Dropping the Mask

    

     To most people who read my blog, the only name you know me by is “Storyteller.” I’ve been keeping my identity a secret, evading questions and carefully hiding any traces that would lead to my real self. But every masquerade has an end.

     The time has come. You have been so kind to indulge me this long. Now I am going to step out of the shadows and finally answer some of your questions.

Are you a boy or a girl? This used to be one of the most debated issues, so if you haven’t already figured it out, I am pink.

    





How old are you? I am 20 now. Or I would be, if I were human. 
   



Where do you live? Somewhere south.

    


What is your real name? Cadi Murphy. (Whew, that was harder to write than I expected!)

Why did you have an alias? It started out as a safety precaution. I didn’t want my information open to just anyone on the internet. But as I learned what was ok to say or not to say, I kept the name “Storyteller SilverLoom” for fun.


     I hope you are wondering, “Why reveal your identity now?” Why, I’m so glad you asked! But I can’t tell you just yet. Keep your sticky notes close by and check back here soon for some seriously epic, exciting, entrancing, enchanting, extremely extraordinary news!

Post Tenebras Lux!
-ST

Announcement and Allude-ment

     It is the middle of October. Which means November is right around the corner. Which means, to many crazy people, that Nanowrimo is closing in quickly. And this year, I am one of those crazy people.
     Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month, for those of you who don't know) is an annual writing frenzy. Writers from all over crack their knuckles and set to their keyboards about a crazy endeavor; writing a novel in 30 days. The actual set goal is 50,000 words.
     This is my first year of officially joining the crazy side. I'm so excited. And a little intimidated. I have an incomplete outline... and 50,000 words in 1 month is a lot! But I am determined to get my novel written.
     So, who is also joining the ranks of the crazy people? What are some crazy stories you have from past Nanowrimos? What are some of your apprehensions?

     After you comment, write a sticky note to remind you to check back here soon. My next post will, I think, interest you. Let's just say that I am going to answer a certain much debated and much asked question.

Post Tenebras Lux!
-ST

Refreshments, Anyone?

    

     Here is a public confession: I’m stupid. Now, don’t try and tell me different, all you compassionate people. It’s just true. But it’s ok, ‘cuz no matter how smart I am, there will always be someone smarter than me. I don’t have to be clever. I just have to follow the right Person.

     When I came home after going to the Word of Life Bible Institute for a year, I thought I was pretty clever. I thought that because I had spent a whole year studying the Bible, Satan would have a hard time tripping me up. I thought I would never go back to the person I had been. I was prideful. Yup, you know where this is going.

     Fall. Splat. After just a little while, I stopped reading the Bible consistently. I lost interest. I lived for myself instead of having a servant mindset. I fell back into old sins. I was basically useless.

     Around Christmas time, my dad asked me, “Have you thought about going back to WOL to help with summer camp?” Yeah, I had. But I procrastinated in trying to contact anyone to see if they could use me. Honestly, I didn’t really want to go back. It was too uncomfortable.

     Praise the Lord, He is faithful to pull me off my lazy rump! He hates my comfort zone way more than I do. He proved that once again, when I got a call from the STC coordinator earlier this year.

     STC stands for Summer Training Corps. It is a group of young people who do all the behind-the-scenes work during summer camp. Most of them are volunteering teenagers. They do everything from washing dishes to manning the rock wall.

     So, ring, ring, STC coordinator calls me and asks, “What are you doing this summer?”

     “I have a feeling you are about to tell me,” I think. I was right. He asked me to come back to WOL for the summer as an STC Supervisor, which means I would be over a few teenagers in a work area.

     Comfort zone collapse. Blam. I was a camp counselor last summer, but we got new campers every week. STC is nine weeks of working and living together. I felt unprepared to be in leadership for that amount of time.

     Turns out, I needn’t have worried. The four girls under my supervision were amazing. I had so much fun with them. Our work area was great too; we were in the camp bookstore! (Shout out, Michelle Black!)

     God used this summer to remind me that I have to trust and obey, because there seriously is no other way. I realized that I needed discipline and accountability. I needed to stay rooted in His Word and pray continually. Not because I should, but because I love Him and desire to know Him more. It’s nothing I did not know before, but like I said, I’m stupid, and I forget. I am so thankful that He continues to remind me. He is faithful. 

     Friend, we are all stupid. But it’s ok. It doesn’t surprise God. He doesn’t want us to get smart, He wants us to get into Him. Let me encourage you to get refreshed. Put aside distractions for a while. Spend some time – yes, a long time – reading the Bible. Pray. Ask God to continually turn your heart toward Him. It is one thing in your life that you will never regret. And don’t stop there. Joshua 1:8 says that if we meditate on the Word all day every day, we will be successful. I don’t know about you, but I want to be successful in God’s eyes.

Post Tenebras Lux!
-ST
     Philippians 3:8-14

(Lemonade picture: wikipedia.org. Word of Life Summer Camp Instagram picture taken by the WOL Tech Guys)

It's Out Of My Hands

     Once again, I will be going AWOL from the internet. This time will be much shorter than the last. I cannot give details now, but suffice it to say that the events surrounding my departure are definitely God's handiwork. When I return, I will tell you where I have been and what God has been up to in my life. For now, all I can tell you is that this song by Matthew West perfectly describes how I feel. (Except for the part where he says, "There You go healing these scars." Then all I can think about is that line in Kung Fu Panda 2....) Anyway, here are the lyrics:

Post Tenebras Lux!

-ST

Life in the Past Lane

   

    I live so much of my life in the past and future. So few minutes of my day are spent thinking about the present. Most often, my thoughts are, “I’ve gotta get this done before….” Or, “I wish I hadn’t done that….” 

    It’s not that planning for the future or learning from the past are bad (in fact, the Bible says we should do those things), but when I am dwelling on my plans or regrets – that’s not good.

     Here’s what the Bible says:

Ephesians 5:15-16
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. (ST: Stay focused. We are in a war.)

James 4:14-15
Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that." (ST: Trust eliminates fear of the future. The ability to see my life in the light of eternity gives me the perspective I need to put things in proper order. People are more important than “getting things done.”)

Matthew 6:33-34
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (ST: Yup.)

Philippians 4:6-8
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (ST: “Anxious for nothing,” including past regrets and future worries. I need to dwell on true things, things that are here and now that I can do for God’s glory.)

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (ST: So why worry over what is beyond my control? “He is on His throne and firmly seated,” as my father says.)

      I hope this encourages you to seize, not just the day, but every moment.

Post Tenebras Lux!
-ST