Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Pious said, "No one capable of human thought and speech is immune from harboring prejudice; it often takes deliberate effort and awareness to reduce prejudice; with sufficient motivation, it can he done." (Pious, 2003, p. 38).
I find myself guilty of passing prejudice thoughts, not necessarily negative, but thoughts that derive from what I know about cultures. I see a man walking down the street with a turban and automatically I assume he is from Iran or I see someone sitting under a tree at the park with dreadlocks and I assume he is high. Sometimes, I don't even realize I'm thinking these things until after I've left and assess how I treated the person or think about what just happened. Sometimes I don’t notice it at all and someone I’m with points out that I was acting “funny” or different towards that person.
In the book "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell, he talks about two different attitudes towards things like race or gender after taking the IAT (Implicit Association Test). The first attitude being the conscious attitudes—what we choose to believe and direct our behavior deliberately and the second being our unconscious attitudes—what we've learned, books we read, movies we watch, and dominate groups that surround us, forming an opinion underneath what we actually state and choose to believe.
The IAT test is usually done on a computer screen with two columns, for example "Male" and "Female" and then down the center a list of names like, "Holly" "Brad" "Jane" "Derek" "Dan" "Erica" and so on. The names will flash on the computer screen and if the name belongs on the right column (say "Dan" flashes and "Male" is on the right) you would hit the letter 'e' and if it belongs on the right (for "female") you would hit the letter 'i'. The advantage of doing the IAT on a computer is that the responses are measured down to the millisecond, which is used to assign the test takers score. Your score evaluates your word association with a certain subject. There are multiple types of IATs and subjects will pair with other subjects, for example: "Male and Career" and "Female and Family" and will give you several nouns like, "Sarah, Babies, Office, Domestic" etc.
During the "Race IAT" it will ask you what your attitudes towards blacks and whites are. Gladwell, as most I assume would answer, said, "I think of the races as equal." As the test begins, a series of faces flash on the screen, both black and white and you divide them into their own columns. Easy enough.
Next, they pair "European American or Bad" and "African American or Good" and the list of nouns are: hurt, evil, glorious, a picture of a black man, a picture of a white man, and wonderful. Gladwell says that, "Immediately something strange happened...the task of putting the words and faces in the right categories suddenly became more difficult and I found myself slowing down...I had to think."
Next "European American" and "Good" were paired and "African American" and "Bad" were paired with the exact same list of nouns. This time, Gladwell tells us that he was having no trouble at all putting the words and faces in the right category.
Gladwell argues against Pious' quote above that we actually have no control and don't deliberately choose our unconscious attitudes and even more astonishingly, we may not even be aware of them. Gladwell also tells us that, “the IAT is a good predictor of how we act in certain kinds of spontaneous situations.” There is evidence that if your associations are strong pro in on direction that that will affect how you behave in the presence of a white or black person.
So my question is which is more true? Our conscious opinions that we form ourselves or our unconscious opinions that have been formed for us?
(If you’d like to try a computerized IAT and try and break the construct that I’ve formed about your unconscious attitudes, visit www.implicit.harvard.edu, I’d love to hear your responses.)
Carol P. Harvey, M. June Allard. (2008). Understanding and Managing Diversity. Pearson Prentice Hall.
Malcolm Gladwell. (2005). Blink. New York: Back Bay Books/Little, Brown and Company.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
A Call to Persevere
19 And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
26 Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. 27 There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. 28 For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us. 30 For we know the one who said,
“I will take revenge.
I will pay them back.”
He also said,
“The Lord will judge his own people.”
31 It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. 33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. 34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.
35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
37 “For in just a little while,
the Coming One will come and not delay.
38 And my righteous ones will live by faith.
But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”
39 But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.
Hebrews 10:19-39 (New Living Translation)
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr Christianson, a
Studious man who taught at a small college in the western United
States. Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at
This particular institution. Every student was required to take this
Course his or her freshman year, regardless of his or her major.
Although Dr Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the
Gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon
The course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts,
Most students refused to take Christianity seriously.
This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve
Was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going onto
Seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he
Was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the
School football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.
One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could
Talk with him."How many push-ups can you do?"
Steve said, "I do about 200 every night."
"200? That's pretty good, Steve," Dr. Christianson said. "Do you
Think you could do 300?"
Steve replied, "I don't know.... I've never done 300 at a time."
"Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson.
"Well, I can try," said Steve.
"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I
Need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can
You D o it? I need you to tell me you can do it," said the professor.
Steve said, "Well.. I think I can...yeah, I can do it"
Dr. Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let
Me explain what I have in mind."
Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the
Room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of
Donuts. No, these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra
Fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was
Pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going
To get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's
Class.
Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked,
"Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?"
Cynthia said, "Yes."
Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do
Ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?"
"Sure." Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then
Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's
Desk.
Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe,
Do you want a donut?"
Joe said, "Yes." Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten
Push-ups so Joe can have a donut?"
Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the
First aisle, Steve did ten pushups for every person before they got their
Donut.
Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christianson came to Scott. Scott
Was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was
Very popular and never lacking for female companionship.
When the professor asked, "Scott do you want a donut?"
Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own pushups?"
Dr. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them."
Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then."
Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve,
Would you do ten pushups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?"
With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten pushups.
Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!"
Dr. Christianson said, "Look!, this is my classroom, my class, my
Desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't
Want it." And he put a donut on Scott's desk.
Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just
Stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be
Getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming
Out around his brow.
Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were
beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christianson asked Jenny,
"Jenny, do you want a donut?"
Sternly, Jenny said, "No."
Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten more
push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?"
Steve did ten....Jenny got a donut.
By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students
were beginning to say "No" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the
desks.
Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these
pushups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat
on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get
red because of the physical effort involved.
Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in
the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten
pushups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work
for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve
was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely.
Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class,
however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on
the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the
professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were
34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to
make it.
Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next.
Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was
taking a lot more time to complete each set.
Steve asked Dr Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each
one?"
Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your pushups.
You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want." And Dr.
Christianson went on.
A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the
room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice,
"NO! Don't come in! Stay out!"
Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and
said , "No, let him come."
Professor Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you
will have to do ten pushups for him?"
Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut"
Dr. Christianson said, "Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of
the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?"
Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. "Yes," he
said, "give me a donut."
"Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?"
Steve did ten pushups very slowly and with great effort. Jason,
bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.
Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row, and then started on those
visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with
each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity.
By this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was
no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in
the room.
The very last two students in the room were two young women, both
cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the
second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a doughnut?"
Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you."
Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups
so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?"
Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow pushups for Linda.
Then Dr Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you
want a donut?"
Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr.
Christianson, why can't I help him?"
Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it
alone, I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that
everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not.
