Shiloh Rose Archive

Abiding In His Love

September 7, 2026
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I had a great weekend, but Saturday an unexpected thing happened and it really caught me off guard! I acted out of emotion and frustration. I blew up because for one, I was hungry and tired. I had just heard a sermon on Friday about the importance of HALT: Not getting too hungry, too angry, too lonely or too tired! I guess you can say I bombed when that temptation to react in the wrong way presented itself. Familiar ways of handling situations really need to be evaluated. We often relate to the world through our lens of what we have been through. I grew up in a great deal of violence and conflict. I learned to be reactive, argumentative, and destructive. I tried to bottle the anger over the years and it would end up exploding worse!

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;”
‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The turning point in unlearning these behaviors comes from identifying them and learning to choose differently. I was ashamed how quickly that I lost control of the anger. I spoke with harsh angry words, and I was shaking with the rage. I realize as I evaluate the situation that the emotion it came from was fear. I was panicked because I was in the middle of nowhere trying to pick up my teen son. I was supposed to meet at a certain time to get him.

At the last minute, he changed the time and I was already at the meeting place, at the agreed upon time. I was starving and had waited to eat because I wanted to go out eat with him. Suddenly all communication stopped, I waited and waited. As I checked his location to see if maybe I should grab a snack from the gas station. I see that the location shows he still had not left from where he was, and mind you this was over an hour away! It had been forty minutes and I began to get anxious.

I called and texted him and it kept saying undelivered! I had no idea if he was coming or where he was at! I tried to reach the mother of his friend but could not get her either! As the minutes passed I had no idea what to do! I got more and more angry. I thought maybe I should go get food and come back. I tried to calm down, but I just didn’t understand why I couldn’t get a hold of him. Finally he texted and said he had been trying to call me! He kept texting me and I kept trying to call him to no avail. When I finally saw him I snapped at him and yelled all the way home. He became angry at my reaction. I thought he was lying about the phone issues because lately he has been really pushing boundaries and getting in trouble.

All photos from Pexels Library

The Holy Spirit wanted me to calm down, but I wanted to be angry! I felt justified in my anger! Have you ever felt this way? Finally, I listened enough to him and realized that he was telling the truth. We had recently changed his phone number and the process was not fully complete so basically, his phone only worked on WiFi or in an area with strong signal. I felt so bad for not listening to him and I immediately apologized. I realized that is why it’s so important to check our anger because it can be distorted. As I am working to heal from all of my trauma and abuse I have to unlearn so much.

That night I felt really down about it because it felt like a setback to all the work I have been doing on healing and unlearning. However, the Lord gently reminded me of the growth that is there despite my disappointment. This used to be the very thing that would cause me to run from God and stay bound in sin. I would fall and feel so unworthy, ashamed, and defeated. I felt trapped by sin and I would think what is the point? Have you ever had something you struggle with and it feels like it will always be there? Maybe it’s not anger but overeating, cussing, lying, gossiping, porn addiction, drugs or alcohol addiction, etc. I am not here to accuse or shame you.

I want to encourage you not to give up! You can be set free! We may wrestle with sin, but we can continue to work at it! The winning moment of this story was when I woke up yesterday still thinking about it that I took it to God again. I knew God had forgiven me, but I was struggling to forgive myself! Then he gently reminded me the truth!
- His grace is sufficient. “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
  ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬
- Jesus is committed to our success. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
  ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬
- He is steadfast and unmovable. “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
  ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭103‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬
- God doesn’t run away because of our unholiness, he is our Father. “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
  ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭38‬-‭39‬ ‭ESV‬‬
- Satan is a liar and he keeps us stuck in shame, guilt, and regret. “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
  ‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭44‬ ‭ESV‬‬
- The price of sins has been paid, all we need to do is accept the payment. “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”
  ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭53‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬
- Don’t get stuck in cycles recognize it and keep going. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
  ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬
- Accept that we are weak but he is our strength. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
  ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭46‬:‭1‬ ‭ESV‬‬
- Nothing I ever do can earn his goodness and faithfulness. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,”
  ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬
- God knows we have nothing to truly offer him and yet he still wants us. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
  ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬
- Repent quickly, apologize, and forgive often. “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,”
  ‭‭Acts‬ ‭3‬:‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬
- “and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
  ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬
- Our only mission is to abide in him! “And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.”
  ‭‭1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭28‬ ‭ESV‬‬
I sit here with a grateful heart for a loving God that doesn’t give up on me! He continues to mold, correct, and uplift me! I realized that in my failure, that I was able to see these scriptures come to life in a new way. I realized what it means to abide in Him, to stop running away in guilt and shame. I turned to him each time instead of continue in sin. I admitted my wrongs, I apologized and I made things right with my son. I can admit so many times in my life the devil had me bound in selfish pride. I would do things like that and not apologize or make true amends. I would hide from God in fear of his rebuke.

