Feeling Distant from God?

Have you ever had those moments where it felt like God wasn't there? Or that your relationship with Him was becoming distant and you could no longer feel Him in your life like you once did and things were not how they used to be when you first gave your heart to God? If you're feeling this way it's because God wants to have sincere fellowship with you. That's Him tugging on your heart telling you that's how He's feeling about your relationship with Him. He loves us so much and desires to spend time with us.

Here are possible reasons that you are feeling distant from God and ways you can begin feeling His presence again in your life.
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Never Give Up!

You know that thing you've been praying for, or that situation you may have been asking God to intervene in and it doesn't seem like nothing is happening or getting any better. Do you ever feel like quitting? Well join the team! There's always going to be a situation where we will get tested in life, and we may not feel like we can get through it, but don't give up! There is a blessing around the corner, and there is hope when we turn to Jesus, even when we may not feel like it. He is always there to pick us back up and remind us of who we are in Him and that we are capable to see it through.

Somethings in life we go through to learn valuable lessons and also it's an opportunity for us to praise God through the bad, if we only love God through the good, then what does that say about our relationship with Him? We have to be patient in the waiting, and show God we love Him through the good and through the bad. Don't give up and keep pressing, and remember to pray and resist the enemy, this too shall pass.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

Love and happiness, 

Shaniqua
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In Over my Head


Sometimes we all have that one song that's able to capture how we're feeling perfectly in some moments in our life through the lyrics and melody. I've been finding myself on repeat with this song by Jenn Johnson. I really enjoy the soft melody and the lyrics are very meaningful. I like how it's about getting immersed in God and letting our thoughts be focused on Him.

Instead of being in over our heads with worries let's be in over our heads with the goodness of God because He's faithful, through the good or the bad.
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Counting Your Blessings


This week while spending time with God I discovered that I have so much to be thankful for. I think it can be so easy for humans sometimes to look at what we don't have instead of focusing on what we do have. It's good to remind ourselves of where God has taken us from and what He continues to bless us with each day.

It can truly change out perspectives when we keep our eyes on God and how great He is to us. The enemy wants to distract us and make it seem as if God's dead, and He's not working in our lives, but each day God is working by providing breath in our bodies, giving us another day to live out our purpose in Him.

Last night I finally got the opportunity to watch the movie God's NOT Dead and it was truly a blessing. It's great how God sends us confirmations from what we've been praying about. After the movie was over me, my husband and sister-in-law discussed it and we ended up opening up to each other about what we were going through, being able to encourage one another that we are truly blessed and God's in control of it all. It's good to be able to have those people in your life that helps you see things from different perspectives.
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Watch your mouth!


Many of us have probably at some point of time or another in our lives have mastered the art of complaining. In this own area of my life I'm still asking God daily to let my words be turned into praises versus complaining. It can be easy to see the bad and overlook the vital lessons we can learn at different stages of our lives. While spending time with God the other day I was reminded that our words hold power and can really set the mood for our entire day.

Our words can also be used as warfare against the enemy when we go into prayer and decree the promises of God over our lives. If we speak by faith and believe all that God has promised us concerning giving us an abundant life we should start seeing the positive changes in our everyday lives.

There are a few important topics we have to keep in mind when it comes to watching the words that come out of our mouth as believers.

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Top 3 Reasons Why I Write



Today marks National Day on Writing, so in honor of today I decided to write a post on #WhyIwrite

As most of you may know I’m the author of “leaving Jade”, but for those of you who don’t know I will shamelessly put in an advertisement for you to order it here at this link! You will not only enjoy it, but I’m positive that it will inspire you in some way. And plus it’s on sale on Kindle so it’s a win-win situation!

OK…now that my advertisement plug is out of the way that brings me to the reason of me writing this post.

Since a young girl I’ve loved to write and it’s always intrigued me. I guess writing you could say also matches my personality. Being an introvert most of my thoughts are inside of my head, and when it comes time for me to release all of those thoughts, writing them down is my biggest preference of doing so. There are so many reasons why I love to write, but for this post I’m going to talk about my top three.

Reason #1
Escape from reality
Similar to how I feel when I read a book, when I get into the mode of writing it’s like everything else around me disappears. I become so immersed with the world I’m creating through words that it can be a bit of a mini vacation from all of the commotion that could be going on. It’s a great time for me to take my mind off of whatever obligations or duties that could be stressors in my life at the moment.

