Remember Who Holds Your Hand

My niece has been living with us for five months. She has a 15-month-old son and I love him as though he were my own grandson.  Life has changed so much here. Toys litter the floor, cartoons play on the TV and silliness reigns. I do not mind making a fool of myself just to see his face shine with adoration or laughter. 

By far one of the greatest joys is when I hold him, he gives me a kiss on the cheek or I take his little hand in mine.  I have found we hold hands when playing, but I also reach out and grab hold of him to steer him the right direction.  I think back and remember life with my now grown children.  I often held their hands to keep them safe while crossing the street or to keep them from getting lost in a crowd. Whenever they stumbled or lost their footing, I'd grab their little hands and pull them closer to keep them from falling.

That’s what God does for us.

Inevitably as we journey through life, we encounter stones and cracks that threaten to trip us up. That’s why it’s easy to identify with the psalmist, who said, "My steps had nearly slipped". (Psalms 73:2)  If I had a dollar for every time my steps slipped!

We all face a variety of issues that threaten to make us stumble. For the psalmist, seeing the prosperity of the wicked caused him to question the goodness of God. But God squeezed his hand and reassured him, given the judgment of God; the wicked do not really prosper.

True prosperity, the psalmist discovered, was found in the fact God was always with him: You hold me by my right hand (vs23). And just for good measure, God reminded him He would also guide him through life and ultimately welcome him home to heaven! (vs24).

Next time you stumble, remember the powerful hand of God is holding your hand and walking you through life --- all the way home! -Joe Stowell

I love the following stanza from an old hymn:

Many things about tomorrow
I do not seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand! -Stanphill

I pray you are all touched by the precious and true words of Stanphill. It is a good reminder for us all to remember that when we feel alone...secluded by what we are going through... afraid...or we land smack dab on our faces...we do not suffer alone. God is right there with us – standing on the other side of the veil...in that unseen world of the spirit. Oh, to see through the veil. One day each of us will walk through the veil and we will see the world, which surrounds us now, though for now it remains unseen. Perhaps, one day we will see all the activity that occurred all about us when we were so unaware because Jesus was interceding for us.

Stop for a moment, close your eyes and envision Who is holding your hand right this moment.

Psalm 73:23  “Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand”.

Be strong...be encouraged...hold tightly to His Hand.

About the Author :

Dori Cass is a wife of 29 years and mom to two adult children. She has spent her adult life active in Womens, Children's and Youth ministry. She finds that she writes a lot about faith which are the nuggets mined up out of a decade long journey in the wilderness walking with a husband whose life changed completely when he was injured on the job as a police officer. You can find her blog, Heaven's Confetti.

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Genuine or Imitation

I love tomatoes! Scratch that. I thought I loved tomatoes until I ate my first homegrown tomato of the season. Now I have to say, I love real tomatos. For the last few years, I've been growing my own tomatoes. If you have never grown your own tomatoes - oh my goodness I'd have to say you've never really tasted a tomato the way God made them.

Earlier this summer I harvested my first tomato of the season and as I stood in the kitchen slicing into its red, plump goodness my taste buds were dancing. They knew what was coming. When I popped that wedge into my mouth it was like natures candy. It was wonderfully sweet and so full of flavor! The flavor matched the aroma I smelled as a little girl when the canning factory was stewing tomatoes. I was astounded at the flavor. As I ate the tomato I stood at the kitchen sink moaning out loud until it was gone. I was like a kid who was eating chocolate for the first time.

That night I prepared a salad for myself for dinner. I did not have any of the REAL tomato's left so I cut up a tomato I had purchased at the grocery store. When I popped a wedge in my mouth, it fell flat. I grimaced. Where was the flavor? Where was the sweet candy goodness? There was no comparison between the two. I realized I had just eaten a fake tomato!

That is when the correlation of truth bloomed on the vine. From October to June of each year...the tomato's I eat are fake. But as the months click by I forget how fake they are and once again in my mind they become real tomatoes again. How quickly I forget the perfection of a real tomato. Tomato's the way God intended them with the heady smell of the vine and the sweetness of the meat of the tomato. And how quickly I am willing to accept an imitation for real. It made me ponder as I stood there at the kitchen sink...how many other things has life handed me that are imitations of what God intended?

As we go through life we begin to yearn for joy and happiness. The world, like a grocery store, offers an entire joy- “producing section” from which we can choose. Step right up folks and try this red, plump tomato! Manufactured just for you...um I mean, GROWN just for you!

We are wooed and seduced by what the world has manufactured and tagged as “joy producing” that we bite into the lie. Careers, prestige, money, vacations, expensive cars, clothes, hobbies, kids, expensive weddings, re-creating our bodies, marriage, on and on and on the selection goes. And for some reason...after a while, the “joy” dissipates and we find ourselves back in the joy “produce section” trying to decide on our next selection. It all somehow falls flat and tasteless as we swallow lie after lie.

