Snowed Under

Just when there seemed to be a little break in this weather, we are getting more snow in this area. Please keep praying for those of us in the midwest.

His Holy Word

There is nothing worse than the fear of life. We can be afraid of challenges and spend a whole life fleeing from them, or we can face our struggles full of confidence in God and His Holy word. The Bible is just as relevant today as ever.

Raw Redemption by Lacresha Hayes, Powerful Reading

I gave this book to my god-daughter last week. She's been complaining of a friend who was abused and was angry at the world, including God. I couldn't help but think about the character in this book, Cheyenne, who was also angry with God and those who tried to bring religion into her life.

Ramona found me today at the nursing home and told me about what happened. Since the book wasn't packaged as a Christian book, her friend took the book and devoured it during her shift (she's a security guard). Ramona said she cried and confessed that she'd never read about a character that resembled her more than Cheyenne. So, Jess is going to church with Ramona next Sunday night after her shift.

If you don't have this book, get it! It can be a great witnessing tool and aside from that, it's a great read that isn't preachy or over the top with religious jargon.

Study Time

It's time to study the Word of God for yourself. Since I've been on Facebook, I've seen so much false doctrine being propagated throughout cyberspace by people who seem to genuinely think they are right.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof is destruction. Lean to God's understanding and not your own. The only way you'll be able to do this is if you are found studying the Bible and praying that the Spirit breathes fresh revelation into you.

Trust Him More

Life gives you many opportunities to complain because often you don't understand way certain things are happening. Just because it doesn't feel good or you don't know why it happened, doesn't mean it won't work out for you in the end. Yes, life can work out for you if you allow it to and if you take it seriously, understanding that God is in control at all times. When you belong to Him, He will not allow anything crippling to your soul to happen. It may cripple your flesh, but flesh is meant only to die anyway. That is the vow of salvation, to die to self and live to God. So trust Him more.

No Communication

It's a troubled relationship that has no communication, one that won't last. How is your relationship with God? Is it troubled by a failure to communicate? Are you like a husband and wife that speak only when necessary or out of duty rather than love? Today is as good a time as any to mend the broken places.

Are You a Christian?

Christians are like anyone else. They have real issues, make mistakes, struggle with natural human emotions and fail, miserably sometimes. But the story doesn't stop there. They also pray hard, love harder and seek God constantly. Are you a Christian?

They've Moved

My daughter and my grand-babies have moved into their own home. It's a lovely blessing from God but I miss them terribly bad.

Today, her furniture arrived and I helped her hang photos and do some minor decorating. It is amazing how quickly your children grow up. All of mine are grown, living their own lives in a way that makes me proud, and I often ask myself now why I didn't have more children because other than being a wife, being a mother has been my greatest joy.

A Wise Man and a Wife

A wise man understands the value of a wife and rather than seek sex, looks and charm, he seeks a life partner, someone who he can trust to train his children well, someone who will see after household affairs diligently, someone who will hold his hand when his days of illness come, someone who he knows will back him up in the hottest heats and the coldest colds. This is a wife and a real man seeks her out.

Dehydrated

Found out that I'm dehydrated. It seems to be a constant battle. Since I rarely open my mouth, it doesn't get dry like others to warn me that I need something to drink. Anyway, I'm sitting here enjoying Gatorade and Pedia-lyte. lol

Right Connections on Facebook

If you are on Facebook to fellowship with other believers who can strengthen your faith and push you to higher levels, then you need to add our dear praise diva and sister, Carolyn Carroll. She's a jewel and this is my way and push her higher because God has so many great things in store for her.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Flywheel/108508495840432?v=desc#!/lilcare71?ref=ts

Christian Publisher- Lanico Media House

I'm very happy to alert Christian writers of the opening of a new publisher, Lanico Media House. This publisher is ran by four of my friends: Lacresha Hayes, Lensey Hayes, Karen Tims and Melissa Anthony. I am so proud of Lacresha for getting back in the saddle after the closure of her last business due to health issues. Now she's back with two well planned and well backed businesses. Sometimes, we need a setback to set us up for what God is doing.

I'll soon do an interview with her to encourage the entrepreneurs here and also so that she can tell her story about starting over. She has a fantastic testimony that isn't fudged or phony. Stay tuned.

Fellowship with Believers

While church attendance isn't a requirement to build a relationship with God, it is a necessity to stay strong in the Lord. The fellowship of saints is a place of power and love. We need those things frequently because every Christian is under constant attack and temptation from the devil.

