I often tell them that if they feel that they may fall back into old habits, they have a choice. We always have a choice!

The bottom line is that you are the one who is primarily responsible for YOU. Therefore, you have to pay attention to the signals that your mind and body send you. You must be cautious in keeping yourself from renewing bad habits, especially in those times when it is tempting to slip.

Remember that for every temptation, God has provided a door of escape.

Build and maintain close ties with others who are in or may also be genuinely attempting to become healthy to help you not revert back. Because you have those relationships already in place, you know that you can call on them when you need an extra boost, just as they should be free to call on you.

It is also important to take the time to learn from those who have already defeated similar problems. Take advantage of the wisdom and experience of those who have travelled the road ahead of you.

You must also eliminate sources of negative energy from your life. When you pay attention to God’s discerning spirit within you, you will know which people and circumstances cause you to revert back. Make it a point to avoid these situations, going out of your way, if necessary, to steer clear of peers and places that drag you down.

Be clear about your purpose. Share your goals with other caring individuals, and remind yourself daily of the benefits of staying strong.

Because you are focused on becoming a healthier You and you utilize all the support you need, you will see that you are strong enough to overcome old habits.

During the month of March 2010, Dawn McCoy, author of Leadership Building Blocks will highlight great women in leadership during Women’s History Month.

LaTara: Thank you for allowing me to be a guest blogger today at Mom Unplugged. Today, in the Celebrate Women in Leadership series, I want to highlight my grandmother, Mrs. Eula Clotelle McCoy (pronounced “U-la” and “Clo-tell”).

Eula Clotelle McCoy, Exceptional mother, church and community leader

Mrs. Eula Clotelle McCoy (pronounced “U-la” and “Clo-tell”) was born in Abbeville, South Carolina on May 10, 1917. She is the fourth of sevenchildren of Rufus and Ethel Bradley Searles and was raised in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. In 1935, she graduated from Coatesville High School. A year later, she married the late Reverend William M. McCoy, Sr. and this union lasted for 63 years. She had three children—two sons, a doctor and a minister and a daughter, a special education teacher.

McCoy worked at Bell Telephone Company, in retail for several years, and assisted her husband with running Twin Oaks Grocery, the only black-owned store of its kind during the 1940s in Chester, Pennsylvania.

At the age of 92, Mrs. McCoy continues actively sewing, a talent she has had for most of her life. Through the years, she has taken up quilting, sewing, and needlework and is an active twenty-year member of the Homemaker’s Country Quilters of Creamery, Pennsylvania. Mrs. McCoy enjoys stitching quilts for family members and also for sick children at the Ronald McDonald House.

Throughout her life, Mrs. E. Clotelle McCoy has been actively involved in church ministries including Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church of Twin Oaks, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Ministers Wives & Widows Organization, and is deaconess emeritus at Grace Baptist Church of Germantown.

As the grandmother of six and great-grandmother of six, Mrs. McCoy is more than simply a grandmother and respected church and community leader. Let me further explain since this is my grandmother who I call Gramom.

At church and banquets, for instance, Gramom is often acknowledged for being the most senior (and best dressed!) person. She is often asked about the keys to staying healthy, staying married, and looking good. Also, she coordinates details regarding family gatherings with gentle suggestions about picnic basket “fixin’s” and reminds us “young folk” in her subtle way that she’s in charge.

From her wisdom and lifelong passion for sewing and quilting, I learned to appreciate legacy. Gramom has created a legacy using her creativity to make memorable quilts for others. She even passed along one of her sewing machines to me to keep the family sewing tradition alive.

Finally, Gramom regularly reminds me how important balance and self-care are to stay the course. Even when I’m not with her I can hear her reminders: “Rest a while, chile” or “Take some time. Stretch out.” Not to mention that I often find tranquility after finishing her delicious turkey wing dinner or a plate of her famous cheese grits.

What I most admire is that my grandmother exudes leadership skill better than anyone I know with ease and grace. She never predicted or intended her leadership role but it embodies everything she does. And you can’t get even a fraction of all that from a book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dawn McCoy is author of Leadership Building Blocks: An Insider’s Guide to Success. As one of the youngest elected African-American elected to the Sacramento CityUnified School Board, McCoy shares seven leadership fundamentals in her book. Inspiring readers to be top in their field, Dawn shares her insights based upon twenty years serving as a nonprofit and government executive.

