Spiritual Perspective Archives - LeeAnn G Taylor

Happy New Year!

January 3, 2021 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

J.J. Heller’s thoughtful music was balm to my soul in 2020 in so many ways.

Here’s to kicking off 2021 with her song celebrating new beginnings at the start of a new year.

httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52nriweHAXs

This Year by J.J. Heller

This year
I’m not looking back to who I was
Because I’m gonna be someone I’ve never been

This year
I’m not focused on the cracks in the walls
Not keeping track of all the times I fall
This year

So long to the last year
It’s all becoming so clear
There’s no use living in regret

Let’s fight the good fight
Train our eyes to find the light
And make this year the best one yet
Starting right here. Happy New Year!

This year
I can’t wait to see what good will come
To feel alive instead of feeling numb

This year
I plan on thinking less of I and me
I resolve to thing of us and we
This year

So long to last year
It’s all becoming so clear
There’s no use living in regret

Let’s fight the good fight
Train our eyes to find the light
And make this year the best one yet
Starting right here. Happy New Year!

So long to last year
It’s all becoming so clear
There’s no use living in regret

Let’s fight the good fight
Train our eyes to find the light
And make this year the best one yet

Starting right here.
Happy New Year, Happy New Year!

You Have the Power…it’s IN You!

June 19, 2019 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

Note: I dug this post out of my blog draft archives. I’ve since had TWINS, so you know, that’s grown me even more spiritually…but I just love this reminder and wanted to go ahead and share, even if it was from a few years ago. Hope this reminder is a good one for you, just as it was for me.

Nothing has grown me more spiritually lately than having my third child. She is a smiley baby, laid back, as third babies must be, with a sweet disposition.

But her entrance into this world, fast and furious, not waiting on anyone (including the nurse or doctor!), birthed also a new type of chaos I’d not yet experienced in my mothering journey.

haven at cbc

With two kids, I could generally handle whatever daily challenges arose…at least I thought I handled them pretty well on my own. Add a third to the mix and my introverted, planner, type A self-starter to crash and burn.

All of a sudden I realized I couldn’t do this – this job of loving and training up my children in the Lord while working full time, being supportive of my husband and his business, and being a good wife, sister, daughter, blogger, friend – it was all too much for my perfectionistic tendency self to handle.

I found myself overwhelmed with no action plan for change.

But friends, there is hope!

Once my eyes were opened to the truth that I truly cannot do and be all that I desire to do and be on my own in this life, I found hope.

While reading in Romans, I was reminded that the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in us. Did you catch that?

You and me, we have the POWER when we live in step with the Spirit that lives in us!

5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.

8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.

10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.

11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.

13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba,Father.”

16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Today I encourage you with the reminder to live in step with the Holy Spirit and God’s desires for your life, not your own. The peace and joy that follows in the midst of our chaos is God’s blessing to us as His children. Embrace it!

With you on the journey,

What Does Your “Brave” Look Like?

January 18, 2017 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

For me, being brave in this season looks like staying put.

In the middle of the day-to-day routine of working outside the home, parenting, loving my husband, managing my home, serving others, navigating financial pressures and more, the anxiety feels crushing some days.

Sometimes in the midst of the whirlwind, in the quiet moments of my daily commute, my mind wanders. I dream of all the possibilities for pursuing my passions, those things that stir my heart and make me come alive with excitement and purpose. But then I remember the weight of my current responsibilities and the discouragement creeps in.

I heard someone say recently that during the times we feel buried, maybe instead we’re actually being planted.

What if during the times we feel buried, maybe instead we’re actually being planted?

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There it is, the change in perspective.

What if I stopped viewing my current situation as limiting and started casting off that feeling of being buried under all the responsibilities.

What if instead, I recognized this season as one of being brave as I stay put. God is planting me and growing me in faith so I can begin to grasp the depth and breadth of His love for me!

Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV) 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

This post is shared as Day 12 in my friend Mary Geisen’s newly released book Brave Faith: A 31 Day Devotional Journey. If you’re interested in diving more deeply into what it looks like to live a life of brave faith, I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy of her book and spend a month working through these challenging but important topics! You can find out more about Mary at her website, Passage Through Grace.

Many blessings,

An Easter Playlist for You

March 27, 2016 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

This week I created an Easter playlist on YouTube.

I asked for suggestions on Facebook and added my favorites to YouTube so they’re saved and can be listened to again and again. I thought I was creating it to share with you but I quickly realized I was prompted to gather these songs about Christ’s power over the grave as a reminder for my own fragile heart too.

It’s been quite a week here at the Taylor household, with transition and turmoil in our closest friends’ lives. One family is moving out of state with their family of 7, one family is experiencing setbacks with the process of opening a new business, and yet another received news that no family ever wants to hear, “your cancer is back.”

At the same time, we’ve been preparing our home and our hearts for Easter and finishing up our 40 Day Prayer Challenge as a couple.

Emotionally, I’ve felt a little “all over the place.”

Music is one way I process things and reflect when my heart and head just can’t seem to get on the same page. The melodies melt my anxiety and the words speak truth into the weary places.

These words.

♪ The same power that rose Jesus from the grave lives in us.

♪ You plead my cause, you right my wrongs. You break my chains, you overcome. You gave your life, to give me mine. You say that I am free, How can it be?

♪ I want to be close, close to Your side. So Heaven is real and death is a lie. I want to hear voices of angels above singing as one. Hallelujah, holy, holy. God Almighty, the great I AM. Who is worthy, none beside Thee. God Almighty, the great I AM.

And so, after letting the music wash over me and heal my heart, I begin to surrender my presumed grip on the outcome of the uncertain pieces of my life and those of my friends.

