Danielle Cress's Blog, page 8

New Custom Cover Designs

Howdy and Shalom!

Ruby Mae Here! I’m pleased and excited to announce I now offer a custom cover design service. I can also do other designs!

Check it out Here!  COVER DESIGN

Messianic Dancing

Howdy and Shalom!

Ruby Mae here! Today I’d like to share with you about a style of dancing we Messianics do for worshipping the Lord, Yeshua(Jesus). It’s called Messianic or Davidic Dancing. Below are listed most of the basic steps and how to do them. I also recommend checking out Jodi’s Dance videos on Youtube for more info.

Many Blessings and Happy Dancing!

Right Mayim

Cross left foot over right, step right foot to the right side,

cross left foot behind right, step right foot to the right side

Left Mayim

Cross right foot over left, step left foot to the left side,

cross right foot behind left, step left foot to the left side

Hopping Mayim

Same as above except you hop on each step

Open Mayim

Same as above except your body follows the steps

Hopping Open Mayim

Same as the Open Mayim except you hop on each step

Cherkissia

Step forward with right foot while lifting the left a little off the ground,

step back with right while lifting left a little off the ground

(Can step with left instead, but usually it’s the right)

Box Step

Step right foot out to the left, then left foot out to the right,

then right foot back to the right, than left foot back to the left

Hopping Box Step

Same as above except you hop on each step

Right Yemenite

Start with feet together, step to the right with right foot,

step left foot behind the right, step right foot back where it started,

step left foot back where it started

Left Yemenite

Start with feet together, step to the left with left foot,

step right foot behind the left, step left foot back where it started,

step right foot back where it started

Yemenite Combo

Start with feet together, step to the right with right foot,

step left foot behind the right, step right foot back where it started,

step left foot out to the left side, step right foot behind the left,

step left foot back where it started, step right foot back where it started

Back Yemenite

Start with feet together, step back with right foot,

step left foot back beside the right, step right foot forward,

step left foot forward beside the right

(Can start with left but mostly done with the right)

Right Davids

Step to the right with right foot, drag/step left to join the right

(Normally done joining hands with people in the circle)

Left Davids

Step to the left with left foot, drag/step right to join the left

(Normally done joining hands with people in the circle)

Balance

Shift weight from side to side

(Can be done by bouncing from one foot to the other)

Right Coupe

Cross left foot in front of right while doing a slight bow

or lifting your left hand toward heaven

Left Coupe

Cross right foot in front of left while doing a slight bow

or lifting your right hand toward heaven

Right Crossover

Cross left foot over the right, step to the right with right foot

Left Crossover

Cross right foot over the left, step to the left with left foot

Hopping Crossover

Same as above except you hop on the first step

Right Traverse

Step right with right foot, cross left foot behind the right,

step to the right with right foot,

touch heel/toe of left (Usually with a clap)

Left Traverse

Step left with left foot, cross right foot behind the left,

step to the left with left foot,

touch heel/toe of right (Usually with a clap)

The Bow

Step back with the right while lowering upper body

(Can be done with the left, but normally with the right)

Hora

Step to the right with the right foot, tiptoe to the right with left foot,

step in place with right while lowering left all the way down,

Step to the left with the left foot, tiptoe to the left with right foot,

step in place with left while lowering right all the way down

(This step is normally done quickly)

Walk

Walk with the beat (occasionally involves clapping with each step)

Run

Step fast with the beat (normally clapping with each step)

Spin

1pt spin=fast 360 spin/2pt spin=a two-step 360 spin/

3pt spin=a three-step 360 spin/ 4pt spin=a four-step 360 spin

Pivot

Switch directions by turning on your heel/toes(normally left),

stepping around with your opposite foot(normally right),

and shifting your weight from your heel/toes to your opposite foot.

My First Short Story!!!

Howdy and Shalom!!!

Ruby Mae here and very excited to announce my very first short story!!! It’s called The Deadly Close-Up. I hope you enjoy it! If you haven’t got the time to read it right now, here’s a PDF copy for you! The Deadly Close-Up

[image error]

The Deadly Close-Up
Ruby Mae O’Dell

Liquid ice pumped through her veins. Samantha Collins was so scared. Adrenaline had her heart racing. Her pulse roared in her ears. What would she do if the masked man found her?

The barn door creaked open. He’s coming inside! She sunk farther into the dark corner of the hayloft. Burying herself beneath the hay. Lord, please don’t let him find me! What did he want anyway? He could have anything she had, so long as he didn’t harm her or her son.

