Category Archives: Writing

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Closer…

Hello World,

Me when I first started dreaming...

Wow, I’m so excited that it is 2012!!! Why? Because in just about six weeks from now, God willing, one of the oldest dreams I’ve ever had for myself will come true…I will be a published author! And I’m also seeing the fulfillment of another dream that will remain private on this public domain…I’m so thankful I can barely contain my gratitude….

I recall a post I wrote at the beginning of 2009 entitled “Hope.Wish..Pray…” which was inspired by R&B and soul singer Lina’s song “Hope, Wish & Pray.” I was feeling a lot of angst then and wondering why God was taking sooo long…Below is an excerpt…

I don’t know about your relationship with God, but I let Him know how I feel. And sometimes I say, “Okay God, the answer to this problem is taking too long. I need for You to act right now. I cannot take it anymore.” When I get like this, my face is glistening with tears and I am prostrate on my bedroom floor. And sometimes I throw a tantrum. Yes, I get down and dirty. I take the Lord at His word. According to the Word, you can “cast your cares on the Lord, and He will sustain you.” Psalm 55:22. So I’m steady castin’ !

But that’s the beauty of God. If you know Him, love Him and try to serve Him, you can claim His promises. I do. And so with the sliver of belief that I have left that my dreams will come true, I will hope, wish & pray that in 2009, at least one, maybe two will come true…Please God!

I still do not know all of why God had me wait for as long as He did, but I trust in His timing…As is noted in Ecclesiastes 3, there is a time for everything…and God has shown me that this is my time to be closer than ever to the fulfillment of my dreams…So this morning, I’m inspired by another R&B and soul singer – Goapele and her song “Closer.” Check out some of the lyrics from the song…

Me at the Southern Ball which was part of President Obama's inauguration celebration back in 2009...My dreams weren't fulfilled then but the dreams of our ancestors were...Obama 2012!!!

I’m moving higher (Higher), oh…
I’m going higher and higher and higher (Higher and
Higher)
Closer to my dreams (Higher and higher, oh…oh…)
I’m moving upward and onward and beyond all I can see
(Stretching out my arms so I can reach)

Feels so close it’s like i can just reach
I can feel my dreams (Closer to my dreams)
I’m moving closer to my dreams
I’m moving (Higher and higher) higher and higher
(Higher and higher)
Moving higher, oh…

Y’all pray for me…

Any thoughts?

 

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Retrospect: 2011 in Posts….

Hello World,

Wow, in just THREE DAYS, a New Year will be here! To me it is no coincidence that the New Year follows our celebration of the birth of Jesus. Once we discover and rediscover our Savior, life can begin anew…and so that is where we are three days before 2012 commences…

As has become my custom, I like to take the time to reflect on my year here on After the Altar Call and remind me and you of my favorite posts for every month of the year…So if you have a few minutes, take this journey with me…

January 2011 – Remember our snowstorm earlier this year?! We in the A were hemmed up for nearly a week!!! I wonder what God has in store for us as far as weather is concerned this winter – Divine Hem Ups aka Atlanta Snowstorm 2011

February 2011 – Although I have lived in the A since I was six years old, I went to the Bronner Bros.  International Hair show for the first time in February, and I took you with me! If you haven’t been yet, you definitely need to check it out!  See for yourself why – Saturday in the A – Featuring the Bronner Bros. International Hair Show

March 2011 – I pondered what happens when your girls start getting married and you’re not. This is an issue that continues to evolve as other issues continue to emerge – What To Do When You Friends Get Married

April 2011 – I got it poppin’ on After the Altar Call after I posted my thoughts on Anthony David’s song “God Said.” Tribute to God or Jesus it was not in spite of the title…And David stopped by here to speak his piece making for a very interesting discussion of 31 comments – Controversy – Anthony David’s “God Said” video…

 May 2011 – I wrote a tribute to my mama that I’m proud of. I rewrote Proverbs 31 to describe my mama-girl Alice May – Alice May, It’s Your Day (Happy Mother’s Day to All Mothers)

June 2011 – I “spoke” publicly about my book for the first time…I still cannot believe that in less than two months I will have the published copy in my hands…Goose.bumps. – 2011 Faith & Fiction Retreat aka Debuting My New Book!!!

July 2011 – In July, after a few revisions, my book cover was released…I love it so…what do you think? – The Vision I Had in My Head Debuting My New Book Cover Woo Hoo!!!

