Positively Thankful!

 

Today is a milestone: a year ago I followed God’s lead and created this blog. I set out on this electronic journey not knowing exactly what I would write, how many photos I’d take (hint: a LOT), or how long this trail would go. This endeavor has been both a challenge and a joy so far, writing and sharing what God’s been up to in my life.

This day I’m pausing to give special thanks to God for who He is and all He has done. I thank Him for my incredibly supportive friends and family, and I thank Him for all the blessings great and small that He has seen fit to grant me each and every day.

To those of you who follow my humble little blog, whether you’ve recently begun following, or you’ve been reading from the beginning, thank you so much. I have appreciated every “like”, comment and share, and look forward to hearing more.

I don’t know what the next year has in store, but I’m sure it will be good! It makes me smile to think that God is using me to inspire and uplift so many. Unlike some other websites, I’m not selling anything, but I am sold out for Christ! Liberally promoting positivity and kindness with every post, my hope is that my readers will pay it forward!

Looking through my poems, this one seemed to fit my thankful and reflective mood:

“Winding Trail”

Giddy expectation of heavenly reward.
Love follows love – and all from the Lord.
Grateful exultation of Christ my King,
Who alone understands me and gives me everything.
So very thankful, beyond what words express.
I’m loving more deeply, and happier with less.
Trusting God completely – no cause for doubt or fear.
For His promises are true; His mercy draws me near.
Grace propels me onward, great joy lights up my way.
Ever glowing in this valley, with faith as bright as day.
From blessing to blessing, each hour, wisdom grows.
As I walk in hope and peace, I conquer all my foes!
No matter what others say, my strength comes from inside:
For by His Spirit, I am free! Set apart, sanctified!
Traveling with Jesus along this winding trail,
I smile and sing His praises, knowing His love will prevail!

8-11-2015
©Ladeena Ashley

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1

Extra Credit
Colossians 3:12-17

Blessings to you, this day and always!

©Ladeena Ashley
2017 All Rights Reserved (blog content and photos)

Reflections of Growth

Camera at the ready, I meandered through a nearby park the other day and caught this unique shot of a tree.

My immediate thought, besides how cool it was that its reflection fit so neatly into the sizable puddle covering the pathway below, was the phrase “reflections of growth”.  I thought to myself that it’s good to pause every once in a while to take stock of the positive changes, growth and blessings in our lives.

A long time ago, in a moment of repose beneath a similar tree, I contemplated how complex and messy life is, yet joyfully remembered in Whom my life is rooted:

“The Growing Place”

Tangled, messy
Crazy mass of limbs and branches
Reaching out
in all directions.
Yet all is in order.
Connected to a central support.
Origin of creation.
The growing place
Stronger, knowing
even in perfect chaos
God holds my life together.

5-9-02
© Ladeena Ashley

Patterns of Blessings
Whenever we’re tempted to be discouraged about the future, the best thing to do is look at the patterns of blessings in the past. Not only to reflect on how far we’ve come and how much we’ve grown, but more importantly how God has shown Himself faithful time and time again. It’s so encouraging and easier for me to look forward with hope when I recall the various yet specific ways the Lord has blessed, nudged and otherwise spoken powerfully into my life as I sought His will above my own. Those patterns also give clues to how God may direct me through situations to come.

You can likely recall answers to prayers, uncommon strength in hard times and other pivotal moments in your own life when God was there for you, both in mighty ways and in gentle whispers. Yet it’s not always easy to recognize His presence, especially in the “perfect chaos” of our lives. That’s why it’s important to pause and count all those blessings, especially the hidden ones we miss while in the tangled branches, thickets and thorny times of life. As each gift is uncovered, a contagious joy and hope grows anew as we remember God’s faithfulness.

When we remain rooted in God and His love as our central support, staying grounded in His Word with grateful hearts, we will keep right on growing in grace by His power. In fact, we will never stop learning and improving until the day He calls us home.

