Bringing to Jesus

Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, may have been somewhat overshadowed by his outspoken brother, but he had his own God-given talents. For one thing, he had been a follower of John the Baptist and at one point went to his brother to tell him they had found the Messiah (see John 1:40-42), and they both went to find Jesus. This changed their lives forever.

It was also Andrew who brought forth the young boy who had the food Jesus would bless and share with thousands (See John 6:8-9). Another time, Andrew brought a group of Greeks to Jesus. The men had approached Philip and asked to see Jesus, and Philip took them to Andrew. Andrew and Philip together escorted them to Jesus (see John 12:20-22).

Followers of Christ should seek to bring others to Him. If we love others as we are commanded, we'll want to share the good news of salvation with them. We produce fruit and live victorious lives when we bring others to Jesus, and we don't have to do this on our own. We have the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us. How many people have you brought to Jesus? It's not too late.

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What's with All the Billionaires?

I am rather appalled by the slew of Christian novels featuring Billionaires in the title. I've read some of them, however, and most of them aren't that bad. Yet, I don't understand all the emphasis on money and materialism. The stories would be just as good, and in my opinion, even better, if they left out the billionaire part. I think it emphasizes worldly values too much. A search on Amazon showed 6,400 books with "billionaire" in the title or subtitle.

Even if the book might include a main character that is a billionaire, why put that in the title? I'm guessing the author thinks it will draw readers, but it does the opposite for me. I always hesitate to order one of these books and don't usually do so unless they're offered for free. In all of them I've read, the wealth is an important part of the plot, and I wish it wasn't.

If I ever wrote such a book (and I seriously doubt this will ever happen), I would make the money a stumbling block to the relationship, not an asset. Should Christians seek to become billionaires? I think not. We have much more important things to seek after.

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Do You Love the World?

Love not the world, neither the things that in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but of the world  (1 John  2:15-16). 

Many people love the things of the world too much. Too many gauge success by worldly standards: education, careers, money, status, looks, etc. All of these stem from the sin of pride. Other sins can sprout from it, things like greed, stepping on others to get ahead, cheating, lying, stealing, vicious gossip, and a host of others. 

The wise realize that nothing is as important as our heavenly Father and faith. It is the only thing that will matter in the end. Only what we've done with Jesus and our relationship with Him will matter then. This determines where we'll spend eternity, and eternity matters so much more than this fleeting, temporary existence.

So, I ask. Do you love the world too much? Do you cling to it more tenaciously than you cling to God? Does the very thought of dying send you sinking in a sea of dread and depression? Do you want to get ahead in life more than you study God's Word, pray, and seek to bring others to Him? Remember, God always gives us another chance to make better choices and get things right.

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 Buy the Book

My latest book, Buy the Book, is now available for sale on Amazon. Grant Spencer figures the woman sent to set things right at the publishing house is Linwood’s spy, likely sent to set Grant up to fail and push him out. He might be forced to have her here since Linwood owns the controlling interest in the company, but he doesn’t have to like it. However, he hadn’t expected her to be so young or attractive, but if she thinks that will cause him to change his mind about her, she can just think again.

Meredith Reed has agreed to do an old friend a favor and see if she could put a struggling publishing company back in the black, but she hadn’t expected to be met with such hostility. Grant Spencer acts more like a fire-breathing dragon than the handsome man he is. However, she is determined to treat him as she should, no matter how he treats her. She’s determined to pull the company out of the red, regardless of his resistance, even though she has only from October to February to do it.

This is my first book that can be marketed as a holiday read, although readers will find it just as appropriate for any time of the year. It is set through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's and even runs to Valentine's Day. At times, Grant's curmudgeon attitude will make readers smile, but he and Meredith will steal their hearts. Check it out at - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08KPYK46M/

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In the Wilderness

And David abode in the wilderness (1 Samuel 1:23a).

In order to teach us the lessons we need to know, God often sends His children into a wilderness period.  Elijah was sent to the brook at Cherith during a drought and was fed by ravens to learn to depend upon God for everything.  Moses and the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years until all but two of the wayward generation died, and a new generation was more ready to be obedient. David lived in the wilderness when he was hiding from Saul but still leaned on God.

Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil (Matthew 4:1).

This is true in the New Testament, too. John the Baptist began his ministry in the wilderness of Judaea, and Jesus spent time in the wilderness where Satan tempted Him. After his conversion, Paul stayed in the wilderness three years before he started his ministry. The wilderness times in our lives can be an opportunity to grow closer to God and renew and strengthen our faith and commitment.

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43:19).

There are also figurative wildernesses in our lives, and we all have them. Jonah's wilderness came in the belly of a big fish. The apostle John's happened on the Isle of Patmos. If you look at your own life, you will probably discover one or more wilderness periods that God used for your good, and made you realize "how great is His faithfulness!"

