Happy almost Resurrection Day! This is truly a time to be joyous as we reflect on the great goodness, love, kindness and mercy of God! He paid the highest price for your salvation. He spared no expense in redeeming you so that you could be his child by the new birth (you share his spiritual DNA). You are also his child in name (you are adopted into his family). He wanted to open up the treasuries of his heart and the kingdom of heaven to you so badly that He gave his one and only Son so that you can forever taste the joy of heaven .
Recently Father God has been encouraging me to gaze upon the breathtaking glory of his generous heart and the radiant light of the gospel. This gazing has caused me to be in a state of wonderment, like a child who expects little for Christmas but awakens to discover a living room full of shimmering presents circling a festively dressed tree.
There are so many more presents that we have yet to experience from the wooden cross at Calvary. There are so many gifts and blessings of grace that gushed from heaven like a waterfall after Jesus ascended from the grave and rose to sit at God’s right hand. This waterfall of blessing is so copious and powerful that I dare say we could not stand under the weight of its sweet, crashing waters all at once.
We will be in wonder at God’s grace for all of eternity as we worship Him in the next life. We will never run out of reasons to praise Him.
I wrote something of modern psalm of praise as I rejoiced in the Lord. I hope reading this psalm below will help elevate your soul to a place of jovial thanksgiving and faith!
This grace is supreme, this goodness unimaginable. The glories of the Gospel sometimes appear to me as a fictional tale…spun by heaven’s heart. Such celestial thoughts of light and love.
How could such a wealthy God conceive man in His heart and birth us with His words? “Let us create man in our own image.”
Such high and lofty promises of reconciliation and oceans of immense inheritance.
All things are yours in Christ? (1 Corinthians 3:21-22)
Seated with Christ in heavenly places? (Ephesians 2:6)
Accepted in the Beloved? (Ephesians 1:6)
Adopted heirs? (Romans 8:7)
Your words are crystallized honey my Father. Your Presence and this peace of having my sins all washed away is never ending joy. You say in your Word it was your good pleasure to present me blameless (above reproach) before You in love.
Man’s religion is a heap of ashes compared with your Gospel God.
As C.S Lewis so beautifully and succulently penned:
“If there lurks in most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and earnestly to hope for the enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I submit that this notion has crept in from Kant and the Stoics and is no part of the Christian faith. Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak….We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
~I pray your soul is refreshed by my thoughtful reflections of staring into this glorious, everlasting grace that has so liberally and lavishly been supplied for us all! May you find yourself in a state of supreme joy and spiritual bliss as Resurrection Sunday dawns not only in your church service but in your soul like a eternal sunrise. May you experience all the good things Jesus died and rose again for you to have. May your fellowship with our Father be freed to reach new heights of peace and closeness. May the wings of your soul taste the sweet expanse of heaven’s skies and may you never land.
His joy is for you!
His life is for you!
His love is for you!
Blessings and love,
your sister in Christ Ashley
~For more faith-encouraging words like this, check out my book, Visions of Celestial Love on amazon by clicking here:
“Ashley Thompson’s book, Visions of Celestial Love is just that; a visionary work of epic proportions. It is glimpses into a loving and remarkable relationship with the creator of the universe.
You are invited to Dive into stories of love and compassion, healing and provision, loss and recovery, profound grace and faith. Ashley draws us in with her descriptive prose and unique style of writing.
There are so many stories to relate to in this book and I’m sure you will find your own story among the many that are told here. So, find your favorite spot, your favorite beverage, and curl up with “Visions of Celestial Love”! -Amazon Reviewer
My literary agent’s husband recently finished my whole book and wrote this brilliant summary for it . I feel so blessed! This has been a two year journey and the manuscript is almost ready to present to publishers.
Synopsis:
This allegorical fantasy romance begins with Noelani on a date with Jesus Christ (in the flesh). Based loosely on Revelation 22:17: The [Holy] Spirit and the bride (the church, believers) say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take and drink the water of life without cost. -Revelation 22:17 AMP
Jesus takes her through a series of settings and circumstances as she begins to realize his deep love for her. Beginning at the local coffee shop, she witnesses as Jesus talks to the barista and changes her whole life right there.
