“The Noticer” by Andy Andrews is a keeper. I read a lot and give away many of the books I read. Only the ones that really “get to me” stay on my shelves. This book is full of wisdom for all ages. Some books speak the challenges in marriage. Others are about dating and young people’s issues. There are quite a few books about making the “golden years” count. “The Noticer” touches on all of these in a calm and reasonable manner. My notebooks are full of quotes and outlines from books such as this one. I am certain that I will be referring to my notes on this book for a very long time.
The historical illustrations caused me to want to study history more. The impact biographies of great people had on some of the characters caused me to explore doing more reading along those lines. I wish teachers would read this book so that they can see another approach to teaching these things. I think that “The Noticer” is a great fit for people that want to get a grip on the important things in life. Especially in the days we are living at present, readers will find encouragement, as well as workable plans to implement in their own lives.
Elaine Littau
Author of “Nan’s Journey” and “Elk’s Resolve”
Nan's Heritage Series-Set in the 1800s- Book I, Nan's Journey-Book II, Elk's Resolve-Book III, Luke's Legacy- Book IV, The Eyes of a Stranger- Book V, Timothy's Home Rescued...A Series of Hope Book I, Some Happy Day - Book II, Capture the Wandering Heart- Book III, Walk Slowly Through the Dark Nashville Series set in 1974: Six Miles From Nashville
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Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Anticipation at the Mailbox
Everyday, I mean every single day that the mail runs, I open my mailbox with anticipation. Some days I am rewarded. A lot of days I am not. You may think that I am talking about getting a check from the Reader's Digest Contest stating that I may have already won a bazillion dollars.
No, my heart races when I see handwriting on a regular letter. A real live letter thrills me. My friends and daughters-in-law know this and indulge me fairly often. Don't get me wrong, I am an email addict and love having as many notes from people as possible. I like personal notes about how everyone is doing..their kids...grandkids...their hopes...dissappointments...You know, all the stuff of life. It doesn't take much. I am happy with a couple of sentences in my emails.
When I see an unfamiliar return address on a handwritten envelope it touches my heart. People have been very supportive about the books I write. It is like they send the encouraging words just in time to rescue me from self-doubt. There are a lot of very kind people in this world. They don't get a lot of press, but they are amazing.
I guess the thing about holding and tearing open the crispy envelope to see the contents is the realization that sending a letter takes purposed effort. So many times I think of writing someone and then just as quickly as the thought landed in my brain it flew off. I love looking at the script. (I get a little jealous of other people's handwriting. Mine looks so scratchy.) I am nutty about letters....Can you tell? I save every hand written thing I get...
Here is an idea. Send a hand written letter to your mom for mother's day. If your mother is not around anymore, send one to someone special in your life. You will surprise them and make their day.
No, my heart races when I see handwriting on a regular letter. A real live letter thrills me. My friends and daughters-in-law know this and indulge me fairly often. Don't get me wrong, I am an email addict and love having as many notes from people as possible. I like personal notes about how everyone is doing..their kids...grandkids...their hopes...dissappointments...You know, all the stuff of life. It doesn't take much. I am happy with a couple of sentences in my emails.
When I see an unfamiliar return address on a handwritten envelope it touches my heart. People have been very supportive about the books I write. It is like they send the encouraging words just in time to rescue me from self-doubt. There are a lot of very kind people in this world. They don't get a lot of press, but they are amazing.
I guess the thing about holding and tearing open the crispy envelope to see the contents is the realization that sending a letter takes purposed effort. So many times I think of writing someone and then just as quickly as the thought landed in my brain it flew off. I love looking at the script. (I get a little jealous of other people's handwriting. Mine looks so scratchy.) I am nutty about letters....Can you tell? I save every hand written thing I get...
Here is an idea. Send a hand written letter to your mom for mother's day. If your mother is not around anymore, send one to someone special in your life. You will surprise them and make their day.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Persistence and Battle:The modern world of book publishing
Fellow Tate Publishing and Enterprises author, Cliff Graham posted this article on the Tate Author Forum Blog today. He has a fantastic book about to be released, "Lion of War", (First book, "Day of War" - Lion of War series--novels based on King David's Mighty Men.) Get your copies at Tate Publishing.com or at his website. (I will post the address here soon.)