David. Thankfully, he went to the zoo with a friend and would be spending the night. So he should be safe.

The loft’s ladder squeaked. He’s coming up!

Lord, please help me! What do I do?

“Oh, Samantha, come out, come out wherever you are.” The man’s voice growled with excitement. Like a wildcat closing in on its prey. He knew her name? How? And what did he want with her? Her breathing slowed as the man paced the loft. Searching. Waiting for her to make an appearance. A sound. Anything to show her location.

“Hey! What are you doing up here?” The voice belonged to a stranger. She could only hope this newest stranger was a friend.

* * *

Wilson Harris stared the man dead in the eye. The man’s brown eyes and mouth were the only things visible beneath the ski-mask—a dead giveaway this man wasn’t supposed to be here. He had broad shoulders, thick biceps, about six-foot-three. Definitely not a man to tangle with. What did he want? To his understanding, his neighbors were a single mom and her fourteen-year-old son. And from the look of things, they didn’t have any valuables.

“I said, what are you doing here?” Wilson repeated.

“If you know what’s good for ya, you’d beat it,” the man spat out, sending him a deadly glare.

Wilson shook his head. “If I were you, I’d heed my own advise. I saw you sneak up here. So I called the police before coming up. They’ll be here shortly.” Wilson was bluffing of course. He’d heard creaking up here and came up to introduce himself to his neighbor. Lord, forgive me for lying and help him to fall for my ruse and leave.

The masked man seemed to be weighing the possible truth in his statement. Seconds crept into minutes. He maintained eye contact. Heart hammering in his chest. His breathing slowed. Would he take the bait?

Finally, the man mumbled something unintelligible. “Samantha! This isn’t over!” he yelled over his shoulder. Afterward, he pulled a gun on Wilson. “Get out of my way. Before I make you pay for the trouble you’ve caused.”

With hands raised, Wilson stepped to the side. The man kept the gun trained on his chest until he disappeared outside the barn. Air whooshed from his lungs. Definitely not the day he’d planned.

He’d hoped to introduce himself to his neighbor, get to know her a bit, and see what she knew about the drugs being smuggled through her ranch. His boss was anxious to crack this case. His job was to find out if Samantha Collins were the ringleader.

“Who are you? And what do you want?”

Startled, he turned around. A young woman with long, braided, brown hair and freckles stared at him. Her lips trembled as she spoke, “I asked you a question.”

Raising his hands, he gave her a friendly smile. “Name’s Wilson. I’m your new neighbor. I came over to introduce myself.” He extended his hand. She stared at it like it was some sort of trick before shaking it.

“Thank you for getting him to leave.” She shoved her hands in her pockets, then glanced frantically around the loft. As if expecting that man to return any second.

“He’s gone, ma’am.”

Tears filling her eyes, she shook her head. “It’s not that. C…can I borrow your phone?”

“Sure.” He handed it to her.

After dialing, she pressed it to her ear. “Hello, Tina? Is David okay?”

Ah, so that’s it. She’s worried about her son. Lord, protect this woman and her child. The worry in her eyes was real. Surely she wasn’t involved in the drug-ring. No one was that good an actor—were they? As a DEA-agent, he’d seen some stellar performances. But none were as realistic as Samantha’s.

“Good. Thank you, Tina.” The relief and love that filled her voice seemed too natural to be an act.

She finished up and returned his phone. “Thanks—again. I’m Samantha, by the way. Nice to meet you. Would you care for some coffee?”

He nodded. “Sure.”

* * *

Samantha carried two cups of coffee out to the screened porch, smiling at her handsome guest. His hand raked through his wavy, brown hair and his broad smile lit his tanned face perfectly. Lord, thank You for sending me help.

“So what brings you to Roaring Fork, Kentucky?” she asked, handing him his cup.

He took a sip before answering, “Work.”

“What kinda work are you in?”

“I thought it was my turn to ask a question.”

“Alright, ask.”

“What kind of work are you in?”

“I’m a photographer.”

“Really?” He set his cup down and stared at her with interest. When she nodded, he asked, “Could I see some of your work?”

“Sure! I just took some the other day of newlyweds.” She rushed inside and retrieved the extra copies of the couple. “Here you go.” She handed them to him.

He flipped through them. “These are wonderful!” His smile was bright. But the last one chased his smile away. Replaced with a frown as he studied the picture with intensity.

“What is it?”

“I think I just found out why that man was after you.” He handed her the picture. “Look toward the left in the background.”

There was a burly man at the wood’s edge behind the smiling couple. The man was looking straight into the camera. But he was so far in the background, she could hardly make out any other features.

