Keep Recognizing Jesus

Wow, the time is flying by - I have finished 2 weeks, been here for 15 days (It seems so long and short all at the same time.) I've had my first 2 presentations, continued to learn so very much, and continued to build friendships that will last a lifetime. Through it all, I can see the Lord working in so many ways. It's amazing when you take the time to step back and actually see His hand at work how much you will see. Other than being in the lab from 9-5:30, Monday-Friday, I really don't have much to do. I'm slowly learning to see this as a blessing...How many times do I get to have nothing to do? No homework, no chores, no outside activities. Instead, I get to read, spend time in the Word, listen to music, and enjoy spending time with others.

I've learned so much more than academics in the short two weeks that I've been here. My eyes have been so opened to many things. The Lord is continuing to teach me so many things. Last week I posted about feeling like Peter who had to continually keep his eyes on Christ to prevent from sinking while walking across the water. This week, in My Utmost for His Highest, this very story came up, it was entitled "Keep Recognizing Jesus."

"The wind really was boisterous and the waves really were high, but Peter didn’t see them at first. He didn’t consider them at all; he simply recognized his Lord, stepped out in recognition of Him, and “walked on the water.” Then he began to take those things around him into account, and instantly, down he went. Why couldn’t our Lord have enabled him to walk at the bottom of the waves, as well as on top of them? He could have, yet neither could be done without Peter’s continuing recognition of the Lord Jesus.

We step right out with recognition of God in some things, then self-consideration enters our lives and down we go. If you are truly recognizing your Lord, you have no business being concerned about how and where He engineers your circumstances. The things surrounding you are real, but when you look at them you are immediately overwhelmed, and even unable to recognize Jesus. Then comes His rebuke, “. . . why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). Let your actual circumstances be what they may, but keep recognizing Jesus, maintaining complete reliance upon Him.

If you debate for even one second when God has spoken, it is all over for you. Never start to say, “Well, I wonder if He really did speak to me?” Be reckless immediately— totally unrestrained and willing to risk everything— by casting your all upon Him. You do not know when His voice will come to you, but whenever the realization of God comes, even in the faintest way imaginable, be determined to recklessly abandon yourself, surrendering everything to Him. It is only through abandonment of yourself and your circumstances that you will recognize Him. You will only recognize His voice more clearly through recklessness— being willing to risk your all."

How often do I continually recognize Jesus? Continually seek his face? Or do I, instead, get wrapped up in what's going on around me. Whether I'm in Oxford, Olive Branch, or Jackson. No matter my situation. No matter my trials. No matter the joys. May I surrender it all to Him and CONTINUALLY seek His face!

The church I'm going to while in Oxford has been so refreshing, it's been a different change of pace, a different way of doing things - but ultimately the Gospel is preached! This morning, a blessing in disguise, our canoe trip got cancelled and I was able to go to church. The pastor is doing a 4 week study entitled "The Big Story" in which we are doing an overview of the Bible in 4 weeks. How many times do we take a step back and look at the Bible as a whole? Seeing the Old Testament as looking towards the Cross, the New Testament looking back. Seeing that the faith of the Patriarchs is the same as the faith of Paul, Peter, Matthew. This same faith is what we have today, in 2011. Such a humbling idea. Our God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. (Hebrews 13:8) This morning, we were looking specifically at the Abrahamic covenant and how to look at the Bible in the light of three things. 1) The character of God. 2) The plan of salvation. 3) Everything points to Jesus. As to the Abrahamic covenant... Genesis 12:1 says "The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.'" The Lord goes on to say that He will make Abraham's name great and bless the people through him. I thought in my own life how Genesis 12:1 applies to my life right now - I sat there, substituting it with my present circumstances - The Lord said to Ashley, Go from your country (Olive Branch), your people (those friends that you love) and your father's household (my family) to the land (Oxford, OH) I will show you. How this was a leap of faith for Abraham, and how it's been a leap of faith for me. But what did God do when Abraham took this leap of faith? The Lord blessed him. End of story. And what has the Lord done for me? Blessed me. More than I would have ever imagined, more than I will ever know.

It's been such a sweet two weeks, as I sit back and reflect on all the ways the Lord has blessed me. I look forward to the next 8 weeks, and know, that in the end I'm going to have a hard time closing this chapter in my life. But, for now, I'm enjoying the Lord and I'm going to choose to continue to recognize Jesus!

Until next week,

Ashley

The First Week!

