#inspirational

Joy!

/ Alicia Renee / Leave a comment

December 09, 2024

Have you ever just sat in silence to be still? I have and I miss it. I am one who used to fear silence.

Once I learned how to be still and experience the silence as it came, I learned about my resilience. Through that I found a strength I never believed I possessed.

After the strength was shown by the realms of Heaven in various ways and places, I saw how God’s people were measurable as a unit. Though I was experiencing the God-Head at that time in exciting ways, I did not yet feel as if I were a part of that world. However, I saw God’s people as a unit.

I was prompted by Holy Spirit to write about “Joy”. I assume for the obvious reason of this season. As I am stalling in this writing to come up with something clever to give you, I can only think of God’s Grace and Mercy towards us. Oh how He loves us.

As you give and/or receive this season, whether it be your time, your money, gifts, hugs, or a friendly smile at the perfect time, please remember yourself. When you look around to see God work miracles, remember you are a miracle as well.

Be blessed dearly Beloveds. He that is in me and you is greater than he that is in the world. Blessings. 🌹

1 Chronicles 29:13-17 => “Now therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name. 14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You. 15 For we are aliens and pilgrims before You, as were all our fathers; our days on earth are as a shadow, and without hope.

16 “O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your holy name is from Your hand, and is all Your own. 17 I know also, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here to offer willingly to You.

Alicia R. Shipe

Raw Realness Digital Art: 12×12: ARS

A Little Goes A Long Way

/ Alicia Renee / Leave a comment

Psalm 119:125 => I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies.

There are all these unspoken rules when it comes to our day-to-day type of relationships (i.e. hairdressers, grocers, convenience store personnel, etc.). You know, those that say don’t “word-vomit” your emotions because you don’t really know that person. The same so-called rules are applied in our spiritual circles. These rules are pains, experiences, and the like that have been passed down in various ways.

The Book of Psalm is all about communication. I chose the verse above because I am an individual that enjoys learning about the environment(s) she is in. Every human being should know what it’s like to be comforted. The truth is not everyone is comforted or comforting. The reasons are many. (I know. This should be a post about Holy Spirit as The Comforter. It’s about our vertical relationship with God The Father).

One of my favorite words (other than “sagacious”: wise or with wisdom) is “understanding”. Our relationship with the Holy Trinity takes time, patience, and comes with trust which grows from understanding. The growth, enjoyment, and pain that we incur through this process is more than personal. It is/becomes a sign of worth or value. Any relationship worth anything takes time and should come to a place of trust.

Likewise, relationships grow through communication. If the communications do not come to a place of respect, how can trust be earned? Telling someone how to feel is not my idea of communication. Constantly badgering or berating an individual becomes toxic.

For individuals who believe they cannot speak to God or believe they don’t know how to pray, may I offer this one piece of advice? He formed you. He desires for you to know Him. He is grand. He can be viewed as massive. He IS Poppa God. His ways are not like our ways. The Bible says He is love. He loves us and He loves to be with us. Our understanding grows from our communicating and communing with Him on a regular (if not daily) basis. Remember, He is jealous for you. He does not wish you to be anxious about a relationship with Him. He does delight in the moments He has made for you to come to Him and be vulnerable. He wants to commune and communicate with you. Let us allow Him to soften our hearts wherever we allowed it to be hardened. Allow the healing balm He provides to reach those places only He can so we can come to that place of absolute intimacy with Him; beyond the veil.

With Gratitude and Love,

Alicia R. Shipe

Guarding the Home Digital Art: 8×11: ARS

Measure Twice; Cut Once

/ Alicia Renee / Leave a comment

I was reminded of the construction saying, “Measure twice; cut once” from a Christmas themed movie this holiday season. The title of the movie escapes me at the moment so please forgive me. [Melissa Joan Hart is in it along with others that one near my age will recognize like Jaleel White.] Holy Spirit put that saying into my inner man as a jump-off point for whatever is to be in this season but mainly as a reminder.

We ALL make mistakes. None of us can begin to think or imagine growing in wisdom and stature without stumbling. We do not have to look down from the cliff, if we get to the cliff. We can look out beyond the expanse across the cliff. Here’s a better. We CAN find those that have been to the cliff to help or ensure we do not get to the cliff at all but there is a choice to be decided. The answer is usually yes OR no.

Curiosity is a curious thing. [I know. Never use the word in the definition of the word being defined. Let that catch up to you.] Curiosity warrants a filling. Asking but not gonna answer; where does curiosity stem from? I would say it stems from itself but the answer is deeper and more hearty than that. There’s a lot to be learned from The Word of God and even more from the various versions of The Bible. However, the greatest and most powerful way to learn is from those around us and from our inner person.

As we embark on the necessity of finding a “new normal” in this post COVID world, let us gain understanding of the saying “measure twice; cut once”. Take time for yourself. Judgement is a part of Salvation. Watch who you allow to speak into your days and nights. Allow healing to form so that it can function as it has been called to. Balance is key, ALWAYS.

Much Love,

~Alicia R. Shipe~