Cindy's Featured Artist of the Week - Angela Edwards

ANGELA EDWARDS

“My Words Have POWER!”

That is the mantra of Angela Edwards, the CEO of Pearly Gates Publishing, LLC (PGP) — an International Christian Book Publisher located in Houston, Texas. Since its inception in January 2015, PGP has been blessed with an amazing and diverse group of over 50 authors who have penned topics related to faith, love, abuse, bullying, Bible study tools, and so much more! Their youngest author is eight years old; their eldest is 73 years old. To their credit and God’s glory, PGP has almost 100 Best-Selling titles to date.

An affordable publishing option (in comparison to some of the large, traditional publishing houses), PGP works one-on-one with authors to ensure that financial hardship is not a part of their publishing process. For those desiring to share their God-inspired messages for the masses — both new and ‘seasoned’ authors — PGP provides services and support that many have said “left them feeling as if they are the only author” placed under the company’s care.

The Holy Bible states that “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). To that end, PGP is oftentimes found hosting amazing giveaways on their Facebook Fan Page. Most recently, they hosted a contest entitled “New Words That WIN in 2018” — a giveaway that granted one individual a publishing package valued at over $1,200.00! PGP is always looking for new talent and desires to “birth the writer” in YOU! Will YOU be next on their list of Best-Selling authors?

Visit PGP on the Web at www.PearlyGatesPublishing.com.

Connect with PGP on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pearlygatespublishing.

Email Angela Edwards, CEO at BestSeller@PearlyGatesPublishing.com.

Call 1-833-PGP-BOOK(S).

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Angela Edwards is the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Pearly Gates Publishing, LLC. She is a woman of God, wife, mother, grandmother, and trusted friend. Originally a New Jersey native, she has since made Texas her home and embraced the southern culture in all of its fullness. 

Angela is a domestic abuse survivor. Since first telling her abuse-survivor story publicly five years ago, she has become a ‘Trumpet for Change’. She established the “Battle-Scar Free Movement” — an online community of individuals who can freely express and share their own overcoming testimonies while, at the same time, begin the very necessary healing process. As part of her God-given mission, she provides abuse victims and survivors a FREE opportunity to anonymously share their testimonies in a book series entitled God Says I am Battle-Scar Free. Heading into its fourth year of release in the Spring of 2018, Angela is always seeking individuals who desire to help others heal with the power of their words.

Angela holds an A.A. Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and is working towards her B.S. Degree in Psychology with a Concentration in Christian Counseling from LeTourneau University. She loves life and affirms daily: “NOT TODAY, SATAN!”

Connect with Verse - Poetry Corner! Featuring Clara Freeman

Joy Cometh- 

When morning comes - 

look for joy 

not in the obvious 

Creaks and crevices 

of outside 

spaces 

but within 

to the inner “self’ 

holds the core to 

your hearts’ 

center - 

Surely everyday 

that you rise 

walk 

talk 

and 

Smile 

turn your eyes 

to 

the Heavenly 

Skies 

know that joy comes 

sits 

on your side 

When the morning comes 

and you feel 

defeat 

remember the 

less fortunate - 

Don’t question 

Why - 

know that 

God IS 

the higher power 

greater 

than 

Government Shutdown 

Big Business aplomb 

Banks greed 

Political grandstanding whilst 

Unemployment/unemployment funds - 

affects 

Everyone’s needs - 

Repentance is decreed! 

Joy comes 

In your mornings - 

It will find you 

stay strong 

prayed up - 

ready, willing and able 

to 

Reclaim your purpose-filled

power.

Clara Freeman is a freelance writer and author. A former nurse, she is a people person and lifelong learner, who uses her voice to mentor and inspire women to walk in their authentic truths. Her book, Unleash Your Pearls Empowering Women's Voices and eBook, A Life Toward Authenticity-My Authentic Woman Story, can be found on Amazon.com

Follow Clara on Twitter @c50something

Q: Should you be completely honest with your significant other? Secrets or Not?

