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Living by Faith (Blog Series): Podcaster Cassandra N. Vincent of The Liberated Heart 

04.07.2017 by Emelda De Coteau // 1 Comment

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Emelda De Coteau
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Emelda De Coteau

Mother, wife, sister, friend, writer / blogger / creative organizer, budding photographer... These are just a few of the many hats I juggle each day. I believe creativity is oxygen for the soul. I created Live In Color blog to celebrate the beauty in every moment, from faith to inspiration and motherhood.And it is soon becoming Pray with Our Feet blog which will focus on the intersection of faith and activism. Follow the inspiration on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/praywithourfeetblog/
Emelda De Coteau
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Latest posts by Emelda De Coteau (see all)

  • Inspiration For Your Ears & Soul: From Lauren Daigle’sInspiring Music to Victory Over Struggle - October 20, 2018
  • Blogging Again – Staying Woke & In Faith - October 17, 2018
  • Dear America – Nothing Will Change Until You Face Yourself - June 19, 2018

This Q&A series, “Living by Faith,” is the beginning of conversations on the blog with other creatives whose words and work moves me. For the month of April, each Friday, the focus is on faith. During May you’ll find the series turns to chats with folks making an impact in inspiration, ending with activism in June.

I met Cassandra Vincent, host of The Liberated Heart and the Vision + Strategy brunch (curated #Baltimore-based quarterly meet up supporting women as they learn, connect, and grow together) on Instagram. Her feed overflows with gems from the Bible.  I thought it would be amazing to hear more about her daily walk with God. Her insights are such an inspiration. Enjoy!

Cassandra Vincent Host of The Liberated Heart

 

Everyone of us must discover faith for ourselves. When did it move from religion to relationship for you? 

I’d say my experience with God has always been relationship driven. From an early age, like 8 or 9, I would hear God tell me to lay hands on my mother, and pray for certain things.

Now I will say that in my God experience there have absolutely been stages of exponential growth where my understanding of love from God has boosted, and discovering Him more clearly has taken place.

For example, I was raised in the church. While as a child I have vivid memories of times when God would speak to me, I also can look back and realize how for a period, like during middle school and high school, my experience was more driven by routine, and being instructed by my parents to be in church like ALL THE TIME.

While I’m thankful, so very thankful for my parents lovingly rearing my siblings and I in church, I soon realized by the time I hit college that I really wanted a deeper relationship with God  – not one where I knew Him second handedly. Meaning, around the end of my sophomore year in college, I realized much of what I knew and had experienced of Jesus, God and Holy Spirit was what I saw and knew of through my parents example. Not bad, but I needed to really experience God one-on-one, more deeply.


Fast forward to my next growth spurt and major ‘deeper in faith/relationship’ stage in my life, would have been in the last two years. After a really hurtful breakup, that actually served as a conduit of sorts, and really opened my eyes and heart to another stage of deepening my relationship and faith in Jesus Christ.

In this this past year or so, my faith has  grown from a place where I was really depressed and hurt grew a deeper relationship and reliance upon God.
Also, a lot of old religious mental blocks and past practices have been removed from my life. Before now, I had some really poor mindsets about my faith journey–such as believing would never progress, and that God was “making me wait” for things that I’d been praying for. My mindset was just not the best. I was really limited in my understanding of God.

I believe it has to do with old walls and unhealthy self-developed beliefs and systems [which] have been broken and removed from my life such as negative talk and thinking. I used to be really really hard on myself and negative self talk was chronic in my life.

Those types of things have been utterly destroyed, and I’ve been liberated through a deepening of my faith in the finished works of Jesus Christ in my life. Yeah, I could go on, but that’s little of what I describe as how I have come to be in a full relationship with Jesus, and not just practicing some religious routine or obligatory worship.

Like, I really love Jesus based on what I read in His word, Holy Spirit speaking to me, and being taught the word of truth weekly through my local assembly.

Before sharing your journey of faith with readers, how do you prepare – prayer, meditation, worship music, etc.?

