Category: Kingdom of Heaven/God

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Medicine for the Soul

“And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.” -Isaiah 58:11

I think it’s so easy to neglect the deep care our souls need. 

In the busyness of life, in the deceit that other things are more important, and the constant distraction and to to-do lists, our heart connection with Jesus can be pushed to the side. 

But Jesus is everything we need and our relationship with Him is the most precious relationship in all the world. 

We need Him. He is our Life. He is our Truth. He is our Healer. He is our Savior. He is our Lord. He is our Counselor. He is the medicine our hearts need. 

He is, I Am. 

This has not been an easy year for me so far. Before the end of February, Stephen and I had 4 deaths of people we have known, cared for, and loved. And I haven’t made time to truly stop and grieve properly.

In the same breath, I saw revival break forth in a part of our nation that was beautiful. More personally, several of my Bible students had encounters with God in class that were healing, amazing and personally comforting. I saw students crying, embracing one another, bowing their heads in prayer, and reaching out to touch Jesus. One girl student described seeing Jesus as a majestic lion with a mane of fire, warm golden eyes and big, white, comforting wings. As she shared her vision of Jesus, my husband, who was in a different state, broke out in tears because the anointing of God was so strongly felt by him. That day of worship and prayer was so special. 

To watch a video of two students sharing about their visions of Jesus, click here.

I’ve recently dealt with bouts of fear, one of them being job loss because of lack of finances in my school.

Then there’s been the familiar nagging of the spirit of the enemy coming against my own tender and sacred dreams. He has sought to sow seeds of doubt, hopelessness, and depression that the dreams I believe God has promised me will never come true. There’s been the excitement of hearing from my literary agent that a Christian publisher requested two samples of my work…only to have weeks of silence after. 

This season has been full of paradoxes: joy, revelation, fear, doubt, brokenness, blessings, grief, breakthrough, and chronic struggles. 

Through it all, Jesus has come after my heart. Through it all, He’s invited me to trust in Him. Sometimes I find myself running so fast, that it feels like Jesus must run up to me and tap me on the shoulder to get my attention. 

A week ago, I searched inside myself and finally asked Jesus for help. When I slowed down enough, I realized what the underlining source of my running is:

I’m running to keep up a façade of perfection. I’m running from the broken places of wounding that have been buried for years in my soul (which is a real detriment because the enemy has used these hidden aching places to keep me in perpetual pain). I’m running from secret insecurities and fears that I just don’t want to deal with because it feels too hard for me to fix. And I haven’t wanted to be vulnerable and share these things with the Body of Christ (the church) because I feel too unsafe and for some reason, I think sharing my weaknesses and needs with others might be an unwelcome burden to them. It just feels too messy. 

So, I’ve been running. 

But Jesus is called our Forerunner (Hebrews 6:20).

He already has run the ultimate race for us. He ran and won the prize of eternal life. And He frequently reminds me that eternal life isn’t just for Heaven. It’s the life of God He provided for us through His death and resurrection (which many believers will more closely observe this April for Easter/Passover). He gave His life not just so we may go to Heaven, but so that we can have the kingdom of Heaven on earth which the Bible describes as righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). 

Running to me represents striving. I never want to be in a place of striving because Jesus is our Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). If I am striving, it means there’s an undercurrent of doubt or fear lodged in my soul that keeps me from trusting in God’s ability for my own ability. I don’t want to put my trust in this world.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” -John 14:27

Are you striving in any area of your life?

Are there any places of unrest in your soul?

Are you experiencing the beautiful, wholesome, healing, and powerful peace of the Holy Spirit on a daily basis?

If not, then I pray Jesus will tap you on the shoulder and draw you ever deeper into His heart until his peace becomes as common as your breathing. I pray you will experience the love of the Father in a way that fills your life with fullness, joy, blessings, comfort, hope, and everything good Jesus paid for you to have. His heart toward you is so good and He has a special place in His heart for you. Along with that, is a special plan for your life.

Lastly dear friend, as I have prayed for you, may you say a prayer for me? That I may receive the deep and sweet inner healing Jesus wants me to receive and that I may release my need for control for His amazing and loving Lordship? I don’t want to have an idol of control in my heart where His throne should be (James 5:16). 

There is a place of rest He has promised us, and it is sweeter and grander than the Promise Land He gave to Israel (Hebrews 4). I’ve been in that secret spiritual place before. I’ve tasted the wonder and beauty of His kingdom on earth before and it is to this place that I constantly want to abide. 

Just this morning a student in my class told me she was in a lot of pain. She confessed she didn’t go to bed until 3am because of how bad it was. I noticed she was quieter in class than normal, and she didn’t look very well. She told me her chest felt constricted, it was hard for her to breathe and that she was sick. I felt prompted to pray for her. Even though I was having an emotional morning and some doubt flared up, I pushed my insecurity away and offered her prayer. She said yes to receiving prayer and so I laid my hands on her and prayed for Jesus to touch her, I asked the Holy Spirit to minister healing to her body and spoke life over her body and peace and love over her soul. At recess she told me, “Mrs. Thompson, as soon as I went into my other class after you prayed for me, I felt completely better. All I needed was prayer.” I noticed her mask was off now, and later, I watched as she ran across the parking lot and played around with other students. She wasn’t short of breath anymore, instead she was full of energy.

A miracle had taken place. Jesus touched her body. This just happened today. And through this instant God reminded me that He is with me. That He loves people. That He never wants any of us to suffer whether it’s emotional, physical, or spiritual because Jesus paid for our healing through His death and resurrection (Isaiah 53). Even as I sit, in some emotional pain, the healing of this student brings me hope for my own healing. 

