Beach Thinkin'

Whenever I go on a real vacation, meaning I actually try not to check emails (but still probably check them once a day... that's good for me) when I don't actually jam pack my schedule full of cool things to do and see, but instead actually just relax, wake up without a plan, not having to do anything and just "be"... I always get inspired. I always feel so refreshed. And that usually leads to me writing about it haha. So here I am... writing. 

When I was about 10 years old, maybe younger, I had my heart set on my cousins and I being the next big group band. If anyone knows Jump5... that's a great gage of where my vision was at. Or say SClub7. So I pretty much forced my cousins into having a band, band practices, choreography, backyard concerts and so on. Haha. They still love me :) By the way this was after our bout' of being a spy kids club. 

My dad was always good at allowing us and encouraging us to really dream big, so whether half jokingly or not, he said that when we put out an album we'd need a label, and he was going to start the label for us. (This never happened) but the label was going to be called... wait for it...

 "Traffic Light Productions" 

I was like... dad why are you going to call your label Traffic Light Productions...

He explained that one key to a beautiful life is having wisdom in timing. Knowing when to "go" (GREEN) "proceed with caution" (YELLOW) and when to completely "stop" (RED). 

So that's what I found myself thinking about this morning as I had a coffee on the beach. Traffic lights, going, proceeding with caution, or stopping. Timing and wisdom. Wisdom in timing. 

Hopefully you can take something away from my beach thinking. <3 Love you all. 

Ready or Not

I can't believe I only have 4 days left on tour! It has really been such an incredible life changing experience for me, and I wanted to share another little lesson I learned yesterday. 

You've probably heard the phrase, "Ready or not, here I come!" Maybe in the context of hide and seek. This childhood phrase actually has a lot of depth. Whether we are ready or not, things in life are going to come, happen, and present themselves. When we are ready and prepared, even when we aren't entirely sure of what we are supposed to be ready and prepared for, these things: (opportunities, experiences and even challenge) are a lot more enjoyable to journey through.

Yesterday my flight was delayed out of Colorado Springs and so I landed in Denver with 5 minutes to sprint across the airport... (it's a large airport) and make it for my flight. I have never run so fast in all my life. I was carry bags, I was over dressed and sweaty, my throat was burning, and all I could think was... "I need to go to the gym." 

I was NOT prepared for this moment. 

Maybe earlier you were wondering... "Well how can I be prepared and ready for something that I don't know is coming?"

We stay healthy. Physically, mentally, spiritually... We day in and day out pursue health and growth in these areas so that we are ready when we have to sprint to catch a plane, when we have an amazing once in a life time opportunity present itself, when we meet someone we want to connect with, when we have the opportunity to speak into someone's life... we can be ready. 

What does your day to day look like? Are you looking to growth and pursue health spiritually, mentally, physically-- I guarantee a lifestyle of prioritizing these things will position you ready to fully experience the BEST or endure the may seem the worst. 

Ready or not, life's coming. 

And yes, I did make my flight :) 

Ash 

PLACES & PRESENCE

About a month ago I found myself in an airport, which is not unusual if you know me. I’m not always on vacation, no, but my job actually causes me to travel quite a bit. Not only my "job" causes me to travel but my passion causes me to travel—my passion to share the HOPE of Jesus Christ with as many people as possible.

Anyhow. I was in an airport.

It was mid November and I had just finished something like my 15th flight in like 3 months. I was on the phone with a friend and made the comment, “Well now I get to relax for a month and a half. No more travel.” That same day I found out that I was actually going to be travelling in the states for three weeks alongside For King & Country and Lauren Diagle with our ministry, ShareWord Global. God's plans aren't always what we expect but they're always far better for us than anything we could come up with. 

PLACES & PRESENCE

So It’s day 13 of the tour and I’ve been in a million different states. Florida, Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, Iowa, Texas, Missouri, & Nebraska; DIFFERENT places… but with me goes the same presence. The same Holy Spirit. God’s presence and Spirit.

No matter what “place” you are in right now—God is with you. I have been so grateful for the faithfulness of God’s presence. How it is always there, and I’ve learned to make my prayer not, “Holy Spirit please be with me” but because I know He is with me, “Holy Spirit make me AWARE of your presence. Make me aware of your purposes and how you are moving in each moment.”

Wherever you are right now, I challenge you to make that your prayer. Lord, make me aware of your presence. I know you are here, but please make me more aware. More and MORE aware, give me an increasing awareness of your presence. What you are saying, doing and leading, and give me an ever increasing heart of obedience.

God’s presence is faithful, it’s consistent. Despite your place.

 But what about my presence? Is it a faithful and consistent representation of Jesus despite PLACE? Despite being in a car for 14 hours, with three suitcases next to me and very little leg room? Being away from family and friends? Having little choice in what I eat, when I sleep, or get to relax? Being in consistently different places, situations and circumstances that are out of my control? What’s my presence looking like? Despite the EVER changing situations, circumstances and places in our lives, God's presence remains the same with us - steadfast and unchanging. Let us in turn, despite our ever changing situations, circumstances and places-- both good and bad, be steadfast conduits of that sweet life giving presence.

That’s the thought that the Holy Spirit has challenged me with each day. What kind of presence do I bring to those around me? To the situations around me? I want it to be an overflow of GOD’S PRESENCE in me.  

Places change. God’s presence doesn’t—He’s always present, always faithful, loving, steadfast and perfect for every situation, place & person.  And how about my presence? Lord, let my presence be an overflow of your presence in me.

PLACES & PRESENCE.