On last Sunday, the Evangelist at our church gave me this inspirational book that she had bought from the dollar store and she told me she wanted me to read it. Now, I’m thinking, why does she want me to read this book but I did. Now, I have to be honest, I didn’t read it until yesterday morning (it was a small book with a moment for each day for 30 days) but something stuck with me. On Day 27, it talked about geese. Yes, geese but go with me. When geese prepare to fly south for the winter, they do so in a V formation. In this formation, there is the lead goose that flies in the front and then all of the other geese fall in line thus forming a V. Now, the significance of the V is because if all of the other geese play their part, their range of flying and efficiency is boosted by the help of each other’s wings which means they fly faster and higher and when the goose who is leading gets tired, the next in line takes their place and they go to the back therefore minimizing them getting tired. I know you’re asking how this ties in to church but let me bring it home to you. As Christians, we need to get in our place. See, if we all supported one another by allowing the head to be the head as we fall into our V like formation, just imagine how efficiently our flying would be. Yea, then we’d be able to fly above the haters and those who want to tear us down. If we could all support one another like geese do, just imagine how far we could go because we wouldn’t be overworked and burnt out. And if we waited on our turn to be the head, just imagine how much better things would be because you do know that you have an appointed time, right? Yea, there will be times when someone will fall but get this, when a goose is injured or becomes sick and has to fall out of line, 2 more geese goes to and they stay with the injured/sick goose until they are well enough to fly or they pass away. In other words, they look out for one another. Isn’t that amazing? When will we as Christians, get in our place? When will we support one another instead of tearing down? Don’t you know that 1 Corinthians 12:26-27 says, “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.” It doesn’t matter about the amount of tithes you pay, the amount of time you’ve been a member of the church or the amount of work you do because we all make up one body of Christ. Do you part as a Christian and get in your place and see how much better things become! Get in YOUR place!
Blog Tour … Kharisma Kashmere “Sex Lies and Betrayal”
Sex Lies and Betrayal Book Tour
“I left the only man I ever loved after killer the I was with.”-Erie Gold.
After taking off from her disastrous double life with Yay, then double crossing him along the way, where does Erie’s loyalty truly lie? Bitten twice, Yarnell is out for a vengeance no amount of cream can ever replace. But when these two lovers cross paths this showdown over love and money will leave more than a trail of blood and dollar signs. After fleeing to Mexico, Erie finds herself back in the States, in more than just her enemy reach.
No one is expecting Shawndrell Ford to be released from prison after being arrested so publically. But now that’s he a free man his only goal is to get back on top with the help of his partner Greedy. But will his own greed be the cause of their demise?
This explosive trilogy takes readers on a masterful journey through the mindsets of those who entrust everything they know and love into the almighty dollar. And in the streets that have no statue of limitation with more enemies than friends, one of these cash connoisseurs are bound to fall victim to all the Sex, Lies, and Betrayal.
1. What or who are some of your inspirations? The inspiration behind my writing is my mother. She was the first person to put a pen in my hand; I just never put it down. And anyone who knows me knows it gets no bigger than Wahida Clark in my little world. I respect what she’s done for literature and giving voices to women who society would have been otherwise cast away. She’s proof you can turn a negative into something very much positive.
2. How did you come up with the concept for Sex, Lies, Betrayal The Façade series?
People call me crazy or they never believe me, but in all honesty it started with a serious case of cold feet. I got engaged at 17 years old and I literally began thinking of everything that could possible go wrong if I considered marriage at such a young age. From there I played with the idea of what I would do in the even that things soured then the pen took on a mind of its own.
3. Where are some of your favorite place to write?
My all time favorite place to write is at my desk. It’s surrounded by my book shelves and its right in front of my window. So every morning I watch the sunrise over both my own little library and the actual library across the street. It’s pure solace. If I’m not there, I’m anywhere it’s extremely quiet and pitch black so that it’s just me and my thoughts.
4. What are some of your hobbies?
My only hobbies are reading, writing, and collecting rare books and watches. I love the concept of time and what it does.
5. What are something to have to have a comfortable writing experience?
I have to have Pulp Fiction playing on my IPOD, radio up on blast for 2 hours only, all my notebooks, favorite pen, and strangely enough my grandmother’s obituary.
6.How did you become a published Author with Leo Sullivan and how does it feel?
Mr. Sullivan was one of the many authors who I’d come across when I was simply a reader aspiring to be an author. I kept up with him on paperback then I was introduced to an e book by accident with his name on the top of the cover. Of course, I was hooked and began one clicking everything and I stumbled across some more amazing reads with his name on it and I had to send over my manuscript. Coming from a botched book contract followed by a self-publishing fiasco. Leo is a breath of fresh air. It feels amazing to be able to work with a veteran of his caliber and be recognized for something I loved doing. It’s an absolute dream come true.