When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my
grade book. Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade.
Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior
work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes
up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my
party unless he paid the price by doing your push ups. He and I made
a deal for your sakes."
"Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?"
As Steve very slowly finished his last pushup, with the understanding
that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350
pushups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.
Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said. "And so it was, that
our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'into thy
hands I commend my spirit.' With the understanding that He had done
everything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some
of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten."
Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically
exhausted, but wearing a thin smile.
"Well done, good and faithful servant," said the professor, adding
"Not all sermons are preached in words."
Turning to his class, the professor said, "My wish is that you might
understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that
have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. He spared not only His Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us
all, for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to
accept His gift to us, the price has been paid."
"Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the
desk?"
Friday, March 19, 2010
See 'Quest Series: Righteousness" for previous conversation.
7. Based on this passage, explain what is required to be right with God. What does John 14:6 say?
From: XXXX
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2010 10:10 AM
To: Nicole Casper
Subject: RE: hey
Ok – so, having a relationship with Jesus and trusting in God and knowing that there is nothing we can do to earn his righteousness…
Is that right?
From: Nicole Casper
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2010 10:33 AM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE: hey
It’s definitely not about earning or not earning righteousness. Righteousness cannot be earned. It’s a standing with God. Our position moves from being at odds with him, to being right with him, once we know him. So, yes, I guess I misinterpreted the “becoming” part. We do become righteous with God once we know him. It’s positional. (Think basketball. Pivoting. Position. Etc. :])
Based on John 14:6 it’s about knowing Jesus. That is the requirement for being right with God. Which makes sense to look back in Romans 1:17, “17For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." We know God by knowing his Word and receiving the Spirit when we begin our relationship with Jesus.
From the study on Romans by Max Lucado ...
‘I have a duty to all people,” Paul told the Roman church (Rom. 1:14 NCV). He had something for them—a message. He’d been entrusted as a Pony Express courier with a divine message, the gospel. Nothing mattered more to Paul than the gospel. “I am not ashamed of the gospel,” he wrote next, “because it is the power of God for the salvation of everone who believes.” (Rom. 1:16 NIV).
Paul existed to deliver the message. how people remembered him was secondary. (Else why would he introduce himself as a slave? Rom 1:1). How people remembered Christ was primary. Paul’s message was not about himself. His message was all about Christ. (From it’s Not About Me by Max Lucado)
Reaction:
6. How would you describe righteousness to a new believer?
From: XXXX
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2010 8:57 AM
To: Nicole Casper
Subject: RE: hey
Righteousness – following in Christ’s footsteps, glorifying him every step of the way.. umm.. having God in our mind through all our actions thinking what he would do (WWJD?)
I don’t know. I suck.
What do you think?
From: XXXX
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2010 9:03 AM
To: Nicole Casper
Subject: RE: hey
Maybe the good that Gods sees in us because of Jesus?
From: Nicole Casper
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2010 9:12 AM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE: hey
Haha you do not suck.
The word “righteousness” is seen mostly two way in the bible, and its' significance depends upon context. In some places it means, an attribute of God; in other places, the imagined attainment of human merit.
In Rom. 1:17, the use of the word here: "For in it," [in the gospel plan], "the righteousness of God is revealed." Here the significance is the condition or quality of being right in the sight of God.
So, the way I’d define ‘righteousness’ to a new believer would look something like: While living in sin, disobeying God's law and trying to guide yourself through life without God, you are not right; your state is wrong; you do not enjoy or necessarily want/like fellowship with God. BUT, in the gospel, God reveals how you can be right, in condition, in quality and in life. The gospel tells us HOW WE CAN BE RIGHT by learning about God’s attributes and how we can be obedient-motivated by love and fellowship with Him through the gospel; our ‘instruction’ book. without God, we try to do things on a "do-it-yourself" plan of salvation, which just won’t work.
From: XXXX
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2010 9:27 AM
To: Nicole Casper
Subject: RE: hey
I don’t see how that is righteousness.. I gotta think on this one for a bit..
So, in fewer words – righteousness is what God creates in us once we accept God in our lives and we start learning about God and his character? OR so, once we accept Christ in our lives and know he died for our sins, he begins to change us.. these changes are what makes us righteous in Gods eyes? right? like, we don’t have to do anything to become righteous.. We just.. Become it.. ??
Ok – grace. Grace is how it happens, but righteousness is what we are..?
Wow. I’m in over my head here…
From: Nicole Casper
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2010 9:46 AM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE: hey
So, self-righteousness would be depending on ourselves to live and be and do what we think is right; which is wrong. Righteousness is being right with God, which we learn what that is and means through the Gospel and knowing God’s character because through knowing God and his character, we learn what is right, what sin is, what he wants from us, etc. Righteousness=Right with God. (In fewer words)
From: XXXX
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2010 9:54 AM
To: Nicole Casper
Subject: RE: hey
Ok – so in a round about way, its like Gods grace and mercy, etc.
Good talk. That is cool. I haven’t ever focused on righteousness. SWEET!
Ok – moving on: 7)Based on this passage, explain what is required to be right with God. What does John 14:6 say?
From: Nicole Casper
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2010 10:12 AM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE: hey
Well, wait. No, I don’t think righteousness is God’s grace and mercy. It’s a…way of life? It’s an attribute you put on as you learn more about God. It’s a standing. You are either right with God, or you are right with yourself. I’m not so sure there is any other option. I think it’s one of those things that can interchange with our decisions to do what we want and not what God wants; sin. It’s not necessarily a gift I don’t think. It’s a choice. To be right with God means to not try and do it yourself. To be a righteous ‘man’ of God is to not be self-righteous, or self doing, directing and deciding.
From: XXXX
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2010 10:12 AM
To: Nicole Casper
Subject: RE: hey
Hmm.. ok.
Lots to think on here.
Friday, February 19, 2010
From: XXXX
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 10:43 AM
To: Nicole Casper
Subject: RE: change of lunch plans
I’m learning about God’s sovernty lately, and it is pretty cool how he comes through with things when they are benefiting him
I read Philippians 3 last night, and it was TOTALLY saying exactly what I had just decided the night before – about not dwelling on the past, not forgetting about it so you can still learn from it, but picking up and moving on.
