tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955341194636832101.post7092854911353492329..comments2023-04-01T07:49:13.528-04:00Comments on A Country Maiden's Lane: Something I've Been Pondering On.Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12595414894907213954noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955341194636832101.post-56771584157335386732009-08-26T17:01:31.309-04:002009-08-26T17:01:31.309-04:00Ashley,
Thank you very much for your prayers!!! A...Ashley,<br /><br />Thank you very much for your prayers!!! As it turned out, there were only three people at the recital... me, Christian, and Alyssa. The other students were all either sick or just didn't show up. It was a nice evening of talking with our piano teacher, though. :)<br /><br />Yes, we do serve a good God!!!<br />~LydiaLydia W.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955341194636832101.post-18329675480259695452009-08-21T09:18:40.347-04:002009-08-21T09:18:40.347-04:00Thank you for your comment, Rose! I really appreci...Thank you for your comment, Rose! I really appreciate it!<br />~Ashley<br /><br /><br />Sarah, I have by no means attained the focus that I was talking about in this post. It's a constant day by day, opportunity by opportunity struggle... I was 'preaching' to myself as I typed it up. <br /><br />The Lord gives us the grace to serve Him with our talents and I've found that as I trust Him during these times He will change my focus from being self-centered to being Christ-centered. I'm so glad that the Lord will and does work in our lives... even when we cannot see it!<br />~Ashley<br /><br /><br />It sure sounds like the Lord is bringing opportunities your way, Lydia!! That's neat! I'll be praying for you this evening... <br /><br />You are so right... we can only see the small picture and wonder how this will play out in our lives or 'why me???!'. But the Lord has a plan and a purpose in it all... the Lord knows what is best for His children and will not give them anything that they are not able to 'handle'. We serve a good God, Lydia!<br />~AshleyAshleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12595414894907213954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955341194636832101.post-57935509520581430282009-08-20T18:41:40.198-04:002009-08-20T18:41:40.198-04:00Ashley,
Thank you so much for this post!!! It was...Ashley,<br /><br />Thank you so much for this post!!! It was quite an encouragement to me, and I know that it was something the Lord wanted me to hear tonight. I will be playing piano for a small recital at my piano teacher's house tommorrow evening, and I am not sure of the salvation of all of the student's who will be there. I am playing a couple different hymns, and I know the Lord can use that in all of the student's lives. (Including my own!)<br /><br />I have also been asked to play the piano for church in the near future. I would alternate Sundays and play every third Sunday for congregational singing. I have been so nervous to do this and have almost hoped that it doesn't work out! Something that was shared at camp this past week, is that we can only see a short distance in front of us. We see only to the next trial, difficulty, or trying situation. But God sees so much further than we do!! He sees everything that will happen as a result of what seems to us to be our very trying or difficult situations. If we only trust Him, we know that "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)<br /><br />I am always so nervous to play in front of others, that I often forget that God is the one who gave me the talents in the first place! If God gave me the talent, He will also use my playing for His honor and glory, if I let Him. Thank you for this reminder!!<br /><br />~Lydia W.Lydia W.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955341194636832101.post-28166457793633554632009-08-20T07:41:51.037-04:002009-08-20T07:41:51.037-04:00Thank you so much, Ashley, for sharing this post. ...Thank you so much, Ashley, for sharing this post. I really, <i>really</i> appreciated it. This is something that I often struggle with, and what you shared here is an excellent reminder to me. The music is not for myself – it is for the Lord. It should be played not with a view of “will others like it?”, “what will they think of my playing?”, etc., but our desire should be that the music will draw others’ hearts to the Lord and that it will bring glory to Him. Our talents, whether it be in music or elsewhere, are not for our own glory, but should be used willingly and joyfully with the sole purpose of edifying others and glorifying the Lord . . . what a wonderful calling that is!!<br /><br />How wonderful it is that you and your Momma are able and willing to share music with the folks at your church! What a blessing it will be to all of them!<br /><br />Thank you once again for sharing this post . . . not only was it a great encouragement to me, but I also was very blessed by hearing your ‘heart’ and hearing what the Lord has been teaching you. Much wisdom was in this post, Ashley, and my heart was convicted! Thank you!Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01349521995317905134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955341194636832101.post-82439475514366852382009-08-19T17:17:37.310-04:002009-08-19T17:17:37.310-04:00When we make music to glorify our Lord~He smiles! ...When we make music to glorify our Lord~He smiles! I know what you mean about being a little nervous in front of the church~I play the flute and as soon as I get up to play in church I just freeze! God has given you the courage and I bet you did just great~God bless, Rose(homeschooling mom)Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05082114315567324428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955341194636832101.post-78096262419083379432009-08-19T12:07:45.077-04:002009-08-19T12:07:45.077-04:00Thank you for your encouraging words Ashley S.!! T...Thank you for your encouraging words Ashley S.!! They were a blessing to me!<br />~AshleyAshleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12595414894907213954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955341194636832101.post-85791456174854715072009-08-19T12:06:29.703-04:002009-08-19T12:06:29.703-04:00Thank you for your very encouraging comment, Mrs. ...Thank you for your very encouraging comment, Mrs. Pelc! It was such a blessing to me!<br /><br />As I sit here the phrase of a hymn comes to mind... "where He leads I cannot fall". This fits in perfectly with what you had said about taking the focus off of ourselves and putting it on the Lord. We may 'fall' in mans estimation, but if we are doing it for the Lord's honor and glory and in His strength, we won't 'fall'. I'm so thankful that we have the Lord as our strength and guide!<br />Thank you Mrs. Pelc!<br />~AshleyAshleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12595414894907213954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955341194636832101.post-60298012717333343532009-08-19T00:18:03.204-04:002009-08-19T00:18:03.204-04:00Dearest Ashley,
Thank you, for this ...Dearest Ashley,<br /> Thank you, for this post! It was SO encouraging! This last Sunday, I experienced somewhat of the same feelings you expressed! I really appreciate this! <br /><br />It is so neat to see how the Lord can use us, if we will only let Him! Thank you for the encouragement and challenge! I know exactly how you felt! <br /><br />Thank you!<br /><br />Hugs,<br />AshleyAshley Sebohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01125104540776284698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3955341194636832101.post-24027637335413091282009-08-18T19:44:22.081-04:002009-08-18T19:44:22.081-04:00Dear Ashley,
What a wonderful and encouraging pos...Dear Ashley,<br /><br />What a wonderful and encouraging post this was! It reminded me of similar situations that I have experienced through the years. When we take our focus off of ourselves and put it on the Lord and how we can best glorify Him, He truly helps to do our best! What a great opportunity for you to give Him glory through the musical talents that He has given you. I really appreciate you sharing this and hope that it will encourage others to share their talents!<br /><br />Mrs. PelcAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com