Giveaways: When you have placed an order online, you will automatically be entered into our literary giveaway. The following package of books could be yours for free with proof or your order.

Worth a Thousand Words by Stacy Hawkins Adams

Deadly Charm by Claudia Mair Burney

Unsigned Hype by Booker T. Mattison

Each person who orders $50 or more will receive a free gift as well!

Web Party Dates: Monday, July 20, 2009 through Friday, July 31, 2009

Location: www.marykay.com/smckenny

Special Note: When you go online to place your order make sure you mention the following in the comments box “Written Voices’ Literary Party.” 

If you want more information on hosting a Mary Kay Web Party of your own or you would like to hear about the Mary Kay opportunity, please don’t hesitate to email me at: smckenny@marykay.com.

Thanks for your support and happy shopping!

Ty and Stephanie

Donnett, describe yourself for our visitors.

I’m a minister’s wife, a bible teacher, mother of four wonderful children, and a writer. I love the Word of God and I love sharing life changing words in many formats and venues. I am passionate about fulfilling my purpose and also encouraging others to do the same. I love worship music and traveling to different countries and sharing truth that transforms hearts and minds, especially to women, who often need to be reminded they are vessels of honor and are of great worth.

How do you find time to connect with God?

Spending time with God is very important to me. He is the air I breathe. Sometimes it’s early in the morning, at other times it is late at night. I find a quiet place and I get alone with Him, to be refurbished, refreshed and refueled. Even my children know when I am in my quiet place it is “do not disturb” unless there is a fire or a life on the line.

Do you have a favorite bible verse and or quote you wish to share?

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 (New Living Translation)

This verse speaks to me because it is saying God will do more awesome things than we can ever imagine, but it all depends on our capacity to handle His Godness (power) in us. God is never limited, but our ability to believe and imagine great things sometimes gets in the way of the magnitude of glory he wants to demonstrate through us. Therefore we are constantly in need of a mind expansion.

On Eagle’s Wings

Lord, when I am tempted to stay below in a lowly place

When operating in my comfort zone, becomes my usually pace

Come swiftly to my place of rest and unperturbed repose

Shake me loose, wake me up, my unused wings expose

Though I may not always understand or see the things you see

Deep inside I hear your voice saying, “I have need of thee”

My spirit quickens, I hear a sound, beyond the voice of man

And reason doesn’t correlate for it doesn’t understand

Tell us about your current book of poetry.

I am working on compiling my first book of poetry and prose which will be available from my website. It will include both inspirational and motivational works and will be edifying to a variety of readers.

What’s next for you?

I recently formed OmagniA Enterprises, LCC, a company that is focused on launching products that will encourage abundant living in joy and wholeness. I am working with a partner to launch a line of greeting cards that will be encouraging and uplifting and am also developing a line of giftware that fuses inspiring words with beautiful artwork. A little later on I will publish personal development workbooks, and other inspirational works through the publishing arm of OmagniA.

Where can visitors find you online?

Visitors can find me at www.powerinwords.com.

Vanessa, describe yourself for our visitors.

I am an author, poet, and playwright. I am an avid reader who loves to meet people inspirational people. I love helping people in any capacity that I can. I am a fan of classical and gospel music. I love going to the beach and just appreciating the beauty of life and all it has to offer.

How do you find time to connect with God?

I am always mindful of God. That is the way of it when you’re in love. When I wake up in the morning, He is on my mind. When I turn in for the night, He is on my mind. This connection has not always been so, my spiritual connection with God increased over the years after suffering through an unforeseen illness for seven years. He was and still is my guide and rock. For God I make the time.

Do you have a favorite bible verse and or quote you wish to share?

Yes I do! Thank you for allowing me to do so When a man’s ways please the LORD, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." (Proverbs 16:7)

Can you share a poem with us?

“Simply Me”

I am simply me.
I have learned that it is alright to simply be me.
It is just too hard not to be.
It was your dance not “ours”  as it should’ve been and you lead me.
What’s wrong with my feet?
Wrong beat. Wrong dance.
Your beat is two. 
Just two beats had me depending on you.
My beats was three.  Three beats and I was free to be me.
Hear me.
I am woman: Chosen for purpose.
Cheer me.
I am real.  I can feel.
I am real. I am healed.
If you like me, that’s well.
If you dislike me, it’s still well.
Your movements provided me with a testimony to tell.
I am still standing, strong and humble. God brought me from the backwoods.
Acceptance of me is finally embraced and understood. 
By me.
Now I can truly say that I am loving me.
Humm, in retrospect there is nothing “simply”  about me. 
I am fiercely and wonderfully made. 
How simple.  Silly me.

Tell us about your current book of poetry.

I have a collection of poems that I will one day publish. As it stands now, viewers can read my poems on my website listed below. I have released my nonfiction inspirational titled The Certain Ones: You’re not forsaken. You’re Chosen for purpose, in which I share my personal journey of coping with infertility at 28 years of age due to catamenial pneumothorax, a condition of collapsed lung occurring in a 48-72 hours conjunction with menstrual periods. This condition affects 2%-3% of women. I write about how some are called and others are chosen for very special purposes. Some of us may or may not know the reason for the calling. In The Certain Ones I talk about being chosen for purpose. In spite of painful hardship that may arise in our lives i.e., sickness and rejection.