God wants you to come to him in all your messiness and give it to him. Tell him your struggles and keep showing up each day. I felt so much peace after I prayed and acknowledged the truth of God’s word! His word has power over my doubts and his word reminds me that he alone is my righteousness! I was completely loved and welcomed. It’s it the turning, repenting, surrendering , and acknowledging that we find true freedom. What lies do you need to lay down? You are worthy! You are enough! Your inadequacies are not a reflection of your value. May you get the truth in your heart today.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”
‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭34‬ ‭ESV‬‬

After the big blow up and apology my son rushed into my arms and hugged me and he apologized for his part in the conflict. I knew in the moment that I had been forgiven. He saw my weakness and I was met with grace. Jesus wants to rush and hug you today!

Happy Reading & God Bless! All rights reserved. ShilohRose77©️
Hungry For Compassion

September 4, 2026

The house is quiet all the kids are gone and its as if the sound of my typewriter is magnified! The quiet is much needed but feels so loud in this moment. I have an instrumental playing and I am just flowing into this post. I had planned to talk about the story of the walls of Jericho falling down, but I think I will just let the natural flow carry me. To me the unscripted thoughts can sometimes be the best. This week went by rather quickly! I hope you all are well!

“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭26‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Today as I was doing my Bible plan study with my prayer team, I was touched by a particular miracle that Jesus performed. The devotional that we are studying is about waiting. The space between what we are desiring from the Lord and the moment of fulfillment. The story in Matthew 14, when Jesus fed the five thousand. The devotional was comparing this moment to how we give God what we have and he multiplies it. For me, I was moved by Jesus’s great love, care and compassion for people.

Jesus was grieving the death of his friend, John The Baptist and he wanted nothing more than to get away from all the noise, and spend time with his Father. John was Jesus’s cousin in fact and they were only six months apart in age. Jesus literally took a boat to a remote place just for a time of solitude. Jesus often went to these places to pray and think. The crowds would follow him because of his profound teachings and miraculous healings. So even in this moment of sorrow they pursue him. Have you ever felt like this? You desire greatly to find a place to be alone and cannot?

“He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”
‭‭Micah‬ ‭7‬:‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The crowd that follows him is no little crowd! It’s five thousand plus people, all of them needy and anxious to get to him. I can imagine Jesus is weary, tired, and deeply saddened by the beheading of John. This was the man who leapt in his mother’s womb, at the very presence of his cousin Jesus! John was filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb because he was a miracle baby. John had the privilege of baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River. Jesus of course was in no mood for this when all he was trying to do is have a moment to process!

If it was me, I probably would have been complaining and had an attitude. Even Jesus’s disciples are used to Jesus leaving them to go be with his Father alone. They see in this moment the weight of ministry. The heaviness of constantly pouring yourself out for others. These people have nothing to offer Jesus in return. The moment he lands on shore he sees the crowds and instead of dismiss them he has compassion on them. He sees their needs are great. His grief and pain still raw and yet his heart still open to the pain of others.

“It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever;”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭136‬:‭23‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This kind of love and compassion is what our world needs! We all have stuff going on and yet we are still called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. This means that we are supposed to be looking for needs to meet, hands to hold, people to care for, words of encouragement to offer, etc. Jesus decided that despite his own weariness, that they were more important in that moment. Have you ever had someone drop everything to be there for you? Can you feel the great sense of comfort that it gave you?

Jesus heals the sick within the crowds and those who are not sick are carrying those who are to the healer! This is brotherly love on display. Who are you carrying to Jesus today? Oh HELP ME LORD, to see past myself! Give me eyes that blink through my tears and muster the strength to grab someone up. I’m sure you have seen the movie Forrest Gump, I am reminded of the scene where Forrest begins to save all the fallen soldiers around him. He could have easily just hid and stayed safe but instead he rescued several men. One man in particular, Lieutenant Dan, is extremely angry that Forrest saves him! You think, “Geez, this guy is ungrateful!”

The problem with the Lieutenant is that he wanted to die as an act of bravery! He wanted to die alongside the other fallen soldiers from his troop because that seemed honorable. Friends, you don’t need to die on the battlefield to prove a point! Jesus desires to heal and save you! Sometimes I think we feel unworthy of Jesus’s sacrificial love. Have you ever had a friend of family member like this? If you do something nice for them, they automatically get offensive? They feel like they have to repay you back or they are down right uncomfortable with your gift of love. Many people are dying on the battlefield of life, too ashamed, too broken, and too scared to ask for help!

After Jesus heals the people, he takes it a step further. He sees that it’s getting late, and in this isolated area it’s no place to buy any food. The disciples are over it and ask Jesus to send the hungry people away to go buy food, because they have been there all day with him. Jesus tells them not to send the people away. He says simply, “You give them something to eat.” I can imagine the disciples had a bit of the stank face! What do you mean feed them?! It’s over five thousand people, we barely even have enough for ourselves! How many times have you thought that when giving to others?

We all see things from a place of lack at times. Jesus never said anything about how much food they had, all he said was bring it to me! Bring me what you I have! The disciples bring him five loaves of bread and two fish. “BUT!” This is the word we all use so quickly with God! They tried it too and Jesus doesn’t stop to acknowledge their reasoning. All Jesus does is take the food and told the people to sit down and prepare to eat. Have you ever been without? How am I going to pay this bill, how will I have enough gas to make it to work, or how will we have enough to invite family over for dinner when money is tight?

