Posted on Thursday, October 22, 2015

Why Do You Think Khloé Kardashian Called Off Her Divorce From Lamar Odom?

Hello World,

Since I’m a pastor’s daughter, I’ve been to like a million weddings. I’ve heard those vows said every time, but I never really contemplated them until I said them myself on Aug. 10, 2013, the day I got married…As I repeated the words, “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance,” I felt like I was having an out-of-body experience. The natural me was in the moment saying those words, and the spiritual me, it seemed, was watching, hardly believing that I was making such an impossible commitment.

All that being said, I wonder if those vows where what Khloé Kardashian was thinking about when she rushed to Las Vegas last week to be with her estranged husband Lamar Odom following his drug overdose at the Love Ranch where he cavorted with ranch employees after apparently and or allegedly ingesting a near fatal cocktail of drugs. Thankfully, Lamar, who was unconscious for several days, survived his drug overdose. Yesterday, Khloé announced she put her relationship with Houston Rockets player James Harden on hold to focus on Lamar as he recovers. However as today, that hold is now a halt, as Khloé and Lamar, who got married in 2009, have called their divorce off, according to People magazine.

The romantic in me what wants to admire Khloé as she seems to be both honoring her marriage vows and demonstrating the love in 1 Corinthians 13 also known as the Love Chapter…Below are a few verses from the chapter…

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres…

And Khloé and Lamar, who did not expressly say their were Christians in this video which I saw on elev8.hellobeautiful.com, do claim there is a “spiritual side” to their marriage.

After what Lamar has reportedly put her through from alleged infidelity to rampant drug abuse to most recently “bogeying at a brothel,” she would be justified in not being at his bedside even if she prayed for him from afar. But not only did she keep vigil at his bedside, she is also keeping him! Why do you think she called off her divorce?

The cynic in me wanders if this reconciliation is just more fodder for the reality show “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.” The New York Post has reported Lamar’s recovery from his overdose will likely be featured on the show…

Within hours of Odom’s hospitalization, Khloé, Kris and seven-months-pregnant Kim had hopped on a private plane. According to Radar Online, they had a camera crew in tow. (The 11th season of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” filming now, premieres next month.) Caitlyn Jenner was en route.

By early Wednesday, media outlets such as TMZ, Radar, People, Us Weekly, E! (home of their reality show) and “Entertainment Tonight” suddenly had real-time updates and unobstructed views of matriarch Kris and her daughters outside the hospital, dressed in designer black dresses as if they were all widowed first ladies, straining to show distress on perfectly made-up, Botoxed faces.

The Kardashians let it be known that they “dropped everything” when they heard of Odom’s collapse, as if this were a heroic response rather than a merely decent one.

And she does have a book “Strong Looks Better Naked,” coming out on Nov. 3. In the book, she “doesn’t go easy on husband Lamar Odom,” according to Page Six. Her book, however, is supposed to be about “shar[ing] her secrets for finding strength of body, mind, and heart with revelatory stories of her own struggles with weight, relationships, and her self-image.”

Or could the motive be something else? Anyone see Tyler Perry’s movie “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” in which Helen McCarter agrees to take care of her estranged husband Charles although he left her to be with his mistress? After Charles was shot and paralyzed, his mistress leaves him, but Helen returns to his side to care for him AND exact her revenge which he definitely deserves. However, the two end up forgiving one another and becoming friends although they ultimately divorce.

What do you think?

The romantic in me hopes it was “ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can’t-live-without-each-other love.” (Shout out to SATC) Either way, I hope this incident is a wake-up call for Lamar and is his first step in recovering from his alleged drug addiction.

Any thoughts?

Posted on Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Why My NIV Bible is Made For Me & Made For You

Zondervan & Biblica Continue to Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the commissioning of the World’s Most Read Modern-English Bible...

Hello World,

My love affair with my Bible started like a lot of things in my life: I liked a boy. That was nothing new. In my past, I had liked a lot of boys. But what was new: this boy was a Christian. And he wasn’t just a Christian. He was a Bible-reading Christian. So even though I grew up with a pastor father, I started reading an NIV Bible (the most user friendly Bible in my opinion) in earnest because of a Christian, Bible-reading boy I liked. Of course, I thought he was made for me. One of the first scriptures I came across was Psalm 37:4. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” I was so excited because I thought it meant that this Christian boy and I would definitely be together because he was one of the “desires of my heart.” I totally ignored the “delight yourself in the Lord” part. The irony of that crush is that although that Christian boy and I were not meant to be, it did ignite my love affair with my NIV Bible, and I eventually learned what that scripture truly means. If you saturate yourself in God, your heart’s desires become godly, and God will satisfy those desires.

