Category: Inner Peace

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The Sacred Wooing Invitation

“Such an intimate encounter with our Lord and Savior… it has changed my relationship with Christ.”

I wrote “The Sacred Wooing” as an invitation to the church to rekindle her “first love” purity for Jesus and as a witness to the blessing of walking wholly devoted to Jesus while empowered by grace.

I warmly welcome beta readers who are passionate about drawing closer to Jesus to review my newest novel, The Sacred Wooing (Experiencing the Bridegroom Love of Jesus), before it’s published.

*Fans of Francine Rivers (Redeeming Love), Paul Young (The Shack), and Sarah Young (Jesus Calling) will enjoy the biblical parable style of The Sacred Wooing, which also captivates fantasy fans with its epic storytelling.

*The words of Christ in this story reflect the universal and eternal longing in every woman’s heart for everlasting love, while also emphasizing the ongoing spiritual battle for the allegiance of men’s souls.

*This story invites readers to experience Jesus’s love as their bridegroom and to reconnect with their First Love (Revelation 2:4).”

Qualifications for Readers:

  1. Readers need to commit to reading the entire manuscript before its publication date. (Please be aware that publication dates can be more fluid than solid and require flexibility. This is usually to the reader’s advantage, as it often takes longer than predicted to finalize a book)
  2. Readers understand that they are committing to write their review on Amazon, Goodreads, Bookbub, and a social media platform of their choice during the first two days of the book’s release. (It’s okay if it’s the same review. As long as it’s your honest and hopefully positive feedback <3)
  3. Readers must not share any material from the manuscript with anyone unless given written permission by the author and/or publisher (this is copyright material).
  4. Readers must love Jesus and desire to love others with His love.
  5. Readers must be available to communicate with the author during the publishing process (I want to hear your thoughts and suggestions, and I will need you to be open, especially as the deadline approaches).

Opening Scene

The highest king sat with blinding light shining from him. Contrasting cumulonimbus clouds and radiant lightning swirled around him like a halo crafted from a tempest, subjugated by an unimaginably powerful force. His appearance was suffused with fiery amber gems. The clouds around him pillowed upward, creating vast, vaporous terrains rippling with the colors of the hemisphere. 

 Majestic flying creatures filled with spiritual power orbited the omnipotent king. Their multiple, feathery wings swayed across their celestial forms like silken curtains. The swooshing of their gargantuan wings caused the air to vibrate with tornadic winds. Their booming voices charged the atmosphere like thunder as they paid homage to the one they revered.  

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!”

Royal lords donned in flowing, priestly garments bespeckled with jewels bowed reverently as they circled the throne. Their transcendent voices harmonized into a swelling crescendo. The sound was akin to rushing waves, more resplendent than any music on earth. 

“You are worthy oh Lord to receive glory and honor and power! For you created all things! And by your will they exist, and were created!”

Seven golden lampstands flamed brilliantly, and incense rose like a sheet of fragrant mist from the scintillating floor.

The omnipotent king sat on his immaculate throne and held seven gleaming stars in his hand. They glimmered like fiberoptic pearls. His robe cascaded down as the clouds canopy the Amazon forest. His clothes shone whiter than fresh snow and a regal, sash hung like sunlight from his shoulder to his waist. The golden floor was transparent glass, mirroring everything above it with an aureate glow.

To the left of the king sat his father. He was the creator of all. They were unified in purpose and in heart. Their resemblance in soul and features were so akin, that having seen one, you would have known the other. From the father’s mouth came the spirit of life—the most precious breath. A single exhale from this spirit could form planets.

The seated father and kingly son watched for the son’s bride to prepare herself fully. The son had waited patiently for eons and excitedly looked forward to the celebratory day, the day of his gladness of heart. He had prepared himself in the finest apparel. The wine he would offer was the richest created, and he had earnestly desired to drink it with her in the kingdom. A feast in the heavenly clouds, surrounded by a balcony of translucent rainbows and shimmering, fiery jasper stones, had been set. The table alone was lengthier than a galaxy. It would be a greater feast than all royal weddings in created history. Serving angels stood ready to attend to the king and his beloved wife. All that awaited her. 

For thousands of years, the son had sent messages to her, and yet she was easily distracted and discouraged from her bridal preparations…

Story Synopsis

Heaven is prepared for the most joyful wedding feast, but only one thing is missing—the bride. Noelani, a mortal woman with the divine spark of eternity inside her, is troubled by a cohort of evil spiritual beings plotting her downfall. Battle-worn, she begins to lose her only connection to her kingly groom, her faith.