Whatever we place in God’s hands he multiplies and whatever we give shall be given! Never let your mindset of lack, keep you from being generous! Jesus looks up to heaven and blessed the food. He began breaking it into pieces and giving it to the disciples to pass out to the crowd. I can imagine they’re holding the last piece thinking this must be the last of it, and yet it keeps multiplying. Not only did everyone eat until they were full there was twelve baskets of leftovers! Not only was it five thousand men, there were also women and children in the crowd as well that weren’t even numbered!

My daughter!

This story touches my heart on so many levels! I love that Jesus took the time for the people, and he taught his disciples to love and care for others too. He didn’t turn them away he nourished them! Many times I will sneak to my prayer closet for time alone with God. I will lay out all my worries, fears, and petitions and on good days remember to pray for others! In this season, my broken heart wants to lead. I have to submit it to God and remember that my destiny is tied to being about MY Father’s business. He very plainly says, “If you love me, feed my sheep.” Don’t get caught up in only yourself!

When we focus too heavily on our own needs we slowly become selfish. I understand we all have needs and some are great! I’m reminding you as I remind myself, that we need to focus on helping others too. The more we pour out we often think we will have nothing left to give, but God says the opposite. It’s when you refresh others that you will be refreshed! Trusting that God knows our needs we really don’t have to tell him so often! He loves our persistence but it’s not new knowledge.

Many times I will hear my children calling my name as I am in prayer. They are becoming accustomed to finding me there in the quiet. The other morning my daughter comes after she woke up. I often ask them to leave, but lately I stop and hold her tight. I remember that she matters in that moment just as much as my same prayers on repeat! Jesus was interrupted and he took time to care. I am learning to do the same, so what if I am anxious! My daughter needs to know she is important. I gather her up in my arms and I invite her into the moment. It is a sacred place, but with a cold heart it’s nothing more than a tomb.

I implore you today, make the time for someone. Listen, share a meal, send an encouraging text, pay for someone’s groceries, help the elderly to their car! Allow yourself to show up, slow down and give Jesus whatever you have in your hands to bless someone else! I promise you will not go without! You will be satisfied and they will be nourished and refreshed.

Happy Reading & God bless!

All rights reserved. Photos are from Pexels Library.

ShilohRose©️
To Ponder What I Cannot Speak

September 1, 2026

Have you ever felt like you were being drawn away from everything you thought you knew? Have you ever felt like life was changing into a completely new realm of possibilities?

Tonight I am full of energy that I cannot quite contain. It’s a restlessness that I am trying to bring into calm. I decided that I was far too restless to go to bed, scrolling only making it worse, and my mind going a mile a minute. Then as I sit down to write, I feel the familiar calm that comes from doing something that brings you peace and comfort. The energy moving from my legs to my hands as I click away on my typewriter. Ahh, my heartbeat slowing already!

What might you say brought on these feelings? Well I cannot quite speak on it at this moment. Oh how I want to but there are not words for what I feel just yet. I need time to process, and still with it for a while. I think of Mary in the Bible, when the angel of the Lord told her she would be the mother of the son of God. She had to ponder this information in her heart. It was too great for her to fathom it and the very nature of it went beyond human reasoning. Life can be full of twists and turns that do not make sense in the moment.

I am a believer of divine timing, divine connections and I love how God works in the details. This season of life has challenged everything that I thought I knew about life! We often think we know how things will be and we foolishly think we are in control of everything. My nature is to plan and prepare, but God often throws a plot twist out there for us! The woman I am becoming feels unfamiliar and yet deeply integrated with who I truly desire to be.

The fear of the unknown grips my heart, but I hear my name being called into that realm. I must answer because I know the call will only become louder if I try and ignore. There is a quiet anticipation in my heart. I feel the new life budding, it may not be the life that I had planned. I accept that God knows me well enough to lead me to what is best. The more I pray for God’s will to be done I am stepping into the unknown. I say yes, but my hands still tremble!

Lately I wake up early in the morning and I can literally feel the prayers of someone. I can feel a deep seated knowing that someone has been interceding on my behalf. I like to think that it is more than one person! Ask me how I know this, it just an unexplainable knowing. Of course I know that Jesus himself is praying for me always. It’s such a comforting feeling to wake up from because sometimes I awake from intense dreams. Prayer has always been apart of who I am but knowing others are thinking of you really is comforting.

Sunsets are magical, I captured this one tonight.

Lately I have found myself repenting to God more than ever before! Our relationship has gone to a deeper, more intimate connection. I used to walk away from him in anger, fear, or frustration. When I am angry at him now, I still repent and stay close to him. I am finally learning to trust him deeper. My thoughts are torn at times but there is a greater knowing. I long to be in his presence, and I crave his touch. No one can get me like this and I cannot fathom a love so pure.