What’s next for you?

I am currently at work on my first Christian nonfiction novel titled: Love Found Me. I am intensely excited about this book. I am confident and prayful that readers are going to love it as well.  I am also at work on my next inspirational stage production slated to be performed sometime in the spring of this year.

Where can visitors find you online?

I would love for you to both visit and write me at:

• www.vanessarichardson.com
• www.myspace.com/soulful_words
• thecertainonesblogspot.com

Ashea, describe yourself for our visitors.

I’m just a down to earth church girl who loves the word of God most of all. I’m a wife and mother of two beautiful young ladies. I teach at a private Christian school that I co-own with a very good friend of mine. Working with kids is something I’ve always done naturally as well. So I run that business by day, then go home to run my own independent press and do my independent writing projects by night. So my passion is writing and I call myself a kingdom writer. I am the author of  several collections of poetry, a Christian fiction novel, and a non fiction book as well.

I’m also a member of World Changers Church Int’l and I love my church. I work in the community groups ministry hoping to help people by making my home an extension of the church, and my life a reflection of Christ’s love.

How do you find time to connect with God? 

When I first wake up, before I let anything else come between us, I like to make time for God. I pray and do my initial  Bible study early. I also pray going and coming home from work. but most importantly, I’m learning to practice the presence of God all day long, by acknowledging him in all my activities, and by praying and/or praising him whenever He comes to mind.

Can you share a poem with us?

Promises

When you speak promises

I catch the words

Rolling from your tongue

Lingering in your breath

Released into my inner ear

Tingling my ear lobes

As sweet lips

Brush against my cheek

Whispering love notes

Spraying sweet kisses

As the bridge of your nose

Nuzzles the nape of my neck

With every nerve standing at attention

Your eyes a sleepy sea of memories…

 

Tell us about your current book of poetry.

My current book of poetry which will be re-released for wider distribution was written for married couples and it’s called Then Two Became One. It’s a collection of poetic reflections for your spouse. They’re nice little love poems for married couples to share.

The selections are intimate but not explicitely so. They are meant to display the beauty of marriage, the spiritual miracle of two becoming one flesh.

What’s next for you?

I’d like to publish a poetry book dedicated to women in 2010 , along with my second Christian fiction release, Joy Comes In The Morning.

Where can visitors find you online?

I can be found at www.asheagoldson.com, www.blogtalkradio.com/ashea-goldson, www. myspace.com/asheagoldson and most other online social networks.

The author states, “There are so many negative connotations associated with Mississippi and the south in general. I want to to show a flip side of the coin.There is much to love about this much maligned and misunderstood part of our country.”

Patricia Neely-Dorsey’s Reflections: Preaching Sunday

In a recent Gallup poll, based on over 350,000 interviews, Mississippians were found to be the most religious state. 85% of Mississippians answered “yes” when asked: “Is religion an important part of your daily life?” Joining the Magnolia State in the “most religious” states were other “Bible Belt” states : Alabama (82%), South Carolina (80%), Tennessee ( 79%), Louisiana (78%) and Arkansas (78%) Vermont, with less than half of those interviewed (42%) answering the same question in the affirmative was noted as the “least religious.” Overall, Gallup researchers found that 65% of all Americans said religion is important in their everyday lives.

PREACHING SUNDAY
In the old country church,
Preaching Sunday was quite a big deal;
In just a few words, I’ll give you a feel.
White gloved ushers monitor each bench and pew,
Wearing uniforms starched to look like brand new.
Little girls decked out in ruffles and bows,
Sit with mothers in hats sharp
From their heads to their toes.
The minister quotes scriptures With deep breaths
And long pause,
He makes so dramatic each and every clause.
At the end of the message, when some hymn is sung,
Shouts ring out between every rung.
There’s some jerking and fanning and some falling out,
Small ones wonder what all the commotions about.
When everything’s over and the service is done,
Everyone enjoys a grand feast on the lawn.
Copyright 2008 Patricia Neely-Dorsey

Recommended Southern Dish of the Day

MACARONI AND CHEESE

Ingredients

• I pkg (16 oz) elbow macaroni, cooked, drained
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 3 cups milk, divided
• 6 cups (24 oz) grated  cheddar cheese, divided 2 eggs

Instructions (Makes 12 servings)

• Heat oven to 350F . Place macaroni in 4 quart shallow baking dish.
• Melt butter in medium saucepan on medium low heat.
• Stir in flour. Gradually stir in 2 cups of milk.
• Cook until smooth. Add 3 cups of cheese.
• Cook, stirring constantly until sauce is thickened .
• Add remaining cheese. Stir gently until thoroughly mixed.
• Beat eggs in small bowl and stir in the remaining milk.
• Slowly pour over top of casserole.
• Let stand for 5 minutes.
• Bake 40 minutes or until set and lightly browned.

Do you love the South?

Join Us Online at the Facebook “Celebrate the South” Group.

Visit Patricia Neely-Dorsey online at http://www.patricianeelydorsey.webs.com/.