Signed: A.P. ~ My Wife Won’t Talk

A: I believe all relationships should consist of respect and honesty. When we marry, we interpret the vows as though we both are agreeing to be upfront and honest with each other about everything. We don’t expect to have secrets, of any kind. However, that is not the case because sometimes there are ’secrets’ but that’s not synonymous with being abominable to the relationship. There may be some past pains/issues that have nothing to do with you and your spouse. He/she might not feel comfortable enough to release it.

If you feel as though your partner is keeping secrets, you can ask. Be gentle and nonjudgemental as you approach the situation. Be ready to listen without the feedback. Most of the time, secrets are kept because of fear. A person needs to feel safe and secure with whomever they plan on sharing with. Whatever the secret is, you have to assure them that they can trust you, no matter what it is! Also, pray about it. Ask God to help with the release journey, whatever it may be. Honesty is always good but it can also be a very delicate situation to handle.

Until next time, continue living and loving life!

Chat with you later!

Love,
AunT

Trinette Collier Green is a Certified Relationship Stylist
Submit your questions to simplycindyblog@gmail.com

Mindset Matters by Cassandra Williams-Herbert

Why  “Hello”

A simple way to start expressing your gratitude for people, places, and things is by writing everything that you’re thankful for and your essential thoughts on your life, in a journal. It’s a simple yet powerful way to ease your mind and lift your spirits.

Keeping a journal has many positive benefits. Journaling can help with personal growth and development. By regularly recording your thoughts you will gain insight into one of the most important people in your life, that is you.

Practicing gratitude is an act of self-care because it shifts your mindset to the abundance of living and enjoying life. “Hello” was designed to help release stress and worries, at the same time, helping you find happiness by tapping into your life and your purpose. 

Journaling works for me because it helps me evaluate myself and life. To be able to relate to situations that I either need to embrace or be removed from and review all matters objectively.

It is therapeutic to explore your dreams and ideas in a safe place without fear of judgement. Finding tools to better connect myself, time, manifesting my dreams, helping me grow the confidence to not walk in fear and to believe in the will of the purpose of my life.

Discover Yourself and Who You Are by Journaling.

Have you ever truly wanted to know yourself? Sometimes we can feel so disconnected from our own being, but do not know how to start looking within ourselves. Journaling allows a starting point for this process, as it makes it much easier to sit and have a conversation with yourself. One helpful approach when using a journal in this way is to write down the things you want to address; allowing yourself to regroup and examine your plan or thoughts.

This aspect is tremendously helpful when or during a catastrophe in one’s life. I found that after the loss of my father it was one of the best ways to deal with many situations in my life; good, bad, or indifferent. Although you might not use this journal every day, a best practice is to make journaling an intentional goal. “Hello” will connect you with parts of yourself you may not even know existed, or want to get back in touch with. What becomes abundantly clear is that life, the way in which we react, as well as the decisions that we make for ourselves, are all routed in perspective of how we move forward in life. By experimenting with new ways of looking at the characteristics that define you, you are opening the door to explore adventures and embrace discovery within yourself.

Journaling encourages self-awareness and once you understand your needs, you can start to take care of yourself. If you want to improve your perspective on life and clarify issues, this is a great way; start writing in this journal. When you imagine and create, it helps you with a sense of purpose.

What I love most is that you will awaken the most important person from the OLD you to the NEW you. Now that I have your attention… “Hello”.

Best wishes for your Journaling
Cassandra Williams Herbert
Contributing Writer

“In my life, writing has been an important exercise to clarify what I believe, what I see, what I care about, what my deepest values are.” —President Barack Obama

Humbly Yours by Val Crawford

ABBA FATHER, Thank YOU for another chance. Thank YOU for a new opportunity to share with another about YOUR Wonderful Grace and Compassion toward us! And now FATHER, YOU be Glorified by the words that come from this pen - in the matchless Name LORD JESUS!

