One in four women and one in six men has been or will be sexually assaulted in America (generally considered an underestimate). This woman has tucked away the rapes at the hand of her father, the neglect of her mother, the fury that keeps her from faith in anything but her daughter. Her compartments hold lies and harbor enemies that distort her image and tell her she’s to blame, and so she deserves more of the same. Dear woman: you are beautiful as made in the image and likeness of God. You are not alone inside of that black vacuum. No harm has befallen you that he has not seen - no atrocity that will not be repaid in his justice. Nothing that happens in this life is without purpose. I beg you to look at the cross of Christ and see that even suffering is purposeful - as Jesus’ murder and torture became the resurrected hope for all the world. You have a savior good enough to use bad, holy enough to use evil, powerful enough to redeem the most bitter of circumstances for his glory, and for your joy. You have a savior that loves you, that sympathizes with you, whose heart breaks with yours, who weeps when you weep. The only remedy for your wounds is Jesus Christ. He is called the suffering servant, and he knew shame, and he knew your shame, and he will gladly take your shame away. Don’t let your story end without resolve. That light is Christ and he grows more magnificent the more you walk towards him. For anyone - abusers and abused, perpetrators and victims - please check out the following resources: Rid Of My Disgrace: Hope & Healing For Victims Of Sexual Assault by Justin & Lindsey Holcomb: http://bit.ly/yfyCuy Unearthed Pictures: http://www.unearthedpictures.org/ XXXChurch.com: http://www.xxxchurch.com/ Click here for a link to the featured “Kaleidoscope” t-shirt this piece inspired: http://bit.ly/zKjQYE For more information regarding Levi The Poet, including lyrics, store, biography, press and calendar schedule, please see the following: Website: http://levithepoet.net Facebook: http://facebook.com/iamlevithepoet Twitter: http://twitter.com/levithepoet iTunes: http://itunes.com/levithepoet For booking inquiries (speaking / performance / etc) please email: booking@levithepoet.net My Monologues EP is also available at http://comeandlive.com for free download. Come&Live! is a community of missionally-minded artists who want to make Jesus famous. You may download my EP for free, pay for it with a tweet or status update, or donate to Levi The Poet (i.e. - my wife and I) financially. (Please note: if you do contribute to our efforts monetarily via Come&Live!, you MUST specify “For Levi The Poet” in the Comments or Questions section of the secure donation form, otherwise your gift will not be put specifically towards this project.) For the honor and the glory of the one for whom and by whom all things exist, Levi
Janey and Jillian are two sweet girls who call each other best friends!!! They may live miles away but they sure do love the friendship they share!!! Friendship is something to be cherished and these two cherish theirs. Thank you girls for allowing me to capture you two!!
I am coming to the end of my pregnancy…and man my body is ready. My hips are starting to hurt more often than not, and well lets just say.. my body is tired!
Pregnancy is for a season, the season is special. We has women experience life growing within, its beautiful. The feeling of a baby moving is amazing! Nothing can compare… but pregnancy is hard too.. it takes a tole on our bodies, or at least mine. But in only weeks I will be holding my precious son and when I see his little face, all the “hard” will seem so little….
I am looking forward to that day!
Thank you Jesus for the gift of life.
A few nights ago… Kelsey came into the living room saying “i did it mom, i did it”… I turned and looked to find that she cut off all her hair cut… awe I was so sad… it was not a happy moment, but as you can see, she is precious, gorgeous eyes and such a sweet face… i love her!!!
The other morning Albuquerque woke up to the streets, trees and houses covered in snow. It was surprise to us all. So I snapped some photos and my girls wanted to to run around.. it didn’t last long once Kelsey fell and her hands his the bitter cold snow.. But for the short time, it was fun!!!
My inspiration!!! Follow me!!!
Sitting at Starbucks… Snow flakes are falling… Waiting to meet a bride and groom interested in having me photograph their wedding. As I sit, I reflect over how far I have come in this business and I am humbled… It’s only by His grace I have learned to use a camera and I have leaned to run a business. I am thankful for my aristic eye… And I realize how much more I need to learn… But I sit, trust and remain faithful in learning how to do this right…. Thankful Jesus gives us talents and dreams… Praying I will reflect Hid glory as I continue to pursue this gift…. Thankful.
This is my little sister.. she married one heck of guy. A man who loves JESUS more than her and that is something that makes Lindsey the most happy. These two aren’t just gorgeous but their hearts are full of joy, love, and gentleness for each other and both desire nothing more but to love JESUS and love each other in every way that best glorifies JESUS. I was blessed to not only stand on Lindsey’s side, but also photograph her day with my lovely friend Katie Lively. This day was amazing. To see where Lindsey was when I first met her to this day.. I can’t even tell you how proud I am and how blessed I have been to walk through this journey. Thank you both for allowing me to be part of your journey and your day. MORE PHOTOS TO COME!
Oh forgive me for being away for so long…
I mean I don’t really know if anyone really reads anything I post but I would like to think so…
Anyways.
So I woke up, not feeling so good… Well it’s been a rough weekend. I was sick with the stomach flu and the stomach pains that came with that, were really painful. I spent Saturday laying down. That evening I was still just laying down while my amazing husband was heating up chicken broth for me and taking care of the twins… When all of a sudden, my chest, back and ribs were swallowed by horrible pain. My chest was crushing and I couldn’t find a position to relieve it. Husband called the doctor right away and our dear friends came to stay with the twins while we headed out into the bitter cold to the ER. After tests and waiting, it turned out to be heartburn. I never had it and the level of pain that that can cause is crazy. The doctor gave me a small white cup with medicine and that relieved the pain in my chest and stomach within seconds. Well we arrived home at almost 2am and headed to bed… After eating a bowl of cereal…
I woke sunday morning feeling great!! I was able to get my house cleaned up and back in order. I felt good!
I did wake up with a slight cold, along with my family.. But this to shall pass.
On this cold Monday morning I have been overwhelmed with plans, goals, changes, vision for my life this year. I spent time writing it all down on paper.. Plans for my family, my home, my business… What does 2012 look like? How can this year be full of more Jesus? Where can we more intentional? Money. House projects. Prepping for the new baby. Twins third birthday. Business plans… So many things. I want to make a plan and end this year well.. End feeling like we honored Jesus well, we accomplished goals, we spent our time intentionally to love Jesus, love each other and love others. I want our finances to be generously given to honor Jesus, saved well to accomplish goals… Used wisely! So I wrote it all out to share with my husband and my hope is we begin to live life to the fullest by being faithful and intentional with our time and finances.
Anyways.. That’s my day so far. So now it’s time to clean up the mornings mess and love my girls!