The Lord is My Shepherd

It’s hard to know what to say sometimes.

When the world is loud and there are people who hurt and there is so much you want to do and there are circumstances that are beyond your control... in the midst of a global pandemic and an a divisive election and massive injustices... and when despite all of that, there is laundry to do and a baby to feed and bills to pay and a marriage to tend to... it can just be hard to find the right words.

We are all going through so much. There is so much noise and chaos. Much of it needs our attention. Some of it, of course, does not. All of it can become pretty overwhelming pretty quickly.

I was reminded this morning that there is a God who offers peace in the midst of life’s overwhelm. A God who calls us to rest. A God who walks before us and who restores our soul and comforts us shelters us and blesses us.

Psalm 23 is just 6 verses long. It says, “The Lord is shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

That’s what I’m meditating on today.

Speak Out With Stewy

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I recently had the honor of being interviewed by Lory “Stewy” Stewart, who has been working hard to create a thought-provoking web series about speaking up and speaking out to create cultural identity awareness and sensitivity.

If you’re interested at all in listening to me share parts of my story, the challenges I’ve faced, and the ways the Lord has guided me through it all, feel free to click these link and sit with us for a while!

Reagan Edwards Part 1 of 2. Trigger Warnings: Suicide, Sexual Abuse, Rape Go to www.SpeakOutWithStewy.com to read Reagan's Bio. Go to www.3418Ministries.com ...

Reagan Edwards Part 2. Trigger Warnings: Suicide, Sexual Abuse, Rape Go to www.SpeakOutWithStewy.com to read Reagan's Bio. Go to www.3418Ministries.com to co...

My hope and prayer is that those who hear my story in particular would hear that there is hope in the midst of all pain, there is beauty in brokenness, and the traumas we survive can be a tool used to help others heal.

Be blessed! And bookmark SpeakOutWithStewy.com to keep up with each new episode that drops!

Independence & Isaiah 61

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This weekend, the weekend that Americans celebrate independence, liberty, and freedom, is a great time to reflect on the liberties we have and identify those who are still living in captivity of some sort.

What can be done about those who are still held captive? Those who cannot celebrate their independence? Those who are literally imprisoned and incarcerated, or those who are held captive by systemic injustices, or those who are held captive by their unhealed trauma?

I am often reminded of the beginning of Isaiah 61 and resonate so deeply with the anointing and calling Isaiah outlines. I’d like to think I’ve received a similar anointing by God, and am on a mission to do these same things.

Here’s what Isaiah opens up with in chapter 61:

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me

  • to bring good news to the poor

  • to bind up the brokenhearted

  • to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound

  • to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God

  • to comfort all who mourn

To grant to those who mourn in Zion

  • a beautiful headdress instead of ashes

  • the oil of gladness instead of mourning

  • the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit

That they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.”
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This is my mission. To share the good news of the gospel, to lead broken hearts to healing, to proclaim liberty, to offer comfort. I want to see beauty replace ashes, joy replace mourning, praise replace weariness. I want to join in the Lord’s work of planting and raising up a righteous generation who will glorify Him.

That’s what I’m remembering on this Independence Day weekend. Along with my personal America freedom, I’m celebrating the liberating work the Lord has done in me. And I am preparing for the great work still to be done.

Rhetorical Questions on Race

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To my white friends, I have a couple rhetorical questions for you. I don’t need to know the answer. I don’t need any sort of defense. This is something I just want to challenge you to think about.

When is the last time you had a person of color over to your home? When is the last time you invited someone of color to share a meal with you, to play with your children, to spend time together?

I’m not talking about family members. I’m not talking about coworkers while you’re inside the workplace. I’m talking about friends. I want you to survey yourself and really take a look at who your circle consists of.

But COVID! But I’m a homebody! But I just moved somewhere new! Okay... When is the last time you talked on the phone with a person of color? Chatted on FaceTime? Told a secret to, laughed with, confided in, cried with a person of color?

It’s important — especially in this climate of change and this discussion of racial injustice and in the midst of this revolution — that you take a hard look at who is speaking into your life.

If your community, your home, your friends list, your call log is full of mostly white voices, I am here to IMPLORE you to break out of your echo chamber. Burst your own bubble. Purposefully build a community of diversity.

Listen. Learn. Then advocate for others.

P.S. - While you’re thinking about all of this — What about a member of the LGBTQ community? What about someone of a different religion? What about someone who is differently abled than you? All of these questions are important, too!