Lens of Faith blog

Living a life on purpose that is unexpected, unstoppable and full of faith. Leah Marie is an award winning wedding photographer, designer & author.

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GRATEFUL REFLECTION

November 22, 2017 · Leave a Comment

I just returned yesterday, from a 10 day holy land study tour in Israel. What a trip! I encourage every believer to experience what it was like to walk where Jesus and those before us walked. Everyday, our foundation, the bible came to life. You can’t help but reflect in grateful admiration, the selfless journey of our sweet Lord, which eventually led him to calvary.

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” –Psalm 118: 1-4

Grateful Reflection

Last day having communion on the steps of the Western Wall.

Tomorrow, we celebrate Thanksgiving, which is my favorite holiday! Let us reflect on all we are grateful for. I encourage you to take time and specifically and verbally thank God for his many blessings, even the things we take for granted. This should be a daily pattern of keeping a grateful heart with right attitudes. I am so thankful for my salvation, his great sacrifice, living as a free American, for my family, for my health, for security, protection, provision and the list goes on. I am thankful for you. My readers that encourage me every week.

Grateful Reflection

My family has a tradition that I love. As we are sitting around our table before Thanksgiving dinner, we go around as each person shares what they are thankful for. It can be a wonderful time of reflection. There is also a family dessert favorite that my mama whips up a few times a year. Here is the recipe, from our home to yours:

Russian Creme

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1 1/2 cup plain yogurt

1 packet of unflavored gelatin

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

1 tsp vanilla

In small saucepan combine sugar, gelatin and water. Let stand 4-5 minutes. Place over medium heat, bring to boil while constantly stirring. Remove from heat. Add whipping cream. In a bowl combine, yogurt and vanilla. Gradually add, sugar mixture and blend well. Pour all into a mold or serving bowl. Refrigerate for 4-6 hours. Optional: garnish with sliced peaches and cinnamon or strawberries.

Happy Thanksgiving loved ones! May your home be filled with love, sweet memories and feasting.

Leah marie carson 5

Filed In: Uncategorized / Tagged: america, bible, bible blog, bible story, blogger, captivate, encouraging, gods will, grateful, happy thanksgiving, holy land, inspirational, israel

STRENGTH IN MEEKNESS

November 1, 2017 · 1 Comment

This word meekness has always been sort of like a dirty word to me. I’ve always perceived it as passive, insecure, timid and quite frankly not me. You want me bold and fearless right God? But oh have things changed. In this process of pulling up roots, changing my heart and molding me into his likeness he has taught me how important meekness is.

Meekness is actually power under control. The better trait. Anyone can speak their mind and give their opinion. But to stay self controlled when you could say something, now that pleases our God. He can then trust you to truly make him known and to bring him glory. When you allow him to master your mouth and your attitude then get ready for NEW LEVELS.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” -Matthew 5:5

I am a living example of an out spoken, bold woman that always had an opinion. It doesn’t mean I was wrong with what I said. You see, I could be 100% right yet 100% wrong. Right in the what I said yet wrong in saying it. God had to begin this process in me of giving him complete control. Meaning he keeps me humbly quiet when I could say something and has had me speak a hard word with his authority when I feel uncomfortable doing so. For if our hearts motive when we speak is out of anger, pride or judgement then it is sin. Speaking out of obedience with a pure heart spurred by love is Jesus.

The Holy Spirit showed me, that in order to truly be his disciple I needed to look like him, who is bold and meek. We are quick to put people in a box. I’m an extrovert you’re an introvert. I’m bold, you’re shy. But this isn’t a personality thing. God wants the bold to control what and when they speak. God wants the quiet to speak up and be bold when necessary. He is wanting to mold all of us into his perfect likeness. You see Jesus is not one or the other. He is justice and humility, the lion and the lamb.

Strength In Meekness

It’s all about humbling yourself, staying meek and speaking boldly when he leads, that is what truly brings people to Christ. I constantly witness this next level Holy Spirit led life and now have the privilege to experience the powerful, life changing results in myself and others.