All seems lost until her powerful groom knocks on her door and invites her to take his hand on a journey that will bring out her deepest fears and cause her enemies to double their attacks. Will her faith endure to the end?

Signing Up

Hello everyone, if you’re interested in becoming a beta reader, may you DM me directly at nourishementthroughwords@gmail.com

Thank you so much for your interest! 

❤

Thank you so much for your time and commitment! I pray you are ushered into a deeper relationship with Jesus that brings wholesome love and restoration to your soul.

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Your Eyes Captivate Me

Happy New Year! ✨

My greatest prayer for you in 2026 is to focus on the One who loves you most and who holds eternity in his hands. His love heals and redeems every bit of your history. His plans for your life are perfectly good! May you behold him. ❤️

Your eyes will see the King in His beauty. -Isaiah 33:17a

Your eyes, like honeyed glass, hold all the sweetness of love the world could never offer. Every glimpse of you causes me to catch my breath.

Your deep love is a sauna-sized ocean, more soothing and therapeutic than the warmest embrace. I could wade in your waters for eternity.

Your compassion is the hottest and most welcoming fire, crackling with undying grace. I desire to sit before your flames, linger near your light, and lean into your voice. Nothing brings me more delight than your nearness.

You are faithful love.

You are sweet peace.

You are solace for my soul.

You are a haven for my worries.

You shower me more than a steady rainfall.

You are oxygen to my lungs and blood to my body.

You are beauty to my eyes and sunlight to my inner garden. You cause all that is good within me to grow.

You are hope during my night.

How you have captivated me forever, my Savior and King.

How you have wooed me into eternity, my divine Bridegroom.

How you have delivered me, my Redeemer.

How you have me, Jesus!

Are you ready to taste of the sweet delicacies of God in a deeply reviving and personal way? For those who want to drink, for those who want to eat and be refreshed and renewed, Visions of Celestial Love is a feast between you and the King of Heaven, who loves you more than anyone else. He invites you to dine on wholesome, good, savory food and delicious, zesty, fruitful drink. He awaits you with a sparkle in His eye. He is ready for your company. He delights to have you as a guest.

To read for free with KU, click here.

“To actually read someone’s journal raw, unedited, and unfiltered is a real blessing. I also loved the scriptures at the end of every chapter. The author’s pursuit of God is relentless, extremely honest, and deep.”- Book Review

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Eternal Life has Defeated Death

Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, and might set free those who all their lives were subject to slavery through fear of death. -Hebrews 2:14-15 BSB

Are you afraid of death?

This week, I received a text from a dear friend whom I’ve known since I was a little girl. She said that her mother had gone to Heaven and specified the time in the evening when she took her last breath on this side of eternity. It was a surprisingly short text considering the news.

She had written earlier asking for prayer for her family because her mom was “so ready to see Jesus.”

The night before, my mother-in-law echoed a similar statement as she sat across from me beside my sister-in-law while my husband sat next to me.

“I’m not afraid of dying,” she said calmly, “I know where I’m going.”

I investigated her warm, dark eyes and saw she was serious.

Her words reminded me of my late grandmother’s. A flash of memory crossed my imagination to the fateful conversation I’d had years ago, as I stared at my (then) last living grandmother.

I was holding my newborn, and my grandmother’s weathered countenance took on a bright enthusiasm as she recalled her vision of Heaven. She talked about glorious gold and colors too vivid to put into words. She spoke of how beautiful everything was and how Earth was a “trash heap” compared to what she’d seen in Heaven.

Her smile became dreamy, and she told me she was ready to see Jesus. Although I was dazzled by her courage toward death, the selfish part of me shrank. For as long as I could remember, her prayers had canopied over our family.

“Don’t leave us just yet. We need you.” I said nervously,

The fearlessness of my mother-in-law, my late grandma (who passed away shortly after our discussion), and my friend’s mom made me realize what a beautiful thing Jesus has done for us!

Through his resurrection, He has taken away the bitterness of death.

Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:

“Death is swallowed up in victory
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”

For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. -1 Corinthians 15:54-57 NLT

Jesus has paid the price to defeat one of our greatest enemies.

As children of God, we don’t have to fear death.

In fact, we shouldn’t fear death.

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.” -1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

I didn’t see fear of death in my mother-in-law’s and my late grandmother’s eyes. More than anything, I saw anticipation. They were looking forward to seeing Jesus.

I can understand that.

The reality of seeing Jesus has the power to take away the fear of death.

Nothing is lost in eternity.

Christ has redeemed those who put their faith in Him, and we can trust that, as our King, our righteous Judge, and our Redeemer, He will ensure that nothing is lost. We can entrust everything and everyone we love to His care. We can have complete confidence in His power to save us, even from death.

