so much more

bebo norman says it best in my opinion:

"i want a crumb, but You are a feast

i want a song, but You are a symphony

i want a star, but You are a galaxy

and i have resolved that i'm much better in what You have for me."

it's from his song "the only hope."

isn't it true though? we walk around each day knowing what we want out of life. we think we have it figured out. from a good husband and kids, a stellar career, good friends, an impact in others lives - the list can go on. here the thing, these are all ideas that we can wrap our measly, small minds around.

our great and insurmountable God is sitting on His throne waiting to give us the world - if we just accept it. can we lay down our tiny dreams to take on His impossible and miraculous one?

paul tells us in ephesians chapter 1 that the power that resides within us is the same that raised Christ from the dead. yeah - the same power that smashed death is pulsing within your fragile body. whoa. so why shouldn't anything be possible? why can't we just let go?

to be honest, i'm sitting at the feet of Jesus asking that same question right now. what's more important - my dreams or His plans? when will i allow Him to transform my dreams into His plans?

all i know is this:

"'for My thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways My ways,'

declares the LORD.

'as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are My ways higher than your ways

and My thoughts than your thoughts.'"

- isaiah 55:8-9

our God knows what's going on - it's up to us to let go and listen. stop asking for the crumbs and take in the feast. give up the song for the marvelous symphony. don't look for the star, be overwhelmed by the galaxy. what He has for us is so much better.

my love to you in Christ Jesus,

ashleigh

dang.

wow. our God is so good. He is faithful and true. He is the Amen. He is who He is - the I AM. He is creator and savior, author and perfecter, just and forgiving.

God is love.

God is God, and I am not.

my love to you in Christ Jesus,

ashleigh

the road less traveled

so i have figured out something. or maybe i have just finally listened.

i don't like having my way of doing things shaken up. i know that sounds stupid, but it's a problem i have.

i have my set schedule and a certain way of doing things. i like that. but in my heart, i want crazy, amazing things to happen in my relationship with Christ. but, at the same time, my stupid flesh wants its structure. i totally feel like paul in romans 7. (read it, you'll get what i'm saying)

i was driving home today from orange park to tallahassee. nice, typical 2 and 1/2 hour drive. so 30 minutes out of tallahassee, wham - dead stopped in traffic. for 1 and 1/2 hours. not fun at all. so i ended up going down highway 90 to get into town after sitting there so long. let's be honest, i didn't want to hit highway 90, but when i started heading down it, not only was it more clear, but it was gorgeous. between all of the blooming flowers and the old southern homes, it was a beautiful drive.

i know that God does this same thing to us. we're headed down our own typical, usual way. all of the sudden we hit a road block. after waiting on Him, He then leads us down a glorious path that delights our socks off - all because He loves us and wants the best for us. we just have to be willing to take that road - the road less traveled. and, we have to be patient and faithful to Him. (two things i'm not too good at.)

it's then that we find the true will, way and blessing of our Lord. so when you hit those road blocks, know this - He's gonna show you the right exit off of your highway of structures and schedules and on to the road less traveled - His road.

"enter through the narrow gate. for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and may enter through it. but small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." - matthew 7:13-14

don't miss it. be one of the few that find it.

my love to you in Christ Jesus,

ashleigh

you've got that lovin' feeling...

it all comes down to love. that's it.

who the heck do we think we are as Christians if we don't love one another? as Christ's last command to us, we are to love one another. that's how they are going to know we love Jesus. not by the music we listen to, not by the close we wear, not by the church we go to - but by the way we love each other.

it's unnatural to love like Jesus. it's against the core of human nature. that's how people will know we are for real. that's how we have the same attitude as Christ (philippians 2:5).

let do it folks. think about your actions for a second. put a little love into them - wait - put a lot of love into them. it's time to change things up.

"a new command I give you: love one another. as I have loved you, so you must love one another. by this all men will know that you are My disciples." - john 13:34-35

my love to you in Christ Jesus,

ashleigh

still i will follow

"though none go with me

still i will follow

no turning back,

no turning back."

old hymn, right? true words though.

it's a fact folks. you are going to go through hard times. no matter what things may seem, tomorrow always brings new surprises - both good and bad.

but, here is the one thing i consistently learn. regardless of what goes on around me, my God remains constant, steadfast and unwavering. no matter the circumstance, my God reigns. forever - yes, forever - His kingdom reigns. He continues to rule over the earth. His sun continues to shine on us. His Son continues to intercede for us. still i will follow.

through thick and thin, hard and easy, fun and grueling - whatever life brings, or to be frank, whatever satan attempts to throw at us - He IS in control. when i am tired, His joy is my strength. and most importantly, no one - no scheme of man or satan - can ever take away my salvation or snatch me out of my Father's hand. my soul, the essence of my being, is safe and sound, comforted and guided by the Holy Spirit and cleansed by the blood of Jesus. no turning back.

praise be to God.

"now therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands." - deuteronomy 7:9

He's faithful folks. His Word is true. never forget, never stop loving Him, never turn back. keep following even though none may go with you. don't turn back. God is with you.

still i will follow.

my love to you in Christ Jesus,

Ashleigh

time to step it up

hmm... blogging. so i have been thinking.

i know i am supposed to write. and of course, write for Jesus. but, here is the problem. i am not sure just how to do that.

so, while i was riding around my hometown today on spring break with the windows down and radio blaring, i decided that i should do this daily.

not really sure how, or even what is going to be said. but i do know this. it will be about Jesus, because, if anything, He is evident every single day. praise be to God.

so here goes nothing. woot! we'll start tomorrow and see what happens!

"wind blows wherever it pleases. you hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. so is it with everyone born of the Spirit." - john 3:8

my love to you in Christ Jesus,

ashleigh