Maleficent

Disney's 2014 re-telling of he classc fairytale known as "Sleeping Beauty", titled Maleficent was released in May 2014. Not long after the film's release, a group of friends and I went to see it in theaters. Even then, I was struck by how well-done the film was.

I was skeptical at first, I must admit. I wasn't sure if re-telling a classic fairy tale was such a good idea, to be honest. Plus, I'm not Angelina Jolie's biggest fan, as I feel she gets more time on magazines in line at Wal-Mart than she does quality screen time. (Sorry, not sorry.) 

However, we went to see the movie and I found it to be absolutely wonderful. Upon farther reflection, I came to atribute its success to the fact that it wasn't just a remake of Sleeping Beauty. They took a story that everyone knows, and twisted it around by telling it from a different point of view. 

Warning: Reading farher will result in spoilers. 

Another thing I loved about Maleficent was the way the story ends. When Aurora (played by Elle Fanning, Dakota Fanning's little sister) is in her deep sleep, the fairies find a prince to kiss her. However, his "true love's kiss" isn't effective in awakening Auror. The prospects seem bleak, but then Maleficent came over to speak to Aurora. Maleficent had come to love Aurora, and regreted cursing the baby. She apologizes to the sleeping princess, and kisses her forehead.
Then she wakes up.
Disney seems to be catching up. Between Frozen's sisterly love theme and Maleficent's motherly love theme, I'm starting to think maybe Disney is realizing that romantic love isn't exactly everything, and that every princesss doesn't need a man to save her.
It makes me like Disney even more.
Always, Cassie

The Bible Boldness Experiment, Day 5

If I had to pick a favorite youth group event, it would probably be the one I attended tonight. Parents' Night Out is always a total delight, even though I don't know the kids very well and most of them aren't super comfortable with me. I adore little ones, and I love spending time with them.
When I went to Parents' Night Out tonight,I expected the kids to be curious about the verse on my face, but I also expected them not to ask, because they don't know me well. (If you didn't know this, I attend St.Stephen Lutheran as my home church, but we don't exactly have a youth group, so I go to youth at First Presbyterian.)
After dinner, the kids were eating ice cream sandwiches and a couple of them were asking about Austin, my brother, having not known him either. So Rose accomadated them, saying, "That's Miss Cassie's brother. Do you know who Cassie is?" When they all shook their heads, she pointed me out with the words, "That's Cassie, with the writing on her face." It was a perfectly placed outlet for the kids to ask about the writing.
"What does it say?" Aubrey inquired.
"It's a Bible verse," I replied. "Phillipians 4:13, 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." They all nodded, openly accepting of this concept in a way that was typical of a child, but also stunningly Christian.
Quinn (I don't pick favorite children, but if I did...) wanted to know why I had to write on my face. I explained to him that I didn't have to, that I wanted to.
Again, he stunned me with his acceptance of a concept that so many adults do not understand.
I think, a lot of the time, we get so caught up in our busy lives that we forget to be like Quinn and Aubrey. We forget the simple acceptance and wonder that children so freely express. I think that's why I inevitably come away from Parents' Night Out with a serenity in my heart. God is so evident in these little children!
If I could wish anything for myself, it would be to have the open acceptance and wonder that they do.
Always, Cassie