Let us pray, for we all struggle in this area:

“Lord, please forgive me of pride and a lack of meekness. I surrender to you. Humble my heart, give me the wisdom I need and use my life for your glory. Amen.”

Leah marie carson 5

 

Filed In: Uncategorized / Tagged: bible blog, blogger, captivate, gods will, grateful, humble, humility, lens of faith, meekness, road less traveled, scripture, self controlled

ANNIVERSARY EDITION

October 25, 2017 · 1 Comment

This week marks my one year anniversary co-authoring, Lens of Faith. Hard to believe it’s been an entire year since the Holy Spirit appointed me to be his mouthpiece through this blog. He made it clear that he would speak through me and boy has he ever. I am so encouraged by your feedback every week. I hear often either in your comments or face to face, how timely a post is and that it being just what you needed. This fills me with joy and confirms what I know to be true.

God has had powerful things to say in writings like Identity Crisis where he teaches us to believe who he says we are, Reason for the Wait about God being the great gardner, Purpose Driven Friends showing us the purpose for relationships. He gave me a greater understanding on David in Purify my Heart, took me through the life changing process of Jesus + Nothing, challenges me to put him first with Mary in a Martha World. Then there’s Heal Our Land and Speak Life, a much needed revelation in a time of division.

I look back on this past year and I can’t help but express my gratitude for how he has entrusted me. There is no greater fulfillment then to walk out your destiny full of faith and wonder. Yes, there has been weeks where I felt as if I had nothing. I mean no topic or content and quite frankly, was not in the blogging mood. I would tell him, “Holy Spirit, speak through me cause I’m not feeling it today. I need you.” And you know what, he always came through. Whether I was traveling, on vacation or very busy, he always gave me the grace I needed to make this blog a priority and write an impactful message. Every week. What a testament to his faithfulness.

Thank you for your encouragement and for spurring me on! I continue to pray for you every week with my heart full of love. I look forward to more of what’s to come.

Leah marie carson 5

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SPEAK LIFE

October 11, 2017 · 6 Comments

I know, I know, we are living in such a crazy day. If it’s not a terrorist attack, it’s a mass shooting. If it’s not a hurricane, it’s a flood. If it’s not a flood, it’s a devastating fire. We are being hit with one heartache after another and that’s not even mentioning the political division in America. Then you top it off, with personal challenges. It can all seem so overwhelming. Yet, I hear the Lord urging us to, “Stop complaining. Remove negativity from our mouths.”

Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.” -Proverbs 18:21

Venting on Facebook, Twitter, to your co workers, your friends will not change the outcome. If anything, your words will stir up greater division.

What immediate actions must we take? Pray. Praise. Speak of God’s goodness. Encourage each other. When you must speak the hard truth, make sure he leads you and only him. He has pure motives at all times.

Speak Life 2

I for one, know the struggle is real. I have always been one of many words. Careless with my opinions and reactions. Often quick to speak and slow to listen. I clearly remember the day that the Holy Spirit spoke such conviction to my heart, “I have created you to be my mouthpiece. You have the power to speak life or death. Give me complete control so I can use you.”

I could no longer use the excuse that I’m from a large family where everyone has the same patterns. Or that I’m just keeping it “honest and real”. Things needed to change. He requires us to surrender our weakness in order for him to transform it into our greatest strength.

We must carry the hope of Christ to a hurting generation. We must be the words that heal, not hurt. You see, part of being Christ like is speaking from a pure heart of genuine love for others. Any other motive is not of him.

Let’s pray:

“Lord, please forgive me for every time I spoke words of death and not life. I surrender my speech and my attitudes to you. Help me guard my mouth. Give me self control and the wisdom to speak only what comes from you. Amen.”

I challenge you to a negativity, complaining fast. Watch the shift in your life when you guard your thoughts and what comes out of your mouth. I know this is quite the challenge. Thankfully loved ones, He does not give up on us, but is committed to help us purify our hearts.

