Word of God Speak..

If you've noticed I wrote a blog on the 16th and then the 21st. Well since the 16th I have had an issue with my back as well as a sick toddler. This has been trying enough, but then some other things came up. God has spoken to me however, and I am back to journal. As I quieted myself this morning he spoke volumes to me. So, to keep this blog simple today, I just encourage you to find time even if for a minute or two to reach some of the bible or even one scripture verse. It is amazing what God says through his word.

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)

Blessings to you,
Ashley

Trails..

I have been trying to think of something thoughtful to write about. I want things to be good for the soul when they come to this blog. I am doing a study right now titled Finding God's Path Through Your Trails, funny how that is my life at this point. One of things it says is to count it pure joy when you face trails (my phraphrase of James 1:2) and wouldn't you know it, that is what I am encountering. We found out we're moving and besides that there are just several other things going on. I must admit I have lost my cool once or twice about things, but today I am re-focusing on TRUST. Earlier this morning I found my old promise bible that was give to me at graduation. It has various scriptures for different times. I looked under encouragement and while there we many, this verse stuck out to me. A reminder that no matter what is going on I simply need to BE NICE!



"Pleasant words [even mine] are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." Proverbs 16:24



I pray that no matter what season of life you are in, that your words will be sweet and more importantly Godly.



God Bless,

Ashley

Confession of Human-ness..

My friend gave me a link to Christian Family Radio Online and since we're in Germany I happily accepted the link. This was the scripture placed on the side of the web page. It hit me like a ton of bricks!

"Now this is His command: that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another as He commanded us." 1 John 3:23

As I read those words I was convicted greatly. Let me explain why. Yesterday, Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 - showed me why I still need Jesus every day. I woke up and felt fine, I bent down to pick up some laundry off the floor and when I stood back up I was in extreme pain. My back was on fire. I delt with it, I had bible study at the Chapel to get to, snacks and drinks to set up. As Hospitality I could not wonder what had happened to my back. I did not have time to be in pain. To make an extremely long story short the back pain got worse and as I "the food person," had to deal with some "rude" women. I became sad, ready to cry even. My friends of course asked what was wrong and I was happy to tell them. (Free gossip anyone?) I was upset, and rightly so, but do you ever find when you are soo right about something you can sin? I sure did. Not because I was angry, but rather because I got a "bad" attitude, one that said I am in pain, you were rude to me, now take this. (the gossip.)I am glad to say that God is great, he corrected me in my heart this morning. And then upon reading this scripture I knew I was continuing to harbor anger toward this woman. I prayed and asked for forgiveness and now write this. Ask yourself this question.

Do I have conditions on how and when I will love someone?

I did yesterday, and my day was pretty dark and cloudy - today even though I am still in back pain, with God's love and perspective I can say I am feeling better, in my heart - the place that counts the most.

God Bless you today!
Ashley

Bible Lessons From the Bathroom (Safe I promise!)

Philippians 1:9-11 (ESV)

"And it is my prayer thatyour love may abound more and more,with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ,to the glory and praise of God."


The Apostle Paul wrote those words. As I look at the word discernment I think of what I learned in the bathroom this morning. Earlier I had walked in a saw my husband shaving his head. He is a soldier in the Army and his hair has to be in regulation or he could get in trouble. Well hair cuts are expensive and his hair grows back in two or three days, so thus he shaves his head. Well this morning I did not think anything of it. Our son was next to him washing his hands and I hopped into the shower and back out to do my things before it was just Logan and I.



Later, however, as I was cleaning the front room I went to shut the bathroom door, so I would know Logan was not messing around in there. I saw clothes on the floor as well as a towel, thought to myself, "typical," and went about my other chores. When I finally entered the bathroom I was steaming mad. Not only were there clothes and a towel on the floor but the electric razor had been left out, hair was in the sink, and my dear husband had left two disposable razors, well, obviously not disposed of. Now I am not complaining and normally being a reactionary person, I might have said a few choice words, but as God has been teaching me discernment in my home I realized that this is being keeper of the home. Sure, my husband could have been thoughtful and taken care of those things I mentioned. But I was technically coming to clean the bathroom and in about ten minutes I had the job done- not too much to be upset about and in that moment I learned a lesson in the bathroom.



To continue being a joyful keeper of my home..

Home is where my Heart is!

For your reading: Proverbs 31:10-31

(Referenced by: English Standard Version)

Verse 10 - An excellent wife who can find? (Are you the excellent wife? What do you do for God, your Husband, Child(ren)?)

Verse 27 - She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. (She is working steadily, not lazing around.)

Verse 28 - Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.

(Shows besides the Lord, whom our prioirties should be.)

Verse 30 - Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. (We should not be so into ourselves and should fear the Lord.)

Verse 31 - Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

(We will get what we've worked for.)

God has been working on my heart the past few weeks. I must admit it is easy for me to justify what I do because there are only three people in my home, as if having a small family gives you one set of rules and if you have a large family there are another set of rules. The reality is, God's word, the bible, is for everyone. God does not pick and chose or say if you are this do this and if you are that, do that. No, we are all called to the same standard (WOMEN, included.) I do not think God is testing me with only giving me one child, but if I did think of my current life as a test I would wonder if part of the test was stewardship. "Why would God bless me with more (more things or children for example) if I cannot even do with less (less being one child and an apartment to call home.) I will not go into self-loathing, but Praise the Lord I do not have to! The Lord is more than willing to teach those whoe are willing to hear him. Back to the point.

People always comment on how early I rise. I do not see a problem with it. The Lord did not either, he created me to be a morning person, but he did convict me of what I had been doing with that time. You see I am up by 5 most mornings, sleeping into to our family is 6, 7 if it is a weekend and that is a big maybe. You would think with these hours, I would need coffee, but I do not. I am wide awake at this time. I often joke by noon both my son and I need a nap, and truthfully we often both get our naps. But when I rose I would not do what I now know I should have and somtimes even when I did know, I would not do them. I would race to the computer, be on most of the morning until Logan woke, maybe make lunches, maybe not, clean, maybe get it done, maybe not and then typically I would be frusterated by my family and messes.

Now, with conviction, I get up - start my chores early in the morning, make the bed, get lunches ready, and play with Logan, while having dinners premade so all I do it pull out and warm. I remind myself daily to clean and do all things joyfully and you know what my step is lighter and my house happier. I know for a fact my husband was amazed when several days in a row the bed was made, things were put away, and dinner was ready before or as he got in the door. And you know what? That makes me happy.

I do not order here. I do not say this is THE WAY to do things in your life. Maybe you sleep until 7,8, or 9, maybe you function better that way. All I am saying is read God's word and ask him what HE would have you do. See, do not doing anything for your family, me, or others, in all things - do them for Christ and his GLORY and life will lighten up for you, that I can promise.

It happened on September 11, 2001 - Eight years ago, can you believe it? We all know where we were on that fateful morning when planes hit the twin towers in New York, hit the Pentagon in D.C., and fell into a Pennsylvania field because Americans overtook the hijackers on flight 93. Eight years have past, but let us not for get this day and let us remember the fallen.

With great respect,
Ashley

Let Us Remember the Goal..

Let us remember to "Keep our eyes on the TRUE prize!"

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing."

2 Timothy 4:7-8