“What’s he carrying?”

He stared at her. Studying her. “You don’t know?”

“No. It looks like bags of sugar.”

He shook his head. “I wish. It’s cocaine.”

The color drained from her face. Suddenly she was lightheaded. Someone was smuggling drugs across her property?“Ar…are you sure?”

“Positive. You’ve evidence against him. Not only do you have a shot of his face, but you also catch him with the drugs red-handed. That’s a grand motive for murder, Miss Collins.”

She took a step back. “H…how do you know my name?”

* * *

He slipped up. Oh, well. He was ninety-nine percent positive she was innocent anyway. Might as well be truthful. “I’m a DEA-agent. I was sent to investigate you. To see if you were part of the smugglers who’ve been smuggling drugs across your property. Now, I’m going to make sure this guy is stopped before he hurts you or your son.”

She blanched. Her body visibly trembled. “You thought I was operating a drug-ring?”

He shook his head. “No. I was sent to find out the truth. Now, I positive you aren’t.”

“Alright. Do you have any weapons? Anything to use in defense when that man returns?”

“My dad’s old revolvers and rifles are upstairs in the hall. You’re welcome to them.” She handed him the key to the gun cabinet.

* * *

It didn’t take long to get the guns out and loaded. He examined the weapons stretched out on the table in the dining room. Not bad. At least they weren’t defenseless.

The doorbell chimed. Filling the house with its short tune. Samantha jumped at the sound. “That must be the pizza man. I’ll be right back.”

Seconds after she left the room to retrieve the pizza they ordered, her home phone rang from its spot on the kitchen counter. He lifted it to his ear. “Hello?”

“Who is this?” answered a woman, her voice filled with panic.

“I’m Will, Samantha’s neighbor. Who’s this?”

“This is Tina.” At the name, Wilson’s senses went on full alert. “Tell Sam, David was kidnapped.” Tina was crying now.

Samantha’s screamed. Pumping ice through his veins. Causing him to drop the phone and rush toward the living room. “Let him go!” Samantha’s plea stopped him from entering. Pressing his back to the wall, he stayed out of sight. His breathing slowed. “Please! Let my son go! You can have anything you want. Just let him go!” Samantha pleaded with the man.

“I want those blasted pictures you took three days ago. Give them to me and your boy will live. If not, then he’ll get a bullet right through his skull. Got it?”

“Alright, alright! Just don’t hurt him.” Wilson could hear both Samantha and David whimpering in terror.

I need a weapon! He crept back to the dining room and grabbed two revolvers. He slid one in his belt at the small of his back and kept the other in his hand. Footsteps broke through the silence. They were heading to the study. Samantha was taking him to the pictures. He had to get Samantha and David away from him. Lord, help us!

* * *

Lord, get us out of this mess alive! Also, keep Will safe and use him to help us.

“Hurry it up!” The man hissed. His voice was like pure venom, suffocating her.

She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t concentrate past the sound of her son crying in fear. Her fingers trembled with such vigor, she had trouble sifting through the folders. Why did she ever put them away? To keep them safe until I could give them to the police, that’s why. Though, now, she regretted that decision.

Finally, her hands grasped the manila folder. She sucked in a shaky breath. In slow motion, she turned to face him. The fear in her sons eyes broke her heart. Lord, help us!

“Give it to me! Now!” The man growled.

“Let my son go first,” she demanded with more strength than she felt.

He chuckled lowly. “My dear, you don’t get to call the shots around here. I do. Now, hand me the folder, or you’ll watch your son die before taking a bullet yourself. Now, what’s it gonna be?”

His threat sent a frisson of terror through her. Chilling her to the core. She had no doubt he would make good on his threat. With trembling hands, she started to reach the folder to him. The sound of a gun being cocked filled the silence.

“How about doing things my way instead?” Will said from the doorway. “Now, turn around. Nice and easy.”

The man whipped around with David and cocked his weapon. “Out of the way or the kid gets it.”

A scream tore from her throat. “No! Please, let him go!”

“Set your gun on the ground and kick it toward me,” the man growled.

* * *

Wilson took one look into Samantha’s fear and worry filled eyes and knew he couldn’t risk it. Even with there being a chance of success. “Alright.” He laid his gun on the floor, raised back up, hands in the air, and kicked it toward the perp.

“That’s more like it.” He retrieved the revolver from the floor and tucked it in his belt. With an evil sneer, he tossed David to the side and whirled around to face Samantha. “Now, give it to me!” he commanded, gun aimed at David who was cowering in the corner.

