Q&A on The Process of Asking for, Receiving and Giving Love & Forgiveness by LaShawnda Jones

The Process of Asking for, Receiving and Giving Love & Forgiveness is essentially a Bible study of the principle concepts of love, repentance, and forgiveness. The book further explores the importance of communication and the oneness of giving and receiving. The Process of Asking for, Receiving and Giving Love & Forgiveness is the first book of a Bible study series written by LaShawnda Jones, titled The MeatyWord. Stay tuned for more from this promising young author, but for now, learn more about her current work, The Process of Asking for, Receiving and Giving Love & Forgiveness.

Q. What led you to create this book now?

I’ve been studying the Bible for some time now. And I’ve been sharing my writings about my spiritual evolution for nearly four years. In my studies and my compositions, I’ve come to recognize that there is a lot of misinformation being spread about the gospel. Misinformation coupled with the waywardness of popular culture keeps us all headed in the wrong direction. The desire to write about foundational Biblical principles came into my heart and I decided to follow the prompting. I rely heavily on the Word of God and illustrate sparingly from my own experiences to paint as much of 360° picture of what God is expressing in His Word.

Q. Who should read The Process of Asking for, Receiving and Giving Love & Forgiveness and why?

My introduction in Love & Forgiveness is all about this question. I asked myself, “Am I writing to the people who love, or to the people who are loved? Am I addressing the repentant at heart, or the unrepentant? Should I focus on those who have forgiven, or those who have received forgiveness? Is this work ultimately for people who believe in God, His Son Jesus and His Holy Spirit, or for those who don’t believe at all?

The answer that came back to me was, “Everyone represents, has represented or will represent each of those characteristics at any given point of their life. This book is a tool to be used in working out love, repentance and forgiveness issues in human relationships through the examples God has provided. Those relationships could be with parents, siblings, spouses, other family members, friends, co-workers, neighbors or community members. There are many relationships during the course of our lives through which we have to navigate our way. Some of those relationships fail and die because one or both parties involved are unfamiliar with the process of love, repentance and forgiveness. This book is for them.

Q. What impact will this book have on the community?

I think this book will bring people closer to their true selves. It will encourage a personal honesty and transparency. When we are able to be more truly ourselves, we are able to be more present in our relationships. Better relationships improve our quality of life.

Q: What issues in today’s society have you addressed in The Process of Asking for, Receiving and Giving Love & Forgiveness?

Popular culture is covered briefly, primarily from the view of media and celebrity. In particular, there is a focus on idolization of people and things and how such behavior inadvertently condemns a person with the sin of idolatry.

Q: Who did you write The Process of Asking for, Receiving and Giving Love & Forgiveness for and why?

At a very basic level, I wrote this book for myself…and for my husband (when he comes) and our relationship (when we begin building). I wrote this book to improve my life and my understanding of what’s required of me and my partner so we can successfully build, maintain and sustain a thriving and loving marital relationship.

Q: Is there a message in The Process of Asking for, Receiving and Giving Love & Forgiveness that you want readers to grasp and share?

We each have a responsibility to communicate where we are in our relationships. We are responsible for speaking of our hurts and our joys; of encouraging and correcting how we are being treated by others. We are as much responsible for showing love, repenting and offering forgiveness as we are for receiving love, accepting repentance and accepting and receiving forgiveness. The reciprocation creates a unity of oneness that’s difficult to separate within a relationship.

Q: What is the most powerful section in the book for you?

Repentance. The section on repentance is the most powerful for me. I didn’t quite understand it or the importance and necessity for repentance until I studied to write about it. As a matter of fact, repentance was not part of my outline. I had only planned on writing about love and forgiveness (and how to communicate them), but the book didn’t come together until I added repentance.

Q: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in The Process of Asking for, Receiving and Giving Love & Forgiveness?

It’s not mine to change. I realized early on that I am a vessel and I am quite awed by the message that has been delivered through me.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you would give to an aspiring author?

Write. Get critiques. Re-write. Improve. Follow your dreams. If your dreams don’t fall in line, create opportunities to bring them to fruition.

Q:  Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases. Also share with us your online contact information.

The Process of Asking for, Receiving and Giving Love & Forgiveness ($12.00USD) will be available on www.bn.com and www.amazon.com in early February 2011. My autobiographical devotional, My God and Me: Listening, Learning and Growing on My Journey ($15.00USD) is currently available on www.bn.com and www.amazon.com. Active subscribers are welcome! I am actively seeking events to participate in and invitations to read and discuss my book at your special function. I also facilitate self-esteem workshops, incorporating anecdotes from My God and Me.