Years ago, the fear of death haunted me like a shadow. I had just given birth to my first child shortly after losing four people I loved. Two of these were my teenage cousins, who had both been murdered in their home. I can’t properly describe the deep pain I felt in my heart. I was in my last trimester when I received this news, and I remember sobbing in the bathroom, running the water to drown out my cries.

Shortly after that, fear began to follow me. It tormented me day and night. I didn’t realize it was a spiritual attack at the time.

 I fretted about Eden’s safety when she was a newborn (I’m being very vulnerable). I was also afraid of dying and leaving my baby, Eden, and my husband.

But more than anything, I feared dying alone. I dreaded facing the ultimate enemy on my own. I feared my loved ones facing this enemy alone as well. Death takes away the presence of the ones we love, leaving us alone with our memories. This, to me, was the biggest fear… until Jesus addressed this.

I woke up one morning before sunrise. A deep blue shaded the sky, and the atmosphere was peacefully still as my family slept soundly. The cold autumn air outside seeped through the windows, and I moseyed over to the piano downstairs before playing the keys. I could sense the nagging fear, stealing my peace. I prayed to Jesus, and He spoke to my heart.

“You will never be alone.”

I paused and knew He was speaking directly to my fear of death.

“There will never be a second of your life when I won’t be with you. Even in death, I will be there. I will be there when you close your eyes to this life, and I will be there the second you open your eyes in the next.”

His comforting presence enveloped me like a warm, heavenly blanket.  His love melted away the fear that had frozen a place inside of me for months. The assurance of His constant presence gave me a peace I can’t fully put into words.

Since that day, the enemy has not been able to shake me with the terror of death. Jesus has truly set me free from the slavery of fearing death.

I know that I can face death because the Resurrected Conqueror loves me wholeheartedly, and He will uphold me.

He offers you this same gift.

Now, I look forward to seeing Jesus! I can honestly say, like my grandmother, I want to see Jesus.

Once, while I was worshipping at a dear friend’s house, whom I call “my second mother,” I felt so aware of eternity that death became as insignificant as a tiny ant. My friend and our mutual friend praised Jesus, and His holy Presence filled the room. Sometime during our late-night worship, I looked at my friends and wished I could be their age. They are in their early seventies, and I’m in my early thirties. I wanted to be their age because I knew, if things progressed naturally, they would go to Heaven first. I felt jealous (in a good way) that they had faithfully served God throughout their lives and were nearing the end of their race through life.

In that sacred moment, I wished I was older so I could be with Jesus sooner, but I hesitated because of my love for my family and my desire to fulfill God’s will for my life; I also knew that my husband and children wanted and needed me to stay with them.

I know that might seem crazy to people who don’t know the Lord. It may even seem out of place to some Christians, but as Paul said. “I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed. But it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.…” –Philippians 1:22-23 BSB

I tasted the transcendent power of Psalm 73:25. “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.”

And in that heavenly moment, I valued Jesus more than my own life on this earth.

(I hope you understand what I’m saying. I’m not looking for death or condoning the early end of my life. Rather, I have peace in the face of what I once dreaded. I pray to live a long life and fulfill God’s plans for my life on this earth, while keeping my eyes heavenward) 

Like my late grandmother, my mother-in-law, and my friend’s mother (who passed this week), I understand where I’m going, so death has no real power. I know Whom I want to see more than anyone else: Jesus, The Life. And I dream of seeing His beautiful face!

As a newly saved teenager, I used to wonder if I was truly saved and going to Heaven. Instead of just trusting the scriptures, which assure us that we will be with Jesus forever, I wanted to hear it directly from Jesus, so I kept asking, “Am I saved?” (Jesus was gracious enough to help me in my unbelief).

One day, He whispered in my heart, “Yes, you are saved.” Not two minutes after He spoke that, an angel appeared in my room. I sensed his presence, and he told me the same thing, “You are saved.” Then he “disappeared.”

Before I even had time to process the angelic encounter, my cell phone rang, and I answered it. It was a Christian friend. “Yes?” I greeted.

“Ashley!” My friend exclaimed, “I was just talking to God and He told me you and I are saved!”

I could barely speak. Father God had given me three confirmations in under ten minutes!

I know I will be with Jesus forever. My future is secure.

I have a blessed sense of peace about eternity.

You can feel this way, too.

You are a favored and loved child of God.

Jesus died and rose again to defeat every enemy that would ever hurt you.

