There is so much talk and too much thinking; together they remove wisdom.

"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine...let it shine...let it shine..let it shine."

I just had a conversation that compels me now to throw this out to you who live with faith in God.

Know from whom that light comes. There is so much talk of personal light, enlightenment, the power of positive thought being equal to or greater than prayer, inner power, collective thinking, making your own destiny, etc. I need to point out that the definition of destiny doesn't allow room for saying you can make your own. As well, all of this thinking more often creates confusion and inner conflict over enlightenment. Seek wisdom instead. Some will say I'm arguing semantics. I say to you - please seek the one who offers the way, the truth, and the life. And please shine your light, share your love, give of yourself and the gifts God gave you - and glory be to God - not to us.


©Ronda Rae Franklin                                                                                      
Photograph: unknown

Leave fear behind

I don't think it matters how many roads you travel. You could travel one thousand roads in a year, but gain no wisdom because your eyes were closed. 

The real test of spirit comes from choosing to walk the roads placed before you with eyes wide open, head up, looking forward, and leaving fear behind. 

Real growth happens when you choose to walk forward into the unknown and ask wisdom to walk with you.

The Poem

A poem was written to me on September 30, 2009. I responded to that poem by adding two lines of poetry after every two lines he first wrote to me. When this was written we had never been close enough to even touch. I was in the midst of writing my book when this love was placed in my life - and this love became my everything. It became a breaking point that still remains. It became, before I realized it, Broken to Grace. This is that poem - with only his name changed to what it is in the book. I have been searching for this poem for over a year - as I needed it to be in the book. After many months of wondering how I could lose this, I found it just an hour ago in some old mail. I have never known a love like this, nor do I ever need to again. It will never leave me, because it is a gift from God

Frenetic energy vigorous debate

Calmed assurance soft and sedate

Passionate hearts bleed passionate talk

lead to reverent silence as with God we walk

Passionate discussions involved and drawn in

Fully connected without pretense or sin

Unencumbered, unveiled, and unleashed without fear

Sharing the depths of our souls as we draw ever more near

Indescribably filling my heart

With each phone call we start

My darling, I love you, there is so much to say

My Matthew, I need you in the most innate ways

You’re so beautiful so soft and so sensual

Strands of gold curves incomprehensible

Your hands, your lips, every muscle, your shining dark skin

I feel that I've felt you again and again

Voice, tones of sweetness, speak in my ear

Visions of love, laughter for years

Deep and tender words speak straight to my heart

My longing deepens nightly as we are apart

Where are we going what does this mean

What is the plan and when is it seen

What is this journey, neither of us know

Because God leads, it is there we will go

Don’t really know, now I believe

I cherish each moment I’m blessed to receive

Straight ahead without worry, courage in its place

I long to be engulfed by your strong, passionate embrace

I am breathless, my heart beats, muscles flex

Endorphins rush...

Love filled passion; passion filled with love

How ever did I not know you were coming, my gift from above.

Love you baby

and I love you

Matthew

Ronda

...Of Life and Love...

The river of life and love is roaring and peaceful; rocky and smooth; murky and clear; warm and cold. Its brazen power will carry you away, and its subtleties will leave you searching and longing for the slightest engagement.

Flow with it, embrace every movement, welcome each surprise, and explore the mysterious twists. Don’t allow the unassailable waterfalls to create inner adversity – some things weren’t meant for your conquering.
Allow yourself to experience the seemingly fearful in order to increase your level of trust, and more deeply enjoy the serene pools that also await you.

Realize the river isn’t yours alone. You are a mere sliver of water – insignificant yet grand in your own way. Even your slightest of maneuvers creates a ripple effect that travels beyond the bounds of your sight or imagination. Everything you do matters more than you can possibly recognize; just one of the many reasons to treat others as you yourself would like to be treated. 