Read it real quick if you can. Its pretty short
From: Nicole Casper
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 11:02 AM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE: change of lunch plans
10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, (This reminds me of you! Your desire!) becoming like him in his death, (I don’t think many people really grasp what this looks like. He was rejected, hated, murdered, scorned, abused…that is kind of what the cross looks like, you know? And yet IN All of that. There is glory. Because Christ conquered it. Beautiful.) 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
12Not that I have already obtained all this, (Because we have accepted Christ) or have already been made perfect, (Because we are made perfect or blameless when we accept Christ) but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. (Because we’ll never get it right until we are in Heaven.) But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, (The kingdom of Heaven and all it’s majesty.) 14I press on (think about what pressing on really is. It’s not easy. It’s like treading water upstream. Interesting…) toward the goal (what is our goal? Do you know?) to win the prize (What is our prize? Do you know?) for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (AMEN!)
I love Philippians.
From: XXXX
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 11:08 AM
To: Nicole Casper
Subject: RE: change of lunch plans
Are you rhetorically asking what the goal and prize is?
From: Nicole Casper
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 11:10 AM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE: change of lunch plans
Sort of. It’s just interesting to me. Do we know what that means? Is it simple? This is how I tend to read the bible. I insert my own thoughts. Haha I’m a big question asker. It has to do with becoming a certified tutor in high school. Ask questions to answer questions kind of mentality. It helps me digest all of this, you know?
From: XXXX
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 11:13 AM
To: Nicole Casper
Subject: RE: change of lunch plans
Yeah, and it helps us retain it. THAT is my struggle.
I really like Philippians. I will be done with it tonight. There are only 4 chapters……
I think next I’m going to go to 1 John (lots about love in there) then go back to John or Matthew so I can learn more about Gods character. I HATE doing that though, cause I want to read the whole thing and I keep rereading chapters…… thoughts?
From: Nicole Casper
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 11:17 AM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE: change of lunch plans
Retaining it is the hardest for me too. I think that’s why we have to CONTINUE to read things. There are so many things I forget. That’s also why journaling is good.
1 John is one of my favorites. I have a bible study to go with it if you want to follow along with that?
Yeah, I think it’s okay to reread chapters. The Psalms are good too because that’s more from a human standpoint about how we can feel towards or about God and it’s the most relatable book for us. Those are fun to read. You don’t feel so crazy.
From: XXXX
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 11:38 AM
To: Nicole Casper
Subject: RE: change of lunch plans
I was thinking about being saved yesterday, and how I am not certain.. but in Philippians 3, it focused on God knowing your heart. I think I have a pretty good heart, and a huge desire to learn.. so even though I make big mistakes, and don’t know Him all that well yet, I think He knows what I want…
What do you think?
From: Nicole Casper
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 11:38 AM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE: change of lunch plans
Yeah. When I became a Christian I went a whole year without being certain. At my church at the end of the sermon they would tell you that if you needed prayer, that there would be pastors at the front to pray with you. So one day I was sitting there and I was kind of like, I have no idea if I’m a Christian or if there is anything else I have to do, so I got up and walked down and just said to the pastor, “I don’t know if I’m officially a Christian. How do I know?” He kind of chuckled and said that you just have to invite God into your life. And accept him. So we prayed together and I did that, again. And then I was like okay, cool. I’m official.
Have you ever prayed that prayer? “God, I’m yours.”?
You’re totally right about the heart topic. God doesn’t say to figure it out and get your mistakes cleared up and know me like you know the back of your hand, THEN we can talk. He’s relation. And invented dating and courting and friendship and gets what happens through each of those processes. He knows it’s a time delay. And he’s totally okay with that.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
My life can be divided into Chapters.
Chapter One-
Life Before Christ.
All of growing up, up until my first year of high school.
Chapter Two-
High School.
Meeting God and meeting new friends who were vital in my growth in God and helping me learn new things about myself of which I both liked and disliked. That Chapter ends with a heartbreak.
Chapter Three-
Plunging into the summer before my first year of college and meeting my best friend. Getting on this extremely intimate level with God like I have never experienced along with all the new self-discoveries, emotional roller coasters, breakdowns, major decisions and falling deeply, madly, completely in love.
Chapter Four-
December (2007) I decided I was going to leave the California shores of Irvine and move to Utah. Figuring out that Concordia University, Irvine was not the place I was suppose to return too, there is not a doubt in my mind that I was indeed suppose to spend my first year of college figuring out ‘me’ at Concordia and then coming to Utah, which is now my home.
Chapter Five-
Hitting a rock and a hard place with who I was, figuring out some of my vital character flaws, coming to a place where I was stripped down to nothing and God was working in my wounds from growing up, my wounds from believing the great deceive and liar, Satan, and essentially taking away my comfort in an inauthentic life, a life dependent on Ben, myself and my material things and meeting myself, and God in a crossroad which ended His shifting place in my life and solidifying my need to give God everything and laying an unmovable foundation in Him.
Chapter Six-
Now.
I am over-excited about this new chapter in my life. I have learned so much in this past year and half of living in Utah and I believe it is only going to get better. I just recently got this incredible God-given job at a wonderful, top-leading security integrator national company. I am working as a project coordinator underneath the project manager. I do a lot of communication between everyone involved as well as monitor the progress of installations and seeing through the end of each job we book. I still am overwhelmed with thanks to God for this job, I beat out people who have been in the industry for decades, people who could be my parents and have degrees. I want to be so good at my job, but I know that essentially, I am building a career that is long-term and my learning curve is steep. So patience and hard work is my focus.
I'm currently not going to school-which sucks, but is totally okay. I am changing my major to Business: Entrepreneurship from Film Studies for a couple reasons. After working for a year at my job, they will do tuition reimbursement if my major is applicable to my job. I have established my own production company, HebrewsTree, LLC, and I do not need a degree in film to be successful in the film industry. Business: Entrepreneurship will help me be a better business owner as well as a successful project coordinator and the experience I am building now with a degree like that is only benefiting me for the future and the goal is to have a permanent plan B. My goal is to return to school to the University of Utah Fall 2011.
Ben and I broke up for a few weeks at the end of July and are now back dating. It was the most necessary thing that could have happened for us and God spoke loud truths in both our hearts during that time which has made loving each other better because we were able to place God above each other and reconnect with our first love. We just celebrated 2 years of dating and are content where we are.
My mom moved to Utah at the beginning of November! It has been such a healthy new start for her and I'm so excited to be closer to her and excited to be her friend as an adult as well as her only daughter. We've both grown so much and it's hard to not assume the tendencies we both had when I was in high school, which was the last time I lived in the same state as her. It's fun rebuilding that relationship with her and it's even more fun to see her building new friendships and growing closer and more dependent on Jesus.
