I can't believe it's been one year. A year seems like a long time but memories from one year ago seem so fresh. I'm in fact in the same terminal that I was in exactly one year ago. With a semi-photographic memory, everything seems so vivid still. The emotion is still very there. The thought process is similar.
Thankfully this flight is for a good reason. I get to see my husband. I miss him so much and I get to be there with him during this super hard time. Looking back on the year, so many good things have happened. God has definitely ruled and reigned high and I couldn't imagine being here today without him. Whenever i hurt or an overjoyed, I get to openly and erratically get to talk to him all the time. And his blessings are ever-flowing.
I just hope that with the year that has passed, we can look ahead at an amazing future that God has laid before each and every one of his daughters and sons.
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;I will turn the darkness into light before themand make the rough places smooth.These are the things I will do;I will not forsake them.
-Isaiah 42:16 (NIV)
Thanks be to God!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
The Cross
The Cross and Resurrection
I just read an awesome little book called The Case For Easter by Lee Strobel. Once again, he used his journalistic skills to investigate the claims for the cross and resurrection, as to whether they actually happened. WOW. I am already a believer but if anything, it strengthened my faith and what I had already believed.
The three points he wanted to pursue were 1) whether Jesus actually died on the cross as the bible said, 2) whether the body of jesus was actually resurrected, and 3) whether he had actually appeared to people after the resurrection. These are three things that people could most definitely get stuck on if they are wanting logical, straight-forth answers about what happened from Good Friday to Easter Sunday.
As a believer already, the one thing in the book that hit me the most was the description of the crucifixion by a doctor and christian that Strobel interviewed. He had modern-day diagnosis' for what Jesus was physically going through. From his lashings the day of his death, what he was dealing with as he carried the cross to Calvary, and a descriptive explanation to what happens during a crucifixion. His descriptions where often hard to read, not only for it's gruesome nature, but because of what it all ended up meaning.
It was MY SIN that held him there. Yes it was the sin of all mankind, but that includes ME. It was hard to take. The verse that I have on my wrist is Galatians 2:20. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." He gave Himself for Me. How amazing is it that Jesus, the creator of the universe, was thinking of me when he was going through the most pain a man could go through.
At the end of the chapter, Stobel posed a heartfelt question to the straight-shooting doctor: what would motivate someone to take on such a horrible death? His answer could be summed up in one word: LOVE. But this is what he said:
"Frankly, I don't think a typical person could have done it. But Jesus knew what was coming, and he was willing to go through it, because this was the only way He could redeem us - by serving as our substitute and paying the death penalty that we deserve because of our rebellion against God. That was His whole mission in coming to earth."
In one word, it was Love. Pure, unmatched love. How thankful am I for that love. I can't even begin to express. I hope you see how much Jesus loves you. And if you don't believe that Jesus died and was risen from the dead, take a look at The Case For Easter. It could show you what you've been missing. Be brave enough to see what God is trying to show you.
I just read an awesome little book called The Case For Easter by Lee Strobel. Once again, he used his journalistic skills to investigate the claims for the cross and resurrection, as to whether they actually happened. WOW. I am already a believer but if anything, it strengthened my faith and what I had already believed.
The three points he wanted to pursue were 1) whether Jesus actually died on the cross as the bible said, 2) whether the body of jesus was actually resurrected, and 3) whether he had actually appeared to people after the resurrection. These are three things that people could most definitely get stuck on if they are wanting logical, straight-forth answers about what happened from Good Friday to Easter Sunday.
As a believer already, the one thing in the book that hit me the most was the description of the crucifixion by a doctor and christian that Strobel interviewed. He had modern-day diagnosis' for what Jesus was physically going through. From his lashings the day of his death, what he was dealing with as he carried the cross to Calvary, and a descriptive explanation to what happens during a crucifixion. His descriptions where often hard to read, not only for it's gruesome nature, but because of what it all ended up meaning.
It was MY SIN that held him there. Yes it was the sin of all mankind, but that includes ME. It was hard to take. The verse that I have on my wrist is Galatians 2:20. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." He gave Himself for Me. How amazing is it that Jesus, the creator of the universe, was thinking of me when he was going through the most pain a man could go through.
At the end of the chapter, Stobel posed a heartfelt question to the straight-shooting doctor: what would motivate someone to take on such a horrible death? His answer could be summed up in one word: LOVE. But this is what he said:
"Frankly, I don't think a typical person could have done it. But Jesus knew what was coming, and he was willing to go through it, because this was the only way He could redeem us - by serving as our substitute and paying the death penalty that we deserve because of our rebellion against God. That was His whole mission in coming to earth."
