Life and Writing Chronicles 05-06-2015

MY APOLOGIES

I apologize for posting multiple blog posts today. It certainly is not my preferred method. However, current events have made it necessary. This post will hopefully be the last blog post today.

WRITING "THE STORY" I AM MEANT TO WRITE:
AN UPDATE ABOUT MY WRITING

Four days ago, I started writing THE STORY of a lifetime. I have no doubt whatsoever it is the one I am supposed to write. Truthfully, it could be a lifetime series. I am so excited about it. I finally found it. My story. The story. The one I was made to write.

Then this happened...

I AM VERY DISTURBED: MY PERSONAL JOURNALING ABOUT THIS DISTURBANCE (ISIS IS IN THE U.S.)

I woke up this morning to this article:

Headline: "Purported ISIS warning claims terror cells in place in 15 states"
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/05/06/purported-isis-warning-claims-terror-cells-in-place-in-15-states/

Please read that article before you read another word or do another thing. And, if you journal, do so now regarding the news article.

This news disturbed me. Greatly. And it disturbs me more by the minute.

How about you?

I woke up this morning, feeling fresh, alive, thrilled with a new and glorious day. What a gift and blessing! Today... an opportunity.

I even had ideas for my new book and series I couldn't wait to put down on the page. So many ideas. Oh, it felt glorious to know what to write. Oh, I was excited. I jumped out of bed, took care of my critters, and then sat at my favorite place on the sofa in the family room of our temporary home to capture the ideas on the page.

Then, I read this article.

And, everything froze. Life was frozen by a pressing of the pause button. I could not carry on. I had to stop and take this in. I am still doing this. (Even as I re-read this again later, I am still frozen where I am.)

My concerns were validated. (And then some.)

Quadrillions of thoughts went through my mind--and still are going through the wormhole of my present mind-state. Which thought should I get down on the page? What should I journal? I started to type in my online journal, Penzu.com:

"Closed-minded people, wake up!"

No. That is too harsh. Too derogatory. I should soften it. Right?

"Intentionally clueless people, wake up!"

No. Still too harsh.

"Narcissistic, me-centered, look and focus on me people, wake up!"

No. Strike that.

"Uninformed, ignorant, and people in denial, wake up!"

No. That is also too harsh. Sticks and stones.

I then wrote a scathing blog post, which I won't post, trying to slap people out of their stupor and force them to action.

But, that was too harsh as well.

Sigh. I grew frustrated and disturbed at this point.

I then wrote in my journal for the Church to stop talking about everything they are talking about... for pastors to stop writing their present sermons... for Christian bloggers, authors, and ministries as well to stop everything they are working on now... And get to the real discussion: the CURRENT HOLOCAUST.

But, that seemed too harsh, too.

But, there IS a current holocaust. No one is talking about. No one is taking a stand. IS it possible to get too harsh? The answer is no. Absolutely not. Harshness might slap people awake and force them to action. So would a real slap, but violence is not the answer.

But, should I say any of that?

"The world, the Church, the people, and most individuals are in a stupor and are clueless to reality."

Wait. That is harsh as well. While all of this is true, beyond shadow of a doubt, I should look within first. I should look in the mirror.

LOOKING IN THE MIRROR:
TELLING MY STORY

I should share where I am in my journal, which I then share with you. I should share my thought-FULL-ness about the current holocaust. How did I become educated and well-informed on the subject of the current holocaust? How did I research it for myself and not take anyone else's opinions or stances in account? In other words, how did I form my OWN, personal, informed stance on terrorism and on the current holocaust?

Maybe through sharing my story, I can help others to do the same.

Let me stress again, though, how greatly I am disturbed. This is why I must write about, and journal, the current holocaust and terrorism. Then, I will write my story, my fiction one.

I will do one more blog post today and start this personal journaling about the current holocaust and terrorism.

A TERROR ATTACK ON U.S. SOIL

This happened three days ago. Did you know that?

It happened in Texas.

