Those Who Look To The Lord Are Radiant | Psalm 34:5

 

Have some face time with The Lord today!

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. - Psalm 34:5

The Hebrew word Paniym means: Face, Presence, Person. May The Lord cause His face to shine upon you!

May the presence of The Lord continually be with you. May you continually look to The Lord so your face can continue to shine and radiate with His brightness. 

May we look to The Lord, the "lifter of our heads" forever. 

Amen.

- - -

photo credit: Suad Kamardeen

Beauty Unfolding

So I have a question, If GOD comes to visit you is there beauty where you are? 

When GOD sees us, our space and our life there should be beauty there. Our goal should be for GOD to look into us and our lives and see beauty.

The awesome thing about this is that there's a scripture that says GOD gives us beauty for ashes. 

"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." - Isaiah 61-3

I think those ashes that the scripture is talking about are ashes from everything that dies off in the process of us becoming who we really, divinely are. I think it's the part of us that gets singed whenever we go before GOD to submit our lives in worship or prayer daily. Whatever needs to go in the process of our evolution and growth.

So if we seek the presence and will of GOD daily, then we are being renewed daily. I'm realizing It's so important to do this. The dying daily that we do is us surrendering ourselves and our desires to the Lord everyday. Like sheep we intentionally follow GOD's leadership. 

GOD gives us beauty for ashes... so yes, that beauty should be in us, and we have the power to cultivate it around us. We can manifest beauty in our lives, because we can get it from GOD.

I'm reminded of a break-up process that I experienced, that I intentionally chose as my self-awareness grew. That self awareness was more of just an awareness of GOD's love for me, I started to realize what I wanted and what I didn't have to accept.

For everything that needs to burn off us, to process us, GOD gives us beauty. Some people, things, or habits can't go where we're going because of GOD's destiny for our lives.

The divine purpose that's on us wouldn't and won't allow them to stay attached to us, but GOD gives us beauty, we get understanding, we get growth, we get wisdom. 

So let's embrace these things, the more we embrace them, the more we become them, then when GOD looks at us, it can be beautifully reflected.

- April D. Byrd
www.breathoflifedaily.com

Top 5 Health Benefits of Echinacea

What is Echinacea?

Echinacea is a perennial plant native to the American prairie that is now cultivated in gardens over most of the continental United States. It resembles a large pink daisy with a briskly, raised center.

There are two types of Echinacea: Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea. The variety that is said to have the most potent benefits is Echinacea angustifolia. A few health benefits of Echinacea are listed below:

Helps Heal Acne and Skin Conditions
Echinacea is a classic remedy for eczema, acne and boils. Echinacea supports a normal complexion by helping to discourage blemishes and irritation. Other studies found that it helps hydrate the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Good For Immune System
Echinacea is known as an Immune Booster. Echinacea can have a powerful impact on the immune system; over 14 clinical trials have confirmed its ability to encourage good health all year long. Other studies show echinacea to be among the most effective supplements for seasonal wellness.


Works As An Anti-Inflammatory
Because of its clinically demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties, Echinacea has been suggested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, ulcers, Crohn’s disease, and other conditions that are caused or worsened by inflammation. The biologically active compounds in Echinacea work with your body to keep its inflammation response down. This contributes to healing and relief for many inflammation-related issues. If you're a female that has bad cramps during your menstruation period, echinacea may be a good fit for you.

Helps Purify The Blood
Echinacea may improve oxygen levels in the blood. Echinacea increases erythropoietin production in the bone marrow, this, in turn, promotes red blood cell production and increases the capacity of the blood to transport oxygen.

Good for Oral Health
Echinacea has been evaluated in combination with other herbs like sage and lavender and found to reduce bad breath. It's believed this effect is partly due to echinacea's ability to neutralized the harmful organisms that cause bad breath.

Ways to Consume/Prepare Echinacea

Echinacea can be drank as a tea.

1. Heat 8-16 ounces of distilled or filtered water over medium to high heat.
2. Add a mixture of flowers, roots, and leaves.
3. Cover with a lid, reduce the heat, and simmer for about 15 minutes.
4. Strain and enjoy hot or cold!

Add local honey if you would like some flavor.

It can also be used on your skin to help with acne.

Article Resources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23455214

https://www.healthline.com/health/echinacea-tea-benefits

https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/10-impressive-echinacea-benefits-support-health/

Have you tried Echinacea? Tell us your thoughts in the comments and connect with us @BOLDJournal on all social media outlets.

Bloom: The Art of Cultivating Beauty

Beautiful things don’t ask for attention, they catch your attention. It catches it even better when you realize it’s in you. It wants to be cultivated. Are you open to the beauty that’s ready to be seen, that exists to inspire you? Or are you preoccupied with appearances?

If you are always trying to “be”, just take a deep breath and realize that you “are”. Sometimes your blossom may not be in line with the season. You may be in a state of rest or in a process, but you’re still a life force. Don’t curse your process. Embrace it.

Prepare your garden with excellence, so you can fully enjoy the brilliance.

Life is consistent learning, you learn, and you grow. If you’re not growing you’re stagnant and killing yourself faster.

Cultivate the beauty that you truly want to see.

Watch The Short Film BLOOM Here.

Why We Love... Solange's Wedding Fro!

by: April D. Byrd

I don't know Solange personally so I'm not on a big kick of how stylish the wedding was or who was there. However, I think it's phenomenal that she chose to rock her natural hair in an afro. Congratulations to her and Alan Ferguson on their recent wedding that "broke the internet". It's good to have some pure, decent, good news floating around. It was refreshing to see Solange rocking her natural hair and vows made under God are always a good look for pop culture.

Solange was classy at her wedding indeed! We're rejoicing with her and wishing her all the best this time around.  Can we talk about that fabulous fro now?! That baby was a game changer! Solange's wedding is blowing up social media for being stylish and unique, but the fro itself is worth the buzz! when was the last time you saw a sista' or anyone rock a beautiful fro to their wedding?

Congrats to that beautiful fro!  It's not often that we see women rocking their natural fro to their big day. The natural movement has had a lot of glory thanks in part to Solange being an advocate. Her wedding fro was definitely a positive statement. Be yourself, be comfortable in your own skin...and hair.

We've been lauding Solange's transition ever since she started her natural journey and she has always made a statement with it. She's continually given others the confidence to love our natural texture. I consider that going bare for the right reasons. It's rare not to see a lot of make-up, gloss and glam at weddings.  Consider this blog a toast to Solange's vows before God, to her fabulous hair, and embracing natural beauty in a society that exploits photo shop, cosmetic surgery, and fictionalized beauty ideals!! Salud!!

Kudos to Solange for rocking her natural fro... oh yeah... congrats on the wedding too!

Beautiful wedding fro, you're the real MVP!!

Ladies, Gentleman would you rock your natural fro to your big day? How simple would you go? Leave your thoughts/comments below on Solange's wedding day fro? and Join in on the conversation with BOLDJournal on Twitter!!