We don't realize all the goodness, all the vitamins, all that was intended to make our existence on planet earth teeming with life and reproducing life, the very marrow to life has been sucked out of us by imposters or “things posing as life”! We walk around trying to be satisfied living a God-less life which in turn creates a flavorless, joy-less life.

Stormy seasons come into our lives uninvited. We hate them and rightly so. But with God as our traveling companion he desires to offer us respite along the journey. The kind of respite that - as we travel through that desert, through that need, through that nothingness... God presents us with real, genuine, authentic joy inspiring sustenance. It's when we read his word; when we spend time thanking him and praising him or when we spend time near him. When we trust him in spite of what is happening all around us.

Then and only then - even though our worlds are falling apart, loved ones die, money disappears or disaster strikes we can experience real joy and real satisfaction in spite of it all, because of God. In essence, it is GOD who offers us the real tomato...not the imitations.

Where in your life have you settled for imitations of love and joy rather than the real deal from God?

Dear Lord, I ask that you would open our eyes as we examine our lives. Where have we been tricked into accepting fake tomatoes as good... allowing the enemy to make us fall in love with that which is not soul satisfying? Create in us a hunger for only what is authentic and a great distaste for what is not genuine. For what is not organically YOU! Show us oh Lord where we've settled for less than what you created for us in relationships, in life and in YOU. Lord, may we have hearts who CRAVE the REAL you and may we settle for nothing less than what you created us to have. In Jesus powerful name, Amen!

Dori Cass is a wife of 29 years and mom to two adult children. She has spent her adult life active in Womens, Children's and Youth ministry. She finds that she writes a lot about faith which are the nuggets mined up out of a decade long journey in the wilderness walking with a husband whose life changed completely when he was injured on the job as a police officer. You can find her blog at http://heavensconfetti.blogspot.com/

When You Need a Miracle - Part 2

I have become aware that when God moves in our lives and rains down gifts upon us, we may be too quick to take stock of what has been delivered. Maybe, just maybe there is more to the gift than we first noticed.

For instance, my “money from nowhere” gift. If you have not read about it yet, look below to the precious writing. It was not until the next day, as I sat pondering and relishing his gift of money to us that I finally got the bigger blessing. For eight long years our life has been 'hurry up and wait'. We wait for the next doctor appt. we wait for the next court date. We wait for the next report to be in. We wait for an emergency court hearing that is 3 months out. Wait. Wait. Wait. Days turn into weeks, which turn into months and then years. 

I feel a real connection in some ways with the children of Israel who were delivered from slavery. How they rejoiced when Moses led them out of Egypt. How they rejoiced when they crossed the Red Sea and watched as God released the sea and swallowed up their enemies. They thought they were being led into the Promised Land. After all, that is what God had said. Problem is, God did not say how FAST he would deliver them there. Like us --- Israel's days turned into weeks, turned into months, turned into years. Do you see the correlation?

It would be so easy to begin to grumble, to begin to doubt God. To turn your back on God and say, “Forget this!” I bet I can come up with a better plan than this! Time and again God's children lost their faith in their God even though they could see the evidence of his powerful presence, and they failed to follow his directions. And because of that...they lingered long in the desert.

So fast-forward a few thousand years to my life. The day after God delivered “money from nowhere” I sat savoring the gift when it hit me. I had moaned in my agony for months.... "God, God, end this! Why must we wait for this to end? God I cannot do it anymore. I cannot wait any longer. I know I must trust you and I want to but you are God! You are the great I AM. You can do anything!"

On that precious day, God interrupts my travailing...and strikes up a conversation with me. “I've brought money from nowhere before. I can do it again.” And not two hours later there it was. Do you see the details of the gift just for me? God said it. He did it. No waiting! God said it. He did it. No waiting!

It was as though Abba Father said, “See daughter! I haven’t changed. My power is still in tact! I know the journey's been hard. We're almost there! Trust me. Hang on. We can do this!”

What a boost! What refreshment for my soul! I can so understand the joy God’s people felt when God, yet again, delivered them from thirst, hunger, fear or agony!

Suddenly, I was filled with new strength and a second wind. It reminded me of Gods word that says.... Isaiah 40: 31 – But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings of eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. 

If you are walking through a dire season or God has been leading you through a desert, trust Him. Remember that God is able to do abundantly more than you or I can believe. He is the great I Am who moves quickly in the whirlwind. He is our Abba Father who sees it fitting to take his time. He is Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. He is Jehovah Ro'i, the

Lord who is your shepherd. He is Jehovah Shalom, God who is your peace.

He sees. He hears. He knows.

