creeping someone out? In Europe especially it is more difficult. But I went for it, and started talking to an ex drug addict about what I was doing in Norway and offered him some chocolate... as the conversation went on I was prompted by the Spirit to tell this man that he had a Father in heaven that loved him. Of course, I felt a little dumb and it was so typical for me to say something like that. But as I told him about the Father he had in heaven, he paused and had a sad look. This mans father had abandoned him at a very young age and he has been searching for him for many years. A few years ago he finally found his fathers telephone number, called him and was immediately rejected yet again. As I listened to his story, I just felt the love of God for him in a way I had never experienced. I gathered up the boldness to tell the gospel and asked him if he REALLY wanted to accept Jesus, and sure enough he did! So exciting to be used by God in such a way. My friend Robert and I will meet up with him two or three times a month to see how he is doing.
But yeah, basically I am doing so great! I love this country... and Europe in general... this is where I am called.
Just know that I am praying often for each of you!
If you ever want to send me some mail... that would be very encouraging ;)
the address is on my facebook as well as in the blog address book.
Love you guys so much.
Keep updating !
-cassandra
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Moments.
I am just amazed at how wonderful the Father is and how every single moment fitted so perfectly together to make our hearts come alive and beat as one, with each other and the Father. Everything came in perfect timing.
Every moment of laugher, every moment of pain, every physical injury, every tear that was shed, ever hide away moment, every contemplation, every surfacing memory, every late night, every breeze, every rock thrown in the lake, every candle lit, every word in our journals, every vision seen, every word heard, every battle fought, every word screamed, every fist pounded, every song sung, every dance danced, every touch given, every car ride driven, every stride through the field, every stroke of a paint brush, every drum beat, ever cry heard, every declaration voiced, every prayed said.
Everything was created in perfect harmony to create a special love and a solid family bond that will never be broken by changes or time.
Today i remember.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
If you wanna be cool, come to this.
So you'll look a lot like this rabbit if you come to this. Now i understand many of you are living in Australia and Peru and such places as these, but thats ok because we wont judge you for not coming. You already look like this rabbit any way. Saturday, September 4, 2010
face your fears!!!
August 25th, 2010
I will not hide from this loneliness.
I will not cower at the sight of its face.
I will not fear it as an imminent doom. For you see- I have been shown the truth of the matter, and the truth of it is,
I am created for friendship. Friendship was created for me. I will not walk alone the rugged face of this earth- the hills and valleys, the desserts and oceans. I was created for the joy of friendship, the extravagance of community, and I will not walk alone.
So loneliness, I remember your face. I knew you, once I knew you well. But I have said to you my sweet goodbye- you will not be my companion any longer. I let go of your hand at apple hill. I left you there on the shore while I climbed into my Papa's arms and let him sail me away and show me the truth-
I am loved by love.
I am love.
I am more than I could ever imagine.
And I will not walk alone.
And then, on August 28th I was just sitting down to create something of some sort, and I wrote this little blurb-
I can feel the beauty of words, as they mush around inside and slowly leak through my fingertips, onto the page.
I can feel the beauty of words as they saturate my hands and start to drip onto the floor.
I can feel the beauty of words as I slosh around in this puddle I've created,
I can feel the beauty of words.
There was a cool picture that went with that one, of a hand being pulled out of water and dripping.
I miss you all an immense amount.
Thank you for being my family and helping me to face my fears.
I love you all.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
& Did our hearts not burn within us?
