Bible verse, Saying, & Song

Hello again, everyone!

Romans 8:38-39 is the Bible verse of the week.
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

This week's saying is:
 














And the song of the week is going to be the last verse of "O To Be Like Thee."
 O to be like Thee! While I am pleading
Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love.
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
Fit for a life which Thou wouldst approve.

 O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee!
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
  Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

Have a good and godly week!!!!
With love in Jesus Christ,
Ashley

A Weekend Trip

Hello Everyone!

Well, last weekend, (Feb. 6th-8th) was quite exciting and amazing! I'm going to tell ya'll all about it in this extremely long post. I'm going to just write about the main highlights, because this would turn into a book if I wrote about all the details that took place on this adventure!
Friday afternoon our family packed up the car and headed out for Deland, Fl. Our friends had invited us to come visit them and we could go camping with them. So, we took our tent and made it to our friend's house, probably around 4:30-5 pm.  (This is a picture of a pretty tree I took when we stopped at the store. )

 When everything was ready, our friend's led the way to a pathway off the road. They took half of our family back into the woods where we were going to camp, and then came back to get the other half of our family, and all our things. The other half of our family, except mommy, rode on the back of the car, hanging on as we bumped our way farther and farther into the woods. Finally we arrived at "Gator Lake", so our family pitched the tent. Oh, I forgot to mention that it was dark and cold out, so yeah, we had to put up the tent in the dark. Well, we had flashlights, but still... Anyway, after our tent was all set up, our friends pulled out their tiny gas stove and heated up the taco soup mommy had made. This fire was a welcome sight to the ones who were freezing. :)

                      This isn't the best picture, but it shows the full moon that was shining.

So, around 10:30, we retired to our tent after singing some hymns and talking. Well, we had packed sleeping bag and enough blankets to keep us warm that night. So we thought. It was freezing! Even with sweatshirts and sweaters and blankets and more blankets piled on top of us, we were all shivering! I woke up somewhere around 4 in the morning, and mommy and daddy woke up too.  I had blankets piled on top of my head so I wouldn't breathe in the cold air, but it didn't help that much. But mommy, daddy, and I did manage to fall asleep again and we slept for a couple more hours. In the morning, daddy started a fire and he and my older sister went for a canoe ride, hoping to catch some fish.  
The lake was right across from where our tent was set up. In the morning, a fog had fallen over it, and the scene was very beautiful. 

                                                           The fog is slowly disappearing...

                                           and the sun is peaking through the trees.

Here are some more pictures of the lake after the fog cleared. 

                                               This panoramic photo came out nicely!

                                 The water was very clear and had a beautiful reflection.

After breakfast of cinnamon apple pancakes, our tent was packed up and place in our friend's trailer, along with the rest of our belongings. Us girls all squished in there, and bumpity bumpity bumpity we went, all the way out of the woods. Sometimes it felt like we were going to tip over, and it really did feel like a roller coaster. 

Our friends went to borrow a pontoon boat from their friends, and this cow was standing in the driveway. 

                                     This is another panoramic photo of a beautiful lake.

 We then drove to lake George and prepared for the pontoon boat ride.

 There were a bunch of pelicans hanging out at the boat landing, waiting for people to carry in their fish. 

 

 

 

And yet another panoramic picture. This was a huge tree that was growing out of the water. 

Now, for some pictures of Lake George. 

This manatee was swimming around when we got closer to the springs. The water in the springs was super clear!!! It was a little cold when I first got in, but after you got all wet, it warmed up. It really started getting cold when you got out of the water!

                                    This manatee was near the spring, eating the seaweed.
                                                   It was very neat to see him up close.

 

 

                                I took this picture (below) as we were leaving the springs.

                                        And we saw this Bald Eagle sitting up in a tree.

 

We had such a long ride ahead of us when we left the Springs. The picture(below) was taken as we left Silver Glen Springs. You can't even see the land, it was so far away.

 

The next morning we went to a church with our friends. After that, we toured a farmer's market, and then drove home that afternoon. Overall, it was an extremely fun trip, and lots of memories were made. :) 

Have you ever been camping? Did you enjoy it? Have you ever ridden on a pontoon boat or visited any springs? Leave a comment below! I would love to hear your answers! :) 

Thanks to our friends for the pictures of the manatee.

Saying of the week...

Hello! Sorry this post is so late. We went on a weekend trip, and I am working on a post about it. It's so long, so I thought I'd put the saying of the week and the Bible verse in a different post.

Saying of the week:
 
















Bible verse of the week: Romans 8:35-37
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." 
I really like those verses. It's such a comforting thought to know that none of the things Paul mentions can ever separate us from God's love. 

Song of the week: 4th verse of "O To Be Like Thee"
O to be like Thee! Lord, I am coming,
Now to receive th’ anointing divine;
All that I am and have I am bringing;
Lord, from this moment all shall be Thine.

 O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee,
 Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.



