Sean Vanslyke’s Post

Faith Friday: Embracing the Joy of the Shepherd's Candle As we light the third candle of Advent, known as the Shepherd's Candle or the Candle of Joy, we reflect on the profound joy it represents. This pink candle stands out among the others, symbolizing the joy we find in the middle of our waiting and preparation. "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.'" — Luke 2:10 The Shepherd's Candle invites us to embrace the following aspects of joy: Joy in the Ordinary: The shepherds were ordinary people going about their daily lives when they received the extraordinary news of Christ's birth. This reminds us that joy can be found in everyday moments if we remain open to God's presence. Joy in the Good News: The angel's announcement to the shepherds was a message of great joy for all people. This joy is not dependent on our circumstances but is a gift from God that transcends our trials and tribulations. Joy in Sharing: Just as the shepherds shared the good news with everyone they met, we too are called to spread the joy of Christ with those around us. Our joy multiplies when we share it with others. Reflection Question: How will you spread joy today? Share your thoughts or how you're celebrating this joyful anticipation in the comments below. This week, let's embrace joy not just as a fleeting feeling but as a profound state of being, knowing that joy is a gift from God that transcends our circumstances. #FaithFriday #AdventJoy #ThirdAdventCandle #ShepherdsCandle

KINDNESS OVER BITTERNESS Life can be tough. We face disappointments, misunderstandings, and sometimes outright rejection. But even in the darkest times, kindness is a light that reflects God’s love not just to others but back to ourselves. The Bible encourages us in Ephesians 4:32 to "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." This scripture isn't just a moral obligation; it's a pathway to inner peace. When we choose kindness, especially toward those who may not deserve it, we release ourselves from the heavy chains of bitterness and grudges. It doesn't mean you're weak, it means choosing strength and grace, trusting God to heal the hurts. In your daily life, you may feel like your acts of kindness are insignificant, but remember Galatians 6:9: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." So keep planting those seeds of goodness. God sees your efforts, even when others don’t, and He’s preparing a harvest in due time. For You, Forgiveness can be one of the hardest acts of kindness, but it’s also one of the most freeing thing to do. When you let go of anger and resentment, you're not excusing the wrong. Instead, you're releasing its power over your life. When you’re tempted to hold back kindness because of past hurts or present frustrations, remember that God never withholds His love from us. Each act of kindness you extend is a reflection of Him working in your life. You are stronger, braver, and more influential than you think. Someone out there needs your light so keep shining, even when it feels dim. God sees you, and He’s working through you to touch hearts and heal wounds. Your kindness could be the lifeline someone is silently praying for. Happy weekend. #thepowerofyourwordscanchangetheworld #21daysofimpactwithGloriaAdesina #thoughtleadership

"As we welcome the beautiful month of July, our hearts and minds turn to the themes of grace and gratitude. In the midst of our busy lives, it is essential to pause, reflect, and appreciate the small moments that bring us joy and serenity. This month, we invite you to embrace grace in your daily actions and cultivate a deep sense of gratitude for the blessings in your life." Join us this month as we discuss ways to introduce a little more grace into your day to day and how to cultivate that into gratitude for the various blessings in your life! Link in bio to read more!

📝Sharing your blessings🙏 invites more blessings into your life 🧬... 🎯Some lessons that we can derive from this post are: ➡️Melody Beattie once said, "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend." ➡️Contrary to common knowledge, gratitude is more than just an individual's emotional response that results in making other people feel appreciated. ➡️Actual scientific studies prove the benefits of gratitude that contribute to an individual's character development and overall well-being. ➡️Giving opens the way for receiving. ➡️The fundamental law of human beings is interdependence. We are dependent on each other for various things. ➡️The ripple effect of kindness knows no bounds. ➡️Law of karma is real, you'll reap what you sow ( sooner or later ). 💟 Video Description:- A heart touching oscar winning short film showcase the spiritual law of karma, law of attraction, and a random act of kindness. 💭A young lady gave up her seat for an elderly man to sit, while she stands in multiple hour long travel. It doesn't end there ;) 🥲 Please watch it till the end, you are in for a shocking ending 😲

💃🏾🕺🏽 Midweek Praise Break | Walking In Purpose 👣 | #GodsPrincess 📖 The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:7, that we should live by faith and not by sight. Some translations say, we walk by faith and not by sight. Pastor Mike Jr. said this year, we are walking in purpose. I know I have been walking ON purpose pursuing my destiny in arts & entertainment, which aligns with my purpose AND I have been walking in it... #purpose. 💡 What Does It Mean To Walk In Purpose? 👣 To walk in purpose means to live with intentionality, aligning your actions, decisions, and lifestyle with your deepest passions, values, and calling. It’s about knowing who you are, understanding your unique gifts, and using them to make a positive impact, whether that’s within your community, career, or personal relationships. 🚶🏾♀️🚶🏾♂️ When you walk in purpose, every step feels meaningful because it’s connected to something bigger than yourself. It’s about embracing a sense of direction that motivates you, fuels your drive, and makes challenges worth enduring. Walking in purpose often involves a commitment to growth and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone to fulfill a mission or contribute to the world in a way only you can. 🙏🏾 I pray you will trust Him, start walking in your purpose if hiu have not already and if you are walking in your purpose, #trustGod to bring the destiny helpers, while you are walking. They are coming, keep walking, keep going... move forward toward His promises for you. 🌈 I love ya'll, God loves you best, hug yourself for me. ~Stephanie 💕🦋⭐️ . . #praisebreak #midweek #praiseHim #walkinpurpose #faith #contentcreator #revolt #revoltworld #day3 #dababy #AnointedCreativeDesigns