Final Reflections
Reflect on what God has done in and through you.
Reflect on His faithfulness and love.
Reflect that joy and love into the world.

Make the most of every puddle!

“I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19

Blessings to you, this day and always!

©Ladeena Ashley
2017 All Rights Reserved (blog content and photo)

Rise and Shine!

 

The word “rise” seems to be a popular buzzword these days, and it can mean many things. My first overall thought is to rise above circumstances with hope and courage, but it goes beyond that.

Lately it seems to have taken on a decidedly defiant meaning: rising in protest against various laws and decisions, in furious opposition to the authorities who made them. I keep hoping and praying that people will rise above the anger and instead direct positive energies toward activities that will truly make a difference.

Here are several positive ways we can rise:

Rise to God’s command to love one another (John 15:12-21). Take the high road when confronted with divisive or demeaning remarks, knowing a gentle answer deflects anger (Proverbs 15:1, NLT).

Rise above our initial reactions to look at the facts for what they really are. Verify them with a credible source before believing posts and comments, and only pass them along to others if it is helpful, loving or encouraging in some way (Colossians 2:8).

Rise above the negative opinions and fears of others, holding on to the unshakable knowledge that God loves you and has a plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11), while keeping in mind that the same applies to others, too.

Rise to defend the oppressed, assist the weak and the needy, and pray for the persecuted. Lift up those who are low in spirit. In doing so, however, act with respect to the authorities God has put in place, and without repaying evil for evil (Romans 12:9-21).

When we wait on and trust in the Lord, He gives us strength to rise up and soar on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31). We can have expectant hope and indescribable peace even in the face of an uncertain future.

Rise to every occasion with confidence in the skills, gifts and abilities the Lord has given us. We win at life by having a winning attitude (as opposed to a whining one). Philippians 2:14

Rise and shine! Thank the Lord for each day we can rise out of bed and share the light of God’s love with others. Every day is a gift and we should raise our eyes to the heavens with thankfulness for His grace, mercy and infinite love (Psalm 59:16).

Like the yeast that causes bread to rise, we should all be the gently powerful force that spreads the love of Christ wherever we go. Encourage and lift up others with caring words, sharing the hope we have in Him – in big and small ways – with all we meet (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Let us all rise and be counted as faithful followers who study and live out the Word of truth in our lives (2 Timothy 2:15), yet remaining humble, fully relying on His grace.

Rise up in resolute faith to accomplish goals, win games and spiritual battles, at times succeeding against all odds because we serve a God with whom all things are possible (Matthew 19:26)! If God is for us, it doesn’t matter who is against us; for we are more than conquerors through Christ (Romans 8:31-39)!

Rise in unity of spirit. We were called to one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism. We serve one God, who is over all and through all (Ephesians 4:4-6). The enemy seeks to divide us by twisting the truth. Fight the real enemy by praying against his schemes and standing strong in God’s Word! Build each other up so that with one heart we will glorify God in what we say and do (Romans 15:1-6)!

Let us raise our hands and pray for those in authority, interceding for those in government positions on all levels (1 Timothy 2:1-8), without anger.

Rise, and keep on rising, even when the night is long or the days are full of troubles. Nothing we do for the Lord is in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58), and He works all things for the ultimate good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

Finally, when I think of the word “rise”, the hope and joy of our salvation springs to mind. I await that glorious day when those who have trusted Christ will rise and be together with Him forever (1 Corinthians 15:52)! In the meantime, our mission is to bring as many with us as we can!

More of God’s Word

“Arise and shine, for your light has come!” Isaiah 60:1

“I lift my eyes up to the heavens, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2

Faith Notes

Here’s a new song by one of my favorite artists. It is part of the reason I’ve been thinking about the word RISE: Rise – by Danny Gokey
(Note: Link opens in a new window.)

Blessings to you, this day and always!

©Ladeena Ashley
2017 All Rights Reserved (blog content and photos)