...yeah right! I'm a girl who's way over fairytales, honey! Plus, that's not biblical. The older I get the more I realize...your heart can lead you to do some crazy things.
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." -Proverbs 4:23
Ok...I've ALWAYS been one to love a good sappy, romantic movie. There's nothing like sitting at home, eating some chips, and cozying up with your blanket for a nice chick flick (as some of my friends refer to those type of movies). What can I say? I'm a romantic at heart. Whomever my husband may be (if marriage is what God has planned for me) will have to be equally romantic. I liked to be surprised. I like to go do intellectual and unique things. I'm a different type of gal but definitely not hard to please. Ok. So the reason why I am endeared to these "chick flicks" is because there is always a sense of "that could happen to me". You know what I'm talking about. The "super hot" guy falling/coming to the rescue for the geek or the overweight woman or woman in an unhealthy relationship already. I love it. Why? Because I always feel like I'm looking in a mirror when I see the profiles of these woman character's lives. The disgust with where life has them right now, the unhappiness with the way they are/were made, the longing for something more, the hopelessness this mean world can throw at a girl. I'm familiar with all those feelings and to be able to sit there and see these women get the "super hot" guy in the end makes me feel like a million bucks. It gives a sense of hope....almost like "if it can happen to them, it can happen to me."
Gotta love HOLLYWOOD.
God has created each of us with a natural desire to be loved, to be wanted. It is what makes us having a relationship with God so right....God is the only one who can complete satisfy (exhaust) that desire. The problem comes in with the people and places we resort to in order to fulfill the desire to be loved or wanted. The heart is such a delicate organ yet it is so intense. It is so vital. We all know that if our hearts stopped, we will be no more. It doesn't just sit there and beat...it pumps blood through the arteries. It is a crucial part of us. The heart is more than this though. The heart is the universal symbol of love. When people are in love, it's not uncommon to hear someone say, "(so and so) has my heart." When we know a good person, we're inclined to say that they "have a good heart." The heart is just super diverse and absolutely needed. I would think after examining those things we'd understand why our Heavenly Father took the time to warn us about our hearts. But not too many people are understanding that too well these days (me included). We are told to guard our hearts. And we're not just to guard them but to make it a priority to do so. Now, I'll admit that I've given my heart away a few times. One time, I gave my heart and my mind away (ha...double-whammy). That situation almost killed me (literally) and that was when God had to really start from the beginning and break down this thing with my heart. You see, the heart is the one of the places on you no one can physically touch (unless in surgery or something but work with me here). God created it and tucked it neatly behind skin, flesh, and a beautiful rib cage. Perhaps this could be the first sign of God's intent. Then we can look at the heart's function. It gives life to the body. If one were to literally give away their heart, they can no longer live (clearly). Even with all these wonderful characteristics of the heart, we are admonished in Jeremiah 17:9 that the heart is deceitful among all things. That means that following your heart....not such a good idea. Sorry Walt Disney. Sucker-punch Hollywood. ok..so why? I know that's the question now. Proverbs 4:23 tells us that it is the wellspring of life or another version says for out of it flows the issues of life. That means your values, beliefs, truths, lies, etc., they all begin with your heart. Thus, when we accept salvation, it's equally important to confess with our mouths as it is to believe with our hearts (Romans 10:9). A common religious saying is that this is allowing Jesus to live in your heart. If the heart is Jesus' resting place, why are we giving it to other people? I'm convinced because we open the door of our hearts to Jesus and just talk to Him at the door instead of inviting Him in. And because we do that, there is a void left which is the one Jesus is supposed to fill. The answer can be right in front of us, friends, and we can be missing it all along. So we go through life trying to fill that void. We give our hearts to others hoping that they can at least ease the feeling of emptiness. And as we continue to live, we find that it's only temporary. God has placed within each of us, not only a capacity to be loved and wanted, but the capacity to love others. While I'm not telling anyone never to fall in love, it should be within the right context. Knowing God is knowing LOVE in it's purest form. Allowing that love to fill your heart will increase your capacity to love. Not only will it increase your capacity to love but it will discipline your heart to love the way God intended for it to. God ordained love and He ordained marriage and when God places a man and a woman together as husband and wife, if they are receptive, He places in them a capacity to love each other deeply because they will be mini images to each other of God's love for them individually and collectively. One might ask why I can speak so freely about such a subject being only 20 and single. Well, God has given me an AWESOME example of this with my parents. And God willing, one day, He will bless me with something like that of my own. BUT, as for now, I still get to stand as guard of my heart. That means I determine who I let in. I've discovered that I can no longer afford to give away my heart. It's too costly and why would I give something that isn't mine in the first place?!? That's pretty rude, don't you think?