Reason #2
The stories you can create
For me, as a writer the stories I create becomes an extraordinary journey as I navigate through it all to convey a message. When it comes to writing the stories you can create are endless. When I read the stories of other author’s I’m so bemused that they could even come up with some of their unique ideas. The twist and turns keeps you turning through the pages and you sincerely feel like the characters you are reading about are real. I love that each story I write is another opportunity for me to become better and better in my gifting.

Reason #3
Using writing for positivity
If it wasn’t for God and writing I don’t think I would’ve made it through my middle and high school years. Writing can definitely be used as a positive outlet for emotions, feelings and thoughts. Not only is it positive for the writer but writing can also be positive for the reader. Writing can inspire others, convey messages and be used to change the world. There are so many positive attributes of writing.

So that wraps up my top 3 reasons for why I love writing. Although I love writing it comes with its challenges as well, which is finding the time to do it. I'm prayerful that one day writing can actually become my full time job, with faith and works I'm hopeful it will be that way.

Be on the look out for more projects coming soon!

Love and happiness, 


Shaniqua

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Dancing through the Storm


In life there's always going to be sunshine, but along with the sunshine there may come a little rain. Such is true with our journey and walk with God. Sometimes things can seem like they are going so perfect, that we finally have a hang of this walk with God, but then suddenly a storm comes and then we have to figure out how to get through it.

This year has not been the easiest for me, in fact it's been the year that I've been learning the most about God, myself and life. Sometimes learning experiences aren't fun, but they do produce results that can have everlasting benefits for your entire life. So through the storm remember to learn what it is that God wants you to take away from it. Storms look rough when you're going through them, but at the end of the storm is a beautiful sunny day.

With anything in life growth comes with growing pains. It's important through storms to stick close to God more than ever because He's our navigation through it. Get around people who will hold you accountable through the storm and won't throw you a pity party. Pity parties are the worst and are only an aid to continue in misery and play the blame game, I know because I was recently going through one of them. Instead of doing the blame game learn ways that you can make your situation better. Know in your storm that this is not the end game, your storm is preparing you for something greater, but first you have to get pruned and refined.

It's important to don't give up and know that storms don't last always, we all have our different seasons in life. The Bible tells us that there are many seasons in an individuals life.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: - Ecclesiastes 3:1

Sometimes it's up to us with how long we'll last in the storm,or how long it will take us to learn the lesson God places us through the storm for. Some storms we can bring on upon our self. Whatever the reason it's important to seek God even more so He can strengthen us to overcome.

With these previous storms in my life, I've learned to be content with where I am in life at the moment, although it's not where I WANT to be, it's where God has me for right now. Being thankful for each breath God blesses me with has given me a better perspective on things. It's always important to be thankful to our Creator. He knows us more than we know our self, and He does all things for a reason. Trust that He loves His children and He's leading us to still waters. Even if we may make a mistake while going through the storm, He's a faithful God and He'll stick with us if we continue to lean on Him.

Keep the faith, the main thing the enemy wants us to do in a storm is to doubt God. But we have to keep our eyes on Jesus unless we'll sink like Peter did.

Life's Storms can produce the most beautiful results if we learn to grow from them.


                                                     Love and happiness, 

                                                            Shaniqua


Celebrating my love's bday last weekend!

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Life After College


So this past August, about two months ago, I graduated from the University of Central Florida with my bachelor's degree! It feels like it's been such a long time coming, when the  moment finally came to walk across that stage I was in somewhat of  a disbelief. After almost giving up, praying to God to see me through, long hours of studying, and what seemed like endless semesters of counting down credits, I'm finally done. I was too excited that day, feeling like I could conquer anything, but then of course when a few weeks passed and you're wondering how you going to pay back all of those student loans the real world kicks in.

I've finished college...now what?

Yeah I can always continue my education and go for my Master's, but I really want to be sure that's the next step for me to take. In this season of my life I'm learning I need to seek the voice of God more than ever. Me being first generation, I'm proud of the fact that I finished my Bachelor's, but at the same time I don't want it all going to waste.

I'm going to get real honest in my upcoming blogs and talk more about some of my college experience, my regrets and what I have learned.

Love this woman, my mom, one of my best supporters in life.
For the mean time I'm really happy to be done with school, and I'm focusing on what it is that I really want to do in life. Of course my passion for writing isn't going anywhere, and I do plan on kicking that into full gear. But now that I'm finished with school my main focus is finding a full time JOB!

