Hi everyone!
I have been going back and rereading some of your posts of the last few weeks. It’s always mind-boggling to read or hear the stories of those posting on the site or coming to hear us in concert. When you realize the magnitude of the situations that so many people face, it can make you feel helpless and hopeless and isn’t that what Satan would love for us to feel? I know, I have felt that too in the last few weeks, but God has shown me over and over again that He has not changed. We can’t rely on how we feel, but on what His word says. Malachi 3:6 says, “I am the Lord, I change not.” It seems that daily we see drastic changes all around us, the stock market crisis, homeowners not being able to pay their mortgages, jobs ending unexpectedly, prices rising, businesses closing, families faced with illness, even death, the list seems endless. Yet, the Word says, “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matt. 6:26) We can worry about tomorrow, even though we can’t do a thing about it, or we can trust God. A few years ago, I saw a sign on a church bulletin board that said, you can’t worry and trust at the same time. Worry and trust are opposites. Worry is futile but trust is hopeful. Hope in our own abilities? No, hope in the Lord and trust in His faithfulness. Since we don’t have the answers, why not cast your cares on Him and see what He will do. It’s when things look impossible that He delights in showing us himself and His power.
Lord, we don’t have any answers for all of these situations that we face, but you do. So, we give you these requests and burdens. We know that when we can’t see your hand, we can trust your heart. You only want the best for your children. Help us to be patient while we wait for the answers and give us wisdom to follow your direction. Thank you for loving us. Amen.
Have you had a situation in your life where you cast your worry onto Him and He came through for you? Or better yet, do you have a worry in your life now that you will commit to turning over to Him right now?
Please share. I’d really like to hear from you.
I was so gald to be introduced to this web-site by Ms. Debra. I have added to my Favorites and want to use information in areas in my life
Thanks Debra, we look forward to the information that God has called you to share.
God Bless Ruby
Reply to Ruby BuchananHello Ruby. Leave it to my mother to make connections even at a dentist appointment!
We’re glad to have you here at the Tree; hope you come back often!
Reply to Lauren TalleyLife does get pretty tuff sometimes. I’ve learned to trust more in God’s word too during those times. I find myself speaking “It shall come nigh my dwelling” quite often these days. I remember your family often in my prayers. I realize the public expects a lot from Southern Gospel Singers just like we do preachers, etc. The truth is you have as many battles as the rest of us maybe even more because of your faithfulness to the Lord. God Bless.
Reply to RebeccaWith Love and prayers.
CAST…many definitions….imprint into plaster….flinging of a fishing line….stable covering for a broken bone….formation of metal or other chemical compounds to form an object to specifications….lay aside or throw off….
Do you see they are all related to our heavenly Father?
He is the imprint to the plaster of our lives.
He has made us fishers of all men.
He is our covering.
He is the specifics for everyday living.
He asks us to lay aside anything that henders, so we may throw off the arrows of the evil one.
CAST…..
Christ
Answers
Still
Today
Cast…He never changes,a very present help in time of need.
Many years ago my husband lost his job. Two small children depended on Daddy’s income to live.
I was back in college and was able to pick up some private duty shifts,but still that was not enough.
We applied for food stamps and any assisstance we could find. I cried to the Lord, because my babies would soon be without food while we waited on the legal process to get food stamps.
That very day and many more to come throughout the following months, I came home to find a bag of groceries at my door. Not just any groceries. The VERY BEST cuts of steak and other meats plus veggies and the staples to sustain our family. Once we were back on our feet months later, they stopped.
No one we knew could have afforded to support a family of four with such groceries, much less themselves.
There was ONE who heard my cry when I CAST everything on Him.
He is still the same today and forever!
