"There is a season - turn, turn, turn And a time for every purpose under heaven"

Dear Friends,

It has been a while!  I haven't written a post since June and here it is almost Christmas. Since my last post, I have been blessed to start a Master's Program in Christian Studies!
I LOVE IT!!!
Many of you had a hand in getting me here and I thank you. What a blessing it has been for me.  I have been reminded of younger days when I would soak in God's Word.This program has been a great blessing for many reasons. One reason is because once again struggle has hit my family since last summer.  God was and is at work doing great things for our good and for His glory however.  God is infamous for bringing His Light into the darkness.

When I think of the cross, my heart grieves deeply.  I cannot watch any scene in a movie where my forever loving Savior is being tortured and killed.  I simply cannot bear it.  Could I bear watching this happen to my husband? There's no way.  However, God brought joy to this world out of that horrific event in history.

This is what God does when struggle and pain shows up in our lives when we rest in His presence.  It is unwise for me to share what has occurred in the last six months.  I will share that the Lord provided a great need that was nearly taken away from my family. He has also been at work in the heart of one of His children in a most challenging environment.  The last struggle is still being worked out in God's good and perfect timing.

If any of you have read some of my earlier posts, you'll remember that I shared a season of incredible struggle back in 2007.  In that season, I raged at God.  The stories others shared about trials and how close they felt to the Lord were nonsense to me.  I had never felt further.

The difference in this season of trial revolves around one huge difference: my closeness to Jesus.  In 2007 my heart was not close to Him and yet He still delivered us.  In this season, I understand others when they share how close they feel to the Lord when trials hit.  Once again, from my experience, bitterness or peacefulness of spirit revolve around one's nearness to Christ.

This holiday season, wherever you are in your journey with Christ, remember that He is doing the same work in all of us.  He is drawing us nearer to Himself.  We never "arrive" on this earth; we will always deal with seasons of struggle while on this earth.  God is always at work however.  His love is forever faithful.  We can trust Him.  I pray that you do.

Much love, ash

A Psalm of David
     "I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing praises to You before the gods. I will bow                               down towards Your holy temple and give thanks for Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth.."
-Psalms 138:1 & 2

Charlie Brown Christmas