Tuesday, November 19, 2013

We Shall Bless Him for Who He is - Psalm 103

In my devotions I am presently studying the book of Psalms. I am currently reading roughly a chapter everyday and today was Psalm 103. Many of you may be familiar with it, however I encourage you to take a moment and reread it; really take in who God is and what he has does for His children. He is merciful, gracious, slow to anger, He satisfies us with good things, He does not punish us according to the mistakes we make, He won't always chide, He shows compassion to us. He is our Father, our Daddy our All in All. 

How can we not bless Him for all He is and Has done for us?


Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless His holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all His benefits,

who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

The Lord works righteousness
    and justice for all who are oppressed.

 He made known His ways to Moses,
    His acts to the people of Israel.

The Lord is merciful and gracious;
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

He will not always chide,
    nor will he keep His anger forever.

He does not deal with us according to our sins,
    nor repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him;

as far as the east is from the west,
    so far does He remove our transgressions from us.

As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him.

For He knows our frame;
    He remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass;
    he flourishes like a flower of the field;

for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
    and its place knows it no more.

But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting
 to everlasting on those who fear Him,
    and His righteousness to children's children,

to those who keep his covenant
    and remember to do his commandments.

The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,
    and His kingdom rules over all.

Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
    you mighty ones who do his word,
    obeying the voice of His word!

 Bless the Lord, all His hosts,
    His ministers, who do His will!

Bless the Lord, all His works,
    in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!

-Psalm 103:1-22

We will praise Jehovah, the Self-Existent. We will praise El, the mighty God whose power is on our side. We will praise Him who gives Himself the Covenant name of Elohim and reveals therein the Trinity of His sacred unity. We will praise the Shaddai, the All-Sufficient God and magnify Him because out of His fullness have we all received. And whatever other name there is in Scripture, or combination of names, every one shall be exceedingly delightful to our hearts and we will bless the sacred name.”
-AN EXCERPT FROM A SERMON DELIVERED ON LORD’S-DAY MORNING, OCTOBER 20, 1872, BY C. H. SPURGEON

All text © 2013 From the Ashes| All Images © 2013  From the Ashes

Friday, November 15, 2013

NMUN - DC 2013


I attended the National Model United Nations this past October in Washington, DC and thoroughly enjoyed it! Although, my partner and I were completely unprepared for the conference, we both took pleasure in getting to know each other and also learning how things work within the United Nations Security Counsel! We not only learned the steps to passing a resolution, but also about the country we were representing. 



All text © 2013 From the Ashes| All Images © 2013  From the Ashes

Monday, November 4, 2013

If Life Gives You Lemons

While reading through one of the many books I'm trying to tackle before the new year, a specific passage in Reshaping it All by Candace Cameron Bure really stuck with me. I have always struggled with anxiety and worry; even over the littlest things. In chapter 9 Candace talks about "not feeding the lions," what she means by that is taking our thoughts captive and pursuing what is right and positive instead of dwelling on the negative. In closing the chapter she states:
lemons health"Our job starts by being alert. We need to interpret our thoughts wisely, dividing the good from the bad, and with a little self control (okay, maybe a lot) converse our thoughts in a positive way. In other words, stop feeding the lions! 
If life gives you lemons, you don't have to settle for lemonade. Did you know that one lemon could power a light? When attached to the right source, it can also power a motor. Imagine just for a moment what the lemons in your life could produce when God powers them! Poverty, sickness, addictions, and discouragement...the list is endless, but God's grace is not! Start turning those negative thoughts into powerful statements of faith by submitting your heart to your spirit today." -Candace
After reading this chapter it hit me; my worry starts with my thoughts. I need to "take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5)" and think on the things that are good in my life. What has God blessed me with? And how can I better serve God with what he has given me? By asking those questions daily and with God's help I can eliminate every discouraging and worrisome thought!
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith." (1 Peter 5:7-9
All text © 2013 From the Ashes| All Images © 2013  naturalnews.com 

Friday, November 1, 2013

Footprints in the Sand Book Challenge -- Week 3

Below is the post from my sisters blog (charityklicka.blogspot.com) for her third week of her book challenge! Even if you're not joining in on the challenge, feel free to enter in to win some goodies!


Hello dear readers! I hope you've enjoyed, and were able to participate, in both Week 1 and Week 2 of my Book Challenge and Giveaway. Please continue to spread the word about my giveaways and my book challenge, as well as comment on any one of my Challenge posts about your favorite books, quotes, and other bookish fun! 

Also, I'd also love to meet you who are new to my blog, so please leave a little comment on my guestbook (and you can be sure I will return the gesture)!

::NOTE:: My reading list (all 12 books I am reading from now until the New Year) can be found on the right side of my blog or here: Book List - Book Challenge & Giveaway 2013.


The BOOK I am reading this week is:

As you all should know by now, I absolutely LOVE Scotland: the history, people, culture, language (Scottish-Gaelic), the land, the food, the smells, even the air! It is an absolutely beautiful and vibrant country, and it is my dream travel there someday. 

This book captures, essentially, the heart of Scotland. It is a captivating and controversial history of the Highlands that focuses mainly on the people of Scotland. 

What others are saying:

"Formidable...superb...spectacularly audacious" -The Times

"Outstanding...closely argued, cleverly constructed, and best of all, deliciously written." -Literary Review

"Attacks and defends the personalities of the past with ferocious and infectious pleasure...excellent." -Glasgow Herald

"Sparkles with gripping details...first-class narrative." -Scotland on Sunday

Well there you go you adventurous reader, you! Go and explore the vibrant, formidable (if at times), fantastic world of Scotland. Join me!

Follow my progress on Goodreads!




The book for the GIVEAWAY this week is:

Redwall by Brian Jacques

The other goodies I am giving away this week are:

-2 bookmarks from Infinity Designs
-a pack* of  Hot Chocolate
- Other bookish oddities (to be a surprise!)

ENTER down below for a chance to win! The GIVEAWAY ends November 11 at midnight.

All text © 2013 Footprints in the Sand | All Images © 2013 Hislight Photography

*pack of Hot Chocolate includes 2-4 individual packs, enough to make 2-4 cups of Cocoa

All text © 2013 From the Ashes| All Images © 2013  From the Ashes