Reply to Mary CampbellDebra,
You all recently came to my church Grace Mennonite Fellowship, in Lacey Springs, VA and then I saw you guys when you were down in Lynchburg, VA at the Heritage Baptist Church. I shared a piece of my story with you. At that point I was very hopeful that with God’s help I would conquer my eating disorder. In a month’s time it seems that everything has done a complete 180. I quit my treatment and am having a hard time spiritually… How do I “cast this care” (my disease) onto him? It seems whenever I try, I always fail! I need your feedback…
Reply to Heather CampbellI am a seventeen year old girl and a senior in high school. I know that sounds like your average teenage girls life but my life has been anything but average. I am not posting this to get any sympathy I am posting this to hopefully make people greatful for each that they are given, I stress this do not take your life for granted it can easily be taken from you. When I read the words “Cast Your Cares On Him” the first thought that ran through my mind was God is trying to show me that when I cast my cares on Him life is so much easier, and I found out how much easier it actually is about a week ago when I laid it down for Him to handle. When I was born the all of my doctors except for one said that I would be lucky to live to be two years old as you can imigane my parents were devistated by that news, but that one doctor gave us hope he told us that they can run every test in the world but only God can dicide when you are actually going to die and for some reason my family chose to believe that God sent that doctor to give us hope and to show us that there are doctors that believe in miracles and not just modern medicine that doctor quickly became more than a doctor he became our friend. When I did live past the age of two all of those doctors were saying it is not possible for her to be alive, but that one doctor said you may very easily outlive us all other doctors thought he was crazy we thought he was the best doctor in the world. After my life proved them wrong they said that there is no way that she will live to be five years old and my parents said you cannot know that for sure because you said that she would not live to be two years old and she proved you wrong, but they were determined that I would not make it. When I turned five years old they said this is impossible and they said we cannot put a time spand on your life because the way it looks right now you will prove us wrong everytime. After they said all of that I said it is not impossible for me to be standing here right now, I said it is God’s plan. At the age of eight my health was slowly decreasing they did not put a time spand on my life but they did say without a miracle you won’t be here much longer I was sick enough that the Make A Wish Foundation qualified me for a Make A Wish trip I had just abot lost all of my faith until that trip but when I got back I looked at life as a gift. At the age of twelve the illnesses they just started to disipear it was the miracle that those doctors said would never come and it did. I consider myself lucky to be alive because eight out of ten kids who get a Make A Wish trip are lucky if they live six months and I have gotten a little over nine years that is not your every day Make A Wish kids story. About a month and a half ago I went to see one of my doctors for a check-up and to ask if there was any way to get off one of my medicines she first said not a chance then she came back into the room and said lets draw the blood work to see what it shows she said if I have enough cells we can try it, but she said if I go off of it without enough cells and I was to get an infection I could very easily die. I do not care how many times you hear those words they just as scary each time you hear them. Those results usually take about three weeks to get and let me tell you I am not a patient person when it comes to my health. When we did not hear from her we called her office to see what was going on and she said that the lab lost the blood work for that test. The next appointment I have is March 17 I am going to have the blood drawn on that day and about a month later I see the doctor who is in control of this medicine and we will see what the results show and what best descision is to make. I worried about this for a while and then last week I dicided to Cast My Care On Him, and let Him dicide what is best. I believe it was a blessing in disguise when that blood work got lost because I do not think that I was strong enough to handle what they said, whether it was good or bad and God knew I was not ready to handle those results that could very easily change my life forever. I ask that you remeber me when you pray. Your new cd “Life Goes On” has meant more to me than ya’ll could possibly know, each song is really helping me in certain areas in my life I cannot thank you enough for that cd. Thank you for this website as well.
Reply to KaseyWEEELLLL GGGLLLOOORRRRYYYY!!!!!!!! What an amazing testimony to his many miracles!!! Thank you so much for sharing this story and I commend you on what a wonderful attitude you have. Kasey, I will keep you in my prayers and hope to continue to hear from you and how things are going. God Bless You!
Reply to Karen GhormleyThank you Karen for what you said that meant alot to me. People have always said that I have every right to be bitter at the world but I think that they are totally wrong. People are amazed at the attitude that I have, but I do not understand why because God promised He would not put more on us than we can handle. Every trial I have ever been through has made me a stronger Christian. My life might would have been easier if I had not had to go through some of these things, but I would not be the person I am today without those trials. Thanks again.
Reply to KaseyYes, sometimes things do get tough, but we all should depend on God and not place our trust in man. I like to follow the phrase I heard from a minister “Worry About NOTHING and PRAY About Everything”. Sometime I do worry, but I feel that we should depend on God more, pray, and everything will work out if it’s according to His plan.
