I have spent all day trying to figure out what to write today. You would think that between my morning devotional, 2 Sunday School lessons, a great sermon, and a nightly devotional, I would have been able to figure it out a lot easier than I did. Nonetheless, it finally came to me when I was searching for a verse of encouragement for one of my best friends who is going through a tough time right now. What I found is a simple blog that deals with doubts and praise, something that we all go through at some point and time in our lives. Instead of expanding on it, I'm going to just post the psalm below. Feel free to comment me with what your response to what the psalmist is saying.
May God guide all of you this week. I'll be praying.
Your Fellow Water Walker,
-Ashlee
Psalm 42
1 As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
3 My tears have been my food
day and night,
while people say to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”
4 These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go to the house of God
under the protection of the Mighty One[d]
with shouts of joy and praise
among the festive throng.
5 Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
6 My soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.
8 By day the LORD directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I say to God my Rock,
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?”
10 My bones suffer mortal agony
as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”
11 Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
*New International Version
Monday, November 29, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Beautiful Feet
I love it when what I am supposed to be reading leads me to something I "need" to be reading. What's the difference? Quite simple. What I am "supposed" to be reading is what is listed for me in my devotional, on some one's facebook wall, or in some blog that I read. What I "need" to be reading, however, would be the verses that I find because something catches my eye when I'm reading and leads me to a verse that truly speaks to my heart. Today that was found in Romans.
"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
-Romans 10:14-15
If that's not a call to missions, I don't know what is! I know I'm being called into missions. That's why I have signed up to go to Peru in August and that's why I'm writing this blog. These verses speak to me more right now than the verses I was supposed to be reading about Grace. That's not saying that missions is more important than grace, because let's face it, without grace there would be no need for missions. I'm simply saying that sometimes God points out the verses to you that you need to read the most.
What are some of the verses that God has led you to in your devotional time?
Your Fellow Water Walker,
Ashlee
"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
-Romans 10:14-15
If that's not a call to missions, I don't know what is! I know I'm being called into missions. That's why I have signed up to go to Peru in August and that's why I'm writing this blog. These verses speak to me more right now than the verses I was supposed to be reading about Grace. That's not saying that missions is more important than grace, because let's face it, without grace there would be no need for missions. I'm simply saying that sometimes God points out the verses to you that you need to read the most.
What are some of the verses that God has led you to in your devotional time?
Your Fellow Water Walker,
Ashlee
Friday, November 26, 2010
What good is it?
It is now 9:30 p.m. on Black Friday and I am just starting to write... I've been up since 1:00 a.m. I apologize for any craziness.
If there is one thing that Black Friday can teach you is how crazy people can get over material things. As Christians we should not be focused on the material, but as most of us know, it is very easy to get drawn into the excitement over some sale that is once in a lifetime type deal. I'll admit that I become one of those people sometimes on Black Friday. I woke up at 1 so i could leave my house by 2:30 to drive over an hour to stand in line so that I could have a chance of getting a laptop. And I didn't even get that one. I ended up driving to another town so that I could go to a slightly less crowded store to get my second choice. All that effort and I ended up getting number 2 on my list. While I was standing in line I started thinking. We are so willing to deprive ourselves of sleep so that we can go shopping, but how often are we willing to deprive ourselves of sleep in order to study God's word? Why are we willing to get up 9 hours earlier than we are normally happy with to drive an hour to stand outside for another hour, but we can't bring ourselves to roll out of bed a few minutes early to do a devotional before class?
This is one of those things that I really need to work on myself. When I think about this topic I automatically think of a verse in Mark.
"What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" -Mark 8:36
Hopefully this has given you something to think about. I challenge you to spend time with God first thing in the morning every day for a week. I'm challenging myself too. Let me know how you do!
Your Fellow Water Walker,
-Ashlee
If there is one thing that Black Friday can teach you is how crazy people can get over material things. As Christians we should not be focused on the material, but as most of us know, it is very easy to get drawn into the excitement over some sale that is once in a lifetime type deal. I'll admit that I become one of those people sometimes on Black Friday. I woke up at 1 so i could leave my house by 2:30 to drive over an hour to stand in line so that I could have a chance of getting a laptop. And I didn't even get that one. I ended up driving to another town so that I could go to a slightly less crowded store to get my second choice. All that effort and I ended up getting number 2 on my list. While I was standing in line I started thinking. We are so willing to deprive ourselves of sleep so that we can go shopping, but how often are we willing to deprive ourselves of sleep in order to study God's word? Why are we willing to get up 9 hours earlier than we are normally happy with to drive an hour to stand outside for another hour, but we can't bring ourselves to roll out of bed a few minutes early to do a devotional before class?
