Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Choices





2 Nephi 2:27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.


When I was 10, I chose to disobey my mother and play with matches. When she came into the bathroom and saw the match sticks in the tub, and smelled the smoke, she knew what was going on. She asked me, "Steve, did you play with matches?"


I then made another bad choice. I looked into her eyes as innocently as I could and told her, "No, mom. I didn't."


Later that evening my brother fetched me from the neighbors house because my dad wanted to talk to me. I knew I was busted. I walked into the living room where he and my mom were sitting on the couch. He looked at me and said "I want the truth."


I immediately responded, "I did it dad."


I was old enough to know right from wrong and I knowingly chose to be disobedient. I also chose to compound the problem by choosing to lie about it. I was free to choose, and I chose poorly. I did not, however, get to choose my consequence.


My parents chose to teach me a valuable lesson, and as Halloween was fast approaching, they knew the proper punishment. That year I was not allowed to Trick-or-Treat with the family.


I remember looking from the window in my room, I may have even been crying, bemoaning my fate, as my brothers and sisters left to Trick-or-Treat. It didn't seem fair. I was a captive in my own room. The choices I made, to play with matches and to lie, removed future choices from me. As a captive, I was unable to choose to Trick-or-Treat, or eat yummy candy, or dress up in a costume.


Silly example? Yes. But as we learn in 2nd Nephi, we are all free to choose liberty and life, or captivity and death. It seems like a simple choice, doesn't it? The trick is remembering the promised consequences before we make a choice.


Every choice we make in regards to obedience to God's law, helps to establish the foundation upon which we make future choices. When King David looked upon Bathsheba and then sent her husband Uriah to the battle front, he made bad choices, but were they the first bad choices he had made? No. It was merely a reflection of the man he had become over years of making bad choices.


On the other hand, every good choice we make strengthens us and builds a sure foundation beneath us as we strive to become the kind of men and women that Heavenly Father desires us to be. With every choice we make, we should ask ourselves the question "Will this lead me closer to captivity and death, or towards liberty and eternal life?"
Its a simple choice.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

LDS FICTION- DEFENSIVE TACTICS

Click on the Link to LDS Fiction to read the first chapter of DEFENSIVE TACTICS.
8/18/10

Defensive Tactics by Steve Westover
Posted by LDS_Publisher at 7:00 AM
Title: Defensive TacticsAuthor: Steve WestoverPublisher: Cedar FortRelease Date: August 12, 2010ISBN: 978-1599554457Size: 256 pages, 6x9, paperbackGenre: Suspense

Paul Stephens has it all--a wonderful job at the FBI, a new girlfriend, and a great apartment. Even when Jimmy, a friend from his past, unexpectedly ends up on his couch, Paul has no worries. But when arresting a corrupt judge puts his girlfriend's life in danger, Paul and Jimmy will do anything to save her. How far will Paul go to protect the ones he love?

Monday, August 16, 2010

I Am a Pistachio: Book Review: Defensive Tactics by Steve Westover

I Am a Pistachio: Book Review: Defensive Tactics by Steve Westover

Here are a few lines from Rebecca's review but please check out the entire review on her blog by clicking on the link above.

"What I enjoyed most about this book was how the main characters all grew and changed in various ways. They all had to search deep inside themselves to find out what they were willing to do (or weren't willing to do) to maintain their personal standards.

Overall, I found Defensive Tactics a quick, intriguing read that earns its place in the world of LDS-themed fiction."

Congratulations- Free Book

I'd lke to thank everyone who has signed up to follow my blog. August 15th was the final day to sign up for an entry to win a free copy of my new book, DEFENSIVE TACTICS.

I've had 30 people sign up so I decided to give away two copies instead of one. The winners of the free books are... Drum roll please...

Ann Bradshaw and Jone Connel. Thank you and congratulations.

Steve

Monday, August 9, 2010

Defensive Tactics- Officially Released

The official release date for Defensive Tactics was yesterday and I am happy to report that according to Cedar Fort, it is already #9 for the week among Cedar Fort publications. Here's the list.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Worth Checking Out...
First off, the Top 10 sellers this first week of August:
#1- Shattered Silence, by Melissa Moore & M. Bridget Cook
#2- Luck of the Draw, by Rachael Renee Anderson
#3- Zucchini Houdini, by Brenda Stanley
#4- Reluctant Soldier, Reluctant Saint, by Tom Roulstone
#5- Welcome to Stalk Lake City, by Sheralyn Pratt
#6- He Knows You, by Jill Lash
#7- Lipstick Wars, by Christine Thackeray
#8- The Divine Virtues, by Richard Rife
#9- Defensive Tactics, by Steve Westover
#10- Doctrine & Covenants Made Easier #1, by David J. Ridges

Monday, August 2, 2010