In one word, it was Love. Pure, unmatched love. How thankful am I for that love. I can't even begin to express. I hope you see how much Jesus loves you. And if you don't believe that Jesus died and was risen from the dead, take a look at The Case For Easter. It could show you what you've been missing. Be brave enough to see what God is trying to show you.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
When I Am Weak...
"That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Cor 12:10
These words are very amazing and I keep hearing them lately. It's amazing to think that sometimes I act as if I can live this life on my own, without God. Then sometimes, I am jolted back into the real world...the world that I can't live this on my own and that is okay. Because as the verse says, when I am weak, my Jesus is STRONG!
It's hard to live each any every day with this mind set, but I pray that I can start each day knowing that Jesus is on my side. That he wants good and not bad for me. But I know that I can persevere no matter what, because HE IS STRONG.
Thank you Jesus. Amen.
These words are very amazing and I keep hearing them lately. It's amazing to think that sometimes I act as if I can live this life on my own, without God. Then sometimes, I am jolted back into the real world...the world that I can't live this on my own and that is okay. Because as the verse says, when I am weak, my Jesus is STRONG!
It's hard to live each any every day with this mind set, but I pray that I can start each day knowing that Jesus is on my side. That he wants good and not bad for me. But I know that I can persevere no matter what, because HE IS STRONG.
Thank you Jesus. Amen.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The Truth
“[Dispute Over Whose Children Jesus’ Opponents Are] To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”” - John 8:31-32
I am not a biblical scholar and I am not trying to be. In my blogs, all I want to do is explain the way the verse touched my life and hopefully it can open the eyes of someone else the way it did to me.
This verse captivated me with the last line. It says, "The truth will set you free." How many times have you heard this in a movie or maybe in a scolding? Usually in those instances it's talking about us telling the truth. In this instance, Christ wants to bring us into a place of sweet relief. That weight that you carry around will be gone, if you just believe in him.
Now when I read this it made me realize something about non-Christians, or at least ones that might be on the fence seem to look at Christianity. They see this relationship as the rules and the can nots in our lives. God didn't tell us to do these things because he didn't want us to have fun or enjoy life, he did it so we could live life to the fullest. If Joe Shmoe doesn't want to be a Christian because he wants to go out there and sleep with the whole town, that sucks. Christ knows how bad that will be in the long run.
For me, it's always been hard for me to see the long term in situations. We live in a place that constantly puts the "now" right in front of us. I fall into that trap a lot of the time. But when you come to a place where you are able to look at a scenario and say 'how is this going to affect me in 5 minutes, next week, 10 years', the scenarios change.
That's all for now. My a.d.d. is kicking in, but I hope you realize how awesome it is to have a relationship with Jesus and how loved you will feel by the creator of the universe.
I am not a biblical scholar and I am not trying to be. In my blogs, all I want to do is explain the way the verse touched my life and hopefully it can open the eyes of someone else the way it did to me.
This verse captivated me with the last line. It says, "The truth will set you free." How many times have you heard this in a movie or maybe in a scolding? Usually in those instances it's talking about us telling the truth. In this instance, Christ wants to bring us into a place of sweet relief. That weight that you carry around will be gone, if you just believe in him.
Now when I read this it made me realize something about non-Christians, or at least ones that might be on the fence seem to look at Christianity. They see this relationship as the rules and the can nots in our lives. God didn't tell us to do these things because he didn't want us to have fun or enjoy life, he did it so we could live life to the fullest. If Joe Shmoe doesn't want to be a Christian because he wants to go out there and sleep with the whole town, that sucks. Christ knows how bad that will be in the long run.
For me, it's always been hard for me to see the long term in situations. We live in a place that constantly puts the "now" right in front of us. I fall into that trap a lot of the time. But when you come to a place where you are able to look at a scenario and say 'how is this going to affect me in 5 minutes, next week, 10 years', the scenarios change.
That's all for now. My a.d.d. is kicking in, but I hope you realize how awesome it is to have a relationship with Jesus and how loved you will feel by the creator of the universe.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
I'm Back!
“[Dispute Over Whose Children Jesus’ Opponents Are] To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”” - John 8:31-32
I am not a biblical scholar and I am not trying to be. In my blogs, all I want to do is explain the way the verse touched my life and hopefully it can open the eyes of someone else the way it did to me.
