Tag Archives: BigDreams

Kickn It Java Style with Cassie 3-21-15

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This week went a lot smoother recording the program.  I have to say this is one of the highlights of my life.

This weeks episode is brought to you by Rodeo Grounds and Rafter JM.

Click The Photos below to check them out on Facebook.

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Click Here To Enter Rodeo Grounds

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Rafter JM

 

THIS WEEKS LINE UP

  1. “I Saw The Light”  Rusty Gilliam
  2. “They Saved The World”  Carol Hogner
  3. “Blues Gospel”  Chad Williams
  4. “No Wound Too Deep”  Mary James
  5. “Saddle Up”  Jan Harbuck
  6. “In Your Arms”  Johnny Jones
  7. “I’ve Got My Eyes On The Sky”  Randy Pensinger
  8. “Rain On Me”  Kimberly Dawn

 

FEATURED ARTIST OF THE WEEK

KIMBERLY DAWN

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CLICK HERE TO ENTER KIMBERLY DAWN MINISTRIES

 

KICKN IT JAVA STYLE WITH CASSIE

 

 

Dream Catcher 3:20

Cassie G

KIJS with Cassie-Interview with Chad Williams

541304_448906928512672_144913719_n I was blessed to get to watch Chad perform live at the 2014 ICM Awards Showcase.  That night Chad told us he had a head cold.  I thought wow if this is how he sings with a head cold I cant wait to hear him with out one because he is rocking it.

This week I decided to try out doing a phone interview.  I had a blast.  My friend was there with me and she said “wow you cant hide your emotions by your face for sure.” When I asked what she meant, she said ‘you looked like you love every minute of what you are doing”  I sure do.  So here it is KIJS with Cassie-Interview with Chad Williams

 

 

Interview with Chad Williams

Chad Williams grew up playing music with his family now still continues to sing and play to encourage others. In 2013 he had the opportunity to debut at the Inspirational Country Music Awards Week in Nashville , sharing the same stage with Jeff Bates ,Tommy Brandt, Randy-Paul, Aaron and Amanda Crabb, Cross Country the Band and many more. Music is and always will be a part of his life. His style is very different with a inspirational twist ,very soothing yet with a hint of country, blues , and whatever else you may pick up on. Nevertheless he always leaves you wanting to tap your feet right along.

 

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I love Blues Music and this song is now one of my favs. Click Below to listen to Blues Gospel.

BLUES GOSPEL

Check out Chad’s Video from the 2013 ICM Awards.

 

To learn more about Chad Willimas and his music and ministry click below.

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CLICK HERE TO ENTER CHAD WILLIAMS MUSIC

FOLLOW CHAD ON FACEBOOK AT CHAD WILLIAMS MUSIC

 

Thank You Chad for doing this interview for Kickn It Java Style with Cassie.

 

Dream Catcher 3:20

Cassie G

The Myers Family and Sky Ranch

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The Myers Family

 

 The Myers Family and Sky Ranch

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I have always loved watching Rope Myers compete in Rodeos.  I was talking with Carol and Hannah Hogner one day about my blog and they mentioned to me that Rope and his wife Candice work with Sky Ranch.  I went and looked up Sky Ranch and fell in love with what they do and what they are all about.

 

Sky Ranch is one of North America’s premiere Christian Camps, as well as a Recognized School Programs Provider, and Retreat/Conference Center. Sky Ranch exists to provide people with a  positive, recreational, fun, and memorable experience, while being exposed to the truths of the Word of God. About Sky Ranch

 

INTERVIEW WITH ROPE AND CANDICE MYERS

What led y’all to link up with Sky Ranch? In 2004, I was singing and speaking at a regional FCA banquet in Tyler, Texas.  At that time, we had lived in a Van for nine years, but neither Rope nor I knew much about Sky Ranch – – so much of our time had been spent on the road.  As part of our rodeo and ministry schedule, we were doing several rodeo camps across the country each year.  After the banquet, a woman introduced herself to me, gave me her card (she worked at Sky), and told me that she thought the Lord was telling her that I was supposed to be connected to Sky Ranch somehow.  A few visits, a tour, and one long meeting later, and we decided she was right.  Rope came on in 2004 as a consultant for their horse program, recognizing that at some point, what he really wanted to do was build a rodeo training program that would build champions in and out of the arena.  During the 2005 rodeo season, he decided he had been missing too much of our own kids “stuff”, and came home, to a semi-retirement from rodeo.  He began plans for building a program called “Champions Rodeo” and the facilities to support it.  I continued to travel some in ministry, but also came on staff to help with the marketing and communication of the new rodeo program.  My role at Sky Ranch has continued to increase over the years, and I currently serve on the Leadership Team as Director of Marketing.  I manage the marketing strategy and team for all Sky Ranch locations – in Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado.

