Shiloh Rose Archive

recent posts

about

Mother of 5 beautiful children, friend of books, avid reader, bubble baths are life! I enjoy long walks and hiking, I seek adventure. Writing makes me a better person, I love to share my thoughts.

  • Let’s Go Back to the Simple Ways

    “Music is the divine way to tell beautiful poetic things to the heart.” -Pablo Casals

    The title of this blog, was inspired by a song, that I was just listening to as I sat down to write. This song is called “Simple Ways,” by: Zaharia Zachary. It’s a jazzy, R&B like tune, that’s a worship song about getting back to what is most important. Lately, I have been really enjoying jazzy melodies that are full of soul and emotion. I love to turn on worship music and get my day started. I sometimes need the boost of energy that music offers, and it feels good to sing from the heart. To feel each lyric in my bones, as if I wrote it myself. Life can leave you speechless and sometimes a great song can correlate what you are wanting to express.

    Verse 6: Let’s go back to the simple ways Let’s not make it complicated and celebrate I don’t wanna miss out on right now The way You first loved me Jesus take me right back to the simple ways.

    “Life is simple but we insist on making it complicated.” -Confucius

    The singer is desiring a more realistic and simpler standard in her relationship with God. As humans often do we overthink, have an unhealthy desire for control, are seeking validation, or have unrealistic expectations, and maybe a lack of focus, etc When we operate in these areas too heavily we make things complicated. The Bible has a standard for living, that we realized quickly we didn’t measure up to that standard. However, it wasn’t because we couldn’t do it but rather desired to be more than necessary. We still are not perfect, and cannot attain perfection.

    “Be ye holy as I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16

    God expects us to live by the standard that he set for us, but he knew we would not be able to do it alone. I truly believe that was the whole point, God never wanted us to depend on our goodness, or our capabilities alone. Rather, he wanted us to depend on him and operate in who he called us to be. We are his children. To be a redeemed child of God, you must turn from sin. The turning of sin is repentance. When we repent, we confess our faults to God and one another, and then we put off the shame and guilt from our past failures.

    “What does it look like to follow JESUS simply?”

    I believe the first step is simply coming to him. This morning I was reading in the book of Jeremiah, and I saw the Lord pleading with the children of Israel to simply “Return to ME.” He compares his relationship to us as a husband and wife, he is our husband and he takes us back over and over again. Even when we strayed and had other lovers. This form of adultery is our sin, that separates us from God, remember he is HOLY and only can be HOLY. When we are separated from God, we become open to the attacks of enemies, our lives are less fruitful, and we carry the weight of what we have done and it weighs us down.

    The Lord says, “I will not remain angry forever.” Jeremiah 3:12

    The singer says, “It feels so good to breathe again, I’ve been holding on too long It’s not meant to be this heavy Cause your burden is easy.”

    Sin entangles us with debt, fear, anxiety, guilt, shames, anger, hatred, jealousy, envy, famine, lies, doubts, gluttony, etc. On and on the lists of things that hinder our relationships with God. So many people desire to hear from God; to know his true existence, but their frequency has been compromised. There is just noise all around us when we find ourselves in this condition. Friend, there is a remedy!

    ““If you will return, O Israel,” says the Lord, “Return to Me; And if you will put away your abominations out of My sight, Then you shall not be moved. And you shall swear, ‘The Lord lives,’ In truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; The nations shall bless themselves in Him, And in Him they shall glory.””
    ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

    “Take me back, Lord.”

    There are many mysteries in life, but one thing that is evident WE ARE LOVED by our creator! Nothing will ever satisfy the longing in our weary souls, but a relationship with Jesus. Many people are awakening to the realization, that of all the things we have gained, it all means very little. My knowledge is limited and my eyes are often led astray. However, God never takes his eyes off his beloved children. Whether you acknowledge his presence, he is there and waiting for you to return to him.

