Author Spotlight (Shantae A. Charles)

Today, I turn the author spotlight on my sister, editor & fellow author: Shantae A. Charles.

Shantae Charles is principal of God Ideas, LLC; a publishing, editing, and creative arts consulting company. She is a licensed minister, singer, songwriter, freelance writer and author of the popular novel series Church Love. She has been teaching for the past ten years to adults and youth ages 3-18 in various subjects and arenas, specializing in Life Skills, Abstinence Education, Spiritual Education, Stress Management and Corporate Spiritual/Gender Conflict Management.

She currently has a blogspot entitled: Legs Closed Mind Open. Check it out at:

http://legsclosedmindopen.blogspot.com

Church Love can be purchased on her blogspot or the following link below (note: this link is to Book One):

http://www.amazon.com/Church-Love-Worthy-Second-Chance/dp/098445960X/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1309859869&sr=1-7

Freedom

Many of us today will be celebrating July 4^th with cookouts, fireworks and everything else in between. I write this post today thinking about this country and what it stands for. Notice the pledge of allegiance doesn’t say “with security and justice, for all,” it says “with liberty and justice, for all.” I don’t write this post because my father & I served in the US Armed Forces, I write it for all of those who either have been, are currently or contemplating entering the US Armed Forces. If it wasn’t for the US Armed Forces, we wouldn’t have the freedom that we unfortunately are taking for granted.

I salute my fellow soldiers as we celebrate the 4^th of July, for we didn’t fight for security, we fought for freedom (in 1776). Some people think security and freedom are the same words, but they aren’t. The more security you have, the less freedom you have. Today, so many want security over freedom and we’re losing the true meaning of what this country was built on. Sure, many can say it was built while beating the backs of others, but still this is our country.

And this needs to be mentioned although it’s been heard many times; freedom does have a price which somebody else has to pay for. Think about it. As you celebrate this 4^th of July, think of those who died for you to enjoy the freedom in this country. They didn’t die for you to have security; they died for you to have freedom. And last, but definitely not least; our Savior died to set us free from the bondage of sin. Galatians says to stand fast in the liberty which we are called (I know I’m paraphrasing), but you get the point.

And with all of that said, have a great 4^th of July!