Personal Journal — Finalized Entry
Date: December 10, 2025
Author: Lesallan
Summary of the Week and Today
This week has been focused, creative, and productive. I moved multiple projects from idea to publish-ready form, integrated music and theology with Scripture, and prepared practical site elements to make content ready for sharing. Today I completed a concentrated day of writing, editing, and content planning for TheChristianThing.org and social channels.
Accomplishments (This Week)
- Wrote and finalized the article “Wildfire and Revival: Crowder’s Vision of the Spirit’s Purifying Fire.”
- Integrated Scripture (NLT) themes—Pentecost, Spirit and fire, God as refining fire—to support the article’s central metaphor.
- Added resource links for readers: Spotify and YouTube links to Crowder’s “Wildfire.”
- Created site taxonomy elements: strong title, recommended categories, and tags to improve discoverability.
- Drafted social content: Facebook post weaving Maren Morris’ “My Church” with Psalm 150 for shareable reflection.
- Planned a series template for future song analyses to keep the site’s voice consistent and streamline future posts.
- Prepared practical site elements: crafted title, categories/tags, and embedded links for publish readiness.
- Documented progress in a journal entry and clarified next steps for publishing and scheduling.
Reflections & How It Felt
Today felt productive and cohesive. The work moved between analytical theology and practical communication—tightening theological claims while shaping them for a general audience. There was a satisfying rhythm to turning musical insight into pastoral application and shareable content. I’m grateful for the creative momentum and for how Scripture and music continue to shape accessible, faithful content for readers.
What I Completed Today (Detailed)
- Finalized the Crowder post with pastoral cautions and theological clarity.
- Integrated NLT scripture passages and thematic notes for readers.
- Added Spotify link: Crowder — “Wildfire” (Spotify link included in working notes).
- Created Facebook post draft for Maren Morris’ “My Church” tied to Psalm 150.
- Built site metadata: title, categories, tags, and an internal linking plan to connect this post with past and future music-theology pieces.
- Outlined a short series template for future song analyses.
Financial Dispute — Short Ethical Summary
Short conclusion: Filing a financial dispute can be ethically and Christianly appropriate when you have first sought reconciliation, act with honesty and stewardship, and pursue the dispute as a last resort to protect what is rightfully yours and those you serve.
Key decision criteria:
- Reconciliation attempted: Contact the merchant and document responses.
- Truthfulness: Only dispute charges you reasonably believe are wrong; keep receipts and records.
- Stewardship: Protect resources entrusted to you.
- Proportionality: Use formal dispute processes when appropriate, given the amount and impact.
- Intent: Seek restoration, not retribution.
Practical steps taken / to take: Document everything; attempt reconciliation; file a dispute with clear evidence if unresolved; pray for wisdom; consult a trusted advisor if needed.
The Mission Continues — Essay Summary
Thesis: Christian mission—rooted in the love of God revealed in Jesus—must continue as a sustained, public calling that combines compassion, justice, and faithful stewardship.
Core commitments: prayer and worship, discernment and learning, partnerships across sectors, accountability and transparency, and resilience in the face of setbacks.
Global call: Invite churches, communities, and nations to partner in policies and practices that protect the vulnerable and promote human dignity. This is a call to shared responsibility, not cultural imperialism.
Sustaining hope: Praise and perseverance fuel action; praise Jesus for His example and presence, and let practical love follow worship.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we praise You for Your boundless love and for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for calling us into the work of compassion and justice. Fill us with wisdom to act rightly, with courage to persevere, and with humility to serve without seeking praise. Strengthen those who are weary, provide for those in need, and guide leaders to pursue policies that protect the vulnerable. Unite us across nations in a common purpose: to reflect Your mercy and to advance Your kingdom of peace. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Call to Action
To every church, community, and nation: the mission must continue. Join hands across borders, share resources with integrity, and let compassion shape policy and practice. Praise Jesus and God for the work already done, and commit anew to the work that remains. Together, let us carry the light of Christ into every place of need until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Praise be to God.
APA 7 Reference List (My Journal Record)
New International Version Bible. (2011). Holy Bible: New International Version (2011 ed.). Zondervan.
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Religious work references. https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/references/examples/religious-work-references
Caulfield, J. (2023). How to cite the Bible in APA Style (Scribbr). https://www.scribbr.com/apa-examples/bible/
Denison Forum on Truth and Culture. (n.d.). Matthew 18 and reconciliation resources. https://www.denisonforum.org/
Richland Ave Financial. (n.d.). Dispute process and consumer guidance. https://richlandavefinancial.com/
Lesallan. (2025, December 10). Draft Facebook post for Maren Morris “My Church” and Psalm 150 reflection [Status update]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1216585230373273&set=a.105152374849903
Final Note and Next Steps
- Publish the Crowder post and schedule the Maren Morris Facebook reflection.
- Link this post with past and future music-theology pieces using the categories/tags created.
- Develop a short-series template for future song analyses to maintain consistency and streamline production.
- Follow up on the financial dispute process as it progresses; keep the journal documentation up to date.
I’m closing this entry grateful for the progress made and hopeful for the work ahead. — Lesallan
I am grateful for Ohio Christian University and for all the life lessons I have learned. Grace and Peace as I continue the mission of sharing the Lord’s Word – Life is Beautiful.
Grace and Peace ✝️🕊️☮️
~ Lesallan
