My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)

If someone had walked up to me this week and said that and if I didn’t know that was in the Bible, I would have punched them in the face.

Mary DeMuth has written a powerful book entitled Not Marked: Finding Hope & Healing After Sexual Abuse and wow! What a powerful read! What’s interesting is that when you take the realm of the demonic–namely in the area of sexual abuse and molestation–into consideration, you understand the concept of being marked so to speak. - See more at: http://www.gospeltoday.com/blog/2014/03/07/not-marked-review/#sthash.EjZqUrFl.dpuf

As you may remember, I’ve decided this year--instead of focusing on New Year resolutions--to focus on what I’ve accomplished at the end of each month. February has certainly been a doozy and ended in a most unexpected way.

(Let me insert that each month will be different because you never know what life will throw at you and what curveballs are around the corner. You also may not accomplish the same amount of things each month, but don’t get discouraged. There’s always next month! *smile*)

But let’s dig in.

Recently, I had the privilege of interviewing Michael K. Reynolds who penned the Heirs of Ireland Series: Flight of the Earls (January 2013), In Golden Splendor (July 2013), and Songs of Shenandoah (January 2014). It was a wonderful experience and I certainly learned a lot! Thankfully, I was prepared for the interview because he was gracious enough to send me a copy of In Golden Splendor which I now consider among my favourite books.

Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; do not spare; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited. (Isaiah 54:2, 3)

January was a pretty good month. Okay, it was AWESOME!! *smile* I've been inspired by my brother Paul Brunson to not make resolutions, but to rather make not of what's actually been accomplished. He wrote an excellent blogpost noting his 2013 accomplishments (which you should totally check out by the way), but I wanted to up the ante by recording my monthly accomplishments! I know this will encourage me to do the same and better this month and hopefully encourage you to do the same! Enjoy!

A book review of Songs of Shenandoah, the last of three books in the Heirs of Ireland Series.

Today in America, we honour a very special man, in imperfect man, but a called man who laid down his life in the fight for right. As a Christian, a black woman, and an American, I honour him. Will you honour him with me?

Many people say that there are certain parts of religions that can be seen in other, not so similar religions. And with the New Age on the rise, it’s very easy to see that they’ve hijacked, stolen, and counterfeited several phrases, acts, etc. from the true Church. So without further delay, here are five of those hijacked items.

For exciting news on my forthcoming book project, check out this short post!

"So David inquired of the Lord, saying, 'Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?' And He answered him, 'Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.'" (I Samuel 30:8)

He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’” (Luke 13:6-9)

Last night, for perhaps the first time ever, I believe God revealed to me what blaspheming the Holy Spirit is.

The unpardonable sin.

It’s always been such an unfathomable concept for me. What sin could be so great, so distinct from the others which, from white lies to mass murder, are all the same in God’s eyes? What could be so great that it could supercede all else? Well this was the passage God illuminated for me.

I was NOT the most likely candidate to be the newest, biggest fan of Duck Dynasty. I haven't worn camo since it went out of fashion eons ago, I don't hunt, don't catch frogs, don't eat squirrel brains, and certainly have never shot a gun (although a thoroughly look forward to doing so--legally!--one day!). Yet I was drawn in by the godly stances of the Duck Dynasty crew. They stand against abortion, against gay marriage. And in an age of compromise and moral relativity over the Truth of God's Word, we need this kind of steadfast faith.

This is the second half of my previous post, “10 Things the Bible is NOT.” Enjoy!