My Prayer for 2011

I pray You'll be our guide and watch us where we go. Help us to be wise in times when we don't know. Let this be our prayer when we lose our way. Lead us to the place. Guide us with Your grace to a place where we'll be safe. I pray we'll find Your light and hold it in our hearts. When the stars come out each night, they remind us of where You are. Let this be our prayer when shadows fill our days. Lead us to a place and guide us with Your grace. Give us faith so we'll be safe in a world where pain and sorrow will be ended and every heart that's broken will be mended. We will remember we are all Your children reaching out to touch You; reaching to the sky. I ask that life be kind. I ask You watch us from above. I hope each soul will find another soul to love. Let this be MY prayer. Give ME faith so I will be safe...

Continued blessings in the twenty one-one!!!

Soli Deo Gloria,

Step Brown

Still Not Satisfied...

Sometimes, life is all about that those choices that you wish you could take back...especially when you are STILL NOT SATISFIED...

Soli Deo Gloria,

Step Brown

Like Me...

For all the things you said I'd never do
For all the things you said that weren't true
For all the times you made me feel alone
Said I'd never make it on my own

For all the times you said "I got your back"
For all the times you stabbed me there
For all the times you tried to hurt my pride
For all the pain I held down deep inside

Things are lookin' up for me now
Seems like Karma's makin' its rounds
Its my turn now, won't be held down now
Karma's gonna visit you too
You gotta pay for the things you put me through
I hope you do, I hope you do

I hope your hell is filled with magazines
And on every page you see a big picture of me
And under every picture the caption should read
Not bad for a girl from the gutter like me

Needed to make me weak to help you feel stronger
I know y'all bitches think I'm somewhere dyin' inside
O yeah poor Steppie, she went home
She couldn't take it no longer
But I'm, right here
I'm right here
I'm right here....

Not bad for a girl with a troubled past like me...


Soli Deo Gloria,

Step Brown

He is born…

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! Thankfully, He was born, He lived, He died, He rose. Now He lives…in me and you. Always remember the only Reason for this holiday season.

May you seek God's will, may you trust His plan, and strive to walk in His footsteps. Have a very cool Yule.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Step Brown

A Holiday Story Continued...

MERRY CHRISTM...

A-Acts 1:1-2 reads I first wrote to you about all that Jesus did and taught from the very first until he was taken up to heaven. But before he was taken up, he gave orders to the apostles he had chosen with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Before we could be blessed with the Holy Spirit, Jesus had to be born. And that is the true gift...

Soli Deo Gloria,

Step Brown

A Holiday Story Continued...

MERRY CHRIST...

M-Matthew 1:18-23 shares with us This is how Jesus Christ was born. A young woman named Mary was engaged to Joseph from King David's family. But before they were married, she learned that she was going to have a baby by God's Holy Spirit. Joseph was a good man and did not want to embarrass Mary in front of everyone. So he decided to quietly call off the wedding. While Joseph was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, "Joseph, the baby that Mary will have is from the Holy Spirit. Go ahead and marry her. Then after her baby is born, name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." So the Lord's promise came true, just as the prophet had said, "A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel," which means "God is with us."

And so the party begins...

Soi Deo Gloria,

Step Brown

A Holiday Story Continued...

MERRY CHRIS...
T-Titus 2:11-15 tells us God has shown us how kind he is by coming to save all people. He taught us to give up our wicked ways and our worldly desires and to live decent and honest lives in this world. We are filled with hope, as we wait for the glorious return of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave himself to rescue us from everything that is evil and to make our hearts pure. He wanted us to be his own people and to be eager to do right. Teach these things, as you use your full authority to encourage and correct people. Make sure you earn everyone's respect.

Christmas is not just about His birth. It's about His purpose, the plan He fulfilled. Christmas is more than just our Savior being born.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Step Brown

A Holiday Story Continued...

MERRY CHRI...


S-1 Samuel 2:1-3 says Hannah prayed: You make me strong and happy, LORD.

   You rescued me. Now I can be glad and laugh at my enemies. No other god is     like you. We're safer with you than on a high mountain. I can tell those proud people, "Stop your boasting! Nothing is hidden from the LORD,and he judges what we do.

