words, words & more words

words, words & words. that's what my profession & major is about. communication is key in the world of PR (public relations for those of you who don't know). but, let's be honest - communication is key everywhere. all the time. end of story.

words record our life, express our emotion, entertain us, hurt us and tell the Truth. just think of how many words you come across each and every day. thousands upon thousand of words cross your line of sight or enter your ear to send some sort of message. but, what does that message really mean in the long run?

do you really want to buy another 89 cent taco at taco bell? do you care about the discounted auto at Cars USA? are you going to absorb every detail about health care reform? did you catch every phrase from the most recent episode of Lost? no, in reality, you probably didn't. it's just a fact. but, does it really matter?

jimmy needham is one of my favorite artist. if you haven't listened to him, then you should get on it. go to the iTunes store and buy some of his music - you won't regret it. but, in his one song, "come around", jimmy has this great line -- "passionate words & beautiful phrases: they don't mean much if i don't have Jesus in it."

and there lies the real Truth. you can say or read or hear all the words in the world, but when you look back at them, it amounts to nothing. it doesn't matter how eloquent you can communicate. it doesn't matter if you can stand on your head and deliver a speech. those passionate words & beautiful phrases don't mean anything if you don't have Jesus in them.

so, it's my new motto. as a PR student and soon-to-be professional, i write words and communicate all the time. but when it all boils down, none of matters if He isn't in the center of it.

"the words I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are Life." - john 6:63b

my love to you in Christ Jesus,

ashleigh

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

once upon a time

let me share with you something that i learned recently. here it comes:

everyone has a story.

that's right, everyone has their own story. and everyday, each person writes another line, another page and another chapter of their story.

now, why in the world is this important, especially as christians? here's my application. but, give me just a minute to put it into perspective.

on april 24th, i got into a serious car accident. by the grace and mercy of God, i walked out with bruised knees and a sore back. the other gentleman came out with a cut on his arm and a bit sore too. to be quite frank, the officers were surprised that one of us wasn't dead, or at least seriously injured. so, as the next few days progressed, i almost expected everyone i ran into to understand that i had been in a traumatic event. but, of course, they didn't know.

this got me to thinking. how many people are walking around me everyday going through unspeakable things. from divorces and family losses to job issues and money problems. the list is endless, especially for non-believers. but yet we get consumed with our lives - with our walks - and we forget.

we forget that people are out there struggling just as much if not more than us. we forget that the reason that a person cuts us off in traffic is because they just got a call that a loved one has been rushed to the hospital. we forget that the harsh words of a stranger are fueled by years weathering rough abuse and alcoholism. and most importantly, we forget to act in the love and grace of Christ Jesus that is more than abundant for each person we come in contact with each day.

so i encourage you - remember that people can be going through the unthinkable. so be the one person in their day that show love and is true and genuine. this world has enough fake and self-absorbed people. look through your Father's eyes and see His children in their entirety.

and remember too, their story is perfect according to the Author of everyone's story. and He knows the end. and He knows the role He wants you to play in their story, and what role they will play in yours. don't miss the chance to change someone's story for the better... it could be the difference between them seeing happily ever after or missing it completely.

"My command is this: love each other as I have loved you. greater love has no one than this, that he lay his life down for his friends." - john 15:13-14

"i have become all things to all people so that by all possible means i might save some." - 1 corinthians 9:22

my love to you in Christ Jesus,

ashleigh

weather the walk

"God's voice thunders in marvelous ways;

He does great things beyond our understanding.

He says to the snow, 'fall on the earth,'

and to the rain shower, 'be a mighty downpour.'

so that all men He has made may know His work,

He stops every man from his labor."

- job 37:5-7

for the last week or so in tallahassee, we have had some extreme weather. from monsooning rain to glorious blue skies to unexpected cold snaps - we've pretty much had it. not too sure why, but it has come nevertheless.

isn't that how our walk with God is? we go through it all. whether the changes in the wind are constant and daily or drawn out over years, we must weather the changes.

there are days that it pours rain spiritually. i am wet, tired and depressed during those times. yet, at the end of the rainy spell - a glorious sun comes out to warm the earth. the same thing happens in my walk with God. at the end of my rainy spells - a glorious SON comes out and warms my life and fosters growth with the supplication that came from the rain.

some days we're hot and on fire (just like 95 degree weather here in florida). but other days, it's like an overnight freeze. still, our Father is still in control. at the end of the day, at the end of the season - His Son comes out.

job tells us in chapter 37 that God controls and commands the weather we see effect this earth. if our God controls the physical weather so that it allows growth and abundance, how much more will He control the weather in our lives?

our Father is the ultimate weatherman. He has the doppler radar - God edition. nothing sneaks up on Him, nothing surprises Him, nothing is out of His control.

throughout the rain, snow, clouds, cold and heat, our Father is constantly watching and growing us. if it weren't for the rain, we would never full appreciate the glorious warmth and life of the Son.

"praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;

wisdom and power are His.

He changes the times and seasons;

He sets up kings and deposes them.

He gives wisdom to the wise

and knowledge to the discerning.

he reveals deep and hidden things;

He knows what lies in darkness,

and light dwells with Him."

- daniel 2:20-22

so weather the walk and know that the Son is never far away.

my love to you in Christ Jesus,

ashleigh