Dori Cass is a wife of 29 years and mom to two adult children. She has spent her adult life active in Womens, Children's and Youth ministry. One of her favorite ministries has been the ongoing shepherding and mentoring of a group of almost 30 yr old women who were part of her girl's group 15 years ago. Join Dori as she draws from her pool of experiences as she testifies to what God has done and is still doing. You can find her blog at http://heavensconfetti.blogspot.com.

[photo: Martinak15, Creative Commons]

When You Need a Miracle - Part 1

Relying On a God That Never Changes

Those who know me know I am usually a very upbeat person. I see the glass half full, full or overflowing. In every situation, I am on the lookout for God. But this day in early June...the tide was out. 

I headed for the store with only $100 in my pocket. This day my body was weary and faith tired. Eight years is a long, long time to be wandering in the desert. Since my husbands injury, 5 surgeries, the long legal battle for compensation from workers comp, benefits being cut off without notice and us left to stay afloat on our own --- I was so tired. I continually cried out to God for the Promised Land. Lord! Hear my cry. Answer me from your holy hill! Bring us to “new normal”.

I went through the store with a heavy heart knowing I had $100, but needed double that amount. After all my shopping, I checked out with about a dollar to spare. Loading my groceries into the car I grumbled under my breath..."When is this going to end Lord?" God gently reminded me...”You know, I've brought money from nowhere before right?” "Yes, yes I know. But there is no nowhere for you to bring money from!” said I.  God said, “Well, I can do it again.” Grumbling I said, “yeah, yeah. I know.” 

I drove home restlessly, a split personality. Deep within my 'doubting Thomas' self wrestled with Faith!  After carrying in my groceries and putting them away I heard the mailman come. Grabbing the mail out of the box I rifled through the envelopes and passed my 26 yr old daughter an envelope addressed to her from her college. We'd gotten a few envelopes for her regarding end of the year grades, bills etc. 

Opening it she got a confused look on her face. When I saw the look on her face I asked what was wrong. She said to me, “I'm kind of confused mom. Here is a check for $115! I stood there stock still absorbing what she was saying. We paid all her fee's, so the money was essentially ours. I started hooting and hollering. "God sent us money from nowhere! God sent us money from nowhere!" My daughter looked at me as though I'd lost my mind! After I explained the conversation between God and I, she too began to rejoice with me.  That day, after much rejoicing, I cashed that check.  And I was able to return and buy everything else I needed.

How could I have doubted him?  Hadn't he always arrived?  Hadn't God always in a miraculous way heard my cries, read my heart and delivered respite unto me?  How I need to remember: God never changes.

Again, deep within, Faith overthrew Thomas.  I pondered...was this what life was like when Jacob literally wrestled an angel?  Was it really his humanity wrestling with heaven and isn't that what we do day in and day out?  Is this how Peter felt when he left the boat and began to walk across the water to Jesus?  It was when HIS "faith" waned that he saw the waves and the storm and ran headlong into the logical conclusion that he ought to be sinking...and he began to sink indeed!  As always, success is dependent upon keeping our eyes on Jesus, on his power and ability -- upon the width, depth and height of his amazing love for me and for you.

Though economies fail and new kings are born, and everything about us becomes unsteady, one thing remains the same. God never changes!

God still rains down manna from heaven!

And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans, 8:28.

Dori Cass is a wife of 29 years and mom to two adult children. She has spent her adult life active in Womens, Children's and Youth ministry. Join Dori as she draws from her pool of experiences as she testifies to what God has done and is still doing. You can find her blog at http://heavensconfetti.blogspot.com/

What Storms Accomplish

I moved to north Idaho about 7 years ago. One of the first things we heard was ' if you don't like the weather in north Idaho, wait an hour and it will change.' We thought it was a joke at first but sure enough, we witnessed many times that a summer day could start out sunny and brilliant – theh suddenly storm clouds roll in and a fierce thunderstorm will rain down hard with winds and hail. An hour later, we are back to smooth sailing and brilliant sunshine.

Speaking of smooth sailing, don't you love it when life is like that? Calm. No surprises. Controllable. Easy. If only it was like that all the time. But sometimes God will allow a storm cell to rush into our lives. Bad things happen to good people and we are always wondering why. Why do we battle cancer? Why do people suffer financial devastation? Why do tornado's rip apart a family's life.... hitting one house but not another? Why, why, why.

Walking through this 8 yearlong storm in our lives (yes sometimes He allows them to last this long) I've learned some things while being lost at sea or wandering through deserts. Here are just some of them:

1. Storms test the reliability of our foundations. God allows us to be tested to strengthen our foundations. What DO we hold onto when the winds of life blow? Do we hold on to what man holds tightly or do we grip harder to the hem of Jesus' garment? When the storm lashes at our foundations do they stand the test or do they crumble and wither? Storms test the reliability of our foundations. If God finds our foundation wanting, he will rebuild it. Sometimes we must hit rock bottom to finally build a firm foundation!