Where are the voices?

NEWS LINKS ABOUT THE TERROR ATTACK IN TEXAS AND ON U.S. SOIL

1
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/05/06/fbi-was-investigating-texas-gunman-at-time-cartoon-contest-attack/
2
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/05/06/gunman-final-tweet-hashtag-hinted-at-texas-assault-on-cartoon-contest/
3
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/05/06/after-weeklong-controversy-charlie-hebdo-receives-pen-award-at-literary-gala-in/

OTHER NEWS ARTICLES TO READ, PRAY ABOUT, JOURNAL, AND KNOW

1
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/05/06/after-weeklong-controversy-charlie-hebdo-receives-pen-award-at-literary-gala-in/
2
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/05/05/federal-judge-agrees-to-let-ohio-terror-plot-suspect-privately-review-video/

TWO LINKS TO KEEP READING FOR NOW AND FOREVER SO WE CAN STAY INFORMED:

1
http://www.foxnews.com/us/terrorism/index.html?intcmp=subnav
2
http://www.foxnews.com/world/terrorism/index.html?intcmp=subnav

NEWS TO READ, PRAY ABOUT, JOURNAL, AND KNOW

1

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/05/06/purported-isis-warning-claims-terror-cells-in-place-in-15-states/

Please read this link immediately (#1).

2

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/we.cannot.stand.by.while.christians.are.executed.abused.or.enslaved.because.of.their.faith/53376.htm

3

http://www.newsmax.com/Headline/taya-kyle-chris-kyle-texas-attack/2015/05/05/id/642788/?ns_mail_uid=97105315&ns_mail_job=1619723_05062015&s=al&dkt_nbr=pumgvc95

4

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/241065-huckabee-jumps-into-2016-race

5

http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/241157-hillary-makes-play-for-blacks-hispanics

6

http://townhall.com/columnists/brentbozell/2015/05/06/hate-group-blamed-for-isis-attack-n1994825?utm_source=thdaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nl&newsletterad=

We cannot stand by while Christians are executed, abused or enslaved because of their faith | Christian News on Christian Today

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/we.cannot.stand.by.while.christians.are.executed.abused.or.enslaved.because.of.their.faith/53376.htm

Purported ISIS warning claims terror cells in place in 15 states | Fox News

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/05/06/purported-isis-warning-claims-terror-cells-in-place-in-15-states/

PLEASE read this. It is critical all Americans read this and become informed.

Video purportedly shows ISIS destroying ancient Iraq city | Fox News

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/04/04/video-purportedly-shows-isis-destroying-ancient-iraq-city/

