What’s keeping you?

Fridays here at MNM will be Writing Fridays, for awhile. So for those who don't write, please bear with me.

Here are ten conquerors, deterrents, and defeaters of writing, and ten simple ways to defeat them.

1) New Toys: It looks like new ideas and projects. This conqueror has held me captive a few times, but no more! I have many ideas, but little time. I’ve made a “writing schedule”. On Monday I work on one project, Tuesday another, all through the week; working at least two hours on each project each week, until the projects are complete. Then I make another schedule and follow the process through.

2) No Deadline: “You have all the time in the world to write,” this defeater will say. If you have no deadline, make one. Make a goal and work to achieve it. You will feel so much better about yourself. Example: I know some writers who set daily word count goals. Write 500-1000 words a day. You’ll have your story complete in no time!

3) Inner Critic: He/she can be very harsh, or can be gentle and kind, depending on the day. Some days he/she can have some really good advice, but more of the time, just ignore what she/he says. We tend to be too hard on ourselves, when it comes to our writing.

4) Lack of confidence: This deterrent will whisper “Whatever made you think, you could write a book?” Honestly, who does this sound like? That voice is not coming from the One who called you and who had Paul write Philippians 4:13. This deterrent is evil, and will, if not locked away, destroy a writer.

5) What are the Odds: This looks similar to the last one, but a bit more localized. The odds are stacked against you, but a great book will sell. So who better to write that book, than you!

6) A Collapsing Story: It happens! Nothing is working right in the story! Just keep writing! Push through it! That’s why we have rewrites. One of the books I’m working on is on rewrite number three!

7) Finances: You may have to go get a “real job” to pay the bills. Don’t fret! If you seriously write one hour a day, one short hour, you will be writing more than one book a year.

8) Genre Pain: You are working on an “Amish” novel, but your friends start hacking on the “Amish” flood of books on the market. The type of writing (genre) doesn’t matter, the quality of the writing does! Don’t second guess yourself! There may be a lot of those types of books out there, but none will be like yours. Which leads us to:

9) Competition: You are still working on that “Plain folk” novel. There are lots of these types of novels out there, but like I said before, no one will be telling your story.

10) On the flip side of this is Market Chasing: If you are writing the “Amish” novel, just because that’s what’s popular, your heart won’t be in it. Or if you are writing “Chick Lit.” and someone says “Chick Lit” is dead. Don’t buy into that! If your story is stellar you will get published. So write from the heart, not what is popular, just for the sake of popularity.

I borrowed this idea from another blog, but made it my own.

What do you think?

Philippians 4:8: Finally, brother, whatever is true whatever is honorable, what ever is just whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise think about these things.

About a year or so ago our pastor put something on the back of the bulletin that I cut out. It hangs on the refrigerator. It reads: “Watch you thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits, they become your character. Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”
That is so true! How many times do we think about something, so much, that we act on those thoughts; good or bad. If we repeat those actions, over and over, they become habit. We are known by our reputations. If we have picked up the habit of lying, we are known to be liars. If we have the habit of helping when there is a need, we are known for our generosity.
Let’s make sure our reputations are good ones, by thinking about the things in Philippians 4:8

Graciously Salted Editing

Some of you already know about this, but some may not. I am venturing on a new trek. I am starting an editing business, on top of my writing, mothering and the like. You might think I’m crazy but I don’t think so. Below is the story of how this came to be.

Jamie wants to changes occupations. He wants to go to school for Physical Therapy. But we are a one income family. Either he will have to work and go to school, which his current job is so demanding, that is almost impossible. Or I get a job. His idea was for me to go through CNA classes. My mother was a nurse’s aid before they had to be certified. I know what they have to deal with. Not for me. Jamie’s next idea was for me to go through Phlebotomy classes. (A phlebotomist is someone who draws your blood) I could do this, but I wouldn’t like it all that much. At that same time I was given a children’s story to look over, because I will be using it for teaching in Haiti. I found a few editing mistakes. Two days after that I read Colossians 4. I woke up that night, with verse 6 racing through my half awake mind. “Okay Lord, what are you telling me?” “Let your speech always be Gracious, seasoned with Salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” That verse kept repeating over and over in my head. I knew I had read it that morning, but as I read it I skimmed over it. Finally the Lord showed me an editing service was what He was telling me. So I struggled with either Graciously Salted or Graciously Seasoned. I chose Salted. Then I was given a novel to read for a friend. As I read I took the liberty to edit the novel. Just for practice. I emailed my dear friend and asked if it was okay if I sent her my edits. She took them and looked over them and said she would make those changes. Cre I guess you were my first client! :0)

I am in the middle of week 2 of this new adventure. I have a FB page called Graciously Salted Editing if you all want to look me up. On the page I explain my rates and stuff like that. I will accept any form of work; novel, short story, term paper, etc. I am giving this business to the Lord. He created it. He owns it.

Mothers, listen to the Lord, He understands!

“Children have I reared and brought up but they have rebelled against me.” (Isaiah 1:2)

How many times a day do you, as a parent, say, “don’t do that or this”? Then you turn around and see your child doing what you just said not to do. I thought it was bad when my boys were toddlers. They would do what I told them not to do. They would do it where I could see them. Now that they are teens, they have learned to do whatever it is, in secret.

