Introducing Writings of a Beholder šæ
a weekly letter for those longing to slow down, seek still moments, and behold Godās presence with them in the everyday.
Happy Friday, my friend š
Before we get into our typical weekly weekend content, I have something I need to share with you!
If you havenāt noticed, the weekly newsletter got a bit of a glow-up! Before you panic and wonder what in the world is going on, let me explain whatās new and whatās not.
whatās new
I decided to recently switch to a newsletter publishing platform called Substack. A lot of writers I know are making the switch and thatās because Substack allows the reader and the writer to interact on a more personal level.
It sort of operates like social media, where you can like, comment, and dialogue with the author and readers of each newsletter. With each weekly newsletter that you receive from me, you have the option to like the letter or even drop a comment so you and I, and others who are reading along, can engage in conversation.
Substack also archives every newsletter, so if you have some favorites, you can go back and read them! Itās kind of like a blog only for your newsletter.
Iāve also decided to give the newsletter a new name. Instead of labeling it as āEncouragement for your weekendā, as Iāve been referring to it for quite some time, it will now be known as Writings of a Beholder; a weekly letter for those longing to slow down, seek still moments, and behold Godās presence with them in the everyday.
The name came to me pretty quickly, because what I love most about having you here is that I get to share all of my beholding moments with you; all the ways in which the Lord is growing, teaching, and leading me, and how Iām noticing His presence with me along this crazy, beautiful journey called life.
Now, with Substack, I get the opportunity to hear from you, too, and all the ways in which God is moving and speaking in your life and that makes this writerās heart very happy.
whatās remaining the same
The content that you receive from me is going to be very similar, if not exactly the same, content you were receiving before I switched to Substack. Each week you can expect:
a weekly letter every Friday that includes an encouraging word, a breath prayer, and some fun resources to kickstart your weekend
an email on (most) Tuesdays notifying you that thereās a new post up on the blog
any and all updates regarding my Etsy shop, The Beholding Co.
Phew! Now that weāve covered all of that, letās get into our regularly scheduled beholding content š
Weekly writings of a beholder šæ
I had my first live Zoom session for my Abide class last Friday, where Iāll be working toward a certificate in spiritual formation for the next 10 months. I was both anxious and excited because I had no idea what to expect.
It ended up being abundantly more than I expected, in the very best way.
The program is called āAbideā because spiritual formation ā the journey of becoming more like Jesus ā really isnāt possible unless weāre walking in close relationship with Him.
Ā āI am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.ā - John 15:5
One of my Abide professors defined spiritual formation in such a beautiful way by saying, āSpiritual formation is the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer in the context of a relationship of intimacy and trust with God the Father as we are formed into the image of His Son, Jesus.ā
This invitation to āabideā, to walk in intimate relationship with the Spirit, is one marked by grace, rest, and joy as we show up, trust, and surrender to His work within us.
There isnāt an expectation to strive, to work for our worth, or to prove that we are worthy of Godās love.
Thereās just resting, abiding, and dwelling in the Spirit as we open our hearts and hands to be formed by Him; as we choose to receive the gift of His everlasting, unconditional love.
Thereās beauty and healing in returning to that truth, in returning to Him. Because as we return, we turn from striving and come home to Love.
May you rest in this reminder today, friend, and walk into your weekend remembering that you are Beloved simply because you are His, and no amount of anything could ever change that.
Rest. Abide. Dwell. Be.
Iām excited to share more with you as I learn and grow and stretch in this class alongside others who want to abide and behold more of Jesus. So, thanks for being here, and thanks for always allowing me to share with you what the Lord is revealing to me in each season of life.
Iām grateful for you šæ
A breath prayer for your weekend
breathe in: Teach me, Abba. breathe out: To Abide in You.
*if youād like to learn more about the practice of breath prayer, check out a blog post I wrote titled, How to Use Breath Prayer.
Resources & fun things to pick up
This week on the blog, I continued the conversation regarding spiritual minimalism and shared two rhythms you can use to pinpoint distractions, or excess baggage that youāre carrying but donāt need, in your soul and in your life: The Enemy of Distraction & How to Name It
Grab some helpful, beholding resources over on my Etsy shop, The Beholding Co. Available right now are some breath prayer cards, a spiral-bound journal, and a Lectio Divina Bible bookmark.
Iāve added some new books to my book list over on my blog! I just recently finished The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand and itās the perfect end-of-summer read! Among my list, youāll find fiction, non-fiction, guided journal recommendations, Bible studies, spiritual formation books, books for creatives, and books to grow in your relationship with God.
Grab a copy of my Bible study, You Are Beloved: a 21-day study on how to root your identity in the love of God, over on Amazon.
An invitation to pause & reflect
A regular practice of reflection helps us recognize whatās going on beneath the surface of our souls so that we can name it in the Lordās presence. Because as we learn to name what we feel, what we need, and what we long for, weāre also learning to discern the Spiritās sweet, gentle voice within our hearts and lives.
Take a few moments today or this weekend to journal or contemplate with the Holy Spirit the following question:
What is the current state of my soul?
xo,
celia
Introducing Writings of a Beholder šæ
This is exciting !