March 31, 2014 Aside

Been there, Not going back!

My fingers are cramped, my back hurts, my eyes burn, and my neck feels as though its frozen in place as I sit slumped over the legal pad and my pen skirts across the paper filling page after page as it writes the chapter about my visit to hell.

“Take a break, child.” The Lord whispers in my ear. “Go lay on the couch and rest for a while.” He gently adds. I lay my pen down and standing I flex my fingers, groan, and stretch my back muscles. Taking a deep breath I slowly walk to the couch and stretch out giving a long sigh of relief. The pen has been writing furiously and now I can take a time out.

My head has barely touched the pillow when suddenly everything turns to black. Black as no other black I’ve ever seen. My body has suddenly been transported from the comfort of my couch to a place that is so dark I can’t see my hand in front of my face. I’m scared. My body begins to shake and I sense Someone has stepped up behind me. Peace begins flowing through me like a gentle wave. No words are spoken.

The blackness is so black there’s nothing for my eyes to adjust to. It isn’t like walking into a dark room where some light peeks in and I can see at least a shadow. No this is so black it can’t be described! Suddenly faces begin to appear in the darkness. I suck in a breath as they come closer and closer to where I’m standing. Men and women, teen-age girls and boys, with expressions of fear, anger, shame, confusion, and hatred written in their eyes and across their faces as though in large dark ink. I take a step back. Somehow these people are not allowed to touch me but they have. They’ve touched something deep within me.

A woman, with her head thrown back, screams a bone chilling scream as she furiously twists her long hair and pulls frantically. She screams an agonizing scream, yet no sound comes from her mouth. A man leans toward me and pleads “help me,” yet no words are spoken. His face is a horrible mask of agony like nothing I have ever witnessed.

Face after face appear and pass before me with torture written on them, eyes filled with emptiness, screams of pain and desolation. A man appears and comes toward me with his face contorted with absolute hatred and his eyes meet mine with a putrid violence. I jump back bumping into the white robe behind me. “You’ll be okay, My child” is whispered in my ear as gentle arms wrap around me from behind. I feel His beard on my cheek and the comfort of His arms.

I turn my head to look at Him and ask, “Who are these people?” His eyes fill with tears. “Those who have rejected Me,” He replies with sadness. “But can’t You help them?” I ask. “No child. They chose this place. I gave them every opportunity but they chose this as their eternal home.” I want to scream! I want to beg Him to take them out of here! I want to run from this horrible place. The comforting arms drop from their hug and He takes a step back.

Suddenly the faces are gone and I’m standing as stiff as a telephone pole. Red hot flames have encircled me. Orange, red, yellow, flares up on all sides of me and only my head and eyes move as I look around me. Furious fire engulfs me, yet not one spark touches me.

The Man is beside me. “You’re safe” He says. The flames grow hotter, taller and I can’t believe I’m not even feeling the heat from them. “I am with you,” He says. The flames lick at me but don’t touch me, they grow hotter still and looking skyward I can see the flames are all around me and above me. There is no escape! “I am always with you, even in the fires of life,” is gently spoken.

Poof, the flames are gone!

I’m standing in the total blackness again. My mind is whirling. I have a million questions I want to ask but suddenly my attention is drawn to a white building appearing out of the pitch blackness. It’s a small country-type church. It begins turning. The whole building is slowly turning counter clockwise on its axis. It begins to turn faster and gradually it begins to spin faster and faster and faster until it spins off its axis and flies out into the darkness and disappears.

Suddenly I’m jolted from the darkness back onto my couch with the blare of the telephone ringing just inches from my ear. Confused and disoriented I reach for it. I can barely speak.