230/366 The Freedom to Receive Have you ever felt pressured to explain or justify the good things in your life? Maybe you've felt like you need to provide a step-by-step guide on how you achieved something, or justify why you deserve it. But what if I told you that some things in life are simply meant to be received, not earned? There's a beauty in acknowledging that not everything can be explained or understood. Some blessings are too profound, too mysterious, and too gracious to be broken down into simple steps. They're like a sunrise - you can't explain the intricacies of its beauty, but you can bask in its warmth and glory. When we try to explain or justify the good things in our lives, we can miss out on the freedom to simply receive. We can become so focused on proving ourselves worthy that we forget to enjoy the gift itself. But what if we could let go of that need to control and explain? What if we could simply say, "I didn't work for this, but I'm grateful for it"? Embracing the mystery of unmerited blessings can be liberating. It allows us to rest in the knowledge that we're not always in control, but we're always loved and cared for. It reminds us that life is full of surprises, and not everything needs to be understood or justified. So, take a deep breath and let go of the need to explain. Allow yourself to receive the good things in your life with gratitude and humility. Remember, some things are just meant to be enjoyed, not explained. #iAmQueenlaurry #LaurettaIfyOlika #Blessings #Love #Mercy #Grace #Speed #Win #DailyLifeLessons #ProudlyRevCraigsProduct #CityTaker

230/366 The Freedom to Receive Have you ever felt pressured to explain or justify the good things in your life? Maybe you've felt like you need to provide a step-by-step guide on how you achieved something, or justify why you deserve it. But what if I told you that some things in life are simply meant to be received, not earned? There's a beauty in acknowledging that not everything can be explained or understood. Some blessings are too profound, too mysterious, and too gracious to be broken down into simple steps. They're like a sunrise - you can't explain the intricacies of its beauty, but you can bask in its warmth and glory. When we try to explain or justify the good things in our lives, we can miss out on the freedom to simply receive. We can become so focused on proving ourselves worthy that we forget to enjoy the gift itself. But what if we could let go of that need to control and explain? What if we could simply say, "I didn't work for this, but I'm grateful for it"? Embracing the mystery of unmerited blessings can be liberating. It allows us to rest in the knowledge that we're not always in control, but we're always loved and cared for. It reminds us that life is full of surprises, and not everything needs to be understood or justified. So, take a deep breath and let go of the need to explain. Allow yourself to receive the good things in your life with gratitude and humility. Remember, some things are just meant to be enjoyed, not explained. #iAmQueenlaurry #LaurettaIfyOlika #Blessings #Love #Mercy #Grace #Speed #Win #DailyLifeLessons #ProudlyRevCraigsProduct #CityTaker

Today is a great day to set down blame, deserve, and shame. What if we built a society based on love and connection and not separation and survival? What would happen if we accepted that life was sacred and we did absolutely nothing to deserve it? Right now, take a deep breath in…. Notice you did nothing to deserve that breath. Now, take another. Notice you did nothing to deserve that breath. It was just there. On average, a human takes between 17,000 and 30,000 breaths per day—practically everyone unconscious. Deserve has nothing to do with the sacred gift that is life. Blame and deserve are structures of life that leave us orienting from a lack of grace. What if grace was more than just saving? What if real grace were all-encompassing? Where do you block yourself from experiencing grace? Where can you forgive a judgment for yourself and others that keeps you from being the highest version of yourself? How would the world change if the whole world set down this type of judgment and came to their life living and not surviving? Change is an inside gig. It starts with you. If you’re reading this, ask yourself, am I showing up as the ideal version of me? Can you see the fallacy of holding back who you are? There is no reason to block love coming through you. Unblock yourself from experiencing the grace that is your birthright and can only come through you. Watch as everyone around you is then given permission to do the same. Merry Christmas. 🎄and Happy Holidays. Photo by ByBack92

Join me in this Gratitude and Positivity Challenge this week! Here’s how it works: 1. Gratitude Practice: Each day, thank God for the blessings in your life and ignore the things you lack. 2. Faith Declarations: Boldly declare the things you desire as if they’re already yours. 3. Acts of Love: Stay positive and show kindness to someone every day. 4. Testimony Time: By Sunday, share how this challenge impacted your week! Are you ready to take on the challenge? Let’s do this together #thelifeskillspreacher #lifeskills #positivitychallenge

Dear Readers, BELIEVE: Considering to be true or honest; to accept as evidence; to hold an opinion; to accept something as genuine, or real. ——————- The word “believe” is often associated with our religious convictions or persuasions. Beliefs guide our spiritual life, political choices, the way we celebrate holidays, our major life decisions and the attitude about the afterlife, among many other facets. At this time of year we see decorations and signs with this simple word: “Believe.” Whether it is referring to the miracle of Christmas, the magic of Christmas or the feeling of embracing the good of childhood memories, the word is a command, a plea, an inspiration and hope of what might be. We become categorized as “believers” or “non-believers” in many situations, based on whether we feel we have the evidence to convince us that something is real. Beliefs help us experience joy and assist us in dealing with grief. Without any beliefs - we may feel hopeless, lost or blue. Beliefs can change at a moment’s notice, thus the coaxing of the signs we see to “believe.” Beliefs certainly alter our frames-of-mind. Our December cover, painted by Wayne Highlands High School Senior Andy Dickison, ignites the curiosity of cardinals and their association with Christmas, as well as beliefs about our loved ones. Whatever your beliefs are, we are wishing you a month filled with miracles, magic, hope and peace. Much Love, Paula Publisher 1994-Present