2. Storms bring forth new growth. In our spiritual lives, chaff grows with the grain and protects it. It has a purpose. But when it is time to harvest the pure grain, the chaff must be beaten away from the grain and it falls to the threshing floor and is then burned away. When the wind blows, what we are made of is tested as it clings to the reed while the chaff, which lacks substance, falls to the ground revealing the quality grain. So it is with us when winds of fury blow upon us. God desires to rid us of everything we depend upon and to reveal the substance of new, pure grain of the spirit in our lives. Without the threshing of the wind the chaff would hang on and stunt future growth. 

3. God uses storms and desert wandering to purify us. We do not always realize that a part of us is sick or diseased. Most people who are diagnosed with cancer are surprised to find they have it growing large inside. God, who is our great physician, sees and knows all. He will take advantage of the storms of life set upon us to reveal disease and weakness in our hearts and spirits. If we give him access he will burn off and cut away that which is diseased. Or like a grape vine whose vine was headed the wrong direction, he will grab hold and set us aright with him. And like the grain and the chaff, God will burn away the chaff leaving behind nothing but purity.

4. We learn to depend upon God for everything. We live in a society, which dances to the beat of self-dependence and self-reliance. In this last generation, it’s been all about “me”. A struggle is always active in a Christian believers life to take self off the throne and allow Christ to sit on the throne!  When life's unfair blows hit us, like knocking a baby out of a chair; IF we allow God to, he will rush in and be our all in all. Like a good mother he will pick us up and provide us with all that we have need of...according to his plan and time frame. 

I realize looking back, while I loved my God and was passionate about him before, right now – at the end of this journey, I am more dependent upon him than ever before! I've had to depend upon him for survival physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

5. God reveals Himself in the Storm. Hasn't he always? I am reminded as I write this; Jesus set the example for us in person. Remember out on the Sea of Galilee when the storm hit the boat of his disciples? Jesus was not with them and they were so afraid. The storm was literally threatening to capsize them. They cried out and appearing across the water was their Savior! Jesus asked Peter to come across the stormy sea to him. With great faith, in spite of the storm's fury, peter climbed out of the boat and began to walk on top of the water toward Jesus. The lesson is right here...when a storm hits we can EXPECT Jesus to show up! He is faithful to respond. In these 8 years of being tossed at sea – I can tell you that God appeared over and over again. Money from nowhere, favor with others, food, etc. I think of the Israelites and their journey through the desert. Before they were set free, they knew of God but had not EXPERIENCED God! But wandering in their desert they received water from a rock, manna from heaven, instruction etc. Seeing the mighty hand of God move...is precious and priceless.

If you are sailing through a storm or wandering through a dry desert, remember to make the Lord Almighty your companion. Call upon his name and I promise he will answer you! Keep a journal of your journey so later- perhaps when another storm hits, you'll be able to look back and be reminded of the mighty God who is with you. And know this...good will come of the storm. 

I love this scripture for it is so true. It says...

“he brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay. And set my feet upon a rock (a firm foundation) and established my coming and goings. And hath put a new song in our mouth, even praise unto our God”! Psalm 40:2,3

Do you see what this means? It is Gods solemn vow to you. It is GOD who will rescue you! He will bring you up out of the horrible pit and set your feet upon a firm foundation! The new song in your heart will be the praise and thanksgiving of his miraculous interventions. Readily I say to you sister, you are not alone!

Be blessed! Your deliverer cometh!

Dori Cass is a wife of 29 years and mom to two adult children. She has spent her adult life active in Womens, Children's and Youth ministry. One of her favorite ministries has been the ongoing shepherding and mentoring of a group of almost 30 yr old women who were part of her girl's group 15 years ago. Join Dori as she draws from her pool of experiences as she testifies to what God has done and is still doing. You can find her blog at http://heavensconfetti.blogspot.com/

When Your World is Shaking

“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.  And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers ” —Luke 22:31,32

Imagine the thoughts going through Simon Peters mind. The enemy of your soul demands to have you and sift you like wheat!

I imagine Peter considered this deeply as visions of wheat preparation passed through his mind. Imagine him, as he sees a young girl throw wheat into the air and catches it again in a woven basket. The wind catches and carries away the wheat that is called chaff. It is light, airy – lacking substance and is easily separated with a good breeze.

We must understand the importance of the sifting Peter went through, for we all face the same sifting. Consider this definition of sifting. To “sift” means to harass till nothing but chaff remains.

Nothing soft or gentle about harassment!

When we are sifted we are literally “tossed about” to determine what, within our spirit and character, is valuable or useful to the Lord. Just as the wind separates good kernels of grain from useless husks in the sifting process, so temptation to sin and opportunities to serve God each act to prove the true nature of every individual.