A motivational speaker, coach, and founder of Flourish Leadership Group, a leadership development and communications firm, Dawn is dedicated to transforming ordinary people into extraordinary leaders. In recent years, she has worked with organizations to develop their vision and create phenomenal results. Dawn has worked with hundreds of individuals to help them capture their spirit of leadership and truly become the effective leaders they were meant to be.

Read an excerpt online and visit the tour schedule at http://bit.ly/LeadershipBuildingBlocks.

Who I’ve Become is NOT who I AM, is Sonya Visor’s first non-fiction book. Her passion is to minister to the people who hide behind masks. Sonya’s calling is to break and destroy the yokes of bondage, releasing the power of God into the lives of others by the preached Word and prayers of deliverance. When you can find the strength, to step into who you truly are; you can find the strength to BE THE (Tru U). TruU Ministries is the women’s ministry that God has charged her with to help other’s become free.

Sonya shares her heart with her husband, Pastor Tony Visor, who she calls her better half, for nineteen years. She and her husband have ministered effectively in the city of Racine together at NCC since 1999. Sonya is blessed to love two sons, Jason and Tony, Jr. Visit her online at sonyavisor.com.

Are you a mom? If so, tell us some of the things your families enjoy doing together?

Yes, I am a mom! Even though my adult sons try to tell me that my job is over because they are of age now…LOL! We try to share meal time together as much as possible. Enjoying a good comedy is one of our favorite things to do. Having prayer time together daily is a goal for us to have a constant spiritual covering.

Every Friday my sisters and I, along with all of the grandchildren, congregate at our parent’s home to talk, eat and to enjoy a homemade treat prepared by my mother. You better have a good reason to miss Fridays or they send out an APB for you!

How have you balanced family and writing?

My family is the number one priority for me. If there’s a need, I’m there for my family. My writing fits into the space of time that is left over to get the job done after family, ministry and working a full-time job.

Tell us about Who I’ve Become is NOT Who I Am.

This book starts off by telling the reader how I lived a life of secrets and hid the person that I truly was. This book is not a testimonial alone; it deals with getting to the core of who are you when nobody’s looking? I talk about masking because that’s what I did and how I almost took my own life because I was afraid to show wounds. I covered up Sonya but I was bleeding internally until I could no longer hide the sins of my past.

What do you hope readers will learn/discover from reading Who I’ve Become is NOT Who I Am?

Silence is not the answer is the underlining statement in this book. My silence almost killed me until I decided to confront the suppressed issues. I hope that readers would look at where they are in life and evaluate this question, who have I become? What am I masking? Whether the reader is someone who has low self-esteem, been through or going through a divorce, a sexual or physical abuse survivor – it is time to uncover issues and deal with them. Looking at “it” not sweeping it under the rug is the way to be true to you. It can no longer cause you to become someone that you are not when you take off the mask.

Tell us about TruU Ministries. I understand there is a ministry for teens. What are your goals for reaching young people?

TruU was birthed from Who I’ve Become is NOT Who I Am. It’s the message of being the true person at all times. No more hiding behind masks, false identities but becoming who you were created to be. We deal with real issues and the messages are raw and uncut. TruU is a mirror for people to see their lives for what they are.

We are surveying our youth to meet them right where they are in life. Realizing that they have tough challenges, our focus is identity. Making sure that they know their value means elevating and maintaining solid self esteem through effective workshops.

For more information about the ministry, visit http://www.truuministries.com

About the Book

Who are you when nobody’s looking? It’s time to take off what hides who you truly are…the mask! Are you tired of going around family, friends and church folk with a frozen smile and a broken heart? Unmask your true identity and learn your real name as pastor’s wife and playwright Sonya Visor cuts to the heart with dynamic testimony of sexual molestation at a young age.

BEING SILENT GAVE POWER to the hands that touched her life. Can hands meant to protect you also have the power to crush your identity? YES! But when we stop allowing a mask of shame to hold us captive with CLOSED mouths, WE CAN let Jesus be real in our lives.

Discover who you have become and embrace who you really are in a book that goes past the pews and what others think about you — to bring glory to God by being transparent and transformed. It’s time to take off your mask and let the true you show up!

A Message from Sonya

View the blog tour schedule and read an excerpt at http://bit.ly/TakeOffTheMask

One thing that I have learned is that when you are clear on your goals, you do not cling to less important priorities. You recognize that, like everyone else, you have limited time, energy and resources. As a result, you learn to let go of the idea that somehow you should be able to do everything.

