Category Archives: {living}

When the Lights Go Down

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Tonight the lights go down. It is the last night of our Frontier Revue show. Although I post a lot about creativity being a huge tool in soul care, most of those posts center around visual arts creativity. But there is another powerful tool for our soul’s wellbeing, perhaps even more important. That is music. Although listening to it is good, creating it—when it comes from your own heart, is even better. I’m not saying you have to be a composer, but rather a producer of music—even if no one else hears it. The healing powers of music range from… Continue reading →

Lay Your Burdens Down

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The Power of the Cross not only washes away our sins at conversion, but is there for all that Jesus offers for our lives after that. The inspiration for this page, by Natasha Lee, focused on the cross, and as I created, I was worshipping with the song *The Power of the Cross* by Keith & Kristen Getty. As I meditated on this powerful work Jesus the Christ accomplished on the cross, the picture in my mind was from Pilgrims Progress, on Christian’s burden being lifted at the foot of the cross. Jesus’ lifting of our burdens isn’t just that one… Continue reading →

Dry Bones

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When YHWH set Ezekiel down in the valley full of very dry bones, The Spirit asked him, “Son of man, can these bones live?” Ezekiel replied, “Lord YHWH, only you know.” Dry bones, hear the word of YHWH, “I will cause breath to enter you, and you will live.” The Encounters in Colour Christian art journaling retreat session by Jen Alward focused on this passage, in Ezekiel 37. As I meditated on it and how I wanted to make my faith art page for it, I remembered a time several years ago when I was walking through a valley of… Continue reading →

Narcissistic Abuse Awareness

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Today isn’t a national celebration day. But it is a day to remind everyone to be aware of, learn, what abuse—even hidden abuse—is and to support abuse survivors. Survivors, you are seen and heard. ❤️‍🩹 Hidden abuse is just as, sometimes more, damaging than physical abuse. But the wounds aren’t seen. So are many times dismissed, excused, minimized, brushed under the rug. Educate yourself to recognize red flags 🚩 of abuse. Free mini course from Wilderness to Wild. Do something today.

Egypt to Shiloh

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Many times I liken our journey out of a destructive marriage to the Exodus from Egypt. (And no, we most likely will not receive “riches” on our way out.) Rather, it compares in the trust we have to have in God as we do what we know we need to. The waters will be stormy and scary as we start crossing out. The enemy may pursue—perhaps with ‘sweet words’ like Pharoah, “sure I’ll let you go” and then fighting it every step of the way. Some sisters may complain and want to go back, thinking things were much better when… Continue reading →

Rocking R&R

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Survivors need self/soul care, to heal and rebuild. And being out in God’s Creation is a great natural, rest giving healer! This is the view of a little R&R from my porch rocking chair on the Lord’s Day morning, at the Called to Peace ministries abuse survivors Retreat that I attended in NC this past week. The clouds that stayed low on the mountains, all of yesterday, have rolled out. The rain last night only leaves its scent. The sun in shining. The birds are chirping. Beautiful peace. Take care of you, sisters, so you can be freely whole! Or… Continue reading →

Celebrating A Very Special Survivor

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Today I honor a very special abuse and se*ually betrayed survivor. My mama! ❤️💖❤️ My mom, like most women in her era, did not talk openly about her pain, abuse experiences, or divorce. The were no post-divorce therapists. Divorced women hopefully had friends, usually 1 or 2 close friends who were probably also divorcees, in whom they could confide. There was no healing path. Many were still grieving or hurt or without clarity 20 or 30 years later. Many remarried—2, 3, or 4 times, only getting back into the same situations. The damage never resolved. Thankfully, my mom remarried a… Continue reading →

If I Perish

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Reading in Esther today—for Purim, which is tonight.Thankful for sister Esther’s example of standing for what’s right before God, for seeking God’s wisdom for a plan and executing it, and saving many. “If I perish, I perish!”But justice was served at the gallows. May we stand as faithful to God as Esther, regardless the stakes. May we seek wisdom for the best course of action, in God’s view, and speak it out courageously, regardless of our “position” in this world. May our God-given voices and wisdom be heard and heeded, that many would be saved.

The Power of Creativity

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People tend to think of Creativity as a hobby—or a job, if you’re super skilled and have great marketing. Something you are skilled at so you do it—or not. Something you love doing and do well—or not. They are thinking in terms of Fine Art. A painter who brings color to life in beautiful landscapes. A sketch artist who draws lifelike portraits. Or a sculptor who mimics Michelangelo. Creativity can lead to that—for a relatively small number of people. But creativity (and art) are so much more. They are for everyone! Creativity is an innate part of everyone of us…. Continue reading →

Rise Up O Army

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💯 If this isn’t a perfect verse/description of Christian marital abuse survivors! March on, sisters! Jesus has given us life again and raised us up! I am so happy to see the rising up of the advocacy against abuse (psychological, not just “physical”) in the last decade. In reading this verse today, God gave me a picture of how He has breathed life into post-abuse survivors, many of them who have all but given up on life, and raised them up as an army of advocates against abuse—whatever form it takes, (in my view, especially in the Christian marital setting,… Continue reading →