I'm happy to share my journey with those who are maybe in a similar situation. Don't give up, something good is in your future. Success doesn't always come easy, just like I learned that it takes time and dedication to get a degree it's the same for my other pursuits.

At times I'll admit I began to doubt my ability to become that best selling author or business owner that I dream to be, but with God and hard work it's going to happen!

Life after college has been a real eye opener for me. I'm excited for my journey and through the up's and down's I know that God is right beside me, even though it may not always feel like it. If we seek God first, He's sure to light the way.

♥ Shaniqua
Woo hoo! So happy to be done!
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How to Pray


When I used to teach Bible Study for middle and high school students a common question came up when it referred to prayer. Many didn't know how to pray or even what to pray about. What is prayer? Simply put prayer is us having a conversation with God. Prayer is us going to God and just pouring out everything to him, our hopes, our desires, our praises to Him, our thanksgiving and it’s also God speaking back to us. Even if it’s the smallest thing we can go to God and tell Him about it. In fact God desires for us to have communication with Him, He wants to have a relationship with us where we can know Him and become more like Him.

Just like a relationship with friends, families or a spouse. The more time we spend with someone the more we pick up some of their traits, that’s why it’s important to hang around the right flock of people. Have you ever heard the saying “birds of a feather flock together?”  Such is true with our relationship with God. If we are not continually going to God in prayer to be recharged and filled with His Grace, then life will start to get overwhelming. We will start to get irritated and then our flesh will start to take over because we are not walking by the Spirit anymore.

We’re like a battery and God is the source that we must go to to be recharged again and again. This life will come with trails, but no trail is hard enough for God. With every obstacle we face if we go to God we will be sure to be set on the right path.

Regarding prayer there are a few important things we must know about it from Scripture.
We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. John 9:31

The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:39

So according to these verses we must be believers in order for God to hear our prayers. That doesn't mean that a sinner who sincerely repents to become saved won’t be heard, but what this does mean is that in order for our prayers to hold any merit or power, we have to be living for God and in His will. We can’t be willfully living in sin and expect God to bless our mess, it doesn't work that way with God.

I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. Isaiah 13:11

For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13

Also when we pray to God it’s important for us to be honest to Him. Though we shouldn't always come to God complaining about everything we should also be able to go to Him with our concerns. God tells us to cast our burdens to Him (1 Peter 5:7).

I find when I’m overwhelmed after going to God I leave with a peace that surpasses all understanding, but it’s important to stay consistent with our prayer to God because we don’t want to be up and down with our emotions. We need to learn how to continually be in that perfect peace and that takes a daily relationship with God and also constant obedience to Him as well.

When we pray we need to also remember to give God thanks.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

So when it comes to prayer we can see that God does have some requirements for certain promises in the Bible that He’s made.

We must be in His will, and we should regularly be praying. It’s also a good idea to set aside a quiet time daily with God, whether it be 30 minutes to an hour. Jesus was always in communication with the Father, and it was one of the reasons why Jesus was able to complete the mission he was assigned to do on the earth realm. It takes God for us to be effective in our lives. So go to Him when life seems overwhelming because God has the perfect road map to the destination He desires for us to take. You can do this!

God’s grace is limitless,



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Dead Faith



In my previous post I talked about my goal to having a more self-disciplined lifesyle. And you better believe a test came right after I declared that it was no more of me being lazy and putting off things this year. The very next day I posted my goal I woke up that Sunday morning very tired and with a sore throat. I didn’t feel like going to Church at all and I told my husband that he would be going to Church alone. But as I laid down about to go back to sleep God spoke to me and this is what He said.

God: Why aren’t you getting up to go to Church?

Me: Lord I’m tired and on top of that I’m not feeling well.

God: But if you believe and have faith that you can be more self-disciplined you are going to have to get up and put works with your faith. If you just get up (works) and believe (faith) I will empower you to succeed in your efforts by My strength.

I continued to lay down and think about what God had just said to me. As I thought about it more I suddenly began to gain more strength. Then I came to the conclusion, God is right! As God always is right of course! If I truly believed that I could be more self-disciplined I was going to have to make those steps in every area of my life to achieve that.

I knew that if I was to go back to sleep I would sleep the rest of the morning away and fall right back into my same slothful routine because I had already started off on a bad foot. I wouldn't have been exercising my faith. So I got up and went to Church and there was a reward for my obedience. The service at Church that day was very encouraging. Not only was it awesome, but the message was confirming of what God was teaching me.