So....I don't think I'll ever stop being a hopeless romantic. It's all around me. But one thing I now realize is that following your heart can leave you crippled and listening to your heart can leave you deaf. Guarding your heart can leave you fortified as a city. It is what it is.
Thanks for bearing with me. To the people: Guard your hearts.
Phileo love y'all,
Ash B.
Monday, April 7, 2008
All Eyes Are On You, Jesus
"Lord forgive us when we get consumed by the things of this world,That fight for our love, and our passion,As our eyes are open wide and on you.Grant us the privilege of your world view,And may your kingdom be, what wakes us up, and lays us down. I DON'T WANT TO GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD AND LOSE MY SOUL." -"Lose My Soul" by tobyMac feat. Kirk Franklin and Mandisa
I was on MySpace this morning because I wanted to listen to some gospel music without using too much of myalotted monthly gigabytes of internet here (long story). Anyway, in recent years I've been really drawn to the contemporary Christian movement/ alternative Christian movement (I'm just about through with gospel...but that's another story for another time). The first group I heard like this was a group by the name of dcTalk. I was about 12 or 13 years old in the old DC Convention Center for a Youth convention and as they blasted out an intensely different version of "Our God is an Awesome God", I stood there in tears. The front man was a young white male by the name of tobyMac. From then on, I was convinced. dcTalk does not perform anymore but tobyMac's ministry is still strong years later. The lyrics that I began this post with are from his song "Lose My Soul". The lyrics are so real and reflect where I am right now. I may not be a world renowned recording artist or even close to what would be considered popular by any means. But....we all have those things that we constantly have to fight against in order to keep us close to the cross. I've been really trying to push to stay in close to Christ because of the mere fact that I realize that He is the air that I breathe. Without Him, I exist. I do not live. Even though this is something so clear to me.....there are some things in my life with which I just STRUGGLE. We all struggle. We all have to deal with the sting of personal sin. We all can be enticed at times with what the Bible tells us is "the way that seemeth right unto men but the end leads to destruction" (Pr. 14:12). But we have a choice. We have a choice to continue to look to Jesus. You may fall but keep looking to Him. You may give in to that fleshly desire but continue to look to Him. You may give in to that wayward thought but continue to look to Him. Trying to do better but you can't seem to shake those trifling habits, continue to look to Him. Here's what the apostle Paul tells us is God's spin on the issue: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perserverance the race marked out for us. LOOKING UNTO JESUS, the author and the finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb. 12:1-2)
So many of us fall back from God when we mess up. I understand the feeling....when you know you've done wrong by Him, you can't help but to be overtaken with remorse, regret, and great fear. It's natural; I would even say that it's something similar to what happens when as children we disobey our parents and are too afraid to go to them when they call for us. We must understand that when Jesus died on the cross for our sins, he did it as the propitiation for us. Propitiation is just a fancy word that means he took our place. And so when we sin, it does not surprise God. He's so good at His role as Providence that He sent His most precious possession to clean the slate BEFORE we ever graced this earth. I need someone to get the magnitude of this. Before we had the opportunity to sin, He had already made provisions so that our sins would not be the separation factor. Therefore, we do not have to experience the wrath of God. Let's not get it twisted, however; Hebrews 12:10 says "Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness." This means that just because we may not experience the wrath of God does not mean that we will not share in the discipline of God. Discipline and wrath are two separate things; sin blurs the lines between the two. Wisdom recognizes the discipline of God and realizes that it produces what verse 13 goes on to say is "a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." God still calls us to walk worthy of the calling. That will not change. When we mess up, His love for us won't change either. Therefore, friends, it is only logical that we use our mistakes as opportunities to only CONTINUE to draw nigh unto God. Press through the guilt, press through the shame, press through the self-crucifixion on to freedom in Jesus. We all are at the foot of the cross, plunged beneath that flood of Jesus' blood. Therefore, when we accept the gift of salvation, God looks down and sees us under the blood. Under the new covenant.
