Friday, September 29, 2017

A Look into Life for an Author

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So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12English Standard Version (ESV)

As September comes to a close, I reflect on its events and look ahead to the coming months. The month started out with my trying to put together a tri-fold display board about my book.  It did not go well. I wound up cutting out things for it and placing them in a box “to work on later.”
I had to cancel two book signings due to a problem of getting good copies from my printer. It took a while, but I now have copies I have chosen to live with.
I ordered a quantity of copies for the two book signings at area libraries that I was able to reschedule for October. (The people I talked to at both places were gracious. Even the small town newspaper will run an article about the book again.) Now, every time I see someone from church, that person tells me they want a copy of my book. I was at the grocery store this week and ran into a lady from church. After we exchanged greetings, the next thing she said was, “I want one of your books.”
When I went to my doctor a couple of weeks ago, I took a proof copy just to show her. She looked at it and said, “I want one.” She also said something about getting some to order some for Christmas gifts. I went back this week for a flu shot and took her one.
I am thinking, I may need to order more books before my book signings in October. I also find I need to carry some with me when I go to church.
October is going to be rather busy for me. We start drama practice the first Saturday of the month and will practice each week. I am directing this drama entitled “Thankfulness.” One of those Saturdays, I will not be able to be in practice, due to a book signing. I have my assistant director who will fill in for me that day.

The first Friday in November, I will be signing books at a locally owned gift shop in our town. The first two Saturdays that month, we will have dress rehearsals for our drama. On the second Sunday—the 12th- we will present the drama at both services. (I had two of the six parts become open this week, one of those parts got filled by a young man who came to our meeting just because he was interested. He has been a part of the group in the past.)
The weekend before Thanksgiving weekend, there is an Artisan Fair at our local library that I will be participating in. Someone asked to be my Facebook friend late this week who says she will be there, also signing books.

Our Thanksgiving meal will probably be on Saturday of the next weekend. Our son will more than likely have to work on Friday. Since he has been back in Indiana, we have had our meal on Saturday. It works out better for us and for him.


As I look back over this, I realize I can’t do these activities without God. 

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Trials

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In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation.
1 Peter 1: 6-7 (ESV)

I found this quote I liked when I reviewed this one book. “Our gracious God never wastes a trial He permits to enter our lives. If we cooperate, He will use every difficulty, heartache, and hardship for our good and His glory.”(1.)

God’s word gives us several scriptures to guide us through those times of trial. Jesus tells us he has overcome the world. (John 16:33)  The apostle James tells us our tribulations actually strengthen us.  We become stronger in our faithfulness. (James 1:2-4) The Apostle Paul tells us “suffering produces endurance” which produces character, which, in turn, produces hope. (Romans 5:3-4)


After we who follow Jesus reach a certain age in life, we reflect on those times of trial and realize God’s working in our lives. He allows us to minister to and comfort others who face difficult circumstances in their own walk with the LORD.

We all have endured something that has initially caused us grief. God chooses to permit those situations into our lives in order to let us see who we really are. Then, He guides us through the issues, murky as they might be, to a new understanding of who He is and who we are. He does these things because of His vast love for us.


1  1.  Lavish Grace, Kathy Howard New Hope Publishers, Birmingham AL © 2016 page 123.


Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Encourage

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encouraging-bible-verses/




Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)

Encourage is defined as "1. a:: to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope: hearten she was encouraged to continue by her early success. b: to attempt to persuade: urge they encouraged him to go back to school
2: to spur on: stimulate warm weather encourages plant growth
3: to give help or patronage to: foster government grants designed to encourage conservation
God encourages us by sending people into our lives to aid us in understanding events going in and around our lives." 1

God uses His people to build one another up. One of the Gifts of the Spirit is encouragement. Children of God do this when they tell someone they miss them at church. It only takes a little bit of effort on our part.

We encourage people going through a difficult time by praying for them, by sending them a card, or just by listening to them when they talk.

We went to the grocery store early this afternoon. While there, I ran into a lady from church. I am acquainted with her, we work in different ministries. After she spoke to me, she next said she wanted a copy of my book. She inquired how I was doing with the sales. I told her it was slow.  I came away encouraged by her interest.

When we take the time to politely inquire about someone, we usually find they appreciate being noticed. A dear friend sometimes tells me, “Thank you for noticing us.” This happens when I call her to check on her and her family.
Children of God are called to be encouragers wherever they find themselves.


Prayer: Thank You. Lord for the many things You do to build us up and keep us going. Without your encouraging us, we would not be able to stand for You in this fallen world. Please guide us as we try to encourage those around us. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen 


1. Merriam-Webster online dictionary.https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encourage Accessed Sept 26. 2017/

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...