I am sometimes offended.
Offense.
Makes me feel: Ehh. Yuk.
I get frustrated when I see others respond in it.
I get frustrated when I see myself responding in it.
I think the more and more we mature, the less and less we find ourselves offended.
Instead of offense, seek true understanding.
Instead of offense, see hidden opportunity.
Instead of offense, self reflection.
Instead of offense, Jesus reflection.
Instead of offense, vulnerability.
Instead of offense, walking with each other amidst our process.
Why are we offended? THIS IS GOOD.
Why are we offended? THERE IS AMAZING OPPORTUNITY HERE.
Why are we offended? WE SIMPLY HAVE DIFFERENT VISIONS.
Why are we offended? WHAT'S THE REAL ISSUE?
I think offense is more often a ME problem than it is a YOU problem.
I am offended because I need to work through something in ME, not because of what YOU did to me.
What YOU did simply revealed what needs worked through in ME.
Let our hearts not be offended.
On the other side of our offense, is opportunity.
And I don't want to miss out...
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
I AM...tamed.
So...you want to know what's been stirring in me this week...well here it is...
Relationship.
I believe in it.
It is a good thing.
Marriage.
I believe in it.
It is a good thing.
A good, healthy, fruitful relationship/marriage allows two individuals to grow each other into who they really are.
I realize we don't all have 100% awesome experiences of relationships. Whether that be past or present personal experiences or the past or present experiences of those close to us.
And still...
My heart says YES to marriage.
It says YES knowing, that seasons (both short and sometimes so terribly long) could possibly sit around the corner waiting to pour in.
It says YES knowing, that commitment is hard-work.
It says YES knowing, that it's never only about me anymore (but was it ever only about me?)
It says YES knowing, that sometimes my heart will be broken.
It says YES knowing, I could break someone else's heart.
It says YES knowing, at any moment, out of my control, the other person could call it all off and despite all my efforts and fights and commitment, it could be over...
It says YES.
I say YES.
YES, Marriage.
I believe in it.
It is a good thing.
Relationship is always worth it.
We are not alive unto ourselves. We are alive in unity with those around us.
In marriage with Jesus the bridegroom or in marriage with earthly man:
We invest in each other fully only to become more fully alive --each of us.
Love is worth the risk of pain.
My heart screams this.
My spirit believes this with everything that's in me.
I can't describe it any better than with some quotes from one of my favorite books, "The Little Prince.":
“ONE RUNS THE RISK OF WEEPING A LITTLE, IF ONE LETS HIMSELF BE TAMED."
“Of course I’ll hurt you. Of course you’ll hurt me. Of course we will hurt each other. But this is the very condition of existence. To become spring, means accepting the risk of winter. To become presence, means accepting the risk of absence.”
“…but if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world…if you tame me, it will be as if the sun came to shine on my life. I shall know the sound of a step that will be different from all the others. Other steps send me hurrying back underneath the ground. Yours will call me, like music, out of my burrow.”
“What does tamed mean? It's something that's been too often neglected. It means to create ties.”
“I am beginning to understand," said the little prince. "There is a flower... I think that she has tamed me...”
I'm sorry but isn't that crazy beautiful? Does this make anyone else just burst into tears?
AMAZING.
I want to tame.
I want to be tamed.
I don't want to stay in my burrow hiding from potential pain.
It is SO worth it.
Let our walls come down.
May we open ourselves up, vulnerability come forth, trusting.
It is SO worth it.
We are SO worth it.
HE is SO worth it.
I hope you hear my heart in this...
Relationship.
I believe in it.
It is a good thing.
Marriage.
I believe in it.
It is a good thing.
A good, healthy, fruitful relationship/marriage allows two individuals to grow each other into who they really are.
I realize we don't all have 100% awesome experiences of relationships. Whether that be past or present personal experiences or the past or present experiences of those close to us.
And still...
My heart says YES to marriage.
It says YES knowing, that seasons (both short and sometimes so terribly long) could possibly sit around the corner waiting to pour in.
It says YES knowing, that commitment is hard-work.
It says YES knowing, that it's never only about me anymore (but was it ever only about me?)
It says YES knowing, that sometimes my heart will be broken.
It says YES knowing, I could break someone else's heart.
It says YES knowing, at any moment, out of my control, the other person could call it all off and despite all my efforts and fights and commitment, it could be over...
It says YES.
I say YES.
YES, Marriage.
I believe in it.
It is a good thing.
Relationship is always worth it.
We are not alive unto ourselves. We are alive in unity with those around us.
In marriage with Jesus the bridegroom or in marriage with earthly man:
We invest in each other fully only to become more fully alive --each of us.
Love is worth the risk of pain.
My heart screams this.
My spirit believes this with everything that's in me.
I can't describe it any better than with some quotes from one of my favorite books, "The Little Prince.":
“ONE RUNS THE RISK OF WEEPING A LITTLE, IF ONE LETS HIMSELF BE TAMED."
“Of course I’ll hurt you. Of course you’ll hurt me. Of course we will hurt each other. But this is the very condition of existence. To become spring, means accepting the risk of winter. To become presence, means accepting the risk of absence.”
“…but if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world…if you tame me, it will be as if the sun came to shine on my life. I shall know the sound of a step that will be different from all the others. Other steps send me hurrying back underneath the ground. Yours will call me, like music, out of my burrow.”
“What does tamed mean? It's something that's been too often neglected. It means to create ties.”
“I am beginning to understand," said the little prince. "There is a flower... I think that she has tamed me...”
I'm sorry but isn't that crazy beautiful? Does this make anyone else just burst into tears?
AMAZING.
I want to tame.
I want to be tamed.
I don't want to stay in my burrow hiding from potential pain.
It is SO worth it.
Let our walls come down.
May we open ourselves up, vulnerability come forth, trusting.
It is SO worth it.
We are SO worth it.
HE is SO worth it.
I hope you hear my heart in this...
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Math Video
Before I retire from my music-video / math-rapping career, I have decided to produce one last video.
Please review the brief math notes below so that you may easily follow the concept that is being covered in this video.
Brief Math Notes
When multiplying and dividing numbers, the sign of your answer is:
1. POSITIVE (if the signs of your numbers were the SAME)
2. NEGATIVE (if the signs of your numbers were DIFFERENT)
Signs don't matter in these cases:
1. Zero multiplied by any number is ZERO.
2. Zero divided by any number is ZERO.
3. Any number divided by zero is UNDEFINED. ("Divided by zero" means the zero is on the right or bottom.)
And now, for your viewing pleasure and your mathematically educational experience, I present to you:
Wild Ones (Multiply-n-Divide Remix)
Please review the brief math notes below so that you may easily follow the concept that is being covered in this video.
Brief Math Notes
When multiplying and dividing numbers, the sign of your answer is:
1. POSITIVE (if the signs of your numbers were the SAME)
2. NEGATIVE (if the signs of your numbers were DIFFERENT)
Signs don't matter in these cases:
1. Zero multiplied by any number is ZERO.
2. Zero divided by any number is ZERO.
3. Any number divided by zero is UNDEFINED. ("Divided by zero" means the zero is on the right or bottom.)
And now, for your viewing pleasure and your mathematically educational experience, I present to you:
Wild Ones (Multiply-n-Divide Remix)
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.
"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.
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.
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.
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