Dear one, no matter who you’ve “lost” or what grief you feel, He is there with you, and He is there with those you love, regardless of where they are. Through Jesus, we are united, even when death temporarily separates us. One day, we will all be together physically.

Not even death can separate you from those you love. If they are “with” Jesus, He will take care of them. You can trust His saving power. We can trust everyone we love into His hands. He is the Resurrection. He is the Life. He is our Redeemer. Nothing good will be lost.

The things you believe you’ve lost while battling in this world will be restored. Everything God intended for you to have will be redeemed. You will lack nothing good. Every cause of your pain will be washed away.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. -Revelation 21:4 NLT

I pray the Holy Spirit will use these words to bring your heart eternal comfort and peace.

You are secure in His hands.

xoxo

Enjoy this devotional video I created as an invitation for you to soak in the unconditional love and healing peace of God.

“When I read Visions of Celestial Love, it is as if I am brought down to my knees to worship. What the Holy Spirit has done in and through Ashley, He is also doing in me. What a wonderful experience. It is very rich. Thank you for sharing the treasure.”—Riko Suci Alam, CEO of Ligar Jaya and owner of Clove Garden hotel in Bandung Indonesia.

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Receiving His Beautiful Love

~This excerpt was taken from my book, Visions of Celestial Love. May your soul be blessed by the Holy Spirit as you read.

It’s been one of those mornings, those really beautiful ones. I have the feeling of belonging to God. I taste the sweetness of His total forgiveness.

It’s a special kind of pleasure to sit by the window and watch rays of sunlight stream through the glass, touching Mom’s golden tablecloth decorated with picturesque mats of fruit in a translucent bowl. This morning, I awoke early, determined to spend time with God.

I sat down and read Matthew 5. There, the sweet humility that comes from being forgiven and loved freely came into my heart and melted away all the poisonous lies that the enemy had been using against me.

It’s amazing how sweet it is to simply bask in the knowledge that you are loved unconditionally and accepted without reservation. Just to know that you are a cherished child of God, whom He delights in, changes you. No work is required, no mustering of strength. Because you realize your strength is nonexistent. He has all the strength. He has all the power. He has all the love. And you are the center of His attention, and His chosen affection. You are His most beloved child.

I have been very replenished in the knowledge of His undying love and favor. I feel like I’m a lush grape hanging off the vine of all that He is. I don’t need to work to produce my own fruit or sap. He produces that for me. His veins fill me with the graciousness of all He is. His indwelling Spirit melts away all my diseases and fills my soul with beautiful thoughts.

Peace and joy are infinite, love is endless, and they trail within, making rivers and paths of life below hills lush with vegetation. I see golden paint in the sky fall upon the terrain of my heart and soul. I drink in water that graces the sky with rainbows. I am loved forever.

Dear reader, nothing is as sweet as knowing God loves you and will do all the work in transforming you. Don’t try to do it on your own, as is the constant trap of man. Trust in Jesus, not on your own merits or strength. Be like a child again. Realizing this all over again filled me with such sweetness that I rose, played worship music, and fixed my family breakfast. When we receive God’s love for us, it’s so easy to walk in unselfish love toward others.

My mom was pleasantly surprised to find blueberry-cranberry scones, hearty omelets, and a homemade smoothie fixed up in the kitchen. We broke out my dad’s gifted plum jam and ate merrily. It’s amazing how beautiful life is when you know you reside in the heart (in the very chest) of Almighty God…and you are able to call Him “Father.” It’s amazing when you carry the atmosphere of Heaven inside, because you are more conscious that you live under grace and favor than anything else.

I pray that this deep knowledge of His love be yours. I pray the Holy Spirit will make this a reality in your life. That you would fully accept and feel your completeness in Christ. You are accepted in the beloved. -Ephesians 1:6

To check out my devotional book, Visions of Celestial Love, click here.

“Ashley presents us with a true cornucopia of modern psalms, personal testimonies, and short stories. She has set out to reveal and unravel some of the most complex heart issues mankind faces in our quest of understanding what true intimacy with God really looks like. Prepare to have your soul massaged and worked on as you read Visions of Celestial Love.” — Jeremy Minard

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Return to your Heavenly Father

Isaiah 44:22

I have blotted out like a thick cloud your transgressions and like a cloud your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you. –

Return to Him

Don’t let guilt keep you away from God. Your heavenly Father loves your company. The Bible is sweet with the undying core of reconciliation that beats in God’s heart. God has made it clear that He has taken away our transgressions and He desires our company. He is speaking to you today, “return to Me because I have redeemed you.”