This is one of those things that I really need to work on myself. When I think about this topic I automatically think of a verse in Mark.
"What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" -Mark 8:36
Hopefully this has given you something to think about. I challenge you to spend time with God first thing in the morning every day for a week. I'm challenging myself too. Let me know how you do!
Your Fellow Water Walker,
-Ashlee
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to my Water Walkers out there!
Today has already been a great one at my house. My sister and I watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on tv this morning while my dad fried a turkey and my step-mom cooked all the side items. How great is the food that we get to eat today without feeling bad about it? We're going over to my grandmother's house for supper later on and I have a friend from college coming to spend the night tonight so that we can go shopping first thing in the morning. It really is shaping up to be a wonderful Thanksgiving and I truly have a lot to be thankful for.
In all the craziness of getting to see family that you probably haven't seen in quite some time and eating so much food you think your pants might bust, it's easy to lose sight of what is most important. When i was doing my devotional earlier, a note I had written in my bible caught my eye. I'm sure that it probably comes from a sermon my dad has preached, which tells me that there is no telling how long that this note has been there. The weird thing is that it points to four verses in Genesis chapter 5, which is basically an account of the liniage from Adam to Noah. What could we possibly learn from a family tree? Well first let me share the verse and the note.
"When Enoch had lived 65 years he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away."
The note: "Others lived longer but Enoch was known for walking with God."
What an amazing eulogy! Enoch was no where near being the longest living person, more than likely he didn't have the most influential children, and he wasn't some great king or emporer. He was simply known as having walked with God until the day he died. There was no doubt in anyone's mind where Enoch would go when he passed away. From these four verses we can tell that Enoch was pretty much bursting at the seams with God's love when he was alive.
That is the kind of life that we should aspire to be.
I've seen bumper stickers that say "Live your life so the preacher doesn't have to lie at the funeral." I've always liked those bumper stickers for the simple fact that they make it very clear that we should live an Enoch kind of life. When you die, make it impossible for the preacher not to say "He/She walked with God." There is no greater commendation.
Your Fellow Water Walker,
Ashlee
P.S. Here's a couple of verses that you might also find inspiration for living an Enoch life from:
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
-Galations 2:20
"After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words."
-1 Thessalonians 4:17-18
Today has already been a great one at my house. My sister and I watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on tv this morning while my dad fried a turkey and my step-mom cooked all the side items. How great is the food that we get to eat today without feeling bad about it? We're going over to my grandmother's house for supper later on and I have a friend from college coming to spend the night tonight so that we can go shopping first thing in the morning. It really is shaping up to be a wonderful Thanksgiving and I truly have a lot to be thankful for.
In all the craziness of getting to see family that you probably haven't seen in quite some time and eating so much food you think your pants might bust, it's easy to lose sight of what is most important. When i was doing my devotional earlier, a note I had written in my bible caught my eye. I'm sure that it probably comes from a sermon my dad has preached, which tells me that there is no telling how long that this note has been there. The weird thing is that it points to four verses in Genesis chapter 5, which is basically an account of the liniage from Adam to Noah. What could we possibly learn from a family tree? Well first let me share the verse and the note.
"When Enoch had lived 65 years he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away."
The note: "Others lived longer but Enoch was known for walking with God."
What an amazing eulogy! Enoch was no where near being the longest living person, more than likely he didn't have the most influential children, and he wasn't some great king or emporer. He was simply known as having walked with God until the day he died. There was no doubt in anyone's mind where Enoch would go when he passed away. From these four verses we can tell that Enoch was pretty much bursting at the seams with God's love when he was alive.
That is the kind of life that we should aspire to be.
I've seen bumper stickers that say "Live your life so the preacher doesn't have to lie at the funeral." I've always liked those bumper stickers for the simple fact that they make it very clear that we should live an Enoch kind of life. When you die, make it impossible for the preacher not to say "He/She walked with God." There is no greater commendation.