The Lord spoke to me confirming to me that the change started now! I was reminded that I must continue to make the steps to get to where I’m supposed to be going. If I keep making backtracks then I was just prolonging my goals and would never reach them.

Don’t get me wrong I’m still a work in progress in this area, but the point is that I’m making those steps to get where I need to go and I can’t go back, I must continue to go forward. Although some steps maybe small, sooner or later those steps are going to add up and I will soon be to the finish line of this particular race of self-disciplining myself with my time.

So in all of this I’m learning the importance of having faith that is alive! Having a faith that produces fruit, because in the end real and authentic faith will produce works and that will show. On the other hand dead faith is the opposite.
What does dead faith produce?

No Works:
James 2:17 Even so Faith, if it hath no works, is dead, being alone. - KJV

When our faith is dead we don’t want to work for those things which God has for us. We may have heard God say something in the past that he has for us, yet we don’t see it manifested in our lives yet, but it could be due to the fact that our faith is wavering. You may say well I believe what God says He has for me is for me, I have Faith, I do believe, why isn't it here yet? I've been waiting and waiting…

But Faith is not just about waiting for God’s promises to manifest in our lives, we also have to have works with our Faith. God may have something for us, but first He wants us to be equipped and ready to receive what He has for us. Just like Jesus had to be prepared first before he did his ministry, hence him fasting for 40 days and 40 nights and being tempted by the devil in the wilderness.

In order for us to be trusted with the gifts and great things God has for us we must first be tested and tried. We are no better than Jesus. If Jesus had to be cultivated first then we will have to do the same as well. Faith and works go hand and hand with one another, so if we have real faith then we will put action with our belief and it will be shown.

It’s the same for when we become Christians. If we now believe by Faith that we are children of God, we are going to start behaving like children of God. That means we are going to get rid of the sin and bad things in our life that we know is not pleasing to God. When we put works with our Faith, God’s strength will empower us to be victorious in our walk with Christ, and in our life as a whole.

We need to constantly examine ourselves to see if we are living that real and authentic faith that the Word of God speaks about. That goes for every area of our lives. Don’t allow yourself to never see God’s promises in your life because you were just sitting down waiting for God to do something. He’s already empowered us to do it and trust Him in the process. You can do this!




God’s Grace is Limitless,



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What Are You Doing With Your Time?


It’s 2015 and I decided that it would be a great opportunity for me to reflect on areas in my life that need to be perfected by God. If I’m honest with myself the greatest area I struggle in is self-discipline, in particular self-discipline with spending the time God has given me the best way possible.

When it comes to everyday plans and activities I admit I can choose laziness vs. hard work quite often. It’s not something that I’m proud about and I believe this has caused me to miss out on many opportunities that God has for me. For example I published my first novel “Leaving Jade” in May of 2014. By now I was hoping to have novel #2 already available, but due to my lack of disciplining and managing of my time book #2 has been delayed. Lack of self-discipline has also caused me to put on hold other goals that I have set out to achieve, but as I write this post I am declaring that “it’s no more!” It’s no more of me wasting time and putting off what I know God has called me to achieve.

As I pondered this subject, dealing with what I’m doing with my time the Lord lead me to some very convicting yet encouraging scriptures to get me on my way to a more disciplined lifestyle.

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. – KJV, Luke 9:23

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. –KJV, Proverbs 13:4

Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. – KJV, Proverbs 19:15

So as I read and studied God’s Word I’m reminded that my life is not my own. When I may want to lay on the couch for a brief rest or search the internet, I should stop and be more focused on the things God desires for me to do that day. I’m not saying that it’s not OK to have a rest once in a while, but first we need to be concerned with the responsibilities we have and get those successfully completed first.

Instead of putting things off, it’s time to get those things accomplished now. It will certainly pay off in the long run. If we desire a certain goal we must put action with our faith. We can’t accomplish anything by doing nothing.

My goal for my entire life, not just a year, is to remain focused on God’s plans for me and not my own plans. In order for us to attain what God has for us we have to show ourselves as good stewards, not just by being a good Christian, but also good stewards over our precious time on this earth that God has blessed us with. Before God blesses us with more He wants to be sure we can handle the little that we have. It’s time for me to stop just saying and start doing!

In future post I will be giving practical tips and documenting my own journey to a self-disciplined life. I know it’s possible because God has already freed me from so much! I’m praying that you all have a great new year’s. Be blessed and know that whatever your goals or visions God can see you through it, as long as we obey and put forth the work as well.

Love and happiness, 

Shaniqua

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