Building Bridges

How would you react if someone came to your church on Sunday morning with long, multicolored, spiked hair, dark clothes and multiple tattoos & piercings? Some people would gape, I am sure, others would just give him/her that "it's good to see you in church, but please don't sit next to me" look. Yet, some would do the Christ Like things and go out of their way to welcome and accept him/her. Those people are called "bridge builders".

Barnabas was that "bridge builder for Saul (also called Paul). When Saul arrived in Jerusalem three years after his conversion many disciples were afraid of him and doubted his transformation (Acts 9:26). He didn't receive a warm welcome from the Jerusalem church greeters-for good reason. Saul had a terrible reputation for persecuting Christians.

But Barnabas, a Jewish convert, believed God's work of grace in Saul's life and became a bridge between him and the apostles (v. 27).

Saul needed someone to come alongside him to encourage and teach him, and to introduce him to other believers. Barnabas was that bridge. As a result, Saul was brought into deeper fellowship with the disciples in Jerusalem and was able to preach the gospel there freely and boldly. 

New believers, as well as old believers and anywhere in between, need a Barnabas in their lives. We are to be a bridge in the lives of others. Be a bridge of encouragement to someone today!

I just finish GCB (Good Christian Bitches). 

FINALLY. I had to FORCE myself to finish it. Obviously I wouldn't recommend it, however, it was not because of the message. In my opinion, it was just poorly written and drug on a little too long.

I love the show. It reminds me a little bit of Desperate Housewives.

I just started a new book called Flight to Heaven by Capt. Dale Black

I am LOVING it already. It is about a 19 year old pilot who is in a plane crash; he is the ONLY survivor. It takes you on his journey to heaven and back. If you liked Heaven is for Real, then you will love this book as well!

A little update on The Ashe Family!

Jason, Gracie, and I are traveling home to MS tomorrow! YAY. I am excited to see the family & friends, BUT I am NOT excited for the 10 hour car ride. Friday we leave for Houston, TX for a wedding and then we will be coming back to MS on Sunday to pick up our little fur ball of love & head back to SC! Pretty eventful trip right? 

So, Jason & I had a FRIENDLY bet going about who would win American Idol. Jason (and Granny) were rooting for Phillip Philips and I was dying for Jessica Sanchez to win. Jason said if he won I had to give him 250 minutes of back massages and I said that if I won he had to buy me a new car. Seems fair right? Lucky for Jason, he won and now I will be giving him back massages for the rest of my life. I hope in 2 minutes increments lol. 

We received 3 more wedding pictures back and, of course, I want to show them off to yal! We hope you love them!

Bella Grace Boutique is doing amazing! I can't thank everyone who has supported me! BGB's business cards should be coming in very soon. I have the blog created, but I have to find the perfect store template or my wonderful creative hubby will be designing one. I was SO excited to go through my first pack of thank you notes (I know, easily amused, right?). I think we will be creating some specially for BGB. We have over 110 items in the store now, so go check it out and don't forget to "like" our the Bella Grace Boutique facebook page.

The Purpose in Pain

All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

How much more willing should we be to trust God, the Great Physician,  to reset our broken lives to be conformed to the image of His Son.

One of God's purposes in pain is to brand the image of Jesus in our hearts. God may need to stain our cheeks with our own tears so that we can genuinely empathize with others as Jesus did. God may need to strip away our security to conform us to the God-sufficiency that Christ displayed. It may require a tragedy to teach us to trust the Father as Jesus did. Next time you feel broken, don't panic-praise Him. God is at work.

I just got finished with Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris which was as amazing as the rest of the True Blood Series was!

I am a die hard True Blood fan. CAN NOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT SEASON! Deadlocked is the new Sookie Stackhouse book and is therefore Sookie Stackhouse book 12. The next Sookie Stackhouse book after Deadlocked is sadly the final one in the series and is due to be released in May 2013.


Today Jason & I watched Charlie St. Cloud. 

I cried the ENTIRE movie. It was sooo good, so I started the book & I am already almost finished. The book, of course, is much better than the movie. It's a must read!

MY NEW OBSESSION

I am currently obsessed with goodreads. It really is a brilliant idea where you can share what you are reading, see what your friends are reading, join book-clubs, & get book recommendations based off of what you have read. Ahh... I get excited just talking about it. So don't wait. Go ahead & join & make sure you add me as a friend, so we can share all our GOODREADS!! http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/9511730-jessica-ashe

CURRENTLY PLAYING ON MY ITUNES

The Way You Smile - NewSong feat. Francesca Battistelli 

You have to listen to it!! It is just TOO sweet! If I would have heard this song before our wedding, it would have def. been one of our songs. It really does encompass our ENTIRE relationship! LOVING IT!

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT TODAY!?

Today is Jason & my 2 year 11 month anniversary since we started dating, which this would be about the same time we met. awweeeee... sweet right. It's crazy to think that it's only been 3 years, but then again it seems like we've been together forever. I guess that's what happens when you are true soulmates. Right? He reminds me each day how truly blessed I am to have him in my life. I will NEVER take that for granted. He is the man of my dreams and the PEFECT hubby (I say this as he is cooking me dinner right now). He inspires me each day to be a better person. I love him more than words could ever explain. I love being a family!

lol who doesn't love a good ole Notebook quote??? It really is sooo true though.

okkkk... well ta ta for now...

XOXO

Jess

Recipe for Happiness, Rattlesnake Bites, & Peanut Butter & Banana Pound Cake

RATTLESNAKE BITES

These were so delicious! Jason always loves my cooking, but he couldn't stop raving about these! I thought they were pretty delish too... and I don't even like break... I know.. Un-american right? This makes 24 rolls and takes approximately 45 minutes for preparing & baking.

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef

1 can (4 oz.) chopped green chilies or you can substitute jalapenos

1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, cubed

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon chili powder

3 tubes (8 oz. each) refrigerated crescent rolls

Directions:

In a large skillet, cook beef & chilies (or jalapenos) over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add cream cheese, cumin and chili powder. Cool slightly.

Separate crescent dough into 24 triangles. Place 1 tablespoon of beef mixture along the short end of each triangle; carefully roll up.

Place point side down 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 375 for 11-14 minutes or until golden brown.

PEANUT BUTTER & BANANA POUND CAKE WITH NUTELLA GLAZE 

This cake was scrumptious! I made Jason take it to work because I didn't trust myself with it in the house. lol It also made me feel a strong connection to Elvis. I think he would have really enjoyed this cake.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter, room temperature

1 cup peanut butter (I used crunchy, but your choice), divided

2 3/4 cups sugar

5 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

2 large mashed bananas

1 cup Nutella, divided

2 tablespoons milk or water (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325. Grease & flour bundt pan.

In the bowl of your stand mixer, cream the butter and 3/4 cup of the peanut butter until smooth. Beat in the sugar, mixing until light and airy, around 5 minutes (mine didn't take this long b/c I have a Pink Kitchenaid. Thanks Aunt Debra :) ) Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well between each addition. Stir in the vanilla.

Add the flour and salt to the mixer, all at once, and mix just until incorporated. Mix in the mashed banana on low.

Pour batter into the prepared bundt pan. Drop heaping spoonfuls of Nutella over the top of the batter, about 1/2 cup. Using a butter knife, swirl the Nutella all throughout the cake to get a marbled look.

Bake the cake for 60-75 minutes or until the cake is golden brown and a tester comes out clean.

Allow cake to cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to completely cool.

Heat remaining Nutella and peanut butter in the microwave in 10 second intervals to soften it up enough to drizzle. If desired, mix in a little milk or water to thin the glaze out. (I didn't do this.)

Drizzle on top of the bundt cake. Waaalaaa you have a masterpiece. :)

Well, I hope yal enjoy these recipes!! Maybe I should make a cookbook. I'll add that to my ever expanding list of things to do. hehe

Happy Friday!

XOXO,

Jess

Personal Responsibility to Voice Emotions

This morning as I am drinking my one cup of coffee and listening to "Fear" by Jazmine Sullivan (who by the way is one of my favorite artists, Jessica Sanchez sang her song "Stuttering" on American Idol) I can't help but be intrigued by when we let the fear of anything slip into our lives that we become so limited by it, especially when it comes to our relationships with loved ones.

True inner responsibility centers on our willingness to give voice to whatever is happening to us in the midst of a relationship. This is important not only for you, but also for the person you are relating to. Love only becomes real in the world through our ability to respond to our true inner feelings. Bringing who you are to a relationship - being your TRUE SELF - gives others the opportunity to transcend their limitations by acting on their love. It gives the other person a chance to show up and also show their TRUE SELF.

If you remain voiceless, then the other person can unconsciously keep living out whatever inequity or imbalance they are involved in with you, but once you show your hurt or frustration or confusion or question, then they have the chance to stop their unconscious participation in the pattern of the relationship. The key to whether they will respond to you or not often has to do with LOVE, the one thing that can break the inertia of old behavior.

I always find myself remaining voiceless to hurt or pain due to the fact that even though you may be hurting my feelings or breaking my heart continuously, I don't want to hurt ANYONE, but especially not anyone I love. I don't want anyone to feel like they failed or didn't live up to my expectations. Isn't it ironic how most of the people who are really able to hurt us are the people that are closest and most dear to our heart? 

When I finally decide I will talk to the person who is hurting me, I try to psych myself up and tell myself that releasing my feelings will be beneficial not only for me, but for the other person too. Maybe they are completely unaware of the hurt they are causing and this will be a turning point in our relationship and maybe their lives? Probably not, but you never know. Whether or not they respond how I would like for them to is out of my hands and honestly, it doesn't matter because my answer will be clear through their actions thereafter. If they truly love me they will at the very least acknowledge the hurt & attempt to do better. Because isn't that all we really want? At least for me, I don't expect anyone to make a complete 180 (however, sometimes that would be great), but I do expect them to at the very least attempt to make improvements. 

Until you break your silence, the other person doesn't have the chance to say, "What can we do to change all this?" And doesn't everyone deserve that chance? I think so.

Often, we spend so much time waiting for the other to just magically catch on and see the pain that we feel is so obvious, becoming more and more frustrated and wounded the longer they are completely oblivious to anything going wrong, but this is the definition of a limitation: not being able to see what is obvious. Everyone isn't blessed with the power of being observant. 

So, while we dread voicing our fears and hurts to one another, love has NO way of being acted on without something truthful to respond to. 

Keep in mind that just because someone doesn't show you love the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have and if they are, in fact, loving you with all they have... then really.. what more can we ask for? If this is the case, then we have to learn to accept that person for who they are.

Trust that God will show you when and how to voice this truth to the person in your life who needs and deserves the chance to hear it.

From Mud To Miracles

Today I am inspired by the story of Jesus healing a man that was born blind. 

Here are a couple verses of the scripture that I was captivated by. 

His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" John 9:2 I don't know if anyone has ever wondered this before, but do children ever bear the consequences of their parent's sins? I understand how in life this is a true statement if your parents are alcoholics or drug addicts, then of course, as a child you would carry part of that burden. I mean more of from God. Are children punished because of what a parent/parents did? Personally, I sure hope not and if this is the case, although, no one is perfect, I would like to take the wrath from the sins of my grandparents. Hopefully, someone can answer this question from me.

Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." John 9:3

How has life been cruel to you? I think we have all asked the question one time or another "Why do terrible things happen to good people?" Is the pain in our lives a consequence of our own sin or our parents sin? Sometimes yes (for example, losing your husband because you cheated on him), but often no. God often allows suffering so that his glory might shine through our weakness and frailty. Praise the God who turns mud into miracles. God won't let anything happen to us in our life unless He has a good purpose for it all. 

Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam". So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. John 9:6-7

Can we look beyond our limitations and trust God that he will transform our problems into opportunities?

xoxo,

Jessica Ashe

Products I Can't Live Without

Well, first and foremost, THE BIBLE, yes that's the book for me (lol in my singing voice). Jason bought me my first Bible as a married couple that has my new name on it, Jessica Ashe, just in case you forgot whose blog you were reading. I am really loving it. It is called the True.Identity The Bible for Women. It is the New International Version. It is the Bible that helps you see yourself as God sees you. No matter what your stage in life, you’re probably facing a challenge or a change. Whatever you’re facing, you probably share your struggles with a friend.

 * 100 “Myth” articles---States a commonly accepted myth that the world tells you is true, then refutes the myth with the truth of God’s Word.