Our Jesus is amazing. We have His life inside of us. We are born again from above (John 1). 

~If you would like a prayer partner and life coach in helping you to reach your God-dreams, I would love to be that for you. Click here to learn more about my services as a life coach.

I would love to share this refreshing song with you about Jesus being the restorer of your soul by Sarah Hart Pearsons:

(I do not own any rights to this lovely song)

-For more words of counsel, and the grace of God, check out my book, Visions of Celestial Love, by clicking here:

An Invitation into Healing Intimacy with God

“A delightful book that reflects the praises from a heart that desires to abide closely with our Heavenly Father. Written in a style that summons us to experience a journey of deeper intimacy with a loving God. Ashley covers the foundation of the Christian faith that brings encouragement and assurance of God’s promises when faced with life’s challenges. Embracing our uniqueness and the safety of transparency before our Maker who cares about the most intricate details of our life. Yes, an invitation indeed from the One and only who can fill what are heart’s ache for.” — Jocelyn Reyna

Bless you dear one reading this. Until next time, may the peace of God guard your heart and mind and may you grow in your trust of Him. 

Warm Sincerity from Your Sister in Christ,

Ashley

xoxo

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A Biblical Poem for Children

Can You Find a Safe Place for My Seed?

By: Ashley Thompson

Can you find a safe place for my seed?

I’ve heard it comes with all I need.

(Matthew 13:1-23)

A warm cup of hot coco and a coat.

Some jewelry and a boat. My favorite rainbow and the sky.

A thousand kisses and a lullaby.

This seed comes with good things from heaven that never say goodbye.

 (2 Peter 1:2-3)

A wise man gave it to me, He pulled it from some weeds.

He tucked it in my pocket and said it was all I would ever need.

With a kiss that left my cheek tingling with warmth, He tipped his hat and buttoned his petite coat.

(Matthew 13:37, 2 Corinthians 9:10)

Snow dusted his tall hat and lashes; his white hair was alight with flashes.

His eyes were like fire burning bright, in Him I saw everlasting light.

(Revelation 1:14)

He was unlike any man I had ever seen.

He was like God in the flesh and there was nothing mean.

(John 1:14)

He spoke the words that breathed life into this seed.

He spoke the words that were all I would ever need.

(John 6:63)

The seed in my pocket was hot like the sun. It glowed in every tunnel and had darkness on the run. 

I tried to grow it on books, on tables and desks, it didn’t like these places, it wanted a heart of flesh.

I tried to put it in pots of dirt, but it wanted to be inside my heart and warm me like a hearth.

(James 1:17, Jeremiah 31:33)

I lifted the seed that sparkled like a star, it seemed to come from some place that was very far.

It drew my attention to the heavens above, it wanted to shower down for it was a gift of love. 

I opened my mouth with bated breath, I swallowed the seed, and it grew in my heart of flesh. It took root in my soul and its truth gave me the very best.

(Ezekiel 36:26)

Inside my heart the seed showed me a Man.

A Man who loved me before time began.

Within this Man is life at its grandest.

As I walk with Him, I become robed in heaven’s finest.

(John 3:16, John 14,26, John 10:10)

Now this seed is living and active.

Within me Jesus Christ is protected.

Together we walk through life completely connected.

(Hebrews 4:12)

He is in me, and my life is hidden in Him.

This is the mystery of the Gospel.

This is a love that always wins.

(Colossians 3:2-3, 1 Corinthians 13:8)

Dear parents,

As a parent, I know how important it is for us to plant the Word of God in our children’s hearts. There is hardly anything dearer in life than personally knowing Jesus Christ in truth and rightly dividing the Word. Jesus is the Word made flesh and He said man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (John 1:14, Matthew 4:4).

This small poetic story was inspired by the parable of the Sower and the seed told by Jesus in the Gospels. Jesus is called the “seed of Abraham” in Galatians 3:16.

Jesus compares the power and functioning of God’s kingdom in our lives to how well we plant and grow God’s Word in our hearts by faith (Romans 1:16, James, 1:21, 1 Corinthians 1:18). When we consider that Jesus (Salvation) is the Word of God, it becomes easy to understand why knowing God’s precious Word is life to us. Not only is knowledge of the written word important to our children, but personal relationship with Jesus (the Word made flesh) is important. In this short rhyming children’s tale, I tried to combine both aspects of relationship with God’s Word.

My greatest prayer for my children and yours is that they will know the One who is life, salvation, wisdom from God, Healer, Prince of Peace, and the Way personally for the rest of their lives. I pray our children will walk with Jesus and know Him as He is. There is no safer or more blessed place for our children to be, than in the warm arms of Jesus Christ.

“The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” -Jesus in John 6:63 (NLT)

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Peace of Heart for The Holidays

~A reflection about the incredible forgiveness of God and the peace He has in his heart toward us. These thoughts were originally inspired during a family vacation where I stayed in a beautiful, big beach house.

“And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” -Hebrews 8:12

I’ve enjoyed living in this beach house.

I like how the clouds cover the sky and earth like a dewy mist. Moisture and coolness dampens the earth with watery life. The sweet, jubilant song of morning birds pierces the air like whistles, wind pipes and stringed music.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always like mountainous clouds. I’ve always liked clouds that washed the sky like ocean currents rippling with the light patterns of the sun. I’ve always enjoyed gray clouds that bring the earthy and refreshing scent of rain…they promise abundance and the peaceful tunes of falling water droplets.

