Tag: peace

Life

Grateful

Shaun Bradford
Gratitude is key.

Hezekiah Walker’s song, “Grateful,” says–

I am grateful for the things that you have done
Yes, I’m grateful for the victories we’ve won
I could go on and on and on about your works
Because I’m grateful, grateful, so grateful just to praise you Lord
Flowing from my heart are the issues of my heart, it’s gratefulness

Flowing from my heart is gratefulness. There is so much I have to be grateful for including still being here. Every day on earth is an opportunity to witness God’s glory. So often we miss it because we are looking for it in something grand. Today, I encourage you to be intentional about seeing God’s glory, even in the simplest of things.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Life

Let It Snow

Shaun Bradford

When I think of the winter holidays, I think of the perfect winter setting. You know, the kind you see on holiday movies—the couple, the cozy fireplace, the plush blanket, hot chocolate with marshmallows and peppermint sprinkles, beautiful snow falling, and “Let it Snow” by Boyz II Men—not Dean Martin—playing in the background. It’s what you think of too, right?! Laughing. Although my reality looks nothing like my perfect holiday setting, I can still enjoy the soulful sounds of Boyz II Men singing “Let It Snow.”

Let It Snow by Boyz II Men featuring Brian McKnight
Lyrics: MusixMatch

It′s another Christmas holiday It’s a joyous thing, let the Angels sing ′Cause we’re together

We got a thing, can’t let it slip away No, go outside, it′s raining sleet When our bodies meet I don′t care about the weather

Let it snow, let it snow, outside it’s cold But the fire′s blazin’ so, baby, let it snow Let it snow, yeah Let it snow, let it snow

Come over here and help me trim the tree I wanna wrap you up, baby Then you′ll see You’re the only present I need

There′s so much more Waiting for you in store From this precious day, I can gladly say There’s no place that I’d rather be

I know, you′ve found my everything Come a little closer God must have sent you down from Heaven

Let it snow, let it snow Outside it′s cold But the fire’s blazin′ So, baby, let it snow Let it snow Let it snow

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas Just like the ones I used to know Where the treetops glisten And children listen To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I′m dreaming of a white Christmas With every Christmas card I write May your days be merry and bright And may all your Christmases be white

Let it snow Let it snow, baby But the fire’s blazin′ so, baby, let it snow Let it snow, yeah Let it snow (Let it snow)

Hope you are enjoying your day!♥️

Shaun

Life

My Relationship With God

Shaun Bradford

Have you ever written an entire book (exaggerating) only to not publish it? Well, I just did. I know I wrote a good chapter describing my relationship with God starting with when I was an adult-child (yes, adult-child—smoking, shoplifting, etc. …heavy on the etc.) getting saved at eight years old; to my life as a sanctified teenager who went to church almost every day; to being a young adult who only called on God when needed; to completely ignoring Him in my 30s; to building the bond I currently have with Him now. Hmmm… I guess I could have written it like this the first time. Oh well…

As you can see, my relationship with God started decades ago. Thankfully, what began in fear (of going to hell) is now a relationship of reverence and awe. Y’all, up until this past decade, I did not know a relationship like this was even possible. As Kierra Sheard’s song, Indescribable, goes–

Indescribable, uncontainable
You place the stars in the sky and you know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Although we are here to fulfill a specific purpose in the world, we are also here to glorify God; to worship and to praise Him. Y’all, He loves our praises.

God, You are so amazing!

Keep the praises going.♥️

Shaun

Life

Hold Your Peace: God’s Got You

Shaun Bradford

The song, “Victory,” by Commissioned, has been playing over and over in my head since I woke up this morning. Just had to share. Here are the lyrics courtesy of LyricFind.

