A Godly Touch: Max Lucado

August has been absolutely crazy for me! I apologize for the lack of posts. My instagram (@ashesoflaughter) is still seeing some action ;) Promise to get back into the swing of things soon. Until then, I'm really trying to lean on God during this crazy month. Hope you are too. Here is a quick devo from Max Lucado for some hump day inspiration!

The power of a godly touch. Have you known it? The doctor who treated you, or the teacher who dried your tears?  Was there a hand holding yours at a funeral?

Haven’t we known the power of a godly touch? Can’t we offer the same?

Some of you use your hands to pray for the sick. If you aren’t touching them personally, you’re writing notes, calling, baking pies.  You’ve learned the power of a touch.

But others tend to forget. Our hearts are good; it’s just that our memories are bad. We forget how significant one touch can be.

We fear saying the wrong thing, or using the wrong tone or acting the wrong way. So rather than do it incorrectly, we do nothing at all.

Aren’t we glad Jesus didn’t make the same mistake? Jesus touched the untouchables of the world. Will you do the same?

*Devo via here, images via here

xx,

Erin

Outfit Post: Glitzy Haze

Top - maudeboutique.com // Shoes - DV by Dolce Vita (similar, and awesome  here)

Shorts - H&M // Clutch - TJ Maxx 

If you haven't already, check out maudeboutique.com! It's one of my all time favorite boutiques, and they now have a new website!!!

xx,

Erin

For more of my instagram pics, follow me @ashesoflaughter!

And I Was Baptized!

 “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” -1 Corinthians 12:13

Let me start off by saying that I have a terrible fear of public speaking. Something that has stood in the way of my baptism for 24 years now. You see, at my church we do not christen (sprinkle holy water on a baby). At my church it is customary to be baptized when you can make the decision to publicly profess your faith and testimony on you own.

Since last Fall, I have really felt the Holy Spirit tugging on me to be baptized. I filled out a bulletin at church to learn more about baptism. I learned that there would be an outdoor baptism the following summer (not in front of all 5000+ members). I immediately decided that this was for me.

As the time drew nearer, I was nervous, but also very excited. This would be my chance to publicly share my faith (and speak in front of a crowd for Jesus). Did I mention that I was blessed to have my father do the honors (tear-fest, I know)?  

We walked out into the water, and he spoke a little into his mic about me and our relationship, then it was my turn....

I couldn't find the mic for myself so I took a deep breath, leaned over to my fathers mic and said the following:

"Hi my name is Erin Baskin. I was very blessed to be raised in a Christian household, and accepted Jesus Christ in my heart at a very early age. For the last few years I have felt the Holy Spirit tugging on my heart to get baptized, and I decided it was time. Jesus Christ is my personal Lord and Savior, and I believe that He is the Son of God."

Don't worry,  I found out afterwards that not one person in the crowd could hear me considering I used my dad's mic... The important part is that God heard me.

I'm glad that I have the opportunity to share this story with you. I am so blessed to have such loyal and encouraging followers. 

Here are a few more pictures of my special day! 

xx,

Erin

Outfit Post: Teatro di Marcello

Dress - Parasol via Topshop // Jacket - G.E.T. (similar here) // Bag - F21 // Shoes - Zara 

Watch - BCBG Max Azria // Necklace - Max & Chloe

xx,

Erin

Outfit Post: Pull Shapes

Dress - Savoir-Faire // Earrings - Kate Spade // Shoes - Miss. Trish for Target // Purse - F21 

Isn't that dress to die for? Shop their page here!

Making Allowances for Others

By Jill Briscoe

With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love. ~ Ephesians 4:2

Are you good at making allowances for people?  Or do you have ridiculously high expectations?

Our lives should say, “I make allowances for people,” for this is the language of love.  Forbearance is a divine quality.  Romans 11:4 talks of the “forbearance of God”; Phillips translates the verse, “making allowances for one another, because ye love one another”; Moffatt says, “Forbearance is related to patience.”  This means I should hold back my quick judgment, and should not evaluate or dissect people’s motives.

What a challenge to walk through life like this!  Are we making allowances for our teen-agers, for example?  I remember Pete, our youngest, growing daily right out of his socks – at fourteen years of age he was six feet four inches tall.  Quite an achievement over such a small amount of time!  But I didn’t make allowances for his grand accomplishments!  His schoolwork zeroed; around the house he was lazy and undisciplined; he couldn’t be bothered even to pretend he wanted to go to church anymore!  “No wonder,” laughed the wise counselor I resorted to in deep distress.  “He’s put everything he’s got into blood and bones and height!”  I got the point and made allowances.

Bishop H.C. Moule has said that forbearance is “allowing for each other’s frailties and mistakes; aye, when they turn and wound you ‘in love,’ finding it easy to see with their eyes and if need be to take sides with them against yourselves!”  That’s making allowances!

Happy 4th, everyone! Hope you have a very blessed holiday filled with those you love.

*devo via here, images via here

Outfit Post: Blue Dots

 Dress - Maude Boutique // Purse - Kate Spade // Shoes - Sam Edelman

Earrings - Kate Spade // Necklace - F21 (similar)

An evening out in Florence. Missing Italy already. 

Oh and before I forget, Maude Boutique (where you can find this lovely dress) just launched a new website! Check it out here!

xx,

Erin