You learn to keep your focus on your objective, and distribute your time based on three priorities: God, you, and family. You then prioritize and make goals; making sure to give yourself ample space for rest and rejuvenation.

Grabbing as hold to the fat was very important to me, especially in the last few months. I start a path to purposely obey God. Why?

Because obedience is just that – purposeful!

I grew tired of trying to figure it all out on my own and when my business literally came to a standstill, I had to look to God to figure it all out.

For me it was becoming more important for God to come first my life, and to set aside time to let Him nurture me. I was taught years ago about the importance of building an intimate relationship through communing with Him and last summer I became hungry for the time with Him.

I learned that in doing so my family and I were beyond blessed! The more time I gave to God the more my life took on new meaning. The more time I spent with the God the less important making money became. The more time I spent with Him, the more I saw the truth in my dreams.

The more time I spent with the Father, the more my true priorities came into view; not only in my spiritual life but in my personals and business life as well.

• My relaxation activities are important. While they may not seem that critical to others, I know that my level of productivity depends largely on my own opportunities for rest and creative expression, so I have to make those moments a priority in my life as well.
• My time with my husband is necessary. After having the issues we had we have learned to place one another as a high priority on our list. Our conversation has changed, what we say to other and how we say it has changed, and how we support and accept one another has changed as well.
• My time with each of my boys is vital. I have to make time for my boys. One is about to go to college and the other is little boy that folks want to label as different but he is just very very special. Each one needs something particular form me and I have to focus on those needs.
• My business needs my focus. When it is time for work, it is time for work. When you work from home it is easy to mesh work and home into one but the truth is you can’t. I know I mentor on life and business integration but that does not have to do with working from home. It has to do with learning to incorporate a whole living approach to your daily business activities. My focus on business has to occur within scheduled hours for many reasons – one being my sanity. So I do things to make sure it happens. For example I only do consultations Tuesday – Thursday for set amount of time.
• With the rest of my time, I am choosing to engage in activities that help me reach my spiritual, personal and professional goals and let go of everything else. Yes I have time for fun – that’s included in the personal stuff; and even some of the spiritual stuff too. Yep, life with God can be fun

Whether it’s a conference, a date with my husband or my boys, or a bowling night with friends, I have learned, and continue to do so to filter each possible activity and expenditure through my priorities and make my decisions accordingly.

While there are some who do not like it I am clear with others about my priorities and availability. I have learned to let go of all guilt when I choose to decline an activity because I am confident that I have the big picture in mind and I am making a positive choice for the long run.

What about you

1. Are you clear in your own mind about your goals and priorities?
2. Do others understand your goals?
3. Do you need to give up an activity that has been draining your time for no reason?

Talk to me! Let’s discuss priorities and setting healthy boundaries.

Dwan Abrams is a full-time novelist, freelance editor, and publisher. She’s the best-selling author of My Mother’s Child (the sequel to Divorcing the Devil), Married Strangers, Divorcing the Devil, Only True Love Waits, and The Scream Within. She’s the founder, publisher, and editorial director of Nevaeh Publishing, LLC a small press independent publishing house. She’s currently signed to Urban Christian, an imprint of Urban Books/Kensington. Her sixth novel, the second book in the Married Series, is set to hit national bookshelves in 2011. Visit Dwan online at http://dwanabrams.com.

Dwan stops by Mom Unplugged today to tell us how she balances writing and being a wife and mom. Welcome Dwan!

Thanks for having me! Having a career and a family is like throwing many balls in the air and hoping that none of them hit the ground. On the rare occasion that a ball gets dropped, it’s best to pick it up and throw it back in the air instead of sulking about it.

When it comes to the many hats that I wear, I compartmentalize my life. As much as I love being a writer, I love my family even more. Being a writer is my full-time job. Although my schedule is packed with writing deadlines from the publishing house in which I write for, freelance editing jobs, and overseeing operations for the small press independent publishing house that I founded, there’s still some flexibility in my schedule.

On most days, I try to get the bulk of my work done before my daughter gets home from school. I choose to do this because I don’t want anything to interfere with the quality time that I spend with my daughter helping her with her homework or countless other Mommy duties. I usually resume working after I put my daughter to bed. My husband doesn’t stress me about it. He understands that my career isn’t traditional, and he’s supportive.