I moved back to Sugarhouse this Winter with one new friend and one old friend. Melisa is my newest friend in Utah and it's been SO great getting to know her. She is a new Christian coming from a mixed up background of Mormonism and has the most authentic seeker heart I've seen. She is so anxious to know about God and to have an intimate relationship with Him that it gives me reminders everyday to have and keep that same passion. It's so fun talking with her and she definitely keeps me on my toes with all of her wonderful, amazing thoughtful questions about God. She makes me want to be in my bible every waking moment so I can be as helpful as possible as she's learning how to better love God and better love people. Ashley, my best friend from high school and the one who brought me to church, is my old friend who is moving to Utah and will be living with Melisa and I! It's so exciting to reconnect with her. We have had the closest and farthest relationship in the existence of knowing each other the past 7 years. I see a lot of myself in her when I first moved to Utah and can't wait to see how God rocks her world for His purpose and changes her heart to better display His. I couldn't have asked for two better people to live with during this chapter in my life.
Last spring, I started a high school ministry called Girls of Dignity (GDM). I've felt like God was really challenging me to pour into the high school girls because there really wasn't any one person who was committed to them, and high school would have sucked if I didn't have some of the older influences I did pouring into me. We had an amazing retreat during the summer and a few one-day events. Right now, it is just a bible study I lead on Wednesday's. We've gone through the book of Ephesians, James and now we are doing a book called A Daughter's Worth by Ava Sturgeon. It was written directly for high school students and talks about the kind of things a young christian teenager goes through. Recently, I've had an unsettling feeling like I was taking it easy-going the short route with this ministry, knowing I could be doing SO much more, so at the beginning of the new year, it will be turning into a service at our church. We currently have 3 services. The 1st service is when the junior high meets, 2nd service is high school and 3rd service nothing. In January, 3rd service will be GDM where all 9th-12th grade girls are welcome to come and get their girl directed hour. I'll be preparing sermons and retreats, and bible studies throughout the week, guest speakers and one-day events. I am over excited about the potential this ministry has to reach the Salt Lake Valley. I'm so excited to see what God does. Prayers for this to be God's and that I would just be tool in His plan would be so encouraging.
It is just the beginning of Chapter Six and I am so anxious and excited and I have no idea how long it will last, but my prayer is that I would hold onto Christ and His truth and His loyalty and just run with it. I will be 21 this year, and I feel like I'm turning 30. Adulthood has officially sunk in and I can't wait to see what God does next.
Friends and Family, please pray that God would do big things, that my heart will be willing to be uncomfortable for someone else to be comfortable, that He would bring the people that will challenge what I believe in my life to solidify it and that I would surrender to Him daily.
I can't wait to look back on this chapter with you.
Ben and I were able to celebrate our two year anniversary of loving no other opposite sex more at the end of November. For year one, we flew out to California and Ben was able to meet all the people in my life that I hold up so highly and it was truly an amazing trip of togetherness and love and finally I felt like my worlds collided together into one.
Left side and around the table: Luke, Ashley, Ben, Me, Michelle, Amara, Lucas, Bethany, Jeremy, Beth, Torrie and DevinFor year two, Ben and I were not as anxious to do anything specific and our schedules really didn't allow it, but we still wanted to celebrate somehow. We decided we wanted to share a night with our closest friends in Utah who have become our models for our own relationship and our life-long Utah family.
We went to Olive Garden and had a great night laughing, telling stories and finding rest in each others company. I wouldn't have chosen to do anything else.
I consider myself to be so blessed to have all of you in my life and am so thankful for your willingness to pour into both mine and Ben's life. You all are so precious to me and truly are God-given.
Thank you for all your advice, hope, love and unconditional friendship.
From Left to Right: Josh and Becky, Me and Ben, David and Jackie, Nick, Gretchen and David(Brandy, Jess and Mike couldn't make it)
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Quest Series: Why do you think Mormons are not Christians? Part 3
2 comments Posted by Nicole Lauren at 9:59 AMFrom: Heather
Sent: Wednesday, December 02, 2009 8:27 AM
To: XXXX
Subject: Here it is...
This is an awesome explanation of our religion and what exactly we believe in...bottom line. If you and your friend still think that Mormons are not Christians, then I would say, you really need to do some research on our religion and what our foundation is. This came from my brother, I sent him the emails yesterday and asked for his input. He's the most level headed guy. Really, he thinks any religion can be backed by scriptures coming from the bible. Our entire religion can be backed by the bible. Forget about the book of Mormon and forget about Joseph Smith. He can literally sit down and open the bible and quote scriptures from it...that backs what we believe in. But yet he still sees other view points like yours. Because you guys have scriptures to back your views too. In the end, nothing can be proven. It's all about faith and what you believe in.
Send this to Nicole and Sherry...let me know what they say. It'll be interesting. It fathoms me how some strong Christians are so set on proving another religion false. There's nothing to prove, it's all beliefs and we have the bible to help guide us.
-----Original Message-----
From: Brock
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 11:15 PM
To: Heather
Subject: <><>
There is a lot of he said she said stuff that is said about every religion that most people in the end don't understand at all. When it comes to the basics of the "Mormon" church it comes down to one thing. Do you believe that it is through Christ that we can be saved, and the answer is yes. It is only through Christ that any of us can be saved. By his great sacrifice which we refer to as the atonement, which started it the garden of Gethsemane and ended at his resurrection. He took upon him the sins of the world from the beginning to the end of time, so that we can be free of these sins. He suffered for each and everyone one of our sins in that garden on Gethsemane, and then proceeded to seal it by dying for us upon the cross. Without any of this we would not be able to be free of our sins. He then 3 days later was resurrected and returned back to heaven which is crucial part of the atonement. The resurrection means that his soul and body were reunited back together, but in a glorified state. So Yes, "Mormons" are christian. WE believe in the cross just as much as anybody else. Just cause our "church" decides not to focus on the cross and have necklaces and steeples on our churches doesn't mean we think it is any less important, cause it is. We just choose to focus on the life of Christ, the atonement in whole, (garden of Gethsemane, Calvary hill, and the resurrection) and his teachings rather then just his actual death for us upon the cross. We are as much christian as the next. Take out any thing else the Mormon church does for a second and look at the churches founding doctrine. And that is that its only through the atonement of Christ that we can return to heaven. Whether we believe that we must work hard at being good people also or that tithing should be paid, etc, etc. doesn't matter when the discussion at hand is "are Mo's christian". It is too obvious that we are when u stop looking at the fluff of the Mormon church and look at what its teachings are. On another point, all that "fluff" stuff is great. You don't need to go on a mission to be saved, or pay tithing, or not swear, or get married in the temple. These are teachings of our church that teach us life long lessons about sacrifice for others, true love, and how to truly give yourself to the lord. These are sacrifices that benefit ourselves, and many others. Why would anyone ever think tithing is a bad thing. Millions and millions of dollars are donated every year in tithing that go into helping thousands and thousands of lives around the world through various charities and programs. Tithing is a an act that was taught to us in the Old testament "bible" that members of the faith back then, and prophets practiced, that the lord commanded them to do. Nothing we do is new, its all from the ancient days ,especially the temple. Sure people can argue that the book of Mo is false and that Joseph Smith was messed up, but when it comes down to it, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is as christian as anyone else. Hell, you can just call us "over achieving" Christians because we try to hard. If what you say is true that everything was taken care of by Jesus dying for our sins, then every Mormon is covered under that. We just a busy over achievers trying to be better people and helping others.