    Simple Ways:

    1. Pray daily

    2. Read the Bible

    3. Love yourself

    4. Love others

    5. Submit to the unknown

    6. Understand God’s will

    7. Seek God’s best

    8. Persevere in trials and storms

    9. Worship with song, dance, creativity, etc.

    10. Share your life with others

    Become made new.

    I hope I was able to bless you with some encouraging words today! Happy Reading!

    Photos: Pexels Free Library

    All rights reserved ShilohRose©️

  • Walk By Faith Not By Sight

    The way I see the world may be different than your perspective. I will always see God in my story. Before I knew what faith was, I believed. I knew God was there, I felt him as I looked up at the moon, praying little, childlike prayers. I have no memory of seeing my parents pray as a young child. However, I recall praying often as a child.

    Faith is in the unseen realm, the belief in what cannot be reasoned with logic.

    As I move through my journey, I can truly say that faith was easy in God, although doubts have crept in, at low points of life. I have always felt small and insignificant in the big picture, I was quick to give God my hand. Now in this season, I feel that I have had to learn to have faith in myself too.


    To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible” — Thomas Aquinas 

    I told my eldest son the other day, “Now is the time to start applying what I have taught you, go out into the world and use it!” God whispered the same to me. He reminded me that I am a well, full of knowledge, wisdom, strength, resilience and I must “Go Forth” with what I have acquired. Like my son, I have wanted to stay in the safe space with Jesus, not fully wanting to embrace the unknown. The safety net we build around ourselves can be hard to penetrate.

    The little boy I once knew is quickly becoming a man. I have prepared him all these years for his journey. I want him to know I am his safe place, just as Jesus is to us both, but he must be willing to move. To try new things, open doors, get lost and find your way. To use the light of your own, to empower the way. If Jesus referred to his people as light of the world, we are guiding forces for ourselves and others.

    Matthew 5:14: Jesus tells his followers, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden”. 

    This metaphor calls believers to live visibly and serve as a beacon of truth and righteousness.

    The journey was and is the point. I am walking with my eyes open, capturing the big and the small. And if I am honest, the little things mean so much more.

    As you know I love taking photos, I have an eye for beauty. I want to share some of that magic with you. It’s been a couple of months in my new home and state. Everything is so new and yet so fitting. I really like it here, but I find myself in wonder at all there is to explore and see.

    “The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.”

    See what I see.

    Quiet Time with God
    Room of mirrors
    Light up the sky
    The tears of sinners
    A new thing, a fresh start
    Awakened to reality, dreaming of perfection
    Loved
    I am not alone

    May you know God’s love, may you trust in your abilities, and keep showing up!

    Happy Reading!

    All photos are mine. All rights reserved.

    ShilohRose77©️

  • “Chasing After the Wind”

    What’s a topic or issue about which you’ve changed your mind?

    First of all, I have missed this beautiful community of writers and readers, it has been A WHILE! I hope to get back consistently into blogging, our long distance move really took a lot out of me! Anywho, I am willing myself to sit in this chair, at this desk and produce something from my heart.

    Beautiful Park in my new state!

    If you have ever heard the phrase “chasing after the wind,” what did it make you think about? For me, I had a reminder this week in my Bible study! Sometimes we have good intentions, that just don’t lead to lasting results! All too often we are living for what is temporary and in a sort of survival mode. We each have talents that we have been blessed with or have worked hard to perfect. My questions to myself and YOU:

    ARE YOU USING YOUR TALENTS WISELY? ARE YOU WASTING THEM OR HIDING? ARE YOU SHARING YOUR WISDOM WITH OTHERS?

    “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how,”
    -Friedrich Nietzsche

    We are all in a shared human experience, and we each have a worldview shaped by our circumstances. When God created us he had a design, a mold, a way in which we should live. We were given a purpose to create and take care of God’s creation. We all know that life happens to us all and sometimes we loose sight of our purpose. Death, grief, loss, abuse, betrayal, manipulation, slander, hurt, pain, illness, shared suffering, burnout, fatigue, mental health issues, etc. these are just a few of the many human experiences that can take us off course. Friends, I ask you to remember who you are and WHOSE you are: our lives where created by God for his good purpose. We are his workmanship!