Thanks Debra for posting that insightful message. It really has made me think of God’s goodness. Take care and may God Bless all.
Reply to Jeffrey WeeksThis is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous…He has the most wonderful way of doing the greatest things with the most simple of things. Doesn’t He? I’ve seen it even this week myself. I’m reminded of when He told Peter in Luke 5, to cast his nets into the water after they had fished all night, and Peter, Andrew, James & John and all were exhausted and hadn’t caught anything all night. But Peter said, nevertheless Lord at Thy word we will… and you know what happened when they did, they had so many fish, their nets almost broke and their ships almost sank.
Reply to Stephen WidenerThanks so much for sharing.
Thanks Debra I needed that today. 10-17-08. Your timing was just perfect. Sometimes we forget and try to deal with lifes crises by ourselves. We need to just give it to the Lord.
Reply to Don KunzPS I was having a particularly bad day until I read your letter. Thanks again, Don
Debra,
I never thought about casting my cares on him. This has really helped me think in a new way. About two o’clock this morning I got a phone call that my uncle was put in jail and he has been in and out of jail for twenty-five years. So this morning has been really rough on me. I appreciate all the things you do for everybody on this web-site. You have no idea how much I thank God everyday for you because without you, Lauren, and Roger in my life I wouldn’t be saved and I wouldn’t be alive right now. God has showed me the right way and I am trying to keep on the straightway, but you know me i am a wanderer
. It’s so hard to not fall into temptation and it’s so confusing about what to do right and what is right. I have learned to follow the Lord and to follow my heart. Please keep me and my Uncle Tim in your prayers and I will keep ya’ll in my prayers as always. Hope to see you soon!
Much Love,
Haley
P.S. My grandparents, Don and Ginger, say Hi and they love you. Hehe they don’t know how to “work” a computer!
Reply to HaleyThank you so much Debra. You know since convention the way has been dark at times. I was studying and God showed me that even in those darkest times He is always right there. Thank you for being a friend. Love You!!!
Tony
Reply to TonyI am 20 years old and I have been struggling with eating issues and negative body image. This is something that has literally taken over my life and I can’t seem to get things back on track. Every day is a constant struggle - not eating… then eating… then feel guilty and purge.
I have prayed and I have cried out to God with no answer, no comfort. It feels like God thinks I am too broken to deal with me anymore. I just don’t know what to do anymore…. but I feel like giving up.
Reply to JHi J, I’m so sorry to hear that you’re having to deal with some of the things that you’re dealing with. First and foremost I just want to say that God loves you and you will never be too broken in God’s eyes. He loves you no matter what you’re dealing with in life. I can’t honestly say I’ve ever had to deal with anything like what you’re dealing with. What I do know is that every Christian if they have lived long enough have had to, or will at some point in their life go through times of brokeness for whatever reason. Even the best Christians do unfortunately. I often look at Elijah. After all the things that happened in Elijah’s life, the many miracles, the contest with the prophets of Baal, even he went through despair. 1 Kings 19 tells how Elijah fled into the wilderness afraid for his life. It tells in how he laid down under a broom tree and prayed that he die. In his weakness God sent an angel to minister to him. Even Jesus himself went through moments of anguish. Everyone has trials in one way shape or form J. BELIEVE me, I can personally attest to that. I’ve had my share the past month. You will NEVER be too broken for God to care about what you’re going through. I find the book of Psalms to be of great comfort. I will be praying for you, and I’m sure that the Talleys and all the other members of the Tree-o will be lifting you up in prayer as well. If I was you I think I would also talk to my Pastor. He along with your home church can help and be of great support to you. He might also be able to recommend someone who deals with issues like you’re facing. Bottom line is, there’s strength in numbers and you can never have too many people praying for you. Keep your chin up. We’ll all be praying for you.
Reply to Sam KerfootJ, I will be praying for you my friend. I want you to know that God loves you. He loves you so much,He sent His Son Jesus to die for your sins and not only that, Jesus loves you that not only did He die but He rose from the dead three days later and is now at the right hand of the Father making intercession for you and me. Would you pray to Jesus and ask Him to be your Savior and Lord today? Not only will He, but will help you in all your problems and needs. God Bless you
Reply to Stephen Widener