Tonight was quite comical. About a week ago, as I was attempting to raise support, a local missionary contacted me and asked if I could speak at his church on missions night. I was in the newspaper about a month ago... they wrote an article on my travels and that is how he found out about me. But anyhow, I agreed to speak at his church, but let's be honest, I mainly did it because the man said we would take up an offering. I arrive at the Baptist church and was greeted by some nice Southern women who talked their bouffant-haired heads off about how I was doing such a wonderful thing. At that moment I was so overjoyed and felt the love of the Father. What a privilege it is to do what I love. From a young age I have wanted to travel and tell about the love that I have encountered so strongly. Culture, language, hearing peoples stories,traveling, history, really loving & not judging... those things are what I live for! My call is so different from so many others and how blessed am I to be able to pursue it. So after a BBQ and a few good ol' hymns, I got up on that stage and told them about the love of the Father and what it has inspired me to do. I spoke about all the things I had learned in my DTS and the things I will be doing; that was the first time I really really verbalized all of the things I learned. I talked for thirty minutes straight and probably could have talked all night because I had so much to tell and it was burning in my heart so strongly to tell someone. I didn't realize how much I wanted to tell my story until I told it. I want to go my whole life telling people all the awesome things God has done through my life and I am just glad He is my story, and I want to tell that story until the day I die, because when I tell the story... I come alive. Also, I raised over $1,000.00 and that is such a huge deal! I only am in need of $700.00 more for my tuition. Praisum! After the service, I went to the back to shake hands (I just laughed inside my head when they asked me to, but I gladly did so, of course!) and people were so supportive of what I was doing and the truth is, I didn't know any of them, but I loved them.
So as I embark on another adventure I will surely hold each of you in my heart. Maybe I will send some post cards around when I findthe money... one at a time, I guess. I miss you all and truly adore each one of you. I wouldn't mind if you kept me in your prayers and sent me a kind letter or email every now and then either ;) I will put a picture of us on my wall ...if David ever posts the group photo or the one the dig. Photography elective did - In the words of Josh/Miriam “take your time”.
Love you/Gla i deg!,
Cassie/Mama Cass/Cassandra/your semi-Norwegian friend
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
for your viewing pleasure
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Who's coming to Worshipfest Greenville this Saturday?!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
what a privelege it is to miss another.
I decided to take a drive around the lake before leaving. as I drove through the woods, my headlights highlighted a lovely white mushroom. I started to drive past it, and thought of josh. I stopped my car. I wasn't going to get out, but then I felt the Lord whisper,
"Who will look at my mushrooms now?"
I got out and looked at it. I let it judge me. It was clean. it appeared as a tall white round table, cloaked in a crisp white lace table cloth, it seemed ready for company. I had never seen one like it the whole summer. it was beautiful. complete. it told me I had completed my summer here, and it was beautiful, intricate and worthy of notice. I was clean. I was to begin my next season bearing no guilt or shame, but instead cloaked in the lace of my Father's pleasure.
He has hidden secrets inside the small things, not to keep us away, but to pull us close. drink up the small things. they will be a well in the desert and a kiss in the garden.
I asked God what it was like not having anyone there, thinking He would say something about his heart still existing in the land or just some profund statement of rest. instead He said,
"I miss everybody. I like it better when they're here."
to miss, means you have loved. what a privelege to know that we have loved and that He has loved.
I was in Nashville this weekend visiting some friends. I was sitting at a table with a group of people, some I knew, some I didn't and I felt strange. I felt a longing in me that I had not felt for the past 2 and a half months. People at a table, carrying conversation, moving from one to the next, eating food. I tried to introduce myself to this one person, he happened to get up from the table at the very moment I turned. totally akward moment one of my other friends saw. he laughed. I felt like a total dork. I just wanted to be known, to be understood. The revelation of the gift I had been given, of being in a place where people knew me, loved me, fought for me, and believed the best in me washed over me. I missed you guys so much. I also then remembered that if I felt that way, I bet everyone at the table felt that way. I got a new "history book" a week or two ago. Its just for august and september. its thinner, but same great paper. anyways I was doing a creative entry and I just thanked Him so much for letting me be known and help make others known. The He encouraged me that although that season was and is amazing, at the end of the day, I am known by Him. He holds my hand, He holds my heart. and He reminded me to not let insecurity engulf me, but to instead help them find their voices, help them feel known. The next day was totally different. and at the end of the night, a person shared a song he wrote and then offered th guitar up, a room full of amazing musicians, none of them really wanting to share their songs. I took a deep breath and said, "I'll play a song." I closed my eyes. wrapped myself in papa's arms and sang the song that says, "and you, you know me well, you hold my had, you hold my heart..." was itn't perfect by any means, but is was me. God came in that room. I know it. anyways after that other people started playing songs and it just lead to this joyful music time. but that wasnt the point. the point was that God helped me remember that I play because He loves it. its good do things He loves. it changes seemingly unchangable situations.
