A Lot of Learning.

I think I am seeing myself as less and less mature of a Christian every single day. No Joke. I am seeing how incredibly sinful I am daily, and it doesn't make me feel guilty but just loved more. That not only would Jesus die for my past sins but my future ones too, ones that I have no idea of because I am that offensive. I am so gracious and just being shown more and more grace every moment.
Our room was read a bedtime story that was like a little thought bubble that could be God's but something that was said in it was, "What if I tell them who they are? What if they knew that I would never ever use the word punish in relation to them... That the basis of our friendship is not based on how little they sin but how much they let Me love them? What if I tell them I'm crazy about them?" I think looking at God knowing that He is crazy about me changes the entire way I approach Him. Not as the Wizard of Oz who stands behind a curtain or someone that I have never met and I don't really know how to relate to but as someone who has sacrificed his son just so that I could have the chance to know him. A God who has not only stepped from behind the curtain but has torn the curtain in half, just so I could really know who He really is.He loved me that much. -I am of course learning lots of other little things but it all pales in comparison.

Thirsty in the Florida Heat.

Saying it is hot in Florida is almost funny to me now. I have a new appreciation for water. I need it soooooo much!! I am constantly filling water bottles, sometimes two at a time just to make sure I am drinking enough. And fancy the irony that our theme verse for this week is Psalm 42:2 (I chose to also include verse 1 as well, it's just so good!) "As a deer pants for streams of water so my soul pants for you oh God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When can I go and meet with God?"

There is a funny thing about being constantly thirsty. You are constantly aware of your need for water. I live in a society where going thirsty is something I almost have to try to do. Yet I know there are places in this world where people are dying for lack of water. When it comes to the Bible I have placed my heart in a desert and said to it, "I don't have time to water you very often so just get used to being thirsty for a bit. Sorry." I go thirsty, I pant, my soul pleads to meet with God and I put it on call waiting and before long I am intentionally dying of thirst.

But the Psalm goes on with a magnificent promise. It says; "...deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls. All your waves a breakers have swept over me." God has promised that though I might be starving, if I would only look up I am surrounded with a waterfall. God has placed me in a society where the Bible is whole and allowed and I can read his letter to me daily if I only learn to turn to him. I think of this promise and I only have a desire to dive in. And let my soul remind me of how my constant thirst can only be quenched with his sweet love.

Week 1

For all those patiently (not including my parents) waiting for my first post here it is!! (love you Mom and Dad) Let me just start off by saying that I am so blessed by being here.. EVERYTHING we are studying are things that I have had personal struggles with in my walk with God. We are reading a book called the praying life that I literally have to remind myself that I shouldn't read just in one sitting. There are nights when I go to bed thinking I cannot absorb any more tomorrow. Then it's tomorrow and I just run hard all over again. I am seeing myself being stretched daily, living in a hotel room with six girls will do that. I am absolutely loving it though. I got my first FLORIDA burn yesterday and am paying for it.. greatly. I am constantly reminded of God''s grace. There is grace in my ADD writing, there is grace in my little bit tired eyes, there is grace in our disaster zone of a room (though finding it is hard), there is even grace in the growing pains.

God's hand is sooooooo visible in me being here. I am blessed with having close friends already. Friends that I can see sharpening me throughout my life and I am without words for that.

there will be more later.. I promise. But right now it is dinner with friends

all the love I can muster up
Ashley Lynne.