Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him.  Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.  Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.  Ephesians 3:17-19 (New Living Translation)

"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  Isaiah 40:30-31 (New International Version)

Waiting on God
by Charles R. Swindoll

Psalm 27:14

David's cry for help doesn't end with an account of God's sudden and miraculous provision. Instead, the songwriter committed to doing what comes least naturally to people in fear. He committed to doing nothing. He chose to wait on God. Read that again---aloud.

Exhortation to Wait

It's a fitting conclusion, but completely unexpected. David levels an exhortation to himself to wait! He realized that the pressure would not suddenly leave. He knew his enemies would not do an about-face and depart immediately after he rose from his knees. He was realistic enough to know that anything worth having is worth waiting for. So, in the final lines of his song, he tells himself to relax, to enter into God's rest, to cease from his own works. (See Hebrews 4:9-11.) Strength and courage are developed during a trial, not after it is over. Waiting on God is essential.

The term "wait" is from the Hebrew verb kawah, which eventually carried the idea of eagerly looking for something. It originally meant "to twist, stretch." The noun form means "line, cord, thread." The literal definition became a word picture involving tension or eager anticipation. Isaiah 40:31 uses this same term: "Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength."

If you are waiting for God to work this week, keep on waiting! In the wait there will come strength and courage. I urge you to review the truths in Psalm 27 each time you are tempted to be afraid. Don't become paralyzed and ineffective. Take yourself out of the grind of fear! Look upon each threatening circumstance as an opportunity to grow in your faith, rather than to retreat. How? Follow David's example.

First: Call to mind what you know to be true about God.
Second: Express what you need boldly.
Third: Wait. Let the fearful circumstance become God's opportunity to strengthen you.

I have learned so much from my mother about
faith, prayer and life with Jesus.

Many a day while I was growing up I would head

back the long hall to my bedroom and catch sight

of her on her knees in her room at the very end of the hall.

She was kneeling by the side of her bed,

Bible in front of her.

Mom did not do this for show.

She was pouring out her heart to her Heavenly Father

about this thing or that.

I'm very sure that my brother and I made that 

prayer list regularly.

As a Pastor's wife she never lacked for things 

to pray about.

Recently my mother gave a talk about trusting Jesus.

During this talk I was reminded of an event

that happened when my oldest, 

now 22, was about three years of age.

Mom and Dad were taking Jonathan to a puppet show

at a local church.

The parking lot was icy.

Dad was carrying Jonathan when his feet flew out 

from underneath him and he felt himself falling.

Instinctively Dad wrapped Jonathan in his arms and 

took the entire force of the fall on himself

keeping Jonathan one hundred percent safe

but quite scared.

As they gathered themselves and attempted to 

soothe Jonathan he looked up at his Grandad 

and stated accusingly, 

"I trusted you!"

In other words...

"How could you let me fall????"

Well, 

Isn't that just how we are?

Our Heavenly Father doesn't always keep us from 

falling but He always has us in His arms.

He is protecting us and shielding us

from anything that is not in our best interest

and His glory.

These days I am quite needing this reminder as two 

of our children are about to leave the nest.

One, my baby girl, is headed to the Australia and Thailand

for five months...

"Dear Lord, I have to trust in You.

Hold her tightly."

If all goes as he plans our middle son 

joins the Army tomorrow.

I am so proud of him....

but terrified for his safely all the while.

What mama wouldn't be, right?

But my need to trust Jesus has increased yet again.

This passage is my goal...

not yet my reality:

Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
    they will be remembered forever.
They will have no fear of bad news;
    their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
 Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;
    in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.

Psalm 112:6-8 NIV

Is there anything in your life 

that challenges your trust in Jesus?

He IS worthy of our trust.

No question.

The results might not look as we expect or hope

 they will...... but His arms never let us go.

Hugs, 
Becky - Good Neighbors Candle 

READ: 1 Peter 2:1-10

Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious. —1 Peter 2:4

Throughout my life, I’ve accumulated a lot of stuff. I have boxes of things that at one time were important but over time have lost their intrigue. And, as an unrepentant collector, I’ve realized that the thrill is in searching for and acquiring a new piece to add to the collection. Then my attention turns toward the hunt for the next item.

So when Peter refers to Jesus as “a chief cornerstone, elect, precious” (1 Peter 2:6), it should resonate in our hearts that He is truly precious—our prized possession above everything and everyone else. Where would we be today without the constant unfailing companionship of His faithful presence, wise and perfect guidance, merciful patience, comfort, and transforming reproof? What would we do without Him? I can’t even imagine! —Joe Stowell

Of all that is precious, Jesus tops the list.

Lord, help us not to focus on fleeting treasures but on
You, our most precious treasure. Teach us the joy
of reveling in You and Your loving presence
and provision in our lives.