“H. . .here.” Her hands trembled as she practically thrust the folder into his hands before dropping to David’s side. They hugged each other close. Both of them wept.

The masked man commenced to flipping through the pictures in the folder. Wilson pulled the second revolver from his belt. Aimed it at the man and pulled back the hammer. “Put your guns on the ground. I don’t want to shoot you. But I will if you don’t cooperate.”

The perp lifted his gun. Wilson didn’t hesitate. He fired a round and shot the gun from his hand. “Now, let’s try this again. Put your other gun on the ground.”

Gripping his hand, the perp sent him a deadly glare. He started toward Samantha and David. Wilson fired another shot. Hitting him in the shoulder. The perp yowled in pain and fell to the ground, gripping his shoulder. Wilson was on top of him within seconds. Wrestling the gun from him. A gun cocked. Freezing them in their tracks.

“Don’t move or I’ll shoot.”

It’s Samantha. Wilson took the opportunity to pin the man’s arms behind his back. Samantha gave him some zipties from her desk. He used them to bind the man’s hands. Wilson pulled him to his feet and led him outside to his car. Thank You, Lord! He was glad it was over and they were all safe. Now, maybe he could get to know the strong and courageous woman who’d played a part in subduing this criminal.

* * *

Seven months later. . .

Wilson led Samantha and David farther into the woods. Wouldn’t be long now. Just a little bit farther.

“Will, where are you taking us?” Samantha asked, coming up beside him.

“It’s a surprise. You’ll find out soon enough.” He gave her a broad smile.

They’d spent the last seven months getting to know each other and frankly, he didn’t know how he’d ever gotten along without her. His heart swelled with love for this woman and her son. God had bonded them in a way only God could. They were a family. Today, he planned to make it official.

When they reached the clearing, Samantha and David sighed in amazement at the massive waterfall in front of them. Pulling the ring from his pocket, he kneeled in front of Samantha. She gasped when he grabbed her hand. Her other hand went to her heart. A surprised smile lit her beautiful face. Tears of love shimmered in her blue eyes, causing them to glimmer like sapphires.

“Samantha, I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life without you and David being apart of it. Would you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?”

Tears streaming down her face, she nodded and wrapped him in a hug. “Of course I will! I love you, Wilson Harris!”

“I love you, Samantha,” he declared, slipping the sapphire engagement ring on her finger.

David smiled and clapped his hands. “Alright, Mom!”

Wilson couldn’t be happier. He felt more blessed than any man alive. And he was sure today was only the beginning of many more blessings to come.

Book Review: The Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy

Howdy and Shalom!

Ruby Mae here with a book review for a great book by Mary Connealy. It’s titled The Accidental Guardian. 

Here’s my review:

Like her other books, The Accidental Guardian is a great, wholesome, and uplifting read. Everything about this book is beautifully done; from the cover to the story itself. It has everything from romance and comedy, to thrills, danger, and suspense. Excellent story. A great read for anyone–especially if you like westerns! Way to go, Mary Connealy! I give it 4-stars!

Dry Bones!

Howdy and Shalom!

Ruby Mae here! Well, everyone, I have been studying Ezekiel lately. Chapter 37 to be precise. If you’ve read it, then I’m sure you’ll remember the prophecy concerning the valley of Dry Bones. It is a very interesting chapter in God’s Word!

You see, God told Ezekiel that these bones represent Ephraim or better know as the ten lost tribes of Israel. In the prophecy, God shows the bones rejoining together and their flesh reforming back over them. Afterward, God blows his Spirit into them and they stand to their feet. Pretty cool, huh?

Alright, so what does this mean? To me, I believe it’s when God replants His law and the desire to keep it in the hearts and minds of the lost tribes who have forgotten they were even Israelites. This is God resurrecting their lost spirits and brings them back to their Hebraic roots and ultimately to Him.

My family and I have been keeping Shabbat and the Biblical feast for a few years now. Just all of a sudden felt led by the Lord to do so. I firmly believe this is because we are apart of this prophecy.

I’d like to challenge you to read Ezekiel 37 and Jeremiah 31:31-36 and see if you feel like this applies to you as well. I’d love to hear your feedback as well! Feel free to comment below!

Many Blessings,

Ruby Mae

Check Out My Interview!

Howdy, Y’all!

Ruby Mae here! A couple weeks ago I received an invitation to do an interview on another blog. Rebekah has a beautiful website and blog that is very inspiring and uplifting. It was a huge blessing and honor to receive such an invitation. I hope and pray that Y’all will visit here at Ready To Be Offered. I’m sure you’ll be blessed!