 

Can you tell our readers what your program is that you offer at the ranch?  Sky Ranch is celebrating 60 years of “impacting lives forever”.  The program Rope is most closely connected to is the one he established – Champions Rodeo.

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This program consists of a variety of camps – Young Riders- for the beginner – – this is for kiddos just beginning their rodeo career – some are just learning how to ride, and some have a little experience.  They are 7-12 years old, and learn the basics of timed event rodeo – horsemanship, barrels, poles, goat tying, and roping.  We have three sessions each summer, which are a week long.  In addition to several hours in the arena, campers enjoy all of the fun activities at Sky Ranch – the Blob, swimming pools and water slides, ropes courses, ziplines, and more!  Sky Fillies is a new program this year, and was birthed out of the need to have a session for early teenaged girls who just love horses, but may not ever compete in rodeo.  We are offering it for one full week session in June. Champions Rodeo Clinic is for the more advanced competitor – generally kids who are already competing in rodeo.  We bring in world class rodeo athletes like David Key, Lynn McKenzie, Janet Stover, Blair Burk, Jacky Stephenson, Chad Masters, and others, to instruct kids in their chosen area of rodeo.  They also have opportunities to share their faith and testimonies with the campers.  Over the years, we have been blessed to have so many incredible rodeo role models come through this program and share what they have with these kids.  This clinic takes place in August, toward the end of the summer camp season.  Elite Rodeo Clinic is for our most advanced competitors – high school and college aged.  It is an invitational program that is held over the Christmas/New Year break, and includes event instruction as well as classroom time that covers subjects such as “Marketing Yourself”, “Finances for Rodeo and Beyond”, “Health and Fitness”, “Rodeo 101 – How to Enter, Practice, and Get Down the Road”, as a few examples.  We also invite several college rodeo coaches who use this time for recruiting future athletes.

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YOUNG RIDERS

 

 

How many children a year are you able to touch through this program? Current capacity for all of these programs is about 350 kids per year.  As we continue to fund raise, one of the items on our “wish list” is a “bunkhouse”.  We currently share cabin space with traditional Sky Ranch camp, which is topping out at capacity each session – this limits the numbers of sessions that we can do each summer.  Rope puts a limit on how many campers he will take each session, to ensure the integrity of the program, and individual attention to every camper.

What would you say has been the most heart touching experience for y’all while working with these children in your Champions program? Over the years, we have had the opportunity to get to know so many kids and their families.  They all have a story.  Of course there is no greater joy for us than to witness a camper (or their parent) come to know the Lord for the first time.  But lives are impacted in so many ways during these camp sessions.  Here are a couple of quotes for you to use:  . “My daughter said she came home feeling closer to the Lord. May God bless what each of you guys do there and continue to touch the lives of so many youth!” – Champions Rodeo camper mom   “I just wanted to take a moment and thank you and all of the staff which participated in the Elite Rodeo Clinic.   (My son) came back with such enthusiasm about everything the camp offered.   He immediately said for me to budget for the camp in 2015.   The entire experience sounds like exactly what he needed after having such a difficult year in 2014 with his injury.   If possible I hope you will let each of the staff members involved know how much our family appreciated them taking the time to instruct and encourage (my son) in rodeo and in life events.”  Mom of an Elite Rodeo Clinic student.

What’s the greatest need you see at Sky Ranch that we can let our readers know about for support?  We have an annual fundraising event called “Cowboys & Cowboys”.  The Gala raises money for the scholarship program and to support all of the ministries of Sky Ranch.  This is one way that we are able to send many rodeo kids to camp, who might not otherwise be able to afford to go.  Legends of the rodeo arena, along with former and current Dallas Cowboys, show up for the evening to help raise the funds necessary through a dinner and auction.  Beyond that, there are always ways that people could help support the rodeo programs specifically – first, with their faithful prayers.  Second, with in-kind donations.  We serve a very creative God, and have watched Him bring the coolest things across our path – – from big fans for the arena, to outdoor lighting, to dirt work for the driveway and parking area.  We do our best to not limit God by the things we think we need.  He knows what we need – usually before we do! – and He knows how He wants to provide.

