Perfection makes impossible demands
Leaving you parched
Thirsting for drops of validation
Begging to be understood
To be seen
To be heard
But, dear one, do you know how lovingly you were formed?
Every hair numbered
Your life purposed
Your very existence a reflection of God’s glory
You are the apple of His eye
In His image created
Fully Known. Deeply Loved.
—L.A.S
Keep reaching for the Light, something beautiful is ready to bloom.
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”- John 8:12
“From a wise mind comes wise speech;
the words of the wise are persuasive.” -Proverbs 16:23
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” -Proverbs 16:24
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” -Proverbs 18:21
There have been many times over the past few weeks when I’ve thought “Hmm, I should write something about that.” When everyone else seems to be opining, reflecting, musing, and inspiring, there is sometimes undue pressure to add our own voice to the chorus.
Instead, I’ve just been pondering the weight of words. Words are powerful. What we say and write can lift or crush a spirit, promote peace or provoke chaos.
What do I want my words to do? I want my words to build bridges. Bridges to the blessed Trinity on which my faith & hope are built. Bridges of grace, understanding and forgiveness. I want to build bridges culturally and racially; though, honestly, recent times have made me consider dismantling my bridges, taking my pieces and quietly sitting in my own little corner. But Love convicts and compels me differently. So I will build, knowing I’m not perfect and I won’t always get it right but building bridges, I must.
What do you want your words to do?
Tis the season, friends. And no doubt it’s…different. I found myself close to ‘Bah Humbug’ until I was struck by the words of an old familiar carol:
🎶God rest ye merry gentlemen Let nothing you dismay Remember Christ our Savior Was born on Christmas Day To save us all from Satan’s pow’r When we were gone astray Oh tidings of comfort and joy Comfort and joy Oh tidings of comfort and joy🎶
So today I offer tidings of comfort and joy To the believer and the unbeliever To the cheerful and the grieving To the hopeful and the discouraged To the gathered and the lonely
And I pray we all remember and come to know Immanuel, the One who was, is and always will be with us.
“…She will give birth to a son and will call Him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).”- Isaiah 7:14
“…and He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”- Isaiah 9:6
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Grateful for…
“A Magnificent, Wonderful and Good God”
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
Grateful for…
“The peace of faith in Jesus”
“So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.”-John 8:36
So I did a thing. Fleshed out an idea. Took a leap!
First, The Published Journey now has a logo! *woohoo and and a round of applause for Canva* Check out the header.
Second, you can now follow The Published Journey on Instagram & Facebook. This was a major leap. Why? Because I have a love/loathe relationship with social media. I love the connections, community and encouragement I’ve found (especially on Instagram). But I loathe the negativity, distraction and discouragement. Am I the only one who has gone down one rabbit hole too many, wasting precious time and occasionally left questioning my whole life? Then, there’s always a nervous anticipation that comes with sharing words and thoughts that only you may understand. But I’m constantly reminded that, even with an audience of one, I am honoring God with the gift He’s given me.
So a huge WELCOME and THANKS for following this journey…a work in progress. I’ve stopped and started this blogging thing many times over the past decade. I’ve revamped, changed directions and moved from Blogger to WordPress. I’ve plugged away on book ideas. I’ve submitted, fielded rejections, and pondered constructive (and not so constructive) critiques. But I keep learning. I keep going. And maybe I can encourage you to do the same.
Keep going. Take a leap. Write on, friends.
So many voices
So many opinions
So many motives
Are we listening?
Do we understand?
Can we rise above the fray?
“Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking…” – Hebrews 12:25
In remembrance
Of an act of love so amazing
You and I were on His mind
The joy set before Him
Bruised, Pierced, Crushed
For His beloved
He acquitted us from sin’s penalty of death
Ransomed our souls
No longer enslaved by the darkness of our hearts
Reconciled to the Father
Jesus, the Son
Endured the agony of the Cross
For you and I
He cried, “It is finished!”
But that’s not the end
Sunday is coming… -LAS
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”- John 3:16 NLT
Working out
Exhaling anxiety and frustration
Embracing change and growth
Extending patience and grace
Exercising joy and gratitude- LAS
Write on, read on, teach on, just be…wherever you find yourself today…be well, friends.
Barnabas Blessings 