Everyone Needs Compassion

Linking up with Charlotte at  Spiritual Sunday  and Laura....Brag on Friday

"Walk where your heart leads you" GAO XINGJIAN  

I've got plans for this year...goals....dreams...
to live with purpose...to make a difference....
to use everything I've gone through to shine a Light wherever I can...so others can find freedom too. A few things in the works which I'm both excited and nervous about.....

-received an email about the women's group I'll be running starting next week...registration is full.  Talking to all those women makes me feel like bungee jumping...but the desire to show hope pushes me to not chicken out. 
-I spoke with a chaplain of a women's prison who just finished reading my book. He was blown away by it and now we're meeting this coming week to discuss how I might be able to help incarcerated women in desperate need of hope. Gulp!!!

-an old friend I lost touch with found me. He's had a tough life....spent most of it in and out of jail. Something happened to him when he was ten which changed and hardened him. But now he's a believer and travels all over the world telling people about his faith and the freedom he found in Christ. He asked if I'd write his story. The weird thing about it.....he had written me tons of letters when he was incarcerated in the last prison....letters I've kept. In the back of my mind I always thought...one day I'm gonna write his story. His story is amazing. I want to honor what he lived and both of us want to help others to know the hope and freedom that comes from the touch of His gentleness.  

Everyone needs compassion..a love that's never failing...everyone needs forgiveness...the kindness of a Savior

Spiritual Sunday "Surrender"

Charlotte and Ginger host these awesome Spiritual Sunday's. To join in post and add your name at Spiritual Sundays

"At fifteen life had taught me undeniably that surrender, in its place, was as honorable as resistance" Maya Angelou

I'ts the first day of twenty-eleven. A New Year. New Beginnings.

Last year was pretty good. I won a national book award for my story, In the Eye of Deception....I sold tons of copies. Many people said my story gave them hope. I had agonized over telling...but I found out...He redeems everything. And I met new friends...amazing people....in everyday life...and here on my blog. Twenty-ten..was a good year...a great year.

I used to dread new beginnings...letting go of the familiar....the known...even when the known wasn't so great. But now with Him in my corner I have confidence and courage to let go of one to allow for the other.  

Twenty-eleven. I'm dreaming big...believing for another great year. I know He's in it...He's got plans....and awesome adventures. Before I step into the new year....I surrender....to the Him who bought my freedom...who cut the chains that held me tight....who took away the hopelessness... and replaced it with hope and life and peace. 

All to Jesus I surrender....I surrender all

Spiritual Sunday "Taking my Candle"

 Spiritual Sundays are hosted by Charlotte and Ginger. To join in post and add your name at bloggerspirit and Natasha

"As we are liberated....our presence automatically liberates others." MaryAnne Williamson

When I started blogging....I did it for me. I did it to get the memories out...to find some sense in everything that happened. But now...I realize it's not about me anymore. A 13 yr. old emailed me. Told me she found my blog....reads it every night to give herself hope. Her story is heartbreaking. All she wants is a family who will love her....care for her the way families are supposed to.

I never want to take for granted what He did. I didn't have the strength to break free. He did what I couldn't. What nothing could. He took over my fight... brought me into the winners circle. He did it. Now I want to go back to the darkness....and shine His light for others to find freedom too.

Please pray for O. ...for a miracle....for her to have that family. 

I want to take my candle....and go light the world.

Please Pray

"Courage is fear that has said its prayers." Dorothy Bernard
Guys, can I ask...would you pray for me to be brave tomorrow night...and have courage...and stay present. I agreed to speak at an author's event. I...promised myself...no more hiding. 

Everytime I've had the opportunity to stand up....I've chickened out. I want to do this. I want to stay focused because maybe one person needs to hear what I have to say. 
When I get scared...I drift away in my head and can't focus. 
Thanks so much.....☺