Jesus died that we may live. Jesus stepped down from His throne and took human form so He would know "what it's like to be me." Perfectly obedient--even allowing Himself to be born. And He knew exactly what the outcome would be. But He did it anyway...  Thank You Lord.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Step Brown

A Holiday Story Continued...

MERRY CHR...


I-Isaiah 7:13-14 reads Listen, every one of you in the royal family of David. You have already tried my patience. Now you are trying God's patience by refusing to ask for proof. But the LORD will still give you proof. A virgin is pregnant; she will have a son and will name him Immanuel.


God had been planning your salvation all along. He knew only the perfect sacrifice would do. And he gave...all He had. It's so sweet. 


Thank You, Lord!!


Soli Deo Gloria,


Step Brown

A Holiday Story Continued...

MERRY CH...

R-Romans 1:16-17 says I am proud of the good news! It is God's powerful way of saving all people who have faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. The good news tells how God accepts everyone who has faith, but only those who have faith. It is just as the Scriptures say, "The people God accepts because of their faith will live.

This good news is all because Jesus was born.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Step Brown

A Holiday Story Continued...

MERRY C...

H-Hebrews 9:27-28 says ²⁷We die only once, and then we are judged. ²⁸So Christ died only once to take away the sins of many people. But when he comes again, it will not be to take away sin. He will come to save everyone who is waiting for him.

But He had to be conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin and her name was Mary. He had to be born so He could die...for your sins. And mine!!

Soli Deo Gloria,

Step Brown

A Holiday Story Goes On...

MERRY

C-Colossians 1:19-22 reminds us that God himself was pleased to live fully in his Son. And God was pleased for him to make peace by sacrificing his blood on the cross, so that all beings in heaven and on earth would be brought back to God. You used to be far from God. Your thoughts made you his enemies, and you did evil things. But his Son became a human and died. So God made peace with you, and now he lets you stand in his presence as people who are holy and faultless and innocent.

This is the true meaning of Christmas. This is why you should be thrilled this holiday season. Look at what God has given you--a second chance. What a gift...

Soli Deo Gloria,

Step Brown

A Holiday Story Goes On...

MERR...

Y because God knew before the beginning of time that He would need a gift to save all of us. So He gave us the Perfect Lamb to die and shed blood for our sins. Why would He do this? Because of John 3:16.

John 3:16 reads For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

And that is why we have Christmas. That is why we celebrate with our families and give gifts. God started this whole process...

Soli Deo Gloria,

Step Brown

A Holiday Story Continued...

Already we have MER...

R-Romans 5:16-19 reads There is a lot of difference between Adam's sin and God's gift. That one sin led to punishment. But God's gift made it possible for us to be acceptable to him, even though we have sinned many times. Death ruled like a king because Adam had sinned. But that cannot compare with what Jesus Christ has done. God has been so kind to us, and he has accepted us because of Jesus. And so we will live and rule like kings. Everyone was going to be punished because Adam sinned. But because of the good thing that Christ has done, God accepts us and gives us the gift of life. Adam disobeyed God and caused many others to be sinners. But Jesus obeyed him and will make many people acceptable to God.

God accepts you through the obedience of Jesus Christ. And the first thing was Jesus had to be born of a woman and become flesh. All obedience to become the perfect gift... 

Soli Deo Gloria,

Step Brown

A Holiday Story Cont'd

Before we had ME...

R-Romans 5:12, 15--Adam sinned, and that sin brought death into the world. Now everyone has sinned, and so everyone must die...  15 But the gift that God was kind enough to give was very different from Adam's sin. That one sin brought death to many others. Yet in an even greater way, Jesus Christ alone brought God's gift of kindness to many people.

Most believe that we give gifts during this time of the year because people brought gifts to Baby Jesus. But when you really get to the 'nit and grit' of this beautiful story, you find out what was truly the gift.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Step Brown

A Holiday Story Continued...

Yesterday was M...

E: Ephesians 1:4 says "For he chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In
love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will to the of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves." 

It says before the world was created. That means before Adam, before Eve, even before satan thought of taking the form of a serpent, God made a conscientious choice to sacrifice His son, Jesus Christ, for the choices men and women would make.
So this season is not about you getting all the gifts you want. It's about accepting the free gift He has already given to us. Your best present will never be under the tree. The best present in the world is in your heart--should you choose to accept.
God had a plan for your salvation before He ever breathed life into anyone's body. How thoughtful...

