Caity Alice's Blog: Caity's Element, page 3
January 26, 2021
Humility > Success
January 19, 2021
Work in Progess, an Update
UPDATE on my new WIP!
I'm so thrilled to be starting on this project! After going back and forth between it and another idea for awhile, and praying for direction and then having this one basically start itself, I feel excitement and anticipation for whatever purpose the Lord has for this work that He has been bringing together during my time in His Word. I would love to be in your prayers as I step into this process, that it would honour and glorify Him, and make a difference in at least one persons life.
In short, "M4P" (my secret-mission sounding project name until further notice 😉) will be a devotional, covering a wide range of topics and incorporating scriptures from Genesis to Revelation. I'm super pumped to be digging into the Bible so closely in this effort, and know that this will be a process that works over me just as much if not more than I'm hoping it may be used to work in others.
Bonus update:
Tucked under the journal in this photo is an incredibly rough sketch of concept cover art that I have 1)intentionally left unseen because it's horrible, and 2)actually begun working with a richly talented artist and friend to transform my concept into something beautiful, so be looking for that reveal in the weeks ahead. Yay!
Consider yourself updated. 😄
January 18, 2021
Meet & Greet
As there's quite a few of you newer than not to the Element, here's a little Monday meet and greet!
My name is Caity- surprise- although it was just as nearly Natalie until a nurse finally told my parents they had to just choose one and my dad wrote this one down. (I'm kinda glad. No offense, if your name is Natalie. ;))
I'm an introvert, which basically means (in my case) that I have a louder written presence than physical, and social interactions - while I do (usually) enjoy them - simply tire me out quickly.
I have strong opinions about pretty much everything but for the most part I'm a listener. Learning to speak up more when it matters.
Writing has truly helped shape and firm up who I am as an individual. There's a quote from/on the back cover of my book that says "A revolution not spoken is a revolution in theory only, and can be blown away by the simplest breath of comfort." This space is where my revolution gets spoken; and once you speak something- declaring that it means enough to you to be spoken- it becomes a personal, important piece of you that you have to take ownership of, and doing so has stretched and prodded me and my comfort zone, which I'm grateful for. I'm also grateful for each of you who take the time to read what I share!
Most importantly, my sins have been paid for by Jesus' shed blood and grace, and my true home is in Heaven.
Feel free to share something random about yourself in the comments!
January 16, 2021
The God Who Is
"Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things."
Joel 2:21
This verse is really encouraging me right now!
There are newer versions that replace "will do" with "has done"...excuse you, but my God is still working today, thank you. ;)
January 12, 2021
Worship vs "Worship"
Dear Christian,If you can only worship to music, you're worshipping the music.
Worship is the overflow of a heart postured in awe and gratitude for all God has done and all that He is; it's surrender...acknowledging our smallness and His greatness.
Music is instituted (though not necessary) to accompany our praise and to quiet our minds and hearts toward worship. If the music is not such as to accomplish this...it's most likely catering to the feelings of the flesh.
Worship takes place as we dwell on His goodness and love, but also on His grace and sacrifice in spite of our sins.
If your church is where you go to hear and be moved by some good beats, feel a good feeling, and get affirmation, I'm sorry to inform you, but you've essentially missed church; this better describes a club.
Church should encourage you, surely, but to live set apart and differently from the world, not indulge your feelings; it should humble you and work growth in you, not just satiate your self esteem.
True worship will bring us to our knees in recognition of who God is, while modern "worship" too often adheres to our self-obsessed culture in trying to make us feel better about who we are.
(image:Pinterest)
January 1, 2021
Happy New Year!
Boarding 2021 with these two goals:
To steward well,
And travel light.
Not taking people, opportunities, or blessings for granted...rather, investing, making the most of, and being grateful for what and who the Lord brings and gives; learning what I can and using the niche He has created me with to further the truth and extend His love and grace first and foremost.
Not carrying everything (material and immaterial) with me and losing what's important from my overstuffed and strained arms, but holding loosely what cannot be controlled and having arms ready to take on or give up what He sees best...being an enthusiastic sightseer of all God is doing and working in my life and around me along the way, as the breezes of wonder and humility bring exclamations of worship and praise from my mouth as the waves of circumstances and experience roll by unhindered by worries and doubt.