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Champions Rodeo Clinic

The perfect blend of summer camp and rodeo training school is offered at Sky Ranch Champions Rodeo Clinic. This camp is recommended for young people who already have some rodeo experience.  Campers  entering grades 4 through 12 get the chance to learn from the nation’s top rodeo experts in Sky Ranch’s two competition-sized rodeo arenas.

ABOUT CHAMPIONS RODEO CLINIC

Interview with Kimberly Dawn

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I met Kimberly Dawn at the 2014 ICM Awards.  She is such a sweet woman of God.  I enjoyed her showcase and loved her true country sound.

Kimberly and I have a sweet mutual friend; Richard Frazier.  Richard Plays Kimberly’s music on The Richard Frazier Show.  He networked and connected us together.  I am so glad he did.

Kimberly called me the other night and we talked for over an hour.  She shared her heart with me and what God is done in her life.  She blessed me with this interview.

KIMBERLY DAWN

Kimberly Dawn Nutter, a native of Greenbrier County, WV, is a comparatively new edition to the Country/Gospel music industry. Since professionally beginning her career in 2013, her singing and songwriting abilities have made her one of the most influential voices of “this generation’ of Country/Gospel music. Kim always strives to reach out lyrically to the sick, afflicted, and broken-hearted, and her efforts have gotten noticed, often resulting in her music being described with words like: joyful, uplifting, inspiring, affirmative, exuberant,and universal in its appeal and intention. Her message is quite abundant with love, faith, rhythm, wisdom and soul.

Kim has striven to rise from the shy young vocalist she started as to where she is today. She whole-heartedly believes that her career is an answered prayer and an opportunity to use her combination of talent, extraordinary work-ethic, and girl-next-door likeability to continue both her artistic growth and growth with her ministry.

Bio taken from her website below

http://www.kimberlydawnministries.com/about/

Interview with Kimberly Dawn

 How long have you been singing Country and Inspirational Country Music?   I’ve been singing and writing all my life. However it wasn’t until after my children and myself experienced an enormous tragedy in 2011, I began to pursue my singing possibilities in the year 2013, I was encouraged by a professional friend to submit four of my songs to Internet Radio and in two days they charted in at #1, and remained in the top 20’s for over three weeks.

 

Are you an independent artist?  Yes.

 

What artist would you say has influenced your music the most?  I have several influences from different genres: Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Louie Armstrong, Jason Crabb, Allyson Krauss. The most influential in recent times would have to be Carrie Underwood.

 

What was your first song to hit the air waves?  “Holding On “

 

And which station started your adventure on air?   Wow, I started out on hundreds of different radio stations, thanks to HMG Christian Country Radio. 

Click on link below to listen to this great song by Kimberly Dawn

Holding On

 

What would you say was the defining moment in your music ministry that you knew that this was what you wanted to do?  It was on a memorial day weekend, “Kimberly Dawn had been scheduled to perform for the Veterans and POW’s . We had several sound problems , not to mention my lead guitarist was stuck in a wreck just a few miles away, no one was hurt of course.  He called in and said he could not make it to play, I was feeling very discouraged , but the show must go on.  I looked up and saw a special needs couple raising their hands toward the heavens with smiles on their faces and tears of joy for the Lord streaming down from their eyes as they danced in circles all around the area while we played. Of course I was crying too, but I saw the love of God at work. That’s one of the most memorable times on this journey. But there have been many blessings almost too many to count.

 

What motivates you to keep going when you’re tired?  I think about the calling God has placed on my life. I think of how Jesus died for us and He never gave up on us.  Lord willing I will press through and keep on keeping on!

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Do you have any new projects in the making?  Absolutely , in just a few weeks we will have a complete album of twelve songs “ Reaching Higher “, as well as a single called “ Can’t have Me”.

 

Click on link below to listen to Cant Have Me

Cant Have Me

 

What’s your current single on the air waves that we might hear? “Rain on me” just debuted about three weeks ago.

 

Click on Rain on Me to listen to her new single

Rain On Me

 

Do you write any of your own songs?  Yes, I write all of my songs and my husband helps me with music arrangements on a lot of them.