    DON’T start the eye rolling I know, it may sound cliche, but it’s the truth! Your life matters and it brings something that intricately connects with others and creates something beautiful! The imagery in Jeremiah 18, of the Potter and the Clay is a parable of God using his hands to shape, mold, and refine us. If you have ever seen a person make a clay vessel, it’s quite fascinating that they do not throw away clay that has imperfections. However, the marred, and imperfect lump of clay gets reused into something else. Clay can be dried up, misshapen, and seems utterly useless but when water is applied, the lump can be made pliable again. You CAN be made NEW!

    When the Potter, who is our God who loves us beyond comprehension, gets back on the wheel refreshes what has dried up in us, he takes away the hardness of our heart. He breaks up the fallow ground, and starts watering the seeds that have lain dormant in our life. The dreams, goals, hopes, and things long forgotten can be brought back to life. No more chasing after what does not matter, we can let go of the old wounds and trust the Potter. A broken clay vessel can be restored as if nothing ever happened!

    Let God put you back on the wheel.

    “But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand,” Isaiah 64:8 (ESV).

    The vessel doesn’t talk to the potter and say what they should be formed into, rather the clay is dependent on the potter to finish what he has begun.

    Maybe, you have been stubborn, prideful, ignorant, or traumatized as I have been so often in my life: that I thought I knew best. I realize as each year passes that I know a lot, but nothing I know compares to HIS infinite wisdom. I have chased success, money, fame, relationships, things, and all have fallen short of the fullness I feel when I am alone, and quiet with God.

    Jesus is the water that nourishes our lives, remember he told us that he would be our rest, our drink, our sustenance, our friend, portion, Lord, savior, and so much more! Don’t get off the wheel too soon, don’t worry he’s not done yet!

    “As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand,” Jeremiah 18:6b (NLT).

    I am learning that chasing after the wind, is a waste of time. My job is to be willing to stay flexible with God, continue to go back to his wheel and let him work on me. If we abandon God, we loose sight of our way. We may not realize it until the troubles start coming. A lump of clay is useless, until it is shaped, created, reformed into something of value and purpose. God told us he created us from the dust, he made what is insignificant, beautiful.

    “ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them,” Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV).

    Our lives can become full of worthless pursuits, vanities, and in return, leave us feeling empty and longing. A question God asked Jeremiah:

    DOES THE CREATION HAVE A RIGHT TO DICATE TO ITS CREATOR?

    This relationship between God and creation, must be built on trusting who God is and is unchanging character.

    I hope that I this blessed you today as it did for me, I pray you are encouraged to connect with God and let him mold you. His plans are better, he has it all worked out.

    Happy Reading!

    Photos: Pexels Free Library & One of my own.

    All rights reserved.

    ShilohRose77©️

  • These Bones Hold Wisdom

    List 10 things you know to be absolutely certain.

    Just a few things I have learned along the journey….

    “The journey is worth the walk.” -Me
    1. Trouble doesn’t last always.
    2. Jesus LOVES you!
    3. Faith makes the impossible; possible!
    4. Forgive often.
    5. YOU are worthy!
    6. Nature makes everything better.
    7. Dancing in the rain, makes the sun come out sooner.
    8. No one knows everything.
    9. Good things will happen, no matter how much darkness comes into the world!
    10. The past is not about regret but more about evolution.

    Thank you for stopping by! Happy Reading!

    All rights reserved. Photo is mine. ShilohRose77©️

  • Behind the Lens

    Today I have been thinking about all the nature shots, scenic views and beautiful displays I have captured! I truly love to take pictures of nature. I am thinking of buying a fancy camera one day! However I think I do pretty well just on my phone! I would like to share a few with y’all. I normally have a lot to say but lately it feels more like quotes or phrases of gratitude.

