GOT MY FOURTH SET OF EDITS BACK!!! *EEEK!!!*

Okay, guys, got my fourth set of edits back and am currently in the process of reviewing them. Everything should be smooth sailing from here. I expect to have them returned by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. So far I've found few mistakes so I'm sure the next time they come back to me won't take as long since there will be way less to correct. 

If I had to guess when the novel will be sent to print, I'd say late August. I'll keep you updated!!!

I'm so excited!!!! The process is moving along nicely and I look forward to moving on to marketing once I've signed the release form!

I hope all of you have a blessed day!

~Brooke-Lauren

Carrie

How many of you have seen the movie Carrie? Which version? 1976, 2002, or 2013?

Yes, there are three versions, all of which are good. However, each differ in their own way. The film is based of Stephen King's novel, Carrie in which a high school girl gets bullied and her home life isn't much better. Her mom is a raving psychotic who has religion so twisted that even her daughter knows she isn't right. Finally, Carrie has enough of the abuse and accidentally finds out she has telekinetic powers. She exercises them and just when they gain in intensity, all hell breaks lose at prom after a terrible prank is played on her.

Carrie 1976 has nudity and a good amount of profanity. Sissy Spacek plays a convincing role of an abused child haunted by years of torment. John Travolta also stars in the film as the male antagonist, Billy Nolan.

Carrie 2002 has a much different ending that Stephen King's novel. The ending had a nice, hopeful ending, but for those who enjoy movies that go exactly as the novel, stick with the 1976 version or the 2013, which I'll soon get to. The 2002 version hardly has any profanity and there's no nudity. It's just as intense as the 1976 version and, Angela Bettis also plays a convincing Carrie. I don't remember if this film played in theaters.

Carrie 2013 was, in my opinion, the best out of the three films. Maybe it's partly because it's up to date with technology so things look more realistic. But Chloe Grace Moretz and Julianne Moore gave an academy award winning performance that left me reeling when the ending credits rolled. Even though Chloe Grace Moretz isn't how Stephen King describes Carrie, an overweight, unattractive blonde headed girl, she still played creepy well. Very well. The ending is similar to the ending of Stephen King's novel. The 2013 was definitely an on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller.

If you haven't seen any of these versions, watch them! Especially the 2013 version. Of course, that's only my opinion. For those who've seen them, what's your take on each one? 
 

What Sin?

Written by Brooke-Lauren Montgomery

Have you ever wondered how God could ever forgive you for what you've done? I have many times--innumerable times. 

I have good news for you today! He wants to take the sin from you. 

I woke Sunday morning around 6:30 and couldn't fall back to sleep. I laid there thinking about what I'd done wrong the past week. I literally thought, "How could You ever forgive me for what I've said and done? I don't deserve it." I was afraid to ask for forgiveness because I didn't want to be rejected. So, my past fears of all the people who shut me out, the ones who didn't accept my apology after I gave a sincere apology kept me from approaching God immediately to ask for His forgiveness. 

God is not like people. People are imperfect and will fail you over and over, but God? Never. He will never fail you. He wants you just as you are. He's a tender and compassionate God. Psalm 86:15 says, "But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." (Emphasis mine).

Look at how many italicized things there are in the small verse! He's compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. And He doesn't just have a little bit of love and faithfulness, but abounding in it! 

After I stopped thinking of all I'd done and tried to go back to sleep, a song I hadn't heard in years came to my mind. I couldn't remember the verses but I remembered one specific part of the chorus: What sin? 

I grabbed my phone and looked up the lyrics. The song is called What Sin by Morgan Cryar. I'll provide the lyrics and the youtube link to the video below: 

"It happened so long ago
And I cried out for mercy back then
I plead the blood of Jesus
Begged him to forgive my sin
But I still can't forget it
It just won't go away
So I wept again, "Lord wash my sin,"
But this is all He'd say

What sin, what sin?
That's as far away
As the east is from the west
What sin, what sin?
It was gone the very minute you confessed
Buried in the sea of forgetfulness

The heaviest thing you'll carry
Is a load of guilt and shame
You were never meant to bear them
So let them go in Jesus' name
Our God is slow to anger
Quick to forgive our sin
So let Him put them under the blood
Don't bring them up again
Cause He'll just say

Lord, please deliver me
From my accusing memory
Nothing makes me weep this way,
Then when I hear you say" (repeat chorus)

http://youtu.be/lEqR2zlaDTs 

One look at the lyrics and I knew God had given that song to me so that I'd look it up and be comforted. It was as if He Himself was saying it to me. I immediately felt that I could come to Him and ask forgiveness. I was able to fall back to sleep after that.