Then they visit a nearby lake and watch the stars and water and trees transform into phantasmagoric visions while she is transported into heaven at a castle like the one in the Cinderella ball. She dances with Jesus and later falls asleep in her private bedroom in the castle. Jesus talks with her and introduces her to The Father and continues to woo her, asking her to marry him. Finally, she says yes.
Part two begins in Noelani’s kitchen with her friend and Jesus as a visiting plumber who has tea and asks and answers questions of them both. As the discussion progresses, Noelani gains more insight and philosophical/theological understanding that Jesus expresses and verifies in the Bible.
Then a short walk to the local elementary school where Jesus shows Noelani how to minister to a small immigrant child from Africa. They part and she is no longer able to meet Jesus in the flesh.
Emphasizing the love of God and the continued effort of Jesus and the Father to restore sinners to a state of grace. The main emphasis of this story is to clarify the Christian love relationships between husband and wife and dispel the often-misunderstood concepts and behaviors of human sexuality.
Discussion questions at each chapter ending provide a format for group discussion. Additional references include recommended music and scripture end notes.
“But I came by and saw you there, helplessly kicking about in your own blood. As you lay there, I said, ‘Live!’ And I helped you to thrive like a plant in the field. You grew up and became a beautiful jewel. Your breasts became full, and your body hair grew, but you were still naked. And when I passed by again, I saw that you were old enough for love. So I wrapped my cloak around you to cover your nakedness and declared my marriage vows. I made a covenant with you, says the Sovereign Lord, and you became mine. “Then I bathed you and washed off your blood, and I rubbed fragrant oils into your skin. I gave you expensive clothing of fine linen and silk, beautifully embroidered, and sandals made of fine goatskin leather. I gave you lovely jewelry, bracelets, beautiful necklaces, a ring for your nose, earrings for your ears, and a lovely crown for your head. And so you were adorned with gold and silver. Your clothes were made of fine linen and costly fabric and were beautifully embroidered. You ate the finest foods—choice flour, honey, and olive oil—and became more beautiful than ever. You looked like a queen, and so you were!”
-God in Ezekiel 16:6-13 NLT.
~To discover my original novella that inspired this new book, click here.
“As I read, I quickly became enthralled with this book, so beautifully written in the language of love. Each of these short stories so accurately reflects the romantic and wooing heart of the Bridegroom which draws you to Himself into a deeper place of love and intimacy. If you have not yet experienced romantic intimacy with God, I’m confident that this book will set you on course. It’s bound to warm your soul and whet your desire for your own heart-to-heart conversations and experiences with God. The author creatively ministers to the soul, bringing truth to light in the most tangible ways; you will feel that God is speaking directly to you, and He most certainly is! Some stories caused me to be drawn away into remembrance of my own experiences and conversations with God that have freed my soul; others caused me to reevaluate my heart’s commitment to my first Husband and cry out for forgiveness; and yet others simply took me on a delightful and exciting adventure of what the beginning of a holy, unadulterated love looks like – so refreshing to the soul! I commend the author for using her creative gifting to share personal reflections and heart intimacies which I know could only come from the deep well of Father’s heart. I highly recommend this book as a must read!” -Marina Garcia, worshipper, mother, wife, health cheerleader.
~This preview is taken from my upcoming Christian fiction book, At the Time for Love, a book based off Ezekiel 16:6-14. This novella is meant to introduce young women to the intimate love of Jesus while transparently discussing the topic of: romantic relationships, the often tumultuous and confusing emotions of teenage girls (as well as their blossoming longing for mature love), sex, and above all, the tender Bridegroom love of Jesus. When I was 16 years old, Jesus came after my heart and I wrote my first romantic story, I Do, about being his bride while listening to the song Hero by Enrique Iglesias. Because of his pure love, I walked through my young adult life whole and avoided much heartbreak and compromise. Later, I married the man of my dreams (my 1st boyfriend). My passion is to bring purity and sexual healing back to this generation. I pray Jesus uses this book to save young women in the same way He saved me. This book is meant for girls ages 17+.
Rippling, warm sensations traveled through my body before giving way to placid serenity, as he looked at me with sonographic accuracy. It was like he could see through me. Even though I was bundled in clothing, I felt naked before him. His eyes pleasantly burned through all my layers. Only, it wasn’t a sexual stripping, it was deeper, more personal, more exposing, more vulnerable. He dove into my heart and my pulse quickened and then slowed when all I saw was admiration and pure joy shining through his eyes and spreading across his entire visage.