But what it comes down to is that you cant prove any church right or wrong. You cant PROVE ANYTHING. The point of religion is to show faith in the lord Jesus Christ, not to PROVE that it is right. If we could prove it, then everyone on earth would follow it and it would defeat the purpose of this life.
Hope this helps with your understanding a bit. And please don't feel that i am dogging on your beliefs at all. This is just how we Mormons roll. haha Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
From: Nicole Casper
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 11:15 PM
To: Heather
Subject: <><>
Hi Heather,
So, I’ve never met someone quite like this before.
I would much rather have you over to make pizza’s and get to know you than debate with you-and debating, or proving anything to you with my words is not my objective. I actually though that the “why don’t you think Mormons are Christians?” question was XXXX asking me, not a question from you to her. So please, let me clarify a few things. I would hate for you to have a stigma of me before we can laugh together.
[I am willing to double check any of this and open to being corrected if the bible says something that contradicts what I’ve misinterpreted.]
Yeah, it will always be a losing he said/she said battle.
I did think that her original question to you was your question to me, so let me clarify:
I can totally understand why Mormons would think that they are Christians when it comes down to morals. Living a morally correct lifestyle is a part of letting Jesus change you, for sure. But when it comes down to how we are changed, and who God is, we are different. We believe the moral code of what is right/wrong/sinful, comes after you believe in Christ, He changes us as we personally get to know him and fall madly in love with him, whereas Mormons do that before. (“You need to stop drinking diet coke”)
“Really, he thinks any religion can be backed by scriptures coming from the bible. Our entire religion can be backed by the bible.”
Wrong. Not when you read the whole thing. The bible warns greatly about other religions. The bible is a direct, and the only, source God has to teach us about truth, and truth is found in Jesus. Who is God.
“Do you believe that it is through Christ that we can be saved, and the answer is yes. It is only through Christ that any of us can be saved. By his great sacrifice which we refer to as the atonement, which started it the garden of Gethsemane and ended at his resurrection. He took upon him the sins of the world from the beginning to the end of time, so that we can be free of these sins. He suffered for each and everyone one of our sins in that garden on Gethsemane, and then proceeded to seal it by dying for us upon the cross. Without any of this we would not be able to be free of our sins.
Kind of. Atonement happened ON the Cross. At the Cross, all sins were taken away from those who put their trust and life in Jesus’ hands FOREVER. Definitely about all Jesus being our only saving source.
"He then 3 days later was resurrected and returned back to heaven which is crucial part of the atonement. The resurrection means that his soul and body"
wrong. Not body. God has no body. God is neither he nor she. Jesus was reunited with God, Jesus IS God. (confusing, I know.)
“Take out anything else the Mormon church does for a second and look at the churches founding doctrine.”
If he is referring to the Book of Mormon, which is what Mormonism uses as their main doctrine, along with many others, then that’s a problem. The bible is the only book Christians use as God-inspired text. Everything else is untrue and the bible gives very strict warnings for listening to other doctrines. (I mean, Opera magazine is probably even classified in there )
“ it’s only through the atonement of Christ that we can return to heaven. Whether we believe that we must work hard at being good people also or that tithing should be paid, etc, etc.”
If you believe that salvation is something you can earn or it makes you better at doing the whole religious thing, AND you believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven, then that is so sad. Salvation is a FREE gift. You cannot earn. You are just as sinful as the man in prison who killed 7 people. And God loves you the same and there is nothing you could ever do to make God love you more or less. Being a good person means absolutely nothing if your heart isn’t aligned with Jesus and your motivation isn’t love.
“These are teachings of our church that teach us lifelong lessons about sacrifice for others, true love, and how to truly give yourself to the lord.”
Sure. Spiritual disciplines are great to grow your relationship with God. Reading your bible, tithing, giving, praying, fasting
“These are sacrifices that benefit ourselves, and many others. Why would anyone ever think tithing is a bad thing.”
It’s not about us.
“Nothing we do is new, it’s all from the ancient days ,especially the temple. Sure people can argue that the book of Mo is false and that Joseph Smith was messed up, but when it comes down to it, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is as Christian as anyone else.”
Wrong. The book of Mormon is false. Jesus was the last prophet on earth. If someone claims to be a prophet and they prophesize something to happen, it is doesn’t, they are a liar. Joseph Smith lied. A lot. No, when it comes down to it, Mormons and Christians believe differently in some of the huge doctrinal issues. I’m not arguing that specifically your friends are not Christians, from most of what they said they believe, they sound like confused Christians, but Mormonism and Christianity are not the same.)
Quest Series: Why do you think Mormons are not Christians? Part 2
3 comments Posted by Nicole Lauren at 9:43 AMContinued from "Why do you think Mormons are not Christians?" My friend had sent me an email from a co-worker, which I thought was just my friend, and there has been some correspondence between the three of us. I'd love to hear your comments...
From: XXXX
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 3:53 PM
To: Heather
Subject: RE:
Its not so much the dying on the cross that’s the issue. It’s the fact that the believe it wasn’t enough. There is still more they have to do. Tithe, be good, serve, go on a mission , go to the temple. There is a verse in the Book of Mo that says something about being save “after all you can do.” Implying that there is more that needs to be done by us. When Jesus died on the cross he said, “It is finished.” Meaning is over and there is nothing more that we can do. He did it. End of story. So in my eyes, they do not believe that Jesus died and took the penalty for their sins. He just did part of it. That isn’t Biblical. That to me is the difference.
I hate to argue over the word Christian because its all dependent on what your definition of the word is. Their definition makes them Christians (believing IN Jesus Christ). My definition is believing that Jesus death on the cross and resurrection was enough to pay the penalty for my sins and there is nothing else that I can do to earn it or be good enough or deserve it. Its all about the definition.
So, you aren’t necessarily wrong, there are just some main differences that really separate Mo from Christianity
I asked Nicole and this is her response. Let me know yours.