Can you not feel Peter's heart constrict as he realizes the implications of Jesus' words? Would the outcome of his sifting result in a faith that lacked substance? No! It could not be! Humiliation, disbelief, and fear no doubt welled up within him. Peter loved Jesus! Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” How pained his heart must have been to hear the following words from his teacher and savior:

Jesus said, 

“I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

What was Peter going to do...call Jesus a liar?

‘Simon declares to his Lord Jesus, in essence, “I will NEVER deny you!” Today we might say, “Lord, regardless of what happens in my life – I wont blame you! Even when bad things happen or you remain silent I WILL NEVER DOUBT YOUR LOVE FOR ME.” Hmm. Does it sound all too familiar?

Yet, how many believers in Jesus Christ walk in the footprints of Simon when our boldness and confidence flees in the face of tossing and shaking? When bad things happen do we blame God, or praise him? Do we doubt his faithfulness to us when his timing does not match our own? Can you hear the tornado-like winds howling?

Jesus allowed and regulated Satan to sift Simon Peter for his own good. Satan wanted to sift so NO wheat would remain to take out whatever was good. But Christ’s desire was that no CHAFF would remain. As Peter's Savior, Jesus could see into the heart of Peter and identify the elements that could lead to his downfall and destruction. Was it pride, self-assurance, self-reliance? These elements and others could weaken and destroy the stability of the rock upon which Christ was to build his church. As it was with Simon Peter, so it is with us.

The sifting is allowed to discover the weaknesses that would compromise an otherwise solid faith. Even our strong points can become our weak points, as we are more apt to ignore guarding where our strengths lie and give more attention to our obvious weaknesses! Passion becomes headstrong; independence becomes self-reliance; protectiveness can make us shortsighted.

The turbulent shaking was also needed for the strengthening of others. There was Christ’s' admonition… “ And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers ” …

In this life we face many troubles. Those things that the enemy meant for our destruction can be used for the good of the building up of our brothers and sisters in their faith. In the face of the wind and turbulence what will be discovered? In the refining do we come up as Peter or Simon? Are we wheat or chaff?  Faithful or faithless? Are we cursing God or praising Him?

We can take heart at Jesus' promise to Simon as he said, “But I have prayed for thee.”

In essence, Jesus encourages Simon saying...”The shaking will come! The wind will blow. Satan, the hater of your soul and destroyer of your peace has asked to sift you like wheat. But fear not! I HAVE ALREADY PRAYED FOR YOU...THAT YOU MIGHT SURVIVE THE SIFTING!” What joy should fill our souls to know that Jesus is doing the same for us!

So sure was Jesus of the outcome that he said to Simon, “WHEN” you are turned again.” Not “IF” but “WHEN”. Peter’s recovery was assured because Christ was certain of his own ability (more than he was convinced of Simon Peter's ability). 

I John 4:4 further emphasizes where our strength comes from in saying, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world”.

Many great men have undergone trials designed to mold them for service to the Lord. Job was a rich man and had much to lose. Through the loss of all of his material wealth and all of his children and the darkness and despair of grief God proved the tenaciousness of faith. David, a man after Gods own heart, raised up to be King – suffered the consequences of his own choices with Bathsheba and was laid low before he was made mighty in spirit. If David's sifting had not been successful we would not have the deep well of the Psalms from which we draw forth such sweet nectar!

Though painful and difficult we must all learn to embrace the sifting when it comes. For it is through these often-turbulent times – times of pain, loss, breaking and humiliation – that God perfects His children and moves us ever closer to glory. So when the ground beneath you quakes and the waters rise, remember Job's declaration of trust and hope in God as we too can sing with Job, "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God." ~Job 19: 25-26

Dori Cass is a wife of 29 years and mom to two adult children. She has spent her adult life active in Womens, Children's and Youth ministry. She's been a writer since childhood and is now fulfilling her life's dream as she writes. She finds that she writes a lot about faith which are the nuggets mined up out of a decade long journey in the wilderness walking with a husband whose life changed completely when he was injured on the job as a police officer. You can find her blog at http://heavensconfetti.blogspot.com/

What True Beauty Is

The saying “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” first appeared in the 3rd century BC in Greece; in the last few centuries, it has been considered an old English proverb. But it was not until the late 1800's that author Margaret Wolfe Hungerford coined the phrase in her book “Molly Bawn”. It’s meaning? Beauty is relative and it depends on who you ask. Interestingly enough another English proverb is “Beauty is only skin deep”!

Today we live in an era where overwhelming significance is given to outward appearance. The definition of what is supposedly beautiful is narrow indeed. Pun intended! Willowy thin. Hollow cheeks. Size 6 declares the world. Recently Focus on the Family reported only 2% of women think they are beautiful.

