BIG Questions in Life

QUESTIONS

· How do you keep moving forward?

· How do you keep from comparing your life to others and not get down?

· What is your reassurance that reassures you that you will get the break in life you know you are promised?

To Move

There must be a marriage between faith and trust; they cannot be divorced from one another. Movingforward is another way to say: Look forward and not backwards at your life. When we look backwards, itslows us down…just ask any runner. We tend to question and over-analyze things from our past. We
cannot change the past. We cannot un-do the past. So why keep focusing on something that is out of your control? What you have control over is your attitude. Are you going to continue to dwell in the past OR are you going to learn from your past and move forward? Look at your hand. Clench your hand into a fist. Think of yourself as the clenched fist. You’re tight, holding on, and tense! That is what it is like when we try to control or when we are fighting for our timing or when we are holding on to the past. Now release your hand and open it up. You’re only truly able to receive from the Lord…when your hand is open; He has space (your palm) to place the new thing HE is wanting you to have. How can you receive something if your hands are clenched? You want to be moving towardsomething that is in front of you. None of us know what that something is, because only God sees the BIG picture and knows what’s to come…and that is where the faith and trust come into play. You have to trust and believe that your something is going to be good, because God is good.

Ephesians 3:20

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”


Move forward with a positive attitude. Move forward by stop looking back. Move forward by letting go and being open to receive. Move forward by staying in God’s word and HIS promises. Do what the Lord says in Philippians 4:8, so that you’re rooted with a strong spiritual and mental foundation to carry you on your journey…

“…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”

To Compare

"If God had wanted me otherwise, He would have created me otherwise."
~ Johann von Goethe

When we see someone who seems to have everything we want, what we’ve been waiting and praying for…

It’s real easy to say, why not me? It’s real easy to wonder if you’re going to have your lucky break. It’seasy to think nothing is ever going to change. It’s easy to ask God, when? It’s easy to ask God, how is thisgoing to happen? I have found myself even saying toGod a time or two…What did they do or say to get that-What am I doing wrong?

The “it’s real easy” stuff…is a lie to take your eyes off the Lord. When we compare, the underlining thought is…Where’s the special plan for my life? Again, more lies.

We are ALL designed with a unique purpose and plan. The truth is…God DOES have a special plan for your life. God knows the beginning from the end…nothing is a surprise to HIM. Set-backs are really divine ordered steps set in place before you were even born. When things seem to be going wrong, in reality, things are going right. Wrongs doors must close in order for the right doors to open. Be thankful for when something closes, because it ultimately means protection. Why would you want to be somewhere, where you don’t belong?

Instead of focusing on what’s going wrong or what’s not happening just yet in your life, focus on what you do have. Everyone goes through trials. Everyone. Don’t compare yourself to others, because you never know what someone goes through. You never know what trial or set back occurred before their success…all you see is their success. You never know what trail someone might face in the future. If it’s success now or success later, the bottom line is…we all go through trials; it’s part of the human experience. God is with them just like HE is with you. Next time you see someone that you start comparing yourself against, remind yourself that if God did it for them, then HE will do it for you too.

"Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead ofa second-rate version of somebody else."~ JudyGarland

Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

To Reassure

What is your reassurance that reassures you that you will get the break in life you know you are promised?

It’s through my experience with the Lord that gives me reassurance. It’s knowing and continuing to learn about the Character of our Lord that gives me reassurance. It’s remembering the times the Lord fulfilled promises, and keeping that spark alive for future promises.

Every promise in the Bible is for you and I. Every promise. God is all love. God is good. If God promises you something, then you know it’s going to happen, because to know God, is to know that HE is not a liar.

Numbers 23:19

“God is not like people. He tells no lies. He is not like humans. He doesn't change his mind. When he says something, he does it. When he makes a promise, he keeps it.”

If I am not getting something that I feel has been promised to me, then I would conclude that it’s not the right time. God is at work all the time. Everything has a divine order to them. When God is working in our lives to prepare us for that promise, keep in mind that HE is also arranging and preparing the other people who will be involved in the situation. Don’t get anxious about the when’s of life. When things happen, let them happen in God’s anointed time…because that is when you will experience grace and protection; HE knows what’s best for you.
Knowing God loves me and Knowing God’s character is what gives me reassurance.

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”
~Luke 12:25

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
~1 Peter 5:7

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

~ Jeremiah 29:11

In Closing

A caterpillar goes into their cocoon, hidden from theoutside world. The caterpillar goes through such atransformation in the cocoon…once thetransformation is complete, it breaks free…it’s able tofly in complete freedom and is admired for its beauty.