Victory by Commissioned

Talked about, lied on and criticized
Many tears fell from my eyes
I wondered how much can one man take
I wanted to retaliate but god said

Hold your peace vengence is mine
Enemies will bow down in due time
Hold your peace, I’ll fight your battles
Victory, victory shall be mine
Victory, victory shall be mine
Victory, victory shall be mine

Stephen was a man who gave god his all
He knew the lord would keep him from the fall
On the lord jesus christ, stephen kept his eyes
For the preaching of the gospel
He would surely die but god said

Hold your peace vengence is mine
(Vengence is mine yeah)
Enemies will bow down (oh, yeah)in due time
(You got to)
Hold your peace, I’ll fight your battles
(Yes I will)
Victory, victory shall be mine
(I believe it shall be mine)
Victory, victory shall be mine (in due time)
Victory, victory shall be mine
Hold your peace vengence is mine
Enemies will bow down in due time
Hold your peace, I’ll fight your battles (yes I will)
Victory, victory shall be mine
(Even in the morning time)
Victory, victory shall be mine
(It shall be mine)
Victory, victory shall be mine
Victory, victory

Yes, yes
A mighty fortress is our god
A bold work never failing
In him we are victorious
The blood goes on prevailing
Oh victory oh victory won’t you stand uo on your feet and sing along with me
Oh victory ohoh victory won’t you stand up on your feet and sing along
Oh victory, v-I-c-t-o-r-y won’t you stand up on you feet and sing along with me
Oh victory ohoh victory won’t you stand up on your feet and sing along

Victory’s mine I know the bible tells me so
And if I hold my peace it is mine indeed
Oh victory, oh victory, oh victory, oh victory

You can have it if you want by the work that’s
In your word just believe it in a season you can have a sweet relief yeah, yeaaah

Once you get it him in your heart and you get a brand new start
You have victory in the morning
And even then upgrade your day (yeah)
Oh victory, oh victory, oh victory, oh victory
Victory’s mine I know the bible tells me so
(You’ll be able to love your enemies)
And if I hold my peace it is mine indeed
I don’t know about you but I need victory so I can make it on my way

Be Blessed♥️

Shaun

Life

The Rebirth: Part 2

Shaun Bradford

Below is a post I wrote last year about my Facebook memory from the year before (December 23, 2021). Guess I have been sharing my memories for a while now—smile. So, since the memory has already been shared, I will use the same quote (too good not to reshare) and piggyback off of what I shared yesterday about rebirth.

The rebirth…

The rebirth will require us to leave things behind. Things that have held us back and/or been haunting us for years, even decades. It’s time to release them so that we can move forward in our purpose.

When I started my journey on this side of 50, I had to release quite a few things (people too, some released themselves). At first, it didn’t feel good. Honestly, it felt like I was losing part of myself including my identity. If you have read any of my monthly “celebratory” blogs (one is coming tomorrow!), you know I went through a spiritual, emotional, and mental pruning phase. Baby, when I tell you it did not feel good! Had me grieving for real. But it helped me see what had to go and what needed to stay. Everything that is still with me today was meant to stay. Now, I still have some decluttering to do but it’s nothing like the pruning. Whew!

Tomorrow, I will be 50 1/2 (smile) and will share another celebratory update about my first six months on this side of 50 (woohoo!). So stay tuned…

You had to leave it/them behind in order to move forward. Couldn’t progress without doing so, and cannot continue to progress by holding on to the guilt. Release the guilt and move forward.

Here is last year’s blog which contains Facebook memories from last year and the year before—December 23, 2022 & December 23, 2021. Enjoy!

Growth!
Rest is good for the soul. Get some! (Speaking to myself also.☺️)

By the way, I did put up my Christmas tree, played Christmas music and watched Christmas movies most of the day. It changed everyone’s mood. My babies have always fed off of my energy. It’s no different now that they are adults. I still have to set the tone for my little family despite what I may be feeling. I love seeing them smile.

I pray you have a wonderful day. Remember to love on someone today, and allow yourself to be loved on. There is no greater gift than love. Give it. Receive it. I love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Surrounded By Love

Shaun Bradford

While the holiday season may be joyous for some, it may not be for others. This is my first holiday season without my mom and it feels strange. I have not been in the mood to decorate or celebrate and my kids are feeling it. I have to change the mood. I think I will pull out a few decorations (maybe put up the tree) so it feels more like Christmas. I need for things to feel normal for them. They deserve a cheerful season.

On another note, here is one of the Facebook memories I shared last year.

Facebook Memory: December 22, 2022

This holiday season, I pray you’re surrounded by love. I pray that you’re able to receive it as well as reciprocate it. I love y’all.♥️

Be intentional about receiving love. You deserve to receive love just as much as you give it.

Have a happy Friday!♥️

Love you,

Shaun