Life That Never Ends!
Thinking about Ashley today, and those she loved so much, and celebrating the fact that our God is greater than seemingly random and tragic events like the accident that took her from this life three years ago today.
Thank you Christa [Fruitcake!] for being the light of the world at the University of Florida and for showing Ashley, and all of us, the rare and compelling grace of the One who rescues and restores.
Our lives [and this world] will never be the same!
LG
April 29th, 2010 at 10:30 AM
God is using Ashley’s story still!
April 29th, 2010 at 11:56 AM
Yay! Our God is greater … than everything that this life throws at us. Praise God for all that He has done through the life of Christa and Ashley!
April 29th, 2010 at 12:21 PM
I have been thinking about Ashley the story that God is telling through her a lot lately. I turn 22 on Sunday, the same age that Ashley was when God called her home. The fact that my birthday is so close to the day that Ashley went home really makes me think about how I am interacting with others around me. We tend to have the mentality of “this could never happen to me,” and yet, it could happen to anyone. It happened to Ashley. This helps me remember that life isn’t guaranteed and that I should make the most of every opportunity that God gives me to further His kingdom. Twenty-two years of life isn’t very long, but God still used it and is using it to make His name known all over the world. I pray that God will use my life, like He did Ashley’s, to show that many people Himself, if He so desires. I don’t want to become famous–I want God to become famous and lifted high through me.
April 29th, 2010 at 12:40 PM
I watched Fruitcake and Icecream for the first time about 2 months ago and cried for about 3 hours – not because I was sad, but God’s strength and His ways of working made me realise again how amazing our God is. It is something that we cannot start to imagine or understand! We live in the moment – we think about today, tomorrow and the day thereafter – God knows what he has planned for us FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES. Thank you God for loving us with your endless love…
April 29th, 2010 at 2:34 PM
PRAISE BE TO THE GOD & FATHER of Our LORD JESUS CHRIST, who has blessed us with ALL Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly Places In Christ.
I saw the Fruitcake & Ice Cream DVD about a year ago & cried because of
how God truly can use ALL things for the good to those who love him.
I listen to Louie’s Podcast ” God is For You” last week & sat in the car and cried tears of joy & singing Praises to God for Ashley’s dad, Mike’s salvation.
How Ashley must be rejoicing in heaven that her earthly father will truly at last KNOW her Heavenly father & she gets to spend eternity with both abbas. Marveling at God’s always perfect time in bringing His purposes to pass, in giving us the perfect bow in Christ in spite of our circumstances.
Heartfelt Thank you Louie for your faithfulness in being obedient to God’s calling on your life to minister to so many and testifying of God’s fame.
Thank you for sharing Ashley’s story with us to encourage and strength our walk so that we will continue to shine for our Lord. We are Praying for you and the Passion World Tour.
April 29th, 2010 at 3:50 PM
I watched Fruitcake and Icecream (for the 7th time) last night and every time I watch it I cry like a baby. It’s so moving. Praise God.
April 29th, 2010 at 8:33 PM
Remembering and praying for Ashley’s family and Christa and Jeremy.
May 1st, 2010 at 3:53 PM
I still dont know what to say but only Thank You Jesus for showing yourself to your daughter and making her realize that she couldnt have that life on her own.
May 2nd, 2010 at 3:44 PM
I just for the first time with my church Fruitcake and Ice Cream, as I often do when I watch your videos (or while doing any number of things in life) I cried. Our God is might to save and in Christ every life matters! I too am thinking about Ashley and Christa! Thanks for sharing one of the many amazing stories God has written in the lives of His creation.
May 3rd, 2010 at 7:30 AM
This story has moved me, my small group and when I showed this series to a men’s group. Louie thank you for sharing it. I had men, from 24 to 62 moved. One man, nearly 50, was so touched. That he and his wife got baptized and he bought the 4 video series and now shows it to others.
Thank you so much! Praise be to our God and Father! Praying for you Louie.
See you here, there or in the air,
Scott
May 3rd, 2010 at 9:20 AM
Yesterday was the first time I heard Ashley’s and Jacobs story, as I am thinking about their story know my eyes are filling with tears and I feel pain. Although we experience so much pain and troubles in life. It just AMAZING how we can experience God’s AWESOMENESS in ways we sometimes do not expects too.
GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME EVEN IF WE DO NOT SEE IT SOMETIMES. IT IS AMAZING HOW HE IS STILL USING ASHLEY.
May 4th, 2010 at 6:31 AM
Mr Louie Giglio your Sermons inspire me.everyday when i watch your video(How great is our God) i come to understand that we really very tiny people.
keep doing the good work mr Giglio.
from Rhulani Cape Town,South Africa
May 4th, 2010 at 12:59 PM
Hello Mr. Giglio, my name is Shy. I was given a dvd series by a friend as a gift, The Heart of Passion. What happend with Jacob is what I was feeling a couple years ago when I lost my best friend in all the world, my cousin. His name was Chris and he was like sun light. People just fell in love with him. I look up to him like a brother, and love him like one. He was nine-teen years old the same age as I am now. I”m really sorry that this is so long, but I wrote something after he died that reminded me of Jacob. It called “My Weak Heart.”
My Weak Heart
I am lost. Have I always been this way? Being lost is not what I had
planed for myself. I do not want to face myself, or my ways. I do not want to face my father. My father knows and witnesses all and that alarms me. It makes my sin against my father and his kingdom, not just against my skin and man.