So...I say all that to say.....Get back in the game and get focused. A real football player doesn't quit the whole sport because he loses a game...he'll whine a little, think about what could have been done differently, and the next day he's right back out there on the field trying to make things better. You see, our Heavenly Father is not nearly as complicated as we love to make Him. I think over-complication of God in our heads is a tactic used by us to make excuses for our actions. Well, I'm tired of making excuses. It's time to be in this thing to win it. God is bigger than life, true. But here's His secret and this is why He's God. He can be bigger than life and as small and intimate as we need Him to be. Now that's complication! But not the type of complication that deflects but it's the complication that has drawn and will continue to draw countless people unto Himself.
Another blog for the people. ALL EYES ARE ON YOU, JESUS. ALL EYES ARE ON YOU.
Phileo Love,
Ash B.
I was on MySpace this morning because I wanted to listen to some gospel music without using too much of myalotted monthly gigabytes of internet here (long story). Anyway, in recent years I've been really drawn to the contemporary Christian movement/ alternative Christian movement (I'm just about through with gospel...but that's another story for another time). The first group I heard like this was a group by the name of dcTalk. I was about 12 or 13 years old in the old DC Convention Center for a Youth convention and as they blasted out an intensely different version of "Our God is an Awesome God", I stood there in tears. The front man was a young white male by the name of tobyMac. From then on, I was convinced. dcTalk does not perform anymore but tobyMac's ministry is still strong years later. The lyrics that I began this post with are from his song "Lose My Soul". The lyrics are so real and reflect where I am right now. I may not be a world renowned recording artist or even close to what would be considered popular by any means. But....we all have those things that we constantly have to fight against in order to keep us close to the cross. I've been really trying to push to stay in close to Christ because of the mere fact that I realize that He is the air that I breathe. Without Him, I exist. I do not live. Even though this is something so clear to me.....there are some things in my life with which I just STRUGGLE. We all struggle. We all have to deal with the sting of personal sin. We all can be enticed at times with what the Bible tells us is "the way that seemeth right unto men but the end leads to destruction" (Pr. 14:12). But we have a choice. We have a choice to continue to look to Jesus. You may fall but keep looking to Him. You may give in to that fleshly desire but continue to look to Him. You may give in to that wayward thought but continue to look to Him. Trying to do better but you can't seem to shake those trifling habits, continue to look to Him. Here's what the apostle Paul tells us is God's spin on the issue: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perserverance the race marked out for us. LOOKING UNTO JESUS, the author and the finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb. 12:1-2)
So many of us fall back from God when we mess up. I understand the feeling....when you know you've done wrong by Him, you can't help but to be overtaken with remorse, regret, and great fear. It's natural; I would even say that it's something similar to what happens when as children we disobey our parents and are too afraid to go to them when they call for us. We must understand that when Jesus died on the cross for our sins, he did it as the propitiation for us. Propitiation is just a fancy word that means he took our place. And so when we sin, it does not surprise God. He's so good at His role as Providence that He sent His most precious possession to clean the slate BEFORE we ever graced this earth. I need someone to get the magnitude of this. Before we had the opportunity to sin, He had already made provisions so that our sins would not be the separation factor. Therefore, we do not have to experience the wrath of God. Let's not get it twisted, however; Hebrews 12:10 says "Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness." This means that just because we may not experience the wrath of God does not mean that we will not share in the discipline of God. Discipline and wrath are two separate things; sin blurs the lines between the two. Wisdom recognizes the discipline of God and realizes that it produces what verse 13 goes on to say is "a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." God still calls us to walk worthy of the calling. That will not change. When we mess up, His love for us won't change either. Therefore, friends, it is only logical that we use our mistakes as opportunities to only CONTINUE to draw nigh unto God. Press through the guilt, press through the shame, press through the self-crucifixion on to freedom in Jesus. We all are at the foot of the cross, plunged beneath that flood of Jesus' blood. Therefore, when we accept the gift of salvation, God looks down and sees us under the blood. Under the new covenant.