I also knew what song I would I'd be singing next Sunday for church! 

So, friends, don't be afraid to go to God because He's waiting with arms open wide. People may fail you, but He never will. 

   

EVERYTHING MUST GO! Check out GREAT DEALS HERE!

Hey guys, I'm constantly listing and lowering prices of my items on ebay! Right now, purchase a Buy It Now item and receive another Buy It Now item of your choice for 15% off! Everything must go!!! I'm wanting to get rid of as much as possible to make moving easier for me! I've got everything from clothes, to books, DVD & VHS lot, purses, and more! 

Here are a few items of many for sale! Thanks for looking!!! To go to my ebay site to view all available items, click the link or paste to browser: http://www.ebay.com/usr/romans828brooke

Cosmetic Bags starting at .99!

Rina Rich Purse starting at 3.99!

Frank Sinatra Copy signed by Artist starting at 17.00 OR Buy It Now at 33.00!

 Dorm/Room Decor B starting at .15!

Faded Glory P.J. pants starting at .99!

Heaven: Why It's Not Just White Fluffy Clouds and Harps

 Written by Brooke-Lauren Montgomery

Everyone, at some point in time, has wondered about Heaven. Does it really exist? If so, what's it like? How long has Heaven existed? 

The following blog holds information that some may scoff at, but may I encourage you, if you're one who feels bitterly toward believers, The Bible, or God, keep reading. The end proposes a very important question and food for thought. :)  

I would venture to say that most people who believe there is a heaven, believe it's all white, fluffy clouds with an angel playing a harp around every corner. I'm here to tell you that it's not remotely close to what Heaven will be like.
And right now you're probably staring at the screen slack-jawed, thinking I'm a blasphemer. But wait a minute--allow me to explain myself. First off, the fact that Heaven won't be all white clouds and harps is a good thing! While that alone is beautiful imagery, it just cannot compare to what's really in store according to 1 Corinthians 2:9 and Revelation Chapters 21 & 22

Does Heaven exist? Yes! Heaven does exist. John 14:1-4 says, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know."

What is Heaven Like? 
Okay, so think of the most beautiful place on this earth right now......just close your eyes and meditate on that for a good ten seconds or so.....now, that place you're thinking of can't begin to compare with what Heaven will be like. We can think or dream up the best place in the world and Heaven is MUCH better than it! That's just what's amazing--no matter what we imagine Heaven to look like, it's FAR better than whatever our minds imagine it to be!   

1 Corinthians 2:9 says, "But just as it is written, 'Things that no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind imagined, are the things God has prepared for those who love him.'" (NET Bible)  
This means, there will be things we'll see and know that we've never experienced before, in Heaven.  

This next section makes me just explode with overwhelming joy and anticipation!  

 Okay, so if Heaven isn't white clouds and harps, what is it?  Jesus Christ is preparing our future home right now as you read this. When we die, we don't go to straight to Heaven but we do reside with God in the spiritual realm somewhere. But it's not yet Heaven. I know this sounds confusing, but bear with me. I'll make it more clear. When a person dies, their spirit and soul leaves the body. Our bodies are just vessels for our spirit and soul. Immediately after death, the believer's soul and spirit is present with The Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8) However, since Jesus said His Father is preparing a place for us in John 14, that means Heaven isn't yet completed, for when it is, Jesus will come back for His church. Think about it! It's been over 2,000 years since Jesus walked this earth and spoke these words to His disciples and God is still preparing a place for us?! Wow, it must be ALL KINDS OF AWESOME for Him to be working on it all this time! 
The believer also won't get a new body until after everything is completed in Revelation. We won't be in pain at all nor be surrounded by sin since we'll be present with The Lord. We won't have our new and glorified bodies until Heaven is ready for us to enter. So, the soul and spirit is what's present with The Lord once a believer dies. 
What is Heaven? The Bible has many different verses that say similar things regarding our New Home. Isaiah 65:17 says, "Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore."
2 Peter 3:13 says, "But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells."
Isaiah 66:22 says, "As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me," declares the LORD, "so will your name and descendants endure." 
Revelation 21:1 says, "Then I saw 'a new heaven and a new earth,' for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea."
So, God is creating a new heavens and a new earth. Heavens more than likely pertains to a new solar system, a new galaxy, new stars. The new earth will be our new Home! This world we live in right now will be destroyed by fire, according to 2 Peter 3:10- "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up." 
Once this present earth is destroyed along with the current heavens (solar system, the sun, moon, etc.) we will be ready for our Home on the new earth (after all Revelation is complete). The new earth is Eden restored. According to Revelation 21, The New Jerusalem will be on the new Earth and God will dwell with His people and be their God. Every tear will be wiped from every believer's eyes by God Himself. 