I am a hopeless romantic, which I am sure all writers are in some form. We create from a deep place of raw emotion and its like love translated into a tangible source of output. Last night I dreamed of trying to clean up water that flowed out of a box. I am carrying so many emotions, but I am growing too. My mind processing all these changes and working to transition. There is something inside that I can no longer contain.

Often in the life of a creative we can be blocked in our creativity when we are carrying too much. However creative people need to release. My heart has feelings that I cannot speak about. I must flow it into my creativity or I will explode! The flow cannot be hindered. So often I go on hiatus when it comes to writing because I cannot write under certain moods. Every writer needs a muse, a reason that compels them to keep creating. I love to share my faith and that is one of my main reasons.

These past couple of months grief, transition, and pain have been a storm within me. I am leaning heavily on community to get me through it. After so many years feeling stifled, I am finally free to flow into who I want to be. It’s a beautiful feeling to be seen and known. We all need those types of connection that brings us back when we feel that we have lost part of ourselves. I didn’t realize how much of my truest self that I had lost until I began to find her again. Now God has not called me to go back into my old life or ways, but the purest form of who he created me originally is what I am talking about.

There is a richness to this season despite the bitter betrayals and heartbreak. The true meaning of our capacity to love has nothing to do with reciprocity. I know I love deeply and passionately. I am a giver of my time, talent and treasure as God asks of me. When we finally learn to appreciate ourselves we begin to grow. I used to think that unrequited love was the worst thing that could happen to someone, but that kind of love is never wasted.

There are all types of love, not just romantic. We should never close ourselves off from loving others due to fear. Love is pure, and it creates space for our own grace and empathy to grow. I used to hate being so sensitive, that I would hide my true feelings often. Now I realize that it’s not a weakness. The depth that I love shows my ABBA, it’s the way he loves. So often we reject his love and run to everything and everyone else. His love is all consuming.

Today, I want to leave you with this encouragement: Do not build walls around yourself, but rather a fence that can be opened when the time is right. We protect our hearts but we do not close it off from love. Remain soft, gentle, and pliable in a world that teaches only to love yourself. God desires hearts that are open to receive and give love to a dying world. I guess you can say I am IN LOVE!

May God place my love in the right place that he has prepared!

Happy Reading & God bless!

All rights reserved. All photos are mine.

ShilohRose77©️
A Poem of Faith

August 28, 2026

“Oh Ye of Little Faith”
A Little Bird Told Me

August 26, 2026
“When you are convinced that all the exits are blocked… either you take to believing in miracles or you stand still like the hummingbird.”
— Henry Miller

This past weekend has been a whirlwind of emotions for sure! I had this dream Thursday night, that I was wearing a beautiful, formal gown at a party. I remember looking for other dresses and feeling a calm despite my usual striving. I am a warrior! My nature is to go head first at things and it can usually be a good thing, but often I forget stillness and calm. Friday was a day that I had been dreading, court about divorce. I got up singing despite the heavy feelings. “I’ve got the joy of the Lord, on my side!” I danced and sang to motivate me through the task at hand.

The day was as expected awful. I was so emotional, hurt, and angry. I tried my best to keep fighting and pushing back against the unfairness of it all. I knew I needed to be still, but I couldn’t will myself to do it in that moment. Later that day, my head was pounding, gut clenched, and my eyes pouring tears. I had been planning on going to church that evening and everything in me said “NO!” This church service was to be a celebration of our 21 days of prayer ending! There were to be testimonies, lively and upbeat worship music.

As my head pounded and my heart ached, I laid in my bed for a moment. How can I go and sing of God’s goodness, when I feel as if I have been punched in the stomach? I couldn’t bring myself to even eat a bite so my headache raged on. My Spirit telling me that we must push on through and do what we know is best. Our faith is all we have left in moments like these! I willed myself to shower again to wake me up and try and clear my makeup from my face.

The church service was packed, lively and absolutely beautiful despite my raging headache and pain in my heart. I defiantly sang along with the worship and determined that God would still get the glory! Toward the end, I went up for prayer with a guy and he encouraged my heart that things are going to get so much better. I know deep down that it will get better, but it’s not the outcome I desire and for some reason I cannot let it GO! I keep praying and praying for my husband because despite it all. I love him endlessly!

So many times I have begged God to save him, and change him. Now I beg God to change me, because I know I am not without fault. I am learning that the posture of our heart has a lot to do with the receptivity of our prayers. That night I cried and cried and the headache stayed well into the early morning hours. I woke up and went outside to find maybe a moment of stillness and peace. I began to vent to God again, and I finally just went quiet. I looked down at the ground and just hung my head defeatedly. Then a song arose in my Spirit. “How Excellent Is Thy Name.” I couldn’t even believe it after feeling this way yet again my heart longs to believe in God’s goodness!

Pexels Free Library

Suddenly I look up and I am right at eye level with a hummingbird! I have never been so close to one and he is looking at me very intently. I cannot move or speak as he is suspended in air! It was such a special moment that I knew meant God had heard me. It is believed that hummingbirds are messengers of God. In that moment I needed God so desperately, but it is in the obedience to keep going to him that he meets us! Faith moves God! Some of you are going through a hard thing too and you need to declare God’s faithfulness and goodness over it despite what you see in the circumstances!

