The Redeemed

By: Anna Bryant      Emotions are humans blessing and curse.  The heart is one of the most fragile pieces of this world.  Your mind try's to grasp what exactly your emotions are,  Are they happy?  Are sad?  What are they?  People think they have their own emotions figured out.  Do they?  Broken hearts mend through time and friends.  Friends that keep you close.  Emotions are confusing, but I think it is a way Christ molds into more like him.  Are emotions real? Can they be trusted?  What is the purpose for them?  Emotions equal questions,  Questions equal searching,  Searching equal understanding,  Understanding shows us purpose,  And purpose proves God.  Emotions can be painful but through them you gain understanding.  I really don't know the answer "are emotions good for us?" but I am searching.    

Written by: Anna Bryant In memory of James Owens You were there. With your deep, dark eyes looking into my small form. Your hands, used to hard work, touching my spirit Who knew I would be so much like you?!   You watched me when I toddled around the room gazing for adventure. Watching as I learned to pick myself up, teaching me. Scolding me with a rough tone while I fell into fits of giggles when you pretended to be grumpy. I saw your heart, your love, your spirit.   You were always there for each performance no matter what my role was. I learned to expect you there. I eagerly awaited the hug that always followed at the end of a performance. I loved how your face lit up when it found mine.   I'm not sure when it happened but you always amazed me. You became my hero. I wanted to work with wood because you did it. I wanted to learn about cars because of you.   Now you’re gone. And I now have broken pieces of my heart that ache after you. I can't run into those strong ...

Remember your words have power to build up or destroy, speak truth in love  By: Anna Bryant I watch you smile with another's blood dripping from your fangs. You push and shove to get your way, leaving destruction as a trail behind you.  Do you not care about the dreams you've crushed? The hearts you've broken? The searing pain you've slit in others passions by speaking filthy lies.  A heart has been turned to stone by your loathing words.  You carry the blame of what you stole.  You will be tried,                 And found guilty with her blood on your hands.  May God be your judge! Lord God help the broken and shattered spirit. Bind up the broken shards. Use this pain. Transform the broken wing into one filled with serving strength. Give courage to fly again. May we all be filled and shine your glory! All power to you Lord!

"I will build you up again, and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful." Jeremiah 31:4 To be built up again, one must be torn down at least once. When anyone is rebuilding a house, they have to make sure all damaged debris is pulled away before rebuilding. Just as a house,  when someone hurts us we must be allowed to rid our self of the debris of that damage. we can't hold onto the broken piece or it grows in bitterness, which will rot out the new structure we try to build. Everyone has been hurt at some point in their lives. The pain can be deep, sharp, and feel as though it may never be healed. We must let go the of the splintered shards of insults, broken trust, or unhealthy expectation. The splinters are getting under your fingernails, not the one who inflicted the pain, it can damage your life. When you are hurting you feel helpless, like you can't help anyone else, but it...

"1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the Lord , "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."" Psalm 91:1-2 We must dwell, live our life, not just pit stop our lives in him. Just as a small child realizes a shadow of a parent and attempts to stay in it until the sun fades to the darkness of life.  We must also walk entrusting our lives to God's tender care. Just because I used the word tender, does not mean it is easy. Love is not always a gushy feeling, it is a word of correction, a disciplining hand, or a open heart.  You must bind yourself to the truth of God's love for you. Give him the chance to change your life. Giving you the grace of a fresh start! Fly with Christ!

Written By: Anna Bryant The ink of my pen touches the the page as the people touch my heart.  Some stab, others grace the page.  The color mix,                                 grow,                                              and change.  Blending creating an entirely new color.  The colors stir the pools of emotions in my soul.  Creating new life,                               new hopes,                                             new dreams.  Now for the bigger challenge,          To believe there is a stain in me...

 " 5  There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. 6  God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.    7  A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 8  To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice*; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. " 1 Corinthians 12:5-8 We are all different, so all of our worship is going to look a little different from each other. We are given a precious gift of using our talents to glorify God. Some through art, others through music, and still others that create through the storytelling of theater. Life your life in truth. No matter how you worship, do it with your whole heart. I challenge you, hold nothing back!  P.s. I would love for you to comment and share how you worship!

