Thoughts on Forgiveness

Hey!
I work from 10 pm to 6 am and I must admit that get tired but the Lord really works late at night :)
This is something I was write last time....
Well it's now 5 am and I am over the "oh my word its late" hump. I am excited to be in bed in an hour and a half.
After tonight I must admit I am so glad for Christ's example of forgiveness. A person I have met lately is sooo bitter. I am sad because I just can't figure out how best to share the gospel with her.
If I ever become a bitter unforgiving person someone, anyone please slap some sense into my head.
When faced with Christ forgiving people of punishment they deserved somehow all the rest of life's difficulties and hardships pale in comparison. He had done nothing, absolutely nothing to justly cause anyone to harm Him. Perfection himself was here and not only did we kill Him we refused to acknowledge His presence.
Even the best man must admit that they have perhaps done something to ignite a quarrel or some other horrid event that causes angry feelings to flourish. I have to admit they are often present within myself. If they were not I think I would worry. Within every human I believe that man craves a mended relationship.
However, without God and the Holy Spirit's work in our lives it is impossible. It is absurd to forgive apart from God. Of course I am referring to true forgiveness. Not the kind we may give as children when we grit our teeth and say "I'm sorry."
I am talking about the Psalms 103: 12 type of forgiveness where it says "As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us."
Not that we can truly ever reach that ideal of of forgiveness this side of eternity, but we have an obligation. Because of our relationship with Christ and our desire to be just like Him to forgive like Him is our aim.
Our aim should be to wake up and live each moment in an attitude of grace and forgiveness seeking to view others as Christ viewed them. In His image.
How often do we look at others and instead see their failures in life that affected us and hurt us? I am not arguing that we should blankly start over and forget all our past. As if somehow all Christians should be a doormat. But I would argue that it takes just as much and more to choose to forgive someone as it takes to indulge in one's anger towards another.
Of course I understand and realize that forgiveness is never complete till it is received. But as much as it depends on you if you are working to forgive and watching your heart attitude it will show. We are told to love our enemies and to heap burning coals on His head. (Prov 25:22). When we do this and even without our doing this, the Holy Spirit works and convicts people of their sin and then that forgiveness can truly be completed.
I really have no idea why I am writing this either. I just need to rant about something I am passionate about.
SO excuse me,
Caolae Jenniemarie Siler

Just A Thought :)

"Girl America"
My girl America is just a youth in this world
Her smile is more precious than the sparkle of pearls
And though her age reads she's just a young girl
The age behind her eyes show the pain that she's swirled
Through the hand that's been dealt though it's quiet as kept
The weight that she felt last night when she slept
And as she crept into the dreams of the things of her past
Seems to have grown so fast, way beyond her own class
Though they're right there with her, her brothers and her sisters
A natural born leader even when her peers dis her
My girl, she's at a crossroads, people praying for her
Some are preying on her magazine ads, sex, drama
Smoking marijuana, longer for a father to call her, 'daughter'S
he's part of a generation longing for reconciliation
And this future that they're facing and this poison that they're tasting
My girl, I know this love you're chasing

My girl America's crying when she's lying on her bed at night
I can see that she's screaming when she's dreaming for her freedom
My girl America's dying while she's trying just to stop this fight
Don't stop believing, my girl America

Boys with hungry eyes have been beating her door
Telling her that's what she's for, trying to rob at her core
Then leave calling her a whore, but still she knows there's more
I know she knows there's more because there is a voice she can't ignore'
Cause it was founded in the foundations, from the day of her creation
In God we trust engraved on the treasures of her nation
And the void that the boys can't fill
With the tipping of the bottle or the popping of the pill
But still most of her friends don't care as they glare
Ready to drown down the funnel as they frown down the tunnel
They stumble and they tumble breaking down into rubble

My girl America, stop can't you see
It's not the circumstances that determine who you're gonna be
But how you deal with these problems and pains that come your way
It's for you that I pray with hope for a brighter day
And so I say, your deliverance is coming

Faith like a child from your first birth
You left it in the dirt on your worst hurt
And I see each tear and every scar
The hands that have held you where you are
And I can see we've strayed so far
A king born under that morning star
As a crown of thorns was placed to earase
Each tear that's touched your face
And his palms and sides were pierced with spears
He hung in love just to draw you near
My girl, out of this whole world
Can't you see this is where we started?

As anyone who reads this knows by now...things happen and not always will one see others come to Christ immediately.

Through this past week amd other people I know, I have again seen people searching for hope and unable to believe that Christ is that hope and strength.

I pray they never give up and that the Lord sends another person their way to speak to them...or that this week of camp may remind them even after they have left of their need to make things right with God.
I am a seed planter....and I am thankful for the opportunity to share Him.

Through Him,
Caolae Siler

Life ;) and how we live it!

SO...I am rather excited today!
I feel like I have found a part of myself again. I spent time today...somehow more than usual...and as I was thinking and praying I realized that the people I thought were my friends really are not. AND! I am OK with that :)

I want to build relationships with others who desire to serve the Lord. Some of the people I have been hanging out with..are decidedly Christians...but they are forgetting to "fan the flame that is within you" 2 Timothy 1.

Christ calls us to be on fire for Him...and to share Him with everyone else...those who share that heart...they are true friends...

Time is running out, when we reach the end...Christ is not going to care about what we have...our earthly possesions will be gone. Only what is done for Him will last.

I have been thinking on wanting to fit in...but you know what! It is a hopeless cause...I will never be all that people could want. But Christ loves me anyway.

This struck me today and I wanted to share that with you...

Fan into flames the gift He has given you...don't waste your life on something that will not matter in the end...

