We are intercessors. We are translators.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. But faith without works is dead. Because faith isn't faith without obedience.
I speak English, Spanish, and can count to ten in a few other languages. There are currently about 7,000 languages spoken today. Syllables, phonemes, letters. They call these words. But they're not.
In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with Yahweh. And the Word was Yahweh. For Yahweh speaks Himself.
But He speaks a language that few people understand anymore. The Tower of Babel was not the first time multiple languages were spoken in this world. No, that happened at the Fall. When Adam and Eve--and by extension all of creation--began to speak a language Yahweh doesn't speak. And stopped understanding Him.
Adam, a creative being that Yahweh formed in his image, continued to create. Only now without the help of the Creator. What he and his lineage created by their words came to be known as Babylon. The world system, aided by another being whose very existence is the opposite of Yahweh's. Adam's descendants have been creating ever since then. Making things Yahweh never wanted. Never spoke. For they could no longer hear Him. The part of them that spoke His language was dormant. Dead. Asleep.
But then He sent the TRANSLATOR. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, that we might all again speak the same language. And some did not want to hear Him, for to do so meant they could no longer claim ignorance. To do so meant they could no longer presume to speak for Him. So they killed Him, hoping that would end it.
But it did not. Instead, He left us another Translator. A helper. Comforter. The Whisperer. Holy Spirit. So that now we can all speak His language. We can understand His heart. For out of the overflow of the heart, a man speaks. And what comes out of the overflow of Yahweh's heart is righteous creation.
But still creation is under the stewardship of man. And not all men speak His language. Some have refused to do so. They, even now, create using words that Yahweh never spoke.
For the worlds were framed by the Word of Yahweh, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Creation comes through words.
But what language do we speak? Yahweh's or another?
Without faith it is impossible to please Yahweh. Faith comes by hearing His Word. When we hear what Yahweh has spoken, agree with it, have faith for it, and carry out the obedience that makes it complete, then we translate from Yahweh's language to creation. And Yahweh can again create beautiful things in the world.
We are the translators. The intercessors. We speak in a language that is otherwise impossible to understand. Many mistranslations have occurred throughout the aeons. We call those religions. There are many religions. But there is only One Spirit. One Yahweh. One Word: Yahshua.
See what Yahweh has spoken. When we translate correctly what Yahweh has spoken, we make what we've heard seen. So that what we've hoped for...what HE has hoped for all along...has substance.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
The Kingdom--It will Only Cost You Everything
This is a statement I've heard many times since entering the Kingdom. While I've found it true, I've also found that what I've gained is immeasurable compared to what I've lost. So much so that I forget what I've given--what it's cost--to get to this point. Because everything I had to lose wasn't good for me anyway.
On the one hand, it is hard to willingly hand over absolutely everything to the control of Yahweh. Especially since it seems you know Him more and more only AFTER you've given these things up. But of course that's the case. These things are hindering your relationship with Him. Only once they're gone can you see Him more clearly. Blessed was I to see enough of Him to trust Him with everything. Blessed am I to receive His faithfulness in response to my own.
But I was considering this statement earlier today. It will cost you everything to be in the Kingdom. Honestly, superficially it sounds like a religious statement. I've read it in countless religious books, heard it in many religious songs. But to actually SEE it and EXPERIENCE it is another matter.
Because it is far from a religious experience.
It is, rather, life.
Because existence costs EVERYBODY everything, whether or not they enter the Kingdom. I haven't lost anything that wasn't already perishing. And in return I've gained things that will last eternally.
But those who refuse the gift of the Kingdom lose everything anyway. What they attempted to hold onto is wrenched unsympathetically from their grasp as they agonizingly try to hold onto it so much that, in the end, they lose themselves along with that which they were unwilling to surrender.
Kingdomheirs, on the other hand, release it willingly into the hands of our Creator who we trust and adore. And He, miraculously, gives it back to us in purer form than it was given to Him. We even give Him ourselves. Our very beings. And He takes us, labeled and searching and desperate as we were, and returns to us Ourselves. Identified, Found, Complete. One with Himself. The Creator of the Universe.