Soli Deo Gloria,

Step Brown

Merry Christmas and Reason for the Season--M

With so much commercialism sprawled all over the Christmas season, most people do not give the purpose for this time a second thought. With that being said, I am taking the liberty of reminding the world why we all have a Merry Christmas and the true Reason for the season.
You see, it all began with man's fall with grace and a prophecy...


M--Micah 5:2, 4-5 reads But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,


though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will


come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are


from of old, from ancient times...He will stand and shepherd his


flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of


the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his


greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And He will be our


Peace...


Eve and Adam fell from grace which God knew would happen and He laid out a plan to reconcile us. He knew we would need to be redeemed. This is the beginning of this season...

Micah stampley-Holiness

Today, I just feel like confessing Whose I am. This song is the best testimonial for how I am feeling these days. I love You, Lord. So...

Take my heart and mold it.

Take my mind and transform it.

Take my will and conform it...

To Yours, to Yours, to Yours.

Holiness is what I long for.

Righteous is what I need.

Brokenness is what You want for me.

Take my life, It's Yours...

Deo Volente,

Step Brown

A PSA

*Step Brown checks the mic... 1-2, yall out there. Now she steps onto the soapbox.*


This is a subject that is near and dear to my heart. Do not let any young person you know and care about leave the third grade with knowing their multiplication facts, at least through the 12s. Do not let them go past the fourth grade with learning long division and how to write in cursive. Please, I beseech you, as an educator and a first-hand witness of what happens when you do not teach your children how to write and multiply, take the time and help them learn these fundamental laws of life. Yes, folks LAWS...


This is saddening to watch a 17 year old tell me I don't know long division or I can't tell you what is 7 X 8. Try watching a 18 year old print his name as his signature because he cannot "sign" his name. Please folks, I implore you, especially if you truly believe that children are our future...


*Step Brown hops off the soapbox, wipes a tear from her eye, slides said soapbox underneath the soapbox holder thingy, and strolls to the back where the future is depressing her.*


And now, back to your regularly scheduled lives...

The First Time



Sugar and Spice: Anthology
for the Grown and Sexy

This is my first published work. I have three short stories in this anthology. It's available on Amazon, Blue Planet Publishing, and other websites for books are sold.
 

Inside this great anthology, you will find four of the hottest romance authors delivering some of the sweetest and spiciest tales on the market. Join Avah LeReaux, Hazel Mills, Sunshine Royal, and me,
S. A. Brown, in Sugar And Spice.

My contribution includes:

"Fairy Tales"-- Despite the statistics, thirty-something Shelby Nix knows she will get married. When her church hires its new pastor, Rev. Jayson Wells, Shelby finds her ideal mate. And the fairy tale begins...

"In Love With"-- Preacher's son, Kenny Stevens, pursues and falls hard for the new mysterious young lady who begins attending his father's church. No harm with falling in love unless someone has secrets.

"Only One Night"-- Gabby talks about the one night that changes her life forever and how she wishes she could change it back. She always says it should have been only one night.

Still to come: My Novel Debut--Still Not Satisfied

Watch playboy Christian meander through changes as he arouses a past desire, yields to a current temptation, and awakens a new passion--all for the sake of satisfaction.

Deo Volente,
Step Brown

Happy Birthday...

Happy Birthday to my wonderful mother! I love her so much. She has done everything she knows how to do to make me who I am today. I pray she has many more healthy years left. I pray I can make her a grandmother someday. If anyone deserves to be a granny, my mother does.
Anyway, this is a Happy Birthday post and not a Stephanie's secret desire post. So Happy, Happy Birthday, Mama. Many Blessings and many more...

Deo Volente,

Step Brown

He understands...

Sometimes I feel like giving up. It seems like my best just ain't good enough. Lord, if you hear me, I'm calling You. Do You see? Do You care about what I'm going through. Sometimes I feel like I'm all alone and just like a stranger so far from home. I feel like I've done all that I can do. Please, Lord, give me strength. I'm just trying to make it through.

He knows just how much we can bear. And in times of trouble, He promised He would always be there. He is telling you, yes I understand. I am Your Lord. I see you and yes, I understand. I am the Lord. I changeth not. I won't forget, nor have I forgot. Everything works according to My plan. I am God. Trust me. I've got this whole world in My Hands.

