My Hero people

Coming home to Mannford  helps keep me grounded.  Inevitably I run into people who knew me when.  Whether it’s a lady who had me do sword drills in VBS or those who heard me read my first, rambling, giggling, hyperactive sermon, the people who practically raised you can kind of help you keep your ego in check if you ever get too big for your britches.

(That’s how we say it in Mannford.)

Not only that, but it’s vital to remember the people who helped shape you into the person you are as God elevates you to the place He’s taking you to.  Every chance I get, I try to honor those who invested in me and believed in me when I was just getting my driver’s license and leading youth small groups for the first time.

Don’t ever forget where you come from.  It will limit where God can take you.  Be grateful for the places and the people God used to prepare you.  His purposes are perfect in your life.

Blogyalater, 

Ashley :)

Beauty and my Beast.

There is always two sides to every story. 

But the catch to this story... is both sides are from me.

It started when I was young,

 I heard the whispers of loud lying lips from others older than myself and how no matter how hard I would never be truly be the elegant beauty that I desired to grow into.


Never acknowledging the poison that was slowly creeping into my mind.
Until I had let that poison infect every part of my mind.


I was entertaining my BEAST.

After leaving the beast in my mind for so long...

The battle raged inside me.


The beast was all the emotions inside myself that I've been carrying around and was tunnel of lie built on lie.


Who am I becoming? What is true beauty? 

It was finally revealed to me that...

You are not beautiful by what is on the outside because you were created to be different then everyone else. What truly matters is what is on the inside. Things from the outside always absconds fleetingly. But beauty from your actions and your words have effect forever.

Now I must kill the beast and let the beauty be free that comes from the ONE who loves me the most.


It's an everyday choice
 and is it easy?


NO, but it's worth it.


Now, I'm renewing my mind to what the Creator thinks I am, sets me free from the lies and the battle within myself.


Being free from that bondage is the loveliest joy that anyone can feel.


Slowly, I am becoming the beauty I have longed to be and you can have it too....


If you want it.

"You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you."

-Song of Solomon 4:7

 "Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious."
-1 Peter 3:3-4


BLOGYALATER- ashnmaggard

Girl Porn

CHICK FLICKS... the girls version of PORN.

Yeah, I just said that.

You know the movies where the insecure, independent, average girl that meets a HOT man who is portrayed to have no flaws. It can really brings emotional lust up and makes you think about things that can hurt you in real life. 

 It makes us girls have an unrealistic expectation of relationship should be...  and what the Bible says. 

It creates a need for perfection in guys and if they don't meet that expectation... you walk away wishing he would just fix those things.

Girls, We need to realize that we need to work on ourselves. Work on being the Proverbs 31 woman instead of sitting around watching movies that mess with our minds all the time and I'm not saying never watch chick flicks. I have watched them and have seen the side effects. Like the saying goes "You are what you eat."

Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
   The woman to be admired and praised 

   is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God - 

Proverbs 31

Blog ya later- ashnmaggard

spiritual funk?

If you’re in a spiritual funk today, you might want to…

-Pray out loud.
-Write your prayer out.
-Read your Bible out loud.  Start here.
-Apologize to someone.  Even if it’s not primarily your fault.
-Talk to someone you trust.  If you don’t have someone, hire a professional.
-Rest.
-Exercise.
-Start eating better.
-Drive around listening to a sermon.
-Turn up some worship music really loud.  Shut the door.  Sing along.

-Go back and do the thing you know you were supposed to do.

-Get organized.
-Repent.
-Encourage somebody who would never expect it.
-Get back in church.  Serve somewhere.
-Quit complaining.
-Go on a coffee date with your best friend.
-Tell somebody thank you.
-Give some money away.
-Call on the name of Jesus.
-Remember how far He’s brought you.
-Realize that He’ll never ever leave you.

Just a few ideas to get you started.

You can take it from here…

//via Steven Furtick sermon




Blogyalater, ashnmaggard

The fear.

Dream Utopia.

Most good ideas die.

Happy thought isn't it?

God has given each of us creativity and we let others influence our ideas... 

One on the greatest tragedies you could ever experience would to let your God-given dreams and allow the fire in your heart to go out.

To do that is the same as letting go of your  of your special individuality, your divine call, and your God-given gifting.

Maybe, It's because you don't want to be weird or a freak.

FYI... you are different from everyone else and your dream will be as different as you are...

You are called to be the person God created you to be. 

Pray to find your plan and purpose... the follow it to your divine destiny

Regardless of the cost.

Also, don't let friends, family or anyone smash your dreams.

But you can do it.

"And they replied, “We both had dreams last night,
but no one can tell us what they mean.”
“Interpreting dreams is God’s business,” Joseph replied.
“Go ahead and tell me your dreams"
-Genesis 40:8

Blog ya later, ashnmaggard

Summer Love.

Aaaahhh... It's summer.

The time of the year when most college age are twitterpated.

But in the midst of all the many Facebook relationship changes...

Remember the #1

The #1 is your relationship with Christ.

and as much as you want to spend all your time with your summer crush.

Remember to make your prayer and Bible reading time your 1st priority.

Just because it's summer... We need to seek Him.

Seeking God first should also include the plans and goals for your life, your relationships and even your everyday life.

 God has a plan for your life. 

When followed, that plan will have the best possible outcome. 

You need to know that God is Love and anything that He has for you is for your best interest. 

The problem is that many people come up with their own plans and

 then...

want God to bless it.

 Well, peeps, it doesn't work that way. 

You need to seek God first in your plan making, find out what God wants you to do and then go do it.

So, Before you make that special someone the #1 in your life.

