Well, Resurrection Sunday (Easter) is over, all of the eggs have been found and eaten; clothes that were bought are now either in the dirty clothes hamper or on the floor of the kids room, the grass from the Easter baskets and candy paper is all over the house, pictures taken have been posted and statuses about just how much you love Jesus have all been seen but now what? Do you feel the same about Jesus today as you did yesterday? Will you even take a moment to post about God this week? Will you even darken the door of somebody’s church this Sunday? I mean, isn’t the sacrifice God made, by sending His only Son to die worthy of being celebrated every day? Isn’t the sacrifice Jesus made worthy of being mentioned more than just one day? Yes, you looked real pretty on yesterday and yes the children were even dressed real cute but did you teach them that Easter isn’t about rabbit, eggs and baskets filled with candy? I’ve read the bible and I even watched the Passion of Christ a few times and I’ve yet to see anything about a rabbit being sacrificed on a cross to bear our sins. Yea, I appreciated my Facebook timeline being filled, on yesterday, with the appreciation and the love you have for Jesus yet today it’s filled with mess. Don’t you get it? God isn’t concerned about the number of followers you have on Twitter, the friends you have on Facebook or the number of likes you get on Instagram because none of that will be counted at judgment. It won’t matter about the new outfit you wore to church on yesterday because God is looking at the heart, it matters for Luke 6:45 says “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” All I’m sharing with you on today is, don’t wait until it’s a holiday to give God the gratefulness He deserves because you might not see another one. Don’t wait until it’s convenient for you to serve God because you might not get the chance. Give God all He is due especially when He’s given you everything and most times you don’t even deserve it. Appreciate Him every day because even when you don’t He still blesses you beyond any man’s measure! Easter is over, now what?
Love, Life and Happiness Blog Tour
Riana:
I wasn’t expecting to meet anyone when I arrived at Shaw University. After my last stint at love, the only thing I wanted to focus on is getting through my first semester of college without any drama. That was my intentions, until I met Shawn Walker. At first I didn’t like him. He was arrogant and cocky; someone that I could easily despised, if he wasn’t so damn sexy. But one night changed my thoughts about him. I was able to let down my guard and be myself. Now, I have a second chance at love. Will I let myself love again, or will I continue to live in the past?
Shawn:
After my last girlfriend cheated on me, love was not on my agenda. I tried to escape it at all costs, until I met Riana Robertson. After thinking she was like every other girl, I easily avoided being around her but that night, when I saw what happened to her, I had to help her. I had to protect her. That night changed the way I felt about her and I realized I could fall hard for her but will our relationship survive once she finds out the truth about me. Or will I lose her forever…
Cheryl:
Falling in love is something I’d never imagined. I didn’t think love existed, mainly because of the way I was raised. Relationships were never in the cards, especially since I gave a chance on one, and it nearly destroyed me.
When I met Marcus Walker, I was only looking for a fling, nothing more; but the more time I spent with him, the more I realized he could be so much more. Not only has he helped me through my family drama but also with a situation I thought was way behind me. Now, I understand what love is and how powerful it can be. But will I let myself be loved, or will I continue to believe that love is not for me?
Marcus:
One thing I said I will never do in my life is fall in love. Being in love is great for some people, but not for me. That all changed when I met Cheryl Thompson.
At first, I thought she would be like the rest, just a one-night stand, but when I saw what she was going through, I realized she was much more than a fling; she was someone I wanted to commit to. Will I be able to trust myself and give her what she needs, or will I end up destroying her even more?
Sheena Binkley first discovered her love for storytelling when writing her first story for a class project at the tender age of nine. Since then, she has composed several short stories and numerous tales that are not only engaging, but simply entertaining. She is also a freelance writer, penning articles on various topics including education and entertainment. Besides writing, she loves reading, shopping, and spending time with family and friends. She lives in Houston (where the weather is always unpredictable) with her husband and son.
1. In five words, describe you as a writer?
Entertaining, exciting, unpredictable, quirky and romantic drama!
2. What is your inspiration for writing?
I have a vivid imagination, so I think that’s the inspiration I use to come up with storylines, characters, etc but I also think it’s my love for writing and being a reader that makes me want to create stories that are interesting and engaging.
3. What are some things that you have to have while writing?
My laptop or iPad (when I don’t feel like turning on my computer), food, and music. Music is the most important element because that is how I set-up scenes for my stories. Most of the scenes in my stories are based off of songs that I was listening to while writing. That is also why I have playlists for all of my books.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years with your writing career?
Even though I love the fact that I’m an indie author, I would love to be with a publishing company. Also, I would love to see one of my books on either The New York Times or USA Today best-sellers list.
5. Name five things that are on your bucket list?
1. To be a New York Times best-seller
2. Go to Disney World (which I plan on doing with my family next year)
3. Go to New York
4. Visit Vegas
5. Try zip-lining (which would be an accomplishment since I’m terrified of heights)
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7092860.Sheena_Binkley
sheenabinkley.wordpress.com/
Twitter:ChevonBink
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sheenabinkleyauthor
Daily Devotional – 4/18/14 “After the setup!”