Well I journal, reflect, and talk to God a LOT. So I would say I do all of the above. Often times in my journaling I discover a message or lesson that God has put before me multiple times, and then I realize it’s something to be shared. I’m inspired by God always and that normally leads to me creating/writing, etc.


How have these practices grown you in both your walk with God and the craft of writing? 

So as a new podcaster, I think I’ve grown in embracing the gifts that God has given me. I believe the practices of preparation for creating/curating/writing, etc. are extensions of these ‘practices’.

I mean in prayer, learning and study of scripture, you can’t help but grow. I will say that the area I’ve really grown in is personal integrity and humility. I take very seriously that as a woman of faith I can’t go with trends, and even sometimes not [use]  a content calendar.


And that’s not just an excuse, sometimes, especially as a podcaster, which is speaking and sharing the word of faith, you can schedule that content. Sometimes, the word of encouragement needs to be shared like in that moment (of course with the leading and green light from God).

So again I’d say I’ve really grown in the area of humility and personal integrity. Because in praying, meditating, studying the word before sharing a message with readers has made me realize I am accountable to those same souls and to God.

In the book of James (3:1),  it speaks of those who share [teach] and that [they] are held to a higher standard — that if I have not been with God and I am sharing (writing, podcasting, etc.) and I’m teaching (sharing) wrongly and incorrectly — then I am held accountable for that.


I think that’s why those ‘practices’ are important before sharing on our platforms (social media and all) as people of faith. We have to be mindful that whether we realize it or not, if we are sharing and writing it can be (in some ways, in many ways) teaching. Or maybe that’s how I see it, which could be the case because that is also one of my gifts from God.

How do you hear God speaking to you in daily life? 

In my daily life, I hear God all the time. And when I feel like I don’t hear I think it’s because my inner voice or fear or doubt is “drowning” or overshadowing God’s voice in that moment. I hear God speaking to me simply — through scriptures, through interactions with people, through Holy Spirit’s guidance and His ministering to me (Holy Spirit absolutely ministers to our souls all day long, day in and day out.)

God speaks to me a lot during inner conversations, which I suppose are my inner prayers. Like I feel as if my soul, my spirit, is always in prayer mode, if that makes sense. I’m one of those people who have like so many questions before God. Like I want to know His heart and thoughts about everything.


But I’m also naturally like that, very inquisitive, extremely intrigued by others and their stories. So I’m like that with God,  always curious and wondering [about] His thoughts so as a result I feel like I’m always having a conversation with God, and so I hear God in that way often.

What advice do you have for readers who want to deepen their relationship with God but feel overwhelmed or intimidated by it all? 

Let go of all that you think God is mad about or what He finds wrong with you. It’s the very opposite. Because of Jesus’ beautiful sacrifice we can be like Him, and let go and give our expectations to God just like Jesus did.

A great way to not feel overwhelmed and intimidated is to focus on goodness, love, and all the amazing things God says about you. One of the things that has helped me tremendously in not being overwhelmed by this faith journey was by focusing on and agreeing with who God is and who He says I am. My agreement with God has changed my life.

When I was younger I was intimidated and overwhelmed by “getting everything right”, by my sins, by so many things I really did not need to be concerned with. When I stay God focused, grace-focused and keep a healthy and holy perspective and respect for God — I am so liberated!

Being overwhelmed normally lends to the fact that we are overwhelmed by our inabilities or capabilities to uphold perfection in our own strength. However, when we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by God’s amazing grace and love we begin to believe the impossible and believe in the power that God has given us to live an abundant and blessed life.

My advice is to stay love/God-focused and that’s where you will grow from –  love versus obligations, religion and overwhelm or intimidation. Only Love is found in God toward us. God is not mad at you.