always remember, God knows you. let that security overflow and watch it cover the insecurities of a generation longing to be known. He had told me that morning " Your Beloved is by your side" and indeed he was. indeed He is.
and I miss you guys because I love you.
jessica denise stafford of Jamestown North Carolina. lover. misser.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
"hold onto the image of God"
Hey friends! I hope everyone’s been doing well. I’m sure it’s not been easy, but maybe easier than you thought, with Christ in you and all: he is the good news to every bit of bad news you encounter. He is alive. It’s a different life walking in the Spirit and not the soul/flesh. It is a new dance with everyone and even yourself sometimes (all the time?). And it is beautiful if you let him lead you first and join him in the dance. Believe! Let him lead you. He is so kind.
A DREAM:
I had a dream last night that we were all walking down a road at night, and there was a detour, or more like construction on the road that wasn’t finished/didn’t get finished unexpectedly. It was sort of a crisis moment. But there were cops there to help guide people, and I assume others working on the road.
When we got there (the construction was near the end of this road), there was a white sort of blanket/huge cloth spread out to the right, off the side of the road. It was on a hill sloping down towards the road, and there were black, sticky chemicals on parts of the cloth and the road like tar that had something to do with fixing the road, but were very sticky and potentially dangerous. We did not want to fall into the road.
We were told to “hold onto the image of God” over and over again as we traveled, referring to the white cloth. So we grabbed on and started our journey. I was towards the front of the group in the dream. It took a bit of effort, but wasn’t impossible or treacherous. When I got to the end, my left foot got stuck in some of the black goo that was like a puddle on the cloth, and I was trying to ask the police officer for help, who was right there, but he thought I was asking questions about an MRI for some reason and wanted me to keep moving. But then he saw my foot, and pulled it out. It was just barely stuck, enough that I couldn’t get it out on my own.
I moved on and it looked like we were at a border of some sort, where you drive through the toll/service/inspection booth-looking sort of thing, which was white too I think. We were all going to go through after this. But first, I understood that those who got through—at least 5 or so would be needed to do this—could go back down the road and get back in to help others (which doesn’t make sense in the natural, but it made sense, and makes a whole lot of sense in the Spirit). We could either go back all the way and come through again behind, or jump in at places to come along side others to help them through. We had overcome, had authority, and encouragement to strengthen each other.
AN INTERPRETATION:
Unexpected things will happen in this time of transition. And the Lord is showing us that we are still together and meant to be to help each other and experience the last part of this road as a family. There will be help where we go. And the way we will make it through these unexpected detours and crises moments is to hold on to the image of God, grab hold of who He is--all by Himself, to you, and in you--and trek on together. You are made in his image. Remember who you are and who he is.
When we forget who God is and who we are, we lose our very foundation and will be tossed about and very confused and feel very lost. God’s nature and character, which are also in you, are the anchor for us in the storms. Don't listen to the voices that say, "He is not like you hoped." "See, I told you things would never change." "It was only a dream, you foolish child. Grow up, welcome to real life."
Your response should be, "No, things have changed: inside of me. I see God for who He is and I see how he sees me. And THAT changes everything. Things are, in fact, about to change."
From the inside out, the Kingdom can come. It has come. Believe and let it manifest. Dance in step with the Spirit.