Now, what will Heaven be like? Revelation 21 & 22, provides extraordinary accounts of it's appearance. 
Check out this passage from Revelation 21:
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

The New Jerusalem, the Bride of the Lamb 

"One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick. The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.
 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life."

Guys, does those seriously not AMAZE you to the core how BEAUTIFUL this sounds?? Who wouldn't want to live here?! And for all eternity??! Just read through that passage slowly again and take in every detail given! Check out the beauty below to get a mere idea!

The wall was made of Jasper:
  The city made of pure gold as pure as glass & the streets of the city, gold as pure as transparent glass:

                Jasper is foundation one:

  

Second is Sapphire

  Third is Agate

 Fourth is Emerald:

 Fifth is Onyx:

Sixth is Ruby:

Seventh is Chrysolite:

Eighth is Beryl:

Ninth is Topaz:

Tenth is Turquoise:

Eleventh is Jacinth

 Twelfth is Amethyst:

The twelve gates were pearls (each gate a single pearl):

And, finally, imagine needing no sun or moon because God's Glory lights the New Earth! 
 


Revelation 22 speaks of how Eden is restored. Imagine life before the Fall of man, how Adam and Eve had it perfect. They didn't have to labor for their food. They were completely innocent to the point of not even knowing they were naked. The New Earth is the restored Eden and everything will go back to being perfect. (Now, whether or not we'll be naked, I have no clue lol). However, more than likely we will carry on, on the New Earth similarly the way we do now, but void of all sin, pain, evil, and anything negative.


We'll get to roam, like Adam and Eve once did, with the animals and they'll no longer be afraid of us. The lion will lay down with lamb, prey and predator will reside together in peace. Isaiah 11:6 says, "In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all." We'll also get to eat from The Tree of Life!

I encourage you to read the below chapter of Revelation 22. It's nothing short of amazing.


Eden Restored

"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

John and the Angel 

The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.” “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.” I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”

Epiloque: Invitation and Warning

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.  And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen."


When I read and study about what God has in store for His children, I get SO ecstatic! 

I want to say that even for those who are on the fence of believing or flat out don't believe, can I ask you a question? What would you lose in believing or having faith that Heaven's real and that God is preparing a place for His people? Let's say you believe we go nowhere when we die. Okay, if you're right, that means we have nothing to look forward to but an eternity of non-existence. But, what if you're wrong? What if you decided to believe that God exists, that He's preparing an unimaginably beautiful place where we'll be free from every wrong thing we've done, every bondage, every addiction, every evil act done toward us and in the world, even sin, every form of pain, completely gone? What if you took that chance to believe there's a place being prepared for those who believe in Jesus Christ, that He died for the world to take away their sins? In the end, if you choose to believe, and we do spend eternity in Heaven or hell, then you've lost nothing but gained everything...OR let's say Heaven isn't real but you choose to believe even though you used to believe we go nowhere after death...what have you lost? Nothing. Even if Heaven isn't real but you believe, only to die and go nowhere, you've lost nothing at all. But what if the belief of going nowhere after death is wrong? That we either go to Heaven to live with Jesus for all eternity, or to hell with endless torture, perpetual wailing, screaming, and gnashing of teeth? What will you lose then should we really go to one of the two places, after death claims our bodies? Everything. So, friend, what would it hurt to believe? If you don't know how to believe, contact me! I would LOVE to speak with you! My email is childoftheking@suddenlink.net  

For anyone who has questions, feel 100% free to contact me!