As for rest and relaxation, I pray and meditate daily. I get some exercise in there, too, but not nearly as much as I’d like. I’m determined to change that. While I’m at it, the goal is to get more sleep. Right now I get about three hours per night, and then I get an additional two or three immediately after my daughter goes to school. My ultimate relaxation is the candlelight bubble bath that I take at least five nights a week. During that time I lock the bathroom door, soak, and read a book. That helps me to keep my sanity.

Thanks for having me on Mom Unplugged today. Don’t forget to check out my latest novel release, My Mother’s Child. The novel is available in stores everywhere.

About the Book

Lyric Stokes lives, by most standards, a charmed life. Married to Michael Stokes, a prominent heart surgeon, she has financial security and lives in the lap of luxury. All is not perfect, though. Lyric feels inadequate because she gave birth to a daughter, rather than the son that her husband so desperately wanted.

After an unexpected turn of events, Lyric discovers that she’s pregnant again, but now she has to decide whether she even wants to keep the child she has longed for. She seeks solace in her church, where her daughter also feels at home; but they can’t get Michael to join them. Disagreeing with organized religion, he has put his job before all else, including God. The distance between the couple grows further every day.

Nigel Fredericks has a history of stalking women. He’s been accused, but never convicted. Now he’s set his sights on Lyric. She’s at a low point in her life, and Nigel knows just how to take advantage of that vulnerability. Lyric’s life is turned upside down; Nigel is like a cancer eating away at her mental stability, her marriage, and ultimately, her life. Will Michael reevaluate his priorities and his faith in time to save his family?

Listen to an excerpt from My Mother’s Child

View the blog tour schedule and read an excerpt at http://bit.ly/MyMothersChild.

About the Book

Josiah Tucker, the son of a substance dependent and neglectful mother, spent most of his childhood years in the custody of the State, living in foster homes throughout Atlanta, Georgia. At the age of fourteen, he was taken from  the foster family that he had grown to love, the Smiths, and returned to his negligent birth mother. Enduring the hardships faced while living with his birth mother JT manages to makes something of his life.  However, fifteen years after being taken from the Smiths and at the peak of success, he finds himself feeling empty and at his lowest.  When he decides to reconnect with the Smiths, JT finds his faith in God renewed and discovers his attraction to his foster sister.

Quick Note from LaTara

Before we move further with this guest blog post, let me say congratulations to Kendra for 15 years of writing what thus saith the Lord. One of my goals here at Mom Unplugged is to highlight women who are not only living their dreams but following God’s path for successful living.

You are an example of what it means to move forward and never give up. You are showing many women, including myself, that there is nothing to hard for God and with Him all things are possible!

My prayer is that this book will be your best selling book!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KENDRA NORMAN-BELLAMY is a national best-selling author and the founder of KNB Publications LLC. She is the organizer of Visions in Print, an Atlanta-based national organization for faith-based writers, and The Writer’s Hut, an online fellowship for African American Writers. She is the founder of Cruisin’ For Christ, a groundbreaking at-sea ministry that celebrates writing, gospel music and other God-glorifying arts, and also serves as a motivational speaker.

A native of West Palm Beach, Florida, Kendra currently resides in Stone Mountain, George with her family. For more information, visit www.knb-publications.com.

View the blog tour schedule and read an excerpt at http://bit.ly/FifteenYearsBlogTour

Stacy, your latest release is titled Dreams That Won’t Let Go, can you provide tips for mothers who are still waiting for their dreams to be birthed?

My humble advice to mothers wanting to pursue their dreams is something I say often – a quote that I borrowed from former stockbroker and author Chris Gardner: “Baby steps count too.” It means that every chance you get, carve out a little time to pursue your passion. If it’s writing a book, you might have one hour a week to write a new chapter. If it’s singing, maybe you start out in the church choir, and eventually form your own group, and then take that group on a local church tour.

In other words, each step that moves you closer to your goal, counts for something. As the mother of an 11- and 8-year-old, I often remind myself how quickly time is flying. Before I know it, they’ll be “grown and gone,” and I’ll more time on my hands to pursue my dreams and goals. Of course, as a novelist and speaker, I do quite a bit now; but I took baby steps to get to this point, and in many ways, I still take small steps, because I don’t want to miss any opportunities to nurture my family.

How can they encourage their children to pursue dreams?

Mothers (and fathers) can encourage their children to pursue their dreams by taking those baby steps I mentioned. Your kids are watching you, and if you’ll take efforts to pursue your passions and dreams, your actions will show them that they can do the same with their hopes and dreams.