Growing up in Maywood, IL, one of Chicago’s most violent suburbs, Kharisma Kashmere adapted to reading and writing in adolescence. Spending more time inside than out, she became enthralled with urban fiction and suspense at fourteen. Reading her means of escape from the tumultuous city surrounding her, Kharisma decided to start writing about what she thought maybe going on outside her home. The eldest of eleven children, she remembers sharing her stories with sibling who praised her maturing craft. Her husband whom she met at only eleven years old was the person that brought forth the more creative imaginations she pens today. At twenty four, having traveled from Atlanta, Texas, and New York, Kharisma quotes, “I’ve been blessed to have found a passion so deep for writing; I could have seen the world without ever leaving my room. Her first novel, Sex, Lies, Betrayal: The Facade which she penned in Georgia is only the tip of the iceberg, she states. Today she and her husband reside in the Englewood area of Chicago. And she says there’s no place like writing at home.
Enter to Win
Daily Devotional – 3/28/14 “Come on!”
I’ve been sitting at my desk since 8:30am without one thought to write on this morning. I mean, usually I can get a tanch of something but I have nothing, absolutely nothing. Yes, I’ve prayed for God to move me out the way and still nothing. What’s the deal with that? Then I realized that I won’t always have something to share or say and maybe no one needs another scripture to read or even another devotional telling them to hold on because I am here to tell you that living is hard! It doesn’t matter whether you’re rich or poor, black , white, Asian, Hispanic or any other nationality because it’s still hard. Sometimes I think I have too much on my plate and then other times I don’t feel like I’m doing enough especially with spiritual work but then the Holy Spirit says, “Girl you don’t even have a clue on the number of people you’re reaching!” (Wow) See, I spend a lot of time trying to get my name known as an author when God is saying folk already know your name as an encourager. I’m so busy trying to get my books in stores but God is saying, my child I got this, you just write. I apologize for being selfish in this devotional but see, someone is watching and following me and I have to ensure I am leading you (whoever you are) in the right direction. No, I have no clue where I am going but that’s alright, come on, God is the lead. Yes, I’ve made some mistakes along the way and I will again but that’s alright, come on, God is the head. Yea, the journey sometimes gets hard but that’s alright, come on, God is the tour guide. Yea, some days may be dark and gloomy but that’s alright, come on, God is the weatherman. Yea, some days may even be tiring but that’s alright, come on, God is the giver of strength. Yea, most days I may not even have a dime in my pocket but that’s alright, come on, God is my provider. Yea, I may even wobble in my steps sometimes but that’s alright, come on, God got me and if I shall fall because Philippians 4:13 tells me, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” and in Him giving me strength it flows from my cup to yours. So come on and go with me, God got us!
P.S. Thank you for allowing me to encourage you. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your day. Thank you for believing in me and thank you for supporting me!
Daily Devotional – 3/27/14 “Going up!”
This morning I got on the elevator to go downstairs to the cafeteria and there was a young woman walking towards me so I held the door opened and she said, that’s ok, I’m going up. Now, of course you all know me by now and I think you can pretty much guess I get divine direction out of almost anything so when she said this, I couldn’t wait to get back to my desk to write this devotional. See, many of us are still sitting idle waiting on God to move us up yet He’s waiting on you to wave some folk off who are holding you down. Yea, you’re still hanging around the same folk with that club life mentality and every time they call you go running yet you never invite them to worship with you. Yea, you’re still hand holding with folk who are whispering in your ear, “don’t leave,” and every time you see an opportunity to move you get scared. Yea, you’re still dancing for the devil yet you say God gets the glory. Where? Let me explain something to you, I have no issue with folk who want to go out to have a little fun but if you can’t put that some effort into giving God what’s owed to him, then therein lies the problem I have. This is why I said a few days ago that you need to check your circle.
Beloved, it’s time for you to wave goodbye to some folks in order to gain God’s glory. It’s time you bid farewell to those fake friends in order to feel God’s favor. It may just be time to tell folk, that’s ok, I’m going up and have no problem with doing it. I’ve said before but I don’t mind sharing it again … You won’t finish with all the folks you started with. I’ll repeat it, you won’t finish with some of the folk you started with because some of them can’t handle the elevation and some aren’t ready for the elevation. You don’t have to look down on those who aren’t yet on your level because it’s your duty to help them up but don’t stay on their level and miss your elevator up.
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:13-14”
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Lakisha, the Author 