Well, I've officially been in Oxford, OH a week and a day now! It's crazy that the time has flown by so fast, but at the same time it feels like I've been here only 2 days. A week ago today, I told my parents and brother by for the summer - and I'm pretty sure I haven't cried that much in a very long time. The Lord was gracious though and the weather was gorgeous. While sitting at Starbucks, reading my Bible - Mom challenged me to journal how the Lord shows Himself faithful over the next 10 weeks. Case #1 - I read My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers for the day and this is what it said:

My assurance is to be built upon God’s assurance to me. God says, “I will never leave you,” so that then I “may boldly say, ’The Lord is my helper; I will not fear’ ” (Hebrews 13:5-6). In other words, I will not be obsessed with apprehension. This does not mean that I will not be tempted to fear, but I will remember God’s words of assurance. I will be full of courage, like a child who strives to reach the standard his father has set for him. The faith of many people begins to falter when apprehensions enter their thinking, and they forget the meaning of God’s assurance— they forget to take a deep spiritual breath. The only way to remove the fear from our lives is to listen to God’s assurance to us.

What are you fearing? Whatever it may be, you are not a coward about it— you are determined to face it, yet you still have a feeling of fear. When it seems that there is nothing and no one to help you, say to yourself, “But ’The Lord is my helper’ this very moment, even in my present circumstance.” Are you learning to listen to God before you speak, or are you saying things and then trying to make God’s Word fit what you have said? Take hold of the Father’s assurance, and then say with strong courage, “I will not fear.” It does not matter what evil or wrong may be in our way, because “He Himself has said, ’I will never leave you . . . .’ “

Human frailty is another thing that gets between God’s words of assurance and our own words and thoughts. When we realize how feeble we are in facing difficulties, the difficulties become like giants, we become like grasshoppers, and God seems to be nonexistent. But remember God’s assurance to us— “I will never. . . forsake you.” Have we learned to sing after hearing God’s keynote? Are we continually filled with enough courage to say, “The Lord is my helper,” or are we yielding to fear?

At that point, all I could say was that the Lord is good, as he always is. Yesterday, today, and forever. Which means, yes He was good when my parents were here, when everything was safe and comfortable. He is good today, right now, when things are not as they "typically" are. He is GOOD when I don't know what is to come.

This whole journey has been one of which, can be compared to that of Peter. In Matthew 14, Jesus tells Peter to get out of the boat (safety and what is normal) and come to Him. Up until this point, Peter says he has faith but it is when Jesus tests this that Peter doubts. And, when Peter takes his eyes of Jesus, he begins to fail and doubt the Lord. How much is my life this? I so often wish I could just stay in my boat of comfort instead of having my faith tested. Ultimately, "the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace." (Romans 8:6) May I have this outlook then entire summer, and as I grow in my walk with Christ.

As for the research side of things, I have learned more in the past 5 days of being in the lab, than I might have in all of my labs combined in college so far (maybe a tad bit of an exaggeration, but extremely close!) To keep me from sounding too much like a nerd, I will just say that I love what I'm doing. For my science friends, I'm trying to isolate a protein so that eventually I can find it's structure and function. I have a wonderful research advisor and the doctoral student I'm working underneath is doing an excellent job of teaching and explaining. We give our first presentation on Tuesday, so be praying!

I've met some wonderful friends here so far and we are enjoying fellowship together when we are not working! The Lord is the Provider and I see his hand moving so many ways this summer so far.

I look forward to what the rest of the summer has to hold and how HE works with a glad and excited anticipation!

In Him,

Ashley

Excited Anticipation

Well, I can officially say that I will be at Miami University in Oxford, OH in 3 weeks. When I started applying for these positions in early January, I never in a million years that I would be so close 5 months later. There are so many thoughts and emotions that I am being overwhelmed with as it nears. Excited and nervous about my time in Oxford, thrilled at the experience, sad to be leaving my family for 10 weeks (first summer to ever be away from home!), anxious about the research itself, and waiting in glad anticipation at the things to come!

The Lord has been so faithful through this whole journey, despite my doubts. Miami was the last place I imagined I would spend my summer, it was the furthest away from home and I knew nothing about it when I applied. As I waited and waited to hear something, there were many days I was anxious and worried that I was not going to get a position. Despite my often lack of trust in the Lord - He blessed me in so many ways. I got an offer the first week in April, and through the course of several unexpected obstacles I was able to see the Lord work in ways I could never have imagined. I am going to be able to work under the chemistry/biochemistry department chair at Miami and am beyond thrilled! My current biochem professor, who has made an incredible impact on my life, studied for her Ph.D under the department chair. It is incredible to see discipleship and mentoring on this level.

Several prayer requests as I prepare to go:
- The time I do have with my family before I am gone will be a sweet time and seem a lot longer than the week or so that I will be home.
- Pray that many opportunities to minister and share the Gospel will be opened up.
- Pray for confidence that the Lord has given me this opportunity and has fully prepared me to be able to do the jobs that I will be asked to this summer.
- Pray that I will find a church in the area that I can plug into while I am in Oxford.

I will continue to post as the time nears and throughout the summer.

Excited to see what the Lord has in store,

Ashley