 Someone sent this to me via email today. I've never posted something like this on my blog, but felt it's very worthwhile and thought provoking. Hope you enjoy! A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago. They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner.
In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all>managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly missed boarding. ALL BUT ONE !!! He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned.
He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination>and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor. He was glad he did. The 16 year old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her, no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.
The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket.
When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the>girl, "Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay?" She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly." As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, "Mister...." He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, "Are you Jesus?"
He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you Jesus?"
Do people mistake you for Jesus? That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace. If we cl aim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day.
You are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked you and me up on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.
 Do you ever wish you could run away to a desserted island for a few days, and escape the rush and stress of life? My week has been that way, and I know I'm needing to step back and evaluate my priorities.
Are you feeling the same way? Is everything you're involved in right now really vital & necessary? Only you can answer that question with any honesty. But if the answer is no, then take a deep breath, sit for a minute, and think it over. Is there anything at all that you can cut from your schedule?
I'm guessing there is. The problem isn't that we CAN'T cut things, it's the guilt we often feel when we do. It's hard to say no to people, and even harder when it's a worthwhile endeavor. I believe that the Lord calls us to say NO at times, even to ministry related requests. He didn't design us to be the "do all" and "be all" for our church, family or friends...believe it or not, we're not supposed to take the world on our shoulders and try to fix it. Nope, that's His job.
So when you're tempted to take on too much, stop for a moment and ask this question..."Lord, is this from You, or is this something I'm doing out of a sense of obligation to man, or misplaced guilt that someone else has put on my shoulders?" If it's not from Him, lay it down and walk away. You might just be robbing the person of a blessing who is supposed to be doing that job, or that ministry.
 Thank you to all who've recently signed my guest book on my web site as well as left comments here on my blog...your names are in the hat for the drawing of my book....be sure to check back next week for the announcement.
Yes, it's official! I've mailed the contract back in to Kregel, and the marketing team is looking over the marketing proposal I put together a few months ago.
I'd like to take a minute to explain a few things about the marketing of a new book, especially when it's written by a brand new, unknown author, like me. I don't know the percentages, but I'm guessing the author is probably responsible for about 75% of the marketing. Yes, the publishing house makes the book available to many book stores & online book sites, but they don't do a massive advertising campaign to familiarize those place with me, or my book, as that's terribly expensive.
They'll promote it at the upcoming booksellers convention in July, which will be attended by a large number of retail bookstore owners from across the country. If they don't notice it there, the only way for them to really notice it, will be through YOU!
Yes, that's right...I'm heavily dependant on my friends & family to get the word out. It's critical that I build a web presence over the next 8 months, to make people aware that the book is coming, what it's about, and a little bit about me. Right now about 200 people or so are familiar with it, or commited to helping, but that's not near enough. Think about it....the book needs to sell at least 4,000 copies for me to get an offer on my second book. Unfortunately, I'm not able to drop in to every book store in the nation and personally ask them to carry my book.
That's where you come in. I'm hoping you'll pass the word to all the people in your email address book, post my web site & blog links on yours, and when the book comes out, trek down to your local store, look on the shelves, and if it's not there....walk up to the owner & ask them why they aren't carrying it. If I had 500 people scattered across the nation, all willing to ask their librarian, local book store, and church book store to carry the book, plus told at least 5 friends about it and urged each one to buy a copy, it would be a success.
Again, I can't do this alone. I hope you'll get on board with me & help me make my first book a ripping success.....so that it won't be my last! LOL! Seriously, I have two more books in the works right now, and I'd love to see them published too! Thanks to all of you & keep watching this blog for the announcement of the name of the winner of the book.
PLUS----and if you've read clear to the bottom of this post, you'll know something others won't know, if they gave up-----I'm going to do this drawing again, in a month or so. I'm not telling when, so you'll have to keep checking back so you won't miss it! Hugs to you all & thank you for your continued support!