Have a wonderful, godly week everyone!! 
Keep trusting the Lord in everything and for everything!
Love,
Ashley 

Award

Sarah, from Trusting in the Lord day by day gave me a blogger award. She actually awarded me 2 awards:  

    I have to answer the questions she asked, so here I go.
Sarah's questions are in bold, my answers are in regular print.

1. Do you ever run out to get the mail?
Yes, I love running out to get the mail.
2. Do you like cold or warm?
I like the cold best.
3. Do you like playing around doing different dos with your hair, or are you the kind of person to keep it the same?
I like to keep it the same way. Once in a while I will try a different hairstyle. 
4. Have you ever wondered how many times you have said the same word in your life?  I don't think I have. 
5. Do you write? 
Yes!! I love writing so much!
6. What is your favorite thing to cook?
Um, well, I like cooking spaghetti, but I like making desserts, too. 
7. If you were snow bound all winter, what would you do for activities/keeping warm? I would write a book, blog,  and play games with my family. I would have a big fireplace to keep us warm.
8. Are you a changing person, or a person who like things to stay the same?
I like things to stay the same, most of the time.
9. Do you like drawing your own drawings, or would you rather use a coloring page? I like drawing faces, but I'm not the best artist,  so I guess I would do better using a coloring page.

Thank you, Sarah, for awarding me! I am going to award some people the two blogging awards shown above, and the questions for both of them are: 
1. What is your favorite place to shop?
2. What's your favorite thing to eat?
3. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
4. Do you like writing letters or emailing best?
5. Do you have a favorite game? If so, what is it?
6. What's your favorite activity to do with your family?
7. Are you musical? If so, what instrument(s) do you play?
8. What was the last thing you memorized?
9. What's your favorite book of the Bible and why?
10. What do you want to be when you grow up? 
11. What are some of your hobbies?
12. Do you like doing different hairdos on your hair?

I award...
Anna at Prepare Me To Be A Sanctuary
Catherine at I Have Been So Blessed
Ruth at Ruth's Random Ramblings
Heidi at The J-Crew
Bethany at Liberty Or Death
Eden at Eden's Evaluations
Sarah at An Account of an Awkward Flower
Rebekah at Rebekah Elisabeth's Blog
Maddy at Digital Diaries
Lord's Girls at Lord's Girls
Clare at Clare's Spot

 This afternoon, our church had a picnic at Jonathan Dickinson State Park. It was a very breezy afternoon; not too hot, not too cold. :) Anyway, a few people went on a walk on the trails. I saw many varieties of flowers, and I tried to take a picture of all of them. 

And then there was this pretty river. It was a very nice walk, and everyone had a lovely time at the picnic. At 3:00, everyone joined their voices together and we all sang some songs, and then our pastor preached a short message.

Here's the saying of the week: (Just a note: I think this is an awesomely cool saying. :)

 

And here's the Bible verse of the week: Romans 8:32-34
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how show he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth: Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea, rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercessions for us." 

                    Song of the week: O To Be Like Thee. (This is the third verse of the song.)
                                                      O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,
                                                 Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
                                                   Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
                                                      Willing to suffer, others to save.
 
                                                     O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee!
                                                    Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
                                           Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
                                             Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.             
Well, farewell for now!!
Walk with the King this week! :)
Love,
Ashley

In Paths of Righteousness

Greetings everybody!!! I hope you all had an awesome week.
I would like to introduce you to Keri Nicole. I found out a little bit about her and we have more in common than she knows! We both like playing the piano, writing, playing Dutch Blitz, and playing volleyball. She has written a book called
 "In Paths of Righteousness" and she is trying to spread the word about her new book, so I am posting about it for her. You can read a synopsis of the book below. I have not read it yet, but I am planning on doing it soon. Wish you the best, Keri! Love Ashley

       

       

David Riley is a typical, hard-working farm boy of the late 1800s, growing up in a Midwest community where religion was a tradition that none dared to challenge. He and his friend Jill set out to explore the “Old Man’s Path,” to uncover the mystery of an old wives’ tale, and it turns into more of an adventure than they bargained for. When they discover long-held secrets in the town of Detweiler, David is determined to find the truth—regardless of the cost.

As he faces opposition in his search for the truth, David also finds a battle waging within.

He and his friends struggle to be kind to Henry, a cruel bully, and his mother, a widow bitter toward God. But as his hatred for Henry grows, so does the darkness in his own heart. With an emptiness that threatens to consume him, David despairs of ever pleasing God. When all prospects of finding peace appear lost, he meets a strange old recluse, thought to be long dead, who offers him both friendship and hope.

David discovers something in common with the mysterious stranger—but what binds them together threatens to tear his family and community apart. Will he have the courage and determination to stand for what is right? Facing rejection in the greatest decision of his life, David must choose which path to follow: a religious tradition to live by or a faith to die for. 

You can read about Keri here and more about her book here. If you would like to order a copy of her book, you can go to her website. 