Sue Anderson

I'd like to introduce you to Cathy of TheEscapeArtist on Etsy. With many of our CAST members heading into the summer months I thought Cathy's beach paintings would be appreciated. If you won't be making it to the beach this summer you can browse through this lovely shop and dream of the beach.



Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. For the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them.  But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them. They did not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways.

Judges 2:18-19 (ESV)

 

Yellow Rose Accents

 

My Bible study group at church has just started studying the book of Judges together, a book which I loved as a child (especially as I am named after one of God's appointed judges).  I loved reading of the amazing feats God carried out through his judges and was often enthralled by the exciting "action stories" of Judges.

 

Leah Beloved

 

But as a teenager and adult, I finally realised that, exciting as some of those stories in Judges may have been,  it is a book which has an overall tone of sadness and despair.  Why?  Because the book of Judges outlines Israel's repeated sin and rebellion against God in spite of all that God did for them, including repeatedly showing the Israelites mercy by sending them saviors (the judges).

 

Baruch's Lullaby

 

God's people repeatedly chased after the temporary attractions of the world, only turning back to Him in times of affliction and quickly turning away again once their problems were gone.  And while we, as 21st century people, are in a different situation from the Israelite people of that time, I think it can be tempting for us to have the same attitude as the Israelites.

 

the Strawberry Hill

 

It is so easy for us to be allured by what the world has to offer.  It can be so easy to enjoy the gifts and various activities God has blessed us with to the extent that they begin to take over God's number one place in our lives.  So let me ask you: is there something in your life which you have turned into an idol that replaces God? If not, are there things in your life which you could be tempted to put first before God? How do we avoid following in Israel's fallen footsteps?

 

Simplie Girlie Designs

 

There are many ways we can do this, some of which will require us to ask others for help.  Most obviously, we can pray to God, repenting of our wayward actions and asking for help in our walk with Him.  We should also thank Him for the mercy he shows to us because we know we don't deserve it!  We should make the effort to read and know God's word better, perhaps asking a friend to meet with us to read the Bible regularly.

 

Wild Apple Design

 

Painful as this may sound, we might also need to take a step back from the things which tempt us to forget about God.  This could mean mindfully limiting the amount of time we spend doing an activity (say, watching TV or surfing the web) or perhaps even avoiding whatever it is which tempts us.  For one woman I heard about, this meant banning herself from buying home improvement magazines and from shopping in the most expensive furniture stores and using the money she saved to fund more ministry workers at her local university.

 

BAM craftymommas

 

I am sure that you have lots of suggestions yourself.  I know that I certainly need to work hard sometimes to ensure that I put God first in my life!  Maybe this week we can pray for each other, that God would give us the strength to serve Him faithfully and always put Him first, no matter what.

 

Deb - Two Cheeky Monkeys/Domum Vindemia

 

needle nook

 

Nelly with Wings

 

Whitaker Knits

Free resin cabochon ring with purchase for first 10 CAST customers.  The flower and color will be randomly selected.  Please leave note under “notes to seller” that you read the CAST blog, so I can be sure to include your gift with purchase. :)

I am a wife and stay at home mommy of two little girls.  We live in beautiful Bonney Lake, WA.  We have two cats and one wiener dog who are very much part of our family.  I have always loved to create since I can remember.  I attended college and received my degree in Business Administration and never knew how the two would come together.  I am blown away that I’m able to have an outlet to create every day, and that it has been an income to support our family and allow me to stay home with my girls. I’ve leaned a lot on the education I received in business administration in running my shop.  It is just so neat to see how God worked those together!

How did you get your start on Etsy?

After my girls, they are my “busy bees” and “chickadees” J

What does a typical day look like for you?

Wake up early, check my convos, get my girls up and my oldest ready for school, drop her off at school, and then I have a two hour window where my youngest naps and I can get a lot accomplished. And just continuing working on jewelry here and there as I have spare moments.  I’ve learned it has helped to block out time where every other day I do all my shipping and packaging and then the off days, create!

If you could be anywhere in the world for one day, where would it be?

That is a tough one!  There are so many countries I want to visit!  I probably would say I would like to have tea in a quaint shop in a little English coastal town.

John 15:4-5 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” That is my life verse! 

What is your favorite Etsy item listing to feature?

That is also a tough question! Each item I create has a personal story behind it, so it’s hard to choose one item.  But I would say my lockets are probably my favorites. Many customers share what the piece means to them and that is truly special to hear their stories. It is humbling to make something that can bring a bit of encouragement or a reminder of a special relationship or occasion.  

I'd like to introduce you to HandiWorkinGirls.  If you hang out with the CAST Team you have seen these ladies around. They are a team of mom and three daughters who love to make upcycled items such as rag rugs, gift bags, doll clothes, bean bags, quilts and more.  If you'd like to know more about their story and what they do, please visit their about page on Etsy.