My Roses I bought yesterday.

“By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

In the Bible, Sarah was unable to have children and had long since given up on that dream! She was 90 YEARS OLD when the promise came to pass! Is there anything too hard for God?

The signs of God in nature swirled all around me these past few days. He kept speaking to me and building me back up. The greatest place of discouragement in our lives can often be the catalyst for God to do something supernatural. Friends, call me crazy, BUT I BELIEVE GOD CAN HEAL MY HUSBAND! I hold firm to my position but I keep praying and trusting. I’ve seen too many of his miracles to deny his power! Now my husband and I both have free will that is the reality, so I wait.

Yesterday I was a bit anxious because I had given up on my marriage and was making a resolve to move forward no matter what! Yet in my Spirit I felt over and over God say NO, not yet. I have tired everything to move forward door after door slammed in my face. I was so frustrated and angry with God! Why in the world would you ask me to do this? God often asks us to do things that make no sense in the natural, but that is what faith is all about! I saw a podcast pop up on my phone that said, “What happens when we stop chasing?” I decided to listen because I knew God was yet again speaking about my resisting to stillness.

The first thing out of her mouth on the podcast was, “I’ve always had a deep affinity with hummingbirds.” She talked about how she had desired to hold a hummingbird in her hand and capture the moment just like she has seen on social media. The more she tried it seemed nothing happened. It was when she surrendered that finally as she simply held her hand out, the tiny hummingbird landed there on the handheld feeder. These are the key takeaways that I believe the moment with the hummingbird meant:
1. “What happens if I don’t try to improve this moment?’
2. Sometimes we don’t need to look for the magic, but to be still enough to experience it.
3. Learn when to act and when to wait.
I took a long walk on the wooded greenway and always get this feeling when I know I am going to encounter a snake. I hate them so much because they freak me out. I stayed in the middle of the paved path and from a short distance I saw the dreaded reptile! It was a black racer snake there on the path. Normally, I go the opposite direction or I feel seized with fear. However, this time I didn’t feel fear I just paused and waited for the snake to go across the path into the grass. Then I passed on through and I felt at peace. Somehow it felt tied to the same encounter with the hummingbird that morning.

The world around us is loud, messy and full of opinions. To hear God these days we truly have to create time, space, and stillness. I have been trying to write this blog for two days and each time I have been interrupted. Thoughts of all the things to do, my kids asking for food or arguing, my laundry timer going off, and it’s all so much! And yet I just cranked the worship music up a notch because I will honor God with my life and my time! Even if it’s messy and not perfectly polished! I will sing my way through every battle, and I will hang on for dear life! I will breathe and remember that stillness is not lazy, and busyness is not always productive.

My six year old son hears the music and he comes to watch the performers and listen. He knows that in this season we turn to worship to keep us grounded. We have created space for a nightly routine that I read him a Bible story and we pray. I look forward to that moment, mainly because it is a moment of stillness with him. I can snuggle his little body and calm him for the night. I like to think that ABBA is snuggled up there with us and although I am worried about many things he’s calming me too.

“He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭107‬:‭29‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Find time for stillness today.

“Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”
‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Happy Reading & God Bless! All rights reserved. ShilohRose77©️
Day After Day

August 13, 2026

A poem

“Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice.”
— Psalm 130:1–2

This poem is a lament. In the Bible there are many lament Psalms and then there is the book of Lamentations. Lamenting is expressing great sorrow. We can pour out our sins,brokenness and grief. We use this language to express the deep feelings of frustration at not understanding God’s ways and our suffering.

“Do not be ashamed to weep; ’tis right to grieve. Tears are only water, and flowers, foliage, and fruit do not grow without water.”
— Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Day after Day

If I wait long enough

Just pray they say

One more prayer to the sky

My heart hurts I wait to die

Why so long?

How can you tell me to hold my head high?

I try, I try

Day after Day I cry

I have never cried like this

My tears are thick streams

I wonder how many I have left

Will they ever stop flowing?

Don’t worry I have plenty to spare

Grief has become my garment

I sing songs of praise and at times they feel like lies

How can I sing of your goodness

When all I feel is despair

The depth of my soul longing for respite

Cling to me

Don’t let me go Lord

My family all are foes alike

My own people betrayed my hearts trust

The ones I love denied my love

To many sorrows to count

A life I tried to build crumbled to the ground

My loved ones scatter like I have the plague

They leave me to die in the scorching heat

My tongue dry as I gasp for a drink

Abba, I scream give me a drink!

Let me taste of your living water!

Quench my thirst please

I fear I won’t survive many more days

Grief weighing heavy on my bones

I cry out for help

No one comes to my aid

The love I long for has faded

A distant memory of mine

When you held me and I was yours

When my days and nights weren’t filled with sorrow

I look for death but cannot be so lucky

Each day my eyes open and I murmur praise

Halfheartedly grateful because death would mean peace

I cannot find peace

Day after day I search for it

Where can I lay down these heavy burdens

Jesus says come, I go

And yet I call and he doesn’t show

How long will you be?

