He is Risen!

First off Happy Easter your and your families :). I told you last post (Jan) that I would share my new years resolutions with all of you in my next post. Well it's now April and ironically two of my resolutions had to do with procrastination and posting more often. It seems that I'm not off to a great start , but regardless I though what better way to renew my resolve to post more than by starting with an Easter post. I think that Easter is my favorite holiday hand down. I love it for so many reasons 1) It's the day to celebrate the resurrection Of My savior and subsequently the greatest gift of mercy I could ever hope to receive 2) The time of celebration is shared with my friends ,family, and loved ones 3)I love the church service on Easter Sunday because everything about it is so energized ; The whole mood is celebratory. More than any other Sunday there is an atmosphere of Joy.4) It's a great time of reflection. There is so much to consider on so many levels. Today I have contemplated: the enormity of the gift that was given for me, what I will choose to do with the knowledge that I didn't deserve the gift but it was given to me any way, how I can share the meaning of this day with others, The order in which I place my priorities, and even my future goals. Each thought allows me to contemplate my relationship with the Lord. New Years is a great time to self reflect as I pointed out in my last post, but Easter offers its own opportunity to reflect on spiritual matters and 5) On a more superficial level the excitement of a new Easter dress is something I don't think I will ever grow out of. To me it represents a renewal. With a new dress comes opportunity as the outfit has the potential for new memories and experiences to be associated with it. It's a piece of fabric that carries a sense of potential with it. In the same way Easter Represents a renewal - a Renewed depth to a faith, A renewed focus on the cross, A new potential for spiritual exploration. Each is a new set of memories and experiences that God is calling us to dive into.


Matthew 28:5-8 = 5The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

God Bless,
Ashley

2010- Time to change

The New Year is finally here! As I think about this I begin to reflect on just what that means for me. What I wist to do with this knowledge and how I can make a difference this year. One of the things I think about is 2 Corinthians 5:17 -Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! I realize that I am already made new in Christ with a decision to accept him as my Lord and Savior and that knows now time or year span. So I use that verse to reflect on how I changed when I accepted Christ; How I let myself trust him instead of trying to do it all myself ; How I stopped worrying so much I would make myself Sick, Even those small things show how I was made knew in Him. So I think about 1) How awesome that is and 2) how my new resolutions can reflect my love of Christ and His will. I think about my spiritual gifts
-Romans 12: 6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his^b]">[b]faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
-Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
I decide that I will go where God's leads me this year and not let fear hold me back - 2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Even as my mind wanders to all the other new things this year will bring Like SATs, ACTs, finals, and all of these things that I don't want to think about , that stress me out I think about yet another verse -Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. I realize that no matter what it is I can take it to God and that I will never face anything he can't handle and that I will always be okay in his loving arms.
I love the new year because I think it's a time for a heart cleansing not just a celebration. It's a time to reflect on the past year and learn and grow from each experiences and It's a time to renew Body , Mind and Soul. It's the perfect opportunity to make changes and to renew commitments . Whether it be wanting to read your bible more (http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/) or whatever I urge you to take the time to reflect , to be still and spend that time with God, to let go of the sin that ensnares you.
- So ,what are some of your new years resoultions ( I'll post mine next post) and how do they reflect the changes you wish to make>
- What do you enjoy about reflecting on the new year?

God Bless,
Ashley Lane
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