Your Fellow Water Walker,
Ashlee
P.S. Here's a couple of verses that you might also find inspiration for living an Enoch life from:
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
-Galations 2:20
"After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words."
-1 Thessalonians 4:17-18
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Where to Run
Hello fellow Water Walkers,
I just got in a few minutes ago from a get together with my Sunday school group, and let me tell you, it left me feeling so great about the people that God has put in my life. These simple nights of just eating together, playing games, and watching a movie bring so much joy to my life.
When I got home I found a topical book of scripture on our family bookshelf. You know the kind. Where to look when you're feeling this way or going through this situation, that sort of thing. One of the things I struggle with most is discouragement, so that's where I turned to first. On the second page I found an awesome verse.
"Lord, even when I have trouble all around me, you will keep me alive. When my enemies are angry, you will reach down and save me by your power."
-Psalm 138:7
What an amazing truth. No matter what is going on around us here on earth, God is always there for us. He's there, ready to swoop in and save us when we need him. How can we not praise Him? His love is beyond even the craziest of imaginations.
Next time you feel like you are surrounded by troubles, remember that God is there for you, keeping you alive, ready and willing to be your salvation.
Your Fellow Water Walker,
Ashlee
I just got in a few minutes ago from a get together with my Sunday school group, and let me tell you, it left me feeling so great about the people that God has put in my life. These simple nights of just eating together, playing games, and watching a movie bring so much joy to my life.
When I got home I found a topical book of scripture on our family bookshelf. You know the kind. Where to look when you're feeling this way or going through this situation, that sort of thing. One of the things I struggle with most is discouragement, so that's where I turned to first. On the second page I found an awesome verse.
"Lord, even when I have trouble all around me, you will keep me alive. When my enemies are angry, you will reach down and save me by your power."
-Psalm 138:7
What an amazing truth. No matter what is going on around us here on earth, God is always there for us. He's there, ready to swoop in and save us when we need him. How can we not praise Him? His love is beyond even the craziest of imaginations.
Next time you feel like you are surrounded by troubles, remember that God is there for you, keeping you alive, ready and willing to be your salvation.
Your Fellow Water Walker,
Ashlee
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
God is our Refuge
Water Walkers,
Yesterday, my devotional led me to a verse in Psalms 46. I initially read just verse 10 which says "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." However when I glanced at the top of the page I stopped dead in my tracks. Suddenly I couldn't stop myself from reading the rest of the chapter. So what got me started on this little reading tangent? The word "refuge."
Psalm 46:1 says:
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."
Growing up as a precher's kid, I've heard this verse all my life, never really thinking anything of it. It became one of those verses in my head that was only pulled out when I didn't know what to say to someone who was going through a really tough time. Lately though, I am seeing this verse in a whole new light.
How often do we run and hide from the tough times that we go through, telling our friends what we need is time alone or chocolate. I'll be the first to admit that I am entirely guilty of this. After a bad rehearsal (I'm a theatre major) or an arguement with a family member the first words out of my mouth are "I need chocolate." Although chocolate is a great comfort food, it should not be the first thing we turn to when we need help or comforting. That title should go straight to God.
Verse 10 says to "Be still, and know that I am God." Part of doing that is admitting to ourselves that what we really need is him. It takes a lot for me to turn over my fears and pain to God. I know it's not easy for others either. It goes against every independant bone in my body. But you know what? God didn't create us in a way that means that we are capable of being hermits on an island somewhere only relying on ourselves. We need others to teach us, to help us, to encourage us, and to give us purpose. And yes, sometimes that means that we will get hurt along the way. You might be betrayed by someone you thought would always be there for you. You might be the victim of something you never even imagined having to experience. There might even be times when you ask how God could allow something to happen. It's in these times that God is there waiting to give us shelter. He will protect us, and strengthen us. We are his children. He cares more for us than we can even imagine. The God that knit us together in our mothers womb is not going to turn his back on us when we need him most. It's up to us to remember that and to run to him when all we feel like doing is running away.
I challenge you that the next time you want to reach for a piece of chocolate or just want to sit in the dark and cry, to call out to God instead. Pray for guidance and strength instead of trying to cope on your own. You will be amazed by what happens as a result.
Your fellow Water Walker,
Ashlee
Yesterday, my devotional led me to a verse in Psalms 46. I initially read just verse 10 which says "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." However when I glanced at the top of the page I stopped dead in my tracks. Suddenly I couldn't stop myself from reading the rest of the chapter. So what got me started on this little reading tangent? The word "refuge."
