Ring in the New Year (revised)

Let's face it. From all reports, things are not going to be any better for us in the USA during the coming year or years ahead. That is the world's point of view. However, if we are born again believers, we should and must look at it through the eyes of faith from God's perspective. Which is according to His word: If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJ)  The bible also tells us: But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:5-7 NKJ)

It is amazing to me that in 235 short years we have gone from a free God-fearing nation with principals based on Christian values and the Ten Commandments, to a nation filled with fear, hopelessness, hate, terrorism, anti-Christ principals, paganism, and anything goes mentality.

I believe it is only with a heart of true commitment  in all areas of our Christian walk, that will bring God’s blessings. I'm sure most of you reading this will agree we do need to humble ourselves and seek His face through prayer and heightened  standards of living---our wonderful America, that God so generously blessed for many years, now lies near destruction because we have failed to turn from complacency, doubt, and rebellion. It's time we stop quoting the scripture 2 Chronicles 7:14 every year and start being doers of the word. Our great land  needs healing.

That healing depends not only on raising our standards of living, but on our returning to the basics of God’s word. Those include the sanctity of marriage between a man and woman, the restoration of family values, the sanctity of life, along with FAITH, TRUTH,  and  INTEGRITY in all our ways. We need to live Job 3:5-6.

My prayer for 2012 is that God will pour out His blessing on all spiritual leadership, whether it be pastors, associate pastors, youth pastors and leaders, missionaries, teachers, or those in ministries of help. I pray for a fresh anointing that will embolden all Christians to work for the common good of the gospel to bring hope and life to those who do not know Jesus.

May God grant you  a wonderful and prosperous New Year in every way. And may God also bless America and Israel with peace and protection.

Don't Pass that Book Around! Recommend it!

I have a pet peeve or two . . . Let me explain. If you want to help an author succeed . . . especially if you are a friend or family member and you were given a free copy. Please don't pass your copy around. If you enjoy a book, recommend it. That is the highest complement you can pay an author.

I do suggest one exception. I have nothing against sharing with those who can not afford a copy for whatever reason and they can be helpful in building a fan base as well. Purchasing a copy for them would be a nice option too. It would be a kindness to them and an enjoyment they might not otherwise experience. But the other side of the corn is that sharing books cuts into authors' royalties. Most of us are far from being "rich and famous" from book sales. Large or even moderate advances are not available to all authors. Especially first time authors. Yet the joy of being published has its moments via emotional rewards.

Here I will confess, I never gave thoughts to sharing books in regards to authors' returns during my days of avid reading as a youth and young adult raising family, etc. However, I did not easily part with my books. It was difficult for me to finally clear the nooks and crannies of all but my most cherished and favorite collection. The one time I did loan out one of my very favorites after a promise that it would be returned, I have regretted for more than 20 years. I never saw it again. Sure I could replace it, but that's not the point. The point is lesson learned. Don't pass around or share a book for more than the reason stated above.

Did I say I have another pet peeve? Well . . .I'm sure you've heard about or may already have one of the new rage E Readers. Just about everyone I've met recently who knows I am an author will inquire about my books, then immediately follow with "are they available for "...........?" And of course I have to reply yes. I still have a few copies of my books on hand for personal promotion and sales, and further answer their questions with the option of having a "signed copy of a paperback."

The E Readers cut deep into book royalties. After initial purchase of the readers, the book downloads for them are priced far lower than the regular retail or "sale" price online. As a consequence, after the take of second and third parties including publishers, the author is left with little.

With the current economy, closures of book stores and the surge of E Readers, it has become necessary for authors to become even more aggressive and innovative in getting signings and sale events scheduled.

I've never deluded myself that it was going to be an easy ride as an author, but I was totally caught off guard by the rapid and dramatic decline of traditional standards in the publishing industry.

While somewhat disappointed, I am still very grateful for the opportunities to use the gift of writing that God so generously bestowed me.

May I suggest that you go shopping, buy a book to support your local starving author! :o)



Occasional is one thing but . . .

I believe I really do owe an explanation for my long absence. Without going into drama detail I will just briefly say that I was challenged with a major attack on my body. After surgery and follow-up treatments I am pleased and thankful to God to be able to say that I'm well and expect to stay that way. I thank all of my friends, family and my publisher's staff who supported me through prayer during my trial. It has been a difficult climb back from the valley.

Needless to say, the whole process distracted me from my works in progress and set me way back with my blogging. BUT, my love of writing is returning and I have purposed in my heart to get started again and to be more diligent in blogging.

My promotion and sales suffered during the time period mentioned. I did two successful book signings shortly after my surgery, but I quickly found out that was too much too soon. However, I am now feeling more up to the challenge of pursuing and preparation for events.

My next blog returns to the subject of writing and my thoughts about two points that are of interest to writers and readers in general.

Review of "The Shack"

In between working on my latest novel and waiting for April to start working with my editor and entering production of my second novel with Tate Publishers, I have been reading. I just last night, finished reading "The Shack" by William P. Young.

I gave “The Shack” a 4 star rating because of originality and the fact that it held my interest, AFTER the foreword. My concern is that due to the style of writing it would be easy for some to forget that it is a work of fiction, and should be read as such. I have no doubt that supernatural encounters, dreams, and experiences do happen with God, because I personally believe with God all things are possible. However, usually those experiences line-up with the biblical depiction of how God does things.

I think it is great that the author stresses the need to depart from the religious ideologies and the impossible task of trying to live by the old testament laws. But instead, depend on the Grace of God--after all that is why Jesus came, to free us from religious bondage and the need to feel we must be perfect to please God. However, the author’s fictional way, in my opinion, leans more toward fantasy and new age philosophy, than the basic New Testament Gospel message.

The crust of the story is beautiful and impressive. How to reconcile and improve one's relationship with God, through Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, after some horrible thing has happened to make one angry with, and untrusting of God, by way of the “why do bad things happen to good people syndrome.” If you enjoy reading well written fiction, then by all means, read “The Shack.” But if you are adamant about how God reveals Himself, according to the Bible, then you may be a bit turned off by the “The Shack.”

When writing reviews, my goal is respect for fellow authors and their craft, along with truth in my opinion as a reader. On a personal level, as a Christian, I cannot endorse "The Shack." Even though it is fiction, as I said, it strays too far from the basic gospel message of the Bible. As a Christian fiction author, I always try to remain true to the message of Jesus as I "hear it" from the Word of God.