Stop Putting God in a Box!

Stop!  Stop putting God in a box. 

Over the past week I have heard countless religious people give excuses as to why the Sandy Hook Tragedy occurred.  Several had stated that since there is no prayer in schools meaning God is not in schools that this tragedy was bound to happen.  Craziness!  Let’s get something straight … God is everywhere, all knowing, and all loving.  Please stop lowering God’s power to your minimum thinking.  We as humans can’t even comprehend God’s thoughts and greatness, yet we attempt to put him in a box.  Stop it!

For years the debate about prayer in schools has been forged mostly by the religious right. But what cracks me up is that they never demand for prayer to be in the work place, which we know needs it more than schools.   Allow me to add my two cents to this debate.  FYI … prayer is everywhere, it’s in schools, the workplace, and homes, everywhere an individual chooses to pray whether silently or aloud.  If you want to pray, pray.  No one is stopping you.  But what you cannot do is force everyone else to pray with you because everyone doesn’t believe exactly what you do.  We as Christians can often be insensitive to other’s beliefs.  Speaking for myself I believe that Jesus is the only way and that you must accept him but I attempt not to forget that everyone doesn’t believe that and I know I can’t force them to believe it.  What I can do however, is be an example and hope that through my actions someone may be touched and desire to know Christ.  Isn’t that the goal?  Isn’t that what we are supposed to do as Christians? 

Imagine if prayer was in public schools.  Who would lead the prayers?  What do you think would happen when an evangelical Christian child goes home and recites a Muslim or Jewish prayer - humming?  Or they began to debate with their parents about why we shouldn’t celebrate holidays because their Jehovah Witness teacher told them it was wrong?  I’m sure there would be uproar. 

God's Got It

When life gets you down know that God’s got it.  It seems that no matter how wonderful things are going the devil always finds a situation to display his talents.  He is busy even when we think he is not.  But no matter what Satan has planned, God is always in control.  He’s got it and he blocks every evil thing that attempts to attack us. The bible says that we are more than conquerors.  I encourage you to remember that when you have set backs.  Nothing is too big for God.  He’s got it and he’s got you.

Audio Postcard - Perfectly Designed

What will Nikki do when her mind doesn't remember but her body does?  Click the link and hear an excerpt from Perfectly Designed. 
 

 

http://www.audioacrobat.com/note/CwbCyZt4

LIFE IS BETTER THAN FICTION

The past week has provided me with loads material.  With so much crazy behavior going on, I no longer have to make up outrageous drama-filled storylines instead I can simply watch Fox news.  From the presidential election to the CIA scandal, I am sure other authors are adding these snippets to outlines while shaking their heads.  It’s just so much out there it is comical. 

I can’t believe how delusional and childish people are regarding the 2012 election results.  Why did they act so surprised?  Almost all of the polls pointed to a victory for President Obama.  The only people in denial were Republicans.  No matter how many people tried to convince them what the polling data revealed, talking head after talking head made excuses as to why the polls were wrong – Oh there is no way President Obama will receive anywhere near the amount of votes he received in 2008, that demographic want show up, Governor Romney has the momentum … and on and on.  The only people who believed these statements were the people who were delivering them and the narrow minds who listen only to conservative sources. 

The shocked looks on their faces after the election was almost too funny to stand.  And to top it off, how crazy does one have to be to commit suicide over an election, or fire staff - which I would bet my life they already previously planned to lay off regardless of results.

The point is in life there are winners and losers.  Everyone can’t win everything all of the time, but it appears Republicans think differently.  Nothing in life remains the same.  With each generation society evolves, views and attitudes change as situations do.  I am so proud of all of those who went out and exercised their right to vote.  Imagine what could happen if everyone voted in every election.  

On a Tuesday

 

It’s Tuesday, the best day of the week for an avid reader.   Hundreds of new books are released.  Fictions and non-fictions, mysteries and romances, all grace the shelves of thousands of book retailers around the world.  Readers swarm neighborhood and online establishments searching for the latest releases by their favorite authors and discovering new authors. 

There is an excitement that flows through a reader when a long awaiting sequel is released.  For months or maybe even years readers have waited patiently to continue the tainted love stories, unsolved mysteries and crazy dramas.   Sometimes the anticipation is so great they can hardly stand it. 

As a reader I love reading sequels.  I rush to the store to pick up anything from Brenda Jackson, Maureen Smith, Lutishia Lovely and countless others.     I am currently waiting for the anticipated sequel to Zane’s Afterburn and I might add it seems like I have been waiting forever.  As a writer, I enjoy creating new stories while continuing existing storylines.   It’s fun because the original story never has to end.  The book can focus on old characters or spotlight new ones with the old characters making cameos.  It’s like creating a miniseries instead of just a book. 

In my debut novel Perfectly Designed a young women loses her memory causing her to end up in a love triangle.  Nikki Phillips must decide whether to stay with the man she has always desired – Trey, despite having no memory of a romantic relationship with him or the man she remembers – DaJuan.  While working on this book one of my characters quickly became my favorite – Katrina, Nikki’s best friend.  Her sassy realness and in your face truths have made her a fan favorite.  Because of this I have decided to continue her story throughout several books.  So I hope on a Tuesday in the spring of 2013 readers will rush to book retailers and purchase Designing the Music my anticipated second novel. 

The Next Big Thing!!!

I am so excited!  I have been tagged along with five other outstanding authors to participant in The Next Big Thing!  Author Deatri King-Bey has challenged me answer ten questions about my work in progress.  Am I up for the challenge?  Of course I am!  Here we go!

What is the working title of your next book?

Designing the Music

Where did the idea come from?

It is my goal to highlight architects and interior designer in my books.  Too often in movies and books are these professions are portrayed incorrectly.  It makes me want to scream.   The characters are unrealistic and the terminology outdated. 

In my first book Perfectly Designed the heroine was an architect.  So in the sophomore book I wanted highlight an interior designer.  While listening to music and I thought about how cool it would be for a high powered music executive (a P-Diddy type) to fall for someone who didn’t want anything to do with him.  In my mind I thought of all of the crazy things and schemes he could come up with win her heart.  Out of that simple thought formed this amazing story. 

What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?

An evening out brings interior designer Royce Townsend face to face with superstar music producer Karmon Brown that causes her to drop all of her plans and redesign new ones with the sexy mogul.

What genre does it fall under?

Contemporary Romance

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I plan to self-publish.  I love the freedom I have to expand the boundaries. 

What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

Mehcad Brooks and Rochelle Aytes

How long did it take you to write the first draught of the manuscript?

Actually I am still working on the first draft.  I have set a two month deadline. 

What other books would you compare this story to within the same genre?

I am not really sure.  When I write I attempt to be original.  It is my goal to always be fresh.  I want my readers always be on their toes while reading my novels.  I am like a mystery writer the only deference is that there are no crimes to solve. 

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

My desire to showcase an interior designer and my love for music are my inspiration for this “Designing the Music.”

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Fans of Perfectly Designed will be excited to know that the hero Kamron is the older brother of Katrina.  The feisty diva is a major part of this second installment in the series. 

Check back for the five authors who I will challenge. 

Grace

I often think about how blessed I am. Even when I am having a bad day I have to admit it is not as bad as it could be. God's "grace" covers and protects me. It allows me to walk in victory. Let me encourage you to push through the pain and the difficult situation because grace is going to be multiplied to you. In other words your blessing is on the other side of the trail. All you have to do is make it through life episodes. Have no doubts you will make it because you are covered and there is a blessing waiting for you. Remember there is no failure in God.