 In this day and age, it's a challenge to raise children that will grow to be adults who serve the Lord. Here are a few ideas that might help~
1. Every Christian parent knows this, and we all pray for our kids, but it's important to also pray WITH our kids. Prayer is learned by experiencing it and observing others engaged in it, especially those we trust.
2. Read to your children~ Some would encourage only Bible reading & I agree, that should be the top priority, but don't let it end there. Teach them to develope a love for reading by exposing them to a variety of non-fiction and fiction that envelope the type of life lessons you want them to absorb.
3. Listen to them~None of us have much trouble talking to our kids, but listening takes time and patience. Some kids are chatter boxes, and we slowly learn to tune out much of their talk....some are quiet little introverts that keep to themselves, and if we aren't careful, will pull into a world of their own. Find subjects that interest your child and encourage communication. Discern when they're anxious or troubled and dig a little deeper than you normally would.
4. Make your home a haven for their friends, and have intimate knowledge of the type of homes their friends come from. Encourage the kids to hang out and have fun under your roof...make it a place where they want to spend time.
5. Be aware of what goes into their minds. Monitor their TV, books, music and most of all the computer. Keep it in an area where the kids can be observed and accountable...and keep close tabs on any groups they join or emails they send. Internet predators are a reality and search for kids who's parents aren't attentive.
6. Love your spouse and show it around the kids. The best gift you can give your children is to love your mate. Healthy relationships, love and laughter in the home, will make for an emotionally and spiritually healthy child. Give your kids lots of love...hug them often, no matter how old they are, even if your son towers above you by several inches, he's never too big to hug!
7. Responsibility and discipline will go a long ways to raising mature, well-adjusted kids. Regular chores will help create a sense of belonging and accountability....work along side your kids and teach them strong work ethics~ they'll thank you and so will their employers someday!
8. Encourage their dreams. Set aside your own preconceived ideas of what you'd like your child to do with their lives and listen to what they'd like to do. More than likely it'll shift and change a number of times over the years, so go with the flow. As they get older and more mature, find ways to help them set goals and achieve them, that relate to their dreams for their future.
9. Speak a blessing over your child...Don't be afraid to give positive comments about their character and the good choices they make. Kids will grow into the type of person YOU believe they are.
10. Don't be too proud to apologize to your children if you've made a mistake. Your honesty and humility will gain their respect.
 Just time for a bit of catch up tonight, on a more personal note. The holidays were very nice, with family close by, but little else was accomplished. It's nice to be back to normal, if there is such a thing! LOL! I don't have much of a concept of what normal might be, as our life changes so dramatically every few years.The signing of my contract got placed on hold, as the publishing house adjourned for the holidays & will be returning to duty tomorrow. I'm hopeful all the final details will be confirmed this week so we might move forward. Our house is making steady progress once more. Due to high winds over the past few weeks, we have a big sheet of plywood over the new front doors, rather than take any chances. I won't be taking a new picture of the front of the house, until the plywood comes down & that's not apt to happen for another week or two. We're in the last stages of taping & texturing the drywall, and next week will begin spraying the paint primer, then color on the walls. Next comes hanging the Tongue & Groove wood ceilings through most of the house, then when it's all painted, the floors go in!!! It's starting to look like a house now, rather than just a shell and I've beginning to believe we might really live there one day.Progress on the gasifier is moving forward, with final test runs to determine the energy saved and moisture removed, later this week. The dryer will go on the market shortly after, with the gasifier a few weeks behind.
Allen continues to make progress on the restoration of our sailboat, too, in the hope that we'll be taking it for at least a 2-3 month trip next fall. I'm voting for waiting till fall and heading South where it's warm, rather than going north to Alaskan waters this summer. I'd love to be home for the summer, getting my yard & flower beds established, and go somewhere warm for the winter when nothing can be done outside.I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas & I wish Blessings for you all, in this New Year!
