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In the past few months, I have experienced a renewed appreciation for hymns. For some reason, I used to think that the songs in the hymn book at church were too old , too slow, and too out-of-date, but now I regret ever letting those thoughts creep into my head. Although I love the new songs that we sing at devotional gatherings, there is something that you miss out on if you neglect the hymns. The more I sing them, the more I feel their richness. They have a way of expressing the emotions of my heart, giving my love for God a voice. They speak to me in ways that make me aware of God's truth and His presence in my life. Sometimes, I can almost hear the angels singing along. There is a hymn in my heart today that I want to share with you, and I hope that it gives wings to the words of your heart. Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art. Thou my best thought by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light Be Thou my wisdom, Th...

This past Sunday I had the wonderful opportunity to join a group of people from church and spend the afternoon at a local nursing home. Some of the group played bluegrass music for the residents while the rest of us talked with people or visited their rooms if they didn't feel like getting out. I enjoyed listening to the bluegrass music because I could tell that the elderly folks enjoyed it, too. But what I loved the most was talking with people, hearing their stories, listening to them, and praying with them. I'll never forget the sweet squeeze that one precious lady gave my hand as I said "amen." There was a slight miscommunication among the group as we transitioned to a different nursing home for the later half of the afternoon. Apparently many people didn't realize that we were visiting another nursing home, so many members of our group didn't show up at the second location, including the singers for the bluegrass band. The band waited a few minutes to see...

I used to think that prayer was the only way to handle struggles, but now God has shown me something new and exciting. Not only is there power in prayer, but power in praise as well. I have been experimenting with a new kind of prayer this week - a prayer of praise. Whenever I am struggling, hurting, doubting, fearing, worrying, or experiencing any negative emotion, I go to God in praise. There is something about singing God' name, praising Him, and worshipping Him that puts everything into perspective. Praise washes over all doubt, fear, anger, and insecurity. I don't have to say a word about my problems (God already knows anyway), instead, I just call Him by name and offer a prayer of simple praise. The more I praise Him, the more my struggles vanish as my mind is filled with truth about who God is. Every now and then, instead of praying about it, praise about it. Instead of going to God in prayer, go to Him in praise. And really, praise is a prayer - a prayer that declares t...

The colorful clothes and costumes, silly chants and songs, late-night parties, and crazy demonstrations of enthusiasm are only a few of the exciting things on campus during the week of social club inductions. This year, I am only an observer. At first, I was thankful that I didn't have to participate in the late night activites, not do I have to complete the ridiculous requirements of joining a social club on campus. However, the more I see the creative costumes, colorful signs, and fun gatherings, I begin to feel a little bit left out. I want to be crazy, too! I want to wear club colors, sing club songs, and most of all, be a part of something bigger than myself. But I wasn't invited, so I wear normal clothes in a sea of colors. I study in my dorm room, listening to the chants ringing outside my open window. I have nothing against social clubs, and I don't think there is anything wrong with joining one, but the Lord reminded me of something this week through the whole club...

Of all the new and exciting things that college brings, one of my favorite parts is the freedom to arrange my own schedule each semster. When I sat down at my desk today, the excitement of selecting new classes and arranging my schedule filled me with a sense of adventure. The timing and planning of my schedule this upcoming spring semster was all under my control! But my enthusiasm and optimism quickly faded into frustration as I realized that the process is less like an adventure and more like solving an intricate jigsaw puzzle. I knew what classes I needed to take, but getting them into my week without overlap and conflict was a different story. Since my Anatomy class was important, I started with that. But because the lab took up such a large block of time, that only left one section of Human Situation. And if I enrolled in that class, then I would have to take an 8:00 Bible class every day. Then, there would be no time for me to take Cell Biology because it was only offered at 8:...

I have a confession to make: I eat way too much candy. When Halloween rolls around and they start selling candy corn at all the grocery stores, I go a little bit crazy. You see, it's my favorite candy, and they don't sell it all-year-round. That means that the month of October is the time to satisfy my craving. During October, squirrels may collect nuts for the winter, but I buy as many bags of candy corn as it takes to last me all through the upcoming year. This year is no different. I ate through the first bag in two and a half weeks all by myself, and I have four other bags on reserve. (I'm telling you, it's bad.) This weakness is not helped by the fact that I keep a bag of candy corn on my desk all the time. As I'm working or studying, I'm snacking. I tell myself, O kay, Ashli, only one more handful . Then after I eat those, I say, Okay Ashli, only three more . After I eat those three, I say, Okay, for real this time, only three more ! And it goes on and on ...

I love the time of year when the cool weather transforms the leaves into deep shades of red, yellow, and orange that illuminate in the sunlight. When you look up at the leaves from below, the sun shines through them like a stain glass window. I love hanging all my colorful sweaters in the closet and then carefully choosing which one to wear on each crisp autumn afternoon. I can almost smell the cool air as I take a deep breath, and I can feel the warmth of a scarf snuggled up to my cold nose. I love the smell of pumpkin pie, apple cider, and my favorite "sweet cinnamin pumpkin" candle that my mom bought just for me. During the fall, I'll take every opportunity to get outside, even if it is a simple trip to the grocery store. (Which means I can grab several bags of candy corn to last me all year round!) The season of fall makes me feel at home and at peace, but it also fills me with energy and excitement, like the leaves that twirl through the air with the dancing of the ...

I just finished reading Isaiah in my Bible, and I have discovered that it is one of those books that is just plain hard to grasp at times. It is very easy to get lost or confused in the prophesies woven through its chapters, but I am reminded of something a friend shared with me one time. Together, we were studying the book of Isaiah with a group of peers, and we were meeting each week to discuss what we had read. On one particular week, we found ourselves gathered together with nothing to talk about. We had read a difficult section of Isaiah, and no one really knew what to do with it. After tossing around a few ideas about the passage as a whole, one girl spoke up and said, "It's like God is saying, 'I dare you to find someone better than me.'" After a few moments of silence as we let her comment sink in, we all began to see the truth in her statement. Among all the confusing prophesies, predictions, and preachings, Isaiah says over and over again that there is n...