Giving || The Basics

Yes, this is finally one of those promised posts! Thanks for you patience! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was one of those books where you don’t stop saying ‘yes, yes, oh yes.’  To be completely honest, "Money, Possessions and Eternity" by Randy Alcorn was one of the most challenging books I've ever read. Where, as every chapter ends, you feel a convicting pinch in your heart and know you have an application to put into practice. Where every page has a new amazing point or an old concept phrased perfectly. Put simply, I loved it, and DEFINITELY recommend it to every Christian, especially us teens who are just venturing into the big wide world of money and possessions.

One of the things in the book that most struck me was Randy's teaching on tithing. I've always heard of tithing and believed it’s important - my parents taught me to tithe ever since I was old enough to know what 'money' meant. But Randy didn’t just remind me of the ‘what’ of tithing, but also the ‘why.' Where before it had been just a practice I knew had some sort of good reason for it, now the motivations behind it came very much alive to me.

Perhaps I should clarify the ‘what’ first though. Tithing is giving 10% of all income back to God. It’s an Old Testament precept (first commanded in Leviticus 27:30) that carries through to New Testament believers, firstly because it is not specifically fulfilled or negated by the coming of Christ (unlike things such as sacrifices, not eating pork, etc), and secondly because Jesus endorsed it (Matthew 23:23).

That’s the ‘what.’ What did I learn about the ‘why?’ Well, quite a few things.

1. The Biblical backing for the ‘why tithe?’ question is answered by what I mentioned above about Christ affirming it and it not being overridden by the NT. That is definitely something I learnt – where it came from Biblically, and why it’s still important now.
2. Probably the biggest ‘why’ I discovered is that it teaches us that 'our' money is not ours but God's. And that's a HUGELY important lesson nowadays, with an increasingly materialistic world surrounding us. Randy consistently reminded me that our money is God's - we are just His temporary managers! We will answer to God for every decision we make. Giving back a tenth of our money to God is one of the best things we can do to remind us of this wonderful and solemn privilege. It just... does something. It reminds us, even subconsciously, that money is not permanently ours. Pushing some money constantly out of our hands it reminds us reminds us that we never had a hold on any of it in the first place and never will. 
3. Promised rewards in this life is another reason to tithe. No, no, tithing does not mean that God will make us rich. It does not mean that suddenly everything will be smooth. Randy was very clear that he was not preaching prosperity gospel. But Malachi 3:10 and 12 does say this: ' "Bring the whole tithe... Test Me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there is not be room enough to store it. Then all nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the Lord Almighty.' God blesses those who tithe! And blessings come in many forms, not just money, and not just material.
4. For the joy of it! As I can attest to, it is an utter joy to tithe, not a burden! There is such freedom that comes when tithing teaches us that our money is not ours! And I love musing over the wonder that God is using our tithe to bless others more than we can know, and more than we can imagine! Plus just think of the blessing tithing brings upon the remainder of ‘our’ (God’s) money! Tithing is a joy! It can only be a burden if we forget the promises of God and the fact that it’s all His money.
5. Why not? To be honest, I cannot think of a single reason not to tithe (and yes, I’ve tried to think of one!). Most arguments can be refuted by two facts: (1) our money is God's not ours, and (2) He promises to provide for those who honour Him with everything they have, and to bless everything sacrificed to Him.

So that’s what I’ve learnt about tithing. While my practice has remained the same, the heart and head behind it is all the better for knowing why I’m doing it.

What are your thoughts on tithing? Is it important?

Cassie xoxoxo

Yes, hello.

Ug, I know I haven't posted in a while. Now's not a time of post-writing motivation and a million and one thoughts I need to get down, unfortunately. There has been stuff going on... a lot of stuff. Lots of lessons happening, and thing's I'm trying to work out. Contentment (yeh, that's a big one). Intimacy with Christ. Trust. Faithfulness. Quiet times. Friendship. Repentance. Distraction. Contentment (oh, did I say that? :P). And 'outside' too, there's been quite a bit happening. I'm trying to submit scholarship applications (prayers I get them in on time appreciated!!) and apply for a passport and finish a Uni subject and work and keep on top of year 12 and not get distracted by social media and YouTube (I swear that thing can be as awful as Netflix is for other people) and visit my friend in hospital and make time for other friends. I guess I should just sit down one Sunday and spill a few thoughts, even if they're not neat. But anyway, yes I'm still here and I am working out what to write. So, hello again. :) Do feel free to comment with what's been happening in your world, inside or out.

