Its Been A While

Its been quite a while since my last posts. Sorry for that. I set out to be comittted to blogging on a schedule and when life happened I just let it slip down to the bottom. Recently though, I have felt more and more pulled an compelled to write again. To share. And to listen more.  

I have been reading on several books the last few months. In fact, I was in Tennessee visitng with my family and my mom and I went to Lifeway and they were having a huge sale. And of course, who doesn't love a good sale!? So I bought several books and went at it. I love to read. The obstacle is finding the time to do it and really be focused on what I'm reading the whole time. But that's ok, but when I do get those moments to sit down and focus I truly count them as precious. 

It is my hope that my future posts will be of some sort of help, comfort, and/or interest to someone out there. My passion is to focus on the needs of women, but of course those of the male gender are welcome to read and participate as well. I gear my writing towards women mainly because I feel we are often times over looked and underappreciated. We typically use the majority of our time servinng and focusing on others. And unfortunately, we tend to forget ourselves and our own needs. I do believe in serving others but I also believe that it is very important to make sure we have enough "fuel" to serve the ones we loved and fulfill our callings in life. We can have all the passion in the world, but if we are running on empty we cannot possibly be what we could and should be. 

So here is to happy blogging...again. I would love to hear from you. I'll be writing again soon. 

God Blessxoxox

Are Fairytales Based in Truth? You Decide!

I recently discovered that what I always thought was a mere fairytale character, is actually real. Or at least it was at one time. As i have mentioned in previous posts, I started rereading the BIble as though I had never read it before. I decided to do this so that I could break away from the safety umbrella of Christianity and discover the details I have been missing out on. 

I recently finished the book of Job. If you've never read thisi book, I highly recommend it. Especially if you have ever been at a place in your life where you felt alone, abandoned, and beaten down. I actually think it would make for a pretty good movie of the Drama genre. Anyway, every day I would read a new chapter of Job. I am very familiar with the story as it is preached on by almost every preacher or minister out there. For good reason. But because of my familiarity of the story, I knew I needed to be more forcused than before so that I did not miss anything. It took me to the end of the book to discover something I had never read or noticed before. Here is what I found:

Dragons are real!!! Or at least they were at one time according to the BIble. And I believe every word the BIble says as pure truth. It all starts in chapter 41.Read for yourself:

14. "Who dares open the doors of his mouth, ringed about with his fearsome teeth?

15. His back has rows of shields tightly sealed together; 

16. each is so close to the next that no air can pass between.

17. They are joined fast to one another; they cling together and cannot be parted.

18. His snorting throws out flashes of light; his eyes are like the rays of dawn.

19. Firebrands stream from his mouth; sparks of fire shoot out.

20. Smoke pours from his nostrils as from a boiling pot over a fire of reeds. 

21. His breath sets coals ablaze, and flames dart from his mouth,

22. Strength resides in his neck; dismay goes before him.

23. The folds of his flesh are tightly joined; they are firm and immovable.

24. His chest is hard as rock, hard as a lower millstone.

25. When he rises up, the mighty are terrified; they retreat before his thrashing.

26. The sword that reaches him has no effect, nor does the spear or the dart or the javelin.

27. Iron he treats like straw and bronze like rotten wood. 

28. Arrows do not make him flee; slingstones are like chaff to him.

29. A club seems to him but a piece of sraw; he laughs at the rattling of the lance.

30. His undersides are jagged potsherds, leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge.

31. He makes the depths churn like a boiling caldron and stirs up the sea like a pot of ointment. 

32. Behind him he leaves a glistening wake; one would think the deep had white hair.

33. Nothing on earth is his equal- a creature without fear. 

34. He looks down on all that are haughty; he is king over all that are proud."

You can make the decision for yourself of whether or not you believe dragons are real or not. I, however, now am more inclined to believe they did exist at one time. The point of that chapter was not to really debate the existance of dragons. It was God's way of telling Job and everyone else that if there is a creature on earth, which God himself created, that is that fierce and that can't be defeated and has no fear, then how much great is God than that?

Just food for your thoughts today. I hope you enjoyed todays blog, and until next time just keep discovering the world around you! Nothing is impossible!