Let God transform you. Keep stretching, reflecting,and hoping. Think positive, say what is positive, andbelieve what is positive.

1Peter5:10

“In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.”

CLC

"Falls in Life"

I've had a bad day and I don't have anything good to say!

But Im gonna try...

Sometimes in life, it’s the darkest before the light.

That"fall" that you thought was going to ruin you, is just pushing you towards something really great.

In your "falls", learn to keep your focus on our Lord and not on your circumstances. Know that the Lord can turn any situation around. Everything is subject to change. I mean, everything and anything can turn around, except our great and always good God. Put your faith in the spirit world and don’t worry how many times you have "fallen". Think of it like this: more "falls" equals greater victory. You may "fall" tonight, but joy can rise in the morning; never give up.


If you are experiencing the same "fall" over and over again…stop and think.

What do you need to learn in this chapter of your life?

What do the "falls" really represent in your life?

What lessons does your soul need to learn, so you don’t repeat the same "fall"?

a second to late or a moment too soon

How we spend our days is how we will spend our lives.

How are you spending your days? Are you happy, sad, or miserable? Are you doing something that you don't want to be doing in your future? Are you investing in something that isn't worth investing in?

I never really considered this quote until a few minutes ago. I read it days ago on a website and just re-read it again and the words hit me. I don't know about you but how I am spending my days right now I DON'T want it to continue into my future and become my life. Its easy to push aside right now because I say it want last forever but what we do today echo's into eternity. Before we know it weeks have passed, weeks turn into months, months into years, then we realize we are living with what we thought we never would live with. It's not just how we are spending our lives, its who we are spending our lives with and how we think, talk and everything.

Right now I ask myself am I happy how I am spending my days?

Am I happy with my view towards life?

Am I happy with the people I am spending it with? Spending days with them could turn into spending my life with them.

How I view my situation right now could turn into how I live my life.

I cant help but feel that God wants better for me. As his child he wants the very best for us. Don't sell yourself short. Don't wait it out. The hurt, the regret, the lack of something that you aren't receiving. It doesn't have to be that way forever. God wants to give you all of those things. We first have to be willing to let go and trust in HIM. If you have been done wrong, talked down to, belittled, beaten, forgotten, felt like you weren't good enough. YOU are more than GOOD enough. You were made exactly the way you are for a reason and God knows the right person for you that will love you and celebrate you for being you. If your in a bad relationship, bad marriage, abusive marriage, broken home, recent widowed, divorced, or feel like your alone in life I pray for God's direction for in this hard time. Your not alone, he's there...he's with you everyday. I promise he's working behind the scenes for you to come out on top. Just remember HE has a plan to prosper you, give you HOPE and a FUTURE. Sometimes we think we have gone far beyond mess up and there's no way it could turn around. Ask God friend, you'll be amazed at what he can do. What seems big in our eyes is small to HIM because he sees the big picture. I imagine him saying "ohhh I got this"...let HIM have it friend trust in the Lord with every last detail and choice in your life. Commit your life and your choices to God, I promise he will show up. With that said..say it till you feel it "GOOD THINGS ARE COMING"

waiting on those good things coming my way

CLC

Who Pushed The Pause Button in Life...?

Circumstances or situations that feel like they are NEVER going to change...

I feel like a lot of times I am stuck in this same rut in life and everything and everyone around me is changing. I feel like my friend are graduating college, getting great jobs, finding their soul mate and living happily ever after with their cute little family and prefect little jobs. But in all of these seemly “perfect” situations, they ALL eventually have felt like me, stuck in rut or down in a hole.

Here’s a good reminder, things ALWAYS change. No matter how permanent they feel, they will change.

As the old saying goes “this to shall soon PASS” which is a great way to put things that come into our lives that have that “suffocating-it’s-never-gonna- change” effect on us.

The truth is that God is continually working in our life, that He has a good plan for us and it’s not to harm us, but to bless and prosper us. God loves us and scripture says that He wants to give us the desires of our hearts—but we must SEEK Him first. Before we seek to get out of high school, before we want to “get into the real world,” before we want a spouse, before we want children…insert your “it’s never gonna change” situation here. We all have them!

Remember to keep your eyes fixed on God and rest your hearts desires in His hands. There is no on else…EVER…who can make the impossible, possible. And there is no one else that can turn a broken life into a beautiful mosaic. Our God is a God of restoration, healing and HOPE. Hope that right now, in this very moment, He cares. He loves you. And He is actively working in your life. Just be still and know that He is. He is the Great I AM. No circumstance can contain the God of the Universe!