I have no idea how long I spent in hell but there’s one thing for sure, I’m not going back! The Lord gave us free will and we are to choose whom we shall serve. Christ or Satan – we can’t serve both. I’ve made my choice as to where, and with whom, I will spend eternity, have you?

~~~~~

“And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you shall serve.” Joshua 24:14

Author Sue Cass – “Dawn’s Light” – “Pursuit” – “Laying Down my Net-A Walk of Faith” – “Sacrifices of a Saint” – “Seek My Face.” – “Grace Defined” – “I AM” – “The Narrow Road” – “Amy’s Quest”

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Blessings to you. 🙂

March 30, 2014

L.A.W.S. It’s free.

There are four needs that we humans have besides the usual, clothes, food, housing, and health. We strive for these. We seek them with a vengeance. Our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls yearn for them. Can they be obtained? Yes! And they are free.

L- LOVE: We all want to be loved.

We will do a whole variety of things to gain love. I tried for years to gain the love of my parents. I was told, “if you do this…..then I will love you.” “If you stop doing that…….then I will love you.” That isn’t love! It’s control and manipulation. Romans 5:6 tells us, that when we were still sinners Jesus loved us. He loves us so much He suffered a horrific death! That’s love! No matter what we have done/do/or will do, God through His Son Jesus Christ, loves us. There’s no if’s, ands, or but’s about it!

A – ACCEPTANCE: We all have a need to feel accepted.

We wear certain styles of clothes according to the latest fashions. We work hard so as not to be called lazy, we join a club or a group. The list can go on and on, all in the name of being accepted by others. In todays society with all the “political correctness” we may accept standards that are not of God in order to not be called “racists” or “homophobics” or, or, or. Young people join gangs and even some of us join a church, just for the feeling of being a part of something. There is only One who accepts us just as we are. Jesus gives us complete acceptance! Not by what we do but because of who He is. “Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us,”‘ to the glory of God.” Romans 15:7

W – WORTH: We all want to feel worthy. Who determines our worth?

An example: I’ve gone to a garage sale and step up to a table. Two identical ceramic clay vases sit side by side. One is bright and shiny, no flaws, no cracks. It looks to be perfect. The other is cracked, dirty, and lopsided. I take hold of that one and ask, “how much?” The owner tries to take it and states, “Oh I should have thrown that away! It’s not worth anything!” I hold it gently in my hands and state, “How much? I want it.” The dickering goes back and forth with the owner determined to throw it away. I finally state, “I absolutely love this broken, dirty vase. It’s to die for!” We all have used that term, “it’s to die for” at one time or another and have gone to great lengths to get what we want. For Jesus that wasn’t just a an off the cuff comment, He meant it! He determined, by going to the cross of His own free will, our value and what we are worth. If we rely on others to determine our worth we can be highly disappointed.”But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved.)” Eph. 2:4-5

S – SECURITY: We all need to feel secure.

Do we feel secure in our marriage, our job, our finances, that our children will grow to be productive and loving adults? In this world there is nothing that is absolutely secure! Worldly security does not exist! There is only One who can give us absolute security, for this world and the next. We can be secure in the fact that we will never be separated from Christ’s love. No matter what we do, don’t do, say, don’t say, think, or don’t think! “Neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 10:38-39

We are secure in the fact that if we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior we will spend eternity with Him. “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Roman 10:9

We’re secure in knowing that He has us in His hands and no-one can rip us from His hands! “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” John 10:28-30

We can be absolutely secure in knowing that Christ is looking after us and has our best interests at heart. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

No matter who we are, what we have done, how dirty our past, we are loved unconditionally, accepted just as we are, held as invaluable and worthy, and secure by His great love. God through His Son Jesus Christ gives what the world cannot!

Find the love, acceptance, worthiness, and security by praying a simple prayer asking Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sins and come into your heart as your Lord and Savior.

~~~~~

Note: Parts of my article are borrowed from Pastor Randal Popham’s sermon this morning. Thank you for reminding us, Pastor.

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Blessings to you. 🙂

March 30, 2014

I confess, I slept with Elvis.

Tennessee was hot and humid. The air conditioning felt wonderful but I had cabin fever and couldn’t stand it any longer. I rose early and hopped in my car and headed out. The typed directions lay on the seat beside me. As I drove along the highway my mind went back to the
1950’s.

Elvis Presley was my idol and just hearing him sing would leave my knees weak and eyes filled with tears. I wasn’t one of the those screaming little girls. I would just faint with adoration. I didn’t care if he sang Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star it would leave me panting for more.

I had his name written all over my gym clothes, I had my hair styled like his, and my bedroom walls were plastered with his pictures. I was a real number one fan, and still am, minus the pictures on my walls, hair style, and gym clothes. I still have his albums though.

Ah, but I regress.

Pulling into the hotel parking lot my pulse is speeding out of control. Elvis’s music is playing through loudspeakers and can be heard throughout the parking lot. Graceland, Elvis’s home, is across the street. I check in and throw my suitcase on the bed. I’m tired but I’ve got to get across the street! Hurry, hurry, Elvis is waiting.

