March 27, 2014

Hi Ya’ll (that’s Southern talk)

Me-Grist Mill

 

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.

  Grist Mill - Helen 

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.

wheat Grinder     It still works!

A winged beauty of God’s  creation   butterfly up close

 

Callaway Chapel

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

Peace and serenityCallaway Lake

 

Me & Kitty  Miss Kitty – I still miss her.

Posey 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.

The Hootch - Helen

The Hootch - Helen       Helen - the Hootch

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

http://www.elahministries.com

http://www.suecass.tateauthor.com

elah501c@bellsouth.net

Blessings to you. 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 23, 2014

Oh sweet memories

imagesCALSYUX2The 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. images[7]  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.images[8]

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.

imagesCAE3RK5N

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

imagesCAX7BLLQ

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,

           imagesCAD44OMK  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.  imagesCAZIN6KW

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.

imagesCAPQ354K

~~~~~

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

http://www.elahministries.com

http://www.suecass.tateauthor.com

elah501c@bellsouth.net

Blessings to you. 🙂

March 19, 2014

Love them to life

imagesCATUPTTEWally 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

http://www.elahministries.com

http://www.suecass.tateauthor.com

elah501c@bellsouth.net

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.”

~~~~~

Arbat-Wedding-Reception-Full-Service-Banquet-Table-1[1]

“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.

imagesCA9QOA31

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?

  NOVEL      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

http://www.elahministries.com

http://www.suecass.tateauthor.com

elah501c@bellsouth.net

Blessings to you. 🙂

March 9, 2014

Deep drop beyond the swim line

Meadowmere-Park-Beach[1]

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. 🙂

March 5, 2014 Aside

Can I forgive?

1908251_726316030763385_1728499261_n[1]

For some of us there are times, circumstances, or events that have taken place in our lives that are devastating, horrible, or just plain unforgivable. At least we think they are unforgivable. We end up walking around, living our lives with animosity, anger, bitterness, or hatred and our hearts are so heavy from the burden that we feel like an over loaded pack mule climbing a mountain. The weight is so heavy at times we can feel like dropping to our knees and staying put.

That’s exactly where we need to be! On our knees before the Lord God Almighty asking Him to forgive us. Why us if we are the victim? “Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and He will deliver you.”  Prov. 21:22

My previous post, “Once upon a time…No fairy tale here!” is a testimony of just such circumstances I have lived. For many years I was burdened with a heart filled with hurt and anger. What was done to me for a major portion of my life could be considered unforgivable.

After accepting Christ into my life I began learning about forgiveness. “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6:14 I wanted my heavenly Father’s forgiveness but that also meant I had to forgive the people who had harmed me. The major one being my earthly father. Ohhhh did I have a problem with that! Forgiving others seemed to be easier and came more quickly but forgiving my father was going to be a long difficult process.

“But love your enemies, do good to them…” Luke 6:35 I took care of my father for many years. I saw that he got to doctors, cleaned his home, I cooked meals and delivered them, and eventually had him in my home for a short time caring for him. I still had not forgiven him and the Lord dealt with me about that.

Once I was able to truly forgive my father and come before the Lord asking His forgiveness it was as though the saddle bags, back packs, and truck loads of hurt and anger that had been my burden for so many years was lifted. For the first time I could look at my father and not despise him. All the glory goes to the Lord for in my humanness forgiveness could not have been given.

No, I don’t have amnesia. I remember what was done and those that have done it. Forgiveness does not mean we forget what was done. It means it doesn’t control us. I have forgiven them all and walk with a free heart. Hurt and anger do not control my life any more. When the enemy, the devil, raises his ugly head, I stomp on it!

