Distraction

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

-Hebrews 12:1, 2

Frustration, difficulty, desire, it's hard!....oh....endurance. Oh...lay it aside. Oh...Jesus. The author and perfecter of our faith. Oh.

It is difficult not to let yourself be distracted, but that's why we need endurance.

Thank You, Lord, for giving us examples. People who endure are inspiring.

Progress, not perfection. There's a reason we need Jesus as the perfecter of our faith (He is the most inspiring of all...by far....by farther than far).

Turn your eyes, O my soul, to Jesus, my great High Priest. He has been tempted in every way and understands and sympathizes with our weaknesses. Let me not be anywhere that You aren't, my Lord. For reasons not completely explainable He welcomes me back with open arms to stand before the throne of grace.

Optimism

Today I discovered that I am much too unflinchingly optimistic to study Philip Larkin.

My loss, I'm sure.

Beauty

"One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple."

-Psalm 27:4

How wonderful.

The Owl

Downhill I came, hungry, and yet not starved;
Cold, yet had heat within me that was proof
Against the North wind; tired, and yet so that rest
Had seemed the sweetest thing under a roof

Then at the inn I had food, fire, and rest,
Knowing how hungry, cold, and tired was I.
All of the night was barred out except
An owl's cry, a most melancholy cry

Shaken out long and clear upon the hill,
No merry note, nor cause of merriment,
But one telling me plain what I escaped
And others could not, that night, as in I went.

And salted was my food, and my repose,
Salted and sobered, too, by the bird's voice
Speaking for those who lay under the stars,
Soldiers and poor, unable to rejoice.

--Edward Thomas

I love this poem. Perhaps I will post my thoughts on it later and how they relate to man's (my) escape from sin and condemnation. For now, however, I would like to say that the rhyme of "voice" and "rejoice" is one of my favorites.

I am now off to finish writing the paper I am working on for my English class. I'm really enjoying it, but am too much of an extrovert to concentrate too long without some kind of contact (virtual or not) with people.

Anywho....happy working, oh people of Wednesday!

Japan ♥

I have a blog for Japan.

It is http://ashleyaxupinjapan.blogspot.com

Check it out and pray with me that God would do His will in the country of Japan!

Determined Love

"Salvation is from our side a choice, from the divine side it is a seizing upon, an apprehending, a conquest by the Most High God. Our ''accepting'' and ''willing'' are reactions rather than actions. The right of determination must always remain with God."

-A.W. Tozer

I just love this quote by Tozer. Golly bob, it's so true. Thank You, my God, for acting--for loving me with a determined love, and for captivating my heart.

My Help

"In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, And my cry for help before Him came into His ears."

-Psalm 18:6

I say to the Lord, "You are my good; I love Your presence, for it is in the dry land that I feel Your sustaining power. It is in the awareness of my weakness that I see Your unfailing salvation. It is in the depravity of my soul that I see Your beautiful holiness. You deliver me to Your shelter--to the calming shade beneath Your wings. You alone are powerful, my God, You alone are good. I have seen my weakness and my heart has wandered from You, but Your faithfulness is unfailing. Your mercies, my Savior, are new every morning. I stand with a desperately thankful heart for Your lovingkindness. You, my God, are great. You, my Lord, are my Help."

The Lord says, "I love you. Nothing could separate you from my love. I love you forever. I have made you so that I could have your heart and will let none other take it from me. I alone have rescued you. I alone am your God. I alone possess your heart and have bought it with my Son. I do everything in my power to rescue and save you and bring you to eternal glory with Me. I will love you forever in My temple and will speak into Your heart and establish my throne there forever."

My heart sings with joy through troubles and hardship, for my heart belongs forever to my God. My joy is complete.