Psalm One, Part 2

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Abram, holy spirit, Law, Love, Moses, psalm 1

So, like I mentioned in Part 1 of this Psalms series, we know according to Psalm 1:1 the “blessed” one ditches sin and sinful influences which leaves a huge space in your life to fill. Your desires, your time, your friends. What will satisfy that gaping hole? What does the rest of Psalm 1 have to say? The “blessed” one places their hearts elsewhere: the law of the LORD.

Woah, wait a minute, Cass. Law? Ew.

To the Christian who reads the New Testament (Romans and Galatians in particular) and finds that in Christ we are set free from the law and not bound to the Old Testament law because of the saving work of Christ, this can seem confusing. Am I supposed to love the law or be set free from the law? What’s my relationship with the law suppose to be like?

Why Aiden Titus?

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Aiden, Baby Names, Hopes, Titus

This week we found out this wonderful, somersaulting child in my womb is a boy! And with that fabulous bit of news, we can now call him by his name! Aiden Titus. If you know anything about us, you know there’s far more behind a name we give our son than the mere sound of strength or likability. So why Aiden Titus?

It’s a Boy!!

Today Michael and I went to yet another visit to see our most favorite Korean doctor. The purpose of this visit wasn’t to run tests or to merely check Baby G’s condition. It was THE 20 week sonogram telling us if G is a he or a she. I’ve grown so weary saying he or she constantly. I refuse to call my baby an “it.” When God knows the intricate details of the future lives of your children’s great-great-great grandchildren, it’s rather difficult to call any such human soul an “it.” But that’s just me.

Well, as my doctor said, “It’s a prince!”

Excerpt from Thirsting for God

Talk about holiness can be dangerous. Some of the more zealous among us will overdo it, wanting to progress from being the young and lusty Augustine to the mature bishop of Hippo in the course of a year or even a week. Perhaps you’ve heard about the asceticism and harsh measures of the desert fathers. You would do well to also recognize the strong tradition of gentle and consistent progress in holiness…

We are far better off keeping a constant and steady vigilance in the small things rather than trying to prove heroic in the big things. Holiness is not something obtained between Tuesday and Wednesday, but rather the fruit of a life lived consistently and thoughtfully over the course of years and decades. ‘A continual and moderate sobriety is preferable to violent abstinences, practiced occasionally, and mingled with great relaxations. The moderate use of discipline awakens the appetite of devotion,’ Francis de Sales wrote.

Excerpt from  Chapter 16 of Gary L. Thomas’ Thirsting for God: Spiritual Refreshment for the Sacred Journey

Psalm One, Part 1

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psalm 1

My first job as a collegiate was as a store clerk for Hallmark. It was a delightful experience working in an environment of feel-good cards and pretty gifts. But I will never forget one customer in particular. She was Ms. Thang. “Diva” does not even begin to describe her. I knew it by her swagger and her petulant nose that was stuck up straight in the air at such an angle it prevented all eye contact with others. I greeted her as I normally would any customer, asking her how she was doing that evening. She dramatically put her hand on her hip, cocked her head to the side and said with all of the emphatic articulation she could enunciate, “I’m BLLESSED!” I genuinely smiled and held back any semblance of a laugh. Ms. Thang was a character… and her “character” filled the entire store that day. It did not surprise me to find out later that my manager always took care of all of her especially fussy needs because Ms. Thang demanded it should be. She and her special card needs were to be taken very seriously. She was blessed, after all.

Things Gleaned from the Passion 2012 LiveStream

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beth moore, Bible Study, God, Louie Giglio, Passion 2012, proverbs 31 ministries, teachers and preachers, worship leaders

I love technology. I love the fact that I can stay encouraged by countless teachers and preachers who are thousands of miles away… all by the click of a button. Oneplace.com has been one of my favorites for years. I love to click on Revive Our Hearts with Nancy Leigh DeMoss, or Living Proof with Beth Moore, or Proverbs 31 Ministries and go about my business at home with a good lesson to encourage me while I work. But a LiveStream to the Passion 2012 event? Well, now! THAT’s an even greater treat.

A Psalm a Week

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Bible, God, Hermeneutics, Jesus, Old Testament, Psalm, Study Bible

In one of my Old Testament classes at seminary, I had the delight of reading a commentary of the book of Psalms by Derek Kidner. It was incredibly edifying; while cramming my brain with all of the luscious history and theology of the Old Testament, Kidner’s commentary was a great break. Well, out of the fifty pounds of books Michael and I brought with us to Korea, my sweet Kidner did not make it into the pile. So what’s a nerdy girl to do? Be her own Kidner. This year I would like to go through a psalm a week, research a bit, meditate much, and pray much. If you like, you’re more than welcome to come along for the ride. I’ll be posting my favorite verses of the week and asking a few questions.

Beth Moore’s James Study Wk 1, Day 2

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awkward moments, beth moore, discernment, holy spirit

If your church is planning to do Beth Moore’s study on James in 2012, get ready for some goodness! After doing today’s homework, the following quote grabbed me:

The power of the resurrection trumps the power of the past if we’re willing to let it… When… the call of Christ sears a hole through your self-protectiveness, you go wherever He leads whether or not you feel like you fit. How will we ever press onward through the hot winds of hell if we can’t even get past awkward?

Happy Birthday, Cassie… Take Two!

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Birthday, Busan, Kim Jong-il, North Korea, prayer, sovereignty

For my birthday, it seems I received a rather odd present of sorts. On December 17, 2011 an oppressive dictator died. My spirit is divided over this. How interesting is it that I was in South Korea during the death of a North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il!

What Every Woman Needs

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beth moore, beth moore bible studies, celiac disease, red apple lipstick

For my birthday I used the fabulous gift card my wonderful parents-in-law (Thank you, thank you! It was such a treat!!) sent me and bought two items every civilized woman needs:

1. A lipstick that doesn’t poison her
2. A Bible Study that rocks her socks off