Leah marie carson 5

 

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AMERICA’S CURE

October 4, 2017 · 1 Comment

As I reflect on the latest tragedy in Las Vegas this week, my heart breaks. Unfortunately, this type of senseless violence is becoming common. Growing up, there where no signs of mass shootings, terrorist attacks and school shootings until Columbine in 1999. I remember sitting in my house so emotional and in complete shock; it was so unheard of.

Why are we experiencing this overwhelming amount of evil in our day? You might have a thought of your own. I see that the more we denounce God in America, the more we try and remove signs of him with reporting “this is no longer a Christian nation”, the less protected we are and the more evil reigns.

 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – 2 Chron. 7:14

There is no gun law, no drug law or man made law that will prevent evil. The only way “to make America great again” is to make America God’s again. To give him his rightful place. Only he can change hearts and bring the healing we so desperately need. I love this classic work of art with the first leader of our nation, President George Washington, kneeling in prayer at Valley Forge. My dad has this powerful painting up on his bedroom wall and it stops me in my tracks every time I see it.

Americas Cure

Painting by: Arnold Friberg

You see we can’t expect to reject God, kick him out then pray him back when we need his rescue. Until the hearts of man change and we turn back to him, there really is no other hope. He is our only hope. In his grace, he still has his hand of protection on us.

The only way to make America great again is to make America God’s again.”

What we can do as followers of Christ, is to spread his love, boldly make him known and to pray without ceasing.

Leah marie carson 5

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MY ROLE MODEL

September 27, 2017 · 1 Comment

Who is your favorite person of the bible? I know so many lean toward David, for me the one that stands out most is Job. God says he was blameless and upright. He feared God and shunned evil. There was no one on earth like him. Job 1

When Satan came to test his faithfulness, he hit him hard. He destroyed his land and servants, his property and killed all his children all in one day! Would you worship God after that great loss? Yet Job immediately tore his robe, shaved his head, fell to the ground and worshipped God.

Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” – Job 1:21

I know for me, I have gotten upset with God for allowing disappointments much smaller.

Then Satan approaches God again saying, well if you attack his own life, surely he will turn from you. So he does. Throughout all his venting, asking God to take his life, regretting the day he was born and having his wife shouting for him to curse God and die, he stayed faithful.

Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” –Job 2:10

Loss can make or break you. We blame God when our world turns upside down because he could of prevented it. We stop praising him. We stop giving him glory. Yet, Job lost it all. Except for his integrity. His integrity kept him in a humble state, acknowledging that we are mere human and he is God.

My Role Model

designed by: Leah Marie Carson

Not only did God restore all that Job lost and with twice as much as he had before, the Lord blessed the latter part of his life more than the first. Job 42

I want to encourage you, if you have gone through loss and disappointment, don’t give up. Praise him in this time of loss. Stay faithful. Speak of his goodness. Stay humble and pure. God will honor you for your perseverance. For our great redeemer makes all things new.

He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.” –Job 5:9

When I grow up I want to be like Job.

Leah marie carson 5

 

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LIVING FREE

September 20, 2017 · 3 Comments

We all have a past. The one where we were young and foolish, the unsurrendered one, the one full of lessons that made us who we are today. True transformation leads to a distaste for the pleasures of your past. You see, sin is what you do when your not satisfied with Christ. As he makes you whole, you crave him more and are tempted less.

My past includes the party life. I was always “the life of the party” so going out clubbing was a way for me to express myself and fill voids. I grew up in a strict Christian home, gave my life to Jesus at age 5. Still, my world spun out of control when I was 18, my family fell apart and I was not spiritually stable enough to handle the quake. Instead of clinging to the rock, I turned to the world. It was a few years of the enemy pretty much handing me his world on a silver platter.