So...I say all that to say.....Get back in the game and get focused. A real football player doesn't quit the whole sport because he loses a game...he'll whine a little, think about what could have been done differently, and the next day he's right back out there on the field trying to make things better. You see, our Heavenly Father is not nearly as complicated as we love to make Him. I think over-complication of God in our heads is a tactic used by us to make excuses for our actions. Well, I'm tired of making excuses. It's time to be in this thing to win it. God is bigger than life, true. But here's His secret and this is why He's God. He can be bigger than life and as small and intimate as we need Him to be. Now that's complication! But not the type of complication that deflects but it's the complication that has drawn and will continue to draw countless people unto Himself.
Another blog for the people. ALL EYES ARE ON YOU, JESUS. ALL EYES ARE ON YOU.
Phileo Love,
Ash B.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Naturally....
Here's another one...hoping God is pleased. It's a bit long but...I had to get the words out.
Naturally....
copyright 2008 Ashley Burton
Naturally
I wish to see
Fulfillment of my dreams
And all the other things
I may have had in mind.
But for some reason
Naturally
My tendencies and decencies,
Insecurities and whimsical fantasies
Don’t line up with His will
So I’m stuck between
Being naturally acceptable or naturally wrong
Rarely can both coexist because
The difference between the natural and the greater of this (the supernatural)
Is too irreconcilable to clump together.
Living in a world where wrong is right and compromise is heavenly
Naturally
My view of The Father gets clouded sometimes in this
Satirical element I call life.
I want what I want and
Naturally
He gets what He wants in the end so
I’m figurin’
Naturally
It’s time to just give up trying to fight against
Destiny.
Destiny-
Where you are
Naturally
Called to be in life,
I can’t see mine too great,
Blinded by natural affections
Of sinful injections
Which turn into rejections and then inflections
Of voices during tearful reflections
And then it becomes clear….
Naturally
He knows what’s best for me
And
He owns my kismet
Yet
Naturally
It remains a challenge for me to trust Him.
Clearly He’s already told me
Put no trust in the flesh
And I’ve seen the mess
that can cause.
I just
Can’t let go because
Naturally
That’s what familiar to me.
Naturally flawed
I crawl
To His feet and ask for help
For mercy and grace when I need it most
Because that’s His Word and
He wouldn’t have put it there
Had it not been true
I read again the 4th chapter of Hebrews
And know that’s what I am to do.
Naturally
It’s a humbling thing
But again Perfection
Against the disdain of this imperfect being
Is enough for me
To
Naturally
Drop to my knees in awe
Of such a loving and gracious God
Who
Naturally
Knew me
And beckoned me
To be
His.
Not just in word but in deed
And naturally
I’m overjoyed
Because he’s given me another chance
To not sit and glance
But to plow the fields and work
To open my mouth
To cast away cynic’s doubts
About Him and His Word.
So I guess you could say
Naturally
I was born to be this way.
Forget me
I just
Naturally
Want to be with Him forever.
Through whatever
I want Him to be able to say
“You did it My Way.
Now come and
Naturally
Take part in the rest I’ve prepared for Thee.”
That’s my biggest plea
Y’all
To be more and more acceptable unto Him
Who, without fail, will be faithful
Even until my end.
Because when it’s said and done
That’s about the only thing
That to me
Is right
Naturally.
Naturally....
copyright 2008 Ashley Burton
Naturally
I wish to see
Fulfillment of my dreams
And all the other things
I may have had in mind.
But for some reason
Naturally
My tendencies and decencies,
Insecurities and whimsical fantasies
Don’t line up with His will
So I’m stuck between
Being naturally acceptable or naturally wrong
Rarely can both coexist because
The difference between the natural and the greater of this (the supernatural)
Is too irreconcilable to clump together.
Living in a world where wrong is right and compromise is heavenly
Naturally
My view of The Father gets clouded sometimes in this
Satirical element I call life.
I want what I want and
Naturally
He gets what He wants in the end so
I’m figurin’
Naturally
It’s time to just give up trying to fight against
Destiny.
Destiny-
Where you are
Naturally
Called to be in life,
I can’t see mine too great,
Blinded by natural affections
Of sinful injections
Which turn into rejections and then inflections
Of voices during tearful reflections
And then it becomes clear….
Naturally
He knows what’s best for me
And
He owns my kismet
Yet
Naturally
It remains a challenge for me to trust Him.
Clearly He’s already told me
Put no trust in the flesh
And I’ve seen the mess
that can cause.
I just
Can’t let go because
Naturally
That’s what familiar to me.