I am humbled that he chose my experience as a first time author for his post. Thank you Cliff and good luck and great sales for you series!
Persistence and Battle: The modern world of book publishing
My first order of books arrived today, and we have been busy getting orders ready to ship. Since the release of the book to distribution (bookstores, online retailers like Amazon) is not until October, it is up to me, and only me, to get the word out about my product.That's the right word, after all: product.Gone are the days when a writer could just sit back and wait for someone else to do their work for them. The industry does not operate that way anymore, and if you still labor under the illusion that an unknown author with no platform has any prayer of magically striking rich with the debt-ridden and tanking traditional publishers, you might need to take a deep breath.This blog is operated by a career literary agent, and look at how dour a picture she presents for those who are trying to write nonfiction. If you don't have a platform, your blood, sweat, and tears alone will sell that book.This is a report on the transformation of publishing as we know it, in the form of a Q/A with a notable Writer's Digest figure. It has fantastic analysis on the state of publishing.This is a blog post about how even fiction writers need platforms nowadays.
All of this is interesting reading. One of the complaints I have heard about Tate is that no one likes to talk about their sales figures for their books if they aren't a famous author because it can be a bit embarrassing. True enough. But did you know that only 2-3% of all books published in the world sell more than 5,000 copies? That is sobering. It tells us two things.1) Only 2-3% of authors are ever looked at again by publishers in New York, even if they get good contracts for their work.2) Even less than that actually make a living writing books. Even if you sell 5,000 copies and succeed in becoming one of the 2-3% of authors who do so, that does not add up to a full-time career. Let's say that your contract gives you 7% of distribution royalties (the standard rate for New York publishers--Tate offers 15%, by the way). 7% of every copy from that 5,000 copy run will not pay your mortgage for 30 years. It might get you a new garage door or help repair your roof from hail damage, but it won't guarantee milk in your refrigerator. Especially if the books sells only 5,000 copies, and it sells them through distribution, for which the author only gets a tiny amount of the royalties. It won't sell more than that unless word of mouth is powerful (which can happen, see The Shack) or you work your tail off marketing, sacrificing writing time.
There is a happy medium to be found. I am not able to list the specific sales numbers for other authors I have spoken with, but I know that Tate author Elaine Littau had a counter on her blog that was well over 1,000 copies sold when I checked it last. 1,000 copies for an unknown first time author in just 2 years is a remarkable figure, especially considering that she did not get heavy television promotion and her novel did not appear on shelves nationwide. Many books do get that kind of attention and never even sell 1,000 copies.
The Gargoyle, a book whose marketing I frequently point to as the standard for everything wrong with the industry, coughed up just 15,000 in sales after months on prominent bookstore shelves, and that unknown author was paid over a million dollars in an advance. Elaine's perseverance and belief in her book (call it a product) are driving sales. She has built a loyal fan base of genuine fans and not just people duped into buying because of a corporate marketing scheme. She recently published her next book in the series, and the first wave of fans will be getting the sequel they have been waiting for.Elaine's story is fascinating because it is quintessentially American: hard work, dedication, and driving faith will see better results than haunch-sitting. She has been dramatically effective at self-promotion, and she still found time to write another novel in her series while working at a job. Now that's efficiency.
Tate is doing what other publishers are just now starting to understand: they set their authors up for success. They don't guarantee it. I had a drill sergeant when I first joined the army who always shouted to us, "None of this training will guarantee that you will survive battle--it just guarantees that you will be in the battle."An author in the modern times is in a battle, and it is better to have a publisher who provides tools and training to equip that author for battle than a publisher who just hopes on a wing and a prayer that something will be the next "Purpose-Driven Harry Potter."It's all about incentive. Do we have what it takes to swallow our pride, realize that no one likes us or cares about our book, certainly not enough to spend money on it, and go from there? That's how Rick Warren, John Grisham and J.K. Rowling started. Persistence won the day.
Posted by Cliff Graham at
I am humbled that he chose my experience as a first time author for his post. Thank you Cliff and good luck and great sales for you series!