    Your Grace and Mercy Brought Me Through

    I took this one the other evening on a drive home, the sunset was breathtaking!

    Summer Clouds

    Beneath an endless sky, my eyes come alive.

    Hope of the horizon

    Rainbows seem to follow me. I am truly blessed!

    Blush ☺️

    This beautiful foliage makes me think of being in love.

    Rain on the Lake
    Hike Views

    I hope these brought you as much joy as they did me, a photo still doesn’t do God’s Earth justice! As they say…”You just had to be there!” Blessings to You!

    All photos are mine, and taken by me.

    All rights reserved. ShilohRose77©️

  • Suffering that Coincides With Joy

    Photo in took in Florida 
    The Blessing of Suffering
    :A poem All rights reserved: ShilohRose77©️

    I anticipate opposition but I do not fear it
    where I set my vision is the part I play
    straight position
    To the joy that is set before me
    I remain pushing 
    Beyond the limits 
    I must stretch let the struggle
    cushion my hustle
    The more the God of all teaches me 
    each moment of pressure 
    creates eternal wishing
    waiting upon your return
    the cares of this life 
    no longer my concern.



  • Back from Hiatus

    June 5th, 2025 (MY BIRTHDAY!)

    Our life should be one of progress! We may struggle, stumble or maybe even fall in certain areas, but we should have some positive progression. I just turned thirty-seven a few days ago, and I look at myself and I am happy to see the growth. I still have a ways to go, but so grateful for growth!

    2025 Growth:

    1. Less time on social media, I used to be on socials around 4 hours a day! I was addicted to scrolling and time wasting. I was addicted to the validation of others.
    2. I have read twenty books this year, compared to thirteen books last year. Reading is a passion and I am happier when I am doing what I love! My goal was twenty books this year and I will most definitely supersede that goal!
    3. I am learning to pray more, I used to think I had to pray in certain settings, now I pray in my heart, I whispers prayers as I fall asleep, as I am driving, or just doing the mundane tasks.
    4. I have read my daily Bible verse for one hundred and four days and been on the Bible app one hundred and forty-five days this year so far! Not to mention reading the physical copy of the Bible with my children.
    5. I am learning the power of “NO,” I don’t have to say “yes” to every opportunity, event, or unwanted interactions. This one was hard because I always wanted people to like me.
    6. Learning to rest more, and not feel guilty about it. Busyness is not a sign of achievement!
    7. I have been writing more, which is another thing I love.
    8. Drinking more water and less sodas!

    I have so much to be grateful for and even though this has been a trying time of life, I must trust the process. My growth is what will sustain me through the next levels.

    2025 NEW SEASON (Pexels Free Library(

    My husband and I have been quite busy, he has been offered a new job in a new state. The job will be a traveling position, we are excited but also nervous!! This is a big change and probably somewhat uncomfortable, we are trying to prepare for it. We travelled to the new state last month, it was really beautiful. The climate is different, the people, lingo, everything! I always felt in my heart that God wanted me to move from my state but I was always too afraid.

    I moved a few times away, but always came back to what was familiar. As we embark on this new journey as a family, I hope that we will find a rhythm and be able to maintain all of our responsibilities well. This is a big job for my husband and we also have a large family. Our relatives are sad, but we have tried to reassure everyone that we will be coming back often as we can! We will keep our current home for now and commute between the two states regularly; it’s exactly six hours away.

    I have been so busy with everything that I haven’t made much time to blog. I have missed all of you! I will try and get still more to write. Summer is always a busy time of year, but one that I love! I hope you guys are having a great week! Happy Reading!

    All rights reserved ShilohRose77©️

  • Hopelessly Expecting

    A poem with questions to God, but clinging to faith.

    All rights reserved. ShilohRose77©️

    Pexels Free Library
    Hopelessly Expecting

    Here I am again waiting

    On you to show

    How long this time?