If the enemy can blur you view, he will. He will lie to you and try to deceive you so he can rob you blind of what is actually true and truly yours: your free and open relationship with God, and your inheritance and place of authority and influence on the earth: your family, friends, work, school, church, strangers. You bear the image of God, and if the enemy can steal God's image from you, you will reflect what you believe to be true about Him, good or not so good.
What is happening is the enemy is challenging your faith. But my friends, "count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness" (James 1:2).
God is working steadfastness in you. You overcomer you. You look like Jesus.
"Hold onto the image of God"
When one person got through, they could come back and help others. They overcame and had authority and encouragement in the goodness of the Lord to come through again behind others and to enter in at points of others journeys to come alongside and help. We are all gonna make it! Yes, we’re in war. But we’re not alone. I think 5 is the number of grace? Maybe God is saying that he will give us grace to make it through. Of course he is! That is good news!
I'm telling you, even sharing your stories so far about how God met you guys right where you went to and helped you in your honesty and being real, and how he changed everything, how it's different with your family, telling stories like these builds faith in me and I know will in others. Come back to us after your victories and encourage us. Come alongside again, share the grace of Jesus that you experience. Lavish it on us, and on the faint of heart. Put courage inside each other. Don't let the enemy's lies rule in any one of us and steal us blind from all God is and has for us.There were some other scenes along the way of my dreams last night. One was in the woods, the last few days of the school, Johnny pulls up in the Tahoe and does some funny exit from the vehicle, and encouraged me aside that if we didn’t go to DB’s house for a movie Thursday night that we should definitely do something together, like go to Raleigh (a previous plan in the dream?), but not just be scattered and about our own business. It was the Lord I believe.
Again, if what we planned on happening changes or doesn’t happen, the Lord is encouraging us in those moments to plan to stick together, intentionally stay together, and not be alone when things don’t happen like we plan, or expected.
The name "Raleigh" means, "red clearing" ("ra" from an Irish-Gaelic word, "rua," meaning "red", and "leigh" meaning clearing, meadow, wood or of the forest). Interesting. Helser: "Of the Woods." :) Remember that moment with Johnny on the coffee table?
Everything was brown. Lots of brown colors in the trees, obiviously, but the vehicle, and Johnny's clothes. All light brown. Which can mean humility.
The phrase, "red clearing" makes me think of the passage in 1 John that talks about living together in the light and the blood of Jesus cleansing us. The power of asking for help, and confession, and praying for one another. Humility, asking for help. Community. Things can shift inside quick if we agree. Don't let things fester any longer. Don't let doubt and confusion rule you for days. Ask for prayer. Confess your struggle. There is power in agreement. There is power in confession. Cadence gets this. And he finds a lot of stuff he lost really quick. God wants that for you and me too. We're not to be tossed around and unsure about who he is and who we are. God wants us to know and experience this new life. When you lose something, ask and agree with someone to get it back. God will fight for you, and in and through you to find it again. He will bring you back to it. He really does move when we ask him. He's just waiting for us to ask. It's half the battle to recognize we lost our peace, confidence, joy, courage, belief, love and ask for it back. Because it means we recognize God wants it for us. He is good.
Chris was looking through my journal at one point in a dream, totally reading my stuff! I have been sharing things with the Lord that are personal! Gosh Chris! ;) And he has been the past few nights in my dreams :) Ha!
Maybe the Lord will give you encouragement that is specific to someone’s journey right at this moment that will rock them and lift them up. Don’t be afraid to share it with them. Don’t be afraid to keep on prophesying. Choose to release the Kingdom inside of you. Fight for me. Fight for us. Fight for who we really are. You see it. Tell me again who I am. We all need to remember what life is like in real community and the power and light of encouragement.
Don't be afraid to invite others into your journey. What a gift is a friend. God in flesh.
Much more simply put: hold onto the image of God. That will be your anchor and foundation when things go differently than you expected. Don't let old lies replace what God has showed you He is like. Let that be more true than any why question you have. Your trust is your greatest worship.
Love you guys,
Joel