August 2011 – I was blessed to interview Dr. Alveda King, niece of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and daughter of his King’s younger brother Rev. A.D. King, about her uncle and his dream the week that the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial, which is located on the national Mall, was to be officially dedicated…But God had other plans…A hurricane made it necessary to postpone the dedication to later in the year – Let Freedom Ring: Dr. Alveda King Remembers Her Uncle Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 September 2011 – In spite of the attack of the enemy, we are still here 10 years after September 11, 2001 – Remembering 9/11 10 Years Later…aka We Won’t Stop…

October 2011 – I never imagined when I began blogging in September 2008 that I would love blogging soooo much!!! And this year, I went to my first blogging convention where I was able to meet other bloggers who love it as much as I do 🙂 – Be Blogalicious! 

November 2011 – My line sister Lola Brown, who is a two-time breast cancer survivor, was featured on 11 Alive and TheGrio.com. Her full testimony is also featured in my book – My Line Sister is a Two-Time Breast Cancer Survivor Under 40 Years Old

December 2011 – And I was so elated to interview Kim Fields (Tootie from “Facts of Life” and Regine from “Living Single” last week!!! And wasn’t “Holiday Love” great?! I hope it becomes a Christmas classic! – Check out Kim Fields in her TV Christmas special “Holiday Love” airing on Christmas Day!!!

Any thoughts?

 

 

 

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I’m Bout It Bout It aka Marketing & Promotion Month 5…

Hello World,

Santa & Mrs. Claus! Aren't they precious?!!!

Have you got your Christmas decorations up? I’ve been known to procrastinate, but I’m happy to say that I put up my Christmas decorations yesterday! Yay! I know a lot of people put their decorations up the day after Thanksgiving, but I’m making progress…baby steps…

Okay, on to the subject of this post…If you’ve been checking out my blog for a while, you know that my book, After the Altar Call: The Sisters’ Guide to Developing a Personal Relationship With God, is coming out in just over two months (I’m SUPER EXCITED!!!). And since I started my marketing and promotion activities back in August, I’ve been writing a monthly recap of my progress….If you haven’t read those posts, check them out here…

“I’m Bout It Bout It aka Marketing & Promotion Month 1…”

“I’m Bout It Bout It aka Marketing & Promotion Month 2…”

“I’m Bout It Bout It aka Marketing & Promotion Month 3…”

“I’m Bout It Bout It aka Marketing & Promotion Month 4…”

The Riverdale Middle School orchestra got down...

 And so now I’m recapping month 5 or November! (I should have posted on this topic on Wednesday, but I had to meet a writing deadline…) The first order of business was to get help! As I mentioned in last month’s post. I’m a a full-time reporter, a part-time fitness instructor, a sometime market reasearcher, a freelance writer, a blogger and an upcoming author/marketing & promoting professional…and it was getting to be too much…But I’m happy to say that I now have secured help for my marketing & promotion and the planning of my launch party…Did I mention PARTY? Yes, I did…As Bishop T.D. Jakes says, “Get ready, get ready, get ready…” We are a planning a fabulous launch party for Feb. 14, the release date of my book, that will be the spot for you and your boo on V-Day…But if you are not booed up, that’s okay too because there will be something for erebody 🙂 More details to come…

Since I do have help, this has cleared up some mental energy to complete the final edits of my book AND line up my book tour…More details on that to come as well…In addition to editing and planning my book tour, I’m still freelance writing and blogging…In October, I told you I attended Blogalicious 2011, and now I have started networking with and supporting other bloggers! I’m proud to say I’m a part of Social Fabric, a community of bloggers, and I’m looking forward to expanding my blog and making it the best it can be…Expanding my blog is one of my marketing & promotion goals plus I just love blogging!!! And look out for awesome posts (if I say so myself) in the months to come…

Pointe South Elementary School chorus!!!

I also learned that tweeting is a marketing & promotion must at Blogalicious, and I’m trying to up my Twitter game…Last month, I only had 74 followers, but now, I have reached over a 100…and of course, I still need more…so follow me @jackiehwrites…

These two second graders sat next to me at the tree lighting...They were so much fun..I almost felt maternal...

As I have said in previous marketing & promotion posts, I still have some stuff up my sleeve and in the the months to come, more will be revealed…

And since I wrote this post in December rather November, I’ve included some photos from the City of Riverdale Annual Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Celebration I attended last night…Enjoy!

Any thoughts?