I've counted the cost. And yes! It IS worth it!
On the one hand, it is hard to willingly hand over absolutely everything to the control of Yahweh. Especially since it seems you know Him more and more only AFTER you've given these things up. But of course that's the case. These things are hindering your relationship with Him. Only once they're gone can you see Him more clearly. Blessed was I to see enough of Him to trust Him with everything. Blessed am I to receive His faithfulness in response to my own.
But I was considering this statement earlier today. It will cost you everything to be in the Kingdom. Honestly, superficially it sounds like a religious statement. I've read it in countless religious books, heard it in many religious songs. But to actually SEE it and EXPERIENCE it is another matter.
Because it is far from a religious experience.
It is, rather, life.
Because existence costs EVERYBODY everything, whether or not they enter the Kingdom. I haven't lost anything that wasn't already perishing. And in return I've gained things that will last eternally.
But those who refuse the gift of the Kingdom lose everything anyway. What they attempted to hold onto is wrenched unsympathetically from their grasp as they agonizingly try to hold onto it so much that, in the end, they lose themselves along with that which they were unwilling to surrender.
Kingdomheirs, on the other hand, release it willingly into the hands of our Creator who we trust and adore. And He, miraculously, gives it back to us in purer form than it was given to Him. We even give Him ourselves. Our very beings. And He takes us, labeled and searching and desperate as we were, and returns to us Ourselves. Identified, Found, Complete. One with Himself. The Creator of the Universe.
I've counted the cost. And yes! It IS worth it!
Going Bilingual!
For those of you who don't know, I am bilingual. I learned to speak Spanish in school, and thus it is my second language.
I recently discovered praise and worship songs in Spanish. I know I am supposed to use Spanish as well as English (and Holy Spirit's words) to praise Yahweh, so I am glad to have made this discovery.
I am a wordsmith, and having two languages in which to praise Yahweh, make prophetic declarations, make intercession, or do anything for Him is only for the good.
Because the Word isn't in any language we know (or don't know). It is Yahshua. And Yahweh speaks in Himself. So in whatever language I speak (or type, sing, praise, etc.) the Voice within the voice is the same. Because out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. And out of the overflow of Yahweh's heart is righteous creation. For by faith we know that the worlds were framed by the word of Yahweh so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
Así yo voy a usar las dos idiomas por la gloria de Yahweh. También en este blog. Voy a aprender como fluir en español tanto como en el inglés aunque español es mi segundo idioma y no conozco tantas palabras en español como en el inglés. Pero Yahweh conoce a todo. Y con Yahweh, todo es posible.
So I am going to flow in Spanish, English, and any other language Holy Spirit wants to bring to me. Even in this blog. Not all posts will be translated (because translation isn't always flow or isn't always possible). Some will be. We shall see.
But I am excited about this new part of the process. Because now I can praise Yahweh in two languages and isn't that exciting?!
I recently discovered praise and worship songs in Spanish. I know I am supposed to use Spanish as well as English (and Holy Spirit's words) to praise Yahweh, so I am glad to have made this discovery.
I am a wordsmith, and having two languages in which to praise Yahweh, make prophetic declarations, make intercession, or do anything for Him is only for the good.
Because the Word isn't in any language we know (or don't know). It is Yahshua. And Yahweh speaks in Himself. So in whatever language I speak (or type, sing, praise, etc.) the Voice within the voice is the same. Because out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. And out of the overflow of Yahweh's heart is righteous creation. For by faith we know that the worlds were framed by the word of Yahweh so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
Así yo voy a usar las dos idiomas por la gloria de Yahweh. También en este blog. Voy a aprender como fluir en español tanto como en el inglés aunque español es mi segundo idioma y no conozco tantas palabras en español como en el inglés. Pero Yahweh conoce a todo. Y con Yahweh, todo es posible.