Naturally flawed
I crawl
To His feet and ask for help
For mercy and grace when I need it most
Because that’s His Word and
He wouldn’t have put it there
Had it not been true
I read again the 4th chapter of Hebrews
And know that’s what I am to do.
Naturally
It’s a humbling thing
But again Perfection
Against the disdain of this imperfect being
Is enough for me
To
Naturally
Drop to my knees in awe
Of such a loving and gracious God
Who
Naturally
Knew me
And beckoned me
To be
His.
Not just in word but in deed
And naturally
I’m overjoyed
Because he’s given me another chance
To not sit and glance
But to plow the fields and work
To open my mouth
To cast away cynic’s doubts
About Him and His Word.
So I guess you could say
Naturally
I was born to be this way.
Forget me
I just
Naturally
Want to be with Him forever.
Through whatever
I want Him to be able to say
“You did it My Way.
Now come and
Naturally
Take part in the rest I’ve prepared for Thee.”
That’s my biggest plea
Y’all
To be more and more acceptable unto Him
Who, without fail, will be faithful
Even until my end.
Because when it’s said and done
That’s about the only thing
That to me
Is right
Naturally.
I.Walk.Alone.
...decided to try my hand at this poetry thing again after almost a 2 year hiatus....hope the ppl like it.
I.Walk.Alone.
copyright 2008 Ashley Burton
I walk alone
Never been one for crowds
But never one to walk with my head down
I navigate through this thing called life
With the people at my side
Changing all the time
And yet when they’re here
Still nothing’s ever clear
I.Walk.Alone.
Been trying to find my voice
Something unique amongst the shouts
Something beckoning change and resistance
Something sweet and comforting in some instances.
Never been one for crowds
But never one to walk with my head down
I.Walk.Alone.
Keep looking in the mirror
At this reflection I see
And while it’s not traditional beauty
It does just fine for Him
And in due time will do just fine for him
So I refuse to worry about which beauty standards I uphold
Because there’s nothing more beautiful than being bold
Enough to defy the tricks and the lies
After 20 years of shallow and baseless cries
I’ve come to this conclusion:
Never been one for crowds
But never one to walk with my head down
I.Walk.Alone.
Observing the world around me
Mixture of a sense of pride and pity
Pride in this gift that the Father so wonderfully gave,
Pity in this mess that we have made,
Ask me how I feel about it and I will say
Never been one for crowds
But never one to walk with my head down
I.Walk.Alone.
It’s not pride and it’s not fear
To me, it still isn’t clear
But the road less travelled isn’t one for popularity
And I choose to chart a course of solidarity
Though I walk alone, I walk not for myself
And in everything, I try to give my level best
‘Til the day He completes that perfect work in me
Peculiarity is what you’ll see
Don’t be alarmed by my comfortability
To be who I am without apology
Apologies take too much energy
And frankly I can’t live if I can’t be who I be
I’m telling you now this is who I am
A child of difference, unafraid to take a stand
Conformity is comfort, unique is a challenge
Mediocrity is safety, excellence is danger.
So I’m telling you now so you won’t have to wonder
This is in no way telling you to under-
Estimate me, but just so you know:
Never been one for crowds
But never one to walk with my head down
I.Walk.Alone.
I.Walk.Alone.
copyright 2008 Ashley Burton
I walk alone
Never been one for crowds
But never one to walk with my head down
I navigate through this thing called life
With the people at my side
Changing all the time
And yet when they’re here
Still nothing’s ever clear
I.Walk.Alone.
Been trying to find my voice
Something unique amongst the shouts
Something beckoning change and resistance
Something sweet and comforting in some instances.
Never been one for crowds
But never one to walk with my head down
I.Walk.Alone.
Keep looking in the mirror
At this reflection I see
And while it’s not traditional beauty
It does just fine for Him
And in due time will do just fine for him
So I refuse to worry about which beauty standards I uphold
Because there’s nothing more beautiful than being bold
Enough to defy the tricks and the lies
After 20 years of shallow and baseless cries
I’ve come to this conclusion:
Never been one for crowds
But never one to walk with my head down
I.Walk.Alone.
Observing the world around me
Mixture of a sense of pride and pity
Pride in this gift that the Father so wonderfully gave,
Pity in this mess that we have made,
Ask me how I feel about it and I will say
Never been one for crowds
But never one to walk with my head down
I.Walk.Alone.