Mormons are not Christians because they don’t believe that Jesus is the son of Man and the only way to get to heaven. They think he is just a prophet and was a really good man. What makes someone a Christian is believing that Jesus Christ is all Father, Son AND Holy Spirit, that atonement happened when he DIED on the cross and that believing in Him and who He said he was (which is truth, life, eternal salvation...) and that he is the ONLY way to Heaven and no one can get to the Father except through Jesus and knowing Him, personally and that he rose again because His resurrection proved that he was the Son of God (biblical-Paul affirmed that Christ is “declared to be the Son of God with power . . . by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). Also, it gives us the assurance that we are forgiven-if Jesus was raised, sins will be forgiven when we obey the gospel (Acts 2:38; 22:16), Jesus’ resurrection proves that physical death is not the termination of human existence, it is assurance that we too, as Christians will be raised to be with our living King (which is another big deal about Jesus raising from the dead: the kingdom of God is ruled by a living sovereign). And ultimate victory of Christianity over all its enemies. When Christ raised, He defeated the world, Satan and all of sin. When we put our trust in Jesus, we are saved from eternal separation in Hell. Nothing else. We do not have to do ANYTHING else. But, I think there are “Mormons” who are Christian, they are just still trying to earn their salvation. Which is really sad. The reason why we celebrate the cross is because it represents freedom. Christ died to set us free from worldly, spiritual and “fill in the blank” bondage.
Mine is the reason above though.. I’m still learning and looking into the reasons she has said..
From: Heather
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 4:24 PM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE:
I'm obviously not an expert on this....BUT, we do believe that Christ did pay for our sins not on the cross but in the garden of Gesemany when he bled from every pour in his body. This is when that took place, and it allowed for us to always be able to repent for our sins. It doesn't mean to us that everything is taken care of, and we have a sure ride into heaven because he died on the cross. We do believe he bore that pain, and did take upon himself all of our sins. And that's why we are able to repent of our sins today. We do believe we have to continue to work for it, and repent of our sins and go through that repentance process. Which Christ made it possible for us to do this, when he repented and suffered. I think the mission stuff, is more of a bonus, some people go the extra mile if you will. ha. But yes, we do think we need to continue to strive and repent of our sins, pay tithe, get married in the temple, etc. to become closer to him and work towards that goal of being with him someday. We believe he is the son of our heavenly father.
So you believe that any sin you make now, is completely taken care of? We believe that because he suffered for us, he made it possible for us to repent of our sins here on earth and to return to him someday. For ex: If I went out and started robbing and stealing things....and then realized what I've done. We don't think it's taken care of just because Christ suffered for us. Because he suffered for us, we believe that he's made it possible for us to fully repent and be remorseful of our sins. That process would be to repent in prayer, and truly feel remorseful and sorrowful for what I had done.
Our church name is "The Church of Jesus Christ". We believe IN Jesus Christ who is the son of God. Your friend said we don't believe Jesus is the son of man? Yes we do! He is the son of God, that's exactly what we believe. We do believe that he rose again, and was resurrected and is the Son of God. We do believe: Jesus’ resurrection proves that physical death is not the termination of human existence. We do believe: Also, it gives us the assurance that we are forgiven-if Jesus was raised, sins will be forgiven when we obey the gospel. But, we still have to repent of our sins we make. We also believe: as Christians will be raised to be with our living King. We call him our Heavenly Father/God, Jesus Christ is the son of god. We believe: When Christ raised, He defeated the world, Satan and all of sin. This is why we are able to repent of our sins, because he suffered and died for us. We believe that when we put our faith in Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father we will be blessed, and we do believe that we can't just sit back and have a free ride to Heaven. We believe we have to continually strive to be closer to him, repent of our sins, and worship him. Which can include the whole tithe thing, and going on a mission. That's very similar to your mission things like your Haiti mission and such. It's doing those things to continually become closer to him, which does make that relationship stronger. I wouldn't say, we believe you HAVE to do these things to even have a chance to be with him again...it's more of the fact that these things help us strive to become closer to him by sacrifice. Like paying tithing of 10%, that's a huge sacrifice to make. Or going on a mission, that's a sacrifice of giving up years of our life to serve him. Which by doing these things, only makes us closer to him and to strive to be with him.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
From: XXXX
Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 9:01 AM
To: Nicole Casper
Subject: RE: so..
I feel like when I read, I LOVE it! and I learn a ton, but then I almost forget it when I stop and go on with my day.. is there anything that you do/did when you were a new Christian that helped you retain his words?
From: Nicole Casper
Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 9:57 AM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE: so..
Yeah, I would journal A TON. Talk about the meanings and implications with my two Christian friends, Ash and Beth. I prayed like a mad woman that God would give me wisdom and help me remember what I read. I was in my bible before school, during lunch and before bed. I also read full books, and not just scattered verses.
DEFINITELY journaling helps a lot. You remember things like 60% more when you write it down. Your thoughts your concerns, your questions, your disagreements, what you liked, what you didn’t. There’s this acronym I used, P.R.E.P.A.R.E.
Pray
Read
Examine
Ponder
Ask
Retell
E … (CRAP! I can’t remember the last E. haha I’ll get back to you on that one.)
I also would write on note cards, maybe even half a note card, the point of what I just read and leave it in my bible where I read it. So the note card would have the date and the verse and chapter at the top and then what I wanted to remember.
Sooo like….
James 4:4 11/30/09
Check your motives when asking God for something.
Ask God for things with right motives.
A friend to this world is a enemy of God.
From: XXXX
Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 8:31 AM
To: Nicole Casper
Subject: so..
So, this morning you said you read and prayed all morning.
When you read, do you pray?
Please don’t think I’m dumb – I really want to get to know God, and feel like I am kinda far away from knowing him..
From: Nicole Casper
Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 8:52 AM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE: so..
Nothing you ever ask about God will I EVER think is dumb.
Sometimes, This morning for example, I started to read and in John 16-17 (somewhere in between there, I think 16) it talks about how god chose us. I stopped reading and started talking with God. I just told him how overwhelmed I was with the fact that he chose me. That I could have never known him and how thankful I was that he was my king. It’s always good to pray before you start reading the bible. It tells us that the holy spirit will talk to us and if we ask God to give us wisdom when we read; make these words and paragraphs more than just data, that God will do that for us. For instance, I prayed that God would illuminate the words that he needed me to focus on today. That he would teach me something new. I asked for wisdom and discernment as I read and that truth would settle in.