Persistence and Battle: The modern world of book publishing
My first order of books arrived today, and we have been busy getting orders ready to ship. Since the release of the book to distribution (bookstores, online retailers like Amazon) is not until October, it is up to me, and only me, to get the word out about my product.That's the right word, after all: product.Gone are the days when a writer could just sit back and wait for someone else to do their work for them. The industry does not operate that way anymore, and if you still labor under the illusion that an unknown author with no platform has any prayer of magically striking rich with the debt-ridden and tanking traditional publishers, you might need to take a deep breath.This blog is operated by a career literary agent, and look at how dour a picture she presents for those who are trying to write nonfiction. If you don't have a platform, your blood, sweat, and tears alone will sell that book.This is a report on the transformation of publishing as we know it, in the form of a Q/A with a notable Writer's Digest figure. It has fantastic analysis on the state of publishing.This is a blog post about how even fiction writers need platforms nowadays.
All of this is interesting reading. One of the complaints I have heard about Tate is that no one likes to talk about their sales figures for their books if they aren't a famous author because it can be a bit embarrassing. True enough. But did you know that only 2-3% of all books published in the world sell more than 5,000 copies? That is sobering. It tells us two things.1) Only 2-3% of authors are ever looked at again by publishers in New York, even if they get good contracts for their work.2) Even less than that actually make a living writing books. Even if you sell 5,000 copies and succeed in becoming one of the 2-3% of authors who do so, that does not add up to a full-time career. Let's say that your contract gives you 7% of distribution royalties (the standard rate for New York publishers--Tate offers 15%, by the way). 7% of every copy from that 5,000 copy run will not pay your mortgage for 30 years. It might get you a new garage door or help repair your roof from hail damage, but it won't guarantee milk in your refrigerator. Especially if the books sells only 5,000 copies, and it sells them through distribution, for which the author only gets a tiny amount of the royalties. It won't sell more than that unless word of mouth is powerful (which can happen, see The Shack) or you work your tail off marketing, sacrificing writing time.
There is a happy medium to be found. I am not able to list the specific sales numbers for other authors I have spoken with, but I know that Tate author Elaine Littau had a counter on her blog that was well over 1,000 copies sold when I checked it last. 1,000 copies for an unknown first time author in just 2 years is a remarkable figure, especially considering that she did not get heavy television promotion and her novel did not appear on shelves nationwide. Many books do get that kind of attention and never even sell 1,000 copies.
The Gargoyle, a book whose marketing I frequently point to as the standard for everything wrong with the industry, coughed up just 15,000 in sales after months on prominent bookstore shelves, and that unknown author was paid over a million dollars in an advance. Elaine's perseverance and belief in her book (call it a product) are driving sales. She has built a loyal fan base of genuine fans and not just people duped into buying because of a corporate marketing scheme. She recently published her next book in the series, and the first wave of fans will be getting the sequel they have been waiting for.Elaine's story is fascinating because it is quintessentially American: hard work, dedication, and driving faith will see better results than haunch-sitting. She has been dramatically effective at self-promotion, and she still found time to write another novel in her series while working at a job. Now that's efficiency.
Tate is doing what other publishers are just now starting to understand: they set their authors up for success. They don't guarantee it. I had a drill sergeant when I first joined the army who always shouted to us, "None of this training will guarantee that you will survive battle--it just guarantees that you will be in the battle."An author in the modern times is in a battle, and it is better to have a publisher who provides tools and training to equip that author for battle than a publisher who just hopes on a wing and a prayer that something will be the next "Purpose-Driven Harry Potter."It's all about incentive. Do we have what it takes to swallow our pride, realize that no one likes us or cares about our book, certainly not enough to spend money on it, and go from there? That's how Rick Warren, John Grisham and J.K. Rowling started. Persistence won the day.
Posted by Cliff Graham at
Foul Language
Lately I have been studying Ephesians 4. It is full of wisdom... although most of the time I just read through and don't chew on the words. This time I took notes. There was a lot to be gleaned from the chapter. I thought that verse 29 which speaks of not using foul language was relatively easy for me. Upon closer inspection it says to not use foul language (use only words that are beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace [God's favor] to those who hear it.)
This is harder than not cussing. The reading goes on: "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit." I think this may be connected with the last paragraph because it goes on to say..."Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath - (Passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment - (anger animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind) stop.
