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

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