I thought about the Holy Spirit and how He was as a cloud during the heat of the day during Israel’s travels (Exodus 13:21). They lived in a supernatural environment. An environment where the temperature was regulated by God. They were not scorched away during the day. They were taken care of as, “the apple of His eyes,” (Deuteronomy 32: 10).

He kept them warm. He was a brilliant, warm, welcoming, powerful fire by night, taking away the frigid cold. He was like a personal heater in each of their homes/tents, in the midst of the desert (where temperatures range from extreme hot to extreme cold, Israel never suffered with these extremities).

The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. -Isaiah 60:19

I thought about how God originally put man(kind) in a garden, in a wholesome paradise filled with pure pleasures, godly intimacy with Himself and each other, a safe environment where animals were not abused, nor people abused. Peace, joy, and godly love filled the environment and created the perfect atmosphere of heaven on earth.

He’s always tried to get us back to that place through us coming willingly to Him, trusting Him and following Him. He wants to give us this in Jesus, whose yoke is easy and whose burden is light. Let us come to Jesus and learn of Him (for He is our Lord) and follow our Savior through life (for He is our protection and salvation).

Photo credit: unknown

This is the rest of Hebrews 4.

This Holy Spirit also forget all our sins and remembers them no more (Hebrews 8:12).

In His heart, there is the perfect environment of love. In His heart, there is total peace about us. He has no grudges, no undercurrent of sinful disappointment, there is nothing in His heart that would hinder His healing affection toward us (Isaiah 54:9).

There is nothing in His heart against us (Isaiah 54:10).

His love flows freely toward you, like a rushing stream down a mountain without hindering rocks.

He comes for you full of mercy and everything good.

Be loved.

“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” -Luke 2:14

This Christmas season, may you find yourself in the midst of the incredible peace of God. May you receive His favor and know that He is pleased with you by faith. May your heart be at rest as you rest in the bosom of your Lord.

May you remember, that Jesus didn’t come to condemn you, but to save you because of the great love of Father God for you (John 3:16-17). May you always remember the true “reason for the season.” The birth of Jesus is the greatest message of peace and reconciliation that the world will ever hear. Jesus came to reconcile us to God and He gave to us the ministry of reconciliation that we may be like Him in inviting others into this harmonious relationship with Father.

I also pray that our hearts will be as His, full of purifying mercy, full of freely given forgiveness, so that we may internally live in the divine peace He does. His heart is free from grudges, He has no bitterness. He has no sinful anger (there is a “righteous anger” that is good and godly to have, but I’m not talking about this).

There is such beauty and wonder inside of Him. May He lean over the post of the highest heaven and see our hearts as clear, crystal waters. May He see His reflection and image in our souls because we have chosen to forgive, live and love like He does.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. “-2 Corinthian 5:17-21

~For more writing like this, check out my book, Visions of Celestial Love:

“Come, all you are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.” – Isaiah 55:1-2 NIV

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.

“Eat, friends, and drink; drink your fill of love.” – Song of Songs 5:1 NIV

“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, Servant King Apparel

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Coffee House Ministry

~This snippet is taken from my book, Romantic Rendezvous for the Soul:

“What makes your beloved better than any other?
What is it about him…?” – Jerusalem Maiden, Brides-to-Be

—Song of Songs 5:9b TPT

Vaporous spicy aromas licked the air with heat. Warm ginger mingled with clove. Pine kissed ground coffee scents. Chai danced with vanilla. And nutmeg blended with buttery pear creating a bath of incense. A group of teenagers sat on a plush, ruby red sofa drinking piquant drinks from decorative mugs. They shared headphones and watched videos on their laptops, which were resting on their legs. An old couple sharing a booth, sat across from one another talking. The wife reached a pale, trembling hand over her husband’s tan, leathery one. His opaque eyes misted as he looked upon her, and I felt his ripe love for her like hot honey in my chest. Some young adults were seated around a wooden oval table doing homework. I guessed they were all a part of a study group. Still there were others scattered about. I passed by a small girl with pigtails happily eating a lemon tart dessert.

When Jesus walked in, I expected him to stand on a table and evangelize. Instead, he walked right up to the counter to greet a comely barista. Her thick, brown hair was weaved in the back and hung like glossy rope with tawny blonde highlights. She had clear green eyes like olive oil and lips the color of crushed raspberries.

“Good evening, sir. How may I help you?” she asked perfunctorily.

She looked frazzled and her day must have been long, for although she looked at Jesus, she didn’t see him. He was just another customer. It was almost as if her pretty eyes were shuttered by the repetitive routine of work. She glanced at me and asked the same question before her eyes fell to the cash register, ready to proceed with her normal protocol.

I ordered an apple spice tea with sweet buttercream drizzle. “Good choice,” she said without feeling.

Jesus remained silent for a few seconds. His eyes scanned her as she stared at the cash register waiting for him to order next. She glanced up at him when he said nothing.

“What would you recommend, Diane?” he asked, with deeply compassionate eyes and a warm smile. I knew he asked that question only to rouse her.

Her eyes quickened slightly, and her shoulders perked up. “That depends. How are you feeling?”

Jesus answered with a bright smile, “I’m feeling like I could use something with a kick of zest in it.”

The corners of Diane’s lips slightly lifted at his charming and welcoming visage. “We have pineapple tea with ginger root. That usually provides a nice kick.”

“That sounds good, but I’d like to hear other options.”

Diane began to read off to Jesus a list of other teas and coffees that were energy boosters. She went through the entire list before he asked, “Which ones are your favorites? For those nights where you need a booster?”

Diane chortled softly. “It would be the spiked cider or the whiskey Irish creamed coffee,” she said with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. “But if you’re looking for a nonalcoholic solution, I’d recommend the hot chocolate supreme. It has a few shots of caffeine.”