Since man’s creation, God has desired a relationship with us. Sin entered the world through Adam’s transgression and mankind has often been found “hiding in the bushes” because of fear inspired by failure. Yet, God never gave up on his original plan for us to know Him and enjoy relational harmony with Him. Ephesians 1:4 says, “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.”

No matter what you have done, you are loved by God. We should repent for our sins (acknowledge them, commune with God about it in a way that is humble, repentant, and full of faith knowing that He will help us by His Spirit). However, we should never hide from our Father, like Adam did after he sinned. Jesus has paid the price for all the sins you committed in your past, all the sins you may struggle with today, and all sins you will commit in the future. You have everlasting forgiveness and redemption. You have his eternal love.

Prayer

“Father, I pray that you will help me to establish my heart in the doctrine of reconciliation. I pray that I will continually experience the incredible peace of Christ knowing that I am completely forgiven and made righteous by faith in his finished work. Thank you, Father, for your amazing love which motivated you to send your Son into the world to save us. Thank you for always drawing near to me when I draw near to you. Help me to not be afraid of your presence, but to realize that you are waiting for me with open arms. I love you Father and I thank you for all that you’ve done. In Jesus name, amen.”

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Hearing From God (Your Inheritance)

Did you know that you can hear from God?

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. -John 10:27

It took me a long time to realize that as a child of God, a part of my familial benefits included the ability to hear his voice.

This incredible gift of hearing from our heavenly Father is not just for a select few. It is for everyone, including you. You are a beloved of your Father in Heaven. He wants to speak to you as any good father would want to communicate with his child.

I wrote about this topic in the new anthology book, The Runaway Bride of Christ.

May my testimony encourage and uplift you in your faith!

A Transforming Relationship

“Christianity that isn’t supernatural is superficial.” -Unknown

“I promised you my love and entered the covenant of marriage with you. I, God, the Master, gave my word. You became mine. I gave you a good bath, washing off all that old blood, and anointed you with aromatic oils. I dressed you in a colorful gown and put leather sandals on your feet. I gave you linen blouses and a fashionable wardrobe of expensive clothing. I adorned you with jewelry: I placed bracelets on your wrists, fitted you out with a necklace, emerald rings, sapphire earrings, and a diamond tiara.” -Ezekiel 16:9-12 (MSG)

I began to sense the promptings of the Holy Spirit. I was guided to create a spiritual mind calendar where I put down purposefully things to do every day that would help me abide in Christ. Most of these things included prayer and Bible reading. I began by studying the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5, and I limited my television watching. Please keep in mind, I felt led by the Holy Spirit to do these things. No one from the outside instructed me in this, so it wasn’t “legalistic.” 

I prayed to Jesus to wake me up early to spend time with him before I did anything else. The very next morning, I woke up at 5 am, feeling an invisible hand on my arm. I even felt the fingers of this invisible hand. I opened my eyes and discerned the message of the Lord, “It’s prayer and study time.” For the next year, I would wake up almost every morning to be alone with Jesus. I read through the entire Bible. 

The Holy Spirit led me through a process of sanctification. I began to sense what pleased God and what displeased him. I fully gave myself to Him, treasuring Him above all others. 

As I dwelt in his presence, my heart began to heal. I was supernaturally delivered from a demon of anger that was sitting on the hurt in my soul. Now that the hurt was gone, the demon had left. I’m not sure if God kicked it out or if it left on its own. I literally felt an empty space in me where the anger usually was. I gave up my old life and accepted that I was a new creation in Christ. I no longer tended to give in to sinful anger. I began to overlook offenses and become a peacemaker. I no longer gave curt answers that cut my family. I now offered gentle words that turned away wrath (see Proverbs 15:1, NIV). The insecurities that once crippled much of my life began peeling away. As I received the love of God, I began to love myself and take care of my body. Within a year, I was at a balanced weight.

Not only did I love myself, but I liked myself. As a result, I gave that gracious love to others. My mind was slowly becoming a beautiful garden. I no longer had dark thoughts. Divinely inspired images began filling my mind, and I started having “visions” of the kingdom of heaven. I journaled some of these down in my book, Visions of Celestial Love. 

“If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments.

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever— the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you. -John 14:15-16 (AMP)

The Lord began stressing the importance of my obedience. The first relationship God repaired was with my father. God taught me that no matter how I didn’t want to do what my father asked, I was commanded in the Bible to honor him. It was hard at first, but as I died to pride, I began walking in joyful obedience. My father and I developed a closer relationship. He began buying me presents at random and taking me on father- daughter dates. I went from a begrudgingly obedient child to a willfully obedient child. The Lord would inspire me to cook dinner for my family, clean the garage (although I hated doing so, especially since there were spiders), and serve them with my whole heart. 