Much love,
Cassie

Blogiversary!

Photo credit: Kevin D and Flickr Creative Commons

Well, today marks 4 years since I started this blog! (And a week or so back marked 6 years since I truly decided to live for God.) 

(To be honest, I feel like I'm going to repeat what I said last year. Oh well. :D)

All glory to God. Seriously, I am so crazy thankful for how far He has brought me, even just in the past year. None of this (*sweeps hand towards myself and my tiny corner of the internet*) happens without Him.

A gazillion thanks to everyone who has walked by me over the past 4 years, 6 years... and, well, my whole life. You are such an encouragement and inspiration to me. Thanks to those who have given my intellect a good workout, been a sounding-board, let me dump my feelings, struggles, and joys on you, offered advice, and/or just encouraged me to keep pursing Christ.

Well, I think I shall also do what I did last year: pick some fave posts from the year past. So here you go (in chronological order). Enjoy!

1. Live Life
2. Dear Future Husband: I don't love you
3. Lonely, But Not Alone
4. I am not sufficient 

Cassie xoxoxo

I am not sufficient

Photo credit: George Samuel and Flickr Creative Commons

This past week has honestly been a hard one. A week of an aching heart and many tears and prayer battles. A weak where I have heard pain upon pain, most of which I have little power to heal.

A dear friend is struggling with her family situation and navigating a relationship.

Another dear friend wants a relationship but is going about it all wrong, and I can't help but read deeper hurt and longings underneath.

And a gorgeous, sweet, amazing young girl I know was hospitalised this week with a severe eating disorder.


The worst thing about it all? I am helpless. I cannot wave a wand and change families. I cannot break the power of a deep psychological and spiritual chain. I cannot force a dependence on God in someone else. That hurts me. My nature is to fix. And sometimes I can. But this week, I have come face to face with the realisation that often, I can't.

I can't.

I am not sufficient.

There are only four things I can do in these situations.

1. Pray my heart out. I can petition the One who can heal, do miracles, change hearts, break chains, to do just that. I can wrestle in prayer.
2. Support. Love, encourage, challenge, speak life, and just be there. Be there when my friend needs to cry. Be there to play games with my friend in hospital. Just be there. I refuse to be a fair-weather friend. With God's power, I will stay and love.
3. Point others to God, not me. Like I said, I am not sufficient. Not nearly. So I am not the answer. God is. I am not the fount of answers. God is. Yes, I can support. I will not pull away when a friend needs to lean on me. But ultimately, the solution is God, not me. That's where I need to be pointing.
4. Lean on God myself. These are burdens beyond my power to carry. But praise Jesus, I need not carry them! My Good Shepard is there, willing to carry me as I support others. He is my strength. Psalm 59:16-17 is my anthem through this season:  

"But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely."

I am not sufficient. But God is my strength, my sufficiency, my everything.

And, as my piano teacher said, at least I'm not at a loss for prayer points. :P


Cassie xoxoxo


P.S. If anyone has advice on how to support a friend with an eating disorder, please please please comment, or email me (link in the 'Contact Me' page on the sidebar). 

Fairy Floss

{All credit to Dale Mastin and Flickr Creative Commons}

 Mmm... fairy floss. Floaty, filmy, sticky, sweet. Yum. I do like the occasional fairy floss at  a féte or Exhibition. There is, however, another kind of fairy floss I find myself partaking of much more frequently....

Thought fairy floss.

Ah yes. How often does my mind wander to things that might feel nice, but in reality do me no good? How often do my thoughts linger on that wishy-washy TV show I paused to watch? Or that rubbish song I heard on the radio at the shopping centre? Or (most commonly for me) that special smile with a guy across the room, or the look into his eyes as you talked, or the funny comment he made in an online chat. I think there are a few kinds of fairy floss,  but the one I want to focus on is romantic fluff.