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Audible Delays

I'm an Audible fan, both as a listener and an author. Not counting the books my publisher has put on Audible, I have personally published 16 audibles so far. However, as much as I enjoy the process of producing an audiobook, I find some parts frustrating.

With Summer's Songs was my first audible, and it was released on July 14, 2017. At that time, it was taking ACX about 2 - 3 weeks to approve a book, which fell within their timeframe of taking up to 20 business days. However, the amount of time has continued to increase, and I don't understand it. If their business is increasing, why don't they hire enough staff to take care of it?

I currently have 3 books in the ACX queue to be approved. My narrator finished and submitted From the Top of the Mountain to the Bottom of the Sea on August 9. On September 29, they returned it for a "correction" that the narrator couldn't find. But he added a little time where they noted, although what he had was within their specs, and resubmitted it. We are still waiting.

Maneuvers, the novel set during World War II was submitted on August 29, and we've heard nothing about it. Time-Told Tales, Volume Two was submitted on September 22. I now have Buy the Book in production, and it's about a third finished. I am producing them much faster than ACX is approving them. This increasing wait-time is getting ridiculous and quite frustrating.  I'm hoping that one of the above books will be released soon and that things will improve.

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"Come" 

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool (Isaiah 1:18).

Jesus calls people to come to Him. He did so in Bible times as he walked this earth, and he does so today. He wants us to be a part of God's family. He sacrificed Himself on the cross and died a horrible death to restore us to the Father so that we can spend eternity with Him in Heaven. As C. S. Lewis wrote, "God doesn't want something from us, He simply wants us."

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).

When Jesus started His ministry, he called his disciples. From among those men (some scholars believe there were around seventy of them), He chose twelve to be close to Him and become his proteges. "Come," He said, "and I will make you fishers of men." They followed their Master, learning how to carry on the work after He left them to ascend into Heaven.

Zacchaeus had heard Jesus was coming and wanted to see Him. However, being short in stature, he climbed a sycamore tree, so he could see. When Jesus came near, He looked up and said, "Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house." The little man was elated for this was no small matter. As a tax collector, most Jews hated him. Jesus' acceptance turned his life around and made an honest man of him.

Then, we have the rich young ruler who came to Jesus wanting to know what he must do to enter into Heaven. Jesus told him to keep God's commandments, and he answered that he had always done those things. "Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come and follow me." But the young man possessed much and could not bear to give it all up. What a lost opportunity!

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely (Revelation 22:17). 

You can see different responses to Jesus here. People still give different responses today. Jesus calls us all to come to Him. Some eagerly go to the Savior, some pretend to go or give a half-hearted effort while still holding onto worldly values, and some reject Him without pretense. Examine your heart. If you don't wholly belong to Christ, then you still need to come, but it isn't too late. Answer His call today.

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Goals for Christian Authors

Goals are different for Christian authors. It's not about us but about our Lord. It shouldn't ultimately be about how many books we sell, how much money we make, or how many reviews we have but about providing clean entertainment and reaching people with His messages. If we touch one person in the way God wants, causing that person to come to Him or draw closer in faithful understanding and devotion, then that book is a big success because we're all about doing His will, fulfilling His purposes, and glorifying Him.

It's all too easy for us to get caught up in the numbers and to forget our real mission and calling. It's fine to want to reach as many people as possible, but we need to keep our focus on what is really important -- following God's will. If we do that, the numbers will happen in His timing. God is good and wants the best for his children. Whatever He decides is always best.

So as Paul did, let's keep our eyes on the real prize of doing our Father's will. Of course, this doesn't mean that God wants us to sit back and do nothing but write. But if we seek His will, he will direct our paths. In addition, writing is more fun when we don't put so much pressure on ourselves or stress about everything. 

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Improving as a Christian

But now ye also put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth (Colossians 3:8).

Paul is not talking to unbelievers here. He is talking to the Christians in Colosse. They had already made changes in their lives, giving up a lifestyle of lusts and licentiousness. Now, Paul admonishes them to give up other traits that hinder them.

Anger is hard to give up. It becomes a habitual reaction to certain triggers, and once released, it becomes more frequent. However, Christians don't have to try to change alone. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us. We have His power and strength at our fingertips when we work within God's will, and getting rid of the anger that takes control of our lives is certainly what our Lord wants.

Wrath and malice have become all too common in this time of political polarization and strong opinions. However, no matter how strongly we disagree with others, we have no right to wish them harm. The Bible is very clear that doing so is a sin. We need to expunge wrath and malice from our lives, along with filthy language, profanity, and taking God's name in vain. If we profess to be Christians, we should act like it and be a good testimony for our faith. 

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