One night my eldest sister told me to not sleep on the couch. I liked sleeping on the couch because I could see the stars through the large windows. As I was drifting off to sleep on the couch again, the Lord reminded me of Ashanti’s words. I frowned but spread a blanket on the floor and slept. In the morning Ashanti asked me why I was snoozing on the floor. I responded, “Because you told me not to sleep on the couch.” She gave me a pleased smile and then said, “You can sleep on the couch (from now on).” God was showing me what it was like to grow in, “wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man” like Jesus who willingly obeyed his parents as a teenager (see Luke 2:51-52, NIV, emphasis added).  

Miracles began happening in my life. I think it’s important to note that I didn’t chase miracles. I pursued knowing God. Miracles are a result of the presence of God. One morning after spending time with God, I proceeded to politely excuse myself., “Father, I’m hungry and I think I will watch TV.” After making breakfast I tried to watch TV on two different televisions, and nothing was working. I checked the plugs and connections, and everything was set up right. There was no reason for the televisions to be showing static. I went to the family computer and tried to watch shows on YouTube, but the internet wasn’t “working.” Then I got a small impression from the Holy Spirit to visit a ministry website by one of the ministers I enjoyed listening to. It worked immediately! It was like God was saying, “I’m enjoying your company. I want to spend more time with you.”

One day, I was taking a shower and as it was ending, I realized I had left my drying towel on the sink counter which was past the commode. I didn’t want to drip water on the floor, so I thought to lean on the towel railing and reach for my towel. I felt the Holy Spirit tell me, “Don’t do that. The railing is unstable.” I disregarded his impression, unsure if I had heard from Him and leaned on it anyway. It gave way and I began falling fast. I could have seriously gotten hurt, but I felt an invisible presence catch me and slowly lower my body down to the floor! I still don’t know it if was an angel or the Lord who caught me. I recall thanking the Lord multiple times for keeping me safe.  

One night I heard the voice of God. It was so clear, my ears picked it up, but his voice wasn’t projecting from the outside. His voice came from inside my heart! He told me, “Ashley, your rabbit is going to get sick and die.” For years I had prayed for the health of my family (spiritual, mental, emotional and physical). I would include prayers for my rabbit, Floppy’s, health as well. I patted my chest where I heard his voice and stood frozen in wonder. I had never heard God so clearly! At this point in my walk, Christ was dwelling in my heart by faith (see Ephesians 3:17, AMP). The Holy Spirit had done a beautiful job of making my heart a nice home for Jesus. At that time, Floppy was showing no signs of illness, but I began spending more time with her as I believed Jesus had spoken to me. I took her to the park a lot; I videotaped her and gave her extra kisses. 

Sometime later, she began to show symptoms of sickness. She stopped eating and would make small painful noises. We took her to the vet only to find out that cancer had spread throughout her body and there was nothing the vet could do. My mom decided it would be merciful for us to allow the vet to put her out of her misery. I was the last one to hold Floppy and I remember her licking me on my nose as I reluctantly gave her to one of the assistants. I cried loudly as I left the veterinarian. As dejected and sad as I felt, I realized Jesus had warned me ahead of time so I wouldn’t be shocked by her passing. He also did this so I could spend more purposeful time with her and have cherished times together. He cared enough about me to warn me so I wouldn’t be devastated…

~I hope you enjoyed this brief snippet of my testimony. If you’d like to purchase a physical copy of the book, The Runaway Bride of Christ, click here (please allow 2-3 weeks before delivery). You may also purchase a kindle version on amazon by clicking here.

~For a novella full of the voice of God, check out my book, Romantic Rendezvous for the Soul, by clicking here.

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Three Great Loves

I don’t think we yet know what it’s like to be loved by a king entirely apart from our efforts and works.

And not just a king but the King of Kings.

And not just a high and lofty king, but the King who sits enthroned in the heavens, being worshiped by angels so magnificent and glorious they could kill us from their presence.

We are entirely loved, and this love is fierce toward fear, because fear cannot exist when it is entirely accepted.

I don’t think we yet know how much the Trinity cares deeply for us.

He has provided us with every essential relationship for emotional happiness and stability.

Think about it.

We have a perfect Father who owns everything!

His love rears us in loving tenderness and in merciful wisdom.

We have a perfect spouse.

Jesus is the ultimate Husband.

He laid down His life for us when we rejected Him.

Like the kindest Husband, He patiently woos us to Himself, romances us with His Presence, Word, creation, and an inexhaustible list of other things.