I kinda like to just sit in silence before God for a while and let my heart become vulnerable and allow the things that are bugging me or that I’ve been worried about surface. Sometimes things come up that I didn’t even know was on my heart. I’ll talk to God about those things, then I’ll read and it’s more of like just continuing to talk to God as I read things. For instance, this morning I read at the beginning of 14 and at the end it tells us to not let our hearts be troubled, trust God. I just said, “okay God. Help me do that.” And then kept on reading. There really is no “correct way to spend your time with God. There’s things like praying before you read and knowing what God says so you can get the most out of what he offers you, but you can sit, stand, kneel, fall on your face, yell, whisper, cry, pray before, during, after, not say anything at all, talk too much, speak in one word sentences, run-ons, read one verse, one chapter, one book. God just wants your time. And the more you get to know him, the more you’ll understand ways he enjoys being worshipped. But it starts with seeking Him.
From: XXXX
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 2:01 PM
To: Nicole Casper
Subject: RE: ha!
I wrote a couple comments below.
I am so not used to things taking so long for me to get. I normally get things pretty quick… like school subjects and such, so this is pissing me off!!
We should talk about the spending time with God. I REALLY liked it and want to journal about it. AHH! JOURNALING!
I’ve been doing really good on the praying whenever I have some down time, and good on letting him control my life today! But nothing really testing has happened for me to REALLY make sure He is in charge. Soo… yeah.
"Petition these things to him and trust him."
I struggle with this… I don’t like doing things that make people mad or sad, etc. so, the thought of getting angry with or questioning God blows my mind and I don’t see myself doing. I am learning that I almost HAVE to be like WTF God – what are you trying to teach me here and why are you doing this to me. Even in your prayer this morning – you were saying ‘make us see something God’. I normally ask and not demand. Do you think there is a difference here? Maybe my tippy toeing around God isn’t the best path….
SIDE NOTE! I just read the Spending time with God and LOVED IT! one thing that really got me thinking and I hadn’t really thought about before was the ‘be specific’ part in the prayer section. (the part with the Plymouth Cricket) I never pray for something specifically. It made me think though.. GOD KNOWS what is best for us. And he knows what we want inside and out.. I understand we need to ask for his help (what Brock talked about in Collge Group a few times back) but we need to ask for specifics??? That seems weird to me..
Note:
[Spending Time with God: http://christianity.about.com/od/practicaltools/a/PartISpendTime.htm]
"this is a big trust test from God"
GASP! I didn’t think about that! I think you are so right. because last night I told the demons to go away and the thoughts disappeared but the feeling remained… I had been feeling so protected by God, like when something bad would happen he would just shower me with gifts. Examples: He made it snow when it wasn’t even in the forecast. Snow always brings a smile to my face. Secondly, sent a freaking dog in the church when I was crying. I truly think these were Him cheering me up, protecting me!
You rock.
"God-fearing,"
What does this mean? You say that about Solomon too. Why are we supposed to fear God??
From: Nicole Casper
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 2:55 PM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE: ha!
The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.
1 Timothy 5:4-6
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
James 1:4-6
You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.
James 4:1-3
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
1 John 5:13-15
It’s not so much, “WTF God…” it’s saying, “God. I don’t understand why you are putting this in front of me, but I know that you are good and your way is the best way. Show me what you want me to get out f this and no matter what happens, I will still worship you.”
‘Fear’ is from the Hebrew word "yare" to stand in awe. The word ‘fear’, in most relation to ‘fearing God’, is just another word for ‘respect’.
From: XXXX
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 10:04 AM
To: Nicole Casper
Subject: RE: ha!
I think you are SO right. so right.. its hard to dismiss it though.. I haven’t been alone for 9 YEARS until the last 4 or 5 months.. It is so weird to me! And, to top it off, I am still trying to figure out who I am and who God wants me to be, so I feel pretty lost at times (I think this is normal, right?) almost the free falling feeling, but each time I have fallen, God has picked me up.. I know what is best for me—giving everything over to God, but like Jen was saying last night – it is so much harder to actually do.. like I mentioned this morning, I WANT to give my life over, I WANT Him to be in charge, I WANT Him to be foundation, but where do I begin??? I know I need to read His word, which I am getting better and better at! The last week I haven’t missed one day of reading, and often it has been numerous times a day- which is pretty cool to me.. but I often feel like a freggin retarded person because I don’t know how to do most things! I look at you, Jenna and Breanna who I consider my closest girl friends right now – and I want to be where you guys are spiritually! I want to get where Alex is and he got there in such a short time! I know he still struggles, I know you guys still struggle, but I still want to be further than I am! Its frustrating.
Going to the men – this may sound conceded, but I have always gotten who and what I have wanted with guys.. if I was interested in them, I would date them, hang out with them, etc. but NOW it seems like NO ONE is interested in me.. I feel like an ugly loser, which sucks hard core.. is this God’s doing do you think? Or am I just not an attractive person inside and out to Christians?
You probably didn’t think I was going to ramble on like this.. sorry. haha
From: Nicole Casper
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 11:04 AM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE: ha!
I know what you mean.
You’re hunger for God and to know him is good. God isn’t a subject in school you can study to get an A on a test. He reveals things to you and allows you to understand certain things at certain times because he is concerned with your heart above all else. Don’t lose your fire to seek him and all that he is. He knows your frustrations and knows what you desire. Petition these things to him and trust him. I think overall, this is a big trust test from God . If you desperately seek after him, he is going to reveal his wonder to you. Don’t stress about where you are. God isn’t. He is overjoyed with your passion. Just keep getting to know him. He is a mysterious God. And he’s teasing you to run after him. So throw your hair back and put on your Nike’s!
As far as this crap about not being attractive… The men you went after didn’t care about your heart, they cared about your vagina. It’s not conceded to say that you were alluring, but you are interested in a different kind of guy now. Plus, do you really want a guy who just falls at your will? No. You want a God-fearing, strong, leader who loves you best because he loves God more and you can receive his love best because you love God more. God does not think you are an ugly loser. God thinks you are treasure to be stored and treated like the daughter of a King that you are. You know what the bible says about someone who is made new in Christ? Proverbs 19:8, “He who gets wisdom loves his own soul” the Hebrew word for wisdom in this verse means a new heart, a good heart and a new spirit; a clean heart and a right spirit; a heart of flesh, a soft, tender, and contrite one. In complete opposition to a hard heart, a heart of stone: a wise and understanding heart, such an one as Solomon had; a heart to know the Lord, and to fear him; in which his laws are written, the graces of his Spirit are implanted and in which God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, dwell. The desires of such a heart seeks after it, prays for it, and uses all means to obtain it; and who, through the grace of God; does possess it, as the word signifies; he by all this shows that he has a regard to the good and welfare of his immortal soul. You love your own soul and the weight of what men think of you are close to non-existent. (of course there will always be a pull-it is our curse from the Garden.) You have an audience of one, my dear. Can you see at all why a man right now would not only be painful (because he will of course be a jackass one time or another…or 5 times..or 12 times…and right now, you allow too much weight to be held on men) but also, God wants you to be content with you. He wants you to acquire this wisdom; this new heart and it takes time and it takes pruning and growing new branches so that you can learn to love who you are and who God molds you into: a mysterious, wonderfully created woman of God that is dependent of Jesus and loves-even embraces every quirky thing about herself. And after you find Christ and settle into Him, then you get to let go and rest in Him: peace, joy, and comfort in this world: and, in the world to come, glory, honor, and eternal happiness.
