Tag: religion

How Do You Talk To God?

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A Book Review

When We Talk To God: Prayers & Poems for Black Women by Sharifa Stevens. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

You know the saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”? So, I’m judging, but positively, though. When We Walk To God: Prayers & Poems for Black Women by Sharifa Stevens is the book I didn’t know I needed. The cover is a perfect gateway to phenomenal content.

This is a necessary book for Women of Color. How we talk to God is, as I’ve witnessed and experienced, extremely different from how other women talk to God. I connected with this book in a way that has brought me unmitigated peace and comfort, and I’m happy to express that.

Here’s the review I shared on Amazon and Goodreads:

Talking To God Is a Form of Art

At least, this is what I gleaned from the prayers, poems, and notes shared by the indomitable Sharifa Stevens.

There are books that sneak in when you weren’t expecting to be fulfilled or touched by spirits and there are books that pull you from dark places and remind you of your worth… “When We Talk To God: Prayers & Poems for Black Women” encompasses both of those descriptions.

There are pieces within this offering that read like sermons. Some feel like testimonies. And others swim across the page, reaching out at just the right moment to grab ahold of the reader and remind them that they are and will forever be God’s child.

I am a sinner, yet I love. I am a sinner, yet I feel. I am a sinner, yet I have solid friendships. I am a sinner… I am a sinner… I am a sinner… Yet, God will never stop loving me.

In the midst of the turmoil and chaos of this wretched world, I cracked open the spine of this gift and found solace.

“When We Talk To God…” offers hope, reflection, strength, encouragement, and the reality that I am not alone on this tedious journey of life, and I am blessed to be able to say that I read it.

And I will, without a doubt, read it again and again, and maybe a few more times for sustainability.

There’s a prayer in this book for you, Black woman. There’s a prayer in this book for you.

When I find a book that makes me feel good about myself and less alone, as well as hone in on biblical scriptures that can motivate, encourage, strengthen, and engage my mind, I am completely satisfied.

And, I am.

Scattered Words: Poems for Jernee Timid Loadholt is available now! Have you gotten your copy? Hardcover|eBook

T-Shirt Message #2

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Encouraging messages that have been AI-generated as I grow through the messes and joys of life.

AI-Generated T-Shirt Message #2: He’s Still In Control. Created with Canva.

Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Romans 8:28: “All things work together for good for those who love God.” 

Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?

I recently signed up to write on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing as I speak about the most recent events with my place of employment, as it pertains to racism and discrimination. I welcome your visit.

Something To Think About #6

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I’ve laid my burdens at His feet.

A screenshot of Friday’s Bible Verse (Daily Refresh) via YouVersion

I will share “Something To Think About” for the next ten weeks on Sunday afternoons. It may be a quote, a picture, an interesting phrase I heard, artwork, etc. Whatever I share will surely be intriguing or involving enough to spark a casual discussion or in-depth conversation. Stay tuned every Sunday for this feature!

Peace and blessings.

Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet? I recently signed up to write for Substack as well. My first post, “I Said I Wouldn’t Do It” is live. I welcome your visit.

Lily and the Valley

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Flash Fiction

Photo by Alex Kinkate on Pexels.com

Lily spent fifty years scaling a mountain that held no form of life on it. Her quest, given at the time of her birth, was to find Valley and make a home there.

But how would she do this if the mountain that held no form of life on it spun continuously in the opposite direction of where she needed to be?

A revolving door? A nightmare? A terror? A thing no one wants around?

She needed to rid herself of this mountain and soon.

Tree and Sun tiptoed into her line of sight. Moon and Air brought their heaviest armor. Stars and Ocean swirled into the Air and channeled Tsunami. Monsoon held Highway’s hand.

A reunion took place no one envisioned.

Everyone gathered at the bottom of the mountain and raced to the top of it for Lily. They brought life to a place that had never seen life before. And soon, Mountain opened its eyes, breathed in the things circling around it, and panted ceaselessly.

It was alive!

And knowing this, Mountain cracked its body, shifted twists and turns, and knocked edges of rock off its back, creating a path for Lily. Swerving at the speed of sound, Lily found her way to Valley and settled into its embrace. She looked toward Mountain’s direction and noticed every form of life exited to their own assignments; leaving Mountain alone again.

“Valley, all it needed was life.”

“So life, it will have.”

Valley stomped her feet and whispered to everyone simultaneously, “Send tiny pieces of you to Mountain. Give it some of your life.”

And as each form of life did as they had been ordered, Valley and Lily offered up tiny pieces of themselves, too.

Mountain seized from the outpouring of love and cried tears of joy. Moments later; grass grew, lilies sprang up at every turn, rain poured in patchy spots, trees shot up from the ground, and life began living in a place that needed it most.

Lily and Valley stood in awe of their magic and inhaled the goodness around them.

Their mission had been accomplished.