Let’s learn to look beyond our current circumstances and see the possibilities with an all powerful, all knowing and ever present God.

Matthew 17:20 “If you have faith, nothing shall be impossible for you.”

hope, faith, and understanding that our best days are AHEAD of us...

always yours,

CLC

I Think God Uses Blogs Sometimes....

With the past few weeks going like they have been and with how things have been going this week, I cant help but be discouraged and feel at lost with life/where I am going/what I am doing and question the reason for me even being here on earth. Now I know it sounds a little harsh and "emo" but lets be real, we all think about it time to time and wonder what is the glue that holds us together so to say when times get tough. I guess I am still figuring out my glue so to say and what keeps me going this past couple of weeks. I cant help but notice everywhere I turn my eyes I see almost the same words or message. Coincidence, maybe...on purpose, PROBABLY.

Example one...from Joel Osteen's daily blog

Do you ever feel like something is lost or missing in your life? Even after giving your heart to Him, maybe there's an uncomfortable emptiness on the inside that you can't quite put your finger on. Sometimes when you face difficult situations, it's easy to get overwhelmed in your thinking, wishing you could have done something differently. We can lose confidence or joy because of accusing voices or past mistakes. Oftentimes, people try to either fill or escape the emptiness by choosing things that bring pleasure for the moment, but only lead to more emptiness.

If that's you, and you feel emptiness in any area of your life, I want you to know that Jesus Himself is on a mission on your behalf today. Luke 19:10 says that He came to seek and save that which was lost. Not only is He out to save souls, He's out to restore joy, peace, confidence and strength. He's on a search and rescue mission for your relationships, broken dreams and missed opportunities. He wants to save your health, your finances, and totally renew every area of your life!

Today, if there are some areas in which you don't feel complete, if there are some missing pieces or you feel lost, I want to encourage you to open your heart and mind to what God can do in your life. If you feel like you don't have any options, there's always the God option. Align yourself with Him in your mind, will and emotions. Be still and meditate on His goodness because He's working behind the scenes on your behalf to seek and restore everything that was lost!

Example Two...from a dear sweet Christian friend of mines blog I follow

What am I doing here?

Sometimes it’s easy to start wondering, “why am I here? what am I even doing in this life? Does it even matter?”

YES! It ALL matters. You are no mistake. You are alive at this point in history for a purpose that God chose long before your mom even knew she was pregnant!

God chose YOU before the foundations of the world. Incredible!!! GOD Himself planned you to be here!

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

God has ALREADY chosen the GOOD work for us to do! We just need to walk out in faith and do it!

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Example Three...from another sweet cheerful Christian friend of mines blog I follow. She always has the coolest ways of putting things to encourage others.

She was talking about in her post about seeing a breath taking sunset and being taken back by its beauty and thought about how the sunset doesn't look so amazing without the clouds. And how the clouds are just plain and grey and often times dark. BUT....with the clouds, the sun has something to soak up and reflect and this beautiful color and light. And that is how our lives are too!

"without the clouds in our life, we wouldn't have beautiful sunsets of inspiration and beauty!"

No matter what is going on in your life: relationship problems,heartbreak, loss, financial troubles, feelings of hopelessness, loneliness, feelings that are out of control, family problems.

Be encouraged by these stories of "storm clouds" in people's lives, that have really been beautiful sunsets of opportunity just waiting for the sun to go down to make them shine.

A single and broke mama, who started making and selling sandwiches out of her home because she suffered from Agoraphobia...went from a former bank teller to cook at a Best Western Hotel...to the now famous, Paula Dean with a cooking empire. And she found her true love and soul mate along the way!

Paula Dean suffered a lot of the things on the list, but she didn't give up.

she didn't say.."oh now I'm so alone!"...

she didn't say now I don't have a husband...I can't make it.

she didn't say...now I don't have a job, we're going to be homeless.

NO!

she put on her big girl pants...

realized what she loved....COOKING...

and found a way to start doing what she loved...

SHE USED WHAT SHE HAD:

she had a kitchen..

she had skills

she had a desire
she had to do something because she only had $200 to her name

she had fear of leaving her house...but that didn't stop her.

and now she has become successful because of every STORM CLOUD in her life that made the sun shine a beautiful sunset of success!

AND ALL THOSE CLOUDS made for the most beautiful sunset in her life every day!!!