I can't tell you what's right for you, but as often as you can fellowship with other believers, do so. God bless you all.

Supernatural Love

If you only love those who love you back, then you are no better than a heathen. But as Christians, Christ sends us one step further outside of flesh and into the supernatural. He tells us to even love our enemies, forgiving them as many times as it takes, and praying for them the whole way through.

Now before you get upset, I didn't say there was anything easy about the job sometimes. But as you walk in this kind of love, your life continues to change for the better and one day you wake up and realize that God knew what He was doing all the while.

One of Those Days

I don't think I've ever suffered more pain than to love someone and invest my time and prayers into them and then later have them walk away from God and into the dangers of secularism. It hurts, like a crushing pain. Nothing can ever prepare you for it either, but thank God I have a heart to care. Pray for me. It's one of those days.

Arguing God's Existence

I meet people on Facebook frequently who want to argue with me about the existence of God. The thing is, there's nothing to argue about. I know he exists like I know I exist. Those who know the truth need not argue because the truth will keep marching on its own and without fail. The arguments come when others try to convince themselves of God's nonexistence. Fear of believing and anger with God is usually the culprit. But I want you to know, I am praying for those who do not believe because it must be one heck of a miserable life for them.

All my joy comes from the Lord!

A Special Grandson

My grandson walked in and asked, "Granny, can we have a man to man talk?"

I nodded while being tickled at his terminology.

He went and got the notebook and a pen and gave it to me. Then he said, "Granny, why do you smile everyday even though you cannot talk?"

I wrote, "Because I have so much to be grateful for."

"But my teacher said it's a hard life when you lose one of your primary senses."

I wrote, "I lost all my senses the day I gave my life to God." I poked him and smiled. "I hate that you will never know the sound of my voice or hear me sing to you, but look at how much better our conversation is going with us sitting here like this. And, guess what else? I'm the only person in the family you never have to worry about cutting you off."

He laughed and hugged me. "Granny, you are super brave, like super granny. I'll call you super granny from now on."

We both laughed and I hugged him again. He walked out of the room and for the first time in a long time, I hated that I couldn't audibly tell God how much I loved and adored him for such a special family.

Breast Cancer Keeps Striking

I have six classmates who have breast cancer. That's a lot of people suffering from the same terrible illness. Please don't let the deadly evil called breast cancer slip out of your sight. When you can, make regular donations to the Susan G. Komen fund or other breast cancer research organizations.

Why Does Bad Things Happen?

My grandson asked me why does God allow bad things to happen all around the world. I had to tell him the truth and amazingly enough he took it better than most adults.

God loves us all and when he gave us dominion over the earth, it wasn't so he'd have to micromanage it. He wanted man to share dominion with him. We fell and hence sin came over the world. We gave our dominion to the devil. So really, he allows bad things to happen and God allows him to run it as he sees fit within the boundaries that protect God's children. The enemy has power but never over God. He can't even overcome a WORD from God's mouth, let alone dethrone Him.

Friends Matter- These Are Mine

My life has recently been even more enriched by various beautiful women on Facebook. They all bring such joy and cheer to my heart for their own sweet personalities and unique ways of serving God.
Joyce Scarbrough, an author and great friend. Supporting others is her strongest point. She doesn't yell Jesus, Jesus, Jesus all day in words, but her actions scream of his love and mercy. She's a great mom and wife and goes out of her way to make sure her family knows she's there for them. She's like a soccer mom/house wife/cheerleader/family chef/listening ear and comforting shoulder. She shows you Jesus.
Then there's Lacresha Hayes, a name become famous both here and all over the internet. She's an adorable little chocolate bunny full of wisdom, strength and power. She has a gentleness that shines from her eyes that makes her completely lovable and enduring. I love everything about my friend and consider her like a part of my family.
Next, there is Carolyn who posts everyday for us to find Jesus in our daily living. She is always ready with a prayer and scripture. Even in her own calamities, she turns it and waits on other people. She has a Mary heart in a Martha world, and encourages the same in each of us.
Then there is Chrishawn Simpson, a light-hearted, enjoyable sweetie who seems to find humor in everything. If laughter is medicine to the bones, then she is the nurse to apply it. I love her heart because though she'll never say it, she has a sensitive, tender heart, especially towards God. She reminds me of the scripture that says a wise woman builds her house. She's a builder of the joy of the Lord. What else could be more necessary?After that comes Samantha Jamison who is a fireball for God. She is so full of praise and glory that simply reading her words ignites the purest passion in you for Christ. I love this woman of honor and integrity because many days when depression would have overtaken me, I read her posts and was moved back into a place of expectation and gratefulness.


