Month: January 2016

Great is His Faithfulness

Published on by Ashlee Gillis VickersLeave a comment

I am feeling the weight of God’s awesomeness completely this morning and feeling particularly emotional in the goodness that is our Lord and Savior.

The insanely perfect orchestration of God the Father in utter faithfulness is tingling in my heart.  I stayed up late in meditation and awoke early with anticipation. These are times when God shows up and says – “THIS” – this is what my ministry is.  THIS is where every small obedience culminates into life changing action.

  • He knew over a year ago we were to begin discipleship programs to make disciples to make disciples in our community.  He made this call for obedience in His command “make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all the things that I have commanded you….” Reminding us “…lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  (Matt 28:19-20)
  • He knew the race would be tough and instructed us to “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, …” (Hebrews 12:1-2 partial).
  • He gave us a specific problem statement when he told us “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few;” with an immediate solution in “therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Luke 10:2)
  • He knew His child (this child) was searching and seeking and chasing His heart for her.  For His purpose, for some way to make a God impact, truly needing my “God-confidence” in the day to day.   Admittedly sometimes feeling inadequate with just day to day. I wanted something to throw my heart into.  God reminded me, “If you love me, you will do whatever I tell you to do.” then saying “And I told you from the very start, Ashlee, to love each other.” (2 John 1:6) *emphasis and 1st person is mine – because obviously my name isn’t in the bible. No translation has ‘Ashlee’ – don’t be silly! 😉  But God is speaking directly to us through His word just like this — another blog!   So basically, God’s word to me – “Do small things with GREAT love” (ok, God and Mother Teresa may have coined the phrase.)

I am convinced God is moving and working.  It is gloriously encouraging times when you flat feel His presence in such a tangible way that your heart burst with Holy Spirit power and you know with Christ you really can do all things he has commanded you to do!

Humbling loving, serving and praising a FAITHFUL LOVING LORD.

Great is HIS faithfulness.

In his grip. Ashlee

 

 

My Prayer Journal

Published on by Ashlee Gillis VickersLeave a comment

In 2016 I want to be deliberate.  In my relationship with God, with my family and with others.  The starting point has got to be prayer.  God is so specific in His word about prayer.  He tells us in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

I’ve “pinned” enough prayer journals to line my bookshelves, but that has not gotten me actively engaged in a purposeful, proactive, DELIBERATE communication with God.  After reviewing many excellent examples from Godly sisters, I’ve come up with the following format to work for me in 2016.  My deepest prayer is it will encourage you to start your own and become interactive with God the Father who is capable to meet all your needs.

  • I started with a standard composition book that was left over from the kids in high school and used all craft supplies I had around already.  I didn’t buy anything!FullSizeRender (6)
  • I covered the composition book with scrap book paper both solid and patterned, adding my own personal scripture to the front.FullSizeRender (7)
  • Then I covered it with packing tape.  It’s my favorite way to protect things and it’s easy!!FullSizeRender (5)
  • I decided what tabs I wanted in my prayer journal and then made them from solid red paper and extra black/white scrap book paper.  I wrote the labels myself and then (you guessed it) used packing tape to stick them on.FullSizeRender (8)
  • The tabs are:
    1. PERSONAL: This is where I will daily pray for my 2016 goals, my personal mission and direction from God and for strength to live as He would have me live.  Also, other specific needs or desires as they are laid on my heart throughout the year.
    2. FAMILY:  Here is where my immediate family will all have their own section.  I’ll pray over each them daily asking God to touch their lives in a mighty way.  I’ll list specifics for them all as they are individuals and I’ll get input from them about how I can pray for them.  This is a great way to stay close, especially to those “pre-adultagers”. 🙂
    3. I have some extra tabs and pages so I can add in as I feel God speak on areas on our lives.
    4. Then I have the days of the week listed with topics per day.  This way I know weekly I will touch on each of these critical areas requiring prayer.
      • SUNDAY: Our Church Leaders
      • MONDAY: Our Church Ministries
      • TUESDAY: My Discipleship Groups. All of them; past, present and future!
      • WEDNESDAY: Extended Family
      • THURSDAY: The Government Leadership. For our Country and International Affairs.
      • FRIDAY: Friends (I love Friday!)
      • SAT: I pray for the young men and women we are reaching through 12th Man Ministries. I pray for the ministry on Monday, but Saturday is set aside to pray over these young people specifically by name & request where possible.

Leave me a comment about what works for you in your prayer journal and prayer life. I love to grow through others.

I’m praying for you. (Daily <3)

In His Grip Lovingly,  Ashlee

Categories DIY

Father’s Day from the girl without a dad.

Published on by Ashlee Gillis VickersLeave a comment

June 2014

My life has been a struggle of wondering and wandering. Searching for acceptance, fighting rejection, asking myself why I wasn’t worthy enough for him to stick around. Even now at times I struggle. Watching my own kids, especially the girls, with their dads. I hear Clarke & Sarah call them daddy, and I have no ability to even begin to wrap my mind around what that feels like to call someone daddy or be daddy’s little girl. But oh so thankful that these girls do.

My dad checked in and out many times when I was young, then solidly, firmly, deliberately slammed the door on our relationship when I was 19. I have thought often of searching for my earthly dad. As I think of what more rejection might be like, my heavenly father has gently drawn me near to Him. The years of crying in my room, God was there, listening. The years of self-destruction as I longed to be loved, God’s was there comforting me. The moments I sacrificed my dignity to be accepted, God’s mercy rained–in fact, it flooded. When I found the man to spend the rest of my life with, God gave me tremendous love-a love that is patient with my pain, & understanding of my lifelong grief. A husband who is a loving very present father to all four of our collective children.

So to those who are like me and are fatherless on this father’s day, hold tight to hope. You indeed, my friend, are not truly fatherless. God has sent his love to you in some fashion–whether it’s your mother, your husband, your children. And even if not…even if you feel as if you are all alone & unwanted, God has never left you, abandoned you or rejected you.

The pain you feel for yourself is the pain God feels for you, with you. He never wanted this for you… He never wanted this for us.

I cannot answer why, or tell you when the pain will end…but I assure you, the depth of God’s love for you is immeasurable. He does what every father should do….
He listens.
He quickly forgives.
He comes to your rescue.
He is proud of you.
He is patient.
He willingly gave His life for you.
Because He loves you.

So happy father’s day to all the dads who have loved & the dads/grandpa’s who have passed & to the husbands who love their kids more than life.
Happy father’s day to MY husband who has taught me true love & gives our kids a better life than mine, & a love that I have never had for myself.

Jesus said: “You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33