Blog (Page 9)
Quarantined: Day 16
In days gone by, boys would stand on street corners, waving newspapers, shouting out the recent headlines. Today, we have the unending 24/7 news cycle to inform us of just about everything that might be happening in the world. Before, a newspaper printed daily, a newscast in the evening, and possibly a radio announcement might be the only way to hear the news of the day. Today, we are inundated with more information than we can process and left to…
Quarantined: Extra – Spirit-Empowered Living
The word “charismatic” can mean a lot of different things to different people depending on your faith background. Here is how the Charismatic Tradition is shaping your Quarantined experience. Spirit-Empowered Life: Fueling our lives from the presence and power of GodThe Charismatic Tradition focuses on the power of God’s Spirit moving in and through us. Just as a car requires fuel to run, and our bodies require food for survival, so our souls rely upon the Spirit of God for…
Quarantined: Day 15
A Prayer for Those Living on the Margins Today we pause to pray for those who are poor and powerless and are struggling in significant ways dealing with the health and financial fallout from this global pandemic. Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that you are a God who provides and protects, a God who knows the number of hairs on each child’s head. In this moment, we ask you to care for those who are at increased risk to suffer…
Quarantined: Day 14
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,…
Quarantined: Day 13
We have seen so many changes in the last couple of months. How we go about our day, the way we interact with others, even the way we get essential items. Before Covid-19 hit, I was feeling like I was just hanging in there. My schedule was full from 7 AM all the way to 8 PM. This time of quarantine has forced me to STOP, something that I wouldn’t be able to do in my normal routine. I believe this…
Quarantined: Day 12
As the DeerArtist: Suki Joseph Premnath Artist Statement: Nothing can satisfy us like Jesus! Nothing can fulfill us like His love. As the deer panteth for the waters So my soul longeth after you You alone are my heart’s desire And I long to worship you. TODAY’S JOURNAL REFLECTIONS What stands out to you in this painting? Read Psalm 42:1-5. What word or phrase stands out to you in this passage? How thirsty are you for God in your life right now? How has…
When Will Ashworth Meet Again?
Pastors Brent, Ryan and Amy discuss the current pandemic and when Ashworth Church might be able to meet for public worship services again.
Quarantined: Day 11
Sunday mornings have been hard for many of us the last five weeks. We love to come together and worship, hear the Word of God and connect with our church family. There’s something sacred about the coming together of God’s people in our Sunday morning experience. In this season, we’ve grieved the loss of our time together, having church in our building. Sunday mornings feel so different and sometimes strange. And yet, there’s something so right happening as well. As…
Quarantined: Extra – Virtue
The second tradition or stream guiding our Quarantined experience is the holiness tradition. Virtuous Life: Responding with integrity The Holiness Tradition emphasizes the re-formation of our hearts so that we are able to respond appropriately to the challenges of life. The word “holiness” has some negative connotations today, but the original Greek meaning of the word virtue is simply “to function well.” Virtuous Life is not about rules or judgment, perfectionism, or some kind of merit gained by good deeds.…
Quarantined: Day 10
A Prayer for Those Who Do Not Know Jesus Today we pause to pray for those experiencing the global pandemic without knowing Jesus. Our Father, The world is upside down, and this is not how you designed it or desire it to be. From the beginning of creation, you wanted those made in your image to know you. Deeply. Intimately. Times like this are challenging and even more so when trying to make sense of the world without a knowledge…
Quarantined: Day 9
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18 It’s easy during this time of social distancing…
Quarantined: Day 8
One of the things that I love about worship is the ability to sing songs of praise that remind us of the characteristics of God and what God is doing in our lives. There have been times in my life where I have felt stuck. During those times, it is difficult to see God at work, and quarantine has been one of those times for me. The song, Spirit Break Out, helps me put words in my mouth and my heart…