It’s not pride and it’s not fear
To me, it still isn’t clear
But the road less travelled isn’t one for popularity
And I choose to chart a course of solidarity
Though I walk alone, I walk not for myself
And in everything, I try to give my level best
‘Til the day He completes that perfect work in me
Peculiarity is what you’ll see
Don’t be alarmed by my comfortability
To be who I am without apology
Apologies take too much energy
And frankly I can’t live if I can’t be who I be
I’m telling you now this is who I am
A child of difference, unafraid to take a stand
Conformity is comfort, unique is a challenge
Mediocrity is safety, excellence is danger.
So I’m telling you now so you won’t have to wonder
This is in no way telling you to under-
Estimate me, but just so you know:
Never been one for crowds
But never one to walk with my head down
I.Walk.Alone.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Happy RESURRECTION Sunday!!!
Ok...so everyone knows that today is Easter. It's celebrated around the world by men, women, boys, and girls. It's celebrated by blacks, white, latinos/as, Asians, Africans, Australians, etc. (you catch my drift). It's celebrated by saints and heathens, alike. Even atheists, those who proclaim that there is no God and that religion is useless celebrate Easter.
So what's your point, you might be asking. My point is...like Christmas, the world has commercialized a day that has sacred meaning for us Christians. Easter has been turned into a egg hunting, good Sunday dinner, new excuse to buy a cute outfit. All the while we forget that The Savior of the World was conquering death and finishing the purchase of our salvation. All the while we forget the pain He suffered through, the death His body had to see for 2 days. All the while we forget His sacrifice, His delight in us, His joy. I think Hebrews 2: 14-18 sums it up well:
"14Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. 17For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."
Therefore, being a believer in Jesus Christ and all that He is, I have no other choice to have a grateful heart. I might not get it right most of the time but I can at least show my gratitude for all that He went through, just for me. I know He died for the sins of the world but I don't have the time to think about what that encompasses for everyone else. I know what I have done, I know the things I secretly struggle with, I know about my filth. And that, frankly, is enough to love Him. That's enough to thank Him. That's enough to praise Him. Right about now, I need no one else to get happy with me because His love overtakes me. Song of Solomon 2:4 says, "He has taken me to the banquet hall, and His banner over me is love."
So to all those who like business as usual, Happy Easter. I hope you enjoyed the food and fun (and even church if you went). But for those like me, who refuse to let this day be diminished in our lives as just some other day. For those who recognize the magnitude of this day...who recognize that this day sealed the fate of those who believe in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9)...for those who have gratefulness flowing from the inside, I say to you, "HAPPY RESURRECTION SUNDAY!"
A friend of the family had a song out a few years ago and everytime I hear it, it brings tears to my eyes. It begins by asking the questions, "How could they ever take Him to the cross? Why would they ever take Him to the cross? How could they ever pierce Him in His side?" It goes on to explain, "They spat in His face and mocked Him, and He never said a word. They placed a crown of thorns on His head and they draped Him in scarlet red. To make a sad story happy, this is what we have to say....HE ROSE THE LAMB OF GOD.....HE LIVES, HE LIVES, HE LIVES!!!"
My thoughts exactly. Another blog for the people. Let's be grateful, truly grateful.
Phileo love y'all,
Ash B.
So what's your point, you might be asking. My point is...like Christmas, the world has commercialized a day that has sacred meaning for us Christians. Easter has been turned into a egg hunting, good Sunday dinner, new excuse to buy a cute outfit. All the while we forget that The Savior of the World was conquering death and finishing the purchase of our salvation. All the while we forget the pain He suffered through, the death His body had to see for 2 days. All the while we forget His sacrifice, His delight in us, His joy. I think Hebrews 2: 14-18 sums it up well:
"14Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. 17For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."
Therefore, being a believer in Jesus Christ and all that He is, I have no other choice to have a grateful heart. I might not get it right most of the time but I can at least show my gratitude for all that He went through, just for me. I know He died for the sins of the world but I don't have the time to think about what that encompasses for everyone else. I know what I have done, I know the things I secretly struggle with, I know about my filth. And that, frankly, is enough to love Him. That's enough to thank Him. That's enough to praise Him. Right about now, I need no one else to get happy with me because His love overtakes me. Song of Solomon 2:4 says, "He has taken me to the banquet hall, and His banner over me is love."