From: XXX
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 8:57 AM
To: Nicole Casper
Subject: ha!
You know how I really would like a male in my life that I could love and that could love me in return? Well – I’ve been like WTF to God lately.. I think I just haven’t been looking or caring at the signs he has been giving me to why he isn’t providing me with this… Alex sent me that verse that I read to you Friday (that 1 Corinthians chap 7) and I was like COOL now where is my man? THEN 4 days later – the podcast we listened to this morning was on the EXACT same verse.
Very interesting…
Notes:
[1 Corinthans 7:1-7 1 "Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry.[a] 2But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. 3The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. 5Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that."
Podcast: Francis Chan, Christ-Centered Relationships Pt 1]
From: Nicole Casper [mailto:Nicole.Casper@niscayah.us]
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 9:24 AM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE: ha!
To be honest with you sister, I think a significant other could be a really negative addition to your life right now. You’re learning so much about God and who he is and it’s still up and down. It’s not easy being in a relationship and not having Jesus as a solid foundation. Jesus didn’t become my foundation until Ben and I broke up. Since, it’s been so better because I am not on a rollercoaster with Ben with my feelings and desires and needs. I love Ben better and free-er now because God is first. It was a really hard year and a half. If you could bypass that-wow! How amazing would that be?
Dating isn’t bad thought. But I would encourage you to seek God right now and dwell on what HE WANTS for, not necessarily what you think you need or want.
Quest Series: Why do you think Mormons are not Christians?
0 comments Posted by Nicole Lauren at 3:51 PMFrom: XXXX
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 3:24 PM
To: Nicole Casper
Subject: help !!
So let's talk about this... You know that Mormons do believe in Christ, and we believe and know he died on the cross. That's what a Christian is. But we don't get hung up on him dying on the cross, that's why we don't wear the cross as a symbol...but more of the fact that he was resurrected, and that's what we cherish most. So why do you think that Mormons are not Christians? Not debating...just curious.
What do I say???
From: Nicole Casper
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 3:41 PM
To: XXX
Subject: Re: help !!
Woah. Okay. No.
Mormons are not Christians because they don’t believe that Jesus is the son of Man and the only way to get to heaven. They think he is just a prophet and was a really good man. What makes someone a Christian is believing that Jesus Christ is all Father, Son AND Holy Spirit, that atonement happened when he DIED on the cross and that believing in Him and who He said he was (which is truth, life, eternal salvation...) and that he is the ONLY way to Heaven and no one can get to the Father except through Jesus and knowing Him, personally and that he rose again because His resurrection proved that he was the Son of God (biblically-Paul affirmed that Christ is “declared to be the Son of God with power . . . by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). Also, it gives us the assurance that we are forgiven-if Jesus was raised, sins will be forgiven when we obey the gospel (Acts 2:38; 22:16), Jesus’ resurrection proves that physical death is not the termination of human existence, it is assurance that we too, as Christians will be raised to be with our living King (which is another big deal about Jesus raising from the dead: the kingdom of God is ruled by a living sovereign). And ultimate victory of Christianity over all its enemies. When Christ raised, He defeated the world, Satan and all of sin. When we put our trust in Jesus, we are saved from eternal separation in Hell. Nothing else. We do not have to do ANYTHING else. But, I think there are “Mormons” who are Christian, they are just still trying to earn their salvation. Which is really sad. The reason why we celebrate the cross is because it represents freedom. Christ died to set us free from worldly, spiritual and “fill in the blank” bondage.
I've been having wonderful and beautiful correspondence with a good friend who has a lot of questions. I was looking over our emails and thought how great would it be to let people read the things we have been talking about because I bet these topics come up a lot in our mind, and what if we don't have anyone we trust to work through them?
I'm going to post raw things that have been said and hope that the outcome of these posts are a simple encouragement to seek Jesus and ask the questions that are on your heart and seek truth in your answers.
Please feel free to add your comments on each post.
The Quest series shall begin!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Life has been up and down lately and it's so much fun. We just welcomed Astoria Lynn into the world, Kristen is getting married in a few months, Ashley and my mom are moving to Utah, Ben and I are celebrating 2 years of loving each other more than any other opposite sex next month, I just started a new job that seems so beyond your normal 20-year-old job, I'm buying a new car at the end of the month and I will be moving for the 6th time while living in Salt Lake in December. There is something about change that I have always embraced and living for 20 years, I've learned that not a lot of people like change and have a hard time dealing with it. It's almost scary how much I like change. I love trying new things and seeing new places and sometimes I fear that behind it all, I'm just scared of commitment. haha
Michelle and Amara, my two sisters who aren't related, are coming to visit in December for Christmas. I am so excited and anxious, it hurts! They have been so encouraging and unbelievably understanding through the last year and a half, they should win a peace prize for displaying such true and authentic friendship to me. Both are going through some really rocky relationship ends, and I pray and hope I can be just as encouraging and uplifting as ever to help them get through their heartache 700 miles away.
I ask for prayer to continue to learn what God needs me to be and that my shift in life would only grow closer and closer to his plan. I so desperately what to know what he wants and likes and do the things he wants me to do, but sometimes I feel so sidetracked. I am opening a new window into a Jesus that romances me, a Jesus that holds me and loves me more like a lover does, a Jesus that is speaking into my wounds I heard years ago, and it is such a sweet love to experience.
My hope and prayer for you is to experience the same kind of freeing love and to EMBRACE it.
Signing off,
Nicole :)
Monday, June 1, 2009
Heavenly Father
You always amaze me
Let your kingdom come
In my world and in my life
You give me the food I need
To live through the day
And forgive me as I forgive
The people that wronged me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one
I look out the window
The birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune
Or out of place
I look at the meadow
And stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl
On her wedding day
So why do I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need
Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong
The kingdom of the heavens
Is now advancing
Invade my heart
Invade this broken town
The kingdom of the heavens
Is buried treasure
Will you sell yourself
To buy the one you've found?
Two things you told me
That you are strong
And you love me
Yes, you love me
Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong
Our God in heaven
Hallowed be
Thy name above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us wicked sinners
Lead us far away from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons