Why A Baby?

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So it’s not your imagination. I really haven’t posted since July! I felt it was time to step back for a bit and wait for the Lord to nudge me toward my laptop, in His perfect timing. A holy nudge came this evening, so here I am!

I’ve been working on healing and adjusting back to single life, but also dealing with some health issues, which thankfully have finally improved for the most part. Recently my health had even kept me away from church and from volunteering at Simonka House a couple times, but I was able to return to both, and even shared a new poem at the women’s shelter on Sunday night.

The message title was to be, “Why A Baby?”, which I ruminated on for a couple of days. Though I grew up in the church and don’t ask questions like that, on Saturday I tried to put myself in the shoes of a new believer or unbeliever for a bit, and the Lord inspired me to write this new poem:

“Why A Baby?”

Father God, why a baby?
Jesus could have come in power:
Born of a royal family,
ruling from a golden tower.
Father God, why a baby?
He could’ve shown Who is boss!
Instead, born and placed in a manger
of wood, like His destined cross.
Father God, You sent a baby.
Power and glory filled the skies;
Heaven came down to meet us,
Shepherds couldn’t believe their eyes!
Father God, that tiny baby
became Savior for all on earth;
Through Your plan of sacrifice
begun from one lowly birth.
Promised child asleep in a stable –
You used the foolish to shame the wise;
From small beginnings come miracles,
Your power and love have no disguise.
Father, thank You for that baby
Who became my Savior and King!
I share the joy of Your priceless gift
that made the herald angels sing.

12-22-18
By Ladeena Ashley

On my way to Simonka on Sunday night, I thought about the amazing amount of trust that my friends in ministry have placed in me to share my poems and thoughts, especially as I’m only given the message theme a few days prior. They actually have no idea what I will share until I voice it from the podium in the small chapel room! I’m also continually amazed at the trust the Lord puts in me to be a bearer of His love and hope to those souls who desperately need it. At times I feel like Mary, in the sense that I’m an ordinary woman who God can use in small and sometimes profound ways to spread the Word and further His kingdom.

Yet God specializes in using the ordinary to show His extraordinary love, grace and mercy. All we need to do is keep Him first in our lives and to keep ourselves available, and He works His perfect plan through these imperfect vessels. Glory be to God!

God sacrificed His Son for us, sending Him to earth in the form of a baby who eventually gave His life so that we could have eternal life in heaven. Let us daily offer ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), giving our time, talent and treasures so that others may also accept the Greatest Gift they can receive. Not just at Christmas, but any time throughout the year!

I’m not sure when I will post next. Less poems have flowed into my notebooks lately, but there is definitely fodder for future posts, as the Lord leads.

Merry Christmas!

Until next time, blessings to you, this day and always!

©Ladeena Ashley
All Rights Reserved (Blog content and photo)

I Still Have Hope! Do You?

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I really didn’t mean to take a two week break. Things in my personal life threw me for a loop even before Hurricane Harvey flooded Texas and Louisiana, wildfires ravaged the Northwest and Hurricane Irma began tearing a path toward Florida.

The relationship that was on hold is not yet resolved, but at least we’re in the same state. I wish I could say that things were progressing nicely, but we still keep hitting the same old roadblocks. The added stress caused chronic headaches and increased my fatigue, which severely hampered my desire and inspiration to write. Thankfully I’m better now.

What Differences?
The eclipse was a literal bright spot of these past few weeks. It was amazing! Here in Salem, Oregon, we got a perfect view of God’s handiwork. It reminded me just how small we all are, and more alike than some prefer to admit. There was a short-lived peace as all eyes peered heavenward, setting aside their differences, if only for a while.

With the floods and wildfires, there arose entirely different reasons for setting aside differences. What an encouragement to see people rise up in love and compassion, helping others in times of crisis and disaster! It’s one of the good things that God brings out of what the enemy uses for evil. Strength and resilience is tested and grows through struggle and heartbreak. If life was always easy, we’d all be a bunch of wimps!

Here’s a poem I wrote about the source of my strength, and hope:

“Only God”

Only God has the answers for every troubled soul;
Only Jesus’ blood has the power to rid us of death’s hold.
Only God will be here now, understanding all we go through:
Because He loves us so much, He helps us in all we do.
Only Jesus is the answer to your deepest of desires;
In this contrasting world, His love smothers hateful fires.
Only God will be listening when all courage disappears:
When other people turn away, He’s the One Who always hears.
Only God will be here tomorrow – we may be at the end of our rope;
But God works all things together for good, and gives us hope.
For Jesus walks close beside us along the path of light;
As the Spirit guides our hearts, we’ll reflect His love into the night.

10-10-94
©Ladeena Ashley

Near the End?
We’re told in Scripture that there will be various calamities, wars and rumors of wars before Jesus returns. All that’s happening right now may be only the beginning of the “birth pains” (Matthew 24:6-8). We know from His Word that it is all going according to His plan, so no matter what happens, whether storm, fire or threats of war, I know my God is still on the throne. I don’t understand how all of the puzzle pieces of life go together, but He has the puzzle box and sees how glorious the finished picture will be!

In church last Sunday, we had a missionary couple speak about their work in India. It was refreshing to hear some good news in the world. Of special interest to me was just how many unique dialect groups live in isolated and remote villages that have yet to be reached with the Gospel of Christ. With all that’s going on in the world today, many folks are wondering if Jesus is coming soon. Yet the Bible says that the Good News must be shared with ALL nations (all groups and tribes) before He returns (Matthew 24:14), and that doesn’t seem to have happened quite yet.