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” – Galatians 5:16-18

Thank God for his beautiful grace, he protected me during that time and restored my family. Yet still years later I missed the thrill of going out dancing and living the night life. I returned back to Jesus but still craved some of my past pleasures. It wasn’t until I truly surrendered to him, desiring him more than anything else that what once tempted me no longer did. The answer is, He must satisfy your heart.

Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.” – Ephesians 4:22

You see, it’s not that if we sin we are not free. We sin every day. Either we have an attitude, have a thought, say a word or do a deed that’s not right. It’s when you live comfortable in your sin that defines you. The surrendered follower of Christ, recognizes their sin and repents. One that isn’t justifies their sin and continues.

 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.  No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.  This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child. –1 John 3:5-10

You see Christ wants to free us from anything that hinders us and keeps us from fulfilling our calling. He is seeking a pure and holy bride. Set apart. Our world is broken and in need of hope. If we look like the world then what do we have to offer? He came to free us, we must chase after that freedom.

Living Free 1

Quote & design by: Leah Marie Carson

My prayer is that we will live free by purging ourselves of anything that doesn’t glorify him.

Leah marie carson 5

 

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TIME AFTER TIME

September 13, 2017 · 2 Comments

God’s grace since the beginning of time amazes me. I know when reading the old testament it can seem full of wrath with a lack of mercy. Yet when reading Nehemiah 9, I see the God of many undeserved chances. He displayed a grace unlike any ever would. Our ancestors disobeyed God over and over, turned their backs on him, even though he set them free and poured upon them abundance. A wicked people. A forgiving God.

You saw the suffering of our ancestors in Egypt; you heard their cry. You sent signs and wonders against Pharaoh, against all his officials and all the people of his land. You divided the sea before them, so that they passed through it on dry ground, but you hurled their pursuers into the depths, like a stone into mighty waters. By day you led them with a pillar of cloud, and by night with a pillar of fire to safely direct them. You fed them, brought water from the rock, gave them land. For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen.

But they, our ancestors, became arrogant and stiff-necked, and they did not obey your commands. They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became hardened and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. 

But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them, even when they cast for themselves an image of a calf and said, ‘This is your god, who brought you up out of Egypt,’ or when they committed awful blasphemies. Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the wilderness. But they were disobedient and rebelled against you; they turned their backs on your law. They killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you; they committed awful blasphemies. So you delivered them into the hands of their enemies,who oppressed them. But when they were oppressed they cried out to you. From heaven you heard them, and in your great compassion you gave them deliverers, who rescued them from the hand of their enemies.

For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you warned them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples. But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.

But as soon as they were at rest, they again did what was evil in your sight. Then you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies so that they ruled over them. And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time after time.”

TIME AFTER TIME

Throughout history we continue to see this pattern of God’s relentless grace with an unrepentant people. I think of us and can’t help but think of America. His grace on our country supersedes any other. He has his hand on our nation. Yet, instead of godliness we continue to denounce and dismiss him as Lord. That is until we need prayer for whatever current natural disaster we are facing. Although, he is the loving, forgiving God he also the God of justice. We cannot continue to “kick him out”, live how we please and then expect him to protect us.

What would America look like if every Christian in America took 15 minutes to pray for our nation?

He clearly tells us that, if we will humble ourselves and pray and seek his face and turn from our wicked ways, then he will hear from heaven, and he will forgive our sin and will heal our land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Here is a wonderful new song by Reba McEntire, Back to God. This performance joined by Lauren Daigle, left the crowd at the ACM’s speechless. I listen to this on repeat, it’s so powerful.

Leah marie carson 5

Filed In: Uncategorized / Tagged: america, bible, bible blog, bible story, blog, blogger, christian, divine appointments, encouragement, encouraging, faith blog, fight back, gods will, identity crisis, inspirational, jesus + nothing, lens of faith, pray for america, repent, scripture, truth

ALREADY WRITTEN

September 6, 2017 · 2 Comments

Much of our lives is spent planning. What we will do, where and when we will go. Sometimes we pray about our plans and desires, hoping God will jump on board and make it all happen. I was that person most of my life as a strong, independent woman. I have loved Jesus since I was very young, yet I wanted control of my life. I convinced myself I wanted God’s will but really if he asked me to do something I did not want to do, my hearing became very faint.

