As the artist and designer for Ashbach Designs, I want more than for you to just wear a piece of pretty jewelry, I want you to wear each piece as a symbol of your faith. In keeping with this idea, I have created a work week's devotions to go with your jewelry, or another special faith symbol in your life. Each day, meditate on how you can use your jewelry to connect with others, share the message, and remind yourself where your true passion lies.
Wearing a Christian symbol becomes a personal statement of belief, which invites conversation into the 'everyday' level of our faith. Use a symbol as a means to communicate with someone, and find a common ground of understanding, or to appreciate differences. Connection not only reveals the quality of our lives, but also reminds us that the unseen reality is far more precious than the seen. Remember to connect with the creator, who has given you everything you will need. That is the hope of these symbols, that they will remind you of your most important relationship and all that it means for you personally today.
Through Christ, I know who I am created to be. By understanding who we are because of who Christ is, and what He has done for us, I am encouraged and am able to love and create out of fullness, not fear. I am free to live to my fullest potential in the life giving, forgiving and saving grace of Christ.
So hold fast to God's greatest gift, His Son, who has brought us new life and will one day bring us beyond earth to heavens glory. Experience Him. In Him we have a true home, meaning, belonging and rest. See the light, share in the Holy Spirit, taste the goodness of God and inherit what has been promised. This promise is yours to 'wear' each day.
Psalm 34:8God is the great communicator and has given us such bounty to help us to see His Truth. You only have to look around to see the beauty of His creation and to feel His heart of love for us. Christ who has experienced our humanity on earth, has fully embraced our limits, fears, troubles and endless possibilities. He has conquered death in order that we could be free. In this hectic world we inhabit, we need to be encouraged over and over again of the grace of Christ, the light that goes before us to prepare the way.
Symbols have been used to express that which is inexpressible throughout the ages, and as humans we long for ways to express our feelings and emotions. I view my work on symbolism as a ministry, a teaching tool and encouragement to take internally the message of these symbols. I need to be reminded and pointed in the right direction each day. It's so easy to forget sometimes - wearing a symbol is a great way to daily remind yourself to live in hope.
Don't just keep this amazing message to yourself, but graciously share your new life, new heart and new attitude of your mind with those you love. By reaching out to others, we are putting on our new self, and have begun a new way of life, based on prayer, study of Scripture, and fellowship with other believers. My mission is to speak the truth of the Gospel, and to communicate Christ's message of hope and forgiveness. Each piece of my jewelry comes with an insert card, containing a brief description of the message to be captured, and a Scripture to point you in the right direction so you can begin your own search, and share it with others.
I believe that symbols can actually become a living language of beliefs, and that's why I have created ashbach designs. I received a BA in Psychology from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN in 1975. I then went on to receive a Masters in Design, with an emphasis in metalsmithing, from the University of Minnesota Design Department in 1987. Creating original jewelry designs from my home studio in St. Paul since the late 1970's, I now own and operate the Vine & Branches Gallery in St. Paul, which showcases the work of local Christian artists.
Knowing what is right and what is wrong in your... Read More
Matthew 3:7-10 John Rebukes the Pharisees and Sadducees7 But when... Read More
Who among us really understands the chakras? For all that... Read More
Those living on the highest levels of life have learned... Read More
This question, "what is grace" plagued me more into knowing... Read More
Every workday, five days a week, I take the light... Read More
New Age Spirituality is all about getting back your power.... Read More
Stress is amazingly persistent, even seductive. We get used to... Read More
Baptism and christening ceremonies are an important event that signifies... Read More
In an edition of Reader's Digest, I stumbled upon a... Read More
While study and pursuit of the Kundalini is considered part... Read More
Mrs. Dixon the famous prognosticator and psychic to the stars... Read More
We often forget that we are human beings first, and... Read More
We are living in highly challenged times. Our mass consciousness... Read More
Were you lied to as newborn Christian? I was...let me... Read More
There are moments in the believer's life when the Spirit... Read More
Mormons like to give testimonies. Unlike Mormon testimonies, I will... Read More
We have all heard the phrase, "follow your nose". This... Read More
The contrast between the two men could not have been... Read More
A spiritual event is what happens in every moment of... Read More
Let Your Family and Friends Know That You Are A... Read More
I had visions of my daughter for about five years... Read More
As soon as he saw me I saw him. It... Read More
Jack Nicholson (Col. Jessup) (marine cornel) YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE... Read More
An interesting question arose within a poetry workshop I attended... Read More
As I sit here and ponder my existence my heart... Read More
Can two walk together unless they have agreed to do... Read More
Shamanism is an ancient form of mysticism. Although... Read More
In life, sooner or later, we come to the midnight... Read More
In earlier articles entitled "We Are Not Our Personalities", "Eliminating... Read More
Many may wonder what is God's will, or how do... Read More
We all sin. To avoid using the "s" word, we... Read More
Being critical of Buddhism isn't easy.Buddhism is the most likable... Read More
The psalms of the Bible are a literary treasure chest... Read More
If you're going to listen to anyone you're going to... Read More
Whether we admit it or not, we operate by emotion.... Read More
We'll begin with a question:What is a moral?I'd say it's... Read More
In my work as a Medical Intuitive, I come across... Read More
"What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is... Read More
Over the past few years I have watched the popularity... Read More
"Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my... Read More
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ... Read More
Unconditional love means unconditional freedom. Love and freedom are two... Read More
I love rivers. I have for many years lived away... Read More
Setting boundaries is a common expression that we hear almost... Read More
After 6 years, I left an abusive relationship with an... Read More
It seems to me that our moment to moment relationship... Read More
As we proceed further into the 21st century there is... Read More
The Emmaus Journal What is Wrong With Being Common? This... Read More
'Jesus answered, are there not twelve hours in a day?... Read More
Spirituality |