The Bible Boldness Experiment, Day 4

Today's segment of The Bible Boldness Experiment featured Hebrews 13:6, "So that we may boldly say, the Lord is my helper, and I shall not fear man."
Most people have become accustomed to my having writing on my face by now, so the level of reactions I've been getting has tapered off a bit. However, I catch people looking, taking a second glance, even asking me to turn so that they can read the entire verse. It's not a pleasant reaction every single time, but most people aren't rude about it. If they don't like it, they most often simply nod and carry on. If they do like it, they will generally smile or say an encouraging word.
This verse makes me think about what men do. Not exactly men, as in males, but humans in general. The sort of pain we as humans cause to other humans is atrocious, isn't it? I recall, in fifth grade, we watched a video one of the first days of school, about bullying. In the video, there was a little boy who was relentlessly bullied, and there were very few people who even wanted to stick up for him, let alone actually did something. No one ever stood up for him, no one ever tried to keep him from being bullied. They all just stood by and watched. In the end of the video, the bullies were trying to force the boy to eat a chocolate bar that had dirt all over it. They were chasing him, and he was trying to avoid them. He tripped and fell, and his fall took him tumbling into a busy street, where he was presumably hit by a car. The video ended with a shot of his tennis shoe lying in the road.
This video sticks out in my mind even though I would've been ten when I watched it. I remember thinking that it was strange that he was bullied. I wondered why they were mean to him. There was no obvious reason; he wasn't handicapped, he wasn't of a minority race, he wasn't dressed in ragged clothing. He seemed to me like an ordinary little boy.
What never occurred to me at the time was the thought of where God was in this little boy's life. When I chose this verse for today, that thought did occur to me. What did the little boy in the video know about Jesus?
It's easy for us to say, the Lord is my helper and I will not fear man.
But in the heat of a moment when someone is picking at our most well-hidden scabs, the wounds that we don't want anyone to see, it's a lot harder to brush off what man is saying. We as Christians have been taught our own self-worth. We have that blessing in our lives, where many do not. But that doesn't mean that there aren't times when we, too, feel alone and abandoned.
In sixth grade, I had to ride a bus where I was referred to as a "rich little white b**** who couldn't get her shoes dirty" because my parents insisted that the bus pick me up at my house instead of allowing me to walk to the top of my streets to catch the bus at 7:30 in the morning.
Bullying is senseless. It's often words that, looking back, aren't even true. But they hurt. They sting and they burn and they create scars that sometimes take years to heal.
As Christians, we should be the ones who do take a stand against a bully, even if we aren't the ones being bullied. Sometimes, that is one of the hardest things to do. Bullies come in all shapes and sizes, and sometimes that bully is a friend, someone who has always been nice to you but who is now being quite the opposite to someone else.
We have a responsibility to be the hands and feet of Jesus. That's why we are here, right? So when you see someone being bullied, shouldn't you be the one to step up and say something? Be the change, and do not fear man.
Always, Cassie

The Bible Boldness Experiment, Day 3

Today is Day Three of The Bible Boldness Experiment! I cannot believe how quickly the week is passing!
Today's verse is (a portion of) James 1:3, which says, "For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow."
Bible verses are, let's face it, a dime a dozen! With 66 books, they aren't exactly in short supply! Due to that, I don't know them all. That's a good thing, though! It means that I have plenty of amazing verses to discover.
As most of you know, I had a house fire in October. One of the things I lost in that fire was my SPARK study Bible, which had been the first "real" Bible i owned, aside from the KJV Version I received at my baptism. It was the first Bible I marked up with pencils and highlighters and notes, and I have to admit, I was a little bit devastated to lose it.
My Confirmation was the weekend after the fire, and I had hoped my church would give Bibles as gifts to the confirmands. (They gave us Luther's Small Catechism and the Lutheran Book of Prayer instead, which I LOVE). However, outside in the narthex after the service, Katie Bast approached me and, after hugging and congratulating me, handed me a Bible. A beautiful pink and brown New Living Translation with my name engraved on it.
It was from The Jesus Bubble, and they had all gone through and underlined their favorite verses in it. I, having desperately missed my marked-up Bible, was eternally grateful to receive one already marked up! (And, of course, ready for me to mark it up even more!)
When I was choosing verses for this week, I was thumbing through my Bible and stumbled across this jewel, which Aidan had underlined before the Bible became mine.
I love this verse, because it exemplifies a lot of the good things about being a daughter/son of the King. My faith always seems to come out of the tragic bits a bit stronger. Endurance, like patience, is a virtue.
Always, Cassie

The Bible Boldness Experiment, Day 2

Today, as the vast majority of you are aware, was a snow day for the Caldwell County Schools. So going into the day, I thought I wouldn't really have anyone to minister to as far as my Bible Boldness Experiment. 

The verse I hap chosen for today was Proverbs 31:25, "She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future." One of my favorite verses from one of my favorite books!

I found myself a little dissapointed that this particular verse wouldn't make an appearance to many people today. 

And then, my dad asked me if I would like to ride with him into town. Looking down at my typical teenage snow-day attire (AKA sweats and the same shirt I slept in last night) and considered how my hair looked (AKA like I hadn't touched it, because I hadn't), I made a face. 

"Would I have to get out of the car?" I asked. He shrugged. 

"That's up to you." 

I thought about it. My first reaction was to simply put on shoes and ride with him, not intending to stay in the car. But then, as my parents began to discuss what we could pick up for dinner, I listened from my room and realized that all the options they were putting out there were places with a buffet, places with no drive-thru. Places where I would need or want to get out of the car. As I considered this, I glanced at my vanity table and saw the piece of notebook paper on which I had written my carefully chosen verses for the week, along with my eyeliner. 