Psalm 46:1 says:
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."
Growing up as a precher's kid, I've heard this verse all my life, never really thinking anything of it. It became one of those verses in my head that was only pulled out when I didn't know what to say to someone who was going through a really tough time. Lately though, I am seeing this verse in a whole new light.
How often do we run and hide from the tough times that we go through, telling our friends what we need is time alone or chocolate. I'll be the first to admit that I am entirely guilty of this. After a bad rehearsal (I'm a theatre major) or an arguement with a family member the first words out of my mouth are "I need chocolate." Although chocolate is a great comfort food, it should not be the first thing we turn to when we need help or comforting. That title should go straight to God.
Verse 10 says to "Be still, and know that I am God." Part of doing that is admitting to ourselves that what we really need is him. It takes a lot for me to turn over my fears and pain to God. I know it's not easy for others either. It goes against every independant bone in my body. But you know what? God didn't create us in a way that means that we are capable of being hermits on an island somewhere only relying on ourselves. We need others to teach us, to help us, to encourage us, and to give us purpose. And yes, sometimes that means that we will get hurt along the way. You might be betrayed by someone you thought would always be there for you. You might be the victim of something you never even imagined having to experience. There might even be times when you ask how God could allow something to happen. It's in these times that God is there waiting to give us shelter. He will protect us, and strengthen us. We are his children. He cares more for us than we can even imagine. The God that knit us together in our mothers womb is not going to turn his back on us when we need him most. It's up to us to remember that and to run to him when all we feel like doing is running away.
I challenge you that the next time you want to reach for a piece of chocolate or just want to sit in the dark and cry, to call out to God instead. Pray for guidance and strength instead of trying to cope on your own. You will be amazed by what happens as a result.
Your fellow Water Walker,
Ashlee
Greetings
Hello everyone!
I have had the idea of an encouragement blog running around in my head for a few weeks now, and I have finally told myself to shut up and listen to God. I am ashamed to admit that I tend to let my fears get the better of me when I know that I am called by God to do something. I have really started getting more involved with my daily devotions and really studying, though, and I feel like I am truly growing in Christ.
So what has God revealed to me? I definitely have a heart for young girls, particularly the middle school through college range. Hopefully, I will be teaching a True Love Waits class this summer for the girls in my church's youth group. God has really put this cause on my heart and I know that he will make it happen if it is part of his plan.
Another step in my growth as a christian is taking missions seriously. In Acts 1:8, as Jesus ascends to Heaven, He tells us that we will be his witnesses "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Well in witnessing to my Jerusalem, I am helping direct Vacation Bible School this year. I can not wait to really dive into helping reach these children for Christ. What I am probably more excited about is my upcoming mission trip to Peru. I have felt called to make this trip ever since my dad made his first trip to Peru during my senior year of high school. Well I'm a sophomore in college now and I finally have the opportunity to go myself. I will be part of a team my dad is heading up and I am just about busting at the seams with excitement. Then, of course, I am using this blog as a way to reach to the ends of the earth. At a Britt Nicole concert I went to this weekend, I was basically hit in the face with the fact that I have not been listening to what God is telling me to do. Being the procrastinator I am, I kept putting off starting this blog, telling myself that I would start it January 1st. Well what about the people that need encouragement before January first? I know I always need encouragement during this time of year. Between finals and dealing with family and all the hustle and bustle, it can get a little stressful to say the least. Britt Nicole's song "Walk on the Water" has been playing over and over in my head ever since I heard it for the first time the other day and it absolutely holds in it the message that I needed to hear to convince me that this was the step I needed to take in order to follow God's will for my life. Since the song inspired me to create this blog, I decided to name the blog Water Walkers. I explained more behind the meaning of it in the About This Blog section to the left.
I just want to take this opportunity to say thank you for reading this blog and that I am praying that you get something out of it. I hope that you feel free to leave comments with your thoughts on whatever gets posted. This is not me saying I have all the answers. Actually, it's quite the opposite. I know there are a lot more people out there that are more knowledgeable than I am about the bible, but I also acknowledge that that should not stop me from standing up for my faith.
So comment away! Love everyone! And above all else, Follow God.
Your fellow Water Walker,
Ashlee
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