While you’re there, be sure to check out my interview.

Many Blessings and remember, For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also!

~Ruby Mae~

Book Review: Sunken Treasure by Katy Lee. (With Bonus Devotional: Wearing Your Armor)

Howdy, Y’all.

Ruby Mae here! I just finished reading a great novel by Katy Lee, Sunken Treasure. I give it 5-stars!!! Katy Lee’s books have a great emotional depth as well as the element of faith standing out above all other aspects of the story.

Sunken Treasure is a suspense covering the story of an emerald-eyed beauty(Rachelle) who fears she’s just like her father, and a man(Gage) who was raised without a home. Both believe they’re unlovable because of their past. But they discover the truth when modern-day pirates force them together. Not to mention the best part, finding redemption and realizing they’re treasured by Jesus Christ.

(FYI: Tiny Spoiler Ahead!)

One of my favorite scenes is when one of the pirates takes a few shots at Rachelle. When Rachelle is knocked to the ground, seemingly hit by the spray of bullets, both Gage and Rachelle are shocked to find Rachelle suffered from no injuries whatsoever. When you read on, though, we discover the bullet did find its mark. What most readers(including myself) fail to remember when caught up in all the action was, Rachelle carried a Bible Gage had just given her a couple lines before. So what the pirate didn’t know and what most of us readers fail to remember is, Rachelle held the greatest shield of them all in her arms and that is where the bullet embedded itself, unable to cause her any harm.

Doesn’t that just send those tingles right through you?! Amen!

This scene also got me to thinking about what most of us Christian fail to remember. God and His Holy Word is our shield and sword in this evil day and age. When we put on our spiritual armor, our shield and sword go before us, shielding us and destroying the evil wickedness of our enemy the devil.

So often we leave our sword and shield in the corner to gather dust and cobwebs. But as soon as we’re overtaken by one of Satan’s evil schemes, we wonder what happened and where was God. If and when we think back, though, we would see that we left God at home in the corner, afraid of what the world would think if we wore our armor.

If we are truly born again Christians, then we can’t remove our helmets of Salvation, but we do have a responsibility and a duty to wear our whole armor every single day. Friends, the battle is real. We can’t afford to go into the heat of the battle with only part of our armor in place. The victory is the Lord’s and if we’re His children then it is ours too. But we must fight the good fight of faith and press on toward the mark of the high calling of our Lord and claim that prize so we can cast it down at our Savior’s feet.

Never let there be a day goes by where you don’t proudly wear your full Christian attire. Wield that Sword and Shield with boldness. Put on the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, and Gospel boots. We must stand bold, fearless, and mighty in our faith. Never turn your back on the enemy, never retreat. Resist the devil and he will flee from you! We can be victorious and we will be victorious when we stand with the Lord and are fully dressed in the Lord’s Army Uniform.

Christians it is time to start marching into battle. The day of our vengeance and victory are within our grasp. Our redemption draweth nigh for that mighty day of the Lord’s coming draweth nigh. When we stand for God, He stands for us. It is He who gives the victory; vengeance is His. When He is for us, no one can stand against us—not even Satan. Put on your armor, give God control, and watch the enemy flee and fall before your eyes. For my God is GREAT and nothing can separate us from His love. AMEN!!!

Many Blessing to you all!

Ruby Mae

What is Purity?

Howdy, Y’all!

Ruby Mae here! As Y’all know, I just posted my new page about purity!!! Well, to kick things off, I’d like to ask Y’all, my readers, a question.

 

What does purity mean to you?

 

Please send me your answers or post them in the comments below. With permission, I’ll use a few answers in my upcoming sub-page of A Love Worth Waiting For.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Many Blessings,

Ruby Mae
[contact-form]

New Page Now Posted!!!

It’s here folks! My newest page is now live! It’s titled A Love Worth Waiting For, So be sure to swing by and check it out and keep your eyes peeled for updates on that page as well, because I’ll be adding more stuff soon!

Many Blessings!

SHH. . .

Howdy, Howdy, Howdy!

Ruby Mae here! Today, I am sooo excited to announce that I will be adding a brand new page this month, Lord willing. Here’s the catch, I’m not going to elaborate too much on details. But please, please, please, keep your eyes peeled for it! I’m sure it will be a blessing to you!

I will say this, the targeted audience for this new page are teens and young adults. As you can probably guess with my coming from a large family and with my novels being based on a large family, I have a heart for young people.

So I hope y’all will keep watch for my newest page, coming soon!

Remember, For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Many Blessings,

Ruby Mae.