Congrats to the New Orleans Saints for their first NFC Championship that has led them to Super Bowl XLIV. Ironically, the first year that I actually like watching football is the first year my home team goes to the Super Bowl.

What I like about the Saints is that they never gave up. Even when their back was up against the wall–they kept their eyes on the prize and came out with the victory.

Sort of reminds me of life. Sometimes life throws us against the wall, but instead of giving up, we must dust ourselves off and keep pressing on.

I couldn’t write this post without saying how much it seemed that the officials were cheating against the Saints at every turn; but like life–what God has for you is for you and nobody can take it away from you.

To all the Saints fans and those that are not–remember in this life, you will face many obstacles, don’t give up and don’t give in–keep pressing forward and if it’s God’s will, you will come out the victor!

I know like me, you’ve probably seen the commercials asking for your donations for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. My heart would tug every time I saw the commercial. I didn’t have any idea that in December 2009 and January 2010 that someone close to me would have to utilize their services.

Because of the many prayers and St Jude in Memphis, TN, my 11 yr old cousin has a chance to live a long and ful-filling life.  When you can put a real face to a situation–it brings it home. Now I see why they have the commercials. The above picture was taken last summer of my little cousin (she’s on the left) or as we call each other–my little BFF-best friend forever. She will be in treatment there until February (God willing) and hopefully will be able to come back home.

Please give to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, even if it’s only a few dollars. I know for a fact that the money used is going for a good cause. To donate, go directly to their site by clicking here.

Speaking of giving, if you’ve watched the news, you can’t help but be haunted by the horrific scenes of the earthquake aftermath over in Haiti. Our sisters and brothers are in crisis and need our help.  Unfortunately there are predators out there so beware of donating to unknown companies.  The American Red Cross is a legitimate organization. You can specify which cause you’re donating for. To donate to the American Red Cross, click here.

Single women everywhere are wondering where are the single men. One place they are not is under your couch. So what is a single woman to do? Well, here is one tip from a romance author’s post called the 5 B’s: Be Friendly. Nothing says…

To read the rest of this article, please click on the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/x-28527-Dallas-Romance-Examiner~y2009m11d10-Where-are-the-single-men?cid=email-this-article

I will never forget hearing two words, “Daddy’s gone” on the phone  at 1:25 a.m. on November 4th 13 years ago. Sometimes it seems like yesterday and then other times it seems like an eternity since I last saw you alive.

Today I’m blogging over at Blogging in Black. Check it out:

http://www.blogginginblack.com/2009/09/when-sparks-fly.html

In Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first inaugural address in 1933, he said, “So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” The 32^nd President of the United States was referring to the economic conditions of that time, but today I’ve come to embrace this quote on a more personal level.

How many times in your life have you been confronted by something you were afraid of and turned and walked away rather than staying to conquer it? Has fear ever prevented you from progressing in life or following your dreams?

All my life, I’ve had an extreme fear of heights, which has figuratively paralyzed me on more than one occasion. If ever the term frozen with fear were appropriate, I can say that I’ve been there and done that. One day while hanging out as a young adult at an amusement park with another couple, my boyfriend decided that he wanted to take a roller coaster ride. After all, that is what people do at amusement parks, right? Well, I had one problem with that – I don’t ride roller coasters, or anything else that requires me to climb steps that seem to lead to heaven just to get to the starting point. Unfortunately, no matter what I said, he wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. I was literally forced to stand in line for what seemed like an eternity and make my way up to what may as well have been the moment of my death. Talk about walking the green mile!

I hesitated the entire way, internally declaring the whole time that I would never survive this ordeal, and guess what happened… I lived! Yes, I had my eyes closed and felt like my mouth was in my stomach throughout the entire ride, but it didn’t kill me. I’d be lying if I told you that I no longer had a fear of heights, but at least I now know what is on the other side of my fear.

I also deal with this issue in my novel, The Baker’s Dozen. In the story, you’ll read how a young woman’s fear of rejection and loss was so strong that she wouldn’t allow herself the freedom to love and to be loved. It’s a story of sacrificial love that inspires you to challenge yourself to stand and face what’s on the other side of your fears.

Is fear of failure keeping you from reaching your full potential or living the life you want to live? The only thing you have to be afraid of is being afraid.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 S.D Denny began writing poetry and short stories at an early age to escape the harsh realities she faced while growing up in a Brooklyn housing project. On her journey to becoming a published author, she has written and edited training material for national organizations and volunteered as a journalist for a church magazine. In addition to her debut novel, The Baker’s Dozen, S.D. is the author of an erotic anthology, and the forthcoming novel, Half, which is slated for release in 2010. She currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with her two sons. You can visit the author on her website at http://www.sddenny.com/ 

I have not always been obedient to God’s call.  In fact, for many years it never dawned on me that He even had a plan for my life.  For so very long, I followed my own path staggering blindly down a road going nowhere.  After running far off course, it became a road where soon nothing mattered.  Spiritually I was lacking and my soul drifted aimlessly for a resolution.  An inward peace.  The trouble was I didn’t know who I was or whom I belonged to.  But thank God for the prayers of the righteous.  How many of you know that God will interrupt your journey to fulfill His purpose and He does not accept no for an answer.  Without my consent, everything around me started to shift.  The life that I knew was no more.  I was in the middle of a metamorphosis.  God was transforming me from the inside out.  I fought it for as long as I could, but eventually surrendered all. Obedience is better than sacrifice.  In doing so, God deposited favor in my life.     

I was beginning to view myself as God seen me—a treasure in earthen vessel!  I recognized that every obstacle, every wrong turn, every bad decision was a divine setup to propel me into my destiny.  We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.  My mind was broadened.  My purpose revealed.  My way made. All that was left for me to do was take the first step in the right direction.  However, my adversary would not make it easy.  With each attempt to walk purposefully came snares.  Enticements of my old way of living were placed in my passage as stumbling blocks.  Yet discernment would not allow me to be lured.  My consciousness had been awakened and there was no going back.  God had greatness in store for me and I was determined to reach my ordained birthright.  My future held promise and the devil did not like it.  But he was powerless in preventing what was already in progress.  Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perform it until the day of completion.      

My life was no longer my own.  I was a child of God and He was using me as a vessel to fulfill His will.  I welcomed the change and relinquished all power to make myself available to Him.  As my soul prospered, remnants of the former me was being left behind.  Brokenness was restored.  Self-esteem reclaimed.  My spirit renewed.  Giving birth to a new creature full of gifts and abilities to be fashioned for His glory.   You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.  No, that does not mean I am perfect, flawless or without error.  I still sometimes make mistakes.  I do slip and fall along the way.  But while picking up the pieces and placing them at His feet, I am steadily conforming into the woman God has created me to be—blessed!     

Iris Celeste is your ordinary girl next door who stepped out on faith to self publish her debut novel Praise Your Way Through.  A story of love, betrayal and forgiveness.  Because being saved doesn’t mean being perfect. To read an excerpt or order a copy of the book visit her website at www.irisceleste.webs.com.  Iris also writes a weekly column As a Woman Thinketh for Big Time Publishing Magazine and a contributing writer for Victorious Magazine.