American women were overwhelmed with emotion at the recent Dove campaign. An artist drew women as they described themselves from behind a curtain. A second portrait was drawn from a description given of the same woman by someone who had spent several hours with her. The two portraits were stunningly different. The self-described portraits were drab in comparison to the portraits directed by a beholder.

Everywhere we turn our eyes clash with perfection. Skin that is flawless. Mascara commercials portraying long, lush, lashes; turquoise and violet colored eyes. The media feeds us shapely bodies. On runways worldwide models are mere frames of bone with flesh draped over them and alas they are purportedly “models” for how women ought to be. Perky breasts! Button noses. Snow white teeth. Tanned skin. 80-year-old women who look 20. But here is the reality. THEY ARE NOT REAL!

Those “beautiful”, perky-breasted, lush-lashed, bronzed faces and perfectly rounded bottoms and bodies are computer generated or surgically enhanced. Society is so mesmerized by its definition of beauty that women harm, starve, purge and scar their bodies as they spend millions of dollars chasing after this perfection. The fact is...we are pursuing an unreality. An illusion. Fake eyelashes, fake boobs, nose jobs, re-illustrated, carved, dyed, inked bodies, skin and hair color. You name it. Its fake! And the world calls it “beautiful”.

Webster’s dictionary defines 'fake' as “something that is not genuine, a forgery, a sham. Counterfeit. Fraudulent”. Can we be real for a minute? Everyone in the world hates fake people. You can spot them a million miles a way. So with that in mind, why do we spend millions of dollars pursuing what is not real? Ladies, we've been duped!

So how do we set the record straight? As followers of Christ we have to look no further than Gods instruction manual aka the Bible - to find that God was specific about what he looks for when judging someone's value and significance. In other words, God did include a definition of what HE considers beautiful! Here is the truth the Bible brings forth. It says,

1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Proverbs 31:30

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

1 Peter 3:3-4

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

God’s word reads like a loving letter from a father to a daughter. Piece it all together and it is as though God is saying ---

“Beloved daughter! There is no one like you. No, not one. You are fearfully and wonderfully made for my works are wonderful! You are my masterpiece, for I knit you together in your mother's womb! Great are the plans I have for you, to prosper you not as the world prospers but as I prosper you. I know your heart. I know your thoughts. I know you and yet, I love you. You are mine! You are my daughter. I chose you and drew you forth with my mighty hand. I have set my seal upon you and have set your feet upon solid ground. I have revealed my ways and thoughts to you and set your feet on a due course. Do not forget me my daughter! Observe my commands. Remember you do not live on food alone but by every word that comes from my mouth. Consume it. Embrace it. Believe it! Pursue life in the spirit. Turn your ear to wisdom! 

Apply your heart to understanding! Have reverence for me for I am your Father. Praise me for all the good I have given you! Sing to me. Dance before me! Lift your arms toward me! Remember the Lord your God. For it is I who give you the ability to pursue wealth and all that life has. Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the door-frames of your houses and on your gates so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that I swore to give your fathers. Adorn yourself with the beauty of a gentle, quiet spirit. Bear a Godly countenance. When I beheld your finished being for the first time, I surveyed all I created that was you and said with tears in my eyes...She is good. Believe me when I say...you are my beautiful. 

Forever your Papa God.”

A woman's face reflects what lies within her heart and soul. Her body and face are mirrors of her character and virtue. Patience, kindness, purity, reverence for the Lord, graciousness, humility and sincerity shine forth from her eyes and are conveyed with the words of her mouth painting a portrait of timeless, ageless beauty. We women should pursue God's true and righteous definition of beauty and settle for nothing less. We need to teach it to our daughters and imprint God's definition of beauty upon their hearts and minds

We must be women who clothe ourselves in righteousness—that, which is right thinking. Right acting. We must turn aside from all that is untruth, deceptive and fake. Remember what our Father God warned us about through the apostle John....“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your fathers desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44 Remember where lies come from and refuse them.

Dare to look in the mirror and read Gods love letter to the reflection staring back. Tell that daughter of God she is fiercely unique. Beautiful. Exquisite. Magnificent. Glorious. Resplendent. Incomparable. Breathtaking. Determine to be Gods kind of beautiful from the inside out.

Romans 12:2 – do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what Gods will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.

[Note: Gods letter to his daughter was written using phrases from various books of Gods word including Proverbs, Psalms, Deuteronomy, Genesis]

Dori Cass is a wife of 29 years and mom to two adult children. She has spent her adult life active in Womens, Children's and Youth ministry. She finds that she writes a lot about faith which are the nuggets mined up out of a decade long journey in the wilderness walking with a husband whose life changed completely when he was injured on the job as a police officer. You can find her blog at http://heavensconfetti.blogspot.com/

Doubting God

by Dori Cass

I have known Jesus Christ for 32 years. In those years I've accumulated a record of experiences. I have experienced answers to prayer; witnessed healing of various sorts and watched God prove to me that what he says in his word is true today!