 

What is your personal favorite out of all the songs you have recorded or sing? “Reaching Higher “
is one of my favorites, it brought me through one of the hardest times in my life. All of my songs relate to an experience God has brought me through.

 

Can you share one of your funniest memories of Singing on stage or while recording?
There have been several; however everyone in the band got big kick out of me biting the mic, while we were on the air live at the Floyd Country Store in Floyd Virginia. I will share with you that my dress seam ripped straight up my leg at the Nashville Palace in Nashville Tennessee, while preforming and anyone that commented on my dress thought it was made that way.   I just kept on singing however,  I laughed half the night over that one.

 

Can you tell us about the clothing and accessories you have on your website?  Yes, the line of clothing and accessories are designed to represent the lyrics from various songs recorded. Proceeds go to a non-profit organization recently founded called Solomon’s Porch. For families, who have been and are afflicted by Drug Addiction, Loss and or Abuse. That’s another project I am working on.

 

Check out Kimberly’s Online Store Below

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What is your favorite scripture and what does it mean to you? 
Isaiah 59:1 Behold the Lord’s hand is not too short to save, and his ear is not too deaf to hear.
As long as we cry to God with sincerity , He can hear us and He will save us.
I share that scripture with people that feel they are unworthy of God’s love and mercy .

To learn more about Kimberly Dawn and her music please check out her website below.

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Click here to enter Kimberly Dawn Ministries

 

 

Thank You Kimberly Dawn!!!!!

 

Dream Catcher 3:20

Cassie G

Becoming the “Leading Lady”

Let me first start by saying, this will not be a short blog. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for a few .
I also want to say that we sometimes get in a box and limit what God can use to speak to our hearts and change our lives. I am going to share with you today; my life’s journey and how three movies have impacted me so! There are things and lifestyle choices I don’t condone in these movies. However there are lifestyle choices and things I don’t condone in my own life story.

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The first movie that I will mention is The Holiday. This is where I got the title for my blog today. This movie is about two ladies journeys in overcoming their fears, suppressed hurts, and disastrous relationships.

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Then we have Eat Love Pray. This movie is about another lady who finds herself waking up one day; married but lonely and no clue who she is. She goes through a divorce and sets out on a journey to find herself and God. A journey we have all been on

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The final movie is Under the Tuscan Sun. The leading lady of this story finds out she has been betrayed by the one person she trust the most; her husband. After going through a painful divorce she sets out on a journey she never knew she needed. She is given a trip to Italy so she can deal with her divorce and emotions. It is this trip that turns into her journey of finding who she truly is.

I will be quoting from these movies throughout this blog.
I have always had this person inside that wanted more in life. I admired strong women. I would fall in love with movies like these above. I would see the “me I was” in them and the “me I wanted to be”.
Growing up, all the way to recent years I would find my identity in; who I was friends with and who I was in love with.

Iris, in the movies we have leading ladies and we have the best friend. You I can tell are a leading lady, but for some reason you are behaving like the best friend. ~Author

In the old romantic movies, a leading lady is confident in who she is. She stands and shines. The best friend in the movies is always behind the scenes. She is taken for granted and used as a backup plan. Always trying to be what everyone else needs and wants them to be.

As I was listening to the quote above I saw myself as Iris as she responded to Author.

You’re right. You’re supposed to be the leading lady of your own life, for God’s sake~Iris

Now the way she uses for a “God’s Sake” and the way I mean it are different. She said it as a saying. I say FOR GODS SAKE -FOR GODS GLORY WE ARE TO KNOW WHO WE ARE! Be the leading lady of your own life.
I married at a very young age and had babies quickly after. I am so very grateful for my babies. I look back over my life in the area of boys, men, romance and love. I see where my way of thinking was wrong. These thoughts caused a lot of choices that led to hurt, fears, disappointments and regrets. Instead of asking God who Cassie was, what her dreams were and what her purpose was, I found it in others.

I jumped from one marriage into another. I found myself in the most dysfunctional relationship I could imagine. I continued to go back with this man because I believed the best was possible. I saw potential. I had fears of being alone. AND I was addicted to this dysfunction and drama. We divorced and remarried 3 times. Who does this? That’s what I would ask myself as I layered on years of guilt and shame.
“Who does this?” A person who is not being all they are called to be. A person; who doesn’t know who they are in Christ.

God dwells in me, as me~Elizabeth Gilbert/Eat Love Pray

 

Now wait before you throw stones at that quote!! God says in His word that we are ONE.