Now living a life of true surrender, I am doing exactly what he has told me to do. It is uncomfortable, it looks foolish, not everyone cheers me on but I have more peace in my life then ever before. I have learned that when you begin to trust him in obedience, you then start to fulfill your purpose on this earth. You see our whole beginning to end has already been written in his book. We do not need to strive, make it happen or live a stressful “keeping up with the Jones’s” life. He really does have it all in control. No one knows us like him. No one will ever love us like him. No one will be as intimate as him. So trusting him should be a no brainer. One of my favorite chapters in the bible depicts this so beautifully.

O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up, my entire life, everything I do; You understand my thoughts from afar. You are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, still unspoken, O Lord, You know it all. You have placed Your hand upon me. Such infinite knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high above me, I cannot reach it.

For You formed my innermost parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. How precious also are Your thoughts of me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I could count them, they would outnumber the sand. 

Your eyes have seen my unformed body; and in Your book were written all the days that were appointed for me, When as yet there was not one of them even taking shape.” – Psalm 139

Already Written

designed by: Leah Marie Carson

You see, he has your life already planned and already written. Your story is unlike any other. We don’t need to compete or compare. We were meant to have a unique life and to let go of worry, fear and any other worldly care. For he cares for you unlike any ever will and he custom designed the perfect plan for your life. Trust an obey loved ones.

Leah marie carson 5

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MARY IN A MARTHA WORLD

August 30, 2017 · 3 Comments

Are you like me and have trouble staying still? I can put my hands to something all day long. Even though I have that Holy Spirit craving, tugging at my heart strings, often times the distractions win. As I was meditating on the passage of Mary and Martha, I once again hear him say, “Do the better thing.”

You see Martha was frantic when Jesus came to visit. Anxiously getting her house in order, cooking, cleaning, striving for perfection. Mary, her sister on the other hand, just wanted to be with Jesus and sit as his feet. So Martha goes and complains to Jesus, hoping he would help her out. Instead, Jesus tells her, “You are worried and upset by many things, yet only one thing is needed, Mary has chosen what is better.” But what about the meal, the tasks, the calendar, the schedule? Only One Thing Is Needed.

 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but indeed only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” – Luke 10:38-42

Mary In A Martha World 2

designed by: Leah Marie Carson

We must constantly remind ourselves, that the enemy is subtle. He will fill your life with task after task until you convince yourself that you are too tired or don’t have time to sit at Jesus feet. You must press in, be intentional and carve out that necessary time daily. Meditate on his word and stay quiet long enough to hear his voice. I know the struggle is real but he takes care of all life’s details when we seek him first. I can testify that he does. I speak more of this on my past post, No Middle Man.

Don’t get me wrong, tasks are important. Especially when he specifically calls you to do that good work, be quick to obey. If we are honest with ourselves, we spend far too much time with tv, social media and other tasks that can wait. Hearing his clear voice only comes when you stop to listen. Being what our world so desperately needs, only comes when we spend time being filled with his transforming love. Our strength only comes when we plant his word in our hearts.

“Lord, help me to prioritize you and to put all tasks aside. To press in to know you. May I hunger for you above all. Give me a Mary heart. Amen.”

Leah marie carson 5

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Welcome to Lens of Faith! I'm Leah. My passion is to speak, write and encourage you as the Holy Spirit leads. My prayer is for your God given passion, potential and purpose to be fulfilled. It's my honor to journey together.   hugs, Leah

“Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 ♥
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Author of Lens of Faith, Owner of Leah Marie Photography + Stationery & Hooked On You co. based in Raleigh, NC.

It is my honor and privilege to walk this faith filled journey together.

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