Forgiving someone who has cut you off in traffic is much easier than forgiving those who have grievously harmed us. When we are able to forgive it opens our heart and the Lord can work within us and through us. By showing Christ’s love through praying for my father, caring for him and forgiving him, (to his face) my father ended up asking Christ to forgive him and to be his Savior twenty-four hours before he died at eighty-seven years old!

~~~~~

“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth.” 1 Timothy, 2: 2-3

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and not this from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Eph. 2:8

Author Sue Cass – See “And my pen wrote”

www.elahministriesinc.com

http://www.cybersupportgroup.org

http://www.facebook.com/elahministries

elah501c@bellsouth.net

March 4, 2014

“Do what!?” I thought the odds were against me.

imagesCAS4IFU6  “You have got to be kidding!” was my reply to the Lord when He said He wanted me to finish my basement making it into a guest house.

How exactly I was going to accomplish that feat was beyond me. It takes money, lots of money to convert a full size basement into living quarters with kitchen, bath, bedroom, and living room. He wants a whole house down there!  “Come on, Lord. I can’t afford that!” “Trust Me” was His reply.

Through references I found an amazing contractor who was willing to work with me step by step. When the jack hammer began tearing through the house foundation   imagesCAHIQP7J

I walked around with ear muffs and really began to wonder if I had really heard right. Was it really the Lord telling me to do this?

Floors were being demolished, Cement piled

walls put up, imagesCA6DXUGQ     plumbing run. imagesCA29W8U3

With the constant banging of hammers, jack hammers rattling windows, and saws buzzing I couldn’t help but wonder if my peace and quiet would ever return.

Then I ran out of money. The piggy bank ran dry! imagesCAGG7K95

“Now what, Lord?” I asked. Again His reply was, “Trust Me.”  But everything came to a stand still. With profuse apologies to my contractor I had to wait for a financial miracle.

Ohhhh but God is faithful. When He calls us to do something He is faithful to supply whatever it is we need. I needed money! Lots more money!

Opening my mailbox I flip through the mail and groan. Bills, bills, and more bills. But wait, what’s this? Quickly opening the envelope I find a letter stating a relative that went to be the Lord recently has left me a monetary inheritance.    imagesCAZMFTJ5   Call the contractor!

We’ve been working for months and now when things start coming together and looking like there’s light at the end of the tunnel, the piggy bank runs dry again! No more hammering or saws buzzing. All is quiet in the basement. I’m disheartened, frustrated, and ready to throw in the towel and be content with what has been accomplished so far. I pray, “Lord, I have no idea where the money for this is going to come from. I know You have been providing but….”

It doesn’t sound like much faith and each time I cry out to Him He understands. I’m the type of person that when I start something I want to get it done and rejoice in the end product. This project is truly testing my need to see the end product.

I have gotten where I hate going to the mailbox. I expect bills, bills, and more bills but today I can once again skip and jump. Instead of having to pay Uncle Sam at tax time, which I always seem to have to do, I’ve gotten a large refund. “Trust Me” takes deeper roots and the construction continues.  I’ve bought my paint and as a way of saving money I begin painting.

I’ve chosen my floor covering and with great pride I begin to start installing it myself. working on the floor Slowly and with great pains I have had to trust the Lord with the finances I need. When the piggy bank runs out I look heavenward and wait for the next bank account infusion. He never failed!

Almost one year to the date of the first nail hammered the basement is complete.

imagesCAJEVRJD

Kitchen, dining room, large pantry, living room, library, bedroom, full bath, laundry room, furnace room with storage. Walking from one room to the next I can hardly believe that this impossible project is done and I’m anxiously awaiting  my first guests. In the natural I saw no way possible to do what the Lord called me to do but, but when the Lord said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13) He wasn’t kidding!

~~~~~

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7

Author Sue Cass

http://www.elahministries.com

http://www.suecass.tateauthor.com

elah501c@bellsouth.net

Blessings to you 🙂

February 28, 2014

If I had a hammer…

images[5]

How many of us have tried to use our “hammer” with the Gospel of Jesus Christ? But…

Many of us have used a hammer at one time or another. We may have just tapped a small nail into the wall to hang a picture or some have actually used their hammer in building sky scraper buildings.

My pastor brought up a very interesting topic one Wednesday night. The question he raised got me to thinking about something I hadn’t really thought about.  imagesCACI4HU7 For me it’s a no-brainer to believe what God’s Word says. That doesn’t mean I understand it all by any means. But what if I’m talking to someone and they don’t believe in God or the Bible?

In my post, “Once upon a time…No fairy tale here” I tell how my wrath would explode if people talked to me about God.

So many times we followers of Christ want to hammer our beliefs into someone’s head. Does it work? Not usually! Personally, now that the Lord has lifted me out of darkness, I don’t know how anyone can not believe in our heavenly Father or His Son, Jesus Christ. I’m sure there are many reasons people use.

