Yes to this— 'One way we can push back on the world’s bent towards entropy and chaos is to find beauty wherever we go, or even better, to create beauty wherever we are. Celebrating the beautiful is an act of resistance in an age of noise and distraction and uglification.'
Beauty will save the world...Or better still, beauty has saved the world!
Appreciate you sharing my words Denise, thankyou ❤️
Such great advice to remind ourselves of regularly—all of it! I especially have been enjoying walks without listening to a podcast or an audiobook.
I wrote about finding beauty in things that may not at first glance seem “beautiful.” If we think of all beauty as “things that lead us back to God,” that can help us find beauty in sometimes surprising or unexpected places.
All very good. But I cringe when I read of another Christian who doesn't keep themselves informed. Sure walk and meditate on scripture but to be ill informed is not option in these dark days.
I agree that being informed is very wise. That’s why it’s important to know of some solid sources for where to go for helpful information, especially for relevant local information. Most news outlets, though, are more click-bait than actual sources of legitimate information. So I don’t think we’re missing anything by refraining from news media.
Just listening to the tone of voices that TV news media uses makes me anxious. I'd rather go to trusted resources that are reliable and calm to tell me what's going on in the local area and world rather than to listen to the debating and frantic ways the news is given on most news medias. Plus, in my opinion, I don't believe the world is going to crumble if I take short breaks from listening to the horrors that are going on world wide.
Easy and difficult at the same time—the irony of life, right? Thank you for sharing these and calling us to quiet, faithful action. It is easy to sway from one extreme to another, but I feel like you’re trying (and succeeding!) to urge for middle ground. Be aligned with Scripture, and be content in the wonderful world God has created. Seek Him, glorify Him, enjoy Him. Good stuff. :)
I love this! I don't always write about slowing down, but I revel in the permission structure of rest that comes with getting sick (I'm not a masochist I promise!) My latest reflection about this resulted in a counterintuitive blessed called May You Be Tired
So much of this confirmed what's been on my my heart and mind as well. I appreciate the encouragement and inspiration! (I'm also grateful for the recommendation - thank you so much for the mention!)
Hello, Denise! I love the following paragraph from your "About" page: "I will spend all my days declaring this truth: No matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done or what might have been done to you, there is grace for you and everything you have been through. There is real hope for new life. Not because I can make it so, but because God can make it so." This is so beautiful and resonates so much with my own values.
I also have 2 girls and a boy (ages 9, 5, 4). I love how you described yourself as a story protector in relation to your children. And this concept of being a quiet contrarian is lovely and one with which I can very much relate. Glad I found you in this corner of the Internet! I write here: https://amyhall.substack.com/
Thank you for going here. Quiet is simple and difficult. Quiet in the removal of noise around us and even more in quieting our hearts and minds. This is new to me. As a life long over achiever I am soaking in the quiet at 5:00 am. I agree with you that quiet while walking is amazing. My substack is light2hope at https://karenjacobslarson.substack.com/.
Yes to this— 'One way we can push back on the world’s bent towards entropy and chaos is to find beauty wherever we go, or even better, to create beauty wherever we are. Celebrating the beautiful is an act of resistance in an age of noise and distraction and uglification.'
Beauty will save the world...Or better still, beauty has saved the world!
Appreciate you sharing my words Denise, thankyou ❤️
I love the idea of walking for the soul …letting God speak to you with no agenda -thank you
Such great advice to remind ourselves of regularly—all of it! I especially have been enjoying walks without listening to a podcast or an audiobook.
I wrote about finding beauty in things that may not at first glance seem “beautiful.” If we think of all beauty as “things that lead us back to God,” that can help us find beauty in sometimes surprising or unexpected places.
https://shannonhood.substack.com/p/beauty-in-small-things-no-6
All very good. But I cringe when I read of another Christian who doesn't keep themselves informed. Sure walk and meditate on scripture but to be ill informed is not option in these dark days.
I agree that being informed is very wise. That’s why it’s important to know of some solid sources for where to go for helpful information, especially for relevant local information. Most news outlets, though, are more click-bait than actual sources of legitimate information. So I don’t think we’re missing anything by refraining from news media.
Whatever source you use and I would never recommend American Main Stream Media you have to keep informed.
Just listening to the tone of voices that TV news media uses makes me anxious. I'd rather go to trusted resources that are reliable and calm to tell me what's going on in the local area and world rather than to listen to the debating and frantic ways the news is given on most news medias. Plus, in my opinion, I don't believe the world is going to crumble if I take short breaks from listening to the horrors that are going on world wide.
I never listen to MSM! Especially American MSM. They lie all the time.
Some wonderful suggestions! Going to ponder these and read the suggested essays! Thank you for sharing. I'm over at Fed by Ravens. https://open.substack.com/pub/rosemaryvangelderen?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=157l9j
Easy and difficult at the same time—the irony of life, right? Thank you for sharing these and calling us to quiet, faithful action. It is easy to sway from one extreme to another, but I feel like you’re trying (and succeeding!) to urge for middle ground. Be aligned with Scripture, and be content in the wonderful world God has created. Seek Him, glorify Him, enjoy Him. Good stuff. :)
Here is a link over to my Substack in case it interests you, thanks! https://open.substack.com/pub/keeslingscorner?r=1i44ja&utm_medium=ios
I love this! I don't always write about slowing down, but I revel in the permission structure of rest that comes with getting sick (I'm not a masochist I promise!) My latest reflection about this resulted in a counterintuitive blessed called May You Be Tired
https://dlbacon.substack.com/p/may-you-be-tired?r=2v2ne0
So much of this confirmed what's been on my my heart and mind as well. I appreciate the encouragement and inspiration! (I'm also grateful for the recommendation - thank you so much for the mention!)
Savoring your post, so much to reflect on and to explore. Looking forward to reading the posts recommended.
I’ve just begun to write on Substack, each post just 100 words, brief meditations on Psalms and insights from my ordinary life.
https://beths100words.substack.com/
Hello, Denise! I love the following paragraph from your "About" page: "I will spend all my days declaring this truth: No matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done or what might have been done to you, there is grace for you and everything you have been through. There is real hope for new life. Not because I can make it so, but because God can make it so." This is so beautiful and resonates so much with my own values.
I also have 2 girls and a boy (ages 9, 5, 4). I love how you described yourself as a story protector in relation to your children. And this concept of being a quiet contrarian is lovely and one with which I can very much relate. Glad I found you in this corner of the Internet! I write here: https://amyhall.substack.com/
Thank you for going here. Quiet is simple and difficult. Quiet in the removal of noise around us and even more in quieting our hearts and minds. This is new to me. As a life long over achiever I am soaking in the quiet at 5:00 am. I agree with you that quiet while walking is amazing. My substack is light2hope at https://karenjacobslarson.substack.com/.
Really love this Denise❤️
I have the summer off from work, and plan to be very intentional with a quiet life these next few months.
It won’t be easy because there are a lot of moving parts around me, but, I know that I can cut down on personal things.
Those things inside seem to be the biggest problem.
So true, Denise, it is important to cultivate stillness and quietness! I think noticing the beauty around us pleases our Creator.
https://strengthwithdignity.substack.com/p/two-kinds-of-wisdom