There are so many others of whom I wish I could post like Joanna Gravley, Nichole Gibbons Osborn, Lee Ann Ward, Jennifer Jones and the rest. But I mainly want to make the point that these women mean the world to me. THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!

Sober and Soundness of Mind

1 Peter 1:13
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ

Sometimes, our minds are flitting from here to there, no real rhythm or soundness of thought and no preparation for what God wants to do.

We have to be sober about who Christ is and what He's done and is doing. We have to have this Gospel carried in all seriousness. There is a time for laughter, fun and enjoyment, but not to the point where your mind comes unraveled and you become unfit for the preaching/teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His next coming.

The Rod of God

There's foolishness bound up in the heart of a child but the rod will drive it far from him.

We look at it like adults and children in the natural, but God sees that scripture as just as important to his children. Feel like you been under the rod lately? Maybe God is driving away the foolishness so that you can be a daughter or son that He is proud of, that he can show off. AMEN!

Troubled by the Word

Don't let people tell you the word of God should bring peace to your spirit every time it comes forth. Jonah was not at peace about it. David was troubled by it plenty of times. Hezekiah was disturbed by it. As was Saul, Solomon, Jeremiah, Hosea, and then even Jesus had his garden prayer moment. Sometimes, the Word of God is heavy and it is troubling. We wish it was always a word of peace and prosperity, but that isn't the case.

To Mothers with Daughters and Parents in General

To the mothers who have daughters:

I look at my daughter and I am filled with joy at the legacy my grandmother began. She raised my mother in church. She didn't force her, but lived a wonderful life in front of her. My mother married as a virgin. Her first husband and son died. Later, she met and married my father. He was her second and last sexual encounter. She gave him children and a full life before she died. My father never remarried. At first because no one measured up. Later because he decided it wasn't worth it. My mother was the picture of a lady of strength, character, charm and love. She was more beautiful inside than out and she was a beautiful lady, even in her older years.

She raised us to have a love for God, to really know Him. Bad things happened to us like everyone else, but my family has a legacy of following Christ and keeping ourselves chaste so that we can take pride in our bodies when we present them to Christ.

My daughter had a couple of falls (and I write this by her permission), but even she stands head and shoulders above her generation in all things and all I can do is thank God for this. She's a wonderful daughter, full of character and inner strength. She swears she gets it from me. I got it from my parents. They got it from theirs.

Mothers, watch carefully the life you live in front of your children, and especially your daughters. You can't get what you don't possess yourself. You'll eventually see you in your child. Be a woman of strength and character.

Online Dating Dangers- Facebook and Myspace

There are always hidden dangers in every corner, no doubt, to the Christian because she/he has made up their minds not to live for this world. Recently, I joined Facebook and it has been a dating danger phenomenon at that place.

I've never ministered to so many confused young ladies, thinking they must find a companion or husband. And it is the Christian ladies that hurt me most. Knowing the Bible, yet they stray away to interact with men who are not at all interested in them as potential mates. They are already married. And young ladies, when a married man is on the prowl, no matter what he says, it is only to make you prey. All you can give him is sex. He's normally not going to leave home. Usually the ones who do are forced out because the wife finds out and runs him out of there. And then what? You, like a fool, will trust him? I guess you'll believe that he'll treat you better than his last wife? HOW FOOLISH! RUN AWAY BEFORE IT GETS STARTED!

I'm a single woman, widowed. I don't interact with men on Facebook on any personal level. What we have to say can be said openly, wall-to-wall or it won't be said at all. Ladies, you have no business chatting with a married man, at all, EVER. You have no business sending personal messages to a married man, at all, EVER. If there's something to say, put it on his wall or talk to his wife. Otherwise, you're setting yourself up to be prey for the devil and a toilet for a man of low values and standards. I won't take that back.

Walking Advertisements

We are all walking advertisements for something. What are you advertising, young woman? Surely, you have more going for you than your outer beauty. Advertise morals, values, the fear of the Lord.

Parental Hypocrisy

We should carefully consider our ways as parents. Our children are much more intelligent than we give them credit for and the worst fate a parent can ever endure is to have their child look at them as a hypocrite.

Glimmers of Hope

It warms my heart when people go out of their way to be kind to someone who they have no reason to be kind to. Yesterday, a young man came by the house and was selling candy. When he realized I couldn't speak, he wrote a little note and gave me three bars for my three grandchildren that were at the house. I offered to pay but he wouldn't hear of it. Love may be waxing cold in some places, but there are still little glimmers of hope all around us.