By this time my tea was finished, and I picked up my order before finding a nearby table. I knew Jesus was ministering to Diane.

“What if I didn’t want anything with alcohol or caffeine in it?” Jesus asked, his demeanor still warm.

“Then the pineapple ginger is your best bet, but you can choose from these other teas,” she said fingering a few, her eyes fixed on the list. “Like I said it really just depends on how you feel.”

“How do you feel?” Jesus asked her.

His question surprised her, and I noted a flicker of shock cross her face before she masked it with her customary employee visage.

“I feel like I could use a booster myself,” she said politely.

“I know a booster that you can’t get in a tea or a coffee or anything material but it always works. And I’d like to give it to you if you’re willing.”

Her eyebrows lifted. “It always works?”

Jesus gave a gentle laugh. “It hasn’t failed yet. Millions of people who’ve had this would tell you so, from centuries ago to modern day, from all around the world to right in this city.”

“How much is it?”

“It’s completely free.”

Diane’s eyebrows creased slightly, and she tilted her head trying to discern Jesus. Nothing but waves of love came off him. She glimpsed around. Everyone had been served, and her fellow co-worker had gone into the kitchen.

“What is it?” she asked, partly suspicious.

“Not what, but who.”

Misunderstanding his intent, Diane stated, “I have a boyfriend.”

Jesus nodded. “I know you do, and I’m not coming onto you if that’s what you’re thinking…at least not in that way.”

Diane pressed her lips together. “Then…?”

“It’s Jesus.”

Diane rolled her eyes. “Please, sir, I’ve had enough of religious jargon. And I’m too old to believe or be humored by fairy tales.”

“I would disagree,” Jesus said kindly.

“What would you like to drink?” Diane asked, cutting him off.

“Humor me for a moment, Diane.”

Diane gave an audible sigh and then shrugged. She stared him up and down again before her demeanor softened. “Okay,” she said cautiously.

“I don’t doubt that you’ve had enough of religious jargon. I’ve had enough of it myself. But I do question whether or not you’re being truthful about fairy tales.”

Diane arched an eyebrow at him and crossed her arms.

Jesus continued, “Think of it. Most movies are composed of fairy tales, even the action ones. There’s some level of magic in them—of superhuman strength, of beauty, of endurance, of ideal romance, of triumph and adventure beyond common life. Most songs consist of a yearning for superhuman love. Many best-selling books are littered with these noble ideas that are often fleeting in human experience, yet they are an ever-constant source of ache and desire in the human heart.”

Diane’s lips untightened and her arms slowly uncrossed.

Jesus expounded, “If those aren’t fairy tales, then I don’t know what is. Every human heart longs to experience something more than the dreariness of life. That’s why people stuff themselves with fancies, be it food, relationships, temporary thrills like theme parks, drugs, movies, vacations, promotions, possessions, whatever it be. The soul of man knows there’s something more that it was created for, and so most people numb this yearning by stuffing it with entertainment. The only problem is,” he paused, and his eyes deepened; “Is that they’re trying to fill an eternal ache with temporary things. Worldly things can never mask heavenly desire. Many have tried, and all of them have failed. Do you not find yourself entertained by these things, Diane?”

When Diane didn’t answer, Jesus replied, “I know you do.” His tone was thick with bowls of compassion that rose like sweet fragrance.

“Well, religious people entertain themselves with rules and criticizing others. At least ‘secular’ people seek happiness over hate,” Diane retorted. Although her facial expression was defiant, her voice was strained, and I caught a glimpse of sorrow in her eyes before she drew it back.

Jesus reached out to Diane with such compassion that I felt a lump rise to my throat.

“Religious people do. You’re right. And I’m sorry for everyone that has hurt you. Truly, I am. Many people are so busy making religion their god that they don’t allow God in their religion. Turns out religion is much more easily manageable than God. Those people you speak of are afraid. They may not even know it, but they are. Pride is a form of fear. They seek control, perfection, a way to escape chaos. They are desperate to measure up for fear of rejection, failure, exposure, whatever the fear is. They have so many layers of behavior modifications and thought processes piled on top of their fear that they can’t even detect it. They look to somehow redeem themselves. But there is only one Redeemer. There is only one love that casts out all fear and those who have that are not religious. That’s what I want to offer you tonight.”

Jesus paused and stared deeply into her eyes. “Diane, the happiness that people seek is Jesus. Eternal happiness can be found in nothing else.”

Diane’s eyes watered and she closed them. Her breath shook a little as she tried to compose herself, “You speak as if you know him. No Christian has ever spoken to me like that.”

Jesus reached out and gently touched her arm. She collapsed into tears at his warm touch, and I knew she was feeling his love for the first time. It was as if the pores of her skin opened up to his liquid love. Diane covered her face with her hands and tried hard not to weep so loudly.

Customers noticed and passed curious glances. Some seemed concerned that whoever was touching her had somehow hurt her, but their thoughts quickly turned when he lifted his hand and caressed the side of her face. Diane grabbed and then pressed his hand against her cheek with hers. Her teeth clenched as she sobbed.

“Do you feel that?” Jesus asked, his voice rough with emotion.

“It’s like fire in my heart,” she sobbed, choking on tears. Her skin became damp with sweat from crying so hard and from the heat of his love. Her smooth skin reddened until her nose was like plumb sauce. Her tears, snot, and saliva got on Jesus’ hand, but it didn’t bother him. He was smiling. He was happy and content…

~To read the full story, click here.