So to all those who like business as usual, Happy Easter. I hope you enjoyed the food and fun (and even church if you went). But for those like me, who refuse to let this day be diminished in our lives as just some other day. For those who recognize the magnitude of this day...who recognize that this day sealed the fate of those who believe in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9)...for those who have gratefulness flowing from the inside, I say to you, "HAPPY RESURRECTION SUNDAY!"
A friend of the family had a song out a few years ago and everytime I hear it, it brings tears to my eyes. It begins by asking the questions, "How could they ever take Him to the cross? Why would they ever take Him to the cross? How could they ever pierce Him in His side?" It goes on to explain, "They spat in His face and mocked Him, and He never said a word. They placed a crown of thorns on His head and they draped Him in scarlet red. To make a sad story happy, this is what we have to say....HE ROSE THE LAMB OF GOD.....HE LIVES, HE LIVES, HE LIVES!!!"
My thoughts exactly. Another blog for the people. Let's be grateful, truly grateful.
Phileo love y'all,
Ash B.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Spend My ALWAYS with You....
You know, there just comes a time in one's life when he/she has to face the facts. And while I have been spending my time elsewhere these past few weeks than writing on here (and for that I apologize), I HAD to stop and take the time today to stop and acknowledge my Love. My First Love. This man has been there since Day 1, liking me, tolerating me, holding me, soothing my doubts and calming my fears, loving me PERFECTLY. This man is Jesus Christ. Some people can't get down with this Christianity thing but I believe the main people who can't get down with it haven't tried it. Who wouldn't love a God who accepts you flaws and all? Your eccentricities, your faults, your bad habits, your complaining, your blatant sin. WHO? Who wouldn't love a God whose love extends way beyond Himself in such a way that He commanded His Son to take on the filth of this world for people who would reject Him? My God! That's LOVE. On today, I really do not need anyone to be happy with me....I can rejoice all by myself because I know me. I might be able to fake really nice in front of everyone and paint the picture I want everyone to see, but He knows me for real. And you know what? He still loves me. He still beckons me unto Himself. He still desires to love me so deeply that I won't have to look for love anywhere else. WOW! I've told Him through my actions that I don't appreciate or need His love yet He doesn't back down. Yet, He doesn't force Himself on me...He's waiting patiently for me to get my act together. So I just had to take this time to tell Him how much I love Him and how much I wish to fall more in love with Him all the days of my life. See, you have to get to the point when you want to fall more in love with Him. It's like when you have a significant other/ spouse, unless you went into the relationship with crooked reasons, you do not want the love to diminish but to grow. Growth doesn't just come from all happy days with big smiles and tearless eyes. Oh no honey! There will be some tears, there will be some moments of extreme frustration, there will be times when the lure of something that is seemingly better comes along and you're tempted to go. But in the end, when you truly love someone, you just can't let go. You can't shake that person. And that's how we should be with God. Just because we are believers, that does not guarantee a struggle-free life. We will cry, hurt, be frustrated, and be tempted to turn our backs on God. But He's always there....He remains patient and He waits for us to return. This thing isn't as complicated as we make it, friends.
I love Him. My love isn't perfect but His is. I love Him when it's convenient, He loves me whether it's convenient or not (and trust me, most times, it's not convenient). And because I've accepted that love and I am striving to live a life that pleases Him (out of my love and devotion to Him, my Love), I will get to spend my ALWAYS with Him. Death is not my ending but my beautiful beginning. Some people say that we can't prove whether there's heaven or hell. That may be true but who can know all of God's ways? He's GOD. Plus, I'd rather be covered just in case. If you're reading this and what to experience love (because He is love), you can. This is His gift to us and it's free for all, people, free for all.
HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY! To the people: Don't forget to show God that you're grateful! Make the sacrifice to show Him that His sacrifice was enough and is revered.
"Greater love hath no man than this that He lay down His life for His friends." --John 15:13
"During the days of Jesus' life on earth, He offered up prayer and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission. Although He was a son, He learned obedience from what He suffered and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek." --Hebrews 5:7-10
"Therefore, since we have a great High Priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have a one who has been tempted in in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." --Hebrews 4:14-16
Phileo Love,
Ash B.