Seek Him and don't let anything get in the way of you relationship with God.

"Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
   don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
   He's the one who will keep you on track."

-Proverbs 3:6

Blog ya later, ashnmaggard

Baby... your a firework.

Baby... your a firework.

And... no I'm not talking about the song.

We are called to bring light to places where there isn't any hope.

Comfort and encourage those who are hurting.

To radiant the "joy of the Lord" 

Be a light in the darkness and listen to the Holy Spirit inside of you. 

Because greater is He that is in you than he of this world.

Be a light.

Let me tell you why you are here.

 You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. 

If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? 

You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

 Here's another way to put it: 

You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. 

God is not a secret to be kept. 

We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

-Matthew 5:13-16

Blog ya later, ashnmaggard

E.T.

You're not of this world... kinda like an Extra-Terrestrial or alien but you have a mission with amazing benefits. After accepting the gift of forgiveness and accepting Jesus as your Lord, and  the Holy Spirit is in you. Standing out isn't the problem...

It's not conforming back to old ways, addictions, and habits is the problem.

We have to renew the mind and get rid of all the lies that were given over the years. Get in the word and don't give in to old ways.

It will be hard but it's so worth it.

 There is a reason for mankind's desire for something more, To see that we are here on Earth for something.

Yeah...  You were created for a divine purpose and plan.  It's true. 

 Read the Bible, pray, and expect to know your exact purpose for your life.

Remember He always hears you and don't be afraid of being different.

"Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, and develops well-formed maturity in you." 

-Romans 12:2-3

Blog ya later- ashnmaggard

Five Things to accomplish THIS Summer

Five Things to accomplish THIS Summer

1. Become better at speaking

2. Write a book

3. Start my photography business

4. Save a life 

5. Develop my own film style

Blogyalater, ashnmaggard

P.S. I still love you...

"I bet you've had a hard time walking into a room full of people on your own, right? Yeah. I know that. I know what it is not to feel like your in the room until he looks at you or touches your hand or even makes a joke at your expense, just to let everyone know... you're with him. You're his" 




He wants to let everyone know your His... "sigh" 

Even when I feel unloveable...  morning breath, zits, crazy laughing fits, snapping off

... just to name a few

He still loves me.

How awesome it is...

 How He sees me as the real me; not the nineteen year old that everyone else sees on the outside. 

Still He loves me for me. 

His love NEVER fails.

His love NEVER gives up.

His love NEVER runs out. 

It makes me want to belt out singing or dance a jig.

It makes me want to know him more and more.

 give him my whole heart... 

wow...

I

love

Jesus.

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!" -Ephesians 3:16-21

"Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can't know him if you don't love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they've done to our relationship with God."    

-1 John 4:9-10

blog ya later, ashnmaggard

JesusFreak

Here is a few Bible verses that I hope will encourage you 

today... about who you are in Jesus Christ. 

Feel free to share.

I am complete in Him Who is the Head of all principality and power (Colossians 2:10).

I am alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5). 

I am free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).

I am far from oppression, and fear does not come near me (Isaiah 54:14). 

I am born of God, and the evil one does not touch me (1 John 5:18).

I am holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:16).

I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5).

I have the peace of God that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

I have the Greater One living in me; greater is He Who is in me than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

I have received the gift of righteousness and reign as a king in life by Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).

I have received the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, the eyes of my understanding being enlightened (Ephesians 1:17,18). 

I have received the power of the Holy Spirit to lay hands on the sick and see them recover, to cast out demons, to speak with new tongues. I have power over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means harm me (Mark 16:17,18; Luke 10:17,19). 

I have put off the old man and have put on the new man, which is renewed in the knowledge after the image of Him Who created me (Colossians 3:9,10). 

I have given, and it is given to me; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, men give into my bosom (Luke 6:38). 

I have no lack for my God supplies all of my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). 

I can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one with my shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16).

I can do all things through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13).

I show forth the praises of God Who has called me out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).

I am God’s child—for I am born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, which lives and abides forever (1 Peter 1:23). 

I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ unto good works (Ephesians 2:10).

I am a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

I am a spirit being—alive to God (Romans 6:11;1 Thessalonians 5:23).

I am a believer, and the light of the Gospel shines in my mind (2 Corinthians 4:4). 

I am a doer of the Word and blessed in my actions (James 1:22, 25).

I am a joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17).

I am more than a conqueror through Him Who loves me (Romans 8:37).

I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony (Revelation 12:11). 

I am a partaker of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:3,4). 

I am an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). 

I am part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people (1 Peter 2:9).

I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). 

I am the temple of the Holy Spirit; I am not my own (1 Corinthians 6:19).

I am the head and not the tail; I am above only and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13). 

I am the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). 

I am His elect, full of mercy, kindness, humility, and longsuffering (Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12). 

I am forgiven of all my sins and washed in the Blood (Ephesians 1:7). 

I am delivered from the power of darkness and translated into God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13).

I am redeemed from the curse of sin, sickness, and poverty (Deuteronomy 28:15-68; Galatians 3:13).

I am firmly rooted, built up, established in my faith and overflowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:7). 

I am called of God to be the voice of His praise (Psalm 66:8; 2 Timothy 1:9).

I am healed by the stripes of Jesus (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24). 

I am raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 2:12;). 

I am greatly loved by God (Romans 1:7; Ephesians 2:4; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4).

I am strengthened with all might according to His glorious power (Colossians 1:11). 

I am submitted to God, and the devil flees from me because I resist him in the Name of Jesus (James 4:7). 

I press on toward the goal to win the prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward (Philippians 3:14). 

For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). 

It is not I who live, but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20).

Blog ya later, ashnmaggard