Gathering with other Elvis fans it blows my mind! Elvis is alive! Not at McDonald’s, not in George Town, but right here! Entering the museum my eyes bug out. I need a neck brace to keep my chin from hitting the floor.

An entire room, all four walls, are covered from top to bottom with Elvis’s gold, silver, and platinum records. It’s almost overwhelming.

The men look but the women ooooh, awe, and whisper as we look at Pricilla’s wedding gown. I can only envy her.

“Oh my gosh!” I almost scream. Elvis had a car exactly like my very first car! I can’t believe I had a car like Elvis and can barely pull myself away to look at other things. I want to jump in it and shout, “varoom, varoom.” Memories flood my mind.

His infamous pink Cadillac.

Lisa Marie had her own jet. All the comforts of home.

Having a full tour of Elvis’s home, the grounds, and Lisa’s jet I slowly walk across the street back to my hotel. Elvis’s voice sings out, “I’m so lonesome tonight.”

The elevator doors close leaving Elvis singing in the lobby. “Come on Elvis, lets go to bed.” I whisper entering my room.

Sitting on the edge of my bed, I gaze at him for a long moment, as he softly sings in my head, then snuggle down into the blankets. “Night Elvis” I whisper.

Oh come on, you didn’t really think…………….? Shame on you.

~~~~~

“… bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” 2Cor. 10:5

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Blessings to you.

March 28, 2014

Hawaiian sunset

“The sun also rises, and the sun goes down. And hastens to the place where it arose.” Ecc. 1:5

~~~~~

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Blessings to you. 🙂

March 27, 2014

Hi Ya’ll (that’s Southern talk)

Hi Ya’ll. At the risk of sounding like a Hill Billy, welcome to my neck of the woods. The photo’s are of places jus’ down the road a piece. Translation – close to home. Callaway Gardens and Helen, Georgia are two of my favorite places.

The old Grist Mill Store in Helen, Georgia. It’s a fully operational grist mill and you won’t believe the stuff you can buy in there. From Grits to cast iron skillets to home grown honey and freshly ground wheat. It’s an awesome little store and my first stop when entering town.

It still works!

A winged beauty of God’s creation

The Lord’s House in the woods. Weddings are in demand at this little chapel all year round.

Peace and serenity

Miss Kitty – I still miss her.

My traveling fantail goldfish, Posey.

When I lived in Tennessee and would come to Georgia to visit friends she rode along in an ice chest and then enjoyed her home away from home in a large aquarium. She was a real trouper.

We call it “The Hootch” It’s the Chattahoochee River that runs through North Georgia and is great for “tubin” (riding tubes down the river and right through town).

Thanks for visiting. Now ya’ll come back, ya’ hear. Translation – Come again. Love seeing you.

~~~~~

“But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for Him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life.” 1 Cor. 8:6

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Blessings to you. 🙂

March 23, 2014

Oh sweet memories

The sun shown brightly on my face, the wind whistled through my hair, and the freedom I felt as I flew down the hill was the freedom I craved.

Growing up in the country I didn’t have a bicycle but my brother did. He’s five years older than me and he would let me climb on his big bicycle and even though my feet couldn’t reach the peddles I would jump from one side of the cross bar to push a peddle and then bounce over the bar to other side to push the other peddle.

That sense of freedom while riding a bike has stayed with me throughout my life. When I married, what was my wedding gift to my husband? A bicycle! He was raised in an orphanage and had never owned a bicycle that was his very own. All the kids shared what toys were given to them including an old bike.

I remember the joy on his face when I presented his very first, his very own bicycle. He jumped on that bike and took off down the street yelping and hollering. The whole neighborhood could hear him. I stood laughing with tears streaming down my face. I never thought a simple gift such as a bicycle could make a grown man so happy.

We spent many hours riding our bikes. We rode around the neighborhood almost daily, we’d take our bikes and go to Tybee Island in south Georgia and spend our days playing in the ocean and riding our bikes all over the island. Whenever we went for a day away or a few days away we took our bikes.

Closer to home we’d toss our bikes in the back of the truck and ride all around Stone Mountain Park.

My husband was very athletic. I was athletic back then, too but nothing like my honey was. He was a runner. He’d ran marathons all over the country, he played tennis, and we went ice skating a few times until I busted my butt so many times I could barely walk.

If we weren’t riding our bikes around the mountain we were hiking up it. Well, let me put it this way. While I huffed and puffed my way up Stone Mountain,

he’d already RAN up the mountain, down the mountain, and was on his second trip up the mountain grinning like a Cheshire cat as he passed me. He was always kind enough to wait for me at the top and comfort me as I passed out on the warm granite stone.

I kept his bicycle for several years after he went to be with the Lord. I just couldn’t bear to let it go. The sweet memory of our times with the sun on our faces, the wind whistling through our hair, and his laugher lifted in the wind as he would speed past me daring me to catch him bring smiles to my face even today.

I still crave the sun on my face and the wind whistling through my hair………..

Oh my, excuse me but I forgot I have an errand to run. I’ll get back with you shortly. Have a blessed day.

