To Serve

I was listening to K-LOVE radio online late last week, and the station gave a challenge to pick one word that would summarize one’s goals for 2011.  Even though I decided not to send in my one-word to the station, I would like to share it with you and why I chose this word to mirror my commitment toward everything I do in 2011.

The word is: SERVE.

Why serve?  Well, I couldn’t choose a more perfect way to bring my goals for the year into perspective.  In late March, I will be completing my thesis as a final commitment for my Masters degree in Ministry Leadership.  After two years studying God’s Word and being trained in Christian Leadership, it is time for me to step out into the world and formally serve.  How will I serve while using my degree?  I don’t yet know, but I pray I will find a place in a local church where I can serve through my gifts in music.  Maybe this will involve being an associate or youth pastor or handling administrative tasks in addition to leading music, but I am open to serving Him wherever I am placed.

I can also serve Him in my personal music ministry in writing and performing concerts.  God has blessed me with a voice and has inspired me to write songs that tell of His provision in my life.  May I be a passionate witness of Christ’s love this year as I perform, lead worship, and write the songs that God places on my heart.

I desire to serve Him in my writing this year as well.  Ten years ago, God placed a story idea on my heart— a tale of three teenagers and their individual struggles to come to terms with life struggles and a pull toward faith in Christ.  I was only in high school when thoughts of this book started percolating in my mind, but somehow, I knew I would get this story into the hands of my readers.  As I said in my previous blog entry, I am excited to announce that after ten years, this will finally be a reality!  The Promise, a coming-to-faith story, will be released late this Spring, and I couldn’t be more excited.  This book will be my most personal yet, and if you think you have my writing style all figured out with my first two works, I think you will be surprised.  I truly believe God had a hand in the writing of each page of this book and I was simply the messenger to communicate what He wanted me to say.  This year, I pray, He will use The Promise as a means to serve Him.

Finally, I pray I can serve Him in the everyday and the there here and now.  There is so much hurt and suffering in this world, and I want to be better at reaching out to others, whether those people are in my family or are strangers to me.  I seek to be a brighter light and communicate God’s love to those who may have not already heard the Gospel and to nurture those who already serve Him.  It isn’t often that I view myself as a role model, but I pray that others might see in me something that demonstrates God’s truth to them. 

In 2011, I will SERVE!

New Beginnings

Almost three years ago, I began a blog called “Cassie Contemplates…” to add to my posts on a Christian social networking site.  Yet, just a few months later, I deleted my profile but still continued to past on Facebook and my website, www.cassandralokker.com.  I continued with Cassie Contemplates…, but I never felt that I was fulfilling the purpose of my blog without frequent updates.

It’s no excuse, but my time spent in grad school has kept me from staying dedicated to my online writing.  That is all about to change now with the start of 2011 and the excitement of new projects on the horizon.  I am dedicating myself to blog once a week now and post on Monday mornings, and if you are reading this, I encourage you to hold me accountable.  I welcome your comments on my posts, and if you are on Facebook, please follow me on NetworkedBlogs as I start anew on this writing venture.

So what is Cassie Contemplates…, you may ask?  Well, three years ago, I created the blog with the purpose of uniting my music and writing careers.  I committed to sharing stories about my dual ventures and contemplating the deeper issues in life.  Typically, I would begin each post with a one-word title following “Cassie Contemplates…”  For example, one of my earliest posts was “Cassie Contemplates… Juggling,” and I proceeded to write about what it was like to juggle two vocations and keep everything in perspective.

Today, I contemplate new beginnings.  We are almost one month into 2011, and already I am seeing great promise on the horizon for this coming year.  My music and songwriting is constantly going through changes and there are many exciting prospects in store.  In addition, I am proud to announce that my next novel, The Promise, is set to be released some time late this Spring.  Stay tuned to Cassie Contemplates… for further updates when I know more details about the new book and how you can be a part of its release.

What will you gain from reading Cassie Contemplates…?  Well, I hope you will gain an appreciation for the art of story.  I don’t share my blog with others just to recount my experiences and keep a running log.  I write to contemplate the deeper issues and to communicate the lessons that I have learned as I have gone about my walk with Christ.  I pray that you will find a blessing each week, tucked in between the lines of every post.  Cassie Contemplates… is for you, the reader, and to bring honor and glory to my Savior.

In Him,

Cassie

Trying Something New

Hello friends!

Cassie Contemplates… is making an attempt to be added to Facebook pages.  Please check back often for updates!  I plan to post on Monday mornings from this point forward.