Trip Lee-The Invasion (Hero) Feat. Jai

I kinda love this song.

He's coming back, and sooner than we think. Are you ready?

Sunday Musings....

The combination of the Prayer Room playing lightly in the background, and the aroma of freshly made pumpkin spiced bread filling the kitchen makes for a lovely atmosphere.

Today is Sunday, which means Monday will be here sooner than I think. I still have homework to finish and laundry to start...

But first, a little unwinding is in order: processing the happenings and unfinished thoughts that took place in my day. Ready? Here she goes...

This morning I went to church with some amazingness. Her name is Megan. If you haven't met her, you really should. But be prepared for your life to change after you do. She just has that affect on a person. Anyway, after the service she and I went to lunch at Dean and Deluca where we shared bits and pieces of our past with one another over a slightly overpriced meal. Ha, it was great. Poolside homework was next on our list. Under the blaring sunshine and humid temperatures, we continued to intermittently share our hearts, thoughts and desires with each other. Then we stopped off at World Market, and lost ourselves in their many different colors, textures and home accents.... Do you know why I love that girl as much as I do? Well, I'm going to tell you. Her heart provokes me in holiness and righteousness in many ways; all of which stem from her abounding love for Jesus. I love running along side hearts that burn for this Man; hers is definitely one of them. I treasure her friendship so much.

Woven in between the comings and goings of my day were the sweet musings of Jesus, and His Kingdom that He has promised to His Bride. He fascinates me, you know. And I am so in need of His grace to love Him...I can do nothing of good in my own strength, this I have found time and time again. But blessed am I to know that His heart yearns to answer the cry for more of Him. He takes my breath away. Who is this beautiful Man?

Maranatha.

{my identity; my worth}

"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."  - Zephaniah 3:17

 

I am so loved by this Man. He treasures my life, cherishes my desires, and fights for my heart. He relentlessly pursues me in every season, and refuses to give me anything but His very best. He is consumed with thoughts of me, and adores what He sees when He sets His fiery gaze upon me. He declares me His masterpiece. He deems me worthy to be found in His presence. The Godhead, three-in-one, longs for me. This is what His Word says. I am loved by the uncreated God. This is who I am; this is why I exist.

"Brown paper packages tied up with string, {these are a few of my favorite things...}"

Below are a few things that make my heart smile. 

Enjoy...

Abundant Life.

I yearn for this...my freedom and purpose:
WORSHIP.

..::iron sharpening iron; abounding in love::..

Weeping Willows. Gasp. Sigh.

Saaaay cheese!

DANCE.

IDENTITY: The most privileged posture.

Organic deliciousness. Mmm, mmm...gooood!

Working on my personal library...

 Can't leave home without my NALGENE. 

 Perfect leadership. Grace, Abba.

My favorite season.

 I've been flirting with organization lately. I'm sure we'll become full-fledged friends....someday.

 One day, I would like to travel the world....with my Best Friend.

 I'm still on the hunt for the perfect cozy cove for encounter and study....

My life will be made up with much of this.

 Flea Markets? Uh...yes, please!

Dearest SNAIL MAIL,
Where have you gone?
I fear technology is ridding us of such a precious pastime. Please come back to me.
Sincerely,
Ash

 My evenings feel practically naked without them.

Eternal treasures hidden amidst the crease...

 A peek through His eyes...  *Daddy's girl*

BFF: the real deal.

*sigh*

An oak of righteousness; shining like the noonday sun.

I've always had a secret affection for swings.

More to come...

Summer Treasures

So, I'm a nanny. And I love my job, as I get to spend my days with three amazing children who are full of life in every way possible.

This morning the children and I went to cash in their points at Target (their parents have chosen to reward their obedience with a points system--the more times they obey at the first request/instruction, the more points they wrack up. It's a very effective method, to say the least.). I watched their precious little faces light up as they picked out their prizes from the dollar aisle. Their personalities beamed through with every item.

