Where do you draw the line?

So here we go... I usually stay away from debate. I'm usually pretty black and white, because truth is truth.
So maybe you're pretty black and white? You feel like the rules are the rules and that's how it is. But let me ask you what about the people? The people their response may all vary. So do we leave them there at their situation or do we build a bridge to consider their thoughts?

I think so often we really do boycott things as a group of believers, I mean I'm guilty of this. I've redlined Harry Potter many of times, but really I know nothing about it- I've not only never read it nor do I know anything about the author or story line. Now I have to be careful here in saying that anything I avoid, I don't have to indulge in, but rather have an educated knowledge of what I support or do not support. We need to make sure what we are so passionately against, we have a foot to stand on. Now Paul discusses in Romans 14, the idea of one eating meat verses one eating vegetables and not judging the other for their way of living, nor judge if one celebrates a certain festival. The point we can apply here is sometimes what's good for you may not be good for me. We have our own bends, things which tempt us to fall. These statements are twofold. You see believers among believers need to be careful making judgements towards each other, I mean after all aren't we called to the same thing? But the 2nd direction is those people who see us boycott so much, how do they see Christ's love? I mean if we were to boycott everything we didn't support, then we wouldn't wash our dishes, or our laundry, we wouldn't have ketchup(help me) and we probably would end up Amish(I, in some lights awe their sensitivity of holiness there, but that is not for me ;) )

Its interesting here though. The one thing that can not be alter is the Gospel. The Gospel is that with out Jesus we are helpless, dead beings. We are here for nothing if we do not live for Jesus. Jesus is the ONLY payment and mediator between us and God, and with out him we will never have communion with God. And so the Gospel shall never falter- in truth it will always last. You can't touch that.

So my challenge is know what you claim, be careful because behind a situation is a person, and just maybe that person needs Jesus.

Draw the line somewhere in the midst of truth not forgetting that the truth is for the people, not for truth itself. God loved the world(people).

Let me know your questions and comments!
Love the world to your best ability in Jesus!
Ashley

Home for a sec, expression::Contentment

We're actually home for 3 days which is nice. I'm really bad at this blogging thing, but I say I think I'm going to get better.

We just got home on Sunday from a 10 day run on the west coast. Its so gorgeous out there. Its an immediate change of atmosphere, I wonder if people have a little more life span because they breathe a little more out there?

We head out on Wednesday for the New England area of our country it should be fun! Thinking of planning activities for our rainy days weather forecast however. At the beginning of the summer I started making pillows with the girls, we need to finish those. That's my goal this weekend, while the bus is still of course, needles in the finger are painful! :)

I've been thinking a lot about the word contentment. For me, life is good when its busy busy busy! I enjoy that responsibility! Even though I sometimes will find myself complaining, ultimately I take pride in being a hard worker, getting tasks done!

So is this my thought, having contentment is such a big deal because when you as a follower of Christ, don't feel His moving, we are called to be content in that, because that is an expression of our Faith. And if we only have 'Faith' when God is providing and moving clearly around us, then that's really just peace in knowing God is there. But Faith is trusting God is there.

As I pray for wisdom daily, I pray now knowing that what I've been lacking so long is contentment, in order to express my faith that God is there, even when I don't feel Him, or see Him, or even understand Him.

If our beings were more content then the price wouldn't have to be so high for our commitment to follow Jesus wherever He'd like to lead us. We would follow, we would not have to have Blessing. Because we'd understand that living in Christ is the ultimate Blessing, and the only thing we really need. I'm convicted as I type. What's the hold back? Where's the green light on our leap of faith?

Fast

Breaking a 10 day fast today. Wow! Its been a really cool journey over the past days; so many thoughts and experiences, that happened just in that little time.

First off, if you feel like you want to do a fast, know that you know you're supposed to because it is honestly one of the hardest things you do.

For me there were so many things to pray about, and so many thoughts that I needed to have discernment towards. Thats the why for me.

Be very careful how long you do it, and know from the Lord that it is all about him before one encounters such a discipline.
Also be aware of how you end it. For instance my first meal, was chicken broth, and 1 piece of whole wheat bread with no butter. light but necessary to break it with out getting sick.

Some of me wants not to break it just for the moments of solitude and resting before the Lord, that denouncing my mealtimes allowed. It was truly sweet!

So my simple question now is, what do I change in my day to day to have just as much time with you but not skipping meals for the rest of my life. We are called to take care of our bodies, refusing ourselves food obviously would cause damage to our bodies after a time.

If you are wondering what God is trying to accomplish in your life, you may not be able to grasp the answer but you can be certain of this. God desires to transform you. Transform your heart to love, transform your mind to service, transform your eyes to see the need. He desires for you to be in complete likeness of Jesus. Now that is honest hope! That he desires to transform each one of us into Jesus. That's hope for a nation. That's the path to leave behind all the circumstances and the stuff that used to strap us to the ground.

That's a Jesus to stare at, and to soak up his every move. That's a Jesus to give your life over too, and surrender all, because the surrender is so much sweeter than what you could ever try and push for.

That's a faith to believe in and to a gospel to share throughout all the nations! That's a truth to live by always!

I am ever thankful for our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave us grace and apostleship to call people to him! Thankful for the perspective which the absence of a daily need gave me.

Stare Jesus in the face!

Ashley Lowe

Proverbs 31:1-10

We are home for a little while, well at least the kids and I are. Which means I get to really dive into my passion for students, and really girls ministry. So I’ve been teaching 11th grade girls on Sunday mornings and I thought I toss up some lessons from that material.

This one is on Proverbs 31, since I’m not married or dating, this lesson really comes straight from my heart, as I strive after the heart of God. I seek wisdom that my character might lead me down the exact path God wants me to journey on. Everyday is an adventure. Are we willing to deny temporary pleasures for lasting godly wisdom?

Making the most of the venues

From April 18, 2008

There are many days when venues aren’t as clean as your living room floor. And lets face it, kids eat off the floor. So you have to be creative to get through the days.

Scooters are great because they thoroughly wear the kids out! So a little scooter and frisbee action turns the back of an arena to the favorite playground of the day.

The kids all have lots of energy today, its a day we call for a late fun night, because there is no school the following day. Which means we the adults get to sleep in! Yay! (at least we hope too)