I am one who would say...God amazes me! You cannot outdo Him! He overwhelms me! He provides and answers to the finest detail....and then some. Praise God! Look at what he has done!

So why do I doubt him? Why do I wonder? If God is so amazing and overwhelms me with his ways, why do I fight him? Why don't I trust and obey completely? Why don't I pursue him first and most?

I've wondered the same about his people Israel. When Moses arose and led God's people Israel out of slavery, his people witnessed some of the greatest revelations of God's ability. God foretold what he would do to bring his people to freedom. Ten plagues were set upon Egypt and each one came to pass just as it was foretold, proving that God is not a liar but a keeper of his word. 

In the forty years the Hebrews were in the desert, God revealed himself before their very eyes! He was tangible! They saw him in a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day. God parted the red sea and they walked between two walls of water! He provided for them in sweetening bitter water, quail, manna that fell from heaven, water from a rock and rising against the Amalekites defeating them. And yet they did not trust God or obey him.

The reason they remained in the wilderness for a length of forty years was due to their attitude and unbelief. They lacked a heart of gratitude for what God had done for them and lacked faith in Gods divine providence. During those wandering years God took that time to teach them of his power. He tested their obedience giving them instructions to see if they would follow his word. And though God had shown himself to being as large as a tornado and as bright as a towering inferno by night, they were so stiff necked they refused to follow! But do not miss this. God also proved that his love for his people was more stubborn as he never abandoned them. At every stage of the journey God demonstrated his covenant love and commitment to his people.

And so I've wondered. With a visible, powerful God in their very midst, why did they doubt? Why did they refuse to accept God as all powerful? Why did they insist on doing it their way? I think most of us would agree we are all dumbfounded by this lack of faith. I have not seen God as a pillar of fire or a cloud funnel but I CAN testify to the following: 

GOD IS A HEALING GOD! During a prayer service years ago I witnessed God heal a fragment of disc in my husbands back. One moment the bump was there for me to find and feel in his back and the next – gone. No more pain. God still heals today.

GOD IS THE KEEPER OF HIS WORD! A man with the gift of prophecy visited our church. God would point him to various people and this man was able to see into someone's past and future as directed by God. I was blessed to be called on and a word was given to me, He saw me surrounded by young women and that I was feeding them not with food though I would have food but with the word of God. I was stupefied at that point by this word because at that time I was involved in Boy Scouts with my son. Ten years later I joined youth staff which launched me into a special season of my life ministering one on one to a group of girls who came to my home each week. Some of those relationships remain today as I continue to speak into the lives of these now grown women. And here I am now writing for a magazine for women. God is not a liar.

GOD IS OUR PROVIDER! During what we refer to as our storm of '96 – my husband lost his job and we made just enough income to pay our rent but nothing else. In that year of drought, we ate better than we could provide for ourselves. Food arrived in miraculous ways! We had purposely not advertised our predicament because I wanted to see the very hand of God move. And it did. Bags of groceries arrived on our doorstep, in our car, through the mail even. There were desperate moments when utilities were turned off but just as quickly money arrived to turn them back on! 

GOD IS SPECIFIC! During this same drought someone brought in bags of groceries and as I put them away I noticed that we had all we could need or want but interestingly enough there was no meat. We had hamburger helper with no hamburger. Odd that I noticed this until the following week when a relative from another state arrived for an overnight stay bringing with her a marine cooler full of beef. God had told her to butcher one of her cows and bring us some meat! Who but GOD could arrange such a transaction? 

GOD RAISES THE DEAD! I have not witnessed life returning to a dead body but I have watched God sustain life. I have witnessed God take hold of a life that was dead and a marriage that was gone and resurrect it. I remember the overwhelming hopelessness I felt as I surveyed the land that was my marriage. A tornado of issues had devastated the landscape of my marriage and heart to the point that when I looked at my husband I felt nothing. My last hope was turning to God and relying upon him. I stayed to give it one last try. I don't quite know what happened exactly but over the course of time there was a little spark. A flicker of life. It was as though one blade of grass pushed through the devastated ground. This continued to happen over the months to follow until I found myself in love again with my husband. And there are many more testimonies I could share!

What about in your own life? Where did God meet you? What prayers has he answered for you? See I came to know many years ago that God admonishes us to remember. Remember Gods commands (Deuteronomy 6). Remember his works (1 Chronicles). Remember the days of old where God met you before ( Deut. 32). Remember the works he hath done (1 Chron. 16). People of biblical times were impressed upon to remember so much that they built altars with rocks to signify the place where God met them and answered their hearts cry! Write them on your doorposts, tie them around your wrists! REMEMBER!