So I am going to flow in Spanish, English, and any other language Holy Spirit wants to bring to me. Even in this blog. Not all posts will be translated (because translation isn't always flow or isn't always possible). Some will be. We shall see.
But I am excited about this new part of the process. Because now I can praise Yahweh in two languages and isn't that exciting?!
Thursday, July 5, 2012
I + 1 Theory
The I + 1 theory of foreign language learning says that, in order for language learning to be meaningful, the student must receive input in a foreign language one small step above his current ability in the language. Too many steps above and they get confused, give up, tune out. Speaking to them only at or below their current language level ensures they never grow or learn anything, never receiving new input.
This, I find, also works with exercising. Everybody says you lose the most weight when your first start trying, but keep trying for months or years, and it eventually begins to taper off. I've been told that your body becomes used to the exercise, and it is no longer working hard to accommodate the increased activity through which you are putting it. Then, perhaps, is the best time to add the + 1, to go the extra mile (sometimes literally) or change your routine. But go too far and you can injure yourself or cause serious health issues. One cannot go from couch potato to running an eight-minute-mile in one day.
I wonder if this also works spiritually. I already know that when you reach a dimension in the Kingdom, it is at first new, exciting, possibly scary. You're working hard and having a lot of faith to be able to manage what you have been given, to be a good steward over this dimension. But later on, the dimension you are in becomes comfortable. You know what the enemy's tools are, you've taken much of the territory away from him, you may have begun to settle in, think that it's a nice, easy place. But you might also find that you're no longer working so hard, and you no longer require as much faith. Then, perhaps, it is time to move on, find a new dimension, with new treasures to mine out, requiring a new level of faith. So that you keep growing. But again, try skipping levels and you might find yourself giving up, thinking it is too hard or that you aren't able to make it. Because if Yahweh is one level ahead of that previous dimension and you've decided to go three levels ahead, you're still not where He is.
It's good to keep growing, keep going, keep seeing more and more of what Yahweh has for us. Even if it does require a little extra effort on our part. Because, really, if you elect to stay in an old dimension, and Yahweh is still moving ahead, you lose something. For joy is wherever Yahweh is, and so, wherever He goes, I'll follow.
This, I find, also works with exercising. Everybody says you lose the most weight when your first start trying, but keep trying for months or years, and it eventually begins to taper off. I've been told that your body becomes used to the exercise, and it is no longer working hard to accommodate the increased activity through which you are putting it. Then, perhaps, is the best time to add the + 1, to go the extra mile (sometimes literally) or change your routine. But go too far and you can injure yourself or cause serious health issues. One cannot go from couch potato to running an eight-minute-mile in one day.
I wonder if this also works spiritually. I already know that when you reach a dimension in the Kingdom, it is at first new, exciting, possibly scary. You're working hard and having a lot of faith to be able to manage what you have been given, to be a good steward over this dimension. But later on, the dimension you are in becomes comfortable. You know what the enemy's tools are, you've taken much of the territory away from him, you may have begun to settle in, think that it's a nice, easy place. But you might also find that you're no longer working so hard, and you no longer require as much faith. Then, perhaps, it is time to move on, find a new dimension, with new treasures to mine out, requiring a new level of faith. So that you keep growing. But again, try skipping levels and you might find yourself giving up, thinking it is too hard or that you aren't able to make it. Because if Yahweh is one level ahead of that previous dimension and you've decided to go three levels ahead, you're still not where He is.
It's good to keep growing, keep going, keep seeing more and more of what Yahweh has for us. Even if it does require a little extra effort on our part. Because, really, if you elect to stay in an old dimension, and Yahweh is still moving ahead, you lose something. For joy is wherever Yahweh is, and so, wherever He goes, I'll follow.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
A NEW Blog!
Hello,
I have grown SO MUCH this summer...and I was worried without the pressure of school, I'd stop growing. Ha! But Yahweh is SUPER faithful, and so I am far far more than I was during the last school year.
