Monday, December 17, 2012

Virtual Book Tour & #Giveaway - Journey To Malachi by Malachi Stewart


I'm so glad to have Malachi Stewart visiting us today, and we're going to learn some fun elements about Malachi as a writer. Taking a break from the seriousness of Journey to Malachi, while on tour at the Virtual Book Tour Cafe', please give a warm welcome to Malachi Stewart - Journey To Malachi.

Welcome Malachi!


MM: Who is your most favorite character from any book of all time?

My most favorite character would definitely be Celie from The Color Purple. I think my book proves that I have a lot in common with her characters experiences with abuse and struggle with self-image.

MM: If you could dive into the pages of any book, which book would it be and what character would you be?

I would love to dive into the pages of Alice and Wonderland and be the Absalom. Who wouldn’t want to be absolute and all knowing? Plus I think it is cool how he never really seems to answer questions directly. A certain mystery about him that is intriguing.

MM: If your book was to become a movie, which actors/actresses do you see playing the parts of your characters?

Journey to Malachi is a biography so I would probably want Shia Lebeouf to play myself. Obviously we look nothing alike, but I think he is a tremendously gifted actor and I think he can capture the emotionalism of my book well. I think everyone else can be cast interchangeably with any actors.

MM: What can we expect from Malachi Stewart in the future? Any new projects?

I just began writing a new book I am working on called Daddy. It is about how often our natural experiences with our father affect that way we perceive and interact with God as our father. I am also trying out a radio program I started called Survivors Radio, dedicated to helping victims and survivors of sexual abuse became overcomer.

MM: Where can readers connect with you?

Readers can find me at Malachi Jeremiah Stewart on Twitter and Facebook. I can also be found at my blog Sanctum Sanctorum.

Thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today. It's been a wonderful pleasure.

Author.Speaker.Youth Specialist. Specialist in Rehabilitation from Sexual Abuse and Freedom from Sexual Bondage.

Malachi Jeremiah Stewart is an ancient vessel housed in a modern body. In 2011, he was entrusted to lead Prophetic Streams Ministries in Philadelphia, PA as a unique tributary of Kingdom life, by declaring the finished work of Christ and dispensing the ‘unforced rhythms of grace.’

Currently, Malachi is pursuing a degree in Religion and Christian Counseling at Liberty University and seeks to work in full time ministry, both at locally and globally. He serves as Youth Advisor & Trainer to Dominion’s Prophetic & Apostolic Coalition Trans-Continental (D'PACT), Youth L.E.A.D. and Youth in Ministry (YIM) organizations, training high school and college students in the areas of evangelism, spiritual devotion, biblical instruction, and Papa prayer. He leads IGNITE! a youth evangelistic outreach in the capitol region, including DC-Maryland-Virginia. As a visionary leader and prophetic flame, he has a strong desire for souls to be saved, families to be restored, and for nations to be reconciled with Christ.


Genre: Biographical
Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing

When we face turbulent times, hardships and calamity there is much solace in companionship. We all want to know that someone has been where we are and have gotten through the same difficulties we face. When I wrote Journey to Malachi, I began to visualize myself as a little boy being abused and recalled all of the feelings that flooded my heart at that time. My writing literally became a journey in my mind through my life’s darkest hours and through my writings, I became my own companion.
As I wrote, I took several pauses to minister the words of hope, grace and freedom that I needed.I went deep into my inner sanctum to find the little boy who was afraid to tell his secret, who needed more than anything to be loved and accepted and wanted more than anything to be protected and valued. As the writings progressed, he grew older and how the bitterness grew inside him and birthed inner ‘demons’ of self-hatred, insecurity, un-forgiveness, hopelessness, distrust, suicide, anger, resentment and so much more. I remembered the confusion the sexual abuse caused concerning his sexual identity and the long-terms effects it had on his mental health. I recalled the embarrassment and isolation all of the deep pain that lied beneath a warm smile. He laughed and often made others laugh but inside there was a fiery hell that tormented him and yet this was only something he knew. He was so invisible in many ways and so I begin to tell his story and share the shameful secrets of his reality.In the midst of the journey, I interjected to share biblical truths that would later free him (me). Even though his journey seemed to grow darker and more hopeless, I had experienced the ending and so I was encouraged to continue to write and get to the expected end.

Journey to Malachi, is my journey from becoming a powerless victim to a victorious over-comer! As a reader I invite you to share this intimate journey with me embark to discover how I became a messenger of light, liberty and love. Whether you have been through the same things that I have or simply understand hard times, I plan to grab your hand and become YOUR companion as well journey together to find the divine purpose & ultimate overcoming victory that is wrought from our utmost pains.

Excerpt #1:

FOREWARD

As a teenager, I often appeared accomplished on the outside, but was a proverbial war zone within. My public life showcased "normal" at school, but my private world was completely "abnormal," and my parents had no clue! My perception was distorted about everything from God and sex to drugs and abortion.