Sorry if this is abrupt or perhaps condemming. If it makes you angry...why? Is it because you are refusing to follow His word?

Through Him,
Caolae Siler

Selfishness

Today I was thoroughly challenged through a secular movie I watched last night. The name of the movie was “The Guardian” It was the story of a man training to be a part of the coast guard. The movie ended with his teacher dying to save his life. What struck me concerning this movie was the sacrifice he made.
I doubt I would have been strong enough to die for another. Also this raises the question within my head. “What am I doing to make a difference now?” I am trying to make a difference wherever I am but it seems silly some of what I do. How essential is some of my activities? Could I be utilizing my time more? Am I putting myself first or others?
Often I realize after the fact how selfish I am. Someone needs some help with something and I don’t offer….because after all...I mean I do need to study my nature program. Or I really wanted to talk to a friend…and they need encouragement. SO I am ok right?
Wrong, I am to put other’s needs above my own. I pray that I would fully learn to give of myself. Sometimes I tend to think that perhaps I am giving too much; however when I sit down and realize what has been given for me. I could never give as much as Christ gave for me.
His love is so vast books could never describe it. I learned that DNA contains so much information that just from what we know…a stack of books reaching to the moon and back 500 times could not contain the information. I know that since the Creator created all that….what could be written about His love…..is even more.
Sorry if this is slightly scatterbrained….
Through Him,
Caolae Siler

Foundation Camp's A'startin"

Today I am super excited! It is the start of foundation camp and I am so thankful for the many campers signed up. I m praying for them that it would be a true two weeks of growth. I have fond memories of my own time spent in foundation camp. I honestly do not believe I have ever grown so much in two consecutive weeks.
Right now…I am also praying trying to wait on the Lord. I love working with campers and challenging them to seek Him. I spoke to my boss Missy Wetterling yesterday about the possibility of counseling 9&10th grade camp. I was told that if they are still short a counselor then maybe I can counsel that week.
So! Right now my prayer is that I would be willing to do whatever the Lord would want me to do. If it is counseling I pray that I would be a blessing to those campers and challenge them that they might grow closer to Christ, but if not and I am to work in the office. Then my prayer is simply to work willingly within the office and to be content to serve wherever.
It can be hard to be willing to work wherever and I do not want my attitude to be one of discontent simply because I am not working directly with campers. A lesson I learned last year is that God is going to use you wherever you are. It may be through staff instead of campers. It may not be in the form you thought you would.
I think of last year and remember when people were encouraged just through seeing a smile on my face. Sometimes one’s ministry is not what one originally expected.
I am honest with myself I have always wanted to counsel 9&10th grade camp. I love building relationships with girls that age. We shall see what happens and I will keep posting.
If you read this please join me in praying.

Through Him,
Caolae Siler

Stand Out

Again last night I was working on studying for my nature program and listening to random music. I heard a song that encapsulates my passion. I have been hearing about a Christian singer called Britt Nicole, but not heard much of her music. Last night I heard “The Lost Get Found”.
Hello my friend
I remember when you were
So alive with your wide eyesT
hen the light that you had in your heart was stolen
Now you say that it ain't worth stayin'
You wanna run but you're hesitatin'
I'm talkin' to me

Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out'
Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don't you rise up now?
Don't be afraid to stand out
That's how the lost get found
The lost get found
So when you get the chance
Are you gonna take it?

There's a really big world at your fingertips
And you know you have the chance to change it
There's a girl on the streets, she's cryin'
There's a man whose faith is dyin'
Love is calling you

Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out'
Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don't you rise up now?
Don't be afraid to stand out
That's how the lost get found
The lost get found

Why do we go with the flow
Or take an easier road?
Why are we playin' it safe?
Love came to show us the way
Love is a chance we should take
I'm movin' out of the way

Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out'
Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out'
Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don't you rise up now?
Don't be afraid to stand out
That's how the lost get found
The lost get found

So when you get the chance
Are you gonna take it?
There's a really big world at your fingertips
And you know you have the chance to change it


During Bible Study last night John Lyman was sharing about how the word Christian in the original language meant “little Christ”. It was a name given to those who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and sought to be like Him.
The question was then raised; if my neighbors had seen Christ in action and then seen me…would they have thought to call me a “Christ” Sadly I am not sure that they would have.
Then that night I found the afore mentioned song, which speaks of living the faith you have in a way that others can see it. That is my encouragement to you, live in such a way that others will look at you and see Christ.
We live in a world of dying people who desperately need the Lord. Can you honestly say that you have sought to tell others about the Lord? Or that you have sought to encourage others to a closer walk with the Lord? You may feel inadequate to tell others about Him, however even if you only know that the Lord Jesus died for your sins; you know more than many.
I guess today my thoughts center around the hope I have, and my desire to share it with others :) Sometimes admittedly I feel like I am wasting my time at college. I want to tell others and help…and I want to do it NOW! I am impatient and I know it. Three years till I will be trained to go….I am so excited.

Though Him,
Caolae Siler

Life

So, I have always wanted to write a blog. Today out of randomness and boredom...I got one :)
I am working at Living Waters Bible Camp this summer as the summer secretary and anything else that needs to be done.
So far I am helping with nature programs, store manager, tower and zip and other needs as they arise.
I heard this amazing song by Sarah Reeves that reflects my life right now.
The chorus goes:
Hear the song of my heart
let it be a sweet sweet sound
I raise this anthem high
let it be a sweet sweet sound

I really truly want my life to be lived for the Father's glory and not mine.
Please be praying for my attitude and that I would have a heart of service to help weherever needed :)
Thanks