Craig M. Casey

We are currently in a series on the New Testament Book of James. One of the things James talks about is having JOY! That which can only be found by putting Jesus first, Others second and Yourself third. Hold that thought…

In watching the Olympics I have been struck by the different emotions expressed by the various participants. The American men gymnastics team elated at Bronze. The American women gymnastic team settling for Silver. The ever smiling Michael Phelps (except when his goggles are full of water) and the sheer pain of finishing fourth…again (Katie Hoff - USA). Then there is the relief expressed by China’s Du Li as she “redeemed” herself and won the gold.

What the point? The point is that when Benoit Caranobe of France won the Bronze medal by .175 points - (in the men’s gymnastics all around competition) he could not contain his emotions. The commentator then said, “That is a picture of true joy!” And as I sat there nodding my head…it hit me. NO IT IS NOT! That is a picture of true happiness. Had he scored .2 points lower…no happiness…only disappointment. Happiness depends on our circumstances…JOY depends on Christ - and He never fails!

I guess it was another reminder to me how alive the Word of God is and regardless of how things are going…I still can have JOY in Him. So I ask you, are you happy? Or do you have JOY?

Royals StatueMike SchmidtCal Ripkin JrHank AaronGeorge BrettCale & Craig - front row seats for All-Star ParadeCale and I decided that a day trip to NYC to watch the MLB All-Star parade would be fun…and it was. We saw the Hall of Fame cast as well as the 2008 All-Stars. We met a really nice Yankees fan (yes they do exist) by the name of Rich and had a front road seat to view the parade. We saw legends including Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Yogi Berra, Wade Boggs, Lou Brock, GEORGE BRETT, Rod Carew, Rollie Fingers, Goose Gosage, Harmon Killebrew, Tommy Lasorda, Juan Marichal, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Phil Nekro, Cal Ripkin Jr, Frank Robinson, Mike Schmidt - just to name a few. It was a fun day. Cale and I then saw some sights before heading home in time to watch the game. I made it through the end…Cale did not! Click on the links at the beginning of the post to view a picture or two. Enjoy!!!!!

Just wanted to write a quick note to state the obvious…I am not good at keeping up with my blog. No promises that I will do better, but I will try.

“I hate waiting” - Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin) from “The Princess Bride”
“The German said to wait here.” - bartender (Fred Asparagas) from “The Three Amigo’s”
“I wait for the Lord, My soul waits, I wait for the Lord” - Jeremy Camp from “Carried Me - The Worship Project”
“Now wait a minute” - The Ronelles “Shout”
“I would have more patience if God would hurry up!” - “unknown” - adopted by Craig M. Casey

Why is it that waiting is so hard? You try to be patient. You try to do what you know is right. You cry out to the Lord to reveal His plan to you - and still - you wait. Some things are so clear…others are not. And yet in the midst of frustration (and waiting) I know that God is bigger than any and all situations. He has a plan! I must Trust in Him and in His plan. David says in Psalm 38:15 “I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord my God.” And so will I. I will pray…I will fast…I will seek His face…I will wait.

Romans 8:18 - 27
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
22We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.

The good news is the NE received some much needed rain. The bad news is that it was a Nor’easter. The good news is the storm is not really severe. The bad news is I really do not know what Nor’easter means. The good news is the ponds are full. The bad news is the roads are full. The good news is the plants have been watered. The bad news is the plants are gone. The good news is traffic on the roads is light. The bad news is traffic is no longer on the road (in the ditch or median seems to be the preferred place to “drive”.) The good news is that I am not in New Jersey – I finally made it back to my family in Oklahoma. That, for me, means there is no “bad news.”

Today I traveled to Baltimore and after joining up with Jim Reagor - ended up at Camden Yard where we watched the Royals get thumped by the Orioles 8-1. Even though the Royals lost - it was still a lot of fun. We had great seats - just 5 rows off the field just past third base so the view was great (I think I was the only Royals fan in our section). The ballpark is beautiful and it was neat to be in downtown Baltimore. I hope to be able to go to all the ballparks in our “area” over the next several years. It was good to relax and enjoy the game. Maybe the Royals can win tomorrow night!

I was driving into the office a few days ago and I had an overwhelming feeling that this area really does not feel like home. Then the very next thought was, that is a good thing. It was like God was saying to me – don’t get to comfortable here on earth. I have a lot for you to do – but this place will never feel like home – your home is with Me. It was cool and scary all at the same time. Life is going by so fast, and yet at times (like when I am away from Michele and the kids) it seems to go so slow! Between now and the time they put me in a cardboard box – there are a lot of things to do. I pray that I will continue to please God with what I say and what I do.

I know that life may not be easy - but then again we were told it would not be! John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart (be encouraged)! I have overcome the world.” Praise God that we do not have to do this “life” on our own!

All I can really say about my first Sunday at PCC is “wow”! My family was able to be here with me thanks to some wonderful people at CRCC, the worship was great, the skit was hilarious, the excitement level was high, I made it through the message, and we had three baptisms! I really do not know what could have gone better! If you are having trouble sleeping - feel free to check out the link to the message http://www.princetonchurch.com/audio/PCCaudio.htm The quality is not great - there was a problem - but it is still there.

The last few days have been a world wind of excitement and activity. Michele and I took advantage of the kids being with us so we “saw some of the sights!” We spent Sunday afternoon in NYC - we walked around Times Square - ESPN Zone, Hard Rock Cafe, Toys R Us (where the kids rode the indoor Ferris wheel), took two rides on the Subway, visited Serendipity, the Hershey store, and the Papaya hotdog stand. Josh commented that “everything is a billboard”! We also saw but did not visit the Chrysler building, Statue of Liberty (in the distance) and The Empire State Building.

On Monday we visited the shore (that is what the local people call the beach/ocean) at Point Pleasant. It was fun. The kids played in the ocean…for about 10 seconds. The water was cold - but there were lots of shells so each kid brought home three (I only collected 2!). Michele was quick to get back in the car! It was cold! We also went to the mall - which looks amazingly like the mall in Tulsa!

Today I had to put the family back on a plane to Tulsa. That was very difficult. It is hard to be apart. I know people do it all the time - but that does not mean I have to like it! I ask you to join me in praying that the house will sell in God’s timing and that we will be accepting of His timing. Thanks for reading. God Bless!

After my first full day in the office I am tired yet refreshed all at the same time. I was able to visit with some new people today as well as share lunch with Chris - a guy I am sure I will spend time with here in NJ. I also set up three meetings today for next week with various people with whom I need to connect. Tomorrow will be a good day. I plan to finish my sermon before I visit with a couple during dinner about their desire to be baptized. The plan is that they will be baptized this Sunday - my first Sunday at PCC. What a great way to start!

I am really looking forward to Saturday. Michele and the kids (J,C,C,&C) will be here. We are going to be able to spend a few days together. We have planned a trip to NYC as well as the shore. The weather is suppose to be in the 50’s so Michele will freeze but I will be very comfortable. NJ is good - God is better! Trust in Him and all is truly good.

Just thought I would let everyone know that I made it safely to New Jersey. After leaving the 70 degree weather in OK - it is currently 11 degrees with 3 inches of snow on the ground! The good news - I love snow. The bad news - it is really cold! It is suppose to be in the 50’s all next week. That will be almost perfect!

I am also writing this post from my new laptop. Tim Morgan - you are amazing! This is the machine you “built” for me and it is nice. Vista is “so far so good”. I have not had much of an opportunity to mess it up yet as I have had it for less than 3 hours! Tomorrow will be the test as I do some “real work”.