–Ronda Rae Franklin

Photograph and art work: Kori Lynn Photography

Open Your Arms and Welcome Life

How often do you not act, and later you wish you would have?The next time you are faced with a situation where you'd really like to open yourself up, but then find yourself fighting internally against your pride or shyness - remind yourself you will never be in that exact position again. It really is now or never - with everything, everyday, every moment. Give all of you all the time. No regrets. This doesn’t give you permission to act out foolishly; this gives you permission to offer the best of yourself all of the time. 

–Ronda Rae Franklin

Photograph by R.R. Franklin

Taken in Sayulita, Nayarit

Open Your Arms and Welcome Life

At the foot of the Cross~

Pride is the number one cause of death to love and friendship. Lay down your pride at the foot of the cross, so you can lay down your life and your "self" before a loved one. It is only then that you fully live; it is then that your life sparks the spirit within another. 

-Ronda Rae Franklin

Photographer unknown: altered by R. Franklin

God's Whisper of Wisdom

The next time you find yourself confused, stop thinking and remind your heart that God is not a God of confusion - that's Satan's job. Stop thinking and listen to the voice that lives in your heart - God's whisper of wisdom will wash away your confusion and shine an unmistakable light upon the truth that was always there. 

-Ronda Rae Franklin

Photograph by Ronda Rae Franklin

Sunset off the coast of Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico

Fear is not an option worthy of acknowledgement ~ Give way to love instead..

"Love is an unspoken but booming voice; it is a whisper that is ever so clear; it is a never ending yet single moment, and it is a tear that is always wiped dry. 

Love, like joy, is an inner smile no matter your external surroundings or momentary circumstance. It is peaceful and gentle, bestowing grace and forgiveness even when it rages with the passion of the grandest waterfall. 

Love is the highest power in this world as it is your greatest gift from God. Do not fain love, do not turn from it, do not abuse it, do not fear it - and exercise it only for the power it was intended to harvest."~Ronda Rae Franklin

 

Photographer: unknown

The Constant of Truth

The truth that once wasn't, but now is, really always was.

When you recognize something as truth, but time alters it in your eyes, that doesn't remove truth. Time does not change truth, but serves to move us into a different place. And in different places things appear and feel changed, but truth remains unmoved. 


Look for the one who shines true light, for His truth is always constant. 

-Ronda Rae Franklin

Photograph by R. Franklin

Sayulita, Nayarit

When Lightening Strikes...

When lightening strikes in the direction you're heading you can either see it as a sign to turn away or as a lighting of your path.

You feel the lightening in your gut, deep down in your soul. Your heart understands what it's telling you. You have but one decision.

You can follow the lightening that strikes your heart and soul, or you can pull back in fear of its power. Beware of the fear; it's your own heart you're afraid of. -Ronda Rae Franklin

Photograph by Rachel Whitney Bradley

Location: Fidalgo Island, Anacortes, WA.

of Ronda Rae Franklin

Rest ~ the fresh trail of tomorrow awaits a refreshed you.

"As you lay your head down at the end of this days journey, remind yourself that it is a journey you are on. You need this time to rest. It does no good now to ponder what you wish you would've accomplished in the time that is behind you, or give worry to tomorrows trail. Let go and give way to rest, so your journey can begin anew as if no time has passed. 

As you lay your head down at the end of this life's journey, remind yourself it is a journey you are on. It's time for you to rest. It does no good now to ponder what you wish you would've accomplished in the time that is behind you, or give worry to the trail that now awaits you. Let go and give way to rest, so your new journey can begin as if no time has passed." 

-Ronda Rae Franklin

Photograph taken by J. Clark

in Steheken, Washington

"Broken to Grace" - Living in the grace of God

Living in the grace of God..."In my eyes, this is the most precious and merciful place of faith to enter into and live. It is where peace is understood. It is where love, Godly love, is second nature - or rather first nature. It is where we accept who we are in God, and let go of who we think we need to be to earn our place with Him. It is where we know in our soul that we are with Him always. And it is that understanding that brings us to the place of peace so deep within ourselves that it is not easily conveyed through words, if at all. Explanation is no longer a necessity. His will surrounds us and binds us in His love, mercy and grace." 

~Ronda Rae Franklin,

Broken to Grace

Photograph by Rachel Whitney