I was a new college graduate when I liked that boy, and I couldn’t find a full-time job in my field for roughly two years. And it was rough too. I went on interview after interview to no avail. I temped all over Atlanta. I eventually worked at a law firm, a public relations firm and a record label, but I still wanted to be a journalist. But this verse encouraged me: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” Jeremiah 29:11. I was elated when I finally got a job as a reporter for a small newspaper, and I was so grateful that I had to be the hardest working reporter there!

As I continued to grow in the Bible and in life, I had more turmoil in my personal life and in my professional life. But with every disappointment, I can honestly say I learned what this scripture, what has come to be my absolute favorite Bible verse, truly means. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28. All things (good and bad) that I have gone through in my life, God has worked it out for my good!

My NIV Bible is Made for Me!!!

That is why I am excited to share that Zondervan and Biblica are continuing to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the commissioning of the world’s most read modern-English Bible, the New International Version (NIV)! As a result, Zondervan and Biblica have partnered on a year-long campaign featuring quarterly themes that recognize the different ways the NIV has impacted the Christian church. This month commences the fourth and final theme of the year: Made for You.

For the past fifty years, the Committee on Bible Translation (CBT) has been continuously refining the NIV to ensure that it is Made for You. The CBT works hard to maintain the virtues that has made the NIV the most read and most trusted English translation in the world: accuracy and readability. To achieve this, the CBT persistently studies the latest biblical scholarship and consults a database of over 4.4 billion words that identifies trends in global English usage. Thanks to the continued work of the CBT, the NIV is the most trusted modern-English Bible in existence, making it ideal for reading, preaching and studying God’s Word.

The NIV is, more than any other translation, the most highly supported translation for study with over 50 Bible commentaries, dozens of reference works, and hundreds of Bible study guides and other resources available. Among these resources is the free NIV 365-Day Devotional Reading Plan, which has reached over 200,000 subscribers since January 2015, providing readers with a new NIV scripture passage and insight every day. The free NIV 50^th Anniversary Mobile app launched earlier this year, provides its 50,000+ users with mobile access to the complete NIV text, as well as study notes and daily devotional readings, and much more.In addition, Zondervan recently released the all-new NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible, which has been re-typeset in NIV Comfort Print® font. Not only did that make this Bible more readable, it also reduced the page count by 350 pages!

“Our goal is to give everyone, no matter where they are in life, access to the Bible that is right for them,” said John Kramp, SVP and Bible publisher for HarperCollins Christian Publishing. “There are hundreds of styles and tailored Bibles complete with devotionals and relevant resources specific to women, men, children, new believers, and those going through major life events, such as marriage, recovery, loss or cancer. And to ensure everyone has access to the Bible, there are multiple formats, including dozens of NIV eBooks and NIV mobile apps.”

Below is a video about the “Made for You” theme.

To learn more about the 50^th Anniversary campaign and view additional content, visit www.thenivbible.com.

Any thoughts?

Posted on Friday, October 16, 2015

Online Book Promotion Expert LaShaunda Hoffman Pens Promotion Guide for Authors!

Hello World,

If you’re an author, want to be an author or know someone who is an author or wants to be an author, today’s online book promotion post is for YOU! Today, I have the pleasure of spotlighting LaShaunda Hoffman, founder of the popular SORMAG (Shades of Romance magazine), an online literary magazine for multicultural readers and writers. LaShaunda, who has helped to launch and sustain the career of many authors, recently penned her FIRST BOOK – Building Online Relationships: One Reader At A Time! Below is a synopsis of “Building Online Relationships – One Reader At A Time” followed by my interview with her…

Readers buy from writers they know and trust. This means, dear author, you have to find ways for new readers to get to know you and to want to create a relationship with you. Building Online Relationships – One Reader At A Time is your one-stop online promotion guide. Award-winning publisher of Shades of Romance Magazine, LaShaunda C. Hoffman, has consolidated over 14 years of expertise in online promotion into this how-to guide. By reading, and applying what you learn in this book, you will promote like a pro and build trust with your readers so they become loyal buyers. Every chapter includes an action plan you can implement immediately to learn:

What promotion is all about in this digital age.