About the Book

Indigo Burns is excited. Her wedding preparations to the man of her dreams are underway, her photography career is a success, and her family seems to be doing better than ever—all except her brother Reuben, who nobody has seen in years. But that’s about to change.

When Reuben decides to move back home to Jubilant, Texas, he hopes to find healing with his sisters. But Indigo isn’t so sure their relationship can be mended. And when younger sister Yasmin makes a life-altering choice, it seems like only a miracle can put the Burns family back together.

Will these siblings – and the rest of their family -  ever be able to love unconditionally and release each other to live their dreams?

About the Author

Stacy Hawkins Adams is a nationally-published, award-winning author and speaker. Her contemporary women’s fiction novels are filled with social themes and spiritual quests that take readers on journeys into their own souls.

She holds a degree in journalism and served as a newspaper reporter for more than a decade before turning her full attention to penning books, speaking professionally and writing freelance articles.

Stacy lives in a suburb of Richmond, Virginia with her husband and two young children. Visit Stacy online at stacyhawkinsadams.com.

Dreams That Won’t Let Go GIVEAWAY!

WIN a set of signed books from the Jubilant Soul Series AND a free one-hour session with Helena Nyman, an executive coach.  Answer one or more of the following questions in the comment section to be eligible for the giveaway.

1. Share one or two paragraphs about the state of your dreams.
2. Have you read Dreams That Won’t Let Go? How did this novel inspire you to reclaim or pursue your dreams?

Visit the full blog tour schedule at http://bit.ly/DreamsThatWontLetGo

My name is Sonya Visor and my selection for Sistahfaith is, My Own Creation.

It is my prayer that readers would receive divine inspiration and hope to face those life wounds that are tucked deep within. This book with real sistahs, real stories will show the scars of others so those that are bound might have the courage to be free.

My purpose, my story, is to unveil the TruU through the ministry of taking off the mask. Through years of wearing many masks I created someone who I no longer could recognize. I didn’t know how to be real after years of lying about the hands that had touched my body. I learned how to cover up sin at a young age by being silent. I went through life suppressing the shame and guilt of the secrets, until one day I found myself on my living room floor in a fetal position ready to take my own life. But God…used my four year old son to deliver me! It was time to be free. I was exhausted from the weights and becoming what everyone else desired me to be. It was indeed time to find Sonya under all of the layers to see what the Creator had purposed me to be in life.

Sonya’s Excerpt

Imagine standing in the line at your local grocery store, bank or in line at McDonalds and you make eye contact with the woman in front of you. Your eyes lock and you briefly look away. When you make eye contact again, this time she glances away. But, there was something in her eye. Something that captured you, but you couldn’t quite detect what was there. You don’t think too much about it, you’re just waiting your turn in line. The next day, you casually take a look at your daily newspaper and you see the woman.

There’s a picture of the lady you saw in the line at McDonalds yesterday. The caption reads, WOMAN FOUND DEAD IN BEDROOM. You are speechless at this point because as you  read further you find that the death wasn’t a result of a burglary, an accident or natural causes.

No, this death was from the result of her own hand. How could someone who was standing in  line ordering happy meals come to the conclusion to just up and take her life?

It was calculated. I know because I was once there…until one day I finally took off my mask. There is a safe place to bleed, to show your wounds, to receive healing because I found it. That place is in the presence of a Holy King.

Psalm 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

ABOUT SONYA VISOR: Sistah Sonya is a co-pastor, author, speaker and playwright. She lives in Racine, Wisconsin with her pastor husband and two sons. Sonya’s calling is to reach out to women who are broken, knowing that God is the only one who made her whole. Visit Sonya at http://www.SonyaVisor.com.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people? (Jeremiah 8:22, NIV)

Twenty-five women, including Bunny Debarge, Sharon Ewell Foster, Stanice Anderson, Claudia Mair Burney and Marilynn Griffith, tell their stories of coming full circle from tragedy to triumph. Each contributor keeps it holy, keeping it real in these raw, relevant tales of redemption and restoration. Think of it as Prozac for the Christian Woman’s Soul!

A twelve week study is included for churches and book clubs. Instructions provided on gathering your own SistahFaith circle.

Join the network of sistahs at http://sistahfaith.ning.com/.

