#inspirational

Thought

/ Alicia R. Shipe / Leave a comment
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Digital Art: 10×20: ARS

Confusion is a product of lack of understanding. At times, confusion is formed from lack of support from those placed in our environment or lack of support from those available in our surroundings.

We live in a world where we want everything instantly [now]. This cycle eventually causes a fulfillment that is of dirt, dust/ash, and doubt. To be filled with quality sustenance requires a process of trusting that which we know to believe as well as trusting that which we believe we can someday know. Our true fulfillment (desire) also requires trusting that what we do not know is not for us to know.

I pray, hope, and trust that our hearts can receive and teach us an understanding that will keep us out of harm’s way, allow us to accept how to be still when necessary, and when to show grace as well as courage when called for.

To discern the times requires understanding. Let us no more accept confusion in the place of grace or strife in the way of acting upon love. Let us come into the understanding of mercy so as to have compassion in our eternal beings.

1 Corinthians 13:13 – And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

With love,

Alicia R. Shipe

Joy!

/ Alicia R. Shipe / 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 R. Shipe / 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