Youngest is Learning Quickly

My youngest grandchild is really amazing me with how quickly he is learning sign language and he's only 3. It's really a blessing from heaven.

My daughter is improving and her health is much better. Thanks to everyone for your prayers and emails and phones to the family. Blessings!

Ugly People

We can all be as beautiful as we choose to be. It comes from the inside. On the other hand, there's nothing worse than ugly people whose insides are filled with rottenness and cruelty. They are always looking for opportunities to destroy their neighbor with their words.

No matter what you look like on the outside, none of us can afford to forget who is judging the inside. And HE has a strict standard. Even when done wrong, we should seek to never harm another. Never! Don't be ugly. Be beautiful. Be loving. Be forgiving. Be sympathetic. Be merciful.

Dedicated to Billie A. Williams (one beautiful woman), Joyce Anthony (and another), Lacresha Hayes (and another), and last but certainly not least, Deborah Warren-Whitlock, my daughter and hero!

Never Doubt It

Faith is such a powerful force. I've seen it work in my life and in the life of my children. Yesterday, one of the residents of our nursing home was rushed to surgery because of a blockage in his intestines. He died on the table twice but now he is fine and way stronger than they think he should be. Glory Hallelujah! Never doubt faith!

Power Walk by Lacresha Hayes

Below is the guest post from Lacresha. Please take time to read it through. I was genuinely blessed by this post. Thank you, Lacresha.

I've been saved and preaching the gospel for a little over nine years now. While it hasn't been easy to maintain my faith and hang on to my calling, I wouldn't trade a single part of my walk. I've walked this walk afraid, timid and shy. I've walked it in confusion. I've walked it through sin and temptation. I've been both on top and on bottom and at almost every level in the middle. Even so, I call my walk a power walk. Here's why.

Everything that has ever hurt me has turned out to be for my good, to empower me and others through the grace of God given to me. Every time I fell into sin, which was much more than a few times, I came through it stronger with a better understanding of God's Word. I've also had times when I denied myself to the point of tears to later see the glorious reward for self-denial. Praise God!

Many people want to be empowered, to have authority over various aspects of life, but power costs big. Sometimes, it means you have to experience turmoil so that you'll understand how to get out of it. Sometimes, it means going through pain so that you can empathize with others. I've seen things and experienced things that hurt me and damaged me, but I'm grateful to God that it was only for my making. This is my power walk.

I can boldly say I have authority over lust because I've fallen into and wallowed in it before. I know what it looks like, smells like, feels like and how hard it is to get free. I can boldly say that I have authority over sickness because I've been to the point of death many times but God has shown me that healing is real through my illnesses. What I went through may have hurt and maybe even embarrassed me, but the end result was power. That's beautiful in and of itself because some people suffer worse than I did but came out the other end with nothing to show for it. I don't want that to ever be me and the only way to ensure that is to walk with God.

I encourage you all to walk with God, no matter where that walk may take you. Keep ahold of His hand, even if you are in the middle of sin or trials or temptation. No matter how it feels or how it looks, keep praying and keep believing God, keep confessing that you'll come out better and empowered and you will. Protect your power walk and remember that all the suffering is worth the end result!

For more information about Lacresha or her books, please visit her website at http://lacreshatheauthor.weebly.com or her blog at http://learntofeelpretty.blogspot.com. All her books are available at Amazon.com or Powells.com

Lacresha Hayes, Inspirational Interview

In the past year, I've seen a very sincere and powerful woman blossom from one tragedy after another. She has been such an inspiration to so many that I'm not sure anything I can say will ever do her justice. The sweetness of her personality shines through online and offline. This interview isn't about her books, or her businesses, or her anything else you'll find all over the internet about her. This interview is about her heart so that we too may find the same comfort and support she has.

1. Lacresha, tell me a little bit about your private life. What is a day in the life of Lacresha?

Honestly, Vicky, I probably start my day like everyone else who is a Christian. Sometimes I pray and other times I forget and have to do it on the go. I often struggle to stay grounded in prayer but I have friends who help me to focus on the important things. I'm always busy and have been known to bite off more than I can chew, but God somehow brings me through it all every time. For that I cannot complain.