Now for the saying of the week:

 

Bible verse of the week: Romans 8:28-31

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn amongst many brethern. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"  Isin't that cool?! Verse 28 goes along with the saying of the week!

Song of the week: O To Be Like Thee. This is the second stanza of this song, and in 2 more weeks we will have completed it.

O to be like Thee! full of compassion,

Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,

Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,

Seeking the wand'ring sinners to find.

O to be like Thee!

O to be like Thee!

Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;

Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness; 

Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart. 

Please strive with me to make this your prayer for this week and we could also pray for each other. :) 

Saved by the blood of the crucified One,

Ashley

Grace Conference

Greetings to you, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ by whom we have redemption through His blood. 

We had a very very enjoyable weekend. Our family attended a Grace Conference and we were very glad to see our friends, who we haven't seen in a year! We had a very sweet time catching up with our brothers and sisters in Christ as well as attending a number of services that were taught by many different men, including Pastor Richard Jordan.

On Saturday evening, the girls sang "I Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb" and I played the piano for them. You can click here to listen to the song.  

Here's a picture I took of a lake. The other picture, below, has the saying of the week on it.

I just wanted to mention a couple Bible verses I thought was neat. Last Monday morning (Jan. 12) in my Bible reading, I came across 2 particular verses that stuck out to me. The first one is Psalms 4:3, which says "But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him." That's neat that God sets aside the godly for himself. When I read that verse, I thought of Titus 2:14- "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." It reminds me that we as Christians are supposed to be peculiar, not part of the world. Remember: we are in this world, but not of this world. 

The second verse is Psalms 5:4- "For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee."  That's a cool verse. God doesn't take part or pleasure in sin and wickedness and evil isin't in Him because He's holy and just, pure and perfect. It's so amazing that Jesus, who can't sin and can't look at sin, died to take all the sins of the whole world upon himself, and His father, God, had to turn His back on His only Son because Jesus had all the sins of everybody on Him. Wow.  O to be like Him, I would be! That is a constant prayer of mine. I think this song "O To Be Like Thee" is fitting for these verses. It can also be the daily prayer of each one of us as we strive to be more like our Saviour. 

Saying of the week: 

The "super-sized" Bible verse of the week: Romans 8:18-27
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same, in hope. Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

Song of the week: For the next 4 weeks, the song of the week will be 1 stanza from O To Be Like Thee and maybe ya'll can make it your prayer for that week.

                            "O to be like Thee! blessed Redeemer, 
                            This is my constant longing and prayer; 
                             Gladly I'll forfeit all of earth's treasures, 
                                Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear. 

                                            O to be like Thee!
                                            O to be like Thee,
                                Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
                         Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
                            Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

Have a good and godly week!! 
Washed in the blood of the Lamb,
Ashley

Journey Challenge Part 2

Greetings everyone!

After talking it over with my daddy, I have decided not to continue with the Journey Challenge, and memorizing Isaiah chapter 40. I think Isaiah is a great book and chapter 40 has great christian teachings! For example: God will take care of us, (vs. 11), God is so big, He holds the waters and the heavens in his hands, (vs. 12) God doesn't need counsel, (vs. 14), and God will give strength to the weak (vs. 29-31). God's greatness and power is weaved throughout chapter 40. It has lots of prophecies in it and contains awesome verses. It's just that there are so many other verses to memorize that would greatly benefit me in future witnessing and in other areas. 
My favorite verse in Isaiah chapter 40 that I memorized is:  

I think it's neat to think about God's word lasting forever. Everything is going to fall away and die sometime, but God's word will never die or fall away. 

One of our dear friends invited Sarah and I to do a challenge with her. The challenge is to memorize the whole book of Ephesians, which is one of my favorite books! :)

Saying of the week: 

Bible verse of the week: Romans 8:11-17

"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethern, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."

Song of the week: Abba Father

Father, hold me safe in Your arms;

Father, keep me free from all harm.

I cast my care on You

Just like a child should do--

Trusting, loving all that You are.

Abba, Father,

I rest in You;

You're always faithful,

You're always true.

Abba, Father,

You are my song

Though clouds are dark,

Though night is long.

I cry to you,

Abba, Father.

Father, help me lean on You more

Through each valley, through every storm.

Help me when I can't see

Your will is best for me;

Love me, hold me sheltered & warm.

Abba, Father,

I rest in You;

You're always faithful,

You're always true.

Abba, Father,

You are my song

Though clouds are dark,

Though night is long.

I cry to you,

Abba, Father.

Father, mold me, make me like new.

Guide my footsteps, keep my heart true--

So that the world may see

Your likeness lives in me.

Break me, shape me, make me like You.

Abba, Father,

I rest in You;

You're always faithful,

You're always true.

Abba, Father,

You are my song

Though clouds are dark,

Though night is long.

I cry to you,

Abba, Father.

Click here to listen to Patch the Pirate sing this song.

Have a good and godly week!                                                                           

Walking with the King,                                                                                   

Ashley