A proven goal setting strategy for getting your book in the hands of the reader who is looking for it.

Step-by step actions you can take to get in front of new readers every day.

How you can begin creating relationships with new readers TODAY.

1. What inspired you to write your book “Building Online Relationships – One Reader At A Time?”

I was at a conference talking to Sylvia Hubbard, Pat Simmons and Renee Daniel Flager, and they told me I should write a book about online promotion. I let it simmer inside for a while, and then I realized I’d had part of my book when I did two online series, one on creating your web presence and creating your online promotion plan. I took that information and added more to it and finished the book.

2. What is the most common problem for writers who are promoting their books, and how can your book help?

The biggest problem for writers is knowing how to promote. Most don’t have a clue about what to do or where to start. This book shares how to get started and what to do. It helps you create a plan so you not running around with your head cut off.

3. What is the most powerful chapter in the book and why?

For me, the most powerful chapter is the database/email list because if you are doing all this promotion and have no way to capture the readers you are meeting you working for nothing. Many writers start their mailing list after they have 3 or 4 books under the belt. I say start creating your mailing list as soon as the idea for the book comes to mind. You want readers to be interested in your upcoming book and when it releases you want readers to which you can promote. It’s hard to sell books to people who don’t have a clue who you are. When you have a mailing list, they know who you are, and they are waiting for your book to release so they can support you.

4. What has been the response to your book thus far?

The book has been well received. I received my first fan letter which blew me away. I’ve been asked to speak to a writers group, and I’ve met a few of the readers who purchased copies because I offer a 30-minute Virtual Tea session (personalized online training program for authors) if you purchase a copy. It has been amazing to see the book help writers with their promotion.

5. As a former member of the Navy and as someone who still works for the U.S. government, how did you learn about promotion?

I actually started learning about promotion when I created my online magazine – Shades Of Romance – SORMAG. I didn’t have a clue and there weren’t many books about online promotion back then because the Internet was so new. Everything I learned about promoting the magazine are the steps I share in the book. I had to get out there in front of readers daily.

6. You are probably best known for creating Shades of Romance Magazine, an online magazine promoting authors and books that attracted 18,000 visitors and was named in Writer’s Digest’s “101 Best Writing Sites” just after it launched in 2000. How did you come up with this name, and did you expect your magazine to generate as much buzz as it did and still does today? Do you anticipate writing a romance one day?

To be honest, I never dreamed I would still be publishing the magazine. It started as a hobby. I’m an avid reader, and I loved romance books. When they started publishing African-American romances, I was in heaven. I wanted to help readers find out about these amazing books and help the authors promote the books. The name came from me thinking romance comes in many shades. I wish I’d named it Shades Of Reading because over the years we’ve evolved and no longer just focus on romance books. I tried to change the name, but the readers weren’t having it.

I think the reason it generated buzz was because we didn’t have a magazine like this that catered to the multicultural community. We were looking for our books and couldn’t find them. One of the reasons I continue to publish the magazine is because the need is still there.

When I started SORMAG I was an aspiring romance writer. I still write romance but with an inspirational slant to them. I’m currently working on a historical.

7. You have interviewed many, many authors over the years. What has been your favorite interview, and what is your dream interview that you have yet to do and why?

That’s a hard question to answer. I enjoy all the interviews and don’t have a favorite. If I had to choose it wouldn’t be one, it would be the debut author interviews. I love introducing a new author to the community. I know how hard it is to get your book in front of readers, so I enjoy introducing new writers.

Right now my dream interview would be with Shonda Rhimes, only I would want it to be in person instead of an email interview. I want to sit at her feet and ask a million questions.

I’ve always loved the game “20 Questions” so below are LaShaunda’s answers to 20 of my random questions in no particular order.

For reading today, LaShaunda is offering a freebie for writers – 31 Promotion Tips. You can receive a different tip for 31 days or download the ebook that features all 31 tips – lashaundahoffman.com/digital-goodies/ You’re welcome 🙂

LaShaunda C. Hoffman took her love for books and turned it into an award-winning online magazine, Shades of Romance Magazine. Her mission in life is to introduce as many books as she can to readers. She’s happily married mother of three who believes in dreams and working hard to achieve them. She started a coaching program – Virtual Tea With LaShaunda to train writers on promoting their books online. Contact her at lchwriter@gmail.com or check her out at sormag.blogspot.com, lashaundahoffman.com , Facebook or on Twitter @lashaundaH.

Any thoughts?