That was over 35 years ago, but much has not changed in the world. Countless young people today still struggle with complicated realities as sexual identity, social pressure, family crisis, religious indifference and mental escapism. Fortunately, back then, my college classmate, Dennis showed me tough love, got in my face, and helped me discern 'truth from a lie' by introducing me to Jesus Christ. It was only through that love relationship that I came out of the darkness and into real and honest light. Embracing the Lordship of Jesus Christ changed my life.

Today, I am an apostle and senior pastor of a radical and progressive ministry and training company called, Dominion International Ministries and also lead its prayer affiliate, EXOUSIA. My life is steeped in helping others break free from the issues that hold them captive. What a wonderful life!

It was during Exousia, our 12-hour prayer summit, that I was first introduced to Martez Stewart; a college kid from Philly, styling boyish glass frames and a Jewish prayer shawl. Even then, he appeared to me as a giant in many ways despite his small physical frame. I would later discover his intense struggles with sexual abuse, sexual sins and all of the related medical issues that tormented his young life. I was gripped by his need for the kind of tough love that had saved my life when I was exactly his age. In so many ways, Martez was me; and I whole-heartedly embraced him. 

Despite his internal challenges, all of us at Exousia observed the strong prophetic gift that operated with potent power through Martez. Fire filled his eyes when he talked. As he prayed, angels seemed to move at the sound of his voice. While he ministered to others, especially children and youth, their hearts were opened and real change occurred. It was amazing! We all recognized a young prophet in the making. 

Time passed. I didn't see Martez for a long while. Then one Sunday morning, I felt him deeply like a mother lion sensing her cub was in danger. I could hear his cry and prayed earnestly for him. My mothering instincts were confirmed when I received an email from Martez later that evening. He described how I had come to him in an open vision as a spiritual mother with great care and concern. Therefore, he was certain I could help him overcome the forces that held him bound.

From that day, we were both convinced that the Lord had brought us together in a fresh way and for a liberating purpose. Together, we conquered many of his demons, and he experienced great change, deliverance, and breakthroughs. 

Then, Martez told me that he had received a divine strategy for overcoming the devastation of his past: changing his name from Martez to "Malachi." Deep inside an abused, victimized Martez was a valiant, victorious Malachi battling to the surface! The name “Martez” embodied too much of the baggage from the past; but, “Malachi” held the master key to both his identity and destiny. Recognizing how critical this was to his life and ministry, I immediately agreed with this name change and we celebrated the overcoming strategy that he had received from above.
The book you hold in your hand is the outcome of that decision and the spiritual mapping behind the Journey to Malachi. Emerging from the pages is the radical unfolding of a young man who stared abuse and perversion in the face and addressed it with stealth and determination. Malachi's story is mine in many ways and it is yours. Perhaps the specifics are different, but we can all relate to the confusing conditions of being young, impressionable and unprotected from things that "go bump in the night" or the childhood "boogie-man" we all feared. Life can be harsh and ugly behind closed doors, especially with the young and innocent. This book chronicles that reality.

Journey to Malachi is a written prescription that offers real healing for the broken, bruised, captive and tormented who have suffered at the suffocating hands of sexual abuse and/or sexual sins. You will be strengthened as you read each page. As you apply its anecdotes, you will be lifted from hopelessness to possibility. If you stay the course to the last word, you will be made whole and restored in heart and soul. Journey to Malachi is a tell-all expose' that will help you avoid life's pitfalls, defy self-sabotage and crossover into safe terrain for a better life and a brighter future.   
All of us are peppered with pain and problems in this life. Like me and Malachi, you may need some tough love right about now. As Dennis got in my face, and I got in Malachi's, he is ready to get in yours. So, don't run or hide...just be still.

Malachi and I are free today because someone dared to love us enough to tell us the truth and thrust us from darkness into light. Are you ready for true liberation and freedom? I believe you are. So, take a deep breath and slowly exhale. It's your turn to take the journey!

Apostle Yolanda L. Powell
Senior Pastor & Visionary
Dominion International Ministries & EXOUSIA Prayer Training Summit
Author, Soul Food & Living Water: Spiritual Nourishment & Practical Help for the African-American Family
Owings, Maryland USA

Giveaway – Signed Paperback + Free 5 Blog Stop Tour at Virtual Book Tour Café










6 comments:

Unknown

Thanks for chatting today Malachi! :)

Teddy Rose

I read his guest post earlier and I would love to learn more about him by reading his book. He is courageous for sharing his story!

Malachi J. Stewart

My pleasure BK Walker!!! Thanks to MM for hosting me and for the fun interview!

To Teddy, I appreciate the compliment and I hope you enjoy the book. Would love to read your review afterwards!!!

Unknown

I agree with Teddy, he has a sad past but it's awesome how he recovered and getting to know him by reading his book would be great!

Malachi J. Stewart

@ Rhomy PP hanks I appreciate that and hope you enjoy the book as well.

Unknown

Great! Hope the tour is going good.

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