XOXO,

Ashley Danielle <3

Go Be Beautiful You....

I just finished reading the book of Esther. It's always been one of my favorites for sure. It's full of adventure, inspiration, betrayal, suspense, unlikely heroes, and of course who doesn't love a good ending? A real box office winner! 

The book is really short but is packed with so much meaning. Esther herself of course is a true heroine and star. But what caught my attention most this time was her cousin Mordicai. What if he had not been wise enough to advise Esther on what she should do? What if he had not supported her and encouraged her to make the possibly life threatening decisions she made. What if throughout her childhood Mordicai had not instilled in Esther the importance of faith and even respect? If Esther had not been taught respect, and had approached the king in the wrong way, not only could it have meant her untimely death, but also the death of her family and thousands of her race.

 Not only did Mordicai and Esther show they had extreme faith, but there's something more. Imagine the fear they had to overcome to step out on that faith. We think it's hard to speak up about our beliefs in front of our friends and coworkers! How would you feel about speaking up about your faith to save your whole race? 

Yeah sure, we read the heroic story and it makes us feel proud and brave. And we might even think, "if they could do it; so can I." And it's totally true; you can do it. But usually where people get stuck is when fear is a reality and it's right in front of your face! Mordicai and  Esther had great faith. And it was truly a do or die situation. In fact, it was a do or die, and a do and might die anyway situation.

I want to be like Esther. I want that kind of faith, bravery, and confidence to boldly and nationally make requests and make statements that can change the lives of others; maybe even the world. I want to be like Mordicai and be a parent that teaches and instills that faith and determination in my children. I want to be that living, breathing example that Mordicai was to Esther, his family, and his people. He even became a leader in a nation of people that didn't even share his beliefs! How crazy is that! What a podium to stand on! You had people plotting your death because of your beliefs, and for that very same belief you become a leader of nations! 

Talk about a way to change the world. We can do it too. We may never become Queen or President or be a leader in society. But as a woman, you have more power than you think. We know how to get things done with respect, grace, class, love, and kindness. 

It's such a beautiful thing. Go be beautiful you.......

<3XOXO

Ashley E

Women Living Real: Understanding the Old to Get the New

Women Living Real: Understanding the Old to Get the New: We are living in the New Testament and following by what is written in the New Testament; meaning the second half of the Bible. But...

Understanding the Old to Get the New

We are living in the New Testament and following by what is written in the New Testament; meaning the second half of the Bible. But I believe after really reading the Old Testament, I was then able to actually understand the New Testament much better. You see, the Old Testament was rough and raw, and the way of religious life was by no means easy. You literally had to make real life sacrifices to God. Killing cows and sheep, people!!! And if you didn't do it, then that's bad news for you! So once you can grasp the complexity and seemingly cruelness in the Old Testament, then you will be able to really understand and appreciate how Jesus literally rocked our world when he showed up on the scene.....

xoxo <3

Ashley Echevarria

Missing You!

So sorry I have been away for so long, especially since I was just getting started with this blog! My grandfather recently passed away very unexpectedly, and along with a lot of other crazy circumstances, it has thrown my way off my predicted planned schedule. Which is fine, because as we all know very well, that is part of life! Right?!?!

I just wanted to share with you all that I have not forgotten about you, or randomly decided to stop blogging after just two posts!:) Thanks for hanging in there with me and being patient. I have so many ideas and requests from everyone on topics to go over, and I am very excited to dive in with all of you!

Please let me know by commenting or private messaging me on your thoughts and what's on your heart! I truly see this going to great heights and can't wait to see what the future holds for us all!!!

I'll be sending good things your way soon! Xoxo<3

Abandonment- Is It Even Real?

Will God abandon us during our tough times??

Heck no He won't! Quite the opposite actually! Check out these verses as proof:

Psalm 9:10
"Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, have never abandoned anyone who searches for you."

Psalm 27:10
"Even if my father and mother abandon me, The Lord will hold me close."

1st John 14:16
"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you."

2nd Corinthians 4:9
"We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going."

I know sometimes in my life, especially on those "down days", I have to remind myself that God is with me. I thought these verses would be helpful to so many of you who experience those same frustrating days at times.