Friday, December 16, 2011

The Launch of Blessed Reader

Launching a Christian lifestyle website was one of my goals for 2011.  At first, I thought I would get started in August.  When things had not come together by August, I aimed for October.  Writers submitted their articles but still there was no site.  Finally, yesterday afternoon, I received word that the site was ready to launch.  I was so excited.  Beautiful, yet imperfect, I am happy with how the site turned out.  I am grateful to my daughters, Jordan and Brittany, for being a big help to me.  Jordan is my tech support.  She is a wise, but impatient teacher.  Brittany set up and launched the Blessed Reader Facebook page and the Blessed Reader Twitter page.  She is an invaluable asset to Blessed Reader.  Without writers, there would be no online magazine.  I am so grateful to the writers for their willingness to take a chance on this new venture.    Special thanks also to the Dream Design team at Go Daddy.  Last, but not least, I thank Father God for giving me this vision and opening doors so that it would come to fruition.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Salvation

Salvation is the best gift you will ever receive, the only one that can never be taken away, and it is a gift that is always available to you as long as there is air in your lungs.  There is no trick to obtaining salvation, it is a free gift from God.  If you are ready to accept God's gift to you, see the simple three step process below:

1.  You must admit that you are sinful, that you have done things in your life to displease God.
"For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."  Romans 3:23

2.  You must know that you deserve to be punished for your sin.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 6:23

3.  You must confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that God sent His son, Jesus, down to earth to die on the cross for your sins and that He was raised from the dead on the third day.
"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."  Romans 10:9

And that is it.  If you genuinely went through the three step process above, you are saved! Welcome to the family!

Seven Reasons to Start Your Own Business

By:  Connie Renee Clay, Esquire

1.  It allows you to have a creative outlet.
2.  It is a way to raise extra money.
3.  You can show your children first hand the value of hard work.
4.  Tax breaks
5.  Job creation
6.  Integrity
7.  It's easier than ever.

To read the complete article, go to www.blessedreader.com/Shes-the-Boss.html

7 Steps to a Healthier You

By Chelsea C. Reeves, MPH

7.   Drink more water
6.  Limit salt and sodium intake
5.  Eat smart
4.  Move, move
3.  If you smoke, quit
2.  Celebrate every gain (or in this case, every loss)
1.  Meditate daily, 1 Thessalonians 5:17

To read the full article, visit www.blessedreader.com/Health-Wellness.html

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Seven Things You Should Know before Hiring an Attorney

By LaFonda Gipson Middleton

1.  Meet with the attorney and determine if you're compatible.
2.  Find out if the fee is a flat fee, contingency fee or an hourly rate.
3.  Contact the Florida Bar or the state bar where you reside to determine if the attorney has been disciplined.
4.  Ask for referrals.
5.  Ask about the attorney's trial experience.
6.  Ask if the attorney with whom you consult will actually handle your case.
7.  Ask the attorney what his or her policy is on returning calls.

Read the whole article at www.blessedreader.com/Legally-Speaking.html

Seven Ways to Show Christ at Work

By Roger L. D. Williams, M.Th., J.D.


1.  Develop relationships
2.  Avoid proselytizing
3.  Avoid wasting time
4.  Follow workplace rules
5.  Allow room for the Holy Spirit to lead
6.  Live out the faith that you preach
7.  Pray

To read the full article, visit www.blessedreader.com/Christ-at-Work.html

Seven Things That Women Do That Cause Men to Lose Interest

By Trey

1.  Nagging
2.  Always putting a man down
3.  Trying to take the man's place
4.  Acting as though you don't need a man
5.  Thinking men are mind readers
6.  Not wanting to act feminine
7.  Always bringing up the fact that you make more money than your man does

To read the entire article, go to www.blessedreader.com/Christian-Men.html

Seven Reasons Why Christians Can Benefit from Counseling

By Lindy Diffenbaugh, LMHC and Certified Life Coach



1.  Satan still goes to and fro seeking whom he may devour.
2.  Most of us grew up in dysfunctional families.
3.  We are all defiled by societal norms that we accept without question, yet these norms defy Biblical principles.
4.  Many of us struggle with besetting sins (overeating, lying, etc.)
5.  Christians are not immune to the emotional pain of imbalances in biochemistry.
6. All of these issues are compounded when they are played out in a marriage.
7.  A good Christian therapist can be a vital tool to continued spiritual growth.

To read the entire article, go to www.blessedreader.com

Don't You Dare Ignore These 7 Signs

By Saundra Taylor
1.  Stay in Your Lane
2.  Private Road-No Through Traffic
3.  Construction Proceed with Caution:  New Traffic Pattern
4.  Dead End
5.  No Parking
6.  No U Turn
7.  Rocks

To read this article in its entirety, go towww.blessedreader.com

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Seven Simple Steps to a Brighter Financial Future

By Nick Simonic, CPA, MAcc

1. Organization
2.  Live Frugally
3.  Reduce Debt
4.  Do What It Takes
5.  Maximize Your Savings
6.  Don't Put All of Your Eggs in One Basket
7.  Look Beyond the Dollar

To read the full article, visit www.blessedreader.com

The Blessed Reader Tour de France

Join us for the trip of  a lifetime!

The Blessed Reader Tour de France will tour Paris and several other memorable sites in Northern France from August 2, 2012 through August 10, 2012.  The land only price of $1,139.00 covers lodging, most tours, transportation by motor coach, and many meals.  Airfare from Orlando is $1,699.00, Dulles, $1,599.00, and JFK $1,603.00.  You may depart from any major airport.  Prices will vary.    A $250.00 deposit will hold your spot.

To receive a full color brochure, please e-mail blessedreader@ymail.com

Additional information is also available at www.blessedreader.com

Read & Recommended

Books read and recommended for your reading pleasure:
Reviewed by Brittany Aimee Clay

So Long Insecurity, You've Been a Bad Friend to Us
By Beth Moore


Revolution in World Mission
By K.P. Yohannson

Autobiography of George Muller


The Hiding Place
By Corrie ten Boom


Hungry for More Jesus
By David Wilkerson


Choosing God's Best
By Don Raunikar


The Hole in Our Gospel
By Richard Stearns

To read the reviews of these books, go to www.blessedreader.com
For a free copy of Revolution in World Missions, visit www.gfa.org
To purchase any of these books, please visit the Blessed Reader E-store at http://astore.amazon.com/blesread-20