I often do not want to believe what I’ve done is real. I would like to believe if I don’t think about it, it hasn’t or didn’t happen. How ignorant am I to think such things. How foolish to turn a blind eye and deaf ear. I only pretend that I am good. I would like to look clean, but I know I am not. The father knows me and can see clearly what those with deaf ears and blind eyes can not. He can see every offense that comes from my gaze and hears every lie that spews from my tongue. Worst of all he knows that I am lost.
I became bewildered on these winding roads of life. We had plans, the father and I. These plans I strayed from, though they were good. I left them to gather dust from others’ feet. They walk down the roads I did not take. They take the roads I could have become anything with, but it was to demanding.
I told myself it was too hard, the walk was too long and the road was too rough. I look to the sun and it was hot down my path. As I rested under a tree, I looked out into the land. And like mirage that materialized just within my reach. This hallucination of my poisoned mind, body and soul called to me and I came. There was green grass, trees and a breeze to greet me. So I paid no mind to the wrongs I would commit.
I stretched out my hand and took a leaf from a tree that shaded this path. This leaf I thought is almost too good to be true. With a leaf in my pocket I walked down the road. The shade was good, the breeze was nice and the road was smooth as far as I could see. With this I thought I wouldn’t need more. On this path I can make it.
I began to walk farther down the road of my own devices. As I walked the trees were few and the road was no longer smooth, and my path became a desert. Though my canteen was full, no amount of water quenched the thirst that yearned from within. I began to suffer form the heat and my blistered feet, I began to need. My sandals with holes and my dressings with rips, I was covered in filth.
I cried out to the father but I did not listen for his answer. His answers fell upon deaf ears. I looked for answers but did not see what was before me. I cried and blamed, I felt alone though I wasn’t. I looked back down the path at my foot prints as they vanished in the hot wind. Who was going to help me through this? Did I not cry out? Did I not ask for answers?
My legs became week and I fell to my knees which were bruised and cute from my walk. Broke and sore I wept for them and the sting of the dust that gathers in the cuts. I am bent and tired, I wish for a place to lay my head. Tired and sore I pushed myself from the ground in search for such a place.
I looked to the sun as it set but the heat did not depart. The sunset was not beautiful for I could no longer see its colors. My fingers could no longer feel. I looked for anything to my make me feel again, but I found nothing. I touch everything yet felt no warmth.
Ask , Seek, Knock
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7
I reached for the leaf in my pocket to find it dry. I brought it to my face to see it but my wounded eyes were clouded. Tears threaten to fall like a storm with no mercy. The leaf I once look at and no longer felt need, was arid and cracked. I held it close to my chest and I wept, as it crumbled away into ashes. This is not the way it was suppose to go. I was to be happy, to have a smooth life. My life was to be easy and full of the things I deserved! How did this come to be? I do not know where I am. More then that I do no know were I am going.
It became dark but there was no moon to light the sky, and the stars refused to shine. They hid, covered Themselves behind clouds. The clouds cried out but the rain was not cooling. Lightning cracked the sky but no thunder came. I became fearful for its power was great and I was small.
Yet through the road’s heart ache I still walked. I never turned to the path I came from. With every step I felt shame, dishonor and punishment for my sin. As the path came near its end, I cried out yet again
“Father” I cried. “Please I beg take me back.” “I no longer wish to be starved and suffer from the heat.” “No longer do I wish to take this path of mine.” I wept and cried out. “Creator please I want to come home, back to you father.” “I want your will again not mine please father;” I cried. “I want my old path.” “Lord, Savior please save me!”
Then the most miraculous thing happened, the ran stopped. The sky was at peace, the moon was bright and the stars became known. I felt my wounds heal and breeze at my finger tips. I looked down at my dressings to find them clean and my sandals whole again. I touched my face realizing my eyes were no longer wounded. I fell to my knees and wept. I laid my head down on a rock and closed my eyes. My body was refreshed but I still slept.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord Hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
Psalm 34:17
Awaking to the sound of birds and finding the ground were I lay dry, I opened my eyes. I looked up to find myself under a tree laid against soft bark. People walked past me and they stopped and offered me help. They called my name and I came to them and followed. I remember this path, it’s the one I was eager to give up. As I walked I tripped but I soon felt hands on my arms and shoulders lifting me from the ground. I remember why I was on this path in the first place. This is the path were you are always welcome no matter were you came from. The path that can get hard. No matter how many times you trip the Lord sends someone to left you from the ground. This path were you are always with him and the never alone. This is the path home.
Luke 15:15 – 15:32
The Parable of the Lost Son
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was felled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.
“But the father said to his servants, Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s heave a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.
Sorry this was so long.
May 4th, 2010 at 4:22 PM
Be in prayer for those who live in and around Nashville (home of Passion 05 and 06). Devastating flooding over the weekend has caused a multitude of problems and hurting.
May 5th, 2010 at 5:07 PM
saw this dvd today in my church home group in England, very moving stuff.
May 26th, 2010 at 2:21 AM
the concert was awesome! its the best concert yet!:D let’s pray for hongkong guys! it was superb! if God is for us then who can be against us. if God is with us then what can be against us.. praise God! im looking forward for their next concert here in manila.. :D
June 9th, 2010 at 12:31 PM
I have watched the fruitcake & Ice cream twice, is so powerful amazing I cried both times I have watched it…. The Love of God as changed my life forever!
February 17th, 2011 at 9:24 AM
I lift up Mike in prayer and ask that God would pour out His Spirit on Him, and he would have the peace in his heart that his beautiful and wonderful daughter died with. I am so grateful for the sharing of Ashley’s story, it has given me perspective on my own journey. God is Good, His Love endures forever!