* 30 “Ask Me Anything” notes---Profiles a woman from the Bible in an interview format where the biblical woman speaks to the modern readers about the life issue she faced.
* 200 “Conversations” notes---Penetrating questions to reflect on, either alone or with a friend or mentor.
* 200 “He Is” callouts---Highlights an attribute of God as shown or taught in Scripture and teaches how that affects a woman’s identity.
* 300 “At Issues” notes---Short teaching notes on life topics such as money, sex, or pride.
* 66 book introductions
* Topical index
* Back matter articles on topics such as mentoring, developing a consistent quiet time, Bible reading plans, memorizing Scripture, etc.

True Identity is designed to help you live out who you are in Christ in practical ways as a woman living in today’s world. Drawing on the truths of Scripture, the features in this Bible will strengthen you with insights and encouragement for the issues you face. Some of the features include:

Myths: I’ll never be free from my past. If I’m good, God will love me. My husband is the only one who needs to change. If I’m a good Christian, then nothing bad will happen to me. My company owes me.

You’ve heard them before. How many do you believe? They’re commonly accepted myths of our culture---myths about love, relationships, God, fulfillment, sex, faith, right and wrong, and a lot more. Don’t believe the lies of this world! The 100 “Myths” articles in True Identity expose different myths that many women believe. Each article opens with the first-person story of a woman who believes a particular myth and how that affects her life. A statistic or quote shows how common the myth is in our society or what someone has said about it. Then, most importantly, principles from the Bible refute the myth and offer practical guidance and help.

At Issue: The stakes are high when it comes to issues such as marriage, conflict, money, sex, or pride. You need wisdom from God’s Word---and “At Issue” provides it. These 300 succinct notes take you to the heart of important topics, equipping you with biblical insights that can help you face common concerns with uncommon wisdom.

Ask Me Anything: If you could sit down with different women of the Bible and ask them about their lives, what would they tell you? In the form of personal interviews, “Ask Me Anything” profiles introduce you to 30 women from the Bible. Offering frank insights drawn from the best and worst of their lives, they have much to say about life today.

He Is: Who is God and what is he like? You’ll find out as you read through the “He Is” notes. Highlighting attributes of God, each note gives you a bigger picture of the God who loves you and longs to be in relationship with you.

The 2nd thing I can't live without is my daily devotional, Our Daily Bread Devotional Journal. Granny bought me this for Christmas and it has been, hands down, my favorite devotional. I love that it also incorporates a journal into each day.

 Added values include a read-through-the-Bible-in-a year-checklist and designated space for prayer reminders. You will find comfort, encouragement, and hope for every circumstance of life as you enjoy the heartwarming stories and rich insights of favorite writers such as David Roper, Joanie Yoder, Henry Bosch, David McCasland, Julie Ackerman Link, Dave Branon, and Richard and Mart DeHaan.

Third on my list would be, EVERYTHING APPLE, from my MacBook to my Iphone to my Ipad. I love me some APPLE PRODUCTS!  

 Just visit their website here. They offer everything. I love that they even started selling refurbished items with that same trusted Apple brand. 

I have had my Iphone 4 for about 2 years and I've only had 1 problem with it (which was my fault, I dropped it in the toilet, don't ask). I took it to SmartPhone Medic and they had me all fixed up in less than an hour. My MacBook has been my baby for about the same length of time and I have NEVER had a single issue with it. Best laptop ever. Jason only bought me my Ipad a couple months ago, but I already can't see my life without it. I love how I can buy books from all my favorite stores, Kindle, Nook & Ibooks and have them all in one place. What I'm getting at is that for the price you pay, you are getting a great, trusted product that will last you for many years. I would much rather pay a little bit more and not have to worry about my phone breaking or my computer crashing and loosing all my data & pictures.

Fourth on my list would be all things PINK Kitchenaid. We all know how much I adore cooking, baking and the color pink, so all these things combined just make my heart happy.... and Jason's tummy lol. 

The Pink Kitchenaid Line is called Cook for the Cure and it is a program that gives people with a passion for cooking a way to support the fight against breast cancer. Through culinary-based fundraising, events, auctions, and the sale of pink products the partnership between Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Kitchenaid has raised over 8 million in the past decade. It is a great way to invest your money in a great product as well as a great cause. Highly recommend! 

These are just a couple products that are close to my heart! What are some of yours?