Silence is Not Acceptable: Camp NaNoWriMo Writing Project Sunday, March 29, 2015

Silence is Not Acceptable: Camp NaNoWriMo Writing Project Sunday, March 29, 2015
~*~*~*~*~
Happy Sabbath. I hope all is well with you and that you have much to be thankful today.
I wanted to let you know my current writing plans for this blog. There is a great deal going on here and in our world, as I am sure you are aware. Therefore, this blog is currently a combination of:
1 Current events or news articles I think are important to read, pray about, and journal about. They are articles important for every American and every Christian.
2 Bible Verse of the Day to ponder and prayer journal about, particularly with how it applies to America, the world, every Christian, and the Church as a whole (all four at once).
3 My personal journaling and prayer journaling about #1 and 2, along with a call for us to wake up and take a stand against terrorism individually, as Americans, as a world, as individual Christians, in our local churches and denominations, and as the Church as a whole.
4 The Current Holocaust
5 The New Exodus
Starting in this blog post, I will share several different thoughts each day and each thought will be divided by this symbol: " ~*~*~*~*~ ."
After all, I am struggling with my role as an American and as a Christian in this war terrorists have declared on everyone who does not believe in the way they have deemed important. How am I to take a stand, given my resources and abilities? This blog, and my current writing project, is a reflection of all this.
~*~*~*~*~
Camp NaNoWriMo Preparation
Yesterday I announced how in spite of my crazy life right now, I still plan on participating in Camp NaNoWriMo in the month of April. Camp NaNoWriMo, by the way, is short for Camp National Novel Writing Month. However, it can also be for nonfiction works, which is precisely what I am writing.
I have chosen to write a minimum word count of 15,000 words, but hope to do 30,000 words ideally, or even 50,000, but I am not sure how I could do either of the latter. We shall see. I hope I can (thinking of "The Little Engine That Could").
My Camp NaNoWriMo Writing Project for April 2015 is:
"Silence is Not Acceptable. We Must Take a Stand. There's Too Much at Stake."
I refer to terrorism and the current holocaust that's occurring today again anyone who does not believe as the terrorists do, whom they call "infidel." It's also brought about what NEWSWEEK has called the "New Exodus" as Christians flee from their homes in the Middle East.
{See article: http://www.newsweek.com/2015/04/03/new-exodus-chri...}
This is what this blog is focusing on now. It's about getting informed about current events and doing something to take a stand against terrorism in the way I am able, which is with my pen.
People are being tortured and murdered as I write this, since they do not have the terrorists' beliefs. And, here I sit on a comfy couch in a nice suburban neighborhood, where people are not wealthy or poor. We don't really have a care in the world and have a normal life everyone dreams of. We are free. We can believe what we want, thanks to the forefathers of our nation and the American Military who have fought for our freedom--then and since.
But, there are those who are the exact opposite. They are being murdered and tortured. Now. As I write this.
How can I ever forget this? How can I ever overlook it or deny it?
No one deserves to die because of a difference in belief. No one. Not ever.
God is asking me, asking us, "What are you DOING about this today and tomorrow? How will you take a stand for my people?"
Pause.
And, I am humbled. Silenced. My heart tightens and my breath grows jagged.
I am ashamed for ever focusing on myself and complaining o myself or another about how my cushy life isn't fair or how God isn't doing what I want or when I want it. Shame on me. How can I ever be concerned  or anxious? How can I ever complain? I am supremely blessed. I have everything and everyone I want and need. God has blessed me immeasurably.
God asks what I will do in their name, and His, and not in mine. God wants to know what stand I will take.
My answer: "I have no idea, Lord. Please show me what You want me to do. I know you have equipped me in my own unique way, given the resources and abilities I have. Please show me what to do, how, and when."
The truth is it is rather intimidating.
I realize if I speak out, people might laugh, belittle, or deny the truth of what I speak and share. I also realize I could be hated for this or seen as a nut. But, am I here on this planet to live for public opinion or for the Lord and His purpose for me and my life?
What did Israel think of the prophets and their message?
No. I am not a prophet. But, I realize the prophets, who spoke the Word of God, sounding the alarm to the Israelites, were seen as whacky, nuts, crazy, and lunatics. Therefore, some may think the same of me. But, the truth is the truth.
We Christians have lost out first love and have lost our way. I certainly have, most moments of most days, if I am honest.
So, what can I do?
This, I will pray about and ponder.
For, this isn't about me. It's about the current holocaust the New Exodus.
~*~
Revelation 2:3-5 Expanded Bible (EXB)
3 You have ·patience [perseverance; endurance] and have ·suffered troubles[endured much] for my name and have not ·given up [L grown weary].
4 "But I have this against you: You have ·left [abandoned] ·the love you had in the beginning [or your first love]. 5 So ·remember [consider] ·where you were before you fell [L how far you have fallen]. ·Change your hearts [Repent] and do ·what [L the works] you did at first. If you do not ·change [repent], I will come to you and will take away your lampstand from its place.
Expanded Bible (EXB)
The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
~*~
Prayer journal your initial thoughts.
Now, think about all those slaughtered, tortured, and sold into sex slavery because they do not have the terrorists' beliefs. Then, prayer journal your thoughts about these verses.
How have you abandoned your First Love of the Lord Jesus Christ?
What keeps you from your First Love? He? How can you prevent it?
~*~*~*~*~

Mother of Coptic Christian martyred by ISIS says she is thankful he 'died for the cross' | Christian News on Christian Today

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/mother.of.coptic.christian.martyred.by.isis.says.she.is.thankful.he.died.for.the.cross/50721.htm

The real Easter message today.