And perhaps that is why we doubt. We forget how powerful God has been. We allow the reality of his power to be erased by the dominions of hell. Perhaps that is why we get so busy and why there is so much to make us busy. Perhaps that is why God allowed his people to remain in the desert for 40 years. They were there and he had their undivided attention. When the pathway is straight we continue walking...but when we trip over a rock, it halts us in our tracks! He wants our undivided attention and desires teachable hearts.

He stayed with them for 40 years humbling them and revealing to them the inner workings and striving of their human heart which always leads us away from God. Deuteronomy 8:3 says, “He humbled you causing you to hunger, then feeding you with manna which neither you nor your ancestors had known to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God!

Years and chapters later we hear Jesus reiterating what should be the cornerstone of our very life! In Matthew 4:4 – “Jesus answered, For it is written, man shall not live by bread alone but byevery word that comes from the mouth of God.” I would almost add, and by every deed ever done by God.

If we never forgot, we would never doubt God. We would never let our experiences with him lose their glory! When troubles come our way we would grab hold of our faith and point it with vigor toward the mountain in our path and cast it down. We would give him the first of our day instead of the leftovers. We would remember it is best to be sustained by God rather than to be self-sustained. We would remember we have the option between struggling to exist and living. We would remember how we need him and want him to be the center point of our life and our priorities would prove that. 

We say what we believe, but we do what we value. 

Lord, help us to be a people who remember your glory. Help us Father to remember your stubborn love – to remember every time you have answered our cries for help and intercession. Help our lives reflect what our spirits say...my life is in you! Help me to clear my life of the clutter! Lord help my unbelief! Give me a teachable, repentant heart O Lord! Help me to put you first and to obey every word and directive given by you. In Jesus powerful name, Amen!

God is In the Kitchen

by Dori Cass

They say the kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s the place where people gather and comfort abides. It is the one room of the house that appeals to all senses. From the kitchen comes sustenance and life. 

My mother was at home in the kitchen. It was her office. Her easel. Her sanctuary. Every meal was a masterpiece and was put together with great forethought, planning and execution. Holiday meals were my mother's world series and she hit the ball out of the park with each one.

As mom taught me how to cook, she bestowed upon me tools for life. Early on I learned the tools of the trade and how to equip myself and my kitchen for success. At her side she taught me the importance of following recipes, the gift of servitude, and the joy of family and yes, cleanliness is next to godliness. Ha.

Considering it now I see that the kitchen was the schoolroom for life. Working alongside of her in the kitchen I learned about being a wife and mother. And just recently I found the correlation between a woman's kitchen and God's heart...the holy of holies. If you'll look closely enough you, too, will find that God is in the kitchen.

Walk into any kitchen and you will find it stocked with a host of basic ingredients – ingredients that ensure success. Kitchens for centuries have had the following....curtains, an apron, a sink or basin, utensils, stove with the home fire burning– a fridge– at least one table,, counters, cups, plates, spoons, forks, knives, perhaps a butcher block, water, spices, flour, sugar, oil and bread.

Read Exodus 25 and walk through Gods Tabernacle and you find the precise recipe God gave for The Tabernacle - colorful blue, purple and red curtains, fragrant incense burnt upon the altar or table; oil made from fine spices and olive oil which was used for anointing, the bronze basin/tub, lamp-stand, table of show bread and the priests. God carefully chose each element for the Tabernacle in right proportions – all that was needed to bring right relationship between his people and himself. 

Aaron and his sons were called forth to be the priests and they were consecrated. Loaves of bread were prepared with flour and oil without yeast. An animal was brought forth and butchered and prepared as an offering. Special garments were created with perfect precision to be the outerwear for the priests to wear. The priests were brought to the basin and washed. Throughout the chapter of Exodus 29 are precise instructions creating the perfect recipe if you will to bring about God’s blessing. A recipe for grace and forgiveness.

One described the heart of the home and family, the other the heart of God. Both brought into perfect unison when adhering to the recipe's given in proper proportion. Love, forgiveness, faith, patience, kindness, compassion, truth, serving others, hope, purity. With great care, forethought and planning he gave us each ingredient in good measure to bring us the sweetest tasting, most divine life we could create. 

As I stand in the middle of the kitchen and glance about I see pieces of my mama...her apron, her favorite nesco roaster, spice shakers and bowls. And as I look about my kitchen I see today's reflections of God's instructions...olive oil, my potpourri scent burner, spices, bread, a table and a basin. I am aware of the elements and aware of the blessings if I follow the instructions. And I am aware of the loving instruction given by God and my mama. 

“As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being, but God the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.” --1 Thessalonians 1, 2,