Accepting Sin

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them (Ephesians 5:11)

More and more, our society today has become accepting of many sinful acts. In fact, some are actually encouraged, and at best, most aren't taken seriously. Have we gotten to the point that people hardly recognize it? Look at the unwed mothers, adultery, "alternative lifestyles," looting, violence, drugs, gang activities, and disrespect. The world too often sees sin as acceptable.

How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Romans 6:2b)

Even the Church hasn't taken the stand it should. Many have been desensitized until they view sin as unavoidable, and they rationalize that they're only human. Instead of trying to prevent it, they become resigned to it. This chips away at God's Word, and I can imagine Satan's gleeful grin. 

Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him (1 John 3:6).


Unconfessed sin creates a chasm between us and God. Intentional, deliberate sin destroys our relationship with the Lord. When we continue to willfully sin, we are choosing evil over God, and one could question whether or not we've ever been truly saved. The people who are truly saved want to get sin out of their lives. They may still fail at times, but when they do, they are quick to fall to their knees in repentance. Where do you stand? The Holy Spirit was sent to help us overcome sin in our lives. Let Him have his way.

_____________________________

Imagination and Writing

Of course, imagination plays a great part in writing a novel. The story stems from the author's imagination and ability to see the story unfold. But I think authors should also trust their readers' imagination.Generally, avid readers choose books over more visual forms, such a movies, because they get to imagine the scenes, as well as be able to know the characters' thoughts.

I read many books, however, that are so stuffed with descriptions, details, and explanations they bog the story down and make it boring. An author should weave in enough details (not write paragraphs of them) to make the story come alive while not becoming so heavy-handed that they suck some of the life out of it. If the information doesn't move the story forward or isn't crucial, don't include it.

I admit that I skip over many of the long descriptive paragraphs in a book. Most of them are not needed and should have been edited or taken out. I want character and plot development. I want to see what is going to happen or at least how the story gets to a foreseen conclusion. I don't want to get trapped in pages of passive prose. What about you? How do you feel about this?

__________________________________

National Lobster Day

September 25th is National Lobster Day. Lobster became popular as an American food in the mid-1800's. Prior to that time, it was considered as fit only for servants, prisoners, or the very poor. In fact, it was well into the 20th century before the food became sought after.

Lobsters are caught in baited, one-way traps dropped from boats and marked with colored buoys. The traps are made from either plastic-coated, galvanized steel or wood. Of course, all the early ones were wooden. A lobster fisherman might tend as many as 2,000 traps. Lobster boats, also known as smacks, have a holding area to keep the lobsters alive.

Farming lobster for commercial use has never been very successful. For one thing, lobsters tend to eat each other, especially when kept in close quarters. Their growth rate is also too slow.

As they grow, the lobster must molt, and they may change colors. They have ten legs, live on the bottom of the ocean, and use their antennae as sensors. A lobster may live to be about 70 years old, growing larger all the while. The largest lobster on record was caught in Nova Scotia and weighed over 44 pounds.

___________________________________________

Judgment Day

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God (Romans 14:12).

We don't like to think about standing before God to be judged, but each one of us must do so one day. Some mistakenly think that if they ignore spiritual concerns, they will have no effect on them. Wrong. Denying God does not make Him less real or His Word less true.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad ( 2 Corinthians 5:10).

The truth is that we all serve one of two masters. We either serve God of we serve Satan, and if we do nothing, we serve Satan by default. Likewise, we will all be judged and either be sent to an eternity with God in Paradise or an eternity in hell with Satan. We are saved as a free gift by accepting Christ. However, once we are truly saved, we will want to please our Heavenly Father and put serving Him above all else.

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24).

Neither can we seek worldly rewards and expect to still be rewarded by God. The world's values are opposed to His, and we must not love the things of the world more than we love God. How committed are you to your faith? Where do you think you'll stand on judgment day? It's not too late to start making the right choices.

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Then shall he say also unto them on his left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:34 & 41).

___________________________________________________

A Trunk Full of Books

I have learned that carrying books with me almost everywhere I go pays off. Although some authors rely completely on online or bookstore sales, I make much more on those I sell myself, both the ones from the traditional publisher and the indies.

I'm constantly surprised by the number of readers who don't do much online, won't consider an e-reader, and want a book they can hold in their hands and turn the pages. I also ran across a statistic today that caused me to stop to think. One-half of the people in the world never use a computer.

I sell most of the books I have at book signings and presentations, but I also sell a significant number from people asking about them and where they can be purchased. By saying I have copies with me, I make it easy for them, and the purchase is immediate, before they have time to forget. Having my books available is part of the fun of marketing.

________________________________

Surname Origins

weaver

Many of us who have ancestral ties to the British Isles likely have some surnames in our genealogy that come from occupations. Often these came from the guilds of the Middle Ages where every job had a title. Although some of these are no longer recognizable, others are common and easily understood. Here are some examples:

Made bread, tarts, etc.  (Baker)

carpenter

Built roofing, floors, paneling, furniture, etc.
(carpenter)
Pulled teeth, did minor surgery, cut hair
(barber)
Tended hedges and fields of grass cut for animals  (hayward)
Made arrows  (fletcher)
Cut meats  (butcher)
Hauled the stone and wood to build a castle  (carter)
Grew plants for food  (farmer)
Worker or maker  (smith or wright)
Secured and took care of the main doors

tanner

(porter)
Crafted bows as a type of weapon (bowyer)
Made candles and sometimes soaps
(chandler)
Made parts of furniture, especially drawers
(joyner)
Cured animal hides and made leather (tanner)

brewer

Made ales and strong drinks  (brewer)
Made footwear (shoemaker)
Made wooden spoons, bowls, or fancy furniture legs  (turner)
Took care of parts of the household and some finances  (chamberlain)
A professional soldier  (knight)
Supervised the household and great hall events (steward)                      Ground grains into a powder (miller)
Prepared foods  (cook)
Cared for the cellar and the bottles stored there (butler)

smith

How many do you find familiar? What others can you add?

________________________________________________________________________

Proof of God

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork (Psalm 19:1).

DNA

The more I know of science the more I'm absolutely certain there is a God. When we consider how intricately and marvelously the universe is made to work and how interdependent and precise it all is, how can anyone come to the conclusion that it just accidentally happened in a chain of random events?

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well (Psalm 139:14).

As just one example, look at our own bodies. Each part works together to give us life. Biologists are still working to understand it all. Just the brain itself is indescribably complicated and amazing. How can anyone believe we just happened from nothing and will return to nothing? Does that make sense? 

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end (Jeremian 29:11).

It takes much more blind faith to be an atheist than to believe in God. It is much more rational and reasonable to believe in a Creator and Intelligent design than to believe all this just happened without any thought or plan. Just by considering nature alone, we have indisputable proof of God and His power, majesty, love, and presence. There is no excuse for not turning to Him.

__________________________________