{what joy, what peace}

Psalm 16:11 {You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy}

For the past few days, I've felt God's presence so strongly - the feeling that makes everything else around you seem...unimportant.

I often get tied down, weighted down by the problems in my life, or in the things going on around me that I forget to place the King in His rightful place in my life. I forget that my time, my devotion, is what He requires of me..and rightfully so.

About a week or two back, I bought a playlist of about 11 songs (recommended worship songs by the wonderful team over at setapartgirl). This song was one of them:

{What Joy (Psalm 146)} by Generation Church, written by Sarah Emerson.

It is a beautiful song, a beautiful reminder of the joy and peace that we have when we hope in our Lord, and when we place all of our confidence in our King.

You made the heavens and the earth,

The sea and all that is in them.

Oh, Your promises remain.

You give justice to the weak,

You care for the widow and orphan.

Forever, Lord, You reign.

What joy! What joy for those whose hope is in the name of the Lord.

What peace! What peace for those whose confidence is Him alone.

Hallelujah! Forever we will sing.

Hallelujah! Praises to the King.

You can also listen here: What Joy (Psalm 146)

My prayer is that this song would be as encouraging and uplifting as it has been for me, and that you would feel a sense of revival in your soul.

xo, Aysha

{when God writes your love story}

I just bought this book two days ago, and I already love it.

Meet Eric and Leslie Ludy.

Pastor at Ellerslie.

Speakers.

Authors.

These two have profoundly affected my Christian walk, and I'm excited to say that I will be studying under them for 2 months this coming summer in Windsor, CO!

Eric is the teaching pastor at the Church at Ellerslie and the lead instructor in the Ellerslie Leadership Training.

Leslie serves as the executive director of Set-Apart Girl - an internationally-known organization that provides books, resources, conferences, and training for Christian young women.

From June 16 - August 19, I will be immersed in God - living and breathing His presence with ~50 other young men and women seeking to do the same.

I couldn't be more excited :)

As I prepare for this journey, I will be reading all of the Ludy's books, as well as some that were recommended to me, that will further help me to understand their mission. Here are a few of the titles:

• George Muller of Bristol - Arthur Pierson
• Rees Howells: Intercessor - Norman Grubb
• Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret - Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor
• Hudson Taylor: A Retrospect - Hudson Taylor
• Gold Cord - Amy Carmichael
• They Found the Secret - V. Raymond Edman
• No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green - Melody Green
• Chasing the Dragon - Jackie Pullenger
• Of Whom the World Was Not Worthy - Marie Chapian
• Gladys Aylward: The Little Woman - Gladys Aylward and Christine Hunter
• If I Perish - Esther Ahn Kim
• The Pastor's Wife - Sabrina Wurmbrand
• The Cross and the Switchblade - David Wilkerson
• The Hiding Place - Corrie ten Boom
• Tramp for the Lord - Corrie ten Boom
• The Shadow of the Almighty - Elisabeth Elliot
• Through the Gates of Splendor - Elisabeth Elliot

xo, Aysha

What Grace is Mine

As I was reading an article from Leslie Ludy’s Set Apart Girl Magazine called “Forsaking All,” I came across lyrics to a hymn titled, “What Grace is Mine.”

Here are the lyrics.

What grace is mine, that He who dwells in endless light
Called through the night to find my distant soul
And from His scars, poured mercy that would plead for me
That I might live, and in His name be known

So I will go wherever He is calling me
I lose my life to find my life in Him
I give my all to gain the hope that never dies
I bow my heart, take up my cross, and follow Him

What grace is mine, to know His breath alive in me
Beneath His wings my wakened soul may soar
All fear can flee, for death’s dark night is overcome
My Savior lives, and reigns forevermore

Christ’s domain and nature is light. In His graciousness, He calls to us, no matter where we are. He pleaded for our life, on His behalf. It’s in His name that we are known. His breath has given us life. We no longer have to be afraid, for night is overcome.

The chorus of the hymn is a challenge to our hearts, minds and souls. Are we willing to go where He is calling? Will we lay down our lives in order to find life in Him? Is our hope one that never dies?

The challenge is there, in the final line of the chorus. We must bow our hearts, take up our cross…and follow Him.

Blessings,

A.

Ps. If you would like to read the article further, here is the link: Forsaking All