For centuries, the female heart has burned with desire for the lasting pleasure of unchanging love. In the course of time, civilizations have risen and fallen, yet the longing for tangible intimacy has never faded. Millions of lyrics have been written to the passionate tune of this fluid yearning.

Unfortunately, few people find the lasting love they’ve longed for, even as children. Life, education, and societal pressures transform what was once a tangible hope into a mythical fairy tale. Industries have reaped unlimited monetary gain from the erosion of this hope. Billions of girls grow up to become women who have long since tossed their dreams of true love in the trash bin of cynicism. Countless others have buried their ache of unmet desire under the disappointment of failed relationships and hopelessness.

Despite most women’s best attempts, this starved craving remains alive, like a stimulating aroma. This ethereal hope goes back to the first relationship, in a place of being so “seen” and “lovingly known” that “she” was naked and unashamed.

This novella was not written to add salt to the gaping wound of unsatisfied need. It was written to satisfy the need completely. Let Romantic Rendezvous for the Soul introduce you to a lasting relationship with Transcendent Love, where reality becomes sweeter than your dreams.

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The Loving Worship of His Heart

“The truth of the gospel is intended to free us to love God and others with our whole heart. When we ignore this heart aspect of our faith and try to live out our religion solely as correct doctrine or ethics, our passion is crippled or perverted, and the divorce of our soul from the heart purposes of God toward us is deepened.”- Brent Curtis ❤

Father has been teaching me so much in this season about how important it is to walk in love. I feel like I get this lesson every few years and I have a feeling my whole life will be marked by it. Every time I dive into this lesson with Jesus, I get a deeper taste of how unified love is with God’s heart. It’s His heartbeat. And it doesn’t look like what I’ve been taught. Love looks like the life of Jesus. I’m starting to see His willingness to be crucified for us as a worship song…the clearest image and example of godly love. An act that yes, was for us, but ultimately an act that was like kneeling in the dirt with His arms up in shout-full praise and worship to God. His death brought forth life for us. 🌈

The command to lay down my life (selfishness and ego) is becoming attached to this eternal song in Jesus’s heart. I can almost hear it ringing from the cross, like music with His pulse as the drumbeat. A life truly surrendered and given to God. A worshipful marriage at the heart level. A unification that is so strong and powerful, that our identities become interwoven. A seal so permanent that it is more binding than two metals being molted together. A constant cycle of being loved and then loving in return until it leads to washing feet. Until selfishness is constantly denied. Until the ego is washed with truth. Until there is not just “me” but there is “us.” Until His Holy Spirit inside of me begins to do the work and I lay down whatever crown on my head at His feet in perfect knowledge that no one can boast in His presence…because the strength to perform is from Him living within (grace). It was never dependent upon my strength. Heaven’s miracles are all from His grace and truth -John 1:17. 👑

I’m realizing that the love of Jesus is not passive, mousey or weak. It’s not sickly sweet (it doesn’t allow for abuse). Yet, His love is not so hard that it cannot be moved. His love is not cold, religious or lifeless…rather it’s powerful truth and healing grace. It’s wisdom and self-control. It’s giving and wholehearted. Like a blend of ocean and mountain it’s hard to describe but it can be felt. It’s simply…perfect and beautiful. 🙏

1 John 3 & 4 ❤

It’s as simple as falling in love with Him.

I pray God takes you deeper into His heart. I pray you are taken inside the closest alcove of His friendship. And I pray He shows you His amazing love for you. I also pray you develop a closer relationship with Him. Like Esther was invited inside the treasury of the king before meeting with him in her preparation, may the Holy Spirit open up to the treasury of God’s heart and may you adorn yourself with the eternal jewels and characteristics that are most important to your Heavenly King. 

xoxo

For more words like this, check out my book, Visions of Celestial Love (A devotional book about the heavenly and fatherly love of God):

“Ashley’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

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The Source of All Holy Pleasure

Why do men try and be their own god? How can the created know or surpass the Creator? Why do men worship nature, science, the created order, physical possessions, and knowledge when God is the One who founded and thought of all those things?

Why do men worship their own pleasure even at the cost of hurting others when God is the source of all beautiful, enjoyable, pure, healthy and wholesome pleasure?

Men seek power, fame, sex, and wealth to fulfill them when God offers these as blessings through wisdom to certain people at certain times. Yes, God gave our skin sensors so we could feel pleasure, God gave us taste buds so we could enjoy food, God gave us wine, God gave us majestic mountains, green rolling hills, birds of color, rainbows, sky, rivers, good families, bountiful oceans teeming with life, honey, emotions, music etc.

God isn’t boring. He’s not dull, He’s not hateful, and He’s definitely not anti-fun. He’s the One who has blessed us with all these wonderful things to be enjoyed in their proper context. Not to be indulged in without thought, and certainly not to be enjoyed more than Him (thus making that thing your god).

Everyday I realize I need a humility check. I know nothing without God. My weakness is my greatest strength…because He fills my weaknesses with His strength. The pride of man is one of our greatest downfalls. God is the only One who can give man the eternal joy man craves. He is our greatest pleasure, and when we come to that conclusion we can enjoy His blessings as just that…blessings, and not gods. God is most beautiful ❤

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Beloved Life-Giving Spirit of God

You created all of them by your Spirit, and you give new life to the earth. -Psalm 104:30

I fell in love with a Man who is not a man at all but He comes for every man.

I fell in love with the Father’s Spirit. The breath that entered into the molecular structure of all of creation when the world was young, vibrant, breathtaking, perfect, effervescent, pure, undefiled, majestic, with beautiful landscapes. These terrains are vast like the stars and stunning like gold sunlight on the deep blue wide oceans as colorful as blue rainbows blending with paints: turquoise, azure, lapis, sapphire, and royal blue.

