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 12^th- 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. 

Trials

http://www.cynthiafeenstra.net/navigating-trials-temptations-storms-life/

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.

Encourage

https://www.missionariesofprayer.org/2013/01/
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/

Our World

http://www.pastorjohnsamencorner.com

In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 (ESV)

Our World As We See It

As we go through life we become more aware of trouble. It comes to the forefront of each newscast and article in the papers. No one is exempt from hearing of riots, demonstrations, or domestic violence.

Case in point: I attend a small prayer cell on Tuesday mornings. Recently, a member told me I needed to be careful when I left my house. Her daughter heard of a stabbing taking place two blocks from my house.

Then, the television news, reported three people killed in one night. These occurred in our capital city. We read of these kinds of tragedies more frequently than before.

The incident down the street from us was a domestic violence issue. That does not diminish the problem of people mistreating others. The details in the newspaper give us light into the tragedy. There are contributing factors. The victim is in a trauma hospital, fighting for her life.

Those killings come about because of a transgression of the law. A law is overlooked and at least two people confront each other. The situation escalates and one of the principles is killed. This scenario is becoming common place in our world.

 We Need the Lord

 The LORD tells the disciples and us that we will have tribulation. He also tells us He has overcome the world. What does this phrase mean? Simply put, it means that He is always with us no matter the trial.

We need Jesus to guide and direct our every move. God has all things, our movements, behavior, words, and thoughts under His control. Even when we act contrary to God’s ways, He knows it beforehand. It is paramount that we always seek His will for our lives.

When we ask Jesus into our hearts, we give Him carte blanche. He takes us as we are and changes us to resemble Him. We must be willing to allow Christ the freedom to do this.

Who Am I?

http://www.onefaithonechurch.com

what is man that you are mindful of him,

 and the son of man that you care for him?

Psalm 8:4 (ESV)

Who am I, Lord, that I should expect things go without a hitch? Who am I, Father, that would want to have all my activities be easy and glamorous? Who am I, Jesus, that I should feel that I can dictate to others what I believe they should do or how they should act? Who am I to remind those around me that they might have wronged me?

I am nobody, I can’t expect things in life to go the way I think they should. I am no one special that all my plans culminate with glorious endings. I have no right to tell people how to tell others how to live. I am not allowed to hold grudges when others choose to look askance at what I ask of them.

And yet, I am a child of God. I have to trust Him for everything. That means I accept all this world throws across my path as I walk with Jesus, especially those things that don’t set well with me.

NOTE:

I started this as I went through a recent ‘down’ time. With the help of prayer, Christian friends, and my doctor, I have overcome what I call these latest speed bumps on my journey with Jesus Christ. 

When Jesus Speaks to Us

http://ubdavid.org.

If I had not come and spoken to them,

they would not have been guilty of sin

but now they have no excuse.

John 15: 22 (ESV)

Jesus speaks these words to the eleven in the upper room. He knows the time for his death is drawing near. Earlier, He said that the world will hate them because of Him. He explained that this hatred stems from the world not knowing the Father.

Then, Christ says an interesting thing; He speaks the words of our focus verse. “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin,” Our Savior states indirectly that He showed them the wrong things they were doing. Jesus then states, ”but now they have no excuse.”

If Jesus Christ could say those words then, are they still true today? If Our Savior speaks to us about our sin, are we supposed to make excuses? As I read this, I find the answer is, “No.”

As we await Jesus’ return, we have to be certain we are ready. Each of His children has to ask God to search our hearts. We have to seek His forgiveness and direction for our lives. I believe I have some issues to work on. 

I Am the Vine

http://www.imgrum.org/user/argopariadji

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,

while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a]

so that it will be even more fruitful.

John 15:1-2 (ESV)

In explaining God to the people of Israel, Jesus used examples they could understand. Hence, His use of the vine in our focus verse. He identifies Himself as the true vine. He shows us through this imagery the importance of always living close to Jesus.

Without God’s presence in our lives, we wither and become less effective. Think of grapes separated too early from the vine. Without His guidance and presence in our lives, we are nothing.

In today’s world, we need to live as close to God as we can. We need to also ask God for His eyes to see the world as He sees it.

In explaining God to the people of Israel, Jesus used examples they could understand. Hence, His use of the vine in our focus verse. He identifies Himself as the true vine. He shows us through this imagery the importance of always living close to Jesus.

Without God’s presence in our lives, we wither and become less effective. Think of grapes separated too early from the vine. Without His guidance and presence in our lives, we are nothing.

In today’s world, we need to live as close to God as we can. We need to also ask God for His eyes to see the world as He sees it. 

In explaining God to the people of Israel, Jesus used examples they could understand. Hence, His use of the vine in our focus verse. He identifies Himself as the true vine. He shows us through this imagery the importance of always living close to Jesus.

Without God’s presence in our lives, we wither and become less effective. Think of grapes separated too early from the vine. Without His guidance and presence in our lives, we are nothing.

In today’s world, we need to live as close to God as we can. We need to also ask God for His eyes to see the world as He sees it. We need to fully adopt a Biblical world view. By walking with Jesus in these ways, we honor God. In return, He will bless us.