These lyrics point me to Truth and I rest in the reminder of the power of celebrating Easter today. Jesus’ resurrection makes all the difference.

My prayer for you this Easter is that you also rest in this reminder.

Jesus is risen. Risen indeed!

Adore: Christmas Songs of Worship

December 4, 2015 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

Tonight, the living room is quiet. The Christmas tree twinkles and reflects on the picture window, a rainbow of colors infusing joy in the space we call home.

The littles are all tucked warmly in their beds after an evening ending in snuggles and stories of jingle bells and The Christmas Promise.

I sit here with the flame from my orange thyme + cardamom soy candle flickering softly, the scent providing evidence of the season that is upon us. Advent, a time of waiting, a time of reflection, a time to remember He is coming, He has come.

December, my favorite month, arrives promptly each year after an intentional time of gratitude. Thanksgiving gives way to a plethora of family activities, experiences, and memory making moments through the remainder of the holiday season.

If we’re not careful, this opportunity for a time of reflection as we await the Christ child’s birth can become a whirlwind instead, one filled to the brim with shopping and traffic and bouncing from party to party, activity to activity, with little recollection of the true significance of the celebration we’re anticipating.

For me, it’s the sights and sounds of the Christmas season – the lights, the scents, the music, the people – that draw me back into the story of Jesus’ birth. All around me the world screams red with desire and green with envy as purchases seek to fill the emptiness inside people’s hearts.

At times I need a reset, a reminder of the true nature of the season. For me this year, that reset has come in the form of Chris Tomlin’s newest album, Adore: Christmas Songs of Worship.

I realized quickly how much I was going to adore this album when in the middle of the very first song I found myself listening with hands raised in praise. There is something immensely special about Christmas music that leads you right to into worship while reflecting on the birth of Jesus.

This album is heart-stirring, a compilation of traditional Christmas music with a contemporary worship twist. I’ve loved listening with my kids and singing along as we learn the songs together. Chris Tomlin is known for singing in a vocal range that makes it easy to sing along in corporate worship and also with your family.

Many songs are recorded Live and several feature other artists including Lauren Daigle, All Sons & Daughters, and Kristyn Getty.

Songs:
1. He Shall Reign Forevermore
2. Adore
3. Midnight Clear (Love Song)
4. Noel featuring Lauren Daigle
5. Hymn Of Joy
6. Silent Night featuring Kristyn Getty
7. What Child Is This? featuring All Sons & Daughters
8. It’s Christmas
9. A King Like This
10. Bethlehem
11. A Christmas Alleluia featuring Lauren Daigle & Leslie Jordan of All Sons & Daughters

I really can’t recommend this album enough! Grab a copy on iTunes or Amazon. ~~Also, thanks to FlyBy Promotions for providing a copy of the CD to one of you lovely readers so that you can also enjoy a worshipful Christmas!~~

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More about the album:

Official Website

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Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Affiliate links are present in this post.

Conquering Fear with Faith Requires Action

September 20, 2015 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

This week my sister-in-law received news no woman wants to hear.

After going in for a mammogram to address some changes she’d been experiencing the last few months, she was referred for a 3D ultrasound and then for a biopsy later in the week.

She called me, thanking me for encouraging her to follow up on the unusual symptoms that prompted the initial visit to her GYN doctor. She also asked me to pray for her. The uncertainty evident in her voice, we both knew the results of this test could indicate a serious health concern, one no one wants to talk about at the young age of 36.

As a single mom of three kids ages 16, 13, and 11, the “what if’s” whirled. At the same time though, everything in her fought to trust the God who she knew had gotten her through a plethora of arduous situations the last few years.

The fear was there, yes. But she determined in her heart to not let the fear rule. Instead, she chose faith. And choosing faith in the middle of a trial requires action.

Choosing faith in the middle of a trial requires action.

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She chose to reach out to other believers to request prayer for specific needs and to focus her mind on God’s truths.

She asked for peace to replace the fear threatening to take over her thoughts.
She asked for patience as she awaited biopsy results.
She asked for favorable test results.
She asked for strength to walk whatever path was ahead.

In the middle of her trial, when it might have felt easier to try to attempt to control the situation and Google her way to the answers of looming questions, she chose to lean on faith instead of giving into the fear of the unknown.

Whether it’s a medical scare, a period of financial uncertainty, or a broken relationship, it only takes one trying situation for fear to take over our thoughts and wreak havoc on the peace in our heart.

Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us…

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

God’s word reminds us that we’re NOT going to understand everything that happens in this life. But you know, I don’t think we’re supposed to understand everything.

Trusting God is an integral part of growing in faith.

Learning to acknowledge Him in the middle of our trials squelches the fear that is human nature and replaces it with a growing measure of faith.

Our confidence in His provision for our lives grows as we walk through trials. We seek Him, pushing away fear, and embracing an active faith in the One who created us and loves us unconditionally.

I’m not going to pretend this is easy!

In my life, this looks like daily submission to God’s ways, remembering He is in control, not me. However sometimes I really struggle to remember!

I’ve found that constant visual reminders really help. Scripture on my shower curtain and pillows on the couch and in my office chair bring God’s truth to my mind during the day and help to quiet my overly anxious heart. Scripture on the walls helps too.

For me, the process of pushing away fear and instead embracing a growing faith has been just that, a process. I’m learning the importance of trusting God to make good on His promises to make all things work for good in my life (Romans 8:28).

What about you? What helps you combat fear in your life and instead trust God as you grow in faith?

Thank you to Family Christian for providing pillows for the photos for this post from their new home goods line. Affiliate links are included in this post. When you click and purchase, I receive a very small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. These funds help keep the doors open here at The Mosaic Life and support Eva, our Compassion International child in Columbia.