He loved me.
Adjusting himself, he unlopped his arm from across my shoulders and pulled out a small velvety black box from his right pocket. My breath caught and he slowly took my right hand in his, lifting it up. I held my breath and watched as he carefully set the box down in his lap before tenderly taking off my glove. Time seemed frozen as he briefly but gently stroked the back of my fingers with his thumb. Our skin on skin contact caused tingling flashes of pleasure to shoot up my arm.
The frozen winter wonderland around us became void in the light of his face and shinning ocher eyes. His butterscotch skin was warmer than the sweet cup of hot chocolate I had drank. My heart was heard in my ears and all else was silent.
Is he proposing? I thought, feeling like I would simultaneously faint to the floor and fly to the moon.
I saw a muscle work in James’s jaw and his mouth moved slightly as if he wanted to say something. He slowly let go of my hand and opened the box. A brilliant ruby, chiseled in the shape of a blooming rose with gold wire around the delicate petals was seen. It was engrafted on a rose gold band and the pointed leaves on each end were silver. The veins on the leaflets were rose gold as well.
I gasped in awe!
“Merry Christmas. If you’ll have me, this will be my engagement ring to you, Rose,” he said slipping the ring on my ring finger, “I vow that I’ll love you forever with all my heart and seek to love you as Christ loves his church. I promise to be faithful to you, to pray for you, to cherish you, to be a channel of God’s goodness, truth, and grace in your life.”
My hand and body trembled as he slipped the ring on my right ring finger. A scene from our first, private ride together in his truck came back. I remembered the vow he told me he had made with God concerning his future wife; “I plan to stay single until God shows me the right one. I pray for her almost every night… whoever she is. I’ve promised to never tell another woman that I love her, or kiss, until I know it’s her.”
All fear of losing him evaporated. I wasn’t alone. I wasn’t abandoned. I was loved and always would be. A deep sense of security washed over me like a tide of warm water from the Atlantic sea. It soothed my soul, like sacred oil coating my skin.
“It’s beautiful,” I said choking on tears. I studied the expensive jewelry as I lifted my hand closer to my face. I put my hand back down and saw James’s staring at me with unflinching eyes.
Tossing aside restraint, I leaped beside him with one quick swing. I caught the sides of his face with my hands and rubbed my fingers across his smooth skin, savoring the feel of his flesh. I saw him with my hands and felt the strong muscles in his jaw and cheeks. I allowed myself the pleasure of running my hands through his coarse hair for the first time and giggled even as tears blinded my vision.
“So tightly curly,” I commented. closed my eyes as tears slipped down them and dripped on his arm and mine, “just like I imagined in my dreams.”
I opened my eyes again when I felt James play with my hair.
“Silk, just like I imagined.”
My body trembled more and my lips quivered.
“James,” I breathed thickly and slid my hands to the back of his neck, intertwining my fingers, I gently pulled him closer.
His hands dropped and he flinched his face away. When he moved to unlace my fingers, I turned his face back toward mine.
“James,” I said again, staring at him with bullseye vision. My sea blue eyes misted over, and my voice sounded like a soft cry, “oh, James.”
I tipped my chin up even as I firmly pulled his down.
Our lips touched, lightly at first and then I smooshed them together, closing my eyes to savor the feeling.
I kissed him, feeling the softness of his lips and the hardness of his teeth. I kissed him again, unbothered by his conservative, unresponsive lips. I felt his warm exhales waft against the groove of my philtrum before falling down my lower face to lightly caress the tower of my neck.
When he started kissing me back, I melted against him and felt lost in a euphoric dream. He surrounded my body in his arms and snuggled me tightly. His arms slowly moved behind me until finding their place. With one hand, he cupped my head and with the other he steadied my mid-back.
Electrical sensations exploded in my heart like lightning escaping the veil of heavy, moist rain clouds. The seconds I sat wrapped up in him felt lost in eternity.
He brusquely pulled away and I opened my eyes.
I took my hands from around him and wiped the trails of tears from my cheeks and chin. I could see remnants of my tears lining his cheeks like glassy water in irregular patterns. .
He shook his head softly, “Autumn…” he gasped, his eyes aglow like I had never seen them.
“I thought it was Rose, or darling?” I gave a brisk chuckle.
“It’s all three.”