 " 33  I have said these things to you, that  in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have  tribulation. But  take heart; I have overcome the world.”" John 16:33 Peace... He found it so important to tell us what we needed to hear to be given peace. Life is full of moments we all wish we could escape. One filled with heartbreak, loss, rejection. But He gives us the answer. He has overcome the world. All of this He has the power to overcome. He gives us the strength to be overcomers just like Him. Peace has been given as a gift but you must be willing to accept it. Having peace takes action. Surrender to a God that is in love with you. His way isn't always easy but it beautiful and rewarding. Take action, surrender to the Prince of Peace!

 "12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you."                           John 13:12-15           The washing of someone's feet was the task of servant, not a teacher. Jesus said no more, that whether you are servant or master you are both call to serve.  We are teachers for some and students or servants of others, but what is truly important is our ownership of being children of God.      It is good to have titles ...

"32 Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept."                               John 11:32-35      I have myself thought, If you where here God this wouldn't hurt or How could you let so many die? In this passage was Mary, Lazarus' sister. The one who just a chapter before had been at the feet of Jesus devouring the words of the Lord, leaving Martha in the kitchen.      Life can shake us up. Questioning what you believe doesn't mean you don't have faith,...

Written by: Anna Bryant In memory of the friends and family who have run their race.   I thought this was over yet the tears fall again.  I thought I was better, and here I am again with my shattered heart in my hands. Slivers under my finger nails.  Tears once more mark my face with pain and loss.  The wet blanket of pain covers me in a moment. Suffocating me.  My body surges for the touch of those dead and gone. The memory of there cold forms torment my mind. Buried deep in the ground. Alone. Gone is the warmth of their smiles, except in the fading memories.  How could one forget their faces, their laughs, their touch.  But time will pass and our minds will age, leaving our loved ones to rest.  We will see some of them again when our time comes to cross from this world to the next.  When we escape the pains of death, to be released into the arms of the Savior and see the faces...

"  26  “So have no fear of them,  for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.   27  What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on  the housetops.   28  And  do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him  who can destroy both soul and body in hell. " Matthew 10:26-28 Have no fear. this is a statement not a request. Life is too short to fearfully walk through life afraid of what people think of our decisions  when we are letting God lead us. Walk with courage and entrust you life to God. He has great adventures in store for you, don't let fear rob you of the joy  the Lord has for you in each day! Speak the Lod's promises to those around you and watch Him work!

Written By: Anna Bryant The rush of your presence fills my soul. You've taken my brokenness and use it as glass, reflecting your light for those with eyes to see.  You saw who I was before I did. You took me to your side and taught me.  You taught me to see more than my circumstances.  But instead to see, dream, and believe.   

"5 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.     Before you were born I set you apart     and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” 6 “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” 7 The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. 8 And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” 9 Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, “Look, I have put my words in your mouth!"" Jeremiah 1:5-9 The Lord is calling to you. Listen. It might be to speak, to go to another country, or even to stay right where you are. Even if you think you aren't equipped, rest in the peace that God will equip your hand for His glory. Be still, listen, and rest in peace.  

 "14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." Romans 9:14-17 If we are children and heirs to God then why are we afraid? An heir is precious to a king, the continuing of a bloodline, a part of Him.       Our King and father paid a great price for us, His children, and He paid it in Love by choosing life to be given for us. To give life to our bones which were sealed in death until Christ's blood broke the seal bringing us access to God.  The debt was paid,              You're Worth It! 

Written by: Anna Bryant Pieces seem to fit together for the first time in what seems like ages. Forming your thoughts to a new idea.  It is a dance, the artist has worked on restlessly to find balance to release the soul in expression. A smile, the one you get the first time you achieve the dance in balance.  A frozen moment.  All the hours of work fade away. All You feel  is the surge of amazement. You hold that moment,  remembering the rush,                                          savoring it.  Tears of joy fill up and out, spilling over onto a page,             smearing the freshly recorded ink. A new day has begun, changing what you have known to be life's dance before. Bringing with it new steps to your rhythm,      a new tempo,                     ...

"33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. " Matthew 6:33-34 Put your focus on God of heaven and trust him. Receive the peace of the Lord which he pours out freely for you. Take your life day by day letting God fill you up with each new sunrise. Walk in grace!  The sunrise is coming,                 Cling to the promised of God!

"24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beatingthe air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Let us rejoice in this season of our race, pushing forward knowing the One who won the race already making it possible for us to run. He does not give up on us but encourages and equips us to keep going. Run Hard!