Category: Faith

po·et·ry…

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Today..
I encourage you
to bravely,
peel back,
each layer,
revealing
the deep roots
of secrets that
have been gracefully
hidden.

In this place,
is where YOU have
remained concealed
beneath the pain
of your untold stories.

Surrender…

and allow
Gods love
and grace
to heal this
sacred space
in which you’ve
kept sealed.

– denise marie

Writing Poetry is truly one of my passions, it feels amazing to release words that at times have been hidden beneath insecurities, allowing my creativity to flow, sure does bring me joy.

Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved writing, reading and listening to poetry. It was a common occurrence to see me with a pen and pad of paper jotting down my thoughts and eagerly reading them to my Mom. Looking through boxes in the storage closet, it’s fun to find journals filled with poems I’ve written as a child or teen. Recently I was looking through my yearbooks from high school and to my surprise (1987 was a long time ago.. lol! I had forgotten about this) I saw a poem I had written my Senior year in the yearbook.

Maya Angelou is one of my favorite’s, I have several of her books. This portrait of her, sits near my keyboard.

Maya Angelou has always been an inspiration and I hope to one day publish my own book of poetry.

“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36

What would YOU say to your younger self?

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What I would say to my younger self…

You have the gift to

powerfully shine light

on darkness,

to set captives free

by the stroke of your

own pen.

– denise marie

No matter the circumstances of your past or what you may be currently facing, God says that he is able to use your gifts, your voice, your words, your life….to encourage others and give them hope.

I want to encourage YOU to show up in whatever space you are in and be your true authentic self, allowing your presence to make a difference in this world!

“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36

Words of love…

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I am learning that it is ok to take a deep breath,
and then slowly exhale as I gently smile at the
woman that I’m looking at in the mirror.

I’m encouraging her with words of love,
self acceptance and much grace.

– denise marie

The beauty of a sunset…

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A few years ago, I was standing here watching the sunset.

I could hardly contain the flood of emotions that took over me.

I felt so small in its presence, the vastness of the evening sky and the depths of the Pacific Northwest Sound had me honoring the Creator of such astounding beauty.

As I stood there, I was surrounded in peace, and immersed completely in Gods love.

– denise marie

“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36

My prayer today…

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For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The beauty of….a sunset.

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I captured a beautiful Sunset with my daughter while in Seattle, Washington.

I cherish the surreal vastness of the sunset in all its shades of oranges and reds alongside blues with yellows. I give thanks and honor every lesson that my day brought me. I forgive those who tried to make me feel small and I forgive myself for allowing disappointment or unrealistic expectations to rule over my peace of mind. I choose to acknowledge my hurt, process my feelings and forgive.

I welcome the darkness of the night sky as I find rest and replenish my body, knowing that in the morning I will be greeted by the light of day.

– denise marie

“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36

in awe…of beauty

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I captured this beautiful picture in Lake Tahoe.

I am in awe of the glorious sunrise as it casts its golden hue across the morning sky. As I look around, I see the beauty around me and embrace the gift of life.

I choose to live my life fully and contently as I continue to grow, learn, love and honor its sacredness.

– denise marie

“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36

#nolongerheldcaptive

Your presence matters…

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liberation…the act of setting free

YOU matter….

Even when you feel like no one notices or cares. Your presence on this Earth is important…your voice, your opinion, your ideas, your disappointments, your shortcomings, your accomplishments, your defeats, your best qualities and your worst character defects, your talents, your stories, your laughter, your hugs, your smile. Every aspect of YOU, is a gift to this world. You are valued, cherished and needed.

And even when it doesn’t always feel like it…

I encourage you to grab on and hold tight to this truth…YOU are loved…overwhelmingly loved, undeniably loved, forever loved.💗

~ denise marie

“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36

I am her…

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“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”.
– John 8:36

There was a time, that I didn’t identify with the one who stared at me daily in the mirror.

Sometimes I didn’t like her, other times I felt like I didn’t really know her and many times didn’t understand her. She found herself lost between living to please others and resenting her continued self-sacrifice, even at the cost of her well being.

Ultimately betraying herself.

Numerous times she tried to free her true self, but found it difficult to come out from under the deep despair of childhood trauma and shame.

Today, she realizes it’s ok to choose Her.

She now, carefully cradles her heart, whispering powerful words of truth dripped in non-judgmental love and grace.

She is no longer hidden beneath the layers of trauma, she is emerging, growing and nurturing each space within the weight of her being.

She no longer identifies as an outsider, but acknowledges Her name.

The name her Mother, lovingly graced her with in 1969.

Her name is Denise Marie and I am her.

my Saviors grace…

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What does it take to be free from

the theatrical soliloquies

of carefully pre-selected words which

fall so gracefully on the ears of

those who hunger for his presence,

yet stand at the threshold and leave empty.

Stripped away from all the “wow’s” of the crowd,

to simply being in his presence.

Seeking him as I bare it all,

before the throne of my Savior’s grace,

there is where you will find me.

~ denise marie

“So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. – John 8:36

#nolongerheldcaptive