Replace this "foul language" with: Becoming useful, helpful, kind, tenderhearted, forgiving just as God in Christ forgave you and me.
Wow, that is a taller order than just cleaning up my language. This instruction is a change of mind and attitude. It is a change of life and perspective. It is truly living the golden rule - treating others as you want to be treated. (FYI -This is not a promise that they will treat you good back.) I must repent for using "foul language" as I see the measuring stick the Lord uses. I pledge to endeavor to live by this verse.
This is harder than not cussing. The reading goes on: "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit." I think this may be connected with the last paragraph because it goes on to say..."Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath - (Passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment - (anger animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind) stop.
Replace this "foul language" with: Becoming useful, helpful, kind, tenderhearted, forgiving just as God in Christ forgave you and me.
Wow, that is a taller order than just cleaning up my language. This instruction is a change of mind and attitude. It is a change of life and perspective. It is truly living the golden rule - treating others as you want to be treated. (FYI -This is not a promise that they will treat you good back.) I must repent for using "foul language" as I see the measuring stick the Lord uses. I pledge to endeavor to live by this verse.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Peace by Piece by Peter and Sandra Loth
When a friend recommended Peace by Piece by Peter and Sandra Loth to me I had no idea that I would be glued to my chair and crying the rest of the day away. I simply could not put it down. It was difficult to stomach in places but necessary. Forgiveness is an important topic to me and the issues I have dealt with in that subject do not stack up at all to what this man has been through in his life. Yet, by the grace of God, he was able to release the pain and truly forgive. This gives me hope for myself and my situations. The freedom of spirit he experiences through forgiveness shows that it is worth it. Honestly, I have heard stories about the Holocaust before this one, but this first person post Holocaust story is a must read. Younger readers should not read it without parental approval.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Parker Planners
I've joined Parker Planners and think you'll be interested in it as well. To check it out, follow the link below: http://www.parkerplanners.com/?psinvite=ALRopfUi6z98bI_mdhYiH6VM0yLQnMpvphpLRzOas9HR7DEpC24Z-707WcK7N9RULYdp6BWL-EfB4Ld61pbhXa2Be-ewJ6HnzQ
Sunday, April 12, 2009
The Rain is so Welcome
This year has been so dry so you can imagine the excitment everyone in our area when the big snow hit. Now we had a glorious rainey Easter Sunday. It has been such a relaxing day. The buffalo grass is responding already. It is wonderful!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Our Town, Our Lives
Have you ever seen the play "Our Town"? The message of the play is one that has stayed with me ever since I first saw it when I was in Jr. High School. (I'm as old as dirt so that is a long time.) The main female character dies at the beginning of the play and asks to be able to say one last goodbye. She is granted the privilege of watching one of the ordinary days of her life. She remarks about how young her mother and father look. She watches herself as she lives through this ordinary day. One thing that she says is something like, "We aren't even looking at each other!"
Yesterday is not a day that I would want to come back to for an ordinary day in my life. Terry and I were busy. We were not at home. We were working on his mother's house finishing up the remodelling we have been doing. We were intent on the work and did not really talk at all. Terry was in one room and I was in another. Part of the day, for me, was broken up with visiting with Viola. I think she is really ready for the process to be over so that she can settle into this life changing move.
Although no terrible words were said. No arguments ensued. Nothing notable happened. When I pulled the covers up to my chin to sleep, I felt that something very important was missing in the day. We didn't even look at each other! On the hour-long ride home we didn't really speak. Terry was so tired he just couldn't carry on a conversation. My heart squeezed and I felt sad.
I opened this page of my life to urge you to not waste your days. I would be very sad if this were to be the last day we spent together. What a wasted last memory. We have had so many good memories and days. I think about the hurry and stress we all are in these days. If you take anything from reading my words, please remember to take time to "look at each other." I intend to wrap my arms around my weary husband when he comes in from work and tell him that he is a good son to his little mother and also a sweet husband to me. I want to look into those sky blue eyes and memorize his face one more time and see that incredible smile flash across his handsome face. He probably is too busy to realize that he misses me too, but I have to remind him...right?