~~~~~

“May the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.” Ps. 68:3

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elah501c@bellsouth.net

Blessings to you. 🙂

March 19, 2014

Love them to life

Wally was walking down the street when he encountered an old friend. He hadn’t seen his friend in many years and was happy to see him. After a happy greeting, a slap on the back, he told his friend he had become a Christian and invited him to church. His friend snarled, made fun, and laughed. Wally was confused. “You don’t believe in God?” he asked. “No!” his friend replied. “How can you believe in something you can’t see?” his friend asked rather sarcastically. Wally looked at his friend and thought, “Dear God give me Your words for I know I’m speaking to someone who does not have your Spirit within him.”

The Lord whispered in Wally’s ear, “Love him. He will not accept your answer for his heart is closed.” Wally wasn’t sure what the Lord meant to “love him.” His friend stood looking at him waiting for an answer. Wally reached out and placed his hand on his friends shoulder and smiled. “I know that whatever answer I give you won’t satisfy you but hey, I love ya’ anyway. How about we go get a burger?”

His friend was shocked because he was ready to dig in and debate anything Wally had to say in answer to his question. As the two strolled down the street to the local fast food Wally realized the Lord was right. Those who truly seek answers come from the heart not the head.

Wally and his friend ordered their food and spent the next hour catching up on the “good old days.” Wally thanked the Lord that his friend was still his friend and he had not made an enemy.

~~~~~

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it.” Jn. 1:4-5

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Blessings to you. 🙂

March 16, 2014

Read at your own risk

There are consequences to everything we do, think, or say. And we are held accountable.

“The secrets of God shall be revealed to all who follow Him. His word is truth and those whose heart is open to Him will receive. Let those who doubt, those who do not believe open their hearts to Him. Yet many will not receive for their hearts have been closed by the deception perpetrated by the father of lies. They accept the lies willingly for their human wisdom is flawed. They shall not receive the kingdom of God for their eyes, ears, and hearts are blinded by the darkness of the world.

The world gives the illusion that God is dead, God is not real, or that God does nothing for them, they are forgotten souls that are on their own. What better lie can the enemy of God perpetrate in a world that is lost!

God, in His glory, came that all shall be saved and yet many reject even that. Come ye who believe and bring forth the truth. God is love and yet through His love there is discipline, justice, punishment, and wrath. He is patient yet will not stand for or accept the excuses of man.

“Follow Me” requires trust and obedience. Lay down, set aside, and reject the philosophies, attitudes, and man’s simple thinking for your eternity is near.”

~~~~~

“Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!” Luke 14:15

“Then He said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!'” And He said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” Rev. 19:9

March 13, 2014 Aside

Relax & enjoy-it’s done.

Gazing down at the cover of my new novel I can’t help but smile and think about the long hours, the loss of sleep, and how consuming writing can be. I feel the satisfaction of having the completed book here in my hands.

I recall the excitement I felt when it was completed, accepted by the publisher, and finally released. It’s kind of weird, when I sit down with the finished product in my hands, and begin reading what the pen has written. It’s as though it’s the first time I’ve read it. It’s different from reading the stack of typed pages, the manuscript. I’m not looking for type-o’s or how this or that needs to be stated differently. I pretend I just brought it home off the book store shelf. I just want to read the story.

Leaning back in the chair and taking in the story it’s as though someone else wrote it and I’m enjoying another’s work. The characters, setting, and plot unfolds leaving me laughing or gasping and wondering what is going to happen next. I feel as though I’m a part of the story, drawn in leaving the world outside my door.

