Jason Versey

Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle. Darkness befalls us all. There is simply no escaping that truth but rather than dwell in that dark place light your candle of faith, hold fast to it and let that light lead you home.

In our moments in the sun beware of casting dark shadows.

The rhythm of the heart...beats twice. Thump, thump. Once, first for itself and then once again for the rest of the body. It's a true metaphor for us. Like the heart we must pump life giving love and care for ourselves first, before extending that gift out to others. The heartbeat of every worthwhile relationship begins with a healthy, humble understanding and appreciation of our own personal self worth. When we do this the power to truly love and appreciate others pulsates fluidly and freely into all those we warmly choose to share our lives with.

Recognize your failures when they happen but don__ dwell on them. Instead, focus on the successes you have had in your life. If you__e done it once, you can do it again. Build on that. Letting thoughts of past failures creep into your mindset are nothing but dream killing distractions.

Success doesn__ happen overnight and neither does failure. Both are byproducts of personal choices and conscious decisions we make on a daily basis. The truth is_when it comes to our relationships, our occupations and spiritual lives, we alone determine whether we fail or succeed by what we repeatedly do.

What's knocking on your door...opportunities to succeed or opportunities to fail? Times may get tough, life may not be fair, but never allow fleeting disappointments to corrupt your attitude and your plans for the future. Self-pity is a destructive force that will eat away at every opportunity for success. If your determination to succeed is where it needs to be...failure never makes it to your doorstep. ~Jason Versey

That is the beauty of reading a meaningful quote. Just as it is with the spirit of our hearts, sometimes we must feed the doves in order to hear them sing.

There are things you should never give up on like your convictions and ambitions but most importantly_you should never give up on you. Keep making those sacrifices, keep running that race, keep advancing beyond your struggles to your eventual goal. You will deeply value your triumphs, if they__e not handed to you. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is worth having or attaining without labor and toil. So when you__e in your darkest hour and the road seems endless, no matter what, never ever give up on you_because only you will see you through. ~Jason Versey

Losing something or someone you love hurts. I don__ understand, fully, why having to say goodbye wounds us so deeply but I do know that loss is part of God__ plan. On this side of heaven nothing is permanent. He gives and takes away. What we do in between that time of His giving and His taking is where you__l find His blessings. Be thankful for the gift that was given_no matter how short. Be thankful.

Are we bombs or balms? Let__ face it. Any time of year can bring happiness or hardships. Financial stress, marital/relational strife, and extended family dysfunction can all be compounding pressures that can make our tempers react and explode like a bomb. When we respond in this fashion it dramatically intensifies these already difficult situations and creates massive emotional destruction with the collateral damage always being the ones we say we love. It destroys, maims, and kills our relationships. Blowing up is often a selfish, immature response to our stresses and should always be avoided. James 1:19-20 says __y dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires._ Therefore, instead I encourage us all to be more like balms. A balm is like a gentle word that protects and soothes an already irritated situation with understanding and forgiveness. It provides relief and healing when applied generously. When we lay ourselves down like a balm of love we give our families a tender calming cover from the worries of this world and that__ the greatest gift we can offer them_anytime of the year. ~Jason Versey

You are much more than your mistakes, much bigger than your failures and much more beautiful than your ugliest moment. The stumbles we experience in life may shame us or humble us with valuable tough lessons but they will never define who we truly are. No matter your mistake_it__ important to remember that You are someone__ light in the darkness; a beacon of love and hope and that should ALWAYS supersede the superficial imperfections we erroneously internalize. ~Jason Versey

When you maintain bitterness and contempt towards someone, you__e actually binding yourself to them. You__e given them a foothold in your life with an emotional connection that is stronger than any prison cell. It__ a jail sentence of solitary anger and animosity. Forgiveness is the ONLY thing that breaks that emotional bond. It__ the key that sets you free. ~Jason Versey

Beloved,it's impossible to sprint into the providential arms of what is ahead...if we continue to trip on what is behind.

It's impossible to sprint into the providential arms of what is ahead...if we continue to trip on what is behind.

Oh, I was but a wounded BeastOh, I was but a wounded BeastTeeth gnashing from a brutal feastWolfing down with others; consuming every biteEating every poison laid before my sightI dined upon Iniquity__ endless shelfBlindly feeding, greedily_on myselfOh, I was but a wounded BeastExpiring with every taste of yeastBelly puffed and sour with deathA haunting shutter with every breathFull of nothing but vanityDipped in pleasure and tragedy Oh, I was but a wounded BeastAs the West is far from the EastI charted the lust of mine own eyesThus, in my folly_I was sure to dieMy soul knew nothing of sacrificeInstead I danced with every viceOh, I was but a wounded BeastYou found me broken and utterly fleecedNaked, abandoned and truly aloneYou nurtured the wounds to which you sewnYou gave me bread, You sang me a songAnd touched my wounds with a loving balm Oh, I was but a wounded BeastYet, You taught me wisdom__ leashSo I walk with you_dawn through nightQuenched by your fount of love and lightNo darkness, no hate not a selfish boneCan feed this fiend that You__e atonedOh, I was, but a wounded Beast! ~Jason Neville Versey

Beloved, it's impossible to sprint into the providential arms of what is ahead...if we continue to trip on what is behind.

A dove will never nest in a burning tree, nor will love ever reside in unforgiving heart.

A dove will never be found in a burning tree and love will never be found in a heart that won't forgive.