The White Helmets

I do not have much to say except that that these men are a perfect example of courage and heroism at it's finest. If you have not seen it already, I highly recommend watching the short documentary Netflix has sponsored. It will only take about 45 minutes of your time, but it is highly moving and very informative of the atrocities that are currently taking place halfway around the world. 

If you are interested in learning more about the White Helmets more information is found at their website. 

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

Starting Back Up

I have decided that I am going to write a bit more and more specifically, write a bit more on my blog. The posts might be short and straight to the point or long and perplexing, however I will post. That being said, since I am just getting back to this whole "blog thing" it will take some time; so bear with me. 

I just l feel like there is a need in my life to start putting my thoughts and questions down on paper, and unfortunately, I don't always have the time to write in my journal. Don't worry though, my posts on here will consist mostly of school happenings and new adventures. I'll keep the mushy, emotional stuff to myself. 

Up NEXT...

I am hoping to document my trip to China, it might end up being more pictures than writing though! 

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

A Weekend Filled with Love

My Valentine's weekend started with making homemade valentines for the Handmade Valentines Exchange. I was able to bless 9 women from all over the country and get in a little time for myself to express my artistic side, all the while getting a much needed break from school.

Valentine's were followed by homemade sugar cookies, which were distributed to a few neighbors and family. (Okay I might have eaten a few)

Friday and Saturday I received a few handmade valentines from the women I had sent mine too. Although, I have never met any of them, their valentines were such a joy to receive.

On Sunday, my wonderful husband made reservations for lunch at The Wayside Inn, in Sudbury, Massachusetts. If you are not familiar with the history, I highly recommend looking it up. We were able to enjoy the gorgeous property and the delicious food, despite it being below 0 outside. Lastly, to top my weekend off, I found a package stuffed in my mailbox on Tuesday, full of goodies from the best friend I could ever ask for; my sister Charity. She thought of everything, and as many of you know, receiving anything from family is always a treasure.

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

Will He Find Us Faithful?

Below is a brief excerpt from a letter written by Franklin Graham, Billy Graham's son and President of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. I was struct by the dedication of the soldier in the opening story. Do I have the same dedication to my Commanding Officer? Will I remain faithful against all odds? After concluding the letter I was encouraged and inspired to continue to live my life to the fullest, remaining faithful to my God! 

Dear Friend,

I have recently returned from holding an evangelistic Crusade in El Paso, Texas, and as I write, I am preparing for a Crusade in Sapporo, Japan. Sapporo is in the most northern part of the country, a city where the 1972 Winter Olympics were held. Not long after those Olympics, a surprising news report captivated Japan and the world when the last World War II Japanese soldier finally surrendered—30 years after the war.

Hiroo Onoda’s fascinating story came back into the headlines this January when he died at age 91 in a Tokyo hospital. As an officer in the Imperial Japanese Army, he had been stationed on the island of Lubang in the Philippines and given strict orders to stay there and carry out reconnaissance and guerrilla warfare. Lieutenant Onoda was directed not to leave the island or to surrender. His commanding officer, Major Yoshimi Taniguchi, ordered: “You are absolutely forbidden to die by your own hand. It may take three years, it may take five, but whatever happens, we’ll come back for you. Until then, so long as you have one soldier, you are to continue to lead him. You may have to live on coconuts. If that’s the case, live on coconuts! Under no circumstances are you [to] give up your life voluntarily.” He was told to carry out his duties until his commanding officer returned.

In the confusion that followed defeat, the Japanese army lost track of Onoda. For 30 years, this dedicated soldier evaded capture and continued to fight a war he didn’t know had ended. He didn’t compromise. He followed his orders without interruption until he was found in the jungle and his commanding officer, long since retired, returned in person to the island to relieve him of his orders.

This one-time enemy soldier’s devotion to duty spoke to me about the commitment we are to have as followers of Christ. We too have been given orders. Our orders are from the “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16, NKJV). He is clear about them in His Word, and we are not to compromise. I’ve been shocked in recent months to hear about organizations who say they accept the authority of God’s Word but support same-sex marriage. I’ve heard of a Christian publisher planning to print a book that says actively practicing homosexuals can continue in their lifestyle and live as Christians. Not only is this compromising, it is heresy. What God calls sin is sin—we cannot call it something else. The penalty for sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (see Romans 6:23). It is through the cross that God, in His love, provides forgiveness for those who repent. This is the Good News we must proclaim.

The last order our Lord gave us before returning to Heaven was to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth—“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, … teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:18–20). He will return one day soon, and will He find us faithful? Will He find us carrying out what He has asked us to do? Will He find us using our energy, our time, and our resources to share the Gospel message with a lost and hurting world that He loved enough to die for?

(Click HERE to read full letter)

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” - Matthew 20:18-19 

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

He Shall Supply All Thy Needs - Morning Devotions

Are you troubled dear reader? Are there trails and temptations in your life you can't seem to fight through? Have the disappointments of life brought you down? Cheer up dear Christian, and take courage. The LORD is near and encourages us through His word. No matter what difficulty you are going through, He sees it and He hears the cries of your heart. Find strength through His promises.   

"Remember the word unto Thy servant, upon which Thou hast caused me to hope." 

--Psalm 119:49

"Whatever your especial need may be, you may readily find some promise in the Bible suited to it. Are you faint and feeble because your way is rough and you are weary? 

Here is the promise--"He giveth power to the faint." When you read such a promise, take it back to the great Promiser, and ask Him to fulfil His own word. Are you seeking after Christ, and thirsting for closer communion with Him? This promise shines like a star upon you--"Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." 

Take that promise to the throne continually; do not plead anything else, but go to God over and over again with this--"Lord, Thou hast said it, do as Thou hast said." Are you distressed because of sin, and burdened with the heavy load of your iniquities? Listen to these words--"I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions, and will no more remember thy sins." You have no merit of your own to plead why He should pardon you, but plead His written engagements and He will perform them. 

Are you afraid lest you should not be able to hold on to the end, lest, after having thought yourself a child of God, you should prove a castaway? If that is your state, take this word of grace to the throne and plead it: "The mountains may depart, and the hills may be removed, but the covenant of My love shall not depart from thee." If you have lost the sweet sense of the Saviour's presence, and are seeking Him with a sorrowful heart, remember the promises: "Return unto Me, and I will return unto you;" "For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee." Banquet your faith upon God's own word, and whatever your fears or wants, repair to the Bank of Faith with your Father's note of hand, saying, 

"Remember the word unto Thy servant, upon which Thou hast caused me to hope."

-Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

So take hope beloved, Christ is with you.

"My hope is built on nothing less 

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame;

But wholly lean on Jesus' name!

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