I love Him. My love isn't perfect but His is. I love Him when it's convenient, He loves me whether it's convenient or not (and trust me, most times, it's not convenient). And because I've accepted that love and I am striving to live a life that pleases Him (out of my love and devotion to Him, my Love), I will get to spend my ALWAYS with Him. Death is not my ending but my beautiful beginning. Some people say that we can't prove whether there's heaven or hell. That may be true but who can know all of God's ways? He's GOD. Plus, I'd rather be covered just in case. If you're reading this and what to experience love (because He is love), you can. This is His gift to us and it's free for all, people, free for all.
HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY! To the people: Don't forget to show God that you're grateful! Make the sacrifice to show Him that His sacrifice was enough and is revered.
"Greater love hath no man than this that He lay down His life for His friends." --John 15:13
"During the days of Jesus' life on earth, He offered up prayer and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission. Although He was a son, He learned obedience from what He suffered and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek." --Hebrews 5:7-10
"Therefore, since we have a great High Priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have a one who has been tempted in in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." --Hebrews 4:14-16
Phileo Love,
Ash B.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Don't Miss the Water Until Your Well Runs Dry...
These past few days, I've really been just missing certain things in my life that were so certain that I really took advantage of them. Things like being able to go to a Bible-believing, Bible-preaching, Bible-living church. Like-minded individuals who I can encourage in the faith and who can encourage me likewise. I didn't realize that the convenience of knowing where I would be every Sunday morning and Tuesday nights for Bible Study would come to mean so much to me but it has. I never knew that I would value so much being able to walk down to Jade's dorm room or catch the bus over to Trice's place when I just needed a friend to be there. Of course, I valued these things before but when these things are gone, it's like you're missing a piece of you. Please don't get me wrong....I love being over here. I love the friends I've made. I love the things I've experienced. But I miss the of fellowship with the brethren over here. I don't particularly care for going to a church on Sunday morning out of tradition more so than dedication to God. I can go to church over here but between the language barrier and locations, it's been quite difficult. I want to make sure that I understand what they're saying...I can't just be sitting there listening to just anything. I suppose that's where the discernment that God gave me should kick in.
All-in-all, this experience has just taught me not to take God for granted. It's taught me not to take His Word for granted. This experience has taught me that I have to seek God for myself, FOR REAL. No getting spoon-fed the Word over here; I have to open up my Word and find the treasures God has placed there for me. I am glad God loves me enough to make me a Christian who is strong enough to stand completely leaning on Him. I know that's part of His purpose in putting me over here. And between me completely screwing things up and His perfect Way of getting His Perfect Plan across, I shall one day, prayerfully, be the woman He is calling me to be.
Until that time, never take for granted the mercy of God. Never dismiss His grace as mere happenstance. It's all for a reason and it's all apart of His greater picture. For the people.
Words from the chorus of Kirk Franklin's song "Hide Me" off his new project:
"Hide me, let me lay behind You because I need, shelter from the rain. Remind me, the only way my faith can grow is when You let Your winds blow. It's making me stronger now so rain, don't go away...don't go away..."
Phileo love,
Ash B.
P.S.- I don't know if she's reading this but I've got to give a shoutout to my godsister, Heather. She sent me an email a few weeks ago that really made me think. Thanks for reminding me to show God that I'm grateful. And I truly am.
All-in-all, this experience has just taught me not to take God for granted. It's taught me not to take His Word for granted. This experience has taught me that I have to seek God for myself, FOR REAL. No getting spoon-fed the Word over here; I have to open up my Word and find the treasures God has placed there for me. I am glad God loves me enough to make me a Christian who is strong enough to stand completely leaning on Him. I know that's part of His purpose in putting me over here. And between me completely screwing things up and His perfect Way of getting His Perfect Plan across, I shall one day, prayerfully, be the woman He is calling me to be.
Until that time, never take for granted the mercy of God. Never dismiss His grace as mere happenstance. It's all for a reason and it's all apart of His greater picture. For the people.
Words from the chorus of Kirk Franklin's song "Hide Me" off his new project:
"Hide me, let me lay behind You because I need, shelter from the rain. Remind me, the only way my faith can grow is when You let Your winds blow. It's making me stronger now so rain, don't go away...don't go away..."
Phileo love,
Ash B.
P.S.- I don't know if she's reading this but I've got to give a shoutout to my godsister, Heather. She sent me an email a few weeks ago that really made me think. Thanks for reminding me to show God that I'm grateful. And I truly am.
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