Shine and Serve
While we’re still here, the call to shine His light and serve others remains on those who claim to be followers of Jesus. The biggest disaster that can befall your family and friends won’t come from earthquakes, fire, flood, or the like. No, the biggest calamity is that loved ones might perish without ever standing on the solid ground of hope or experiencing the cleansing power of forgiveness by grabbing the life ring that is saving faith in Jesus Christ!

The darker this world becomes, the more obvious the light that we carry becomes. Be a beacon of hope! Help and donate whatever you can, but more importantly: pray for those affected by the disasters both near and far. Pray that those without hope will find it in the Lord, through the prayers and actions of the believers who surround them.

Faith Notes
Here is a great song that expresses a lot of my thoughts right now:
I Have This Hope – by Tenth Avenue North
(Note: Link opens up in a new window.)

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

Blessings to you, this day and always!

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

Words Are My Wings

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Nature has prompted many of my compositions, as wildlife is a consistent reminder of God’s infinite love, grace, and awe-inspiring creativity.

Ever fascinated by the transition from day to night in particular, this poem describes how a sunset, accented by seagulls, is akin to composing poetry. You can imagine the gulls gliding, dipping and soaring with the breeze in the picture above. Also, assuming the formatting works correctly (centered text), you should notice that even the poem itself resembles that of the beating of a bird’s wings to fly.

 

“Words Are My Wings”

In the silence of night
my spirit takes flight
To a higher plane
far from
this world
of pain.
I hear
my Master call
in shifting silhouettes
of the black trees tall
cast upon a deepening blue
…now a majestic
purple hue.
The sun
sinks
out of sight.
In the seagull’s cries
He moves me to write
expressions of love
and simplicity
of peace and
tranquility.
Sometimes
in the
day,
often
at night,
words are my wings
and my soul takes flight.

8-3-93
© Ladeena Ashley


Free Rein

Speaking of birds, I am a night owl. In fact, my mother can attest to spending long evenings that turned into late nights talking about…well…everything. I count myself especially blessed that my mother has always been one of my best friends. In relation to writing, though inspiration can strike most anytime, for me it often happens after four or five o’clock. Partly because I’m often at work until that time (though in rare occasions, I have jotted down some verses at work), but even over the weekend the creative juices aren’t flowing until later in the day. No matter my natural tendencies, I’ve given the Lord free rein (and reign!) to nudge me wherever I am if He has something for me to write down. It’s rather refreshing to know that He knows my habits and works through me to accomplish His will! He loves me and uses me right where I’m at.

What gifts, talents, skills and abilities has He given you? When what we’ve been given is dedicated back to Him, He will use us in mighty ways, sending our hearts soaring as high as the birds! Never underestimate the power of even the simplest kind word, smile or loving gesture. If He can work through me, He can work through you!

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

Extra Credit  –  Romans 12:1-8

Blessings to you, this day and always!

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

More Than A Holiday

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As I’m typing this, my heart is light and I still feel absolutely giddy. Why? Because I just returned from serving once again at Simonka House! One of the blessings of Christmas is giving, but I get to give of myself every month! My co-minsters and I are real with our joys and struggles, which blesses the ladies; it is also an honor and blessing to share my poems that minister to their hearts and bolster their faith. It’s like Christmas all year-round!

My hope and joy comes from my relationship with my Savior who came down to earth, gave His all for me, and died and rose again so I could live. What I share with the women at Simonka springs from that glorious hope, a hope that began in creation and came to life in a lowly manger. If I didn’t believe that, then Christmas would be just another holiday.

Here is a new poem I wrote the other day about the true meaning of Christmas:

“More Than Cheer”

More than just a holiday
with twinkly lights aglow;
Santa, gifts and reindeer,
or the hope of Christmas snow.
Traditions we take part in
have a far deeper, joyful reason:
The origin of the hope and love
we celebrate this season.
Singing carols like the angels,
we’re heralding Christ’s birth;
Each chord once more proclaiming
His humble arrival on earth.
Bulbs and candles shining bright,
Light of Christ, and that of His star
which led the wise men of the East
on their journey from lands afar.
Then bittersweet sacrifice:
Red and white Shepherd’s canes…
His blood cleanses white as snow;
We’re healed by His stripes and stains.
Every brightly wrapped present
like the gift of God’s Son;
The greatest treasure of all:
new life offered to everyone.
Jolly Saint Nick and his sleigh,
reindeer and trusty elves
show teamwork and giving spirit,
serving others above ourselves.
Yes, not just another holiday,
Christmas brings more than cheer:
but abiding hope, deep joy and peace
and love that lasts the whole year.

12-4-16
©Ladeena Ashley

My prayer is that each of you think of the deeper meanings behind so many holiday traditions. Jesus is the Reason for the Season. We must all must honor the true meaning of Christmas and keep Him first in our hearts, because He loved us before we even knew Him! Share the Good News that is found during Christmas and throughout the year!

Note
I may not post much more this month, to give myself a breather (famous last words — the Lord may have other plans).

Faith Notes
Here is one of my absolute favorite Christmas songs: Joy (To the World) – by Avalon

Blessings to you, this day and always!

©Ladeena Ashley
2016 All Rights Reserved (content & blog photos)