July 20, 2008 (Jean James)
Snakes, Florida, and Blunt Writing
Ecclesiastes 10: 10: If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength . . ." If we write something only moderately well, it will take much more effort to sell it. But if we take the time and effort at the beginning, and whet the edge of our work, it will cleave its place in the market.
I am off to Florida-Mary wants more snakes for upcoming videos. She sneaked a YouTube onto my ShoutLife page and told me it was part of my platform and I had to leave it there. And here I thought I was coming on as a quiet, dignified, elderly woman. Oh my . . .
July 6, 2008 (James)
God is faster than we are.
When we go aside to pray and don't feel Gods presence--it's not some great mystery. It's not because we haven't prayed hard enough or long enough. It's simply because we don't totally believe He is there.
We never walk up to a friend to talk with them and not feel their presence. We see them and know they are there. When we walk up to God, or kneel before Him, if we truly believe He is there, we will feel His presence. If we truly believe He meant it when He said He'd be with us, we'll know He is there. So when go to our private place of prayer, and struggle long and diligently to reach God, but feel only emptiness, maybe we should stop a minute and use our faith. He is standing there before us, waiting for us to see Him with our spiritual eyes. He was there from the very beginning. He's always there ahead of us.
July 2, 2008
Petitions & Submissions (James)
Today I sent all my requests and petitions out to God. Each one will surely be answered in God's order. Actually, the list was so long I know I'll constantly see answers. It will be like running to the mailbox, or logging in to my email, and finding good news each time I check. Thank God, He doesn't limit the number of submissions we send in.
July 28, 2008
When evil attacks (James)
When evil hits me with all its brutal force, I will not face Satan alone. I will run to my Lord, like a rich person runs for their attorney. I will offer my distress on God's altar and let Him consume it with His love. My smile will be my fast. My song will be my prayer. My God will see and hear these humble tokens of my faith and love, and He will give me power against Satan or He will hide me under His wing and face Satan in my stead.
