"The Triumph Of My Soul" by Elissa Gabrielle
"The Triumph of My Soul" is a story I hold near and dear to my heart. This story is meant to uplift and inspire. Too often, we are condemned, ridiculed and knocked down, time and time again. Many people will smile in our face, but we can't turn our backs to them. The beauty of life is that, no matter how many times we are knocked down, God will lift us up, if you believe Him and trust in His word. It's not about how you fall; its about the grace and dignity in how you rise."

“Julian's Grace" by Jessica Tilles
"Although my short story, "Julian's Grace" is fiction, it speaks straight to the heart. We must treasure each day we are blessed to be alive and well. Giving thanks to God for every breath we take."

"Word On The Street" by Jarold Imes
"As Contemporary Gospel & Christian Rap and Hip Hop grows, I felt the need to provide a story that would appeal to this audience. Having been a street/urban/hip-hop author and having written erotica, I know first hand what it's like for Christians who come from the streets that are my age trying to turn their lives around and give them up for Christ. Hopefully, readers saved and unsaved a like will understand that you don't have to come from a traditional church family to serve the Lord."

"A Test Of Faith" by Lorraine Elzia
“Our lives are inspiration, motivation and lessons for us to learn by. No person is given an experience just for the purpose of it happening, there is always a moral to be shared. It is our duty to share our endurances with others so that they may indulge in the delicacy of food for thought. I submitted to the Triumph for the Soul” anthology in an effort that someone might read my story and have an “Ah Ha! Moment”. It was my desire to try and reach at least one person with my words so that they too could test their faith.”

"A Stroke Of Purpose" by Keshia Dawn
"I believe in love and not necessarily just from man to woman, woman to man, but love for each other. There is so much hurt and pain in this world and I can figure that most of it comes from within the family. I honestly wanted to show that even though there is hurting yet and still in the family, there can also be healing. It just takes courage to be real. My motto, right is right and wrong is wrong. Loving unconditionally is right."

"A Mother, Her Son, And The Father" by Fon James
I was inspired to write the short story, A Mother, Her Son and The Father, after a close friend of mine experienced the loss of her only son. Even though her son was murdered, she stood strong and declared the name of Jesus, and even showed strength at his funeral by standing up to personally speak a Godly word to his friends who were angry and wanted to retaliate against the suspected murderer. One young man even turned his life over to Christ at the funeral. I saw God comfort her during that terrible time of uncertainty and bereavement. I saw God give her a peace that surpassed all understanding of why it happened. I see the victorious triumph she continues to experience everyday through her faith in God. It further confirms that when we have God on our sides, we are truly triumphant.

"Death At A Church" by Jacqueline Moore
"As a Christian Author, I am always looking new avenues to explore. When I saw the call for submission, I was intrigued so much that I actually issued a challenge in one of my online writing groups. One other member answered my challenge, Lorraine Eliza. I was thrilled when I learned that her story was accepted. I wouldn't learn until weeks later that my story had also been accepted. My story originated from a writing prompt."

"Discovering The Joy Within" by Allyson Deese
"My inspiration behind "Discovering the Joy Within," is that I wanted to help another woman to not go through the pain and the hurt that I went through at such a young age. I wanted to impower someone else to be strong and overcome their hurt and pain. I also felt that the story of my innocent babies needed to be told."

"Doors" by Ebonee Monique
"I wrote "Doors" in about ten minutes and it is, still, one of my favorite stories. I closed my eyes and visualized this woman and her struggle for love. I know this fictional character in every day life. She's my neighbor, she's the cashier where I shop, she's my professor, she's the single mother, she's the married woman...she's me. So many times, we get so caught up in trying to please the "man" in our lives that we neglect The Man in our hearts. Doors represents the change and the light at the end of the tunnel, that so many women desire to see."

"I'm Still Here" by Kim Robinson
"I submitted my story to The Triumph of My Soul because I know that my testimony can help others."

"He Loves Us, Always" by Linda Wattley
"I was inspired to share my story because of the foundation "The Triumph of My Soul" represented. It gave me an opportunity to testify about the power of God. Today I face a struggle challenging my faith in God but He reminded me, I have faced greater challenges in my life than this and He did not forsake me and will not forsake me now. When you get the victory in life, you qualilfy to impart it to others that they too can rise above adversity. It is an honor to SHARE the spirit of VICTORY!"

"Marathon" by Bill Holmes
"I was inspired by the combination of the Biblical verse 1 Corinthians 9:24; my desire to run long distance; and Don Henley’s New York Minute, a song about appreciating the blessings in our life. I listened repeatedly to the song while writing the short story to create an emotional, mental and physical connection with my characters Alex and Cynthia so I could feel and capture their frustrations into my words. Without giving too much away, it was a challenge to write Marathon because it addresses the aftermath and possible effect the Iraq war has had on the U.S. soldiers and their families. I’m proud of my contribution to The Triumph of My Soul, but I’d be a liar if I didn’t admit there’s more I want to tell about my characters and their story."

"One Woman's Journey" by Linda R. Herman
"Answering the submissions call for TRIUMPH gave me the opportunity to work with an amazing author and poet, Elissa Gabrielle. I felt that writing an inspirational piece was a challenge that I was ready to confront head on. Though my story, "One Woman's Journey" is fictional, I know that there are many 'Ambers' (my main character) in the world losing their identities in the shadows of a man. Through the words of my story I wanted to remind readers of Exodus 20:3 and just how important it is to ALWAYS put God first. To quote a beautiful song, 'Can't nobody do me like Jesus.' "

"The Ministry Of Motherhood" by Cheryl Donovan
"The Triumph of My Soul" was an opportunity for me to share with other women, the struggles that I had endured as a teen mom. I wanted them to see that their current circumstance doesn't necessarily dictate their future circumstances. My message is that faith, determination, and perserverance can bring you through the storms of life and allow you to experience a triumph of the soul."

"The Vanilla Room" by Agnes B. Levine
"Inside that vanilla room in the psychiatric ward, the supernatural experience and deliverance from God inspired me to write it as my truest testimony to give God the glory and inspire others to overcome their trials knowing God is real. The submission call for The Triumph of My Soul was my epiphany that my story was timeless and transcending."

"When You Least Expect" by Dike Okoro
"There is no doubt in my mind that my Christian background was chiefly responsible for my decision to write When You Least Expect. I was deeply moved and touched by the title of the proposed anthology and the idea behind the call for submission. On the creative front, I think historical memory and my personal and local concerns for national, universal, and human issues inspired the penning of the story."

"Breaking The Chains Of Abuse" by Casche Russell
"I wanted everyone to know that with the help of God, you can break the chains of abuse. God never gives us more than we can bear."