This verse captivated me with the last line. It says, "The truth will set you free." How many times have you heard this in a movie or maybe in a scolding? Usually in those instances it's talking about us telling the truth. In this instance, Christ wants to bring us into a place of sweet relief. That weight that you carry around will be gone, if you just believe in him.
Now when I read this it made me realize something about non-Christians, or at least ones that might be on the fence seem to look at Christianity. They see this relationship as the rules and the can nots in our lives. God didn't tell us to do these things because he didn't want us to have fun or enjoy life, he did it so we could live life to the fullest. If Joe Schmo doesn't want to be a Christian because he wants to go out there and sleep with the whole town, that sucks. Christ knows how bad that will be in the long run.
For me, it's always been hard for me to see the long term in situations. We live in a place that constantly puts the "now" right in front of us. I fall into that trap a lot of the time. But when you come to a place where you are able to look at a scenario and say 'how is this going to affect me in 5 minutes, next week, 10 years', the scenarios change.
That's all for now. My a.d.d. is kicking in, but I hope you realize how awesome it is to have a relationship with Jesus and how loved you will feel by the creator of the universe.
I am not a biblical scholar and I am not trying to be. In my blogs, all I want to do is explain the way the verse touched my life and hopefully it can open the eyes of someone else the way it did to me.
This verse captivated me with the last line. It says, "The truth will set you free." How many times have you heard this in a movie or maybe in a scolding? Usually in those instances it's talking about us telling the truth. In this instance, Christ wants to bring us into a place of sweet relief. That weight that you carry around will be gone, if you just believe in him.
Now when I read this it made me realize something about non-Christians, or at least ones that might be on the fence seem to look at Christianity. They see this relationship as the rules and the can nots in our lives. God didn't tell us to do these things because he didn't want us to have fun or enjoy life, he did it so we could live life to the fullest. If Joe Schmo doesn't want to be a Christian because he wants to go out there and sleep with the whole town, that sucks. Christ knows how bad that will be in the long run.
For me, it's always been hard for me to see the long term in situations. We live in a place that constantly puts the "now" right in front of us. I fall into that trap a lot of the time. But when you come to a place where you are able to look at a scenario and say 'how is this going to affect me in 5 minutes, next week, 10 years', the scenarios change.
That's all for now. My a.d.d. is kicking in, but I hope you realize how awesome it is to have a relationship with Jesus and how loved you will feel by the creator of the universe.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Being Thankful
The term family took on a new meaning over the past few weeks. People that were strangers turned into family, and it makes me think about how lucky I am to be a part of something so special.
When tragedy struck just over three weeks ago, the community surrounding the Schiermeyer family stepped up to help wherever and whenever possible in order to make the hurt lessen. I couldn't believe the amount of help that came in over the two and a half weeks I was in Vermont. I know Agnes, Benedikt and Daniel were blown away as well. Knowing the kind of people that are in that town, I am not surprised that everyone came out to help in a time of need.
After leaving Pownal, I suddenly realized the bond I developed with all the people and the blossoming new relationship with my soon to be mother-in-law. Although I wish I could turn back time, for obvious reasons, I am thankful for the blessings that God created out of something so awful. Even after the fact, I think about every little thing that He had his hand in and I am really taken back with amazement. “Thank you Jesus for your faithfulness” is something I have been saying a lot.
Looking ahead I can see a great party that will unfold with family and friends just a few short months away as everyone makes the trip out west for the wedding. I can't wait to laugh and enjoy the company of so many people that made me feel like a part of the family.
When tragedy struck just over three weeks ago, the community surrounding the Schiermeyer family stepped up to help wherever and whenever possible in order to make the hurt lessen. I couldn't believe the amount of help that came in over the two and a half weeks I was in Vermont. I know Agnes, Benedikt and Daniel were blown away as well. Knowing the kind of people that are in that town, I am not surprised that everyone came out to help in a time of need.
After leaving Pownal, I suddenly realized the bond I developed with all the people and the blossoming new relationship with my soon to be mother-in-law. Although I wish I could turn back time, for obvious reasons, I am thankful for the blessings that God created out of something so awful. Even after the fact, I think about every little thing that He had his hand in and I am really taken back with amazement. “Thank you Jesus for your faithfulness” is something I have been saying a lot.
Looking ahead I can see a great party that will unfold with family and friends just a few short months away as everyone makes the trip out west for the wedding. I can't wait to laugh and enjoy the company of so many people that made me feel like a part of the family.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Just in Case
Just in case you didn't know, I have a wedding website now and I've been blogging there for my homies. Haha. Check it out:
www.ashleyandbenthewedding.com
www.ashleyandbenthewedding.com
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