Blessings,

~Brooke-Lauren

Women Who Kill: Profiles of Female Serial Killers

So the past few days I've read the book Women Who Kill: Profiles of Female Serial Killers by Carol Anne Davis. 

It's a non-fiction novel that tells of the accounts of women serial killers and why they kill. It delves into the past of the female serial killer and tells of the murders they committed when they grew up. 

If you like books about crime and behind the motives of why they were committed, you'll enjoy this book. It's shocking and most of the stories I read in this book I already saw on Investigation Discovery shows Nightmare Next Door and Wicked Attraction. I'm certain that if I could handle blood, I'd have gone for a degree in forensics and applied to be on the homicide team. My analytical mind mixed with my acute attention to detail would have made me good at this job. I constantly watch Investigation Discovery shows such as Nightmare Next Door, Behind Mansion Walls, Forensic Files, Cold Case, Wicked Attraction etc.

I also have a strong belief that those who kill or commit any crime need to be put to justice and that the families of the victims deserve closure. Cold Case also interests me. I'm a perfectionist and wouldn't be able to rest until the cold case I'd be working on was solved. 

I recently just watched a video online for my criminal justice assignment that blew me away. I was appalled at the criminal justice system. It put a foul taste in my mouth and only made me further wish I could do something about the corruptness that sometimes goes on within the system. 

Have you heard of Michael Morton? If not, watch this video and you'll get to know him very well, along with his sorry prosecutor that landed him 25 years in prison for a murder he never committed.

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/evidence-of-innocence-the-case-of-michael-morton-50122139/ 

As far as Women Who Kill: Profiles of Female Serial Killers, I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. It will also give you a new prospective of women, that they can be just as cruel as men concerning murder. It proves that just because a woman looks innocent doesn't mean she's not without the capability to harm or kill.(I'm not implying to go around being suspicious of all women). But this book will make you want to be more conscious, cautious, and open to all possibilities dealing with murder.

You can purchase Women Who Kill: Profiles of Female Serial Killers at the following link, on ebay, or amazon:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/women-who-kill-carol-anne-davis/1112366919?ean=9780749005726

I'M FREE!...Do You Want To Be??

 written by Brooke-Lauren Montgomery

The following message and experience is not intended to offend anyone, but to help others. I want you to know that I'd never post anything to intentionally offend because I care for every reader who reads my blogs. This message is for believers and non-believers alike. Believers will probably understand this blog more-so than unbelievers, BUT it applies to both.


I just had the most AMAZING experience this morning at church.

This past week was extremely draining for me emotionally and spiritually. For those who've read my last blog titled Who You Are, this is an update. For those who haven't read it, I encourage you to do so. :) 

This past week I've sought freedom from my fears and worries, doubts, and my past hurts. I'd reached the breaking point and decided I'd had enough of feeling down when I didn't have to feel that way. 

It's very difficult to be happy when you're not, and even though I felt a lot better after speaking with my pastor's daughter Tuesday evening, I still felt unhappiness. Since I was just four years old, I carried the weight of my struggles to fill a void that was never filled. And after nineteen years of hobbling with the pain, I finally decided I wanted it gone no matter what. I'd give up searching and putting materialistic things in its place to try and achieve happiness. I'd give it all up if I could just have peace and have the void filled. 

I'd known for years what the answer was to filling the void, but kept my arms pushed out, resisting that answer because I didn't believe it was enough.

I've been the most emotionally, physically, and spiritually drained I have been in a long while. For the past few days, I've lost a few pounds because I wasn't hungry. I've slept odd hours never feeling I had gotten enough sleep. And this morning, I nearly overslept for church because I'd fallen asleep last night before putting my phone on the charger and it died. 

I got out of bed desperately hoping that the message I would hear this morning would speak to me. I don't think I necessarily even hoped I'd be set free but just longed for God to speak to me. 

Well, I got set free and I cannot stop smiling. This peace I feel is unbelievable. I went to the altar and released my struggles and I told God I no longer wanted them because I knew that they were holding me back from becoming the woman He wants me to be. 

I have a knot in my throat even while typing this. Reaching my breaking point was a beautiful thing because it gave me the will and desire to get rid of all I've held on to for much too long. 

I want to share my notes I took this morning. The pastor told the congregation that God wanted him to preach over Complete Freedom this morning. My pastor said he fought with preaching over it because he had recently done so. He said he knew that God would set people free if he preached over it this morning, that it was highly important he gave this message. Along with several coming to release struggles, there were a couple who gave their lives to Christ.