Of course, this hadn't even occured to me in my snow-day haste to stay out of people's sight. Going out with my dad to get a movie and dinner provided a wealth of people to minister to. 

My mom agreed to write on my face and I changed clothes so that I could go with my dad. 

Sitting at the bar at Ruby Tuesday's, waiting for take-out to be ready, a lady came and sat down adjacent to us. After a few minutes, I noticed her squinting at me, having put on her glasses. When she caught me looking, she smiled. 

"I was trying to read your face," she explained. I smiled at her and jumped down from my seat to go over to her, where she could read the writing. I moved my bangs and said the verse aloud. She smiled and looked at me appreciatively. 

"That's great," she said. I told her that I'm writing a different verse on my face each day, and that I got some mixed reviews at school yesterday. She asked where I go to school, and I told her that I go to the Middle College. The shocker was that she actually knew what that was, as she had substitute taught there. 

We talked for a while, and when I went to leave, she smiled and told me good luck. 

I went home grateful for the opportunity to have ministered to someone I didn't even know! 

Today, in The Bible Boldness Experiment, I learned that opportunities come in unexpected ways! 

Always, Cassie

The Bible Boldness Experiment, Day One

At Winterjam on Saturday, we were encouraged to be bold in our faith. We were encouraged to express that we are not ashamed of who and whose we are. It made me wonder how many people that I come in contact with every day know that I'm a Christian. And so I prayed, asking God to show me how I could be bold and show others exactly what I stand for. And He planted a seed of a thought that was so wonderfully radical that I knew my brain had help coming up with it.
To strip my face of makeup and instead write a Bible verse on my skin.
So, starting today, that is exactly what I'm doing. Every day this week, I am writing a different Bible verse on my face. Today's verse is the first part of Romans 1:16, which says, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ."
When I told my parents about this plan of mine, my dad had some trepidation. He expressed concern that I would be labeled badly, or that people may not react well. My response was, "It's not about getting a positive reaction. It's about getting a reaction period. It's about being outspoken for something that defines who I am, and prompting people to ask questions."
Coming to school this morning was, I must admit, very exciting! I came in the building and walked down the hall, and Mr.Thigpen was standing there. I walked right up to him, took off my hat, and stood there. He had been talking to Raina, who attends the Bible study that I lead on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They both seemed momentarily surprised, and then Raina realized what I'd done and began to express what a good idea she thought it was, and said that she should also do what I had done.
Later in the day, I met another teacher in the hall, who asked whom had written on my face. I smiled and told him that I had done it, and pulled my bangs back so that he could see the reference written on my forehead.
"Romans 1:16," I said. "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ."
"Oh," he said. "Okay." He paused, looking at me. "Well," he continued, "I liked it better without the words." I simply smiled brightly and went on to my next class.
I had one friend, Sammy, want to take a selfie with me, which I was all too happy to do. Every look I've gotten today, I gladly responded to by explaining that I am being bold in my faith.
I am proud to be a daughter of the King, because that makes me a Princess!
More to come on The Bible Boldness Experiment!
Always, Cassie

Winterjam 2015

Imagine that stadium in the photo (minus the part where it's set up for a basketball game) completely full. Literally every single seat filled. 

Now imagine that every single one of those seats is not only filled, but filled with a person on fire for God. 

Sounds pretty incredible, right? It was. 

Last night, my youth group and I went to Greensboro Coliseum to see Winterjam 2015. It was my first-ever Winterjam and I honestly wasn't quite sure what to expect. I had never been to this particular venue, so I had no idea how massive this concert was going to be. I also had never heard of any of the ten bands that were playing. We saw Veridia, For King and Country, Blanca, Skillet, Jeremy Camp,  Francesca Battistelli, Building 429, About A Mile, Family Force 5, and New Song. (My personal favorite was For King and Country because they're Australian and firmly believe that all girls are princesses so, of course they're my favorite!) 

Skillet was a bit too loud for me, but aside from that, it was a really amazing concert! 

We heard Tony Nolan speak, and we also heard from an incredible little boy named CJ, who has ridden his bicycle across the counry to raise money for children to "get their hearts fixed". (This kid was the cutest thing ever, and incredibly good at public speaking.) 

Aside from the lovely music and wonderful message, I also got to spend time with some of my favorite people. I got to hang out with Aidan, Rachel, Rose, Patricia, Emma, David, Chelsie, Adrienne, Roark, Alicyn, Avery, and Sarah. All of these people make me so happy and remind me continuously how blessed I am to have them in my life. 

It doesn't always take a mountaintop experience to bring about a fire for God and a content heart. Winterjam was an incredible thing to be a part of, and I found myself thinking a lot about the messages I was hearing. I especially loved the message in Francesca Battistelli's "He Knows My Name". The song goes, "True to who You are, You saw my heart and made somthing out of nothing, so, I don't need my name in lights. I'm famous in my Father's eyes. Make no mistake, He knows my name. I'm not living for applause. I'm already so adored. It's all His stage. He knows my name." I felt like this was a really important to take to heart. (Of course, her stunning vocals probably helped enforce her point!) 

In all seriousness, though, it's an amazing feeling. To know that He knows my name, and yours, and the names of every single person. He has all of our names written on the palm of His hand, and that's an incredible thing. I love that thought. I love that knowledge. It makes living for God a true joy. Every day, that knowledge is like a fuel of sorts to those who know it. It's the sort of knowledge you can't contain, and you want to share it with everyone around you! You want everyone to feel the worth that comes from knowing that we are adored, and loved, and treasured, by God no less! That's a good thing! It's the sort of thing that makes me stop sometimes and just reflect on who I am. Everything I do, every step, every fall, every recovery, it's all in God's hands. It's a sort of breathtaking reflection. It's good news!

I love things like Winterjam. Because it was a truly incredible feeling to look around and see 20,000 seats filled with people who have the same goal that I have. We're all living for the same thing and denominations didn't matter. It was a wonderful experience, and if I said I'm not listening to "He Knows My Name" right now, I would be lying :) 

Always, Cassie

Selena

Today's topic is the movie 1997 movie starring Jennifer Lopez as Selena Quintanilla-Perez, "Selena". If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend that you do, because it absolutely blew me away. Not only is Jennifer Lopez completely brilliant, the true story of '90's pop star Selena is impeccably told in an accurate and commendable manner. Which brings me neatly to the point of the true story. Indeed, Selena was a real singer, and quite a success at that. She started out at a young age after her father's own misfortune in the same profession. While Selena was of Mexican descent, she knew not a word of Spanish prior to her father's spontaneous decision to have her learn to sing in the language. Selena gained success in the world of Spanish music, and was doing a successful crossover tour in 1995 when (SPOILER ALERT!) she was murdered. Now, I love the movie and the story for several reasons.
1) Selena was real. Not only in the sense that she was a real person, but that the movie did not portray her as anything but who she was. She was vibrant, energetic, and happy. She did not starve herself or try to be someone she wasn't. She ate medium pizzas "all by herself", stole chips from her sister's secret stash, and giggled at ridiculous things. She lived, she laughed, she fell in love. She was real.
2) Selena was more than "just a singer". Aside from being a singer, Selena had goals and plans. She designed clothing, loved animals, wanted to live on a farm and have a family. She loved her family and her music, not one or the other.
3) It was crazy accurate. Whomever made this movie did an incredible job in the accuracy department. The cast's resemblance to their real-life counterparts was so apparent it was a bit scary. Not only that, but the costumes that Selena wore for her various concerts in the movie was so accurate in their resemblance to the ones the real Selena wore in her real concerts. (Side note: they were all very '90's!)
4) Jennifer Lopez killed it as Selena. I personally, as a rule, have mixed feelings on Jennifer Lopez. She was amazing in "The Wedding Planner", but she should stick to acting and leave the provocative music videos behind. However, her performance as Selena was indisputably wonderful. Having idolized Selena, Jennifer Lopez's performance was inspired and emotionally invested. She seemed to truly connect to her role and the real emotion flowed over, resulting in a shining performance.
5) Last, but not least, on my list of favorite things about "Selena", the ever-present love story. The story goes, Selena falls in love with her bad-boy guitarist Chris. They end up getting married secretly and the fact that the story is true makes it all the better. (Of course, in the end, the camera shows Chris sobbing, curled up against the wall in the hospital after learning of Selena's death. Cue the tears.)
"Selena" was by far one of the best movies I have ever seen. If you haven't seen it, you should go and find it. And proceed to watch it at least three times. (Although you just read an entire blog post of spoilers.) It's still a quality, wonderful film that everyone should see. Be sure to stock up on tissues!
Follow the link to see the real Selena perform her Number One song, "Como la Flor" at a 1993 concert. :)
Always, Cassie
Selena Performs "Como la Flor"-1993