He forgives us always and desires us more than anything else.

We have the perfect Friend.

The Holy Spirit sticks more closely than a brother.

He loves us more deeply than father or mother, and like a good friend He has only our best interest at heart.

He brings us peace when we are afraid. He heals us when we are sick. He teaches us humbly if we are willing to learn. He guides us in all things. He empowers us when we are weak.

He is our ever-faithful companion.

The Trinity had provided for our every need. He provides the three great loves every heart craves and was made for.

May He, constantly cause you to realize more just how deeply you are loved.

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My True Home

"You stir us to take pleasure in praising you, because you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you" -St. Augustine

Take me to a place where I can watch the rain fall on the ocean and still be warm.

Take me to a place where waterfalls refract light and create prismatic rainbows too numerous to count.

Take me to a place, where the breath of God is the rolling fog that forms translucent, moving mountains over great bodies of water.

How I long to be in your presence.

Your presence is the atmosphere of heaven.

You create a fire with flames that warm, heal, and feed me.

You are the dearest treasure to my heart.

You are my morning cry.

You are the great joy of my day.

You are my night longing.

You have given me angels bread to eat.

You have sung me to sleep with the lullabies of heaven, with the melodic music of stringed instruments unheard of by human ears.

You have caused me to taste the divine and nothing on earth has satisfied me since.

You have shown me what true life means.

You are the definition of abundance.

You are more beautiful than the golden rays of the sun coming after a long night.

You are more breathtaking than billions of stars glowing in the constellations.

You are more precious than glinting diamonds.

You are the Creator of everything beautiful and good.

And I am in love with you.

Take me to that place where I long to abide.

To that alcove in your heart.

To that safe place where I can sit in the living room of your thoughts.

Before the fire of your pure compassion.

In the rocking chair of your arms.

Under the chromatic rainbow of your tears.

In the effervescent hot spring of your laughter.

In the galaxy of your eyes.

You are my true home.

And I am only at home in you.

Whom have I in heaven but you?
    I desire you more than anything on earth.
 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
    but God remains the strength of my heart;
    he is mine forever.

-Psalm 73:25-26

For similar devotionals like this, check out my book, Visions of Celestial Love (An Invitation into Healing Intimacy with God). 

"Ashley presents us with a true cornucopia of modern psalms, personal testimonies, and short stories. She has set out to reveal and unravel some of the most complex heart issues mankind faces in our quest of understanding what true intimacy with God really looks like. Prepare to have your soul massaged and worked on as you read Visions of Celestial Love." — Jeremy Minard,
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Upcoming Book: His Beauty for My Ashes

I’m very excited to share this chapter in the book, His Beauty for My Ashes!

God showed me a vision of Heaven and how He created me… and it’s my honest belief that He wants to show you your priceless value, acceptance, purpose and divine uniqueness so you can shine on the earth because the DNA of Heaven is inside of you…

❤

HIS BEAUTY FOR MY ASHES Anthology with Visionary DrSherley Lefevre.

This book is a dedication to the resilient kings and queens transitioning from weeping to reaping. Crafted by fearless women who’ve conquered adversity, it’s your manual for empowerment, filled with testimonies, revelations, and biblical insights to deepen your faith. Get ready to rise above, triumph, and thrive!

🙌🏽

Promo Video:

The expected publishing month is November 2023! Be on the lookout for more details soon.

To check out my previously published books, click on the books tab. I pray you are blessed by God as you read!

Reviews:

“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

“Romantic Rendezvous is a beautiful invitation into intimacy with Jesus! Ashley has done a masterful job of creating stories that depict the heart of the Father. I have truly been blessed by this book! As I read each story, I felt the closeness of Jesus and had continual reminders of how deep the Fathers love is for me. From the very first chapter, I felt the flame of my heart be rekindled with God’s goodness and love. This book is a must read!” -Jessica Leon

My review is biased but Fallen Coins really reminded me of my childhood growing up with the author(My Sister) she would tell me many stories before bed but this one i remember i asked to repeat several different times. The characters brought back many memories of us playing and enjoying each others company as well as the situations we’d find ourselves in often due to our impulsive curiosities the settings paints beautiful scenery of a wonderful small village our protagonists find themselves in. This short story is a wonderful read driving the importance of obedience especially to our parents.” -Amazon Reviewer

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Falling in Love with Jesus

Have you ever thought about this, the Bible begins with a marriage relationship in a beautiful garden between Adam and Eve, and it ends with a divine marriage feast in Heaven between Christ and the church?