ISIS's Mission: Burn Their Churches And Kill Their Pastors

http://thefederalist.com/2015/03/20/isiss-mission-burn-their-churches-and-kill-their-pastors/

The New Exodus: Christians Flee ISIS in the Middle East

http://www.newsweek.com/2015/04/03/new-exodus-christians-flee-isis-middle-east-316785.html

ISIS claims credit for twin suicide attacks in Yemen that reportedly killed more than 100

I thought you might be interested in this article:

At least 46 people were killed in suicide bombings at two mosques in the Yemeni of Sanaa Friday, as the nation continued its collapse into chaos, terror and death amid fighting between Islam's two major sects.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/03/20/dozens-dead-in-twin-suicide-attacks-in-yemen/

Sent via the Fox News app for Android. Download the app here:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.foxnews.android

~ Stacy Duplease
LG cell
http://RYPStories.blogspot.com

ISIS militants desecrate Iraqi church, replace cross with black flag | Christian News on Christian Today

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/isis.militants.desecrate.iraqi.church.replace.cross.with.black.flag/50142.htm

Blessings,
--Stacy Duplease

Email:
agodlyvision@gmail.com
rememberingyourpresent@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://rypstories.blogspot.com
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HDX Tablet

Tunisia arrests 9 in connection with deadly siege on museum, sources say | Fox News

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/03/19/tunisia-president-says-country-is-in-war-with-terror-after-tunis-museum/?cmpid=NL_morninghl

Blessings,
--Stacy Duplease

Email:
agodlyvision@gmail.com
rememberingyourpresent@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://rypstories.blogspot.com
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HDX Tablet

The Christians who are defying ISIS | Christian News on Christian Today

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/the.christians.who.are.defying.isis/49819.htm

Blessings,
--Stacy Duplease

Email:
agodlyvision@gmail.com
rememberingyourpresent@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://rypstories.blogspot.com
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HDX Tablet

Experts harness 3D printing to recreate ancient artifacts destroyed by ISIS | Fox News

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2015/03/18/experts-harness-3d-printing-to-recreate-ancient-artifacts-destroyed-by-isis/?cmpid=NL_SciTech

Blessings,
--Stacy Duplease
Email:
agodlyvision@gmail.com
rememberingyourpresent@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://alifeofthanks.blogspot.com
http://rypstories.blogspot.com
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire HDX Tablet

ISIS' army of 7-footers? Experts say video of Copt beheadings manipulated

I thought you might be interested in this article:

Video of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians being marched along a Libyan beach before being beheaded by black-clad members of ISIS is hard for any civilized person to watch, but two experts who made it through the sickening, five-minute clip told FoxNews.com Friday they came to the same conclusion: The footage was faked.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/02/20/isis-army-7-footers-experts-say-video-copt-beheadings-manipulated/

Sent via the Fox News app for Android. Download the app here:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.foxnews.android

~ Stacy Duplease
LG cell
http://RYPStories.blogspot.com

Taking a Stand Against Terrorism Journaling 02.20.2015.

Taking a Stand Against Terrorism Journaling 02.20.2015.

*******

Headline:

"ISIS might be harvesting organs, Iraqi ambassador tells UN, amid reports of more hostages being burned alive | Fox News"

Link to read for article of current event in the news: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/02/18/isis-repor...

Just the title of the article disturbs me. How about you?

Harvesting--organs--ISIS--terrorism...

The depravity of man.

How can anyone be silent after hearing this?

How can anyone not want to take a stand against terrorism?

Over the last month, ISIS has murdered people, declared war on several nations and religions, has beheaded people, has burned people alive, and now we hear about this.

How is this okay?