Check the tour schedule at http://bit.ly/SistahFaith

SISTAHFAITH CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
•    MARILYNN GRIFFITH (Editor)
•    STANICE ANDERSON
•    TANYA R. BATES
•    CLAUDIA MAIR BURNEY
•    WANDA J. BURNSIDE
•    ROBIN CALDWELL
•    SHELETTE CARLISLE
•    LADY CATHERINE
•    ETTERLENE “BUNNY” DEBARGE”
•    DEE EAST
•    SHARON EWELL FOSTER
•    DORIEN HAGE
•    GAIL M. HAYES
•    DR. NAIMA JOHNSTON
•    DELORES M. JONES, MSW, LMSW
•    STEPHANIE L. JONES
•    CARMITA MCCALL
•    LAVONN NEIL
•    CARLEAN SMITH
•    DAVIDAE “DEE” STEWART
•    SONYA VISOR
•    LITTLE SALLY WALKER
•    ROSALYN “ROS” WEBB
•    ROBIN R. WISE
•    KISHA WOODS

“Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.”  Psalm 37: 5
See details below on how you can participate in the Healthy Heart Blog Tour with Rhonda McKnight.
10% of donation during this blog tour will go to the American Heart Association (AHA).

Meet Rhonda McKnight

I’d like to introduce myself by sharing a little of my journey to publication, because it’s been filled with favor.  I’ve been writing since I was six years old, but became really serious about publication in late 2002. I attended some writers conferences, joined a few writers groups, but still had not committed to finishing a project. On New Year’s Day 2007 I sat down with the Lord and told HIM I wanted a book deal before the end of the year. My novel was in first draft form and needed a lot of rewriting, but I was determined to clean it up and get it in the mail early enough to sell it before the next new year caught me wishing I had.

I spent the first few months of the year rewriting and in early April I sent a proposal to an editor whom I knew was taking unsolicited manuscripts for a new African-American fiction imprint. I received a letter requesting the full manuscript within a week. I remember thinking it had to be a rejection letter. It came so fast. After I finished shouting for joy I realized I’d made a mistake. My manuscript wasn’t really finished. It still needed editing.  With the help of a few of my critique partners, I cleaned it up and six weeks later I put it in the mail. When I didn’t hear from her by September, I sent it off to two other publishers, because of course I’m selling before the end of the year.

On November 1st I received a call from one of them. They thought my story was very good, but they wanted me to rewrite the first chapter. I, of course, was thrilled. I rewrote the first chapter, put it in the mail with confidence that I would sell in early 2008. On December 28th the first editor called to offer me a book deal. I had sold before the end of the year. There were some other steps in between but I think you’ll agree with me that the first and most important step was that I decided that 2007 was going to be my year. Then I prayed and asked God to help me do. Then I stayed committed to seeing it through.

Speaking of commitments, did you make a resolution for the New Year? I know it’s February, but the reason I’m bringing it up is because more than seventy percent of people have quit on their resolutions already this year. I’ve noticed over the last few years “resolution” has become a dirty word. People talk about not making them because they don’t keep them. They snarl when you ask about them, as if not keeping a resolution makes the idea of a resolution wrong.  I don’t care what you call it; resolution, declaration, life plan, goal, etc, etc. it’s all the same, it’s not our enemy.  A resolution is a “thing” you say you’re going to do.  There’s nothing wrong with self-improvement. How will you ever get there if you don’t at least want it or speak it? Words have power, the bible tells us in Proverbs 18:21 that “life and death is in the power of the tongue.”

I am a living testimony that a resolution can work. I wouldn’t be published if I hadn’t resolved to do be published.  We can all achieve them. We just have to put commitment behind it. To resolve is to decide to do a thing. To commit is to devote oneself unreservedly to doing something.  There’s a difference. I say commit to your resolution and in the end what you’ve resolved to do shall be done. How’s that? To not commit to something or not make a plan is a cop-out. I mean if you haven’t said you’d do anything then I guess you don’t have to right? Fail to plan, plan to fail I always say.

Did you make resolutions for the new year? Have you committed to them? How can we be better about doing the things we said we would do for ourselves?

About the Book

Faith Morgan is struggling with her faith. Years of neglect leave her doubting that God will ever fix her marriage. When a coworker accuses her husband, Jonah, of the unthinkable, Faith begins to wonder if she really knows him at all, and if it’s truly in God’s will for them to stay married.

Pediatric cardiologist Jonah Morgan is obsessed with one thing: his work. A childhood incident cemented his desire to heal children at any cost, even his family, but now he finds himself at a crossroads in his life. Will he continue to allow the past to haunt him, or find healing and peace in a God he shut out long ago?