For non-believers             images[5]       here comes the hammer!

Romans 1:18-20 says no-one has an excuse to not believe!

“But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful,

wicked people who push the truth away from themselves.

For the truth about God is known to them instinctively.

God has put this knowledge in their hearts. From the time

the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky

and all that God made. They can clearly see His invisible

qualities-His eternal power and divine nature. So they have

no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.” *

I know that scripture may be accepted and it may not be. Your choice.

At times we Christians may feel like we’re in a bed of thorns. The Lord told Ezekiel to go to the Israelites even though they were rebellious, obstinate, stubborn, and rebelled against God. He also told him not to be afraid. (Ez.2)

So what do those of us Christ followers do when we encounter those who do not believe?

First – we must be living the life that Christ wants us to. Actions speak louder than words!

Secondly – using our “spiritual hammer” isn’t going to work. Our testimonies are more effective. People that knew me before I asked Christ into my life can clearly see the difference in my life style, my words, and my actions.

Thirdly, like the Lord told Ezekiel, “You must speak My words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen.” But He also said in Matt. 10:14, “And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the very dust from your feet.”

You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.

~~~~~

“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” Colossians 1:16

*Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1996. (emphasis mine)

Author Sue Cass –“Dawn’s Light” – “Pursuit” – “Laying Down my Net-A Walk of Faith” – “Sacrifices of a Saint” – “Seek My face.”

http://www.elahministries.com

http://www.suecass.tateauthor.com

elah501c@bellsouth.net

Blessings to you 🙂

February 26, 2014

I’m selective and I don’t apologize for it.

images[2]

Yep, that’s me! There are days when all I want to do is sit and play computer games. It seems I go in cycles of being super busy to doing nothing. I get frustrated at times because of it. “Lord, what do You want me to do today?” I ask. I get no reply so I’m on my own to conjure up things to do.

This is especially true in the winter months.  I can easily be mistaken for a bear in hibernation.  imagesCAOCQE1C

On some days my pen just lays lazily on the desk. No wiggling or squirming to write. Maybe the Lord needs a rest, too. imagesCADFJQC0      I always ask Him to help me write. I want to write things that are informative, encouraging, and glorifies Him hoping others will find what I write to be interesting and hopefully make a difference in their hearts. Some articles will be quite serious where others might be humorous or tongue-in-cheek type of stories. I like to incorporate experiences I’ve had and hope they resonate with others. My short stories have some of those and well as my fiction and non-fiction books.

At times that is not always easy to do because I know there is such a variety of mind sets, attitudes, interests, and beliefs of those who will be reading what I write.        imagesCAJ69IQA

Of course I don’t want to offend. But I have been taught well and know not to break my number one rule.  I will not compromise the truth of God’s Word nor down play what He wants for us! If that offends then I figure it is up to the offended party to research whatever I have written.

I’m selective about what I write. I’m that way with the events involved with my published books, too. I think we have to be selective in many areas of our lives; who we select as our friends, what kind of novels we read, what we watch on television, where we spend our time, what church we worship in, and where we will appear for book signing events or speaking engagements.

imagesCA3B0FGY  For me, bars is not one of them.

If an establishment sells occult items, I guarantee my books will not be welcome. The same goes if I walk into a book store or a gift shop and have chills shoot up my spine. I’m out of there!

I get several suggestions as to how to increase my readership. This blog was one of those suggestions. But I have found that not everyone or every venue is conducive to my genre. I write Christian books and short stories. There is no “nasty” stuff in my novels and you’ll find no filthy language in any, be it fiction or non-fiction.
I have turned down some book signing events due to learning the event was nothing near being conducive to a Christian environment.

Yes, I am selective. At times it may cost me some publicity or some book sales but as a Christian author I am representing my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  For me, to lose a few sales is a small price to pay when I consider the price of losing His favor.

Matt.15:18 states, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.” That which comes forth through our writing can also defile or glorify.

~~~~

 “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness.” Joshua 24:14

http://www.elahministriesinc.com

http://www.Cybersupportgroup.org

www.facebook.com/elahministries

Blessings to you.