Our silence says it is okay. Our silence gives consent. Our silence is wrong.

Take a stand.

Do not be silent.

Say something.

Terrorists are harvesting organs to fund their terrorism.

I shake my head and shake on the inside at the thought. How is this okay? How is this not terrorism? How is this not extremism? How is this acceptable? How can we stay silent? How can we not take a stand?

No one deserves to be beheaded. I do not care if they are an animal or a human. I don't care what race, religion, gender, or social class. No one deserves this. Nobody. No one.

To be so immoral to find such acts acceptable, let alone do them... This speaks of someone horrendously evil and they cannot be reasoned with. If this is acceptable at all in your mind, you are so demented, so vile, so immoral that logic or reason are so far beyond you that you cannot be spoken with and peace is impossible. The depravity and evil of such a man...

There is only one thing that can be done with such an ideology that has been inbred for centuries--and that's destroy them and teach a new generation a new and better way of peace and love. The present generation does not know love or peace.

Mass beheadings... Mass burning people alive... Organ harvesting...

This is wrong. 

This is what evil looks like.

How can anyone be silent and not take a stand against this? 

I am finding it difficult to find the words to stress how appalled I am and how deeply this hurts me. How about you? 

********

Links to Read or Watch:

http://video.foxnews.com/v/4063656679001/isis-atro...

http://insider.foxnews.com/2015/02/18/new-report-i...

http://insider.foxnews.com/2015/02/18/i-dont-know-...

http://insider.foxnews.com/2015/02/17/o’reilly-calls-every-us-cleric-address-isis-their-congregation

******* 

Remembering the Cross #2

A Journaling Devotional

I cannot (and refuse to) look at the Cross the same. My faith has changed.

How about you? Journal your thoughts and turn it into a prayer.

Today marks four days since the beheadings of the 21 Coptic Christians from Egypt.

It has been four days since a new war, one by terrorists, was declared on the Nation and People of the Cross.

Today is Day 2 of Lent.

It is not just the fact that 21 Christians were beheaded. It's not just because another American was killed by the terrorists. It's far more than that. People have been burned alive, beheaded, raped, sold into sex slavery, organs have been harvested, and so on... all because of a difference in belief. I do not care who the victim was, where they lived, or what they believed. No one deserves that. And I take a stand for them and will no longer remain silent.

I must admit, though, with how war has already been declared on the USA and on the People of the Cross, it gets my attention all the more and slaps across both cheeks as a wake-up call. This forces me to look inward and upward. It makes me look at the Cross with a capital "C" and that is new to me. I always saw a small "c," but terrorists capitalized it and makes me realize Cross should have been capitalized all along, particularly in my life.

It's interesting to be called the Nation or People of the Cross... not Christian. Is it that they cannot say the name of my Lord, Savior, Redeemed, Messiah--Jesus Christ? Is it easier to refer to a hunk of wood or the manner of death?

Terrorists constantly focus on the past, from centuries ago, from decades ago. Nothing is fair. They cannot see beyond the past. It's where they dwell.

The Nation and People of the Cross focus on the future. On eternity. On never-ending life with our God and King, the only One True God and King. Our future is full of hope.

Their past is nothing but dark, full of hatred and violence. They do not hold fast to a future of hope. They also do not know about unconditional love.

The Nation and People of the Cross know unconditional, undeserved love. Abundant love. Eternal love. For, God is Love (1 John 4:7-8) and He is eternal.

The Cross is not steeped in death, but in life. Death was required so anyone who believes can live and have a future of eternal life and love. What a future of grace and hope.

***

John 17:3 New Living Translation (NLT)

3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

***

Journal your thoughts.

Journal about how your life has been impacted by the beheadings of the 21.

Journal about how it impacts you how a war has been declared on the Nation and People of the Cross.

*******

Verse of the Day from BibleGateway.com

1 John 4:11-12 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

11 Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and His love is perfected in us.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved

********

Journal your thoughts and prayer to the One True God. 

*******