Part of this growing was learning that I am a Wordsmith, a wielder of this most powerful weapon--words--with which the entire WORLDS were created. I can write many different things: poems, stories, songs, scenes, and even a novel. While I am looking into publishing in hard copy or an e-book for the novel, scenes or poems would not necessarily be best shared through a published medium. Thus, I have created a blog on which to share them. I researched copyright law and found that what I write is automatically mine (so long as I wrote it after 1978, which, considering I was born a decade later, is not an issue...), and find that I wish to share these words with people. Thus, the new blog for fiction.
Here is the url:
http://zadokim.blogspot.com/
I have already posted the first scene I wrote. I wrote it today, inspired by a book I'm reading. I've written many things, not all of which will be on that blog, but that which I feel led to share for Yahweh's glory shall be shared! :) See what Yahweh has spoken as you read the Words He gave me to wield.
Love,
Cassondra
I have grown SO MUCH this summer...and I was worried without the pressure of school, I'd stop growing. Ha! But Yahweh is SUPER faithful, and so I am far far more than I was during the last school year.
Part of this growing was learning that I am a Wordsmith, a wielder of this most powerful weapon--words--with which the entire WORLDS were created. I can write many different things: poems, stories, songs, scenes, and even a novel. While I am looking into publishing in hard copy or an e-book for the novel, scenes or poems would not necessarily be best shared through a published medium. Thus, I have created a blog on which to share them. I researched copyright law and found that what I write is automatically mine (so long as I wrote it after 1978, which, considering I was born a decade later, is not an issue...), and find that I wish to share these words with people. Thus, the new blog for fiction.
Here is the url:
http://zadokim.blogspot.com/
I have already posted the first scene I wrote. I wrote it today, inspired by a book I'm reading. I've written many things, not all of which will be on that blog, but that which I feel led to share for Yahweh's glory shall be shared! :) See what Yahweh has spoken as you read the Words He gave me to wield.
Love,
Cassondra
Friday, May 25, 2012
Profound Gratitude
The other day I was dancing praise in my kitchen (the only room large enough to do so without furniture to block the way) when I was hit with the realization of how amazing life is. I can only say I am profoundly grateful for it, especially since I never thought I'd have it.
If life could be perfect, mine would be.
Ok, so there are those pesky day-to-day issues and frustrations. My job, teaching 7-12 graders, is not easy. In fact, there were those days when I wondered if I was strong enough to handle it. Up until almost the last day of inservice, I was falling apart in tears about once a month. But it is MY job. Actually, it is a vehicle for fulfilling my purpose, to shine and make treasure shine. But it is MINE. It is a reason to get up in the morning. And for someone who, three years ago, didn't have that, this is amazing. In fact, three years ago I didn't get up most mornings, choosing to sleep the day away and stay awake all night to avoid the world. How different life is now! How far Yahweh has brought me.
And part of coming so far was my job. I learned so much this year, and so, despite the tears and fears, it was worth it. And next year will be better. In the meantime, just when I was sure I couldn't take anymore, Yahweh gives me summer break, where I can recharge, replenish, and recover from the school year. That way, in August, I can go back into the classroom full of life, light, and optimism. But also a little wiser, and a whole lot better at my job. So how can I not be grateful for my teaching career?
Of course things aren't perfect on the outside. We live in a fallen world, but now I am no longer fallen. I am redeemed. I am a son of Yahweh. Yahweh, who healed me just because He is healing, and He loves me. And in so doing, He made it possible for me, who never even dreamed of this life, to live. I have a job, my own apartment, and responsibilities. I have an ecclesia governed by elders who are completely trustworthy as they share Yahweh's heart, I have friends who love and accept me for who I am while not being afraid to help me become better by speaking the truth in love. I have a mom who has grown so much in the past two years. I have joy, faith, and trust in myself. I even have a dog! Scrappy. (See picture).