I thought you were here for me?

Why do you dilly dally?

Come along swiftly!

Don’t not delay!

Rescue me now I say!

Seize my enemies, shut their mouths

Take my case I plead!

Show me how to love those that persecute me!

A love turned foe

A house that’s no longer a home

Where have all my friends gone?

The silence makes me nervous

I squirm under its weight

Here for today, tomorrow is too late

Show me the way

I am afraid of my fate

Will I ever rise from this dust?

My heart longs for you, where are you?

Come home please

I will stay

Don’t take my love away

Give me what I beg of you!

Peace to breathe and start anew

Do not tarry, please don’t delay

God of all wondrous and mighty

Plead my cause hear my plight

Restore my hope, because it’s all I have

Hope for a future with you

Day after day I pray and pray.

All rights reserved. ShilohRose77©️

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In The Beginning

August 5, 2026

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14 ESV)

Every story has a beginning, middle, and end. When we sit down to watch a movie we never start from the middle or the end. If we did that it would cause us to miss out on the plot or major details that shape the story. The Bible begins with creation of the Earth, in Genesis Chapter 1. In the first 25 verses God has taken the Earth that was dark, unformed and brought order to its chaos. Then in verse 25 we see that God is not alone in creation.

“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the Earth.” (Genesis 1:26 ESV) This co-creator revelation was not an added edit in the story.

The moment God created Adam, he created him with great care, attention to detail, and with purpose. We often think of this caveman perception of humans, but from the start we were created with a purpose. We are not some random beings that spawned from monkeys. We are not some spontaneous combustion, we are created beings that are just below the angels in rank. However, unlike the angels we are held in high esteem as beloved children of God. We were to rule on the Earth and live with God amongst us. Another misconception that we often think is that Jesus came as some emergency button hero!

The Bible is clear that the first man and woman sinned against God and he held them accountable. I used to think that God saw that we were fallen and then planned for his co-creator Jesus to come on the scene as our savior. However, as I have matured and read deeper into the scriptures, I see Jesus webbed beautifully throughout the entire Bible! He is not an afterthought or an edited in new character. Why does this even matter? When we realize that God knew all along that we were fallible it shows his deep love and compassion even more.

If your child stole a candy bar from the store, you would of course be angry, disappointed, and maybe even embarrassed! You definitely would not give up on your child, but there would be consequences. God allowed them to face those consequences to learn of his character. If someone tells you something but never follows through, you would live in constant fear. We punish our children to keep them from harm. We show our great love in the way that we try and shield them from pain. The moment that Adam and Eve sinned, it did not surprise a loving God. He had already made provisions for them. Jesus is the living embodiment of God the Father. He is God, he was with God all along.

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬-‭18‬, ‭20‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I am sure some of you may roll your eyes and say, “Why is she always going on about this JESUS guy?” Maybe you do not believe in him. That is okay, but I am here to be a witness of my own experience! I cannot say I was there when this story was written and that I have inside knowledge. What I can tell you that faith came alive to me when I took Jesus up on the offer to be my personal savior. When I saw the brokenness that was in me from just a small girl, I knew there was something wrong. I felt shame, guilt, and I felt dirty. Sin shames us in ways we do not often like to think about!

The Bible says we are born into sin, not one person is innocent. That small baby you bring home from the hospital wrapped in blankets and is the most precious thing to you, already has a sinful nature. By the time a child is two or so you begin to see for yourself! That child will disappoint you at times over the years. You may even see your own foolish behavior coming through from your child, mirrored back to you. I am not picking on you or your children. I am simply stating facts. We are sinful, our children are too. Jesus came for you and them!

Okay so I am sinful, but why in the world would God send his son in human form? He sent his son to show that no matter what he is still obsessed with his precious creation! He desires a close relationship with you. He came to fulfill the Holy Law, that we ourselves are unable to fulfill. We cannot keep our hands clean, and he humbled himself to take on the form of a servant. The GOD OF THE UNIVERSE came off his a throne in glory, to restore and reconcile you and me back to him! To give us a choice to choose him and accept his free gift.

How many times do we have to take away the choices from our children? We tried to offer different meal options only to be met with disgust. We offered several other toys and none appeased them at that moment. What did we do in our frustration? We said FINE, now you don’t get a choice! We say you will eat this or you will play with this toy, end of story! Oh friends, our perfect Father is not impatient with us. He is slow to anger. He allows us time and space to choose him. Although he already knows who will come to him and who will not.

It’s not an impatient parent commanding, it’s a beckoning. It’s a heart cry for connection and relationship. Imagine forcing your significant other to choose you as a partner. You literally gave them no choice, that makes for a terrible relationship! When we sinned against God, we were downloaded with the knowledge of Good and Evil. Simply put Jesus knocks at the door of your heart. Everyday you are faced with many choices, and most of them hold more weight than you fully understand. Friends we can choose whom we serve. Whether it’s a specific god, or just our own sinful lusts. Each day we are choosing something. Or maybe we believe the lie that we are a good person based on our own feeble attempts to be good, law abiding citizens. HA! Yet none of us would want a video recording of our thoughts to be on NETFLIX tonight! Or for people to see what is behind the masks we all wear!