God is at the helm, He orchestrates each ebb and wave, and there is no storm He hasn't seen both sides of.
December 21, 2020
The True Gift
Read this quote by Tozer this morning, and the below thought came to mind...it had a humbling and awe-inspiring impact on me while also presenting a challenge I want to fervidly accept going forward.
What comes to mind when you think about God? And if it reveals an area in need of spiritual construction, are you willing to do the work?
A parent at Christmas time, who knows they have good gifts prepared and blessings in store for their child; who patiently responds to each question and desire for instant gratification gently and with reminders that waiting is best and they will enjoy what is coming more at the right time than if they had it now, and to trust that they have the childs best interest in mind and it is out of love that they withhold now to bestow later.A child who questions out of their limited-view, not realizing or appreciating that this love itself is the true gift.
December 4, 2020
Not Your Average Friday Sale
Imagine a Friday Flash Sale...that lasted through Christmas...AND New Years Day!
I'm so excited to share Gentle Revolution with you at the best possible prices, for the month of December, starting NOW!Head over to the Amazon listing to get your 0.99 Kindle (free- as always- with Unlimited), or your paperback copy for only 6.99! (That's over 40% off the original price!)GR was written for you and I want nothing more than to share it and go against the grain together!
May joy host the occasion that is your life, friend. <3
November 27, 2020
Profound Simplicity
This out of context "Anne" quote sums up (vaguely) the encouragement I'd like to share...We must get back to celebrating the simplicity of the Gospel.
Our modern "Christian" culture puts such emphasis on "the journey" (everryything is a "journey") that I fear we have been conditioned to be content with nothing less than a testimony that contains crisis, bright lights, and breakthroughs, or the authoring of Mere Christianity #2; without them we sometimes doubt and question: if these things aren't happening and I don't have a shocking past or I'm not being martyred daily in some way, is it real? I fear that some tend to then hold lightly to what they have, holding out for the part of the story that they can insert to have a fully developed, world-rocking, glorious testimony.
News flash, Christian: the simplicity in a story that states you were lost but now you're found, blind but now you see, and the simple yet complete grace that wrote it are where it gets glorious and world-rocking.
In needing our testimonies to be spectacular and film-worthy, we easily step over the line into controlling...and a story that you control, have every detail in place for, and cast yourself in a bigger part than you think was divinely planned for you, promotes self and leaves out the very heart and substance of the message.
It isn't in the details, though they certainly aren't bad and are *important; but you don't have to have everything figured out and know all you can in this moment that you could ever possibly know about God- in fact, you don't and can't, and the growth and learning need to be ongoing to be at all meaningful and lasting; the soul-thrilling wonder that makes a weary world rejoice is simply this: Jesus came to bring salvation, and He still offers it free to anyone who will accept it in believing repentance.
Sure, there's a lot packed in here and there's abundant more wonderful things to learn and know and share, but we have to be willing to simply be a vessel of faith- lost and found; dead and now alive; nothing without Jesus; saved by grace alone- without all the miracles of the old and new Testament packed into a 3 act play where we are a key player.
While it is often a natural part of life, you don't need visible/tangible hardship and breakthrough to confirm that "it is finished", to know that God is Who He says He is and has done what He says He has done; you simply need faith.
Our culture puts so much thought and effort into telling of our "journey" to Jesus, that we risk losing sight of and failing to convey the fact that it was Jesus came to find us, Jesus who provided a way out of our sin, and without Jesus- no matter the rest of the story- you and I would be lost, helpless, and hopeless.
*I do believe the details are important- please don't get me wrong- and I believe they are better effective in discipleship and exhorting new and fellow believers, while winning souls needs to be Jesus. Jesus. Jesus.
Plain and simple.
Profound and humbling.
November 26, 2020
The In-Between
Happy Thanksgiving, fellow elements!!!
The everything in between includes my hard days, my lessons learned, my opportunities lost, and my bridges burned; but woven through each is a humbling thread of grace, love, and mercy, and a supply of peace, joy, and strength only my God can bring.
I hope today (and every day) you behold Christ's goodness in each aspect of your life and live in awe of Him as He truly works all things for your good.
"Thank you Lord, for saving my soul
Thank you, Lord, for making me whole
Thank you, Lord, for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free"