XOXO,

Jessica Ashe

The MOST Powerful Anti-Aging Product

Did you know that Americans spend more than $20 billion annually on various anti-aging products that claim to cure baldness, remove wrinkles, build muscle, and renew the powers of youth. Do you think those products deliver what they promise?? Dr. Thomas Perls of Boston University School of Medicine says there is "absolutely no scientific proof that any commercially available product will stop or reverse aging." I have also been a sucker to some of these anti-aging products. It is so easy to become consumed with being the prettiest on the outside or having the most youthful looking skin.

But there IS a promise of spiritual vitality that defies the ravages of time. "Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:30-31).

Isaiah used the eagle as a symbol of freedom and endurance, held aloft by a source of power outside itself. As we put our hope and trust in the Lord, we are carried along by His strength and not our own. The psalmist said it is the Lord who nourishes us so that our "youth is renewed like the eagle's" (Psalm 103:5).

Are you taking advantage of THE BEST, MOST POWERFUL Anti-Aging Product?

It's promised to all who put their trust in Him for strength of heart, vigor of spirit, and energy of soul.

Growing old is a blessing when  you're growing closer to God.

Go to bed tonight knowing that you are beautiful!! I think you are beautiful & most importantly, GOD thinks you are beautiful & perfect!!!

XOXO,

Jessica Ashe

A New "MUST READ" - Two Kisses for Maddy by Matthew Logelin

Good morning!!

 So, I FINALLY finished "The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets' Nest". I had heard such rave reviews on this book that I think I may have set my standards a little too high... typical right? Well, I enjoyed it, but not nearly as much as the first two. I was very happy with the ending though. It is a true tragedy that the author passed away and he didn't even get to see the success of his books. All in all, I would recommend this series.

I started my next book, which is already amazing and I am only 1/3 of the way through. I have already felt every emotion possible.  It is called "Two Kisses for Maddy" by Matthew Logelin. It is a memoir of loss & love. Be prepared to cry.

About the Book

Matt and Liz Logelin were high school sweethearts. After years of long-distance dating, the pair finally settled together in Los Angeles, and they had it all: a perfect marriage, a gorgeous new home, and a baby girl on the way. Liz’s pregnancy was rocky, but they welcomed Madeline, beautiful and healthy, into the world on March 24, 2008.
Just twenty-seven hours later, Liz suffered a pulmonary embolism and died instantly, without ever holding the daughter whose arrival she had so eagerly awaited. Though confronted with devastating grief and the responsibilities of a new and single father, Matt did not surrender to devastation; he chose to keep moving forward– to make a life for Maddy.
In this memoir, Matt shares bittersweet and often humorous anecdotes of his courtship and marriage to Liz; of relying on his newborn daughter for the support that she unknowingly provided; and of the extraordinary online community of strangers who have become his friends. In honoring Liz’s legacy, heartache has become solace.

About the Author

Born and bred in Minnesota, Matt Logelin was a project manager at Yahoo! until he left the company to focus on writing this book and raising his daughter, Madeline. The two live in Los Angeles, traveling often to see as much of the world as possible. Please visit them at mattlogelin.com

Submitting To Our Husbands.... A Misunderstood Topic

This morning my devotion was on 1 Samuel 25. It is a very good message & I suggest everyone read it because it not only contains a message about wives submitting to their husbands, but also about how one day, God will right every wrong.

On the topic of "Wives Submitting to Their Husbands", I feel it is a very misunderstood topic. I am not sure why or where the term became so twisted, but NEWSFLASH! Submitting to our husbands does NOT mean we must ALWAYS agree with their opinions or actions. Everyone has their moments where they fall short of the glory of God. We are human. Take into consideration Abigail... when her husband's poor choice put a price on his head, her quick thinking actually saved his life. Yet, she did not nag him or argue with him. She just quietly did what was right, despite her husband's attitude. Her example teaches us that it's better to do something that's right and that's within our power than to waste time trying to convince our husbands that they are wrong. Trust in God, and let your actions do the talking.

The other part of this message is from David's story which reminds us that even when it seems as if we're being repaid with evil for doing good, we don't have to take matters into our own hands; we can trust God with the outcome. One day God will right every wrong.


Please do not be offended by this message, it is my prerogative. You do not have to agree. However, I am curious to see what other's think about this subject.

I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!!

XOXO,

Jessica Ashe