SO today...rejoice for the clouds...they are bringing a beautiful sunset for you!

God has a beautiful sunset waiting to sparkle success in your life....let's just be thankful for the clouds that are going to make our sunset amazing!!!

to happiness, life with a purpose, and good things coming...

always yours

CLC

Oh How He Loves Us

Wondering where your "true friends" are?

How do I make or meet good friends?

Why has a certain friends walked away from me?

Wondering whats wrong with yourself for someone to not want to be friends with you?

Or just simply wondering whats going on in your life?

I was wondering all of these things earlier.

And as always I'm continually seeking answers.

So I found myself on Joel Osteen's daily blog/devotional website and right there is big bold letters spelling it out for me was Joel's latest sermon "God has the right people in your future". I sat and watched the whole thing and this is what I want to pass on incase someone else is seeking like me.

Psalm 139:16 says, "…all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." This means that the God we serve is a strategic, detailed God who isn't vague or approximate. No, God has our lives orchestrated down to the very second, causing us to be at the right place at the right time so we can meet the right people that He ordained before the foundation of the world. God has laid out an exact plan for our lives down to the smallest details. He knows the people you're going to need to fulfill your destiny and has it all figured out. Knowing this takes the weight off; you don't have to worry. You don't have to try and make things happen. God is in control. As long as you stay in faith, God will have you at the right place at the right time, and He will bring the right people across your path. As you honor God with your life, His divine plan will unfold. The right people will show up. The right breaks will be there. You will walk into your moments of favor.

God is orchestrating our lives down to the very second, causing us to be at the right place at the right time, to meet the right people.

God knows where you need to be to see your dreams come to pass. God knows the people you need that has the information to propel to your destiny.

As long as you stay in faith God will have you in the right place at the right time and he will bring the right people across your path.

If God wants you to have that job you will..

If God wants you to have that promotion you will..

If God says its time for you to meet that special someone you will..

Quit worrying about your future, quit worrying about who you are going to meet,stop getting frustrated because someone is not on your team, don't think you have to have one person to accomplish something or to be happy. Scripture says its not by OUR might, not by OUR power but its by the Spirit of the living God. God has already lined it up!

God has every page of your life written in his book.

God didn't just toss us on Earth and say go live for 80 or 90 years, then say come up in heaven to be with me. No, God has already planned out every detail of your life down to the very second.

Think of the Solar System and how its rotates and from year to year scientist say its on time down to the millisecond. Day after day, year after year. Our God never changes. Our God is not a approximate God, he is an exact God, a detailed God, a precise God. AND he has planned out mine and your life down to the seconds.

In your future he has marked moments where time and eternity are going to come together and you will meet the person of your dreams. You'll be at the right place and you will get the break you need.

Next week or sometime maybe even next month will be a marked moment for someone and their life will be changed. They will catch the break that they need or find the help they have been looking for or even met the friend that they need in their life.

You might have gone through a difficult time but God has lined up the right person or people for you. What might look like a set back is only going to be a comeback with God.

Even in loss, heartache, and disappointment. God still has the right people lined up. God is not only directing your steps but he has placed other people to be there for you in your time of need.

In times of difficulty God will always have the right people there to help you make it through. God will have someone there to give you inside information. He is not only in control of our life but our enemies life as well. He can causes them to be at the right place and at the right time to use them to our advantage.

-here's to a planned out life by the one that knows it all before we do and always gets it right. I hope your encouraged, it helps me on my bad days.

-CLC

Finishing Last!?!

Finishing last in the race of life...?

Yep, how'd you guess? Definitely how I have been feeling lately. I know there is no set time you have to do anything in life but why do I feel so pressured?

The pressure list as follows...

college, marriage, to move out of my parents house, to have kids, to be "successful", to buy a house..the list goes on and on.

So since there is no deadline to meet any of these, why do I feel so pressured and feel last at achieving these. Everyone in my graduating class or my age has finished college, engaged, or married with kids.

What's wrong with me?

I know none of those give you eternal happiness or success but it still doesn't make me feel better about where I am in life. Everyone is engaged and married! I know your saying yeah and probably about half of them wishes they weren't or are unhappily married. Yeah well at least they had the opportunity and tried something! I'm to scared to even do that. I am to worried about is it right and does he really love me.

Marriage and engagement can and mostly does take a back seat to what I really want. Which is a career and to finish college and truly find my purpose in life. If I had just that it'd help things. I don't even know where to start with that one though. Besides praying, seriously I don't know where...

