I Shall Not Be In Want

Psalm 23

I Shall Not Be In Want“He leads me …” Lord, lead me into ways to be a better leader, father, husband, and friend. Lead me into a life of right-standing before you.

“He restores …” Lord, restore those areas in my life where I’ve incurred loss. You know those areas. We discuss these things daily.

“He guides …” Lord, guide me in my job and my relationships. You know what lies ahead; I can only see a few feet in front of me and what I see scares the be-Jesus out of me.

“He is with me …” Lord, thanks for sticking by my side when others flee, when I am gripped with fear: when I want to cower and cry.

“He comforts me …” Lord, you know those worries that dog me, that awake me at 5 am. Please comfort and care for me as you have promised.

“He anoints me …” Lord, anoint me with your Spirit. Place your truth within my heart. May I have your courage to speak up for those who are persecuted because they accept you as their savior and advocate. May I speak out against those who lie about you and your sacrifice on the cross. May I stand with you even if it costs me my friends, family, and life.

“Goodness and love will follow me …” Lord, may I dwell with you in your Father’s house forever. May it be so.

Out of Gas

Go until you can't go anymore

There is a scene in the movie Patton that haunts me. It shows an overcast morning with small fires burning in and around American tanks. Bodies lay sprawled on the ground and slumped on gun turrets. Patton surveys the scene. His offensive has come to a screeching halt as the Third Army literally runs out of fuel near the Moselle River, just outside of Metz, France. In the dark, out of gas, his men fought to the death.

I’m sure Moses felt that way as he stood with his back to the Nile. Before him lay the Egyptian army. Behind water. All around, men, women, and children looked to him for a way out of the mess. I feel that way, today. Egypt is gone. We can’t go back to the way things were. What worked for LPC over these past seven years … doesn’t.

For the past several months I have noticed a steady decline in Amazon’s Kindle ebook sales. Kindle ebook sales are the majority of our fiction royalties and half our income. Kindle ebooks are easily consumable items. Instant buys you can read immediately. On the Kindle forums, other authors have noticed a similar dip in Kindle sales and royalties. Maybe it’s a function of ebooks. There are rumors that consumers are developing screen-fatigue. Of course if all books decline in sales we should still hold our market share in the sales ranking and categories, but that seems to slipping, too.

I ask that you plead with our Lord and Leader to:

  • Redeem our lost sales
  • Renew our hope
  • Restablish our position in the marketplace
  • Revive our spirit of courage
  • Restore my vision

The last time something like this happened was two years ago. I asked for prayers and guidance. We recovered and went on to have the best two years of the company. I pray that will happen again, but if not I need to know how to lead as we advance into this new normal.

EJ

Do not arouse or awaken love until …

“Do not arouse or awaken love until is so desires.” Song of Solomon, 2:5

My Father, may you help my wife and I love each other in the same way you love each of us.

“Are the rich not the ones who slander the nobel name of Christ?” James 2:7

Lord, may those in power know your love and do what is right in your eyes.

“Love your neighbor as yourself. This is the Royal Law found in Scripture.” