Tuesday, December 3, 2013

I AM ...a (not surprisingly) good math-rapper

 Working on one of my latest master pieces.  Informational Math Songs to the tune of some of my favorite hits.  This one is in progress, but I'll give you a sneak peak into (what will be) the well known chorus. 
*Please try to imagine the parts in parenthesis as phrases that the crowd will be shouting in response. 


 
 
Cupid Shuffle (Slide-n-Divide Remix)
 
Take the number to the right, to the right -the right -the right
Yes slide it down and multiply (slide it down and multiply)
Rewrite (Rewrite) Factor (Divide)
Reduce and simplify. Now pop those bottoms high.
 
 
 
 
Yes, I AM... a math-rapper

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

I AM...a climber

This has really been rolling around in me today.  So here it goes...my thoughts...in no particular order...


"Running does not get us over the mountain...climbing gets us there...let's embrace what's in front of us.  It's worth it.  We're worth it."

Friends, pursue Jesus. 
Pursue the person of Jesus.
We are left unsatisfied.
Empty.
Confused.
Disappointed.
Because we seek something other than the person of Jesus.
Let's not go running looking for something else.
Let's STAY looking for HIM.

Children who have forgotten who they are, run.
They run looking for something.
Looking for themselves.
Looking for fulfillment.
We think the way to get what we want is to run. 
To go find it.
It is already HERE!  Right in FRONT of us.
He is HERE!  He is right in FRONT of us!

We can't run.
We have GOT to stay in this.
We must.
Jesus has GOOD things for us.
We MUST push through.
Trusting.
Believing. 
That He is a good Father.
A Father who knows what's best.
Who wants what's best.

Jesus' face is right there IN the mountain. 
He's IN the mountain. 
Metaphorically and physically.
Like, I literally see His face in the mountain like the faces in Mount Rushmore. 

If we keep running from mountains, we will only ever experience one location.
One side.
One perspective.
Eventually we will have to climb.
If we want the other side, we will eventually be forced to climb.
Even if we run, eventually we will run back into the same mountain miles down the road.

Stop running Ashley.
Stop running **insert your name here**.

Climb.
It's worth it.
The view at the top is worth it.
The journey is worth it.
The other side is worth it.
He is worth it.
You are worth it.

We must embrace the mountain.
We must stop trying to pray away the mountain.
We must stop trying to "move the mountain."
(yes I know that verse says that faith can move mountains...but I think most mountains are not meant to be moved.)

You do not climb alone.
Grab a friend's hand. 
Grab the Father's hand. 
And climb.
Set your eyes on the Jesus that is there with you IN the mountain.
And climb.

We are climbers.
...I am a climber.
 

Monday, July 22, 2013

I AM...alive

I know this will probably not properly capture what my heart wants to express, but I must attempt it nonetheless.
And my hope is that if nothing else, you see my heart...

My heart is:
SO full. 
SO overwhelmed. 
SO overflowing. 
SO alive.
It is SO good.

So much so that at times I physically can not keep still.
So much so that it is almost uncomfortable. 
That I need to get near someone else so the overflow has somewhere to run off.
Lest I be weighted with this wonderful yet constant heaviness that does not seem to fit quite right for too long a time.

What started all of this? 
What spurred this on?
This simple yet frustrating phrase:  "I want you to be you."
Simple because it is one task based on something we should [one would think] be completely familiar with.  Be ourselves.
Frustrating because we assume that we are already being ourselves or that we need to be doing something more.
And yet, the more I stop trying and I just start...being, the more I start to realize that it is ME, ASHLEY...who can walk into this...whatever this is...this fullness.



"This is What You Do" - Matt Stinton, Bethel Music


It's always like springtime with You, making all things new
Your light is breaking through the dark
This love it is sweeter than wine
Bringing joy, bringing life
Your hope is rising like the dawn

This is what You do, this is what You do
YOU MAKE ME COME ALIVE

It's like I'm living for the first time
FINALLY LIVING FOR THE FIRST TIME





...I AM alive.




Friday, March 1, 2013

I AM...Wanted

When I hear this song, I don't hear a romantic verse from man to woman, I hear a Father revealing his love to his children.  I hear it SO strongly.  I believe his heart is to have all of his children know that they are WANTED.  Listen to this song from a new perspective.   



Hunter Hayes "Wanted"


You know I'd fall apart without you
I don't know how you do what you do
'Cause everything that don't make sense about me
Makes sense when I'm with you
Like everything that's green, girl I need you
But it's more than one and one makes two
Put aside the math and the logic of it

You gotta know you want it too


'Cause I wanna wrap you up
Wanna kiss your lips
I wanna make you feel wanted
And I wanna call you mine
Wanna hold your hand forever
Never let you forget it
Yeah, I wanna make you feel wanted


Anyone can tell you you're pretty
You get that all the time, I know you do
But your beauty's deeper than the makeup
And I wanna show you what I see tonight


As good as YOU make me feel
I wanna make you feel better
Better than your fairy tales
Better than your best dreams
You're more than everything I need
You're all I ever wanted

All I ever wanted




You are and I am...wanted. 

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

We are...beloved

Discovered a (new to me) song the other day.  Haven't been able to get it out of my heart since. 
Jason Gray's "Remind Me Who I Am"

Video was definitely worth watching:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSIVjjY8Ou8


 
Remind me who I am.

Tell me once again who I am to You,
Who I am to You.
Tell me lest I forget who I am to You,
That I belong to You.
To You.

If I'm Your beloved,
Can You help me believe it.



I'm the one You LOVE,
I'm the one You love,
That will be enough,
I'm the one You LOVE.

Tell me once again who I am to You,
Who I am to You.
Tell me lest I forget who I am to You,
That I belong to You.
To You.






 

WOW. I truly believe this is God's heart for us.  For us ALL.
That we see ourselves and each other as HE sees us.  Loved.  Worthy. 
That we live from that place.  

We ARE Beloved.  

Friday, January 4, 2013

I AM...Excited!

Dear 2013,

You came so quick.
I wasn't even thinking about you. 
I wasn't planning my vision for you.

My eyes were fixed on my Father.
And He led me into preparation for you and I didn't even have any idea that was happening.
But I see it now.

He spoke to me about the appropriate vision, changes, attitude and etc.
I am READY.
I am EXCITED.
I am CONFIDENT.
with direction and purpose and intention and effectiveness and power and authority.
I am where I need to be.

  •  Fix your eyes on your Father, your Husband.
  •  Walk with confidence and awareness into each environment knowing your power, influence, and authority.
  • See beyond the natural.
  • You are not in a season of waiting.  WALK.  Your steps will be ordered.
  • I need YOU to be YOU.
  • Excitement!
  • Resourced from Heaven.

2013, in one word, I am EXCITED.  


Love,

Ash



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