I love it when He tells me, "Just one day. Just one more step. I'm preparing you for Myself. And when you can't hear My voice, please just trust My plan. I am your Lord. I see you. And yes, I understand..."

Deo Volente,

Step Brown

Lyfe Jennings Statistics

This is by far the best song Lyfe has put out there. In fact, I'm so moved by it, I had to post the lyrics.

25% of all men are unstable. 25% of all men can't be faithful. 30% of them don't mean what they say. 10% of the 20 remaining is gay. That leaves you a 10% chance of ever finding your man.

15% of all men got a complex. 15% of all men don't practice safe sex. 20% of them grew up in homes without a father. That's a 50-50 chance that you'll marry a coward. That's something to think about when you taking a shower. That's something to swallow when you drink your bottled water.

I'll teach you how to expose the 90% and show you how to keep the other 10. Rule #1: Don't be a booty call. If he don't respect you, he will forget you. Rule #2: If he's in a relationship and he will cheat on her, that means he will cheat on you. Rule #3: Tell him that you're celibate. If he wants some of your goodies, he will have to work for it. Rule #4: Be the person you want to find. Don't be a nickel out there looking for dime.

These are the statistics...

Deo Volente,

Step Brown

Fear

This poem is heavily inspired by a song I know. But it's exactly how I feel.

Fear by Stephanie A. Brown

I'm scared to try cause I'm scared to fail
I'm scared to die guess I'm scared of hell
I'm scared to kiss cause I’m scared to hug
I'm scared of sex guess I'm scared to touch

I'm scared to look cause I'm scared to see
I'm scared of you guess I'm scared of me
I'm scared to fly cause I'm scared I’ll crash
I'm scared to move on guess I live in the past

I'm scared to fight cause I'm scared I’ll bleed
I'm scared of love guess I'm scared he'll leave
I'm scared to swim cause I'm scared to sink
I'm scared of drugs guess I'm scared to drink

I'm scared to learn cause I'm scared of truth
I’m scared to gain weight guess I'm scared of food
I'm scared to write cause I’m scared it’s good
I'm scared I’ll fail cause I know I could

I'm scared to start cause I'm scared I'll quit
I'm scared the people won't like my shyt
I'm scared of the fame and the paparazzi
The rumors starting and the people watching

Fear, the tormenting spirit keeps me
From fulfilling my God-given destiny
Unless I stand firm, break its hold
Stories God gave me will never be told


Inspired by Jazmine Sullivan’s Fear

Deo Volente,


Step Brown

"Empire State of Mind"

                                                I never really paid much attention to this song. But today, as I was thinking of my SMART goal and "My Bucket List With a Twist", this tune popped in my head and has been there all day. New York will be my next big city adventure. That is a promise to me. New York-where dreams come true. Where the streets make you feel brand new and the lights will inspire you. Let's hear it for New York...

My First SMART Goal

Today, I had a complimentary life coaching session with a real-live life coach. While at this point, I don't think I want to invest any money with a life coach, I do realize what the root of my problem is. I'm LAZY! Plain and simple. I need some discipline in my life. And I am making subtle changes.
While on the call, I made a SMART goal. A (S)pecific, (M)easurable, (A)ttainable, (R)ealistic, and (T)angible goal. It involves my writing.

Specific-to write everyday (except Sunday)
Measurable-write at 6am for one hour
Attainable-I am working on my next book.
Realistic-Writing is my passion.
Tangible-I will have the finished chapters in my hand.

So there you have it. I begin in the morning at six. Happy Writing...


Deo Volente,
Step Brown

My "Bucket List With a Twist"

I know most people have a bucket list--a list of things they want to do before "they kick the bucket." Well, I want to do something different. I'm calling it my "bucket list with a twist" simply because it goes along with the semantics. The biggest difference is that I want to be a time limit on my list. I know people say before they die but no one really knows when that is.
I am putting my list in on a time limit. Since this is my thirty-fifth year, I am giving myself five years to get five things done. Here goes:

1. travel to Africa
2. travel to Europe
3. have a net worth of a million dollars
4. written and produced at least one movie
5. have at least three different streams of income

Well, there you have it. My bucket list with a twist. I got until December 31, 2015 to fulfill it. Wish me luck...


