Online Marketing Solutions | Ashford Davis - San Antonio, TX » Inspired Thoughts

This Little Light of Mine

Ashleigh — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:12:06 +0000

This past weekend my sister got married. It was a beautiful, emotional and God-centered event. Christ was at the middle of everything – from songs of worship, the words of the officiant, prayer before, after and during the ceremony, and toasts to the newlyweds. Christ was alive and well – and we let our lights shine ever so brightly.

So where does this light go, and why as Christians are we so private about a faith that is meant to be very, very public?

I have restored a personal commitment to shine a little brighter every day. My faith in God is everything to me; it’s the most important thing in life. Without Christ, I am nothing. But how many people actually know this about me? This realization hit me like a ton of bricks.

Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.

Society seems to have shunned the notion that religion is a public affair. Prayer has faded from the public sector, and athletes who profess their love for Jesus Christ are torn apart by the media.

Tim Tebow ring a bell, anyone? He can’t throw a football according to the media, and he’s a terrible player – but he just keeps winning, doesn’t he? Clearly there is something at the core of these scathing reviews.

John 15:19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

As Christians, we are challenged to show our passion to the world – to let our light shine brightly. But with this passion comes the need to also bring compassion and love. Our good intentions often go misunderstood – and I believe this is because Christians often misunderstand that which Christ would have us do. After all, Christ’s greatest commandment to us is to:

Matthew 22:37-38 ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

To bring this full circle, where does Christianity fit into business? I daresay it exists everywhere – ethics, conflict resolution, problem solving, management and fellowship. Christianity needs to stop being an adjective – something that defines you on Sunday morning…if you decide to get out of bed to venture to church.

Christianity is a way of life – a verb. It’s living out loud and showing the compassion, love and commitment that Jesus showed to the lost, poor, lonely and weary. And it’s no stretch to say we all fall into that category at least once a week.

Inspired Thought: Quick Wit

Ashleigh — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:49:11 +0000

There are so many pessimistic people in the world, that it’s often difficult to find someone who can lift your spirits and help you to remember what it’s like to truly relax and enjoy life’s blessings. However, we’ve all known at least one person whose extremely witty jokes were a tad beyond your level of understanding.

We’ve all been there; everyone is laughing and we don’t quite get the wit. It may even be days later that the message finally clicks, and you break into a fit of giggles. It’s okay, I’m slow sometimes, too.

And, that brings us to our inspired thought. Not so much inspirational from an inspiring standpoint, but quirky enough to bring a smile to your face.

photo courtesy Carl Zoch

“He who laughs last…thinks slowest.” – T-Shirt Wisdom
(courtesy of my friend Barbara’s Facebook page)

Inspired Thought: Childlike Faith

Ashleigh — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 15:04:52 +0000

Life is incredible – so much to do and so much to see in one’s lifetime. However, it’s often the childlike faith and innocence that we miss when our personal lives and work lives get complicated. The peace that comes with naivete is something for which we often yearn when deadlines approach us – and sometimes pass us without project completion.

This morning I wrote a blog post for my other company, Maihar Design, spotlighting the incredible beauty captured by newborn photographer Kelley Ryden. The smirk of the little ones as they sleep got me thinking, “What do they know that I don’t?”

Such wonder and amazement as the tiny human sleeps in complete comfort and contentment. If we only could have an ounce of this serenity in our life’s toughest moments. I would love a glimpse at this happiness every time life’s stresses hit me and the weight of the world comes crashing down.

Then I realized, I do have this glimpse; A reminder of the wholeness we were meant to encompass. These inspired thoughts are summed up below by one perfect click of the camera, capturing the essence of life.

Children get it. Why did we ever lose it?

Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. – Matthew 19:14

Inspired Thought: Coping through Humor

Ashleigh — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 01:49:39 +0000

Some days life hands you events that are less than desired. In both your personal and professional life, it’s extremely easy to get frustrated and down-trodden. Fortunately, there is at least one thing in life you cannot do with a frown; Laughter.

Photo Courtesy f8 studio

“Nobody says you must laugh, but a sense of humor can help you overlook the unattractive, tolerate the unpleasant, cope with the unexpected, and smile through the day.” – Henry David Thoreau

There are going to be curve balls in life. As perfectly as you plan, someone’s dog is going to get loose and cut into that perfect picture.

Some unexpected incident will always come knocking at your door. The only question to ask is how will you approach that moment? Will you throw your arms up in exasperation? Or will you laugh, appreciating the humor in life?

I’m hopeful you’ll chose the latter. Remember…life happens. And as annoying as things might be, a lot of those speed bumps can actually be quite funny with the right perspective.

Inspired Thought: Perspective is Relative

Ashleigh — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:00:20 +0000

Life is about perspective – a viewpoint that is relative to every single individual. When capturing a moment in time, 10 different photographers will all create their own creative vision with regard to angle, lighting and subject framing. Each of these photos is draped in emotion and expression – one may be somber while the other enlightened.

With so many captured images, whose is most accurate? No one.

“Sea of Horses” by Jonas Peterson

You can choose to be limited by your own experiences, or you can challenge yourself to see life through other people’s viewpoint. Successfully doing so will allow for better understanding, clearer communication and less frustration.

Inspired Thought: Lemons & Vodka

Ashleigh — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:04:32 +0000

Spring is just around the corner, and as we hope for warmer weather, I’d like to introduce a new Monday series that will help inspiration flow for the rest of the week, or maybe just make Monday a little more light-hearted. If you’re anything like me, the 5:00 a.m. alarm on Monday morning just might be the most dreaded noise ever.

On that note, I’ll leave you with this week’s “Inspired Thought” and image.

Photo courtesy Agnes Lopez

I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade… And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party. – Ron White

Opportunity can be fun. It’s not always going to be easy, but there should be moments of enjoyment throughout the journey. Grab that lemon and add a splash of vodka – you’ll thank yourself for the reward.