I fell in love with the only One who knows the Father’s heart, for as no one knows the heart of man but his spirit so no one knows the heart of God as the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:11). For He takes what is in God’s heart and reveals it to us (1 Corinthians 2:10).

The way He loves is deep and sweet. His connection with my heart is more intimate than the blood that pumps through my body.

As the clouds blanket the amazon rainforest in mist so dense the dewdrops are seen on every blade of grass, every leaf, every animal, every insect, every flower and the rich soil is made wet by these mountainous clouds, so the diffused Presence of the Holy Spirit moistens my soul.

I cannot imagine my life without His Presence. He is called the Life-Giving Spirit (John 6:63). The words Jesus spoke were Spirit and Life during His time on earth as a Man. His words were so rich with grace that the people marveled who heard them (Luke 4:22)  And the Holy Spirit brings to us the words of Jesus now (John 16:13). 

You are the breath within my lungs. You are the life within me. You are the One who sustains my life and You are the One who has healed my body every time I was sick.

I love You.

I thank God for You.

Beautiful Holy Spirit.

For more Holy Spirit inspired devotionals, check out my book, Visions of Celestial Love:

“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 doing also 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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Longing For Your Arms

“Let his left hand be under my head And his right hand embrace me.” -Song of Solomon 2:6 AMP

Father, I’m in one of those moments right now.

You know where I am and you come to find me.

It’s a place I’ve been many times since knowing you.

It’s the moment where my heart longs to sit inside a cozy cottage centered amid a jade glen with emerald climbing vines and flowering wisteria decorating the walls.

I want to enter into this place you’ve created inside of me. (Luke 17:21)

I long to gaze upon a burning, crackling and humming hearth and smell sage and cinnamon blending together. The vibrant flames of gold, orange, and ruby red glimmer and mix together like precious pieces of treasure–each beautifully unique and eye-catching.

I’m longing for your arms to embrace me.

I’m longing for your tangible touch again.

I’m longing to enter that sacred place in my heart where the Word becomes flesh. (John 1:14)

This holy place where heaven meets earth.

This special place where eternity enters time, and this shared space becomes divine.

I’m thirsting for this place where you set a table before me, where you enter my soul with words filling like the last Supper–your words are sweet bread to my tongue. (John 6:51)

Where my heart is poured upon with the fragrant oil of your Holy Spirit and He coats my skin with radiant love.

I long to rest in this place where incense covers the soil of my inner being like dewy mist in a lush garden.

Oh Abba, I desire you.

I wait for you like the watchmen for the morning. (Psalm 130:6)

I am sick with love. (Song of Solomon 2:5)

I seek to gaze upon your heart.

I seek to be hidden in the deepest alcove in your chest.

I desire to be secured inside the core of your being.

I want to walk with you inside of your heart.

In your heart I find the beauty of heaven and earth.

An immense beauty,

A glowing light.

A translucence more captivating than a million rainbows in a hazy sky.

A vast beauty more breathtaking than the expanse of every azure sea.

A mystery more spectacular than the starry constellations.

Your love is the safest place.

There is no fear in your love.

No worry.

No anxiety.

No stress.

No selfishness.

Your love for me is personal.

Your love for me is priceless.

Your love for me is the source of my life.

My security.

My surety.

My eternity.

My peace.

My harmony.

My self-worth is solid in your love.

Oh Father, I’m longing for your embrace.

For your warm arms to wrap around me.

I long to feel your heartbeat on my back.

To nuzzle my face under your chin.

To fall asleep wrapped up in you.

To be with you is to truly be free.

To be with you is to be with pure love.

“Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child [resting] with his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me [composed and freed from discontent].” -Psalm 131:2 AMP

~If you enjoyed this poem, check out my book, Visions of Celestial Love (a modern day book of psalms and prayers):

“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, Servant King Apparel

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The Breath of Love

Then God said, “Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, according to Our likeness… -Genesis 1:26 AMP

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. –Genesis 2:7

How precious do you believe you are to God?

Every single one of us are so loved by God. He has, does and will love us with everlasting love. In his eternal wisdom and mercy, He planned our salvation and our admission into his heavenly family.

Recently Jesus showed me that when He released his last breath and gave up his spirit on the cross…that it was like God (Triune) breathing breath into Adam’s/my/our body and then Adam becoming a living soul…a son of God.

We have become children of God by putting our trust in what Jesus accomplished on the cross. (1 John 3:1)

There is so much wonder in the what Jesus did on the cross. There is so much love and so much grace.

I felt like Father told me that He has never stopped looking for Adam. He looks for Adam in unbelievers today. He lovingly searches for them so He can breathe his Spirit breath into them like He did for us.

He has never stopped wanting mankind to live in fellowship with Him in a heavenly place (once called Eden), now called the Kingdom of Heaven which is near us and in us by his Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17)

Like He breathed into Adam…He breathes his Spirit, his love, his very life into us.

There’s more glory and love from God that He wants you to experience and receive…there’s so much more 😇.

The Father’s love is boundless.

His plan is eternal.

His wisdom is magnificent.

I hope you continually increase in the experiential knowledge of his amazing love for you. He had you in his mind before time began. (Romans 8:29)

Father God has your face imprinted on the palm of his hand (Isaiah 49:16 AMP). I know it’s tradition for some people to tattoo the names or faces of loved ones on their bodies. God has shown his love in yet another way, by putting your face on his palm. And while I’m not sure if this looks exactly like our human example of a “tattoo” it does mean that you are “ever before” Him. He is mindful of you.