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭30‬:‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Jesus came in the form of a human, to offer a radical message to the world. That messaged has been carried throughout the centuries. God’s great love on display for all of us. We often stand in our own way from experiencing freedom and truth that Jesus offers. Our sinful nature has consumed our minds and we think we know best.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭14‬:‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬
The beginning of the story started with the Holy Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit) That same story will end with him! You my friends are apart of that story, way before you ever took your first breath, you were on the mind of God. A beautiful imagination of what you could become. He is so proud of his creation. His disappointment in our sinful choices never can erase his great love! Jesus holds this entire story together. We cannot separate him from our story. Even in our wandering and unbelief. Jesus is the message that no matter how far you have wandered, God still desires you. The Lord spoke the Earth into existence, but with you he got down in the dirt and formed you with his bare hands. Then he breathed his breath into you!

Your HOLY, DIVINE, MAJESTIC, creator took on your form to show you in great detail just how much you meant to him. Elon Musk can create all the AI Robots he wants yet he will never turn himself into one to connect with it! He doesn’t serve it because he created it to be his slave! Jesus came to serve you, seek the lost, heal the sick, and restore humanity back to God.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬
Friends, I hope I was able to articulate this in a ways that made sense. It touched my heart as I wrote this and I was moved to tears and great love for my creator. I realized just how much he loves us and that is worth sharing! I will shout it from the mountains JESUS IS LORD! He doesn’t Lord over me, he stoops to heal my wounds, dry my tears, hold my heart and lead me to what is best. If you will give him a chance he will do the same for you. The path is long and hard but he walked it before you and is walking it with you!

Happy Reading & God bless!

All rights reserved. Photos are Pexels Free Library.

ShilohRose77©️
Acts of Kindness

August 3, 2026

Latte Love
Lay it Down

July 31, 2026

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬ ‭ESV)‬‬
Have you ever felt there were things you were carrying that made you feel weighed down? I am not talking about physical weights, I am referring to the emotional baggage and sins that we have became accustomed to carrying. If we are honest, we all need to lay aside something. How would it feel to take the pressure off and create a space for what is actually important?

This is actually wasn’t the message that I was planning to even write about! It’s funny how life works that way. I know for a fact that I have spent way too much time carrying things that I should have laid down a long time ago! The Bible is clear that sin is a killer. It takes joy out of our lives and creates a realm of regret, fear, and shame. Sin keeps us from God’s best. The hard part to accept is that sometimes it’s not only our sins that have caused us heavy burdens. Unfortunately we are living in the choices and actions of others. Things like poverty, family dysfunction, and generation curses are often passed down to us.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The encouragement that I have for you today is that no matter what weights we have been carrying whether of our own or not; it can be laid down. It will take work though. It’s an active choice to not hold on to it any longer. How do we lay down what we have always known? Can I really be free? These are the same things I have often asked too. It can seem like an uphill battle. To constantly learn and unlearn, take up and lay down. That’s the exact reason why we need God! He has to literally empower us to do the work.

When I became a Christian, I foolishly thought that it would be a lot easier. I thought once I professed faith that somehow all of my issues would be taken away with a flick of God’s mighty wrist! Unfortunately that in fact is far from the reality. God asks us to willingly participate in our healing and growing process.

What does the Bible say about this stuff? How do I get free? I want to be free. Well the first step is to COME! We accept God’s invitation to follow him and take what he offers. He offers us freedom from our sin debt. However, we are to walk in faith and to work with him.

“For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”
‭‭James‬ ‭2‬:‭26‬ ‭ESV‬‬
Faith alone just isn’t enough to be who we are called to be. I believe that I can be set free, but it is up to me to walk in freedom. It’s up to us to make choices that align with freedom from those burdens. If I struggle with alcoholism, then I shouldn’t hang out with people that drink, or go to bars! We think well that’s simple, but how often do we go right into the trap. We assume that we can resist temptation and then end up back where we started? In my own life before I got married, I was practicing celibacy and I had made great progress. Then one fateful day I made the wrong choice! I chose to hang out with a friend who didn’t share my same convictions and I ended up in a situation.

Can we blame others for our failures? Of course not but we have to stay aligned with our mission! I felt a prompting of the Holy Spirit before I ever went to her house that day! I chose to go willingly and she had her boyfriend there and his friend. I didn’t feast on the word of God, pray, or think before I made the choice. I walked blindly into the temptation and by the end of the night I had made a terrible mistake. It changed my route immediately. I found myself like a rabbit cornered by a predator! I accept my accountability. I knew that I had been celibate for almost a year and it was very hard! I realize now why it was so hard, I always tried to do things on my own.