JESUS answered, "I am the Way and the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to The FATHER except through ME." John 14:6 (NIV)

The Honor of Being Invited into The Room

In August 2017, I was blessed with an invitation to attend the Inaugural Negro League Legends Hall of Fame Vintage Game. It was held at the Bowie Baysox Stadium in Bowie, Maryland. I am a fan of Baseball and it's history, so this invite was more than I expected. But then some things happened that I really had not anticipated! A few days before the game, I was informed that I was also invited to the VIP Room to enjoy the game! As if that was not enough, I was invited onto the field to engage with some of the players! Then (be still my heart!) I was actually invited to throw out a ceremonial pitch! It was amazing!

You may ask why all these honors were thrust upon me. Henry 'Lefty' Crawford played for a brief time with the DC Homestead Grays of the Negro League. And he was my grandfather. My 'PaPa' is the reason I had the honor of being invited into the room. Long before I was born, Papa played the Game. I didn't even know the extent of his baseball career until he was gone to Heaven. He never talked about being a baseball player. To me (and my siblings & cousins), he was just PaPa.

It was because of my connection to Papa that I was invited to the VIP Room and I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Sanders of the Kansas City Monarchs. All afternoon, each time I met someone - every time someone took pleasure in shaking the hand of or taking a picture with 'Lefty Crawford's granddaughter' - I was a little more humbled and honored at the same time. I was in the room not because of anything that I had done. I was invited into the room... because of him. I couldn't help but think, "Wow, this is nice - really nice."

Then my imagination reminded me of another invitation. I happily thought "This is probably how it will feel (only better - way better) when I get to Heaven. I'll be invited into The Room - because of HIM."

JESUS was so clear when HE said that our way to The FATHER is through HIM. When we accept a relationship with JESUS, we have immediate access to the Presence of The FATHER. We have automatic Celebrity Status! BUT let us remain humble - recalling to our minds that it was not anything that we have done. It is GOD's Grace and Mercy through CHRIST JESUS that we are invited into the Room ... Presented Faultless before The FATHER... Because of HIM.

Val Crawford

Contributing Writer

Cindy's Featured Artist of the Week - Stephen Price

STEPHEN PRICE

Stephen Price is the Pastor of New Jerusalem Fellowship Ministries, Inc. in the suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. He is married and the father of one daughter and two sons.

Stephen is definitely a man on a mission. His passion is about assisting couples in understanding and keeping covenant relationships. He has over twenty-three years experience in the ministry field and has studied at Luther Rice Bible College Seminary in Lithonia, Georgia.

One of his most prominent areas of anointing is soul winning. “There is nothing like seeing the eyes of a new convert being awakened to the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ”.

Stephen’s career in the military has given him a unique perspective on soul winning. He has traveled the world, evangelizing the lost in many different countries and settings from Okinawa, Japan to Bahrain, to Indonesia, Australia, and Hong Kong.

In the past twenty-three years because of his gifting and travel, Stephen has served for various ministries in the capacity of Pastor, Intermittent Pastor, Associate Pastor, Associate Minister, Director of Education, Trustee Board Member, Adult Bible Study Teacher, Sunday School Teacher (adult and children), Financial Administrator, Choir Director and Member, Evangelism Ministry, Brotherhood Director and Vacation Bible School Director. 

Stephen's book - Husbands Love Your Wives As Christ Loves The Church: A Love Story may be purchased at  https://www.amazon.com/Husbands-Wives-Christ-Loves-Churchebook/dp/B077SY2VLJ/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1
Email: pmanword3@yahoo.com

Connect with Verse - Poetry Corner! Featuring Felicia Malone

"Fractured"

Stretch marks across,

My upper-thigh,

A road map of my,

Growth as a woman.

The world will break you.

It is only a matter of time.

We are all fractured.

I paint the crevasses gold,

In an ode to the perfect me,

The me of history.

I am kintsugi,

Repurposed in the flames.

Copyright 2017 Felicia Malone