Deo Volente,
Step Brown

Tamara Lowe at Christ Fellowship

                                           You have go to see this video! You will be blessed by Ms. Lowe. I must say that I have. Please watch her and learn...

When You've Been Blessed...

Just your friendly resident encourager here spreading a little cheer!!! I wanted you all to know that God loves you, I love you and you should love you. There is no place you can sink that God's love cannot sink lower. There is no dark place that God's grace cannot enlighten. Release your worries and give them to God. He basically demands that you give Him your worries. Don't believe me, check out 1 Peter 5:7.
If you could only see you they way God sees. If you could just see the way He looks at you. It's a beautiful thing--the passionate relationship you can have with Him. You just have to make yourself available.
I don't have ALL good days but when I have them, I want to share my joy and peace with the world. Each one of you is special to Him. If I had a son, I can't say I would lay down his life for you. I'm just saying... But the blessing of the matter is that I don't have to. The decision has already been made for me--for us. Ain't that something to smile about?!?!
Smile because You have Someone who loves you more than you could ever imagine. I've been blessed and so have you.

You just never know...

Today drags by as I wait to go to the doctor's office. I'm sick again... Personally, I think it's stress but that is another blog for another time. Today, I would like to touch on the quirks and quagmires of people and their idiosyncrasies.
Last Monday, February 22, I received some shocking news. Now, I don't know if it was the weather, the attitude of the students, or perhaps, it was the bomb that dropped on me. I am still uneasy behind the news. It just don't feel right!!!
One of my former co-workers, whom I considered a friend, is now doing porn videos. Really? This is not about passing judgement. Believe me, I have no stones to throw. But a damn good teacher has left the classroom to take it up the rear. Yet, with today's educational system and budget woes, one has to wonder if those still in education are not taking it the same way--just with clothes on.
I guess it just takes my breath away. I mean, you know people work in that industry. You just don't think you know someone personally who works in that industry. Just never thought I travelled in those kinds of circles.
So I guess you never really know who you think you know. People are full of surprises. Just when you think you know a person and y'all on the same ride, they get off and do porn...


Pun explicitly intended!!!



I'm just saying,
Step Brown

Changing Clothes

Now that my coaching career is over, I can re-focus my attention to what really matters--WRITING is my true passion.
First things first though--changing my clothes. For the longest time, I've been cloaked with a spirit of heaviness. I've been smothered by financial changes, workplace drama, family matters, and personal insecurities. The last eighteen months has only been a transitional period and change is never easy. I'm changing~my world is changing too. So either I change or get pummelled along the way.
I am removing the cloak of heaviness to adorn the garment of praise. This is how it should be done...



Soli Deo Gloria

Step Brown

Feels Like Another One...

I remember this time 2009, I was running around trying to find a doctor, a lawyer, and a new car. This year, 2010, I start it off with the flu. Will the end justify the means? It will if God is up in through...
Most times when you are going through your go-through, you never stop to realize that this is all a pruning process. A stage for you to grow whichever way you choose. Just keep in mind, if you do not learn the lesson the first time, you will ultimately have to go through the lesson again~until you get the story right.
So learn the lesson while you are in class. That way you do not have to repeat the lesson and miss time going forward because you are going around. Yep, the beginning of 2010 feels like another one--one more process to becoming the woman God wants. Step-by-step and Glory-By-Glory!!! That is how He does His thing.
Just remember when you are going through hell, make sure you keep going...


Soli Deo Gloria,

Step Brown

New Year's Priorities

I still cannot believe 2009 is gone and 2010 is here. Where did the year go? I know it's time I can never get back. Because of that fact, I know I need to make some changes.
There were several meaningful events for me in 2009, good and bad. With the onset of 2010, I have decided to have 2010 priorities--not resolutions. Resolutions seems so final, whereas priorities feel more flexible. Priorities change. Resolutions need to be resolved--like a permanent situation. Priorities...can change and usually do.
As we grow and become better than we were yesterday, we would hope that our values and beliefs change with us. And they should. So instead of having resolutions that make us feel like failures when they are not resolved, let's have priorities which will change as we do. Won't you join me?



Deo Volente,

Step Brown