If you had asked me three years ago where I saw myself in three years, I couldn't have said. I literally couldn't have imagined this awesome life I have. Ephesians 3:20 is literally true. He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we ask or think.
In fact, everything in the Bible is literally true. And the most amazing thing is, I am seeing it become real to ME in MY life. Every healing in the Gospels is real to ME because it happened to me. The story where Yahshua healed the lepers and only one thanked Him...that grateful tenth leper is ME. The rainbow being a promise of eternal fidelity...Yahweh has been faithful to ME, and He has even made ME to be faithful.
In this, we shine, when our lives show the glory of Yahweh in this day and age. So HalleluYah! Praise Yahweh that He has given us the great honor and privilege of participating in creation as His glory. For Christ in us...in ME...is the hope of glory!
Yahweh is no respecter of persons. Sometimes it is easy to count the trials, but the pressure is what makes the wellsprings of life well UP in you. And I know it is so totally worth it!
Ok, so there are those pesky day-to-day issues and frustrations. My job, teaching 7-12 graders, is not easy. In fact, there were those days when I wondered if I was strong enough to handle it. Up until almost the last day of inservice, I was falling apart in tears about once a month. But it is MY job. Actually, it is a vehicle for fulfilling my purpose, to shine and make treasure shine. But it is MINE. It is a reason to get up in the morning. And for someone who, three years ago, didn't have that, this is amazing. In fact, three years ago I didn't get up most mornings, choosing to sleep the day away and stay awake all night to avoid the world. How different life is now! How far Yahweh has brought me.
And part of coming so far was my job. I learned so much this year, and so, despite the tears and fears, it was worth it. And next year will be better. In the meantime, just when I was sure I couldn't take anymore, Yahweh gives me summer break, where I can recharge, replenish, and recover from the school year. That way, in August, I can go back into the classroom full of life, light, and optimism. But also a little wiser, and a whole lot better at my job. So how can I not be grateful for my teaching career?
Of course things aren't perfect on the outside. We live in a fallen world, but now I am no longer fallen. I am redeemed. I am a son of Yahweh. Yahweh, who healed me just because He is healing, and He loves me. And in so doing, He made it possible for me, who never even dreamed of this life, to live. I have a job, my own apartment, and responsibilities. I have an ecclesia governed by elders who are completely trustworthy as they share Yahweh's heart, I have friends who love and accept me for who I am while not being afraid to help me become better by speaking the truth in love. I have a mom who has grown so much in the past two years. I have joy, faith, and trust in myself. I even have a dog! Scrappy. (See picture).
If you had asked me three years ago where I saw myself in three years, I couldn't have said. I literally couldn't have imagined this awesome life I have. Ephesians 3:20 is literally true. He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we ask or think.
In fact, everything in the Bible is literally true. And the most amazing thing is, I am seeing it become real to ME in MY life. Every healing in the Gospels is real to ME because it happened to me. The story where Yahshua healed the lepers and only one thanked Him...that grateful tenth leper is ME. The rainbow being a promise of eternal fidelity...Yahweh has been faithful to ME, and He has even made ME to be faithful.
Yahweh is no respecter of persons. Sometimes it is easy to count the trials, but the pressure is what makes the wellsprings of life well UP in you. And I know it is so totally worth it!
Monday, October 24, 2011
More Beautiful Things
Yahweh is always amazing, constantly providing beauty and wonder around us to see.
I drove to Texas recently, and the route there took me through Ouachita National Forest, which is gorgeous in the fall, though the leaves had only just begun to turn colors. Seeing the trees and the mountains...it was truly amazing. It is, in those moments, easy to see how the purpose of creation is to glorify the Creator.
On the way home, the map thingy on the iPhone (I'm sure that's the technical name for it) took me an alternate route. I managed to get the shot in this picture while driving over the lake on a bridge. I had no idea how it turned out, since I was driving and not really looking at the picture, but I think it turned out well!
I've been thinking of the word "wonder" lately. Yahweh is wonderful. Truly full of wonder.
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