2. What are your biggest fears? Biggest struggles?

That's a good question. I suppose my biggest fear is being rejected by God. I don't want to miss Him or embarrass Him or disappoint Him. He's the only father I've ever known and so my shortcomings are huge in my eyes because some part of me always wonders how He feels about what I'm doing, saying, thinking. That ties into my biggest struggle. I have a hard time forgiving myself when I slip away from God.

3. What one thing do you wish everyone knew about you?

I'm not really sure. I pretty much live my life as an open book. I have very few secrets left, if any. I seem so bold to others about how I write about my life and the lessons I've learned, but I'm always terrified of putting all my problems out in the open like that. I've just learned to do it afraid and to focus on who I'm helping rather than those who don't like it.

4. Have you suffered a lot of setbacks and opposition that made you feel like quitting? How did you handle it?

I have dealt with and continue to deal with opposition and setbacks. I normally pray and talk to a friend or my spouse. I try to keep my vision before me so that I remember what it's for. I try to be quick to admit when I'm wrong and rectify the bad things in my life. It isn't always easy, but that's the only thing I can do. Quitting won't help. I tried that before and it didn't work for me.

5. What accomplishment are you most proud of?

I'd have to say writing and having books on the market that actually make a difference in the lives of others.

6. What are your goals over the next year or two? What can we look forward to?

I have at least 10 more books that you'll have the pleasure of reading over the next year. I hope that I'll be poised for more community development projects so that I can provide services to those most in need. Who knows? As long as I'm helping others, glorifying God and prospering my family, I'm okay with it.

7. Lastly, the news has been spreading like wildfire about your movie deal for The Rape of Innocence: Taking Captivity Captive. Tell us about that.

Rape was my first nationally published book. It details my life as an abuse victim and how I got beyond the violence, sex, and depression. The movie is going to focus more on the aspect of how abuse led to promiscuity and how I eventually got beyond all the pain to live a victorious life. I hadn't heard the final word yet, but while they plan to keep to the truth of how God impacted my life, they are going to tone down the religious aspects of the book. The rewrite of the book that comes out this year will not include much of what is in this version. So, I'm telling people to go on and order this version why it is available.

8. Give us links and contact information.

I have an author website at http://lacreshatheauthor.weebly.com and a women's empowerment blog at http://learntofeelpretty.blogspot.com. I also blog at http://therapeofinnocence.blogspot.com and http://alwaysthebridebook.blogspot.com. You can email me at lacresha.hayes@gmail.com.
Facebook- www.facebook.com/lacreshahayes
Twitter- www.twitter.com/lacreshahayes
Goodreads- www.goodreads.com/lacreshahayes
Blogtalk Radio- www.blogtalkradio.com/lacreshahayes

Lacresha Hayes Visiting Us Again

I'm happy to announce that Lacresha Hayes will be featured here on my blog on February 4th and 5th. Don't miss it. She's always such a blessing when she shows up and is a powerful speaker/writer.

Spread the word for me.

A Recommendation

For those over the age of 40 like myself, you may consider visiting Marvin Wilson's site daily. It is titled The Old Silly's Free Spirit Blog and it is a winner. I love it!

Serving God, Even with a Disability

It's no secret that I am mute. Like anyone with a major disability, there are times when I want to cry and feel sorry for myself because I miss so many things. There is nothing on earth like words, especially heartfelt ones. I often wish I could say so much to my children, but my emails, notes, letters will have to do.

I've met many disabled Christians and I have to speak for us all - we are happily serving God, disabilities and all, and we don't need pity or even sympathy. We only need be reminded that no matter how bad things are, they could be worse. Praise God that I can hear and see and walk.

Surprise Surprise

I had the surpise of my life. The last few days I've stayed in because I've been having some back spasms. My daughter thinks it is because of all the time I spend in front of the computer.

Yesterday, my children showed up with a new computer, a wonderfully expensive chair for posture and a better desk. I couldn't believe it! I know they couldn't afford to do all that, but they did it for me. I feel like the most blessed woman in the world to have such thoughtful and sacrificing children. I adore my new chair too.

What's New?

It's a new year and for some it holds the hope of new things. What's new in your life? Have you quit smoking? Quit drinking? Quit lying? Started dieting? Started reading your Bible? Left bad influences behind? Forgiven old grudges? Started up new relationships?

This is the time when people try to instantly change things in their lives, but change isn't instant. It's a process. What's new for me? New mercies that come every morning for another chance to please God. Didn't make any resolutions, but did decide that this year I'd be more dedicated to the local nursing home to help the elderly with supplying things they often lack who don't have family.

It's good to improve you, but why not make this year about someone else? What's new for you? Will you learn to be selfless?