Stay Connected to Cassandra N. Vincent: 

The Liberated Heart podcast

Listen – On iTunes, GooglePlay and SoundCloud as The Liberated Heart Podcast

@theliberatedheart (Instagram) 

The Liberated Heart podcast (Facebook) 

Categories // Faith & Social Justice Tags // awareness, bible study, breaking barriers, breakthrough, community, creative, discovering God, empowerment, faith Friday, faith journey, healing, healing and miracles, hearing God's voice, Holy Spirit, journaling, joy, peace, podcaster, prayer, purpose, rediscovering Christianity, reflection, studying scripture, The Liberated Heart Podcast, woman of faith, women entrepreneurs, women of color

How We Can Make Time to Hear God’s Voice 

04.06.2017 by Emelda De Coteau // 2 Comments

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Emelda De Coteau
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Emelda De Coteau

Mother, wife, sister, friend, writer / blogger / creative organizer, budding photographer... These are just a few of the many hats I juggle each day. I believe creativity is oxygen for the soul. I created Live In Color blog to celebrate the beauty in every moment, from faith to inspiration and motherhood.And it is soon becoming Pray with Our Feet blog which will focus on the intersection of faith and activism. Follow the inspiration on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/praywithourfeetblog/
Emelda De Coteau
Follow Me:

Latest posts by Emelda De Coteau (see all)

  • Inspiration For Your Ears & Soul: From Lauren Daigle’sInspiring Music to Victory Over Struggle - October 20, 2018
  • Blogging Again – Staying Woke & In Faith - October 17, 2018
  • Dear America – Nothing Will Change Until You Face Yourself - June 19, 2018

“If you want to hear God’s voice clearly and are uncertain, then remain in His presence until He changes that uncertainty. Often much can happen during this waiting for the Lord. Sometimes He changes pride to humility; doubt into faith and peace…”

– Corrie ten Boom

Photo Credit: Brooke Cagle

Confession, y’all. I do not yet hear God’s voice audibly. You know how folks gush as they describe talking to our creator like a bestie? Slowly, I am getting there. I know I need to quiet this mind, though, and resist the weight of daily distractions through prayer and quiet reflection.

Too often I allow to-do lists and obligations to encroach on this time. And yet when I force myself into stillness, no cell phone or laptop, that presence consumes this weary heart and biblical promises (Jeremiah 29:11) sooth despair, birthing an unremitting hope.

I prayed to see deer as an indication of our daughter’s healing and God’s presence with us during this season of uncertainty. And now, friends, they appear, randomly – regal, majestic, stunningly beautiful, a visual testament to perseverence.

On a late night drive with Nai, after passing a lone deer standing still at a local farm I decided to Google their biblical significance and discovered these verses:

“Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls—Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.” – Habaakkuk 3: 17-19 (NKJV)

E&N Photography

Ah! This is why God laid these stunning creatures on my heart, I thought, an apt reminder to trust in spite of shifting circumstances. His guidance is unwavering, even as our confidence oscillates over time.

Are you, struggling, like me, to hold on to His words in a seemingly impossible battle? “Common sense” urges us to doggedly fight or escape, but God whispers patiently, “Let go so I can begin to work.” Can you hear Him above the noise of doubt? He lifts us above difficulties when we willingly shed pieces of ourselves without shame, standing wrecked at the intersection of what appears chaotic. In the midst of such brokenness and vulnerability, His glory is elevated.

Standing still means there is space for Him to join us, and provide healing, comforting and encouragement. I am tired of running and fighting alone some days. Are you? Let us stand together and allow God to propel us forward in His time.

Prayer: 

Dear Lord,

Teach me to stand on your word. Remind me to carry these promises within the core of my heart, spirit and soul. Focus my eyes not on the circumstances, but you, for nothing is impossible when I look towards heaven. Your word says: “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matthew 18:18). Thank you, God, for deliverance, healing and wholeness, in your name I pray, Amen.

