Ephesians One:
This chapter is PACKED! Sometimes I almost avoid it, because I know it has so much [wonderful] information; I have a hard time digesting it all, and knowing how to be glad about all of it, every day.
This morning I saw a little bit of a new order to it all. Each time I study it, it becomes more organized, more unified, and almost more simple. If you'd like, let the words newly inform your mind as you read it in the way I wrote it out, just a little 'separated.'
<3
He:
Blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He
Chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, that we might be holy and blameless before Him. In love He
Predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has
Blessed us in the Beloved [with His glorious grace]
He Gave us:
Redemption through His blood
Forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished on us, in all wisdom and insight, making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His prupose, whcih He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in Heaven and things on earth.
An Inheritance, having been predestined according to the purose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory.
The Promised Holy Spirit [whom you were sealed with, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him] who is guarantee of our inheritance, until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
3-10-11
“My brethren, what is it that makes God happy but God Himself? And what is it that makes Christ so happy but that He is equal with God the Father? Now, if God makes Himself happy, how happy shall we be when we communicate with God in His happiness? To be one with Him, then, must make us happy.
We cannot be one with Him as Christ is, for He is the brightness of His glory, the express image and character of His person; He is the natural Son of God and of the same nature with God. But we shall be made one with Him so far as the creature is capable of being made one with Him, and we shall have the next union to that which God and Christ have with one another.”
— Thomas Goodwin
We cannot be one with Him as Christ is, for He is the brightness of His glory, the express image and character of His person; He is the natural Son of God and of the same nature with God. But we shall be made one with Him so far as the creature is capable of being made one with Him, and we shall have the next union to that which God and Christ have with one another.”
— Thomas Goodwin
Sunday, March 6, 2011
March 6, 2011
The rain falls,
A quiet sound.
The world looks damp
and colorless.
Resting thoughts,
standing still.
Trees holding out their branches
still, and wet.
My heart,
Quiet,
I do not have a moment
More than now.
I'm so,
glad it's March. It's Sunday, the first Sunday of March. The seasons are changing, a new one will be here soon. The world awakens from its seasonal death, and color begins to show up and appear where there previously was nothing.
Birth, growth, decline, death, then quietness until it all begins again. I love how each of the four seasons present endless hope and imagery. They're beautiful. Here in Virginia each one is lovely. Spring, summer, fall, I have all of these to look forward to, after this season of winter. A season of coldness, of bare trees, of staying indoors. I would love to go hiking or camping, but also really just enjoy the out of doors. Cooking on the grill, sitting and eating outside, enjoying evenings outside with the firepit, and maybe trying to find some way to stay away from the mosquitoes.
Thank you, Lord, for the peaceful fruit of righteousness. For the steadfastness that trials work in the believer's life. Thank you for that. The result of the 'testing' of our faith. My love for You has grown, because You, are, life, and I have found You to be life and peace, and good. Oh God, You are grand, You are divine, You are holy.
All we need is You.
The ~work~ of quieting our hearts to believe these things is a sweet one. It is an easy burden, it is light. Of living in each moment, not anticipating the next, but enjoying holiness that is possible through faith. There is no sweeter lesson, it feels like.
Jesus, thank you for today, for rest. For springtime, for Sunday, for lessons, for salvation, for adoption, for our betrothal to You, in rightousness and truth, in love and justice. You are kind, and You are all that we need. Your rule extends beautifully over sunrises, and sunsets.
--yours,
Ashley
A quiet sound.
The world looks damp
and colorless.
Resting thoughts,
standing still.
Trees holding out their branches
still, and wet.
My heart,
Quiet,
I do not have a moment
More than now.
I'm so,
glad it's March. It's Sunday, the first Sunday of March. The seasons are changing, a new one will be here soon. The world awakens from its seasonal death, and color begins to show up and appear where there previously was nothing.
Birth, growth, decline, death, then quietness until it all begins again. I love how each of the four seasons present endless hope and imagery. They're beautiful. Here in Virginia each one is lovely. Spring, summer, fall, I have all of these to look forward to, after this season of winter. A season of coldness, of bare trees, of staying indoors. I would love to go hiking or camping, but also really just enjoy the out of doors. Cooking on the grill, sitting and eating outside, enjoying evenings outside with the firepit, and maybe trying to find some way to stay away from the mosquitoes.
Thank you, Lord, for the peaceful fruit of righteousness. For the steadfastness that trials work in the believer's life. Thank you for that. The result of the 'testing' of our faith. My love for You has grown, because You, are, life, and I have found You to be life and peace, and good. Oh God, You are grand, You are divine, You are holy.
All we need is You.
The ~work~ of quieting our hearts to believe these things is a sweet one. It is an easy burden, it is light. Of living in each moment, not anticipating the next, but enjoying holiness that is possible through faith. There is no sweeter lesson, it feels like.
Jesus, thank you for today, for rest. For springtime, for Sunday, for lessons, for salvation, for adoption, for our betrothal to You, in rightousness and truth, in love and justice. You are kind, and You are all that we need. Your rule extends beautifully over sunrises, and sunsets.
--yours,
Ashley
March 6, 2011
Greetings! It's me, Ashley. Here I'm going to post prayers of mine, journal entries, that are not written for this blog, but written for my own reflection. If you read any entry, my hope would be that you are refreshed by the truth, or simply encouraged by reflecting on someone else's journey of faith in Jesus. Blessings and grace to you, in Christ!
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