the Rock that is higher than i

"From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I." - Psalm 61:2

Mountains and valley surround us - spiritually, emotionally, physically and literally. THey are a constant presence within our loves. Many times we fight the changes in altitude. We struggle against the terrain. We try and find a shortcut around them, only to have to turn back and begin again.

As humans, we want an easy life. A wide, smooth & flat road would seem to suit us well. It's easy. It's predictable. There is no doubt, no questions, not need to lift a finger, no need to consult a map or pay much attention. But are we happy with that? Would that truly satisfy you?

Of course not! There is no life, no excitement, no challenge, no sense of accomplishment. we live for thrills and memories. We live for life and vibrance. We can't find that on the easy road.

This summer, I took a drive. At the suggestion of a close friend, I headed to the top of a nearby mountain in North Carolina. Not knowing what I would find, I headed in the general direction. Reaching the base of the mountain, I began the climb (by car, of course...). A the bas, it was dark. The sky was hidden because of a canopy of trees. The road was steep and filled with twists and turns. No real sense of direction was to be found, except up. I only knew that I was climbing higher and higher. I had to trust that the road would lead me to the top.

Once I reached the parking lot, I got out and again followed another path. This time it was much less traveled and somewhat hidden. But then, all of the sudden, I stepped out onto a huge rock and looked out. My breath was stolen away by God's great creation reaching into the endless horizon. What a view! What a God!!

And then I looked below my feet - a rock. A huge, solid and unmovable rock held me safely so that I could stand and take in God's majesty. It wasn't going anywhere, yet I was everywhere.

Isn't that just like our walk with Christ? When we are at the bottom of the mountain, we can't see anything. It's dark and daunting. All we know to do is to start walking up toward Him. The path to the mountain top is always crazy. It's full of trials and setback. Doors are shut, then opened and then shut again. Switchbacks are everywhere. But then the trees begin to thin. The sun - or should I say Son - begins to shine through everything. The path levels off. We step out of the trials and tribulations and look out. In front of us lies God's majesty. The big picture that we have been searching for unfolds in front of our eyes. We see how beautiful the valley is because of the great growth that occurred. We praise God for creating and molding that growth in us through the long climb to the top.

And then we look below our feet. We see the great and mighty Rock that has been holding us strong the entire time. We see our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. We see how He has been our firm foundation that allows us to stand on the mountaintop and declare God's goodness and faithfulness.

He is always the Rock that is higher than I.

"I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my Rock, my Fortress and my Deliverer; my God is my Rock, in whom I take my refuge." - Psalm 18:1-2

my love to you in Christ Jesus,

ashleigh

so long, farewell... but can i have your prayers?

my dear friends & family in Christ Jesus,

I would like to petition you for prayer for me for the next nine weeks. Beginning May 30th, I will be a counselor at an international Christian sports camp called the Vineyard. The camp hosts over 300 people including staff & campers. What makes it unique is that over half of the staff & campers come from many nations all over the world. The souls that set foot on the property located in the North Carolina mountains come from many backgrounds, races, cultures and spiritual environments, many of these being incredibly dark and lost without the Savior.

My prayer is to see our God Almighty move in an incredible way through me and through others as we spend time serving our Lord and others. I want, as Paul says in Ephesians 6:19-20, for whenever I open my mouth, words to be given to me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

I ask that you would pray for our director, Dean Barley, our staff and our campers. Please Pray for safety throughout all of the fun, crazy and highly physical sports & activities that happen each day . Pray for the softening & turning of hearts so that God's Spirit can transforms lives. Pray that the Holy Spirit would be able to flow freely and that His Word would pierce each heart and speak to all who hear. Pray against Satan's attacks and evil plans and the spiritual warfare that clouds our vision and focus on Christ. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Eph. 6:12. Lastly, pray that at least one soul may come to know our Savior in an intimate, saving & transforming relationship.

I know our God can do the impossible - He's already told us that. Now, I live to see the impossible happen. God will do magnificent and miraculous things at this camp. Pray that I will be humbled, filled with compassion, overflowing with love, led by the Holy Spirit and act in the confidence which is Christ Jesus.

"Though I am free & belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible things I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."

- 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Thank you so very much for your prayers - they are coveted so much!
In all my prayers for all of you, I will always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel. Can't wait to see all of you and tell you of the mighty things our God has done! I love you all so very much!

my love to you in Christ Jesus,
Ashleigh Lin Grant

The Vineyard Camp: About Us

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

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