Holding my hand through Hell; Blog Action Day 2012 highlight

There is no story that is more appropriate for Blog Action 2012 than this one. Holding My Hand Through Hell by Susan Murphy-Milano is a riveting, powerful book about how one woman overcame an abusive childhood and became a one woman crusader in the fight against intimate partner violence. With each turn of the page you wonder how one woman could go through so much and emerge victorious. Her story is both empowering and compelling.

She was witness to repeated acts of abuse that were suffered by her mother. Eventually, the intimate partner violence claimed the two people that Susan loved the most. It was Susan who found the bodies of her parents after intimate partner violence claimed their lives. The murder-suicide would haunt her life forever.

Holding My Hand Through Hell is not a reading journey for the faint of heart. Susan Murphy-Milano tells us how her family dealt with her abusive father and the story of how one pastor dared to give her hope.

What helped Susan Murphy-Milano deal with these tragedies is her faith. She came through the abuse with a clearly defined sense of the powerful healing nature of God. Her book (although painful at times to read) is one of faith as even more than it is of abuse.

The preview copy of Holding My Hand Through Hell is one that you won't want to put down. It is more than a powerful reminder that the "Power of We" for Blog Action Day 2012 begins with the power of one. This is a book that every pastor or church worker needs to read.It is available now from Ice Cube Press. Her book isn't easy reading but it's necessary reading.

I'm going dark tonight for Earth Hour

I'm going dark tonight for Earth Hour? Are you?

Earth Hour is an annual event. Globally, participants will be shutting of the lights and going dark between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm., local time. The annual event is held annually on the last Saturday in March.  I went dark last year. Had it not been for a Twitter message from a friend this year would have slipped up on me.

The World Wide Fund for Nature started the campaign several years ago. One hour of darkness won't save planet Earth but it does signal your commitment to do what you can to combat climate change.


A little over a year ago I read an online article about plastic in our environment. I don't remember which article it was but I do remember the message. It basically said that you can't find a water supply without minute traces of plastic in most of the world.

That made me sad.

I grew up without giving safe drinking water a second thought. My kids were largely raised the same way. Now, my family tries to recycle as much plastic (and everything else) that we can.

Earth Hour is a way to remind me of my commitment. We're not perfect but I figure that every recycled plastic soda bottle, aluminum can or Earth Hour makes at least a small difference.

Global Climate Change Can Increase Domestic Violence Calls

Today is Blog Action Day. I've decided to join 10,000 others today by writing about global climate change. It may seem strange to read that a domestic violence advocate is joining in the fight to slow down global climate change. In reality, it makes perfect sense.

During the summer months when the weather is the warmest is when domestic violence agencies receive the most calls. As the climate continues to heat up it is expected that the number of calls will rise. But, this isn't the only reason to write. There's more and it's not pretty.

As global climate change continues to occur natural resources continue to shrink. Countries that have less water, and fewer natural resources sometimes become desperate and turn to war. Already we have seen this happen in the Darfur region of Sudan. One of the most common ways to battle an enemy is through war-related rape. Victims of war related rape are often left helpless, physically injured or dead.

People don't live in a vacuum. We are dependent upon each other for our survival. Being good stewards of our natural resources makes sense from the standpoint of global climate change and victimization. Slowing global warming is also easier than you think.

Here are a few ideas to help slow global warming. Please feel free to leave other suggestions or ideas in the comments field below.

Ways to slow global warming:

Turn off lights when not in use.
Unplug appliances and electronic gadgets when they are not being used.
Recycle. Reduce. Reuse. This applies to clothes, furniture and every aspect of our lives.
Walk, don't ride.
Donate your used cell phone to a domestic violence program.
Buy recycled items whenever you can.
If it's available in your area use mass-transit.
Donate used clothing or household items to your local domestic violence program.
Recycle plastic, glass, metals, aluminum cans and other recyclables. If your city has a recycling program ask for a list.