This is a glimmering preview into a new book idea I’ve had in my heart for several years now. This book is about preparing the hearts of God’s people for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7). It is a prayerful and worshipful journey of mine to create words that make others thirsty for Jesus and to fall in love with Him. I often pray that the Holy Spirit would use me to woo the Bride of Christ back to Jesus. Just as the Spirit of God helped John the Baptist turn the hearts of the children back to their fathers, may He rise up within my heart to help the Bride of Christ return to her First Love. May you be blessed by this sneak peek:

-This book is artistically based off the Biblical writings of: Songs of Songs, Isaiah 54, Esther, Eden, Ezekiel 16, and finally the Marriage between Jesus and the Church in Revelation.

Eden scene:

“How come the King makes it so I am always attended?” I asked my attending angel.

“Because you are his royal wife.”

“We are not married yet.”

“In your carnal mind time still exists.” He said without condemnation or rudeness, “You forget that the Word says the Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world.  Before Adam sinned in this Paradise, Christ had already become the sin offering.” (Revelation 13:8)

I (Ariel, name meaning, Jerusalem) remembered that God symbolically showed Adam and Eve the promise of his eternal redemption through Christ when He slaid an animal to cover them with its skin. He covered their shame. He paid for their sin. He kept them warm…all with that one act to show them divine grace, mercy and sacrificial love. But it came at an ugly cost…the cost of innocent blood. (Genesis 3:21)

“It doesn’t seem like death could have ever happened in such a beautiful place as this…” I whispered thoughtfully.

The garden was vibrant with flowers and fruit and vegetables bright like polychromatic gems. Sparkling mist rose from the foundations of Eden like clouds of cream. The etherealness of it reminded me of the slow dancing clouds that descend like steaming, gauzy sheets of vapor over the amazon rainforests.

The rivers of Eden could be heard everywhere. The sound of moving water pleasantly rushed around my ears as if I were canoeing on streams with the clearest crystal waters fresher than artic rivers. One river had flecks of gold chaffing so plentiful that the gold clustered smoothly on river stones and when aureate sunlight graced the waters it gleamed so brilliantly it was like light on mirrors, refracting the brightest yellow.

I knelt by this heavenly river, feeling the soft, moist turf cushioning my knees. As I cupped this water in my hand, fine gold settled to the bottom of my palms like light glitter floating in water and it covered my skin completely like a layer of metallic lotion after the water had dripped from my hands. (Genesis 2:10-14)

All of the animals glowed like moonlight. They seemed to be infused with an otherworldly presence…as if divinity had been sewed into the delicate weaving ladder of their DNA. They were full of life. Holy life. They were full of peace. They never harmed one another. They lived in harmony with the earth and all of creation around them. Even through them, I saw Him. (Romans 8:20-23, Isaiah 11:6-9)

He was inescapable…

Even when He went off to judge, to reign, to deliver, to conquer and to rule as the mighty King of kings, and Lord of lords …He was always still with me. (Matthew 28:20, 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20)

In my own heart, I tasted the fragrance of his pure presence. His loving faithfulness was transcendent. Not even death could overpower or diminish it. (2 Corinthians 2:15)

It was like I was in a dream. Or a dream of a dream. But at the same time, no fantasy or dream, could come close to matching the beauty of Paradise. Undefiled, unadulterated…Eden. The highest hopes of man paled in comparison to the dreams of God.

In some ways, I felt like Esther, living within the gilded fortress and walls of the king’s magnificent palace, and his subsequent beautiful mansions speckling around his main palace. Within this main gate was his royal court made of pearl floors almost as clear as glass with thick curvy pillars crested and belted with rose gold that flamed into an amber color when torchlight came near.

All of this was encircled with water and delightful gardens rich with life, fruit, exotic animals, jewels, and every good delight known to man. Between two of these gardens was the king’s lush vineyard where grapes more aromatic than flowers grew in iridescent rows of emerald leafy vines….

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

For previous books on the amazing love of Jesus, check out, Visions of Celestial Love and Romantic Rendezvous for the Soul. 

"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
"Romantic Rendezvous is a beautiful invitation into intimacy with Jesus! Ashley has done a masterful job of creating stories that depict the heart of the Father. I have truly been blessed by this book! As I read each story, I felt the closeness of Jesus and had continual reminders of how deep the Fathers love is for me. From the very first chapter, I felt the flame of my heart be rekindled with God's goodness and love. This book is a must read!" -Amazon Reviewer

Worship Him

He’s so beautiful, isn’t He? Look at Him, the desire of the nations. The world trembles for his presence again. (I don’t own any rights to this beautiful music or video):

Beauty – Bethel Music – YouTube

xoxo