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    Beauty for Ashes: The Introduction
    Beauty for Ashes: The Introduction
    Beauty for Ashes: The Introduction
    Ebook103 pages59 minutes

    Beauty for Ashes: The Introduction

    By Marisha Mathis

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    About this ebook

    The adage “life is a journey” has stood the test of time. This book reveals the journey of Risha, a writer, blogger, and spoken word poet. The authenticity of the content allows readers to join the journey and identify with life’s experiences. Therein lies an elixir of failures, triumphs, growth, observation, and learning that are sure to provide insight, strength, healing, and hope. “Beauty for Ashes” challenges readers to consider holistic perspectives and recognize the necessity of Christ in our everyday lives. Risha’s life is a testament of God’s grace and redemption that radiates through every page.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMarisha Mathis
    Release dateJan 7, 2017
    ISBN9781370110148
    Beauty for Ashes: The Introduction
    Author

    Marisha Mathis

    Marisha is a clinician by trade and a writer by purpose. She has found comfort and enjoyment in writing since childhood. She began writing poetry in middle school and continued into adult years. She became a spoken word poet while attending college and began sharing her poetry publically in 2010. A graduate-level alumnus of North Carolina Central University, her educational background, field experiences, observation, life experiences, and walk with God have been the backdrop for writing. Her topics generally include Christian living, hope, loving one’s self, social issues, courage, transparency, honesty, and overall personal growth. Inspired by her personal testimony, Marisha understands the importance of uplifting others, committing one’s self to God, emotional health, balance, and witnessing the transformation that is solely from Him. Her testimonies and desire to help others have been fueled by God’s redemption.

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      Book preview

      Beauty for Ashes - Marisha Mathis

      II Corinthians 5:17

      I think this piece was the very first time that I dove head-first into word play and explored where I could go with things. The analogy is indicative of how other styles or ways of life were not for me, but God came in and transformed my life into something beautiful. It’s like a more illustrative way of describing my trade of ashes for God’s beauty. II Corinthians 5:17 tells us that we are new creatures in Christ Jesus and the things that we once were are now old. That's the beauty of salvation.

      e

      My roots were straight. My ends were trimmed. My styles were versatile, but my hair was damaged.

      My stylist suggested going natural; no more relaxers or unhealthy chemicals. No more hindrance.

      When the new growth came I saw my natural state

      and became uncomfortable. My hair wouldn't lay.

      Mother nature became my worst enemy.

      My hair would always swell from the sun’s heat, the rain, or humidity.

      Humility was my shadow. My hair grew; after while it was time

      for the big chop. Time

      to cut the bondage; time to leave the split ends and foolery

      leaving everything I’d ever known to be detached.

      When the stylist, The Master

      spun me around in that chair I had to admit

      the new look took some getting used to.

      And then, of course, there are the comments you’ll get the first time they see the new you.

      But all those other styles were fads and trends:

      that perm was never Just for me, the pressing comb only left me scarred, the glue from those quick weaves

      never left me easy,

      the ways

      of the African braids

      were too tight. They always disturbed my hair line.

      But this big chop was just right.

      Very similar to the day I gave my life to Christ.

      Please allow me to equate.

      Think of my former styles and looks as dead weight,

      and just another bonus: with the chemicals of the sin

      cut away,

      my former concepts had me twisted,

      I was now able to be locked in and this new found confidence

      is just what I needed to lead this life

      in spite of what everything around me looks like.

      I’ll tell you plainly. Christ was my stylist;

      being natural allowed Him to save me from me and the big chop was the pruning I need for eternal life.

      So, the discomfort and light afflictions

      are of no comparison

      to the eternal weight of His glory. He’s made being natural beautiful. My hair has a shine that no one can take away.

      He has styled my hair so that it fits my face.

      My transformation is nothing short of amazing.

      Soul Ties

      Revelations 12:10-11a, I Corinthians 6:12-20

      1 Corinthians 6 discusses fornication and explains why it's such a big deal. The apostle explains what happens when two people have sex: they become one. Although the media makes one-night stands appear simple and harmless, that couldn't be further from the truth. Despite how the media, or those in real life, try to depict sex as meaningless, there can be grave consequences. Sexual partners are tied together by the act. The Greek word for soul is psuché, which translates as the seat of affections and will, the self, a human person, an individual. So, when one mentions soul tie it refers to a person's affections-emotions if you will, and their will being attached to the soul- will, affections, and or being of someone else. It sounds deep and it is. It's a beautiful thing when souls are tied appropriately.

      Soul Ties was my first prophetic poem. I learned a lot about myself as well as my poetry through the process of writing it. The first thing I learned is how God can speak to me through my own lyrics. Something else that I learned is my writing is a testament, and in a lot of cases, begins with me. The poem became a roadmap to how I could become free. I wrote sayings and used word play that I did not understand at that moment. After everything was done I had 20/20 vision. I wrote the poem with the belief that everything was finalized. But when it came time to be tried I learned things were not as I thought. I began writing the poem in 2010; at that time, I wrote it in myself meaning I wrote from my heart, but not necessarily by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The second and final version was completed in 2011. In hindsight it seems as if the Holy Spirit gutted my first poem of the prideful and self-righteousness undertone and refurbished it with humility, truth, and redemption. There was a lot of stuff buried that had to be dug up and addressed. It was not easy. A lot of times, I wanted to revert to what I knew because continuing in what I knew seemed to be easier. Dealing with hurt can be challenging, but it’s worth it. To this day, I thank God for His grace in

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