I've never felt so much relief in all my life. I feel the lightest I've ever felt and I can physically feel the absence of the overwhelming weight that had been pressing me down. 

The following notes were taken this morning. I almost couldn't write fast enough:

Complete Freedom John 8:30-36

Sin, no matter the size, can keep a Christian from enjoying freedom at its fullest.

>1 Corinthians 5:6- "Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?" NKJV

    *We don't think of how a little bit of sin makes a difference in out walk with Christ.

Freedom At Its Best (V. 31-32)

  *God doesn't want us to wake every morning with dread, fear, & bondage.

  *Addresses the Spirit and Soul of a man. (v. 31)

  *To be free is a spiritual and soul issue. You can have chaotic events in your life and still be free. 

  *You can have the best life and still  not enjoy it.

  *There's nothing wrong with desiring to be blessed.

  *Freedom does NOT come in material things, but in Jesus Christ.

  *You can have very little in this world and be the happiest person on the block.

Freedom starts in the spirit and soul.

  *It's not about material possessions. It's in our hearts.

True freedom is found in knowing The Truth. (v. 32)

Jesus was saying to live the Bible, learn His precepts and principles. By obeying The Word of God, freedom comes into your life. 

There are people who are saved but still walk around hanging on to the sins of their past.

  >Let it go! Once Jesus comes into your heart and you ask forgiveness, He remembers it no more, so you must forget about it--move on and no longer dwell on it!

  >Past hurts can keep you bound, but you can be free of them. All people have been hurt by other people and we may start to believe God will treat us like man does, but it's a lie!

  >Get over your past hurts. Don't let it take you over and make you miserable! Let it go and be set free. Let God transform you into the person He wants you to be.

  >But it all starts with freedom. As long as you're bound, God cannot do what He intends to do in your life.

  >Be also free from your failures

    From temptations

    From offenses

    From greed

    From fear

    From anger

    From depression

    From hate

    From bitterness

    From addiction

    From everything when we let it go and let God take over and set us free.

>Hidden sin can also keep you from enjoying what God wants you to have.

>Sin absorbs a Christian's freedom. (v 33-34)

    *Hidden sin can be the culprit. (v. 33).

  -A lot of times a person will deny having a problem or being in bondage. Denial will hold you down and keep you from receiving freedom.

>If you can't get away from something, you're in bondage and it could be just the slightest tug--but it can keep you from being happy.

   *Sometimes it has to get bad enough to make you say, "I've had enough. I'm tired of this."

>Tolerate sin enslaves (v. 34)

   *Whoever willfully commits sin over and over is a slave sin. 

   * When we can't get out of it, we're in bondage and a slave. 

   *Hanging onto a sin is like choosing to walk with a limp the rest of your life--knowing there's a cure for it!

>Complete freedom is found in One Source (v. 36)

   *Jesus Christ

   *2 Corinthians 3:17- "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." 

This message made my heart pump wildly in my chest because I knew God was speaking directly to me, along with anyone else the message was for this morning. Even though the message appears to be aimed at Christians/believers, it applies to  non-believers, too. 

I encourage anyone who's in the same boat as I was to take that step and let your struggles go. I honestly can't even describe to you how amazing I feel. Philippians 4:7 is so right, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." It's seriously indescribable and blows my mind how awesome I feel. 

I'm never letting this go. From here I choose to keep moving forward with my eyes ahead...after all, that is why God put our eyes in front, so we'll look forward instead of back. :) 

If I may pray for anyone, please don't be afraid to contact me. I'm here to encourage, listen, and help. Here's my email: childoftheking@suddenlink.net 

I hope this message blessed you today! 

Love,

~Brooke-Lauren

UPDATE on The Protected and Reflection Unknown

This has been a pain-staking & gruelling process, this first rodeo with getting published, BUT I know the wait and efforts will totally pay off! I know this manuscript like the back of my own hand. I've completely read through it at least five times. I just submitted my fourth round of edits and am waiting for the corrections to come back to me. I should have them back the end of next week. I will then re-read through the entire manuscript again, making sure there are no errors (obvious ones, anyway), then send it back the fifth time. Hopefully I won't have to make anymore edits this next round and, if I don't, I will send it back saying I'm ready for it to go to the printers. At that time, they will send me a release form to sign and once I sign it, the manuscript moves to printing and I am transferred to marketing where I will schedule my book signings and such. I will also receive a new Galley/ARC (Advanced Reader's Copy). That's a demo of what the book will look like in its completion, what the readers will be seeing and reading!