 A new year is rolling around...one more year to tick off the calendar and another chance to make changes. How much stock do each of you put in making resolutions? Are you one who makes them, only to break them a few days, or weeks later?
I'm not big on New Year's resolutions, but I admit they have their place. What are some things we could do this year, to lessen the stress of lost opportunities from the past year, and heighten the possiblities for the new one?
* Don't beat yourself up for 'missing it' at times...Realize that we all fail and God's love still surrounds you
* Allow yourself to fail. Too often we expect more from ourselves than God does, or others do. * Don't plan to fail. Expect the best out of life and keep a positive attitude. No, being positive doesn't cause good things to fall in your lap, but it certainly will keep down the stress levels and make you an easier person to live with.
* Take small bites. Now ladies, I could be talking about food here, but I'm not, LOL! Don't set such high standards for what you hope to change, that you don't ever come close to succeeding, and decide to quit. If you're trying to lose 50 lbs, shoot for 30 and give yourself a realistic time frame to do it in. Don't quit eating everything sweet, just cut back a bit. Don't feel you have to exercise 5 days per week, 30 minutes per time, just start with a walk around the block. Be realistic in your expectations.
* Above all else, pray over everything you do. Nothing is too big, or too small for God to handle. Invite Him into each decision and commitment and ask that He guide you and grant wisdom. That's one prayer He'll always answer!
* End each day with Thanksgiving...not only to your heavenly Father, but to members of your family. Remember to thank those who are a blessing in your life and encourage them in their daily walk. The rewards are abundant!
Have a blessed, wonderful New Year, Each and every one of you & Please let me hear from you occasionally!
 Christmas is upon us, the most joyous time of the year.... Or is it?
For many, it's just a season filled with stress, financial trouble, or loneliness. For others it's a time to visit with friends and family, bake, buy gifts or hope for some new blessing in their life.
What does it mean to you?
In this age of commercialism, are you making the time to celebrate the birthday of our Lord? It's so easy to allow the days to fly by and be swamped with all the chores required by Christmas. Baking, cards, buying gifts, decorating the tree, helping children with programs...all these are good in themselves, but what will really bring the peace and joy to your heart and your family?
Let me make a small suggestion. When you wake up on Christmas morning, don't jump out of bed and hit the floor running...no matter how many kids are begging for the gifts under the tree or in their stockings. Lay in bed another five minutes, and give time to the Lord. Let the awe of Christmas fill your heart and the joy of our Saviour minister to your spirit. Don't beat yourself up for not taking an hour with your Bible & prayer. Do what you're able to do, but make sure your priorities put Him first in your day.... After all....
Whose Birthday Is it, Anyway?
Merry Christmas to all, and Happy Birthday to you, Jesus!
 A Christmas Picture~
Our daughter Marnee, with her big German Shepherd, Hunter, to your left, and our female Athena, to your right. They're half brother/sister, with the same father, but you'd never know it from their size.
Update on My Book~ My agent has presented the publishing house with some changes to the contract that we'd like to see. With Christmas coming, we're not expecting to get it signed this week, but hopefully next week for sure. Waiting is hard, as I'd love to be assigned to my editor and jump right into revisions & corrections, and move toward a completed manuscript. But getting this contract offer is one of the best Christmas gifts I could ask for, so I'm not complaining.
The other Huge gift I was given this year, is our new home that we're building. The drywall company started hanging the sheet rock on Monday morning, and finished up all 4,000' at about 2:00 today! That included the big two car garage with workshop that has 13' high ceilings, as the walls set on 2 1/2' of stem wall. They were amazing to watch and incredibly fast.
Taping & Texture starts next Tuesday, then comes the paint. It's starting to look like a house!
I'll post more pictures after Christmas, as we're hoping to get the rest of the siding on, in the next couple of wks. Maybe I'll get one with the snow on the trees!
Sorry for not posting as often this week, but if you're like me, you're on the go and busy with last minute preparations, too. I'm working on my second book tonight, when I really should be baking & wrapping gifts. I'll squeeze that in somewhere!