    My breath caught in my throat
     
    Despite my calls and cries you delayed

    Where are you friend?

    Oh how I need thee,

    I cannot bear it another day

    Silly of me to doubt your love

    and yet I often do

    Hopelessly I wait for your call

    or maybe an answer 

    What is next for me?

    Can you not see our suffering?

    Might to save, we are waiting!

    Expecting your mirage amongst the dust

    Appear to us once more 

    I’m sorry I strayed

    Abiding in the shadows

    It was us that forsook the light

    Choosing our path and will

    Yet hopelessly awaiting 

    For your helping hand

    Rebuke me not dear Lord,

    If not for me, the least of these

    We were wrong, you were right

    Restore to us your marvelous light

    With great expectancy I will wait

    Upon thine return

    My breath released

    Hopelessly expecting

    My faith somehow firm

    A photo I took at the lake this weekend.

  • Fruits That Lasts: Fruits of the Spirit

    List your top 5 favorite fruits.

    Pexels Free Library

    Here are 5 fruits that will change your life: FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT (Galatians 5:22)

    1. LOVE: I could always use more love in my life. The Bible says that what good is love that is only extended to those that love us in return! We must seek out the unlovable and practice loving them beyond their pain. Hurt people hurt people as we have heard. I can admit that I have said the HATE word in anger and pain. I regret it and as I realize my great need for love and acceptance, I am learning to love a bit more. We are to love God and others, sounds simple but love is not what we see in the movies!
    2. JOY: The Joy of the Lord is our strength. God has called us to remain content, and endure through life’s difficulties. The Joy that comes from trusting God in the unseen realm. We are not happy all the time, but joy is knowing that life is meant to have highs and lows. We appreciate life more because of the struggles.
    3. PEACE: Inner peace, a peace that comes from knowing a sovereign God. The resolve to stay in peace, this one is a hard one! Not to let worry take over.
    4. PATIENCE: There are different seasons in our life, just like the weather or like farming. There is a time to plant, cultivate, and then reap a harvest. The weather is always changing even if it is subtle changes, from one season to the next. It takes patience to grow things, we must wait for the product of our labor. God desires for us to wait on Him, we learn to wait and have patience during hardships.
    5. KINDNESS: The world is broken, there are a lot of hurting people. We cannot turn a blind eye, we must share our resources, time, love, and empathy with the world. It doesn’t always have to be grand gestures: a smile, a word of encouragement, pay for a meal, etc. We all have had experiences that could have turned us bitter and unloving. We choose each day to see the good in others. It is with love and kindness that God draws us to himself.

    These are only 5 out of 9 fruits of the Spirit, that are discussed in the Bible, I wanted to stay on theme but all are for our benefit. These fruits are the product of having a relationship with God and allowing him to guide you. The Holy Spirit helps us to grow from faith to faith. Our fruit develops over time and grows better and more tasteful.

    Everyone has different temperament’s and some of these things may come easier to you than others. For example I tend to be a pretty upbeat and optimistic person, just by nature. I have been called smiley, because I often smile for no reason! That’s good news in the development of our character is that some of these we are already naturally inclined to. Now for me patience is not my strong suit! I tend to be in a hurry all throughout my life and I want to always know what is next.

    What fruit is in your garden?

    We all are a work in progress, and until we take our final breath we will always be developing and learning. I hope that you will read up on these fruits, because they are what leads to prosperity, great relationships, and peace beyond external challenges.

    Happy Reading!

    All rights reserved.

    ShilohRose©️

  • Capstone of Faith: Key to Success

    Class of 2007 (Key from my high school graduation 👩‍🎓)

    “Every locked door has a key, every problem has a solution.”

    This key says: “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart…” (Proverbs 3:5).

    May 24, 2007

    This was the day I was graduating from high school, seems so long ago. I was eighteen, I didn’t know much but I knew that I was done with high school! Friends, family, and church members all gathering around to wish me congratulations. My friends and I were planning what we would wear after graduation, and what party we would go to later. The ceremony was long and boring. I was nervous as I crossed that stage, not sure what life would hold next.