I can’t put it down and finally as I complete the last page and gently close the cover I sit in wonder. Did I really write that? I’m awestruck because I know I didn’t write it alone. Setting the book aside I give all praise, honor, and glory to my Lord and Savior for He is the One who controls my pen.

~~~~~

After Carla’s husband was killed in Iraq, Carla moves to Ivy, a small Georgia beach town, with her five year old daughter. Hoping for a fresh start and healing of her heart, Carla and Missy enjoy their first few months playing in the waves, building sand castles, and their new home. Suddenly Carla notices a stranger watching her daughter intently. Who is this person and what do they want with her daughter?

Compelling. Suspenseful. Inspiring.

A mixture of romance, intrigue, Christian values, and subtle tactics of Satan. A story that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

“And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us. And establish the work of our hands; Yes, establish the work of our hands.” Ps. 90:17

Author Sue Cass – see “And my pen wrote” post for more of my books.

This book and my others may be purchased in your local book stores nationally, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing.com/bookstore

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http://www.suecass.tateauthor.com

elah501c@bellsouth.net

Blessings to you. 🙂

March 9, 2014

Deep drop beyond the swim line

There is a line in life that we all must be careful not to cross. When I prayed, “Lord open my eyes” I was asking Him to open my eyes to what He sees. I didn’t expect what He showed me!

I’ve seen God’s great love. I’ve seen Him heal physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I’ve experienced His everlasting love and all those types of healing in my own life. But what He showed me yesterday left me crying into my pillow last night.

The day started early and was spent with a group of authors gathered together in one large event. I was looking forward to it as I do each year. I walked around the room meeting authors and scanning their books. I’m an avid reader and usually buy more than I sell.

I was shocked when scanning through the various books and listening to authors expound on their work. Looking at the acknowledgment page of one book the first sentence began, “Thank you God and His Son…” I thought, “Wow. A Christian novel.” Then pages filled with filthy language appeared. “It lends reality to the story” was the author’s justification.

Moving on, the next author explained, “But that’s the way they talk.” A little different slant to the same justification for filthy language.

“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Eph.4:29 seems to have been forgotten.

Yet another author proudly explains his book is about “The people God forgot.” I wanted to scream, “NO! NO! NO! GOD DOES NOT FORGET ANYONE!”

The Lord had me return to my table. Shaking my head and wondering how these professed Christians can write this stuff I obediently did as He said. Glancing around the room, after perusing just about all the books, left me wondering if there was even one that would please God. I bought nothing.

Upon returning home I was confronted with more of our world. “Be careful what you pray for” comes to mind. The T.V. news announcer states, “Four kindergarden students found performing sex acts in a classroom” left me almost speechless. “A fifteen year old boy asked his grandma to take him to the store. She said, “No” and he proceeded to beat her to death with a baseball bat.” Another T.V. news story tells how a whole town of Christians in Israel are told to convert to a certain religion or be killed.

Tears stream down my cheeks.

We have a government that no more looks to God or obeys His commands than a rock in the middle of a raging river! We’ve removed prayer from schools, we have large organizations that are hell bent on trying to remove God from the face of the earth. We have parents that are more concerned with climbing the corporate ladder or could care less what their children are doing or where they go. Young kids grow up thinking the gang they’ve entered is their answer to an unloving world. Sadly the list could go on and on and on.

I fully realize there is good in this world but what the Lord was showing me was a very small portion of the reality of a fallen world. How did this happen? How does an entire nation, a world, step into such deep waters? There has always been sin since Adam and Eve but times sure seemed to be a whole lot easier back when…. Now? Like an influenza spreading like wild fire, sin has become the norm AND WE HAVE ALLOWED IT TO TAKE ROOT!

Staring at the sign at the edge of the lake, “No lifeguard swim at your own risk.” We have a Life Guard! God, through His Son Jesus Christ. If we have accepted Him as our Savior He is our “life vest” when we step over, or jump head long, into the deep waters of life. He is our “Life Guard!” He is there to rescue us. He is there to warn us of the dangers we are about to step into. There is no logical reason, in my opinion, for anyone to drown in the cesspool of sin this world is seemingly accepting.

Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” The sins of our world are direct acts from the devils influence in people. John 10:10 continues to say, “I have come that that they may have life, and that they have it more abundantly.” Christ is telling us that we can have a better life, a better world, with Him than without Him!

“I am the way, the truth, and the life…” John14:6

“He who has My commands and keeps them, It is he who loves me.” John 14:21

~~~~~

Author Sue Cass – See “And my pen wrote”

http://www.elahministries.com

http://www.suecass.tateauthor.com

elah501c@bellsouth.net

Blessings to you. 🙂