Whitby, the middle child, and the only girl, is becoming more and more like a young lady with each passing day. Today she chose everything in the color pink: pink diary, pink pencils, pink hair bows, pink sunglasses, pink water bottle, pink crown. It was totally precious. Every time she put something new into her basket, she would crack a joke that would make the whole group laugh. She brings so much joy to our lives.

Canon, the eldest sibling, chose army men, fire fighters and policemen action figures, a comic book, athletic balls, and pool toys. I relished watching these items fall into his basket because of how much he loves his family. You see, Canon loves caring for them, and is very protective, too. Two blossoming qualities I have enjoyed witnessing in his life over the past months. He is also very wise and discerning and uses these gifts to kindly and energetically offer the advice needed to bring about the most satisfaction for the group. For example, when one of his sibs needed direction in choosing a certain item, he leaped at the chance to serve them unto a completed mission. Needless to say, Canon is a born leader.

Cosmo, the youngest of the bunch, followed his brother's suit (a per usual happening) by loading the same items into his little basket that Canon chose. Cosmo has a heart of gold; he is constantly thinking of other people, and loves to share his belongings with anyone in need. He asked me if he could put a certain kind of candy in his basket, and with his request came the following statement: "It's a big enough bag for everyone to have more than one, Ash!"

How do I survive my days when I am constantly bombarded with infinite cuteness, you might wonder? I'm still trying to figure that out. ; )

This is the most rewarding line of work I've ever given myself to. I am so thankful for this season of my life.
The children and I have been studying the character of Jesus this summer, and have had a blast getting to know that Man more intimately. We have all grown in loving each other well, and have made many memories in the process that I will forever treasure.

Thank You, Jesus! Yours is the goodness and glory that will abound forever more. Be so glorified in our lives, Lord. Increase our love for You all the more.

Lover's Ache

I ache for more than what I possess in this moment. Unsatisfied, I've walked about for some time now. I can hear the faint longings of my spirit cry out in desperation to experience what my natural eyes and ears are not privy to. I grope for these mysteries He has promised to me. The existence I was destined for; the treasures that were placed within me from before time was (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

While reading the words Brother Lawrence penned to a confident, the groan in my spirit was briefly satisfied with a glimmer of hope.

"Experiencing these things (the pleasures of God's continual presence) makes this brother (Lawrence) certain beyond all doubt that God is always in the depth of his soul, no matter what he does or what happens to him. Imagine what contentment and satisfaction he enjoys, possessing such an ever-present treasure! He isn't anxious to find it and doesn't worry about where to look for it, because he has already found it and may take whatever he wants from it. He often calls men blind, complaining that we are content with too little. God has infinite treasures to give us, he says. Why should we be satisfied with a brief moment of worship? With such meager devotion, we restrain the flow of God's abundant grace. If God can find a soul filled with a lively faith, He pours His grace into it in a torrent that, having found an open channel, gushes out exuberantly." (The Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence)

The Apostle Paul exhorts believers to be confident in the finished work of the Cross, so that we can enter into that which was won for us there (please read Colossians 1:1-23). When he writes to the church of Ephesus, we learn that our only means of obtaining a lifestyle that is beyond ourselves--one that is abundant and everlasting (John 10:10, 15:16)--is found within Christ Himself, through the spiritual blessings that are in the heavenly realms (see Ephesians 1). Before the foundation of the earth, there was One who was driven by a jealous, burning love that consumed His very being. The uncreated God longed to have a people, a Bride, who voluntarily yearns for His presence (His love), just as He yearns for ours. This is Jesus' inheritance--a spotless Bride--and this is our glory. Our highest privilege is to know His love in an experiential way. Apart from this reality, we have nothing of worth.

Lord, Your beauty surpasses the description of man. Nothing I desire compares with Your majesty. Thank You for this extravagant love that burns within Your heart for Your Bride. Pour out Your Spirit, Jesus. Grant us the grace to experience You in every way that Your heart longs for. You are so worthy of this, and so much more. To you be all the glory forever, and ever.  Amen.

Nefarious: Merchant for Souls