“And Sweet One,” I said with a crumpled smile, still tasting him on my tongue.
“Four then,” he said seriously before softening, “and much more to come.”
“Now you can talk to me. Yes?” I said batting my eyes whimsically.
I could tell he was surprised by my audaciousness. “I love you, but I’m not comfortable with this.”
“Why not?” I questioned, sure that our kiss was innocuous.
My eyes searched his like a thirsty +woman leaning over a well. Curious about love, I wanted to drink from him.
I was sure I captivated him as much as he captivated me. His eyes swam across my visage, studying my features. Being under his loving gaze was almost hallucinogenic to my heart. Under his perusal, I felt the fogging warmth inside my cheeks flush across my face and even meet the bridge of my nose. I knew I was smeared across with the blushing evidence of virginity. When his vision settled on my eyes, he exhaled audibly as love poured from him. I guessed our kiss had aroused a flame in him that could spread like wildfire if not tamed.
With humble poise, James tentatively placed his index finger on my neck, “I can feel your pulse.”
“You can always feel a person’s pulse on their neck…”
“Your heart is racing.” He stressed.
“As it should be. This was my first kiss,” I spoke in a sweet, hushed voice, “how blessed am I to have only kissed the man I truly love.”
I felt the tremor in his finger before he withdrew it. It was the first time I had ever seen him tremble. I didn’t know my touch could do that to him. I didn’t know anything could do that to him. He was smitten at the core with love for me.
I bravely reached my hand out and felt his neck. I let my fingers flutter against his skin.
“I can feel yours too,” I said softly and then licked my lips.
He firmly took hold of my wrist and gently pulled my hand down, silently requesting I keep our unspoken courtship protocol.
“This was my first kiss as a saved man.”
“So, we are both sort of in the same boat?”
“Sort of…”
We both fell silent and after a few seconds I shrugged my shoulders, “I suppose, regardless it will be our last kiss for a while. After all, you are going away.”
James slightly nodded his head.
I gave a puckish grin, “I’m glad I stole one before you did.”
We both laughed and in our jest, I marveled at this newfound boldness breaking free inside of me.
We sat and talked for another hour before I began shivering uncontrollably. With no more hot chocolate to take the cold edge off, James insisted he drive me back home. Even though I knew I would be warmer in his truck, I didn’t want my time with him to be shortened. Eventually, I relented and as he drove down the country road leading to my parent’s house, I prayed we would be together sooner than Spring…
“But I came by and saw you there, helplessly kicking about in your own blood. As you lay there, I said, ‘Live!’ And I helped you to thrive like a plant in the field. You grew up and became a beautiful jewel. Your breasts became full, and your body hair grew, but you were still naked. And when I passed by again, I saw that you were old enough for love. So I wrapped my cloak around you to cover your nakedness and declared my marriage vows. I made a covenant with you, says the Sovereign Lord, and you became mine. “Then I bathed you and washed off your blood, and I rubbed fragrant oils into your skin. I gave you expensive clothing of fine linen and silk, beautifully embroidered, and sandals made of fine goatskin leather. I gave you lovely jewelry, bracelets, beautiful necklaces, a ring for your nose, earrings for your ears, and a lovely crown for your head. And so you were adorned with gold and silver. Your clothes were made of fine linen and costly fabric and were beautifully embroidered. You ate the finest foods—choice flour, honey, and olive oil—and became more beautiful than ever. You looked like a queen, and so you were!”
-God in Ezekiel 16:6-13 NLT.
~For a fiction novella on godly love, check out my book, Romantic Rendezvous for the Soul (Pleasure That Makes You Whole). It explores the holy Bridegroom love of Jesus for the church on amazon! To purchase a copy or read reviews on it, click here. You can also read the first chapter free on my Free Inspiration page!
“This book is simply wonderful. Deliciously descriptive, it nourishes the soul with fresh revelation of God’s love for humanity. This collection of short stories may challenge your thinking about what true intimacy looks like, while making your heart yearn to daily experience the Perfect Love described within its pages. It invites you into a world created by Love Himself, where there’s no mistaking that His love is not only unconditional and never-failing, but also deeply personal and precious to Him. Get ready to experience the purpose, pleasure, and power of real love!” -Amazon Reviewer
. I feel so blessed! This has been a two year journey and the manuscript is almost ready to present to publishers.