 Now, often these kinds of things we end up thinking about are perfectly normal and innocent in reality. Making eye contact with a guy when you talk is not something to be avoided (it's a way of showing respect). Funny comments naturally bring joy to our days, and a smile across the room is nothing big. Oh, or is it? This is where the problem comes in: not in reality, but in our brains and imaginations. We take some normal part of our day, and we dwell on it. We blow it up, we extrapolate on it, we take it further than it went. We instantly infuse it with way too much meaning, and our imaginations flick to what could have happened. Is that not true, at least for some things?

Don't get me wrong here. I'm not against processing your day.  But I don't think indulging in mental fairy floss, dragging simple reality into the dream world just for pleasure, is a good idea. How is it constructive?  Does it bring glory to God?  Is it not just like fairy floss - nice at the time,  but ultimately not good for us?

Also keep in mind that we can't stop thoughts coming. They come, OK. It's what we do with them that counts. Do we entertain them, or throw them away? Do we lingeringly lick our fairy floss thoughts, or do we dump them in the bin?

Yeh, I guess this is yet another post about guarding your thoughts. But it's important!! Let's make sure we are filling our minds with nutritious thoughts (sweet is still OK though, as long as they build up!) instead of fairy floss fluff. 

Cassie xoxoxo

P.S. If you're wondering about the posts I promised, you have every right to! I'm afraid I've had to put them on hold for a while. I asked for feedback on the first one from a friend, and he gave me some great advice, so I'm going to re-work it. I'm kinda busy at the moment though. I do have holidays next week, but I'm not quite sure how much I'll be able to work on it. So the first one is still quite a few weeks away. I'm really sorry, I probably shouldn't have promised what I wasn't absolutely certain I could deliver! I will have the up as soon as I can, but it will probably be a while. 

Relationship Series

Hey guys! A fellow Rebelutionary teen, the wonderful Nathan Tasker, has done a post series on Relationships, covering things like dating, courtship, marriage, and purity. They are SO GOOD!!! Honestly, I can't praise them enough. I really wanted you guys to be able to read and glean from them, so I though I'd post the links here. Have fun reading them! (And be sure to leave a comment letting him know you enjoyed them!)

Part 1// The Purpose of Marriage

Part 2// Husbands and Wives

Part 3// Let's Talk about Dating

Part 4// The 'How' of Courtship (Personally, I LOVED this post. Getting towards the older end of my teen years, questions about courtship etc become more important. And it was especially cool since my parents and I had been having a talk about a guy going to the girl's dad first, and Nathan offered a really cool perspective on that.)

Part 5// The Heart of the Matter (If you read any post out of the 6, make it this one! I think we can get caught up in the ideal of 'getting ready for marriage' or the idea of 'not being ready for marriage' that we forget what getting ready looks like. And this is what Nathan addresses! Plus it's focus is strongly on 'holistic' purity (all of you, not just physical), which is awesome.)

Part 6// Now What? (A short, sweet, and practical conclusion to the series.)


Go check them out guys!

Cassie xoxoxo

Is that what I really want?

Photo credit: Sam Caplat and Flickr Creative Commons

I want to get married.

Or do I?

Sure, it'd be nice. I'd have tangible love. I'd be treated like a princess. I'd be honoured and served and romanced and loved like crazy. 

But hang on a second. That's not really what marriage is about, is it?

Why do we look at the romance side and neglect the pure hard work it takes? We read the sentence above and love the idea, all the while forgetting that we have to love unconditionally, treat someone specially, honour, serve, and romance our husband! We forget that we have to give too! Good gosh peoples, let's face it - this is gonna be hard work! And I'd venture to say quite a bit harder than if we were single! 

Do I really want that? Do I really want to throw myself into the crazy effort it will be to cultivate a relationship? I'm not saying it's not worth the trouble, but let's be realistic here! 

Is marriage what I really want? It's hard to face that question. I'm not sure I have an answer. I know marriage can be very much worth it. But it's not easy! So I guess we'll just have to wait and see. 

Cassie xoxox

(P.S. No, this is not one of the posts I announced recently. Those are still in the works. I should have one out soon hopefully!)