Read an excerpt and check the tour schedule at http://bit.ly/HealthyHeartBlogTour

About the Author

Rhonda McKnight is the owner of  Urban Christian Fiction Today, a popular Internet site that highlights African-American Christian fiction and Legacy Editing, a free-lance service for fiction writers. Her second novel, An Inconvenient Friend will be released on August 1, 2010. She has two sons, ages four and eighteen and one lonely goldfish. Originally from a small, coastal town in New Jersey, she’s called Atlanta, Georgia home for eleven years. Her website is www.rhondamcknight.net

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February is Heart Health Awareness Month

Participate in the Healthy Heart Blog Tour with Rhonda McKnight – February 1-5, 2010. 10% of donation during this blog tour will go to the American Heart Association (AHA)

Enter to Win 3 Great Giveaways!

GRAND PRIZE (one winner possible)

A “Start” Fitness Pack she purchased from the American Heart Association’s Online store. The online store helps in the fight against heart disease by promoting heart-healthy lifestyles that include physical activities like walking. Net proceeds from the sale of these items support the Start! movement.

The Fitness Kit includes: Start BackPack, Start Water Bottle, Start Shoe Wallet, and the Power to End Stroke 46 Recipe Healthy Soul Food Cook Book.

SECOND PLACE PRIZE (one winner possible)
Autographed hardcover copy of Secrets and Lies will be given away to the 2nd person whose name is pulled in the drawing.

THIRD PLACE PRIZE (one winner possible)
In honor of Rhonda’s birthday on Feb. 6th – a $10 Barnes and Nobles, Borders or Starbucks Gift Card will be given to the 3rd person whose name is pulled in the drawing. (winner chooses).

HOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING:

All entrants with 10 POINTS AND UP will be entered in a drawing to win the GRAND PRIZE – FITNESS PACK.

All entrants with 5 POINTS AND UP will be entered in a drawing to win PRIZES TWO AND THREE.

HOW TO EARN POINTS:

• +15 Point ENTRIES: Purchase a copy of Secrets and Lies from the online store during the tour.

• +1 point ENTRY: join the discussion by commenting on one of the blog tour sites each day (must comment on the day of the tour site by 9 pm). Comment must include your thoughts on the subject. (can not just say – great point or I agree).

• +1 point ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING INTERESTING YOU FIND WHEN YOU GO TO Rhonda’s WEBSITE or blog. LOOK AROUND AS THERE IS LOTS TO SEE. HERE are THE LINKs www.rhondamcknight.net and www.urbanchristianfictiontoday.com

• +1 point ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY. On Twitter Retweet @rhondamcknight or use the hashtagS #Health or #hearthealth

• +2 point ENTRIES: Join RHONDA’S FACEBOOK READER Page or SIGN UP FOR HER NEWSLETTER on her webpage.

THE RULES:

• U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
• EMAIL ADDRESS MUST BE INCLUDED IN COMMENT
• ALL ENTRIES/COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE IN ORDER TO COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE ENTRY.
• MAXIMUM OF 3 POINTS CAN BE EARNED ON ANY ONE TOUR DAY.
• TOUR HOST BLOGGERS CAN NOT ENTER TO WIN.

DRAWING WILL BE HELD AT 9 PM EST on FEBRUARY 7th

GOOD LUCK!

Fearfully and wonderfully, He created each and every part of me..
Without doubt the Master carved my greatness into being.
With strokes of love He painted a rich vibrant color all over my body.
Each time He touched me He thought of how wonderful my life would be.

He saw my days and wrote each one down in the book of life.
With careful thought He penned each bump, obstacles,
and the victory I would have in the midst of it all.
He knew I would be one to accept His Son
and that the enemy would try and steal me away.

Yet as He wrote, He knew that in my life He would be glorified.

My heart He etched with love;
a deep loyal, abiding love that would spread to others like fire
My mind He carved out to take His word and use it for healing
and to light the path towards His truth;
Not just for me, but for each and every soul that I come in contact with.
My spirit He molded into one that would be burdened with the issues of many;
Knowing that I would take the risk and receive the calling.

Each moment of my creation was glorious
Each part of me was carefully thought out
Making my calling sure

So with each step that I take, I give Him the praise
I lift my hands and heart to Him
My life I give right back to Him
Knowing that through it all
When God made me He created an awesome beauty.

Now I ask you…

What is your creation story?