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Book Update
A slight delay but still on the way😃
BARNABAS BLESSINGS: POEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT will be available on Amazon SOON.
While we wait…take a look inside.📖
#BarnabasBlessings #Books #Poetry #PoetryLovers #Encouragement #FaithWriter #TableofContents
The Shadow of Doubt
“Without a shadow of a doubt”
Are you familiar with that phrase? Spoken with complete confidence that whatever it is, there is no question of truth or certainty. But what if there is a shadow of doubt. What do you do with it? What do you do with doubt?
Some bulldoze through with a “just do it” attitude. Doubt is a dirty word and a near heretical thought.
Some are paralyzed, unable to take a step forward, backwards or sideways. Doubt leaves them at a complete loss for what to do next.
I have found myself at both extremes and somewhere in between. But with time I’ve learned to view doubt as an invitation.
Doubt is an invitation. An invitation to check my motives. An invitation to dig at the roots of what triggers me and makes me tick. An invitation to seek wisdom and guidance. An invitation to stop and re-evaluate. An invitation to draw nearer to God.
The shadow of doubt is an invitation to rest in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1 NIV).
What is doubt’s invitation to you?
Every Little Step
Perfectionism can be an exhausting, heavy thing. We overthink everything and move on nothing because…well, it has to be perfect- perfect time, perfect place, perfect circumstances, the perfect plan, perfect execution, perfect people (whew, that’s a lot!) But with small intentional steps we push back, combatting illusion with the Truth & acceptance. With every little step we free ourselves to be all God created us to be and show up in this world the way He intended.
And with that, my steps have lead me here…
COMING SOON TO AMAZON…
Messy Blessings
Order & organization, methods & plans…this is what usually makes me tick. But on this faith journey I’m constantly reminded of and blown away by the “messy” blessings. The blessings found in the unorganized and the unplanned. The blessings I might have missed because a person, place or situation didn’t render on my “perfection” meter. The “perfect” and the imperfect…God works in it all. Don’t miss Him.
What’s Your Name?
My name is LaShona with a “La” for melody, a capital “S”, and a long “o” . But I’ve been called LaShonda, Shalonda, Shalona and (a favorite) Lasagna.
Like a mispronounced name, sometimes we are labeled as something or someone we are not. Those labels can be hurtful, demoralizing and relegate us to boxes that can’t possibly contain all of who we are.
That label? That’s not your name. It’s not who you are. Just because it’s what you’ve been called doesn’t mean you have to answer.
“But now, this is what the Lord, your Creator says, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!”
Isaiah 43:1 AMP
Starting
Some mornings are picture perfect. Other mornings? Not so much. Maybe it’s been one of “those” mornings or one of “those” weeks…the good news is we don’t have to finish the way we started. REFOCUS. RECLAIM. REFRESH…RESTART.
What If
Ready, set and we’re off! The holiday season is in full swing. Expressions of gratitude, tidings of comfort & joy and shopping deals abound. But for some of us there is only stress and trepidation. The goodness and beauty of the season are eclipsed by neverending to-do lists and unrealistic expectations.
So what if we changed our perspective? Minimized perfection and magnified grace. What if we decided to simply opt out? Opt out of traditions and expectations that weigh us with dread and mask us with insincerity. What if we dared to do something different? Let our “yes” be genuine and purposeful. Let our “no” be firm and free of guilt. What if in the midst of it all we took time to just be…Grateful.
Endless Thanks
Unable to contain in just one day,
A lifetime of profession.
A daily exercise of appreciation,
For this life uniquely my own,
For the glorious triumphs,
For the disheartening defeats,
For the gift of grace,
For mercies renewed,
For everyday blessings,
For the difficult journeys,
For the smallest joys,
For the sting of self-reflection,
For the hope in growth,
For love unfettered and unconditional,
For the joy of family,
For the solace of friends.
Thanks to a God so Magnificent, so Wonderful, and so Good.
Humbled by His presence and in awe of His care. -LAS
“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.”
Psalms 105:1-2
Continue
Isn’t it funny how we attribute our own characteristics to God? We change our minds all the time so God must change His mind too, right?
How often do we embark on a mission, project or task only to let it fall by the wayside? We become distracted with other endeavors or discouraged by imperfect progress. We even begin to rationalize reasons for not continuing on…”Well Gods it’s too late now, too much time has passed” or “It really wasn’t going the way I thought it would” or “I don’t think it really makes much of a difference anyway.”
God isn’t moved by our excuses, He is moved by our obedience. When He directs us to move, He fully understands the intricacies of our life and the challenges along our journey. We just have to trust He will give us grace for each step.
What have you let fall by the wayside? What needs to be continued? God has not changed His mind.
“Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” Hebrews 10:36 (NLT)
One
Just wanted to start off the week with a little marriage & husband appreciation. I’ve been married for almost 17 years. No, it has not been all sunshine & rainbows. Yes, every step has been and continues to be worth it. I wouldn’t want to be on this journey with anyone else.
We dream
To reach beyond what we know
Trusting the Dream Giver
Accepting the risks
Savoring the victories
Building on the failures
Ever learning
Ever growing
Together
One
-LAS
Barnabas Blessings 