We have to have people in our life that are going the same path. Community is important and there are so times that we walk alone but it’s not forever. We don’t get on a diet and fill the fridge with junk food! That is backwards and it makes it harder. Are there things in your life that need to be moved out of reach? What is your goal? What is the thing you want to get free from? Freedom is possible, but it means we have to be proactive.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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The life of a child of God is compared to a race, and it’s not given to the fastest runner! It’s given to the one that endures and is diligent. Sin is considered slavery because its consequences take so much away from us. That sexual sin cost me way more than I received that day, I see now! I brought shame to myself, I got my feelings hurt, and I also hurt others in the process! Please consider your choices friends! God forgives and will always take us back, but we come back even more weighted down each time we fall. Sin multiplies and so do the consequences!

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬ ‭ESV‬‬
Sin is only temporary pleasure, but it always has lasting effects! The best thing you can do is find people that will help you be accountable and walk with you. Jesus had his 12 and although they were imperfect, he mirrored the need for like minded friendships. We need to stay close to God and stay in his word. If we make our efforts he will continue to help us. The flesh nature cannot be subject to God so we learn to deny our fleshly nature. We realize that it’s never satisfied. Choose the righteous path as best you can. You will stumble but that’s where God will help you!

“So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I pray that my words gave you some food for thought. It’s worth it to keep laying down what is causing us and others harm. We participate in making the world a better place. We trust God to give us the help, and guidance we need. His grace is sufficient for us. I hope that you will fight the good fight and run your race!

Happy Reading & God Bless!

All rights reserved. ShilohRose77©️
Someone Is at The Door

July 14, 2026

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭ESV‬‬

These are the words of Jesus to all of us. Can you hear the door? How many times have you heard him at your door and was afraid to open it? Maybe you avoided answering, because you anticipated judgement or the feelings of shame to come? Whatever your reason I’m not pointing fingers, I too have looked through the peephole and decided to creep away from the door!

What is this door analogy and why is it in the Bible? The door represents our heart. If Jesus is an active participant in creation, why does he not have a key? I mean he created us right?

“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭26‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Jesus was always there all throughout the story of creation, but his identity only revealed later. The prophesied Messiah is at your door!

I heard it like this morning in my devotional: Jesus is a true gentleman, he does not force himself upon us. If his relationship with us was forced it would make for some awkward interactions! Now don’t think that he passively pursues us, because he definitely shows his desire for our heart. He keeps on knocking at that door. It’s a steady, patient and persistent knock.

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK! ✊🏼

Now for a minute imagine you are totally caught off guard by the knocking. You hear it and you sort of start to panic. Should I answer it? I’m not really dressed right, I’m too busy, I should have cleaned up first, etc. What has been the reason you avoided answering the door? I can tell you mine, because I didn’t want to surrender what I was desperately clinging to. To follow Jesus truthfully means we die to self! Yep I said it, you MUST DIE!

How can this loving guy, expect me to die? Why would he want that from me? Who will take my place when I die? The answer HE WILL. Jesus will come to live inside and through you. This will result in a brand new life, that looks very different from your current one. It means you willingly lay aside burdens, regret, bitterness, unforgiveness, excuses, and take on a new identity.

You may ask why do I need to die and change anyway? What’s wrong with me now? Our famous line: “I am a good person.” We are all “good persons” until we are not! The right situation can bring ugliness out of all of us! There are things that we agree with and Jesus says, to rethink that! For example, if someone killed somebody you love then immediately have an enemy and you want revenge or you hate them. Hey, I get it and sometimes it’s offenses much less than murder that makes us feel those same emotions!

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK! ✊🏼

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Oh BOY! Jesus I think the door may stay shut! You don’t know what they did to me! Did you see how they treated me? After all I’ve done for them? Nope! I can’t answer right now, I have to handle this on my own! How many times have we tried to get even? We cast our disapproval like we made the laws! Again I am not judging, because I still struggle to understand the ways of Jesus. He asks so much of us mere mortals. However that’s the key! When we accept Jesus and die to our old nature we become immortal!

Therefore if we are immortal, this life is but a short while compared to eternity! We can suffer through it, in order to receive a crown in glory.

“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The beauty of all that Jesus asks of us is that we gain so much more! We die to our old nature and sinful ways and take up his ways. We partake in suffering to prove to the darkness that it has no claim over us! We are made new the shame, guilt, and fear has no power over us! As a result of our new life, and then we go share what we have been given. We invite others to the table. Jesus says that if we open the door, he will come in and share a meal with us. Why would he say that? Your kitchen table is sacred. It’s shared many victories and losses. At that table you have loved your family and friends deeply. You have shared delicious meals and stories.

The image of Jesus saying he is coming over for dinner should be less daunting. However we still get nervous when we think of it. What will I wear? What will we have for this dinner? Jesus desires a close relationship with you and a seat at your table. He wants to be just like the members of your family, a welcomed guest into your day to day life. All he asks of that you allow him to come in. You don’t need the good tablecloth, or the new dishes. All you need is a willing heart and open mind.

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK ✊🏼

Friend, go get the door. You won’t regret it! He will ask you for more than you think you can handle, but will be there every step of the way. His Holy Spirit and the Holy Word will change your life. It’s time to eat, invite others to the feast. If you are like me I’m tired of eating the same old garbage, I want something new!

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭34‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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