I will have some books on sale at a cheaper price, but it's a limited supply. I don't even know how many I will have yet, but I will update you and let you know. My book is available for pre-order now at www.tatepublishing.com. However, I suggest you wait to pre-order until I give my update because the price of the book isn't finalized yet since it's still in the editing process.

For those who are seeing my blog for the first time, I've posted the front and back cover of The Protected: The Unseen Realm, due to release sometime in August.

As for my second novel in the works, I just went back through it and made drastic changes. (Good changes, of course). These changes have made the manuscript much stronger and will increase my chances of landing an agent! The title of this novel is Reflection Unknown. I'm not revealing anything more than the genre at this time since I've not found an agent/publisher. This book is a horror/suspense/romance. Romance is the subplot. It has to do with good vs. evil but it won't be published in the Christian market due to its graphically intense scenes with blood and "light" profanity. If you enjoy books that make your hair stand on end and, where, by the end of each chapter a pile of nail & cutricle shreds lays next to you, then you'll be a fan of this upcoming novel. 

I've been writing since I could pick up a pen and am STILL learning new ways to enhance and make my work much stronger, more realistic. I hope to have the manuscript completed by December then hunt down agents. My dreams consist of my novels being box office worthy, where, hopefully, sometime in the future they'll be turned into successful films. 

Every since I was little, I wanted to do three things: teach school, act, and write. (All different things, but do require a certain amount of creativity.) I've kept hold of those dreams and know that, if it be God's Will, it will happen in His timing! 

Will you help get the word out about The Protected: The Unseen Realm as well as my upcoming novel, Reflection Unknown?

As soon as I get my fifth set of edits back, I'll post a sample chapter of The Protected: The Unseen Realm! 

Thanks so much for reading!!!

~Brooke-Lauren Montgomery 

Who You Are

                                                       Written by: Brooke-Lauren Montgomery

Have you ever wondered, perhaps extensively, or tonge-in-cheek, why you were born? Why you were ever even conceived?
May I assure you that everyone at some point has let this question cross their mind. Including me. Two days ago I had one of the hardest nights I've had in a long while. I was miserable. Physically ill. Depressed. Hopeless. Uncaring as to whether I lived at that moment.
I felt like I wouldn't be able to climb out of the funk I'd sunken into.
There are many types of people and I fall under the category of the reserved, shy, analytical (to the extreme), intuitive type. Having an overly analytical mind can be one of your biggest enemies, yet, at the same time, one of your best friends...depending on the situation. It's a bitter/sweet thing, love/hate relationship. 

Mostly my analytical thinking is my enemy.

The mind is the greatest, most harsh battlefield. And highly prolific. How many of you think of more than one thing at once? There tends to be a greater percentage of women who do this than men. Our minds are constantly at work. The mind and brain never completely rest. There are times when my mind feels like an internet browser with a thousand different windows going on simultaneously. It constantly darts to one thing after another, worry after worry, fear after fear, along with wondering what I'll eat for dinner, what assignments are due next for class, when I need to pay the next bill, etc.

Most people's minds generally have one primary focus with other small things branching off from it. And I struggle with fear and have since before I was an adolescent. I'm a perfectionist and that definitely doesn't help with my fears and worries. Especially in relationships.

My worry has become nearly too much to bear. I take all relationships seriously, and am loyal to my friends. Recently my worry has clawed at my insecurities and has exasperated a good friend and I fear I've lost the close relationship we had. Due to my past, I'm insecure in my friendships because I worry too much about messing things up or for some reason causing them not to like me.

All throughout my years of school, I was an outcast. Never had more than two close friends, one being like another sister to me. And even she walked out without an explanation, leaving me to wonder what on earth I did wrong. Over a period of years, I would start losing friends that way and I assumed I must have been doing something wrong because they'd offer no reason why. They'd stop talking to me or asking me to hang out. And this slowly started eating away at my mind, shredding my ability to trust and want to make more friends only to have them walk out. Over time, I developed an inability to trust and believe anyone who befriended me truly cared and loved me as I had loved my past friends. 