Categories // Faith & Social Justice Tags // answered prayers, Corrie ten Boom, devotional, faith, God's presence, God's promises, healing, hearing God's voice, hinds feet, making time to hear God, mindfulness, prayer, quite time, reflection, seeking God, spiritual breakthroughs, spiritual growth, spiritual healing, stillness

Why Activism & Creating Affirming Spaces for Women Moves Me

03.29.2017 by Emelda De Coteau // Leave a Comment

  • About
  • Latest Posts
Emelda De Coteau
Follow Me:

Emelda De Coteau

Mother, wife, sister, friend, writer / blogger / creative organizer, budding photographer... These are just a few of the many hats I juggle each day. I believe creativity is oxygen for the soul. I created Live In Color blog to celebrate the beauty in every moment, from faith to inspiration and motherhood.And it is soon becoming Pray with Our Feet blog which will focus on the intersection of faith and activism. Follow the inspiration on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/praywithourfeetblog/
Emelda De Coteau
Follow Me:

Latest posts by Emelda De Coteau (see all)

  • Inspiration For Your Ears & Soul: From Lauren Daigle’sInspiring Music to Victory Over Struggle - October 20, 2018
  • Blogging Again – Staying Woke & In Faith - October 17, 2018
  • Dear America – Nothing Will Change Until You Face Yourself - June 19, 2018
Black Womyn Rising (May 2016)

Ever since elementary school, I have stood up against any perceived injustice. Not on a picket line, more subtly I suppose, as my early protesting involved befriending kids others made fun of or ignored.

On the weekends, Dad told my brother and I stories about his life, the years he spent in Hounduras before coming to the U.S. We learned about his childhood, both the simple beauty and abject poverty. Those expressive eyes held a tinge of sadness as he told us about wearing shoes only on Sundays, as they walked to church; they traveled to school barefoot.

I sat there, all of 6 or 7, fully absorbed, unable to push the sentences about hardship back, tears and anger welled within me. Of course he said, “don’t cry,” “I’m fine now, Meldy” (his nickname for me), and yet, as he hugged me tenderly, smelling of cologne and peppermint, I couldn’t shake the heaviness of it all.

Why did I have shoes and clothes and other children didn’t? It felt absurd, cruel and unfair, and I wanted to change something, however small. I always felt a deep desire to transform the world in my own way, bringing light and beauty.

All these years later, I finally feel I am walking into my purpose as an activist, organizer, and cultivator of affirming spaces for women. Sometimes God must remove the noise, distractions and barriers which are hindering us from growth.

Rocking a shirt given to me by my good friend Kayla (includes names of Black womyn and girls murdered or assaulted by police)

And I suppose this is how I have come to work with Black Womyn Rising, an intergenerational organizing collective  I helped found with several other sistas based in Baltimore. Our work is intersectional (meaning we seek to understand how various forms of oppression operate and  impact black womyn and girls), and rooted in transformative love and global sistahood.

We are deeply concerned with resisting all forms of oppression and actively creating affirming spaces for womyn of color.  In the spirit of Nina Simone and so many other foremamas, we uplift the beauty, complexity and the rich layers of blackness.

While social justice and activism are a deep part of my soul, so, too, is creativity. Writing, photographing, sketching, these outlets are oxygen for me. Last year I founded Women Creatives Chat, a community that lives online for now (working on planning some events) whose mission is to inspire, empower (through tips, resources and regular Instachats), and connect my fellow creatives with one another.

Since launching on Instagram late last year, it’s growing daily. And I feel blessed to follow and connect with women from all around the world who are creating and trusting their unique visions. You and I truly can have the life we seek and dream about it. It begins with clarity, which I believe is rooted in prayer, a personal relationship with God and radical self love.

Graphic designed by Emelda De Coteau Founder, Women Creatives Chat

 

Anyway, enough about me! What sets your heart on fire? What do you feel called to give to the world?  I want to hear all about it in the comments below, sweet friends.

Categories // Faith & Social Justice, Inspiration Tags // #SayHerName, activism, affirming spaces, art, awareness, Baltimore, beloved community, black women activists, black womyn creatives, Black Womyn Rising, community, creative, creativity, cultivate creativity, empowerment, faith, folllow your bliss, global, global sistahood, healing, inspiration, Instagram community, intersectional analysis, love, mindfulness, Nina Simone, oppression, possibilities, prayer, purpose, radical love, reflection, self awareness, self love, women, women empowered, women empowering women, women entrepreneurs, women of color, writer

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