    As I was taking pictures with everyone, they were coming up and handing me love gifts. I received quite a bit of money, cards, and little trinkets. My hands full with my acquired diploma, and the gifts I smiled a cheesy grin. Smile! Another photo! I was ready to go now! My little black Honda Accord calling my name, I was ready to put high school behind me. There were lots of good memories but many poor choices as well. Such is life, we all think we know everything at that age! Some days I wish I could grab my shoulders and shake that little girl!

    However regrets wont get us too far we have to accept that our mistakes and failures, they shape who we become. I am proud of the woman I am now, but there is still a lot of growing up to do. I used to think thirty-six was old, now that I am here I know I have a long life to live. Matter of fact my birthday is less than a month away!

    The Key to Success

    There were a handful of church members that came to my high school graduation, I truly appreciate that they did that. It was so sweet of them. One guy named LA, gave me this key in a beautiful little box. I have had this key for eighteen years this month! How in the world has it been so long? I immediately loved this gift because it was so unique and I carry with me all the time. I keep it in my purse. I am surprised I still have it! LA died several years ago, and I still can see his smile in my mind. He was such a kind man, he was always impeccably dressed, and had a little dance in his walk. He didn’t know that that gift would be still special to me, all these years later.

    Capstone to Faith

    Capstone: Is the final stone that is placed when building a structure. The significance here is that God wants us to have that image of completion in our minds. The good work God is doing, he will finish. The final piece to the puzzle is just as important as all the rest, but sometimes it can be what motivates us to keep working towards a goal; to think of the finished product. I took this key out of my purse and I put it on my dresser. It serves as a reminder of God’s promises to me, and a symbol of hope. I know better days are ahead. I look at it each day and I move forward.

    What does your capstone look like?

    The other day I was listening to a sermon that was talking about we need to start dreaming and trying again for things that we have given up on. The preacher told a story about Zerubbabel in the Bible, who had a dream and mission to rebuild temple, but he faced adversity and almost gave up. God encouraged him to finish.

    “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
    ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

    He had only laid the foundation, but the people began discouraging him and he gets down and stops building. Then fifteen years later a prophetic word comes from Zechariah:

    “So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.”
    ‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

    Have you ever given up on something you really wanted to accomplish? Maybe because of adversity and discouragement, like in this story?

    This story should serve as a reminder to us all that sometimes our dreams may get delayed for various reasons but it is okay to begin again. God never starts something that he doesn’t plan to finish. He has a plan for our lives and we should look to him for guidance. Today I am encouraging you and that younger version of me, not to give up. To keep believing and working hard to accomplish all that you have in your heart.

    What did you want to be when you “grew up”?

    I always said that I wanted to be a secretary, because I loved office work and being organized. After high school, I went to a technical college for Medical Office Specialist. I began doing clerical work in various positions over the years. I truly enjoyed it and learned a lot. However, there were other dreams as I evolved and matured. I desired to be married, have a family, write a book, travel, sing in public, buy a new home, earn my degree, etc. So many dreams! I have many accomplished many of the dreams but there are still more. Sometimes my dreams scare me, they seem too hard or impossible. However that is where faith comes in: faith is the evidence of the unseen.

    Pexels Free Library

    How to Begin Again:

    1. Review the past. (Sometimes we can’t go forward until we go back.) Study what worked and what didn’t.
    2. Align your goals and values. (God’s will vs. My own) What is your WHY?
    3. Forgive yourself (Move forward without regrets and shame)
    4. Plan the next steps. (Start small, but START!)
    5. Embrace change, welcome help from others.
    6. Keep learning, trust your abilities, and be persistent!

    Hey YOU! Yes, you don’t you dare quit! Get your fire and passion back and GO GET IT!

    Happy Reading!

    All rights reserved

    ShilohRose77©️