I told you on yesterday that no matter what you go through, it is all a part of the setup that God has. Don’t you understand that? No matter what you face, it’s a part of the setup because after the setup it’s then time for those folks who counted you out to see God’s goodness. After the setup, those folks who’ve been waiting for you to fall get to see God’s plan in action. After the setup, those who said you’d never amount to anything are now sitting back trying to count your blessings. After the setup, those who put their mouth on you, now have nothing to say. After the setup, those who were kicking dust on you, while you were down, are now dusting off your back. Oh, I wish you’d get the point I’m trying to make here. After the setup comes a set up! Yea, God has now set you up higher than those who tried to harm you. God has now set you up out of the reach of man’s hands who try to stab you in the back. God has now set you up so that you no longer hear what “they” say. God has set you up so that it no longer hurts, as bad, when fake friends leave. God has now set you up so that everything you touch is blessed. God has now set you up so that the path you’re walking is the one He designed. Yea! You have read in Psalm 23:5 where it says, “You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings,” haven’t you? Psalm 16:5 says, “LORD, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine.” What more do you need to carry on? Yes, this walk is hard but keep going because if you stop you have no way of knowing what’s next. Keep pushing through because God is simply setting you up for something major and when God sets you up there isn’t a man alive who can take it! Oh, after the setup comes a shouting that will shake some stuff loose. After the setup you’ll sing a song you’ve never song before. After the setup, you’ll never settle again but you’ll serve God wholeheartedly. After the setup, your spirituality won’t ever be the same because now it’s sanctified! After the setup, you won’t look the same! After the setup, you won’t talk the same! After the setup, you won’t even walk the same! After the setup!
Daily Devotional – 4/17/14 “Setup!”
Yea, the way our lives are setup; we cannot lose! The way our path has been setup, we won’t be lost. The way our destiny is setup, we cannot fail! For Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Yes, I am a sinner who was saved by the blood when I walked up and sat on the mourner’s bench (in revival one night), confessed my belief in God and His power, accepted Him into my life and was baptized in the water because the way God set this thang up, I was already chosen. I am a sinner who sometimes sin, lie, curse, occasionally drink, dance to worldly music, sometimes worry, sometimes say no when I should help, sometimes stay when I should go, sometimes miss the message from the messenger and sometimes frown instead of smile yet the way God has this thang setup, it’s a part of my purpose. I am a sinner who sometimes falls asleep without praying and eat without saying grace yet God has it all a part of the setup. I sometimes worry when I shouldn’t, make a few mistakes without repenting and get discouraged when I should pray but it’s all part of the setup. I sometimes get tempted but I hold fast and I even get sick at times but it’s all part of the setup. Do I always read my bible, do I always do what God says I should, do I always walk the right path, do I always use my gift, do I always encourage those who are discouraged or do I always pray for folk instead of myself, no! But it’s all part of the setup. I am a girl who was once broken but I’ve been healed, once hurt but now I’m well, once cried but now I have joy, was once in the dark but I’ve seen the light shining from on the inside of me, was once on the wrong path but with God, He made it right; I was once dying but now I’m living, I used to sing “I was battered, bruised and cast aside” but that’s been replaced with “Now I got the Lord on my side.” Oh, whatever it is, whatever it used to be and whatever it will be; I now know that it’s all part of the setup! God is the man with the plan and I’ll trust His setup over mine any day!
“Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.” Psalm 40:5
Daily Devotional 4/16/14 “There is no greater love!”
There is no greater love than the love shown when God gave His only Son to die in Golgotha (Calvary). There is no greater love than the love shown when Jesus was bought for only thirty pieces of silver although His worth is immeasurable. There is no greater love than the love shown by Jesus when He was stripped of His clothes, given a scarlet robe to wear and a crown of thorns placed on His head as they mocked Him for being who He was. There is no greater love than the love shown by Jesus when He was bound over to be crucified although He had committed no crime. There is no greater love than the love shown by Jesus when He was given wine to drink that was mixed with gall (bile) even though He offered many living water so they’d never thirst again. There is no greater love than the love shown when Jesus endured being pierced in the same hands that healed folk, sometimes those who didn’t even say thank you. There is no greater love than the love shown when Jesus was pierced in the same feet that traveled miles to minister to and teach folk, raise folk from the dead, cast out demons and perform miracles. There is no greater love than the love shown for us, God’s people; us, the ones God knew would sin so He gave us the ability to repent through the crucifixion of His only Son. There is no greater love!
Yet, here we are; those same sinners who’d rather take this great love and throw it away. You open Facebook everyday but barely open a bible. You make happy hour but not bible study. You’ll be the first one at karaoke but won’t make choir rehearsal. You’re never late for work but you’re always late for church. You won’t say anything to folk but you’re quick to put your mouth on pastor. And you can’t even manage your own finances but you’ll tell the church how to manage theirs. Where is the appreciation for the love that Jesus showed? Where is the gratitude for the love that God shows to us every day? When will the love we’ve been given be given back? When will we show our thankfulness? Isn’t this love worthy of it every day and not just when we play dress up on Easter Sunday? Will we truly understand and appreciate this great love before it’s too late?
“We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the Day of Judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first. 1 John 4:16-19.”
Lakisha, the Author 