Did you know that 43% of all married couples argue over money issues, making it the major reason couples fight? It's also one of the top reasons couples divorce. This time of year can be incredibly stressful. Most of us feel the pressure to give, often beyond our means, at the Christmas season. It's birthed out of a desire to please and bless those we love. But unfortunately, giving can be a two-edged sword, if not handled properly. Here are a few thoughts that might put our giving in perspective.>br> * Don't use credit cards to purchase your gifts. Stay within your cash budget, even if it means buying less than you'd planned. * Discuss the gifts with your husband/wife/parents, or someone else who can help hold you accountable, especially if this is an area of weakness for you.* Make sure your bills are paid before you head out to splurge. There's nothing worse than getting all the gifts wrapped, then discovering there's not enough left to make the car payment, or mortgage.* Talk to your kids, if necessary. Let them in on the household budget and help them understand what responsible buying means. * Find a family project of giving to someone else & agree to drop at least one gift off everyone's list, to allow the family to do something special for someone in need. * Start every day of this busy season off in prayer. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom in what you purchase and how to stretch your dollars. **********************************************************************If any of you have other ideas you'd like to share to help cut the financial stress during this holiday season, please feel free to post them and share. If we have enough comments, I'll put together a post next time summarizing what's been shared. Thank you for visiting & don't forget to drop me a note! PS, I'm going to be asking for help in naming a town for one of my future novels. Please check tomorrows blog for details!!!
 I'm hoping to hear from my agent on Tuesday about the offer on my book. Waiting is hard, but the Lord is in control! Until then, here's a wonderful Christmas story.Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means and then never had enough for the necessities. But forthose who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him that I learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from receiving. It was Christmas Eve 1881.I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enough money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted for Christmas. We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible. After supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read Scriptures. But Pa didn't get the Bible, instead he bundled up again and went outside. I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn't worry about it long though, I was too busy wallowing in self-pity. Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night out and there was ice in his beard. "Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight. "I was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see. We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what. Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up this sled unless we were going to haul a big load. Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off and I followed. "I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said. "Here, help me." The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was we were going to do would be alot bigger with the high sideboards on. After we had exchanged the sideboards, Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood -- the wood I'd spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all Fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something. "Pa," I asked, "what are you doing?" "You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked. The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight. Sure, I'd been by, but so what? "Yeah," I said, "Why?" "I rode by just today," Pa said. "Little Jakey was out digging around in the wood pile trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt." That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the wood-shed for another armload of wood. I followed him. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, Pa called a halt to our loading, then we went to the smokehouse and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait. When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand. "What's in the little sack?" I asked. "Shoes. They're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in the woodpile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy." We rode the two miles to the Widow Jensen's pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy? Really, why was he doing any of this? The Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us; it shouldn't have been our concern. We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible. Then we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, "Who is it?" "Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt. Could wecome in for a bit?" The Widow Jensen opened the door to let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. The Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp. "We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sack of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children -- sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last. I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out. "We brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said. Heturned to me and said, "Matt, go bring in enough to last awhile. Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up." I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat, and as much as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too. In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks with so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak. My heart swelled within me and a joy that I'd never known before filled my soul. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference. I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people. I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and the Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us. "God bless you," she said. "I know the Lord has sent you. The children and I have been praying that he would send one of his angels to spare us." In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after the Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth. I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on it. Pa insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes. Tears were running down the Widow Jensen's face again when we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see that they missed their Pa, and I was glad that I still had mine. At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones aroundagain. Matt, here, hasn't been little for quite a spell." I was the youngest. My two brothers and two sisters had all married and had moved away. Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I don't have to say, 'May the Lord bless you,' I know for certain that He will." Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said, "Matt, I want you to know something. Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough. Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that. But on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had to do. Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand." I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Now the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on the Widow Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three children. For the rest of my life, whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block of wood, I remembered. And remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life.
|
|
