CAST THE FIRST STONE

Jesus once wrote in the sand while in the midst of accusers who demanded death for a sinner. Because that was the "law". Cast the first stone, He says, if you have never sinned (John 8:7-12).   No one could. They all had to walk away. They could not condemn the sinner.

Many today are upset that #CaseyAnthony won't die for what we believe she's done.  But we must remember that God still forgives and delivers.  Who are we to say what God has for Casey Anthony?  Perhaps her life was spared so that she could come to know Him.  Does she deserve a second chance? Does she deserve to live? Does she deserve deliverance? Does she deserve God's love?

Do you?  Do I? Do we?

Sure, you and I can boldly say that our sins (and yes, we have all sinned) are not as heinous as hers. But we can say that about anybody. Sin is sin, although the outcome may be different.  In the eyes of God, it is still sin.  The liar's "white lies" are no different than the proven lies that Casey rattled off.  And even those big lies that some of us tell, they're also no different. We just don't get caught!

I know. We don't kill our children, as she's been accused. And yes, it is a shame that precious Caylee had to die. But, I honestly don't know why she had to die. I can't say why God allowed it. But I can also ask, why did my own baby die. I didn't kill her, but I lost my baby nonetheless. I still don't know the answer why. I may never know. We may never know. But one thing I do know about my own child (as well as my own brother who died in infancy), their life and death had a purpose. One I may not understand. Caylee's life and death had a purpose. Her life was not wasted. I....we....simply may never understand. Some things are not for us to understand.  We just have to trust God for His infinite wisdom, and His will.

Does Casey deserve forgiveness? Absolutely! We all do. Jesus died for all of us. Casey is not excluded. The choice is hers (just as it is/was ours) to accept salvation.  We maybe upset (I know that I was); we may not understand (I know that I don't); we may have questions (I know that I do). But that doesn't give us the right to stone her to death. Let's keep her in our prayers.

"7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 

11 She said, “No one, Lord.” 

And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” 

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”  John 8:7-12 (NKJV)

Carla Y. Nix

BACK TO LIFE!

I'm laughing at myself. How arrogant of me.  I have to admit that I have more or less checked out over the last few months. Personally, it's been a rough time. Mostly because of some physical issues that have impacted me mentally and emotionally. Thus, causing me to step back and away from much of which I enjoy.

Ok, I checked out. Just couldn't deal with things. But, I functioned on the surface, but within, I was not there. I've been disengaged, uninterested, and feeling unable.

Yes, I checked out. Left the building. Went missing. A functioning dysfunctional.

I'm slowly returning. I feel some life returning to me. It's time for me to get back to life.

But here is my arrogance. My audacity. I stepped away and I just assumed that when I returned, everything and everyone would be just like they were when I checked out. It's as though I went to the store for a loaf of bread, and returned in a matter of minutes. What made me think that I got to sign out, and the world would stop and wait for me? I'm sorry, it doesn't work like that.

So what do I do now that somethings and some people are not quite the same? I guess I just wait for them to return and bounce back to life. I truly believe we're all entitled to off days, down times, and moments of needing to get away.

We just have to know that time waits for no one and it continues......with, or without us.

Back to life!

Carla

BETTER THAN THIS!

I don't know what's up with me. There's a small, still voice inside of me that keep whispering, "I'm better than this!"

I have not been myself, or the best me, over some time now. I don't have the same vigor & drive that I know is in me. Somewhere, laying dormant! It's there, I just can't feel it. The gusto isn't there. Energy - zero! I haven't been able to fully focus and concentrate. I don't know why I'm so distracted yet in many ways, I have a mundane spirit and attitude.

I'm better than this.....and I know it!  Why can't I pull myself up out of this slump and snap out of it?!

Snap out of what?  That's just it....I don't know!  All I know is, I'm better than this!

I'm happy to know that how I feel doesn't define who I am. If that were the case, I'd be a total failure! I know I am not, for I am better than this!

Help me Lord!

Carla

VEIL

They say that I was born with a veil over my face. Have you ever heard that term? I was born 49 + years ago, and much of my life, I've heard that I was born with a veil. It's a two-fold statement.

1. I believe that it was a portion of the amniotic sac (or, the after birth), that had to be removed from my face. Thus, the "veil".

2. It is believed that such babies possess some type of special gifts.

Now, I don't know how "true" the second statement is, but it was always those times when I "saw" something, "felt" something, "heard" something, or "knew" something extraordinarily that I was told about the veil.

I don't believe that there is some mystic quality about me.  I do believe, however, that at times, I do experience certain "odd" occurrences. I call them odd simply because I cannot explain them, but I know that they are very real. In fact, I don't mention them much nor tell many people because it can't be explained and I know that folks would think I'm crazy. It is when I'm sharing with someone whom I know would embrace what I'm saying and at least listen. This is my blog, and I feel like writing about it, so I am.

I remember the times I've heard the "bells". Those that they call death bells; and certainly each time, someone died. I was told that this was because of the veil.  Oh how I wish I didn't have this eccentricity. I cannot begin to tell you how eerie this is!

And when I've "seen" things. When I've "heard" things. Even when I've had dreams. I can't begin to explain them all.

Most recent, I've had this feeling -- a confident feeling -- that something was about to shake up in my family. A change was coming. A transitional period, as we're being driven into a new direction. Yet, I could not, nor cannot say exactly what that is. But I just knew. I've tried to shake the feeling. The thought. The perceived knowledge. Put it out of my head. I don't know if the forecast is for the better, or worse. But I do know that a change is coming. In fact, part of that storm has already hit. A change in dynamics has occurred in my immediate family and as it hit, I was reminded of the feeling that had been in my spirit. It's happening now.

I'm hoping that the little shake up we've had is for the best and that it was necessary to steer us in the right direction.

As far as the veil, none of my children were born with such an occurrence, but each one of them do possess portions of the gifts that endow me. They don't realize that I understand them more than they know.

Carla Y. Nix

THE TEARFUL EYES OF BERNICE

Original Poem by Carla Y. Nix

THE TEARFUL EYES OF BERNICE

 By Carla Y. Nix

The tearful eyes of Bernice

Made me cry and also grieve

As one little girl watched another little girl

Mourn before the whole wide world.

That picture remains in my mind today

I can’t believe that 40 years have passed away.

I still feel the powerful grip of grief;

Still feeling sad for Bernice.

That poor little girl had to say goodbye

While on her mother’s lap she lie

A woman of pure grace and strength

Coretta, without Martin, her precious King.

I think often of the great impact he made

I am so thankful for the trail he paved.

And I know that it was only God that gifted King so

In order for this world, and our people, to grow.

I can’t imagine what our lives would have been

If it had not been for Dr. Martin Luther King.

Yet I wonder if my own people will ever appreciate;

I wonder why we are filled with so much hate.

Now grown, this little girl will never forget

The picture, she first saw in Jet

Of MLK’s little girl – his progeny

Those tearful eyes of Bernice.

© January 2008