My family loves the Lord of the Rings movies/books. There is a spot in the third movie where Sam & Gollum are having a discussion. Sam asks, “So what were you doing, anyway?” Gollum’s reply is, “Sneaking.” My youngest son can imitate this almost perfectly. He is also the sneakiest of my two children.

The Lord knows how it feels to have children rebel against you. We are His children. How many times do we rebel, just like our children? “Cease to do evil, learn to do good…” Isaiah 1:17 Isn’t this what we want our kids to learn: stop doing what is wrong, to make right choices, and to help those who can’t help themselves? They can’t learn these things unless we teach them. But we’ll be ineffective in our teaching if we don’t practice what we preach or teach. It starts with a choice: we either choose to do evil or we choose to do what is right. What do you choose?

Let the Children come Volume 1

First of all, I chose to call this newsletter/update “Let the Children Come”, because of Matthew 19:14. How can the children of Haiti come to Jesus, when they are starving and have no safe place to sleep? In the verse I just referenced, Jesus goes on to say “do not hinder them…” Right now most of them are hindered, because of their circumstances. A starving child can’t physically listen to you teach the Gospel. My prayer for my trip is that the Lord will help me to alleviate some of their suffering, and then teach them. I plan to love those children, like a momma should.

Some of the team that will be traveling with me to Haiti will be staying and ministering in the tent community of Sous Savanne, a village of about 300 families. Despite the millions of dollars and aid sent to Haiti, this group of weary people has received very little help. They live under bent sticks and torn bed sheets. They've not had luxury items like soap or toothpaste since the quake, until just recently.

My funding right now is $787, about 71.5%. Only about $325 to go!

Here are some Prayer requests:
1) Health and safety for my team.
2) That we can reach the Haitian people for Christ
3) That we learn from the Haitian people.
4) Funds and supplies needed to help Sous Savanne

Needed Items:
Soaps, good used or new tents, tarps, clothing, blankets, baby bottles, canvas cots, Rain ponchos, Children’s raincoats

If you can help in some way please let me know! If you would like to see pictures please visit http://heartcryinternational.blogspot.com/

You Are Unique!

…But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.- 2 Corinthians 10:12

How often as parents, do we compare our children. Notice I said “we”. I know I do this more than I should. Or…how many times do we compare ourselves to someone else? We want some quality they seem to have. “Oh, I wish I had her looks,” or “Man, I wish I could write like this person or that.” 2 Corinthians 10:12 says when we compare ourselves to someone else we are without understanding. God created us to be unique and different in some way. Each of us has something special in us that make us who we are.

We need to stop comparing and start praising God for our uniqueness!

Lose for the Fuse update!

Hey all,
I haven't post for this in a while, so here is an update. Basically, I've been slacking. No excuses! Okay maybe a few. I have been sick off and on for the last 2 weeks. Nothing too serious, just flu and allergies. I am still counting calories, but just not as strickly as before. I am at 182 right now.

I do plan, after Memorial Day, to get my butt(literally)back on a routine.

Chrishawn Simpson

I'm honored for having a wonderful guest blogger, today. Chrishawn Simpson is here to talk about her book Transform Your Path. Please welcome Chrishawn.


God's Role in Your Transformation Process

God's role plays an intricate part in your transformation process. He has a unique plan for you. A plan that is strictly yours and only you can fulfill. You need to have the guidance of God to help you transform to the highest of your ability. You need God to open your eyes and see the plan He has laid out for you.

Sometimes, we as fleshly people, take it upon ourselves to fix our lives without the help of our Spiritual Father. He wants to help. He wants to show you what He has in store for you. You have to release yourself to Him. You have to give Him full control and let Him work through you. That's what He wants to do and that's why He created you - to live out His divine purpose through His divine plan through you.


It only takes a willing spirit, a trusting heart, and an unwavering faithfulness to Him. He plays a necessary role in your transformation process. He created you, He knows your innermost being; so why not let the person that created you HELP you? It's simple. Let Him guide you the whole way. If you let Him guide you then you will see such a transformation that you won't even be able to recognize. He will help you to overcome those obstacles that you felt you couldn't overcome, He will show you things that you never thought of before. He will show you how to get your mind right, He will show you the things you need to change in your life and the things you need to take out of your life. He will make a difference and you will be so grateful.

I urge you to let God take control. Let Him have His way with you. You won't regret it. Now, I'm not saying things will be perfect and things will happen quickly; I'm saying let God do His work and see how things transform in your life - in His time, if it's His will.

The Transform Your Path book uses the guidance of God and His words (scriptures) to help you to become the person your were created to be. The book is God-breathed and inspiring.


You can learn more about God's role in your transformation process and how to effectively transform your path, in the author, Chrishawn E. Simpson's book, Transform Your Path, which can be purchased at www.TransformYourPath.com. Transformation is a wonderful process and in this 16-chapter revolutionary book, you will get 21 exercises that will challenge you to your very core and make you face reality - which sometimes isn't pretty; but is very necessary for change to begin. Once you complete this guide, you will be strengthened, alive, and whole. You will be TRANSFORMED!


About the Author:

Chrishawn Simpson is the founder of the revolutionary, life-changing program, Transform Your Path. She uses proven techniques to help you overcome your obstacles, tackle your shadows, and challenge your core beliefs, all for the sake of leading a life filled with purpose, passion, joy, and fulfillment. Check out her website at www.TransformYourPath.com for more information and to purchase the book.