19. November 2008 by admin.

I had an interesting conversation earlier this week with some eighth graders. They compared how many friends they had on their My Space pages. It’s a badge of honor to have huge amounts of friends on My Space. It’s like, er, frequent fliers miles?

Anywho, after debating the issue, they discovered one thing in common.

Tom.

You know Tom. He’s the guy on My Space who becomes your instant friend once you sign up. (I used to have a My Space page but I deleted it. That website is too complicated for me.)

I remember being greeted by this pasty, nerdy looking guy in the white T-shirt and wondering..who is he? It’s Tom.

One of my eighth grade comrades quickly informed me that Tom created My Space. He must be pretty rich. If he truly is the creator of My Space, I suggest he purchase a new T-shirt with his gazillions of dollars.

Anyway, another girl chimed in: “Tom is not the creator of My Space.”

“Then who is it then?” the first girl retorted.

“Jesus”

We all looked at her perplexed. Her eyes flitted as she searched for a proper defense to her argument. Then, she casually responded: “Jesus gave Tom the idea for My Space so Jesus created it.”

My husband laughed. I pondered her logic.

I don’t give Jesus proper credit for my ideas.

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18. November 2008 by admin.

My newest magazine article entitled “A Cut Above” is now available in the Winter 08/09 issues of Clear Direction and Clear Horizon magazines.

This article addresses a very serious topic: self mutilation (aka, cutting) among young people. It offers tips on how to overcome this compulsion both spiritually and emotionally.

My prayer is that many who struggle with cutting will read this article and start on the road to recovery. You can order a copy from Randall House at http://www.randallhouse.com/

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17. November 2008 by admin.

Right now, I am going through a trial. What’s the trial? You ask. I’m not telling. The wound is too fresh.

Suffice it to say, I have two choices before me. I can see this circumstance as a huge disaster or I can use it as an opportunity to train. This could be the extra weight I need to strengthen my spiritual and mental muscles. Seeing it as a disaster would be easy for me - too easy. Seeing it as a training tool is difficult - too difficult, almost as difficult as the trial itself.

After moping for days, I’ve decided to buckle down and enter into the training process. (Ugh! It’s hard for me to say that.) I’m counting this trial as a joy.

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4, NASB).

I’ve spent the last month studying and memorizing James Chapter 1, not knowing I would encounter fiery darts shortly thereafter. If I had not prepared myself with this Word, I would be falling apart right now. The avalanche of despair and self pity would have stifled me completely.

And that’s far worse than the trial itself.

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20. June 2008 by admin.

I awoke with a heavy sense of dread looming over me. The voices in my head shot arrows straight to my brain. It’s already 8 o’clock. You are already behind schedule.  

My husband walked into the bedroom, looking chipper, well rested, dressed and ready to tackle another day. “Why are you waking up so late?”

Ugh! I flipped over and buried my face beneath the covers. Thoughts of novels and chapters danced in my head. After my spiritual high last week at the Lakeland healing revival, waves of despair washed over me.

The mind demons chimed in again. That’s right, you are so far behind. You want to write books? Ha, ha you can’t even wake up early.

“No, no, no!” I shake my head and jump out of bed.

My husband looks at me, startled. “Are you all right?”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I just need to have some coffee, “ I respond, stumbling into the living room.

“I didn’t know you drank coffee?”

I stopped dead in my tracks. He’s right. I am not a coffee drinker. I don’t wake up at 8 o’clock. I don’t think negative thoughts.

“Aaaah!” I pull my hair.

The biggest battles we fight are the ones in our head….or my head at least.

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13. May 2008 by admin.

I know, I know..I am in my twenties you ask. Why would I read teen novels? Well…because they are good! Right now, I am reading the Christy Miller Series by Robin Jones Gunn. This series follows the life of 14 year old Christy Miller: her ups, her downs, and her walk with the Lord. In the first book, she makes a commitment to Christ (Yay!). Subsequent books follow the various challenges Christy faces as a teenaged believer.

The books address issues many Christians face such as: 1) Making decisions based on what God wants versus what we want (”Surprise Endings”), 2) Getting back up and walking with Christ, though we fall flat on our faces (”Yours Forever”), and 3) Staying true to your faith despite pressures to conform to people or attitudes that are contrary to God’s Word (”A Whisper and A Wish”).  I encourage young and old alike to read this series. It’s excellent!

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28. April 2008 by admin.

Welcome to my blog! Let me introduce myself. My name is pronounced (press-lay-suh) and I write fiction for young people. I am currently writing several novels. In addition, I have several articles in publications such as CBN.COM, Clear Direction, and Clear Horizon magazines.

In my former life I was a child actress. I performed regional theatre in New York City and Connecticut. I also appeared in television commercials and print ads. During my high school years, I played ‘Cindi Ornette’ on the Nicklodeon TV series, “The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo.” As an adult, I set aside my creative pursuits to work a normal 9 to 5. However, I felt directionless…like I was missing out on my purpose. So after much deliberation and prayer I decided to pursue writing full time. I am happier for it!

This blog will address many issues of interest to young people. I love reading youth fiction and so I will also provide my opinion on different books. If you have any questions or suggested topics, feel free to email me info@preslaysa.com

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