John 14:20 at that time when that day comes you will know for yourselves that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.
John 17:21 That they all may be one, just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me.
1 Corinthians 6:17 But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.
“I have a history of making decisions very quickly about men. I have always fallen in love fast and without measuring risks. I have a tendency not only to see the best in everyone, but to assume that everyone is emotionally capable of reaching his highest potential. I have fallen in love more times than I care to count with the highest potential of a man, rather than with the man himself, and I have hung on to the relationship for a long time (sometimes far too long) waiting for the man to ascend to his own greatness. Many times in romance I have been a victim of my own optimism.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

I’ve been in love with being in love. Hoping I would find that strong woman I was so searching for; through being a wife and a mom. When reality is the only way to be a good wife and mom is to be a strong woman in Him first and foremost.

A man cannot tell me who I am, they can only mirror who I am.
“People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that’s what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. ~Eat Pray Love
I have jumped from relationship to relationship or to dreaming about the next one in my life. I’ve thought if I find that “one” all will fall into place. I’ll become strong and have a backbone and be that woman I admired in others. I wouldn’t have had a backbone I would have had my husbands “backbone” I would have been as weak or strong as he was. Relying on; his faith and identity.

My children lived with me for the first few years after their father and I divorced. Then life become more and more complicated, as they each decided to go live with their dad. Children need both parents. So reality is this was not a bad thing. If I would have had my security in God and not as a mom this would not have rattled my world. This time in my life added to a sense of being a failure and a lot of shame.
I have been on a journey of truth and forgiveness for several years now. I believe I have arrived at finding truth in God and forgiving myself. It has been through many tears but worth it to know now I’m on the other side of that.

“Someday you’re gonna look back on this moment of your life as such a sweet time of grieving. You’ll see that you were in mourning and your heart was broken, but your life was changing…” ― Elizabeth Gilbert

Romans 8:1 with the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.

In this journey I allowed the fear of living and being alone to control my life. I would step out to try to be a “leading lady” only to fall back on securities of others. In 2011 I moved out of my apartment and into a friend’s home to “help” them with a ranch and to “find myself”. My plans fell apart when this was the choice I made that caused my daughter to move to her dads to be with him and her brother.

From this time in my life till present; I have not lived alone. I have wished, dreamed and even planned to make that step. However the fear I had was stronger than the faith I had. This is all okay though. You know why? He is a God who meets is where we are. I’ve experienced things, traveled to places, and met people I never would have without this part of my journey.

Hebrews 4:14 Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.

I have had people speak into my life and try to tell me that they see me stronger than I see myself. That has taken me a long time to see. Sometimes we get confused and lost on our journey. But God says He will make the crooked paths straight for us. If you are lost, don’t worry! He knows where you are.

“When you’re lost in those woods, it sometimes takes you a while to realize that you are lost. For the longest time, you can convince yourself that you’ve just wandered off the path, that you’ll find your way back to the trailhead any moment now. Then night falls again and again, and you still have no idea where you are, and it’s time to admit that you have bewildered yourself so far off the path that you don’t even know from which direction the sun rises anymore.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert

It’s in these times that the SON will rise and shine light on your path!

Changing how we think and speak about life and ourselves develops who we become in this life. It determines if we will behave like the “best friend” or the “LEADING LADY”

Groceries, you need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select what clothes you’re gonna wear every day. This is a power you can cultivate. If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the mind. That’s the only thing you should be trying to control. Drop everything else but that. Because if you can’t learn to master your thinking, you’re in deep trouble forever.Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love
Proverbs 18:21 Words kill, words give life;they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.

Philippians 4:8 Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

There comes a time when we have to stop wishing and talking and start doing.

You’re wishin’ too much, baby. You gotta stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone oughtta be.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

So where am I at today? Am I in the best friend mode or leading lady? Well let’s just say I’m well on my way to leading lady!

 

 

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My children and I have amazing relationships. I have recently encountered a friendship with a male who God used to heal a brokeness in me as a parent. He also allowed me to realize through this friendship that HE ALONE is all I need. Anyone else in my life is a bonus. And the big kicker is after 4 years I am now holding the keys to my very own little place to call home.

So like these ladies in these movies my joinery has brought me to truth, love and strength.

I hope that you too will take this journey! Become a leading lady! Besides they make the truest best friends!!

Dream Catcher 3:20
Cassie G