Awake O Sleeper

I have some very exciting news!👏

Publishing a Chapbook! I am excited to announce that I will be publishing a chapbook!

🌟 Reflecting on June 🌟

As June comes to a close, I find myself looking back on a month filled with exploration and creativity. ☀️ I have been reading and writing more which has been a wonderful way to grow creatively.

Check out my June warp up newsletter!

JuneWrapUp

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3 Personal Projects

A few months ago, I was reading through the book of 1 Samuel. This story follows Samuel's life but starts with his mother. Hannah's song spoke to me in a powerful way. Her story is that of waiting and meditating, crying and rejoicing. She waits many years for her son, then gives him over to God's service. It is good to be reminded of how God is not far from the broken hearted; he sees those deep longing in our souls. Not only that, there is immesurable comfort for those who draw near to God.

I often find faith and creativity are mixed and intertwined in more ways than one. Please enjoy a poem I wrote about faith...

https://leonacicone.wixsite.com/awake-o-sleeper/post/living-water

Living Water Seek and you shall find ask and the door shall

March Wrap Up 🌷🌼

March Wrap Up Spring time rushes in

My savior
he is kind
one of a kind of person
who felt deaths sting and
entered in
to gates of hell
no fear held him back
my savior
he is gentle
waiting, singing, breathing
moving mountains and
conquering each eternal
and present evil
with peace
a peace that passes all
understanding
my savior
he is love
receiving brutal bruises
and gnashing of teeth
because he does not
want me to suffer
but instead live life a new
my savior
he is risen
Thomas touched his hands
I touch his feet
wiping away tears of joy
for he is alive
he is risen indeed

As Easter approaches, it is important to consider the importance of Jesus and his death and ressurection.

I love this verse because it is so simple.
Can all the answers to life really be so simple?

Yes, it can.

It is the greatest news of all.

I grew up singing hymns and to be honest I didn't always understand the truths that I sang about.

But these tunes and songs move something in my heart each time I hear them. I have grown to love each of these hymns as I understand the truth within their verses.

Do you have a favorite hymn?

This is one of my favorite verses.

I often repeat this to myself as I face moments that feel out of my control, which is often.

Do you have a verse that you use to help encourage you?

Where is my treasure?
Where is my heart?

These things feel fickle and wandering as I contine to grow. As seasons change, I am trying to build habits that will lead my heart to find treasure in the things God desires.

Peace.
Truth.
Love.

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Have you wondered why humans are creative?

I have often be facinated by the fact that across time and space, all humans create and are expressive. Could the reflect something about God's character?

I wrote some of my thoughts in on my blog. You can find the article here: https://leonacicone.wixsite.com/awake-o-sleeper/post/a-creative-god

As Easter is around the corner, I was struck by the promises given to Christians in Revelations. These words are so beautiful to me.

I am looking forward to this season and this celebration as we remember Jesus’ death and resurrection.

For in death, there is life and I now have hope for tomorrow.

As Easter approaches, I am holding on to this truth.

Thinking of the LORD as a shepherd has helped change the way I think about God. A shepherd takes care, he is one who tends to the needs of his flock.

Although he is not always at the side of each and every sheep, he notices when one is missing and leaves the 99 to find the one that is lost.