Unengaged, without kids, and still in school,

your Casey Lynn

Letters To Me

Dear You

Its time to change a few things in your life. Your outlook, your mindset, your thoughts, and your routine! Its time to start thinking about YOU and what YOU want and need (of course the Lord willing) and make it happen. The past few years a lot has changed. People have come and gone in your life and relationships both for the good and bad have left you empty or confused. Its time to be YOU..quit thinking about the past, quit wishing for things to change that cant, and to start being who you want to become and who you would want apart of your life! What happend in your past is not nearly as important as what is in your future! Like the old saying..Be the change you wish to see in the world. Its not about who has changed the most, who is more ahead in life, or who has set you back in your journey in life. Everyone gets where they are going at a different time and everything happens for a reason. There is detours and dead ends in life for a reason...to make you stronger, change your route, or to make you cherish the good. You might not know the outcome of this year and you might not know what you are suppose to be doing at exactly this moment in life but you do know not to put your life on hold because you don't know what will be. Your going to keep moving, keep hoping, and keep waiting. God loves you and he hasn't forgotten you! He has to have great plans for you to be prepairing you for this long. You are fearfully and wonderful made in the image of God, what could possibily hold you back? Not a bad break up! Not a lost friendship! Not harsh/discouraging words! NOT any situation you can come up with. You are a child of the most high God. He has promised you everything in him and you will get it and at just the right time. Until then stand tall, stand strong, keep trying, and NEVER give up. Good things are coming!!

too changes, my wildest dreams coming true, and being unstoppable and unforgetabble
always yours
CLC

Is the in between pointless?

I hate spending the whole day alone, because Im given hours to think about and evaluate my life too much. The good seems alright, the bad seems worse, and the in between seems pointless. And that leaves me wondering where the heck I am!

I want to know what my future holds. ...I want to know who I'm going to marry and when and how many kids and what job I'll have and where I'll live and the color of the gutters on my house. I want to know all of that so I can stop worrying about where things are going to end up. I want to know that I'll graduate PTA school within a year like I have been aiming for for the past five years and that I will be good at it, and not only good at it but KNOW its where I belong. I want to know that I'll never be divorced and that my husband loves and adores me and admires the woman that I am..and my kids, I just want to know that they wont have any health problems that they will just be normal kids that I love more than anything and have the wonderful opportunity of parenting and teaching them things. I want to say that I will know that my life is going to end with the "happily ever after." But honestly I dont care for the "happily ever after" I just want the chance at making my life all that I dream for it to be! Is our greatest things just our dreams or can it be our reality?

I want and wish so much in my life, I'm setting these unreachable goals and I'm so mad at myself for not being able to reach them. Example: being happy for a week. They say happiness is a state of mind or a choice. Well I say sometimes its hard to do or be what you should.

Sometimes I wish that I could slip into a coma for just a few weeks. Just a week where I don't have to worry about anything....literally, nothing! Almost as though I could switch my brain to "OFF" and all I think about is who I want to be where I want to go in life. Then I can come back to life and just be recharged with this undying thrill for life and my calling. Just pick up where I left off and turn things around for the better...most of you say oh you just need a vacation, or oh thats life...suck it up. But.....

Wouldnt it be nice?


too hopes, dreams, and the fun stuff
Casey Lynn

Take A Hint?

I got really discourage today! Yesterday was a nightmare. It was the start of the summer semester, well kind of. Thursday was actually the "start" but I slept through both of my classes on accident...yeah great, I know! Well anyway I was at work today telling a guy friend of mine that had read a post I had posted on facebook about how horrible yesterday was and he simply told me it might be a hint..? For some reason I took it as take a hint and give up, quit school, its for your best interest! Now I know it wasnt probably meant in that way but WOW did it hurt. Of course I automatically start thinking, maybe he's right. Maybe I dont have what it takes. Who am I joking. I cant this, I cant that, Im not good enough etc. But then I thought to myself if everything was given to us in life and easy or we didnt have to work for anything then what would be the point in life? I believe nothing we do is ever in vein. For every action there is a reaction. So if your on the verge of giving up, or your thinking that these dreams you have just cant come true I say different!
There is a reason YOU have those specific dreams, goals, and doing what your doing now! Keep your hopes alive and your heart and chin even higher...No matter what is going on. Think of it as getting you stronger and more prepared for GREATNESS!!! I believe in you and love you, even if no one else told you that today..I did! Go take on the world! Your meant for greatness.

too high hopes, big dreams, and it all coming true
always yours
Casey Lynn