This OCD-like fear is about to cost me a best friend and someone I see as a second mom. Two nights ago, I was at my breaking point, tired of being paranoid I'd done something wrong in the relationship. So I called my pastor's daughter and we talked a while. By the end of the conversation, I felt much better. I was so tired emotionally and spiritually. 

I was tempted to get angry with God for allowing the miserable feelings to fester and stay within when I so desperatley wanted them to leave. But instead I got mad at satan and put my foot down, declaring that I'm much stronger than this. I declared that I don't have to feel sad or afraid constantly about messing up a friendship. I don't have to think everyone is out to hurt me and that everything they say is a lie. I don't have to be perfect. And I knew God made me strong even in my weakness. 

Still, I feel like I'm being pulled this way and that, on the verge of being ripped in half--Good pulling me to the right, and evil to the left. My temptations have never been so strong in all my life. I've tried things I never in all my 23 years of life would thought I'd even consider. I can feel destruction waiting to spring. And I can feel blessings awaiting if I turn down the things I know are wrong.

I've carried so many burdens since I was a young child and I'm so tired. I'm ready to give them up so I can smile genuinely on the outside. Don't get me wrong, I love God, my life, my family, but worry and fear consume my mind to the point of hopelessness. 

And I'm learning to do as 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to the obedience of Christ." 

So, anything that I know goes against God--what He says is wrong in His Word, what goes against what He says about us (Psalm 139:14, Jeremiah 29:11-13, Romans 8:28, Matthew 6:33, Zephaniah 3:17, & more), placing others's opinions of us over God's & making it the center of our focus, MUST be taken captive and turned around to the TRUTH of God. 

In doing that, every insecurity, fear, worry, doubt, anger, bitterness, hate, etc, will dissipate over time. It's not an instantaneous thing, but a process in which we have to purposely turn our minds to Christ whenever any false thought comes to mind. Could God make it an instantaneous thing? Yes, but He does want us to learn to trust Him and come to Him with anything and everything that hurts, tortures, and bothers us.

So, who are you? You don't have to know yourself, just Who knows you and what He thinks of you. That's all that matters. In doing that, you'll eventually find yourself and the confusion will melt away. It's not an easy journey, but it's one that you don't have to walk alone.

When you feel alone, don't go off by yourself because it makes things worse. Trust me. I've done it numerous times and it's nothing but an opportunity for satan to get his disgusting foot in the door of placing wicked things in your mind. It's a prime opportunity for him to beat you over the head with things from the past, and current worries and fears.

When you feel down, talk to God or grab someone who's close to you and talk to them. It's so much better than holding it inside because I've done that numerous times and it's a MISERABLE feeling.

If you don't feel you have anyone, please contact me by my email. I would love to talk with you. I'm an excellent listener and I know how to keep a secret. I want you to escape the miserable feelings I've felt and the ones I haven't felt but that you may feel. I may not know you from Adam, but I care.

I listened to a song that I needed to hear yesterday called Remind Me Who I Am by Jason Gray. This song is so beautiful and accurate to Scripture. I will provide the youtube address if you'd like to watch the video and hear the song in it's entirety. Here are some of the lyrics:

"When I lose my way and I forget my name,
Remind me who I am.
In the mirror all I see is who I don't wanna be,
Remind me who I am.
In the loniest places,
When I can't remember what Grace is:

Tell me, once again who I am to You, who I am to You.
Tell me, lest I forget who I am to You, that I belong to You."

http://youtu.be/QSIVjjY8Ou8


And one last thing I feel I should mention. Spiritual warfare. It's real. We can't see it, but it's absolutely real. When your mind won't leave you alone, constantly bringing crap back up from your past, etc, that's satan messing with your head. And when you feel comforted, that's God hugging you and giving you relief. Together, those two things are called spiritual warfare, two separate armies of entities that war against each other and we're caught in the middle.
This next youtube video is one of my favorite skits performed. It has been performed in many churches and even in some public places where it tugged on many hearts and lead them to giving their lives over to Christ. The skit was done at my church and the bikers who attend there cried.
Enjoy this video of the prime example of spiritual warfare in a person's life.

http://youtu.be/U3WBvbLDMmI

I hope this post has encouraged you today. Have a blessed rest of the week!

~Brooke-Lauren Montgomery