Jesus displayed the greatest love, in giving his life on the cross for you. (John 15:13) . And He bears the marks of his love for you on his wrists.

When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit. At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split.… -Matthew 27:50-51

If you would like a compilation of words on the Father’s eternal love for you, check out my book, Visions of Celestial Love, by clicking here. It is filled with the things Father has shown me. His love for you is deep. He woos you with transformative grace, steadfast compassion and cleansing truth

“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.

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Intimate Truth

Knowledge without power bespeaks a lack of intimacy.

Just as natural as it is for the union of a husband and wife to produce a new creation, so natural it is for intimacy with Jesus to produce the power of God’s kingdom.

Truth received in the heart will always perfume the scent of the Man of Truth.

The wonders of communion with him looks like being naked and unashamed. There is no area of him that I don’t want to see. There is no area in me that I conceal from him.

Everything is laid bare before him. We are in covenant. All that he is is mine and all that I am is his. This is what marriage is. The two shall become one flesh, so that they are no longer two but one (Mark 10:8). “This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.” (Ephesians 5:32 ESV).

When I was a new wife, I was naked and ashamed. My husband desired to see me. His desire was natural, good and even holy blessed by God. Because his desire reflected the level of knowledge that God wanted with me. This sort of thinking used to be sacrilegious to my previous legalistic mindset. But now I know better.

There came a point in my walk with God where I realized my fear of vulnerability was really self-preservation in disguise. Selfishness will always be a stumbling block to experiencing true love. If I have any fear of being transparent before my husband it is because I am self-focused (or self-centered) and thus fearful. But in God’s perfect love there is no fear (1 John 4:18). There is no room for the old self in the new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Do you know what that means?

Jesus hung on a cross…in public…naked. (I wish you could read that as slowly as it takes to truly understand it).

He was executed in way that was meant to bring him the most shame. His enemies were true sadists. They enjoyed seeing people tortured– It gave them a sick kind of pleasure.

I’ve never seen a movie where the actor playing Jesus was stripped completely naked. I’ve seen several movies where the actor was brutally beaten. I’ve seen movies where the actor’s skin was shredded and floods of blood trailed down. I’ve seen men try and portray the internal agony of Jesus. I’ve seen movies where “Jesus” wept bitterly and even church publicized screenings where Jesus bore the judgement of God for our sins in the spiritual realm. These screenings of “Jesus” taking on the curse of the law come the closest (in showing not only the physical beating but the spiritual transaction that took place). But I have yet to see an actor agree to be stripped naked on the screen.

Why do you think that is?

There is something in the heart of man that fiercely fears nakedness! I’m not talking about casual sex here, our culture is filled with the filth of that, but I’m speaking of the unfolding of oneself to another in true unashamed exposure.

There is a fear that fights for the last remaining terrain in your soul. It fights to keep the flag of freedom from waving the heavenly fragrance of myrrh in your heart. It fights to keep God out and it fights to keep you in bondage.

This fear is self.

When Jesus hung, naked on that cross for you he took away the shame of being naked.

If he could become naked for us, then we can become naked for him.

He invites us to be naked and unashamed.

There came a point in my Christian walk where I desired to know Jesus as he is. I yearned to worship him in spirit and in truth.

I didn’t want knowledge without union with him because it was self worship.

It was safe religiosity; like kissing a picture of my husband while the real man was standing before me. I wanted intimacy with a Person not intimacy with words.

Sometimes when people read my writing about Jesus, they become uncomfortable:

Wine and milk? Candlelight dinners? Anointing oil on skin? Bread and cheese? Kisses from scripture? Song of Solomon sonnets to Christ?

I wonder if some people find my words too risky, too unorthodox, too sacrilegious?

I’ve discovered that it takes more “gut” to be married to Jesus than my husband Stephen. The level of union is far greater. While my husband and I can and do become one in body, soul and sacrificial love…our unity isn’t indwelling. I can leave his side and go to the grocery store while he remains at home with our daughters. Yet, my unity with Jesus is inseparable. He lives inside of me. It doesn’t just happen in a moment of ultimate vulnerability–like when husband and wife make love. But He circumcised my heart and moved in (Romans 2:29 and Ephesians 3:17).

All circumcisions spill blood.

In my marriage with Stephen, my blood was shed when we first consummated our holy covenant. When Jesus consummated his marriage to the church, he bled profusely on a tree. When Jesus moved inside of me, my heart became the womb of his seed (Matthew 13:1-23, 1 Peter 1:23). When I said “I do” to Jesus my heart was circumcised. The blood of my old man was spilt open unto death and I became a new creation–one molded and tailored to be his wife. I was instantly recreated by God to be compatible for his Son.

In the same way that God looked for a spouse for his “first” son Adam and didn’t find one, so He looks for a bride for Jesus (Genesis 2:18). In the same way He created Eve out of the body of Adam, He created the church out of the body of Jesus Christ (Genesis 2:22-24 and Ephesians 2:10).

You see, in the same way that I can’t truly love someone unless I know them, so we cannot truly love God unless we know him.

Years ago I realized that I had a “religious” love for God.

It would be shallow for me to walk up to a casual acquaintance and say, “I love you.” This kind of love isn’t based on knowledge. This person is very unlikely to feel safe before me. Because love is based on trust and trust is based on truth. Without truth there isn’t light (1 John 1:5-6 and John 5:33-35). Without light, there is blindness. I can’t fully enjoy getting to know my husband if we only talked, hugged or kissed in the dark. If I truly love him, then I want to see him. I want to get to know him in the light. I want to look him in the eyes, read his facial expressions, see his smile. I would want to study the terrain of his face, the way lines form on the edge of his eyes when he smiles. I’d want to study him and through that visual study I would become aware of things–like the way he strokes his chin when he’s thinking.

For the past year or so of my life, I have become desperate for truth. I have cried out for wisdom, knowledge and understanding. I have become panged for the desire to see life the way God sees it, regardless of societal norms, philosophies, and pipeline virtue. I have surveyed the world’s definition of social justice and considered it deplorable suffocating ashes compared to the vibrant, pure light of God’s truth.

Throughout this season, I have seen these eternal truths like jewels in the robe of faith-righteousness that the Holy Spirit has donned me in. This heavenly decoration has caused me to appreciate the book of Psalms (particularly Psalms like Psalm 119) and Proverbs in fresh ways I haven’t before. I have found vibrant pearls of life in His Word and I pray this continues on until I am found to be one who is “after His heart” (1 Samuel 13:14) and until I honor, esteem and submit to my Father’s words as much as Jesus did when He walked the earth as the Son of Man (Isaiah 7:14-15 and John 5:30).

I don’t know how to fully express in words, this level of intimacy with Christ. This garden of Eden relationship with God that I have longed for and prayed for and still seek (I am learning how to surrender).

Lately, I have sensed the promptings of the Holy Spirit in a deep and new way, Just a couple of weeks ago, I felt the grief of the Holy Spirit standing outside Planned Parenthood when a pregnant mother walked out of the clinic with a bag of chemical abortion pills. Before the evidence of her reasons for being at Planned Parenthood were visible, the Holy Spirit pointed her out to me. The second I saw her, exit her car to go into the clinic, I felt the pull of the Holy Spirit inside of me to reach her…it was like a magnetic attraction. And I knew God had sent me to the clinic after work to reach her.

“Excuse me, can I give you this?” I asked, offering her a pillow box full of pro-life resources where she could receive free housing, medical attention, clothes, etc.

“No, I don’t think so.” She responded.

After she declined my offer of help and hope, I felt the grief of the Holy Spirit. It was like I could taste His tears inside my soul and the depths of His anguish, caused my knees to totter. I told the beautiful mother to “have a good day” and after she entered her car, I dropped to my knees on the cold pavement and could barely contain the holy cry of the Lord that produced tears in my physical eyes. As I felt God’s pained love for the boy or girl growing inside of the young mother’s womb, I realized once again how deep, depraved and dark abortion was. A unique, individual, conscious, innocent, vulnerable person whose only crime was their existence would die unless other intervention was made and the only One who could truly hear their cry was God. The sheer pain, of sharing this pain with God’s Spirit, produced a grief in me that is indescribable. (Genesis 4:10, Psalm 72:12-14, Leviticus 18:21 are examples of God hearing the cry of innocent blood).

My body is slowly becoming a living sacrifice, a true vessel of spiritual worship (Romans 12:1), where my emotions are shared with His emotions and His emotions are shared with me, where my thoughts are shared with His thoughts, and His thoughts are shared with me.

I’ve been in the ebb and flow of this ultimate surrender since my new birth. I have waxed and waned like the tides and the moon, and tip-toed around the altar of living sacrifice for over a decade as I have apprehensively and longingly studied the bright flames and smelled the burnt aroma. Meanwhile, I have enjoyed the benefits of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus and been warmed by the flames of His surrender to God. I have smelled the sweet fragrance of His worshipful execution and resurrection all the while knowing, I am called to lay atop His broken body and do as He did so that I can be raised into the fullness of new life with Him and reign in life through His royal life inside of me.

My prayer is to one day truthfully live out the words of Paul here: I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20).

Recently, I’ve had dreams reflecting things that God wants to tell me, I’ve had prophetic understanding of things and insight into things before they happen. Recently, I went into a church service and it was as if the evangelist had spoken “word for word” on what was going on between me and Jesus behind closed doors. His message was a mirror reflection of what the Lord had been telling me.

Where the Lord wants to take me is a place He wants to take all of his children. This isn’t super spirituality. This isn’t only for a few…I believe Jesus wants to be extremely close to you and I. He died to remove all obstacles from unifying us with himself. He wants oneness with us. And He wants us to walk in unity with each other through our submission and deep love for Him. The natural flow of loving Jesus will be to love His church.

My prayer for you and I is that the Word will be made flesh in the garden of our hearts until our unity with Jesus is so deep and wide, our identity will be rooted and grounded in Him. I pray His life will flow from us as easily as we inhale and exhale. I pray we will seek Him first (above all else) and be made whole in the presence of our Creator and the greatest Lover of our souls.

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. (Romans 8:29)

~For an inspirational book on finding intimacy with God, check out my book, Visions of Celestial Love. It is full of my personal prayers, devotionals, and short testimonies of encountering God in everyday life.

~For a beautiful worship song on becoming one with Jesus through surrender, click here (I do not own any rights to the music).

“Visions of Celestial Love is a book of inspiring quotes and beautiful prose about God’s unconditional love for mankind. The insights of this book help us to understand that it was the Father’s great love for us that made a way for us to have life together with His Son, Jesus Christ. Through it we get a glimpse into the true meaning of Christ’s sacrifice of love expressed through His death, burial and resurrection as God’s magnificent gift of grace to us. His blood made it possible for all those who put their faith in Him to have fellowship with His Father again. 

I am confident that at the completion of this book, you will also seek after God with your whole heart and want to be in His presence forever.” —Alice Paige, True-Heart friend of author