A New Year & a New Attempt at Blogging

Okay, I'm back! Although this blog site isn't new, it has been SEVERELY neglected...especially in 2009. Obviously, no one kept up with my blog (no followers?!) because no one checked in to see if I was still in the land of the living ;-p

No worries. A new year, a fresh attempt (are we all already getting sick of seeing the word "new" everywhere...in every blog). Some of you know me from "Roof with a View", which I started contributing to September '09 for Tuesdays. I've really enjoyed it so far, having something and someone waiting for my thoughts and findings. Doing that has given me a renewed desire to post in my personal blogspot.

So, family, friends, and passers-by, welcome...or welcome back. In addition to posting Tuesday posts (from "Roof with a View), I hope to update you on what's going on in our little world to possibly inspire or encourage you.

Oh...and happy New Year & new decade,

-Ashlie

The Good Book keeps finding me, too...

So, you may have read my previous post about how good books just find their way to you. I believe that, truly. But even more than that, I love how THE Good Book (God's Holy Word) finds me. When I am questioning or "testing the spirits" Scripture guides me in the right Way. When I need encouragement, the right Word speaks Life and Love into my heart. When I err in my path, the Word corrects, reproves, and lights the Way.

But the thing I love so much about the Bible is that all this happens without me searching the Concordance. Sure, that is a good resource for topical research, but I found in the last few years getting away from reading that way. It seems that when I am faithful to reading the Word (regardless of the book or chapter) and I have a struggle or need to hear something specific, the Holy Spirit guides my reading. It just amazes me! God has been so faithful to prove that His Word IS living and breathing.

I see this too, when my husband and I are going through a test or a time of decision making. We can both be reading different parts of Scripture and when we open up about our struggles or questions, we find that we are ministered to differently...but with the same Spirit guiding us. How awesome is that?!

How has God's Word spoken directly to you lately?

Beauty of Simplicity

Hey friends,

I just wanted to share this video of a song that really help put a lot of things in perspective for me and my husband a few years ago. During some time to myself last week, I re-listened to it and meditated on it's message. The group is Telecast and the song is "Beauty of Simplicity." God used this song and some ministry opportunities to show us that the "more to Christ" is really about the "simplicity of His gospel"...and not striving unnecessarily for some unobtainable mystical experience that isn't consistent with Who He is. I'm so glad God uses the simple ("foolish") things to make our jaws drop (1 Corinthians 1:27).
Enjoy...

Wipe that smirk off your face...

I LOVE watching as my oldest son (2 1/2 years old) processes things....especially speech. In the last week, he made me smile when he talked about finding "washmallows" outsided (I think he was combining marshmallows with mushrooms).

Then, my husband told me that as he and C were out running errands, he told our son to "hustle" (he often operates in slow motion!). C started trying to whistle. This almost annoyed my husband because he thought C was just trying to stall. He said, "hustle, hustle!"...again, he noticed our son trying to whistle. Then, he realized, "oh, no, son, 'hustle' means hurry...not whistle." ;-)

And finally...last night we were with my parents at a local BBQ hangout. C wasn't interested in eating his meal and I had warned him of the consequence (which was not getting to ride the pig ride there). He furrowed his brow and gave me a "look". Chad stepped in and said, "Wipe that smirk off your face, young man. Don't look at your mom that way when she tells you to do something." C, with a serious look, took his napkin and wiped his mouth...in his attempt to remove the "smirk."

Good books keep finding me...

I'm a strong believer that really good books that are meant to guide you find their way to you, without you having to seek them out. I like to read, but I am wary to just pick up any 'ole book at the local Christian bookstore. So, I usually just wait for a book to land in my way via my husband (a real book-hound) or a friend.

This year has been quite a year for me in that way. I recently re-read Tortured for Christ (http://torturedforchrist.com/ for a free copy). Wow, did it ever speak to me and begin re-directing my thoughts! Then, after that, my husband brought UnChristian (http://www.unchristian.com/) to the house. I read that in a week (seriously!...even as a mother of a 2 1/2 year old and a newborn), which is odd with the little time I have to myself these days. Following that were the books Crazy Love (http://www.crazylovebook.com/) and Do Hard Things (http://www.therebelution.com/dohardthings/). It has been interesting to see how these books have a similar thread for me and to see how they are impacting my life. The similar thread certainly is more than good Christian principles on daily living. It seems like as I have questions from one book, the next book I read leads me further in my thoughts and (hopefully) my actions. I don't know what God is setting me up for, but I thank Him for using books to minister to me in my life (which seems to be in transition). It is refreshing to have these authors at my disposal to pour into me almost as mentors. It's also astonishing how that as I pray with my Heavenly Father, He speaks to me through these "strangers."

Heads up....I'm now beginning to read Feminine Appeal - Seven Virtures of a Godly Wife and Mother (http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/Resources/ResourceLibrary.aspx?md=printandteaching&srch=Carolyn+Mahaney). I already plan to share this one with some of my gal pals!

Is this because I'm praying for patience?

When my husband and I taught high school Sunday school together (having barely been graduates ourselves), I remember telling some of the students to "pray for patience now while you don't have as much going on as you will in the future." How I wish I would have listened to that myself. :)

With raising (or rearing) two boys, I find my patience often tried and tested. Now, I have prayed for patience in the past, but never quite like I have lately. In a recent prayer I tried to be transparent with God (which is odd to say since He already sees right through us). I said something like, "God, I know I need more patience in my life, so I'm asking for it....and I know that by praying this I can expect to see opportunities to try to be patient instead of reacting in my normal ways. So, knowing that, I do want to succeed in letting you perfect that in my life, even though I know 5 days for now (or 5 minutes!) I may be wanting to take those words back. So, I am asking you to perfect that in me so that You can continue to mold me into the image of your Son."

Well, you can probably guess what has happened. No, I haven't been perfected in my desire to be more patient, but yes, I have had ample opportunities to let Christ guide my responses into more Christ-like ways. My 2 1/2 year old is pushing limits....but through godly counsel, I'm learning how to appropriately respond. And last week, the whole family got a summer cold while we were at camp (fortunately, we were staying in a cabin home). As we were getting over that towards the end of the week, my husband had to go out of town without us for the weekend...and "SURPRISE!" a cold turned into a nasty stomach bug for three of us (thankfully, the baby was spared). Fun. But, through all that, I think I had a better attitude than if I hadn't been asking for patience.

I wanted to start praying for patience now...before my boys become teenagers, for obvious reasons. But who knew I would get to experience the stuff mentioned above in such a quick time.

"Well, Lord, you're living up to Your end of my request, now help me live up to the process of being molded."

The Rebelution...

Hey, guys! I just finished the book "Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations" by Alex & Brett Harris....even though I'm 31 :). What a great message these guys have! I think all young people should read this before even entering high school/teenage years....and the rest of us who regret what we did or didn't do during those years should read it, too.

Check out their blog...
http://www.therebelution.com/blog/