Ashley Farrell: Blog

Well, as you've probably noticed, I'm not blogging every week! I'm so thankful for this life that is growing inside of me, but pregnancy (especially the 1st trimester) is exhausting! I pray that you are spending time in God's word regularly and that when I do get the chance to blog, you're encouraged!

I just wanted to point out 2 scriptures from the past week's reading that really stood out to me.

Isaiah 43:18-21 "The Lord says, "Forget what happened before,
       and do not think about the past.
 Look at the new thing I am going to do.
       It is already happening. Don't you see it?
    I will make a road in the desert
       and rivers in the dry land.
 Even the wild animals will be thankful to me—
       the wild dogs and owls.
    They will honor me when I put water in the desert
       and rivers in the dry land
    to give water to my people, the ones I chose.
 The people I made
       will sing songs to praise me."

When I read this, I was brought back to my days in college when I first encountered these passages of scripture. God is always doing something new. It may not look new (as in a radical change), but He is always working and creating and healing and providing...He's not stuck in a 9-5 job doing the same old thing each day. Each day is a day to rejoice and look to see what new things God is doing in your life and in the lives of those around you.

Another thing that stood out to me about this passage, is that it says to forget about the past and don't think about what happened before. I tend to dwell. Obviously, no one enjoys dwelling on the bad things from our past (though we still do it!). So, it makes sense that we shouldn't focus on the negative. But I don't think this scripture is an attempt to get us out of negative thinking. God allows good and bad things to happen in our lives. We pray that the bad things won't repeat themselves and that we'll learn lessons. But even when God does awesome things, it doesn't always mean He'll continue to do the same awesome things in your future. (For those of you I may be losing, bear with me.) For example, God has provided money for me and my family in miraculous ways. He has supernaturally provided funds, (like money appearing out of thin air- I can share that story if you'd like. Email me.) He has put people in our lives to bless us beyond what we could ever imagine. But sometimes, He doesn't. Instead, He provides our needs by decreasing interest rates on loans or insurance. Sometimes He allows us to work a few extra hours. Sometimes the things we need are on clearance. Do you see my point? We should always be expecting God to work, but we shouldn't limit ourselves to how He will provide. On the flip side, if God has been providing for you through "the little things" don't doubt that He can and may very well pull off a financial miracle! "All Things Are Possible With Jesus" is the slogan of a hair salon I discovered this week. I thought, how true! It's now my cell phone wallpaper.  :)

Romans 15:5 "May the patience and encouragement that come from God allow you to live in harmony with each other the way Christ Jesus wants."

I love this verse. My husband and I have been talking a lot about finding common ground with others. I think people can be so quick to tear others apart, or cast judgement. Let's find common ground with others and build relationships from a place of love. We don't have to agree on everything, and there's a time to voice concerns and time for loving correction. But always in love. God gives us the patience and encouragement to know what to say and when to say it.

This verse reminds me of when Jesus saved Mary from being stoned. He didn't say, "Yeah, you are definitely a sinner. I'm not going to associate myself with you. Carry on gentlemen." Nor did He tell her that her sins weren't really THAT bad. Of course not! He reminded her accusers that they have all sinned, including her. The accusers left to think about their sin, and Jesus told her that He doesn't accuse her either, but to go and sin no more. There was love and grace in that encounter. May we be imitators of Jesus.

That's it for now. Love to you all!

Charis,

Ashley