Yesterday is not a day that I would want to come back to for an ordinary day in my life. Terry and I were busy. We were not at home. We were working on his mother's house finishing up the remodelling we have been doing. We were intent on the work and did not really talk at all. Terry was in one room and I was in another. Part of the day, for me, was broken up with visiting with Viola. I think she is really ready for the process to be over so that she can settle into this life changing move.
Although no terrible words were said. No arguments ensued. Nothing notable happened. When I pulled the covers up to my chin to sleep, I felt that something very important was missing in the day. We didn't even look at each other! On the hour-long ride home we didn't really speak. Terry was so tired he just couldn't carry on a conversation. My heart squeezed and I felt sad.
I opened this page of my life to urge you to not waste your days. I would be very sad if this were to be the last day we spent together. What a wasted last memory. We have had so many good memories and days. I think about the hurry and stress we all are in these days. If you take anything from reading my words, please remember to take time to "look at each other." I intend to wrap my arms around my weary husband when he comes in from work and tell him that he is a good son to his little mother and also a sweet husband to me. I want to look into those sky blue eyes and memorize his face one more time and see that incredible smile flash across his handsome face. He probably is too busy to realize that he misses me too, but I have to remind him...right?
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Do Not Be Afraid.
Yesterday some of the ladies of my church and I were praying. The Lord impressed me strongly with this message to give to anyone who will receive it:
Do not be afraid. The same water that flows from under the throne of God is that which flows from out of your belly as a river. It was given for these last days. Don't waste the Holy Spirit flowing from you. You will speak to your children and loved ones and they will listen to the voice of God. You will be carried on this river through this dark time. The Holy Spirit of God will carry you.
Psalms 46
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Come behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he had made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted in the earth.
The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
John 7:37-39
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Revelation 22
And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, In the midst of the street of it and on either side of river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there: and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
BEHOLD I COME QUICKLY.
vs. 12
And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 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.
vs 20
He which testifieth these things saith, SURELY I COME QUICKLY. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
If you read all of that, hang in there with me a minute more. I am not a preacher. I am a person who loves Jesus and I love people. I feel urgent to tell you that the time is short. I know that the Scriptures were from the King James Bible and some of you may find it hard to understand. Please get a translation you do understand and study the verses I have written here. Read the Bible. You will see that it is time to quit playing around and get serious with God. He loves you and wants to help you.
Spend some time reading Revelation, the last book of the Bible. I know that it will be difficult to understand for you, but pray for understanding. Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins. Ask Him to show you what to do. Find a good church that believes that the Bible is true and current for our lives today. Read the Bible starting with St John and go through the whole New Testament. You will find the road map to show you what to do in these uncertain days. If you need prayer please contact me at elainel45@msn.com . I don't take offerings or anything like that. Time is short. Like the Lord said...He is coming quickly!
Do not be afraid. The same water that flows from under the throne of God is that which flows from out of your belly as a river. It was given for these last days. Don't waste the Holy Spirit flowing from you. You will speak to your children and loved ones and they will listen to the voice of God. You will be carried on this river through this dark time. The Holy Spirit of God will carry you.
Psalms 46
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Come behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he had made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted in the earth.
The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
John 7:37-39
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Revelation 22
And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, In the midst of the street of it and on either side of river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there: and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
BEHOLD I COME QUICKLY.
vs. 12
And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 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.
vs 20
He which testifieth these things saith, SURELY I COME QUICKLY. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
If you read all of that, hang in there with me a minute more. I am not a preacher. I am a person who loves Jesus and I love people. I feel urgent to tell you that the time is short. I know that the Scriptures were from the King James Bible and some of you may find it hard to understand. Please get a translation you do understand and study the verses I have written here. Read the Bible. You will see that it is time to quit playing around and get serious with God. He loves you and wants to help you.
Spend some time reading Revelation, the last book of the Bible. I know that it will be difficult to understand for you, but pray for understanding. Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins. Ask Him to show you what to do. Find a good church that believes that the Bible is true and current for our lives today. Read the Bible starting with St John and go through the whole New Testament. You will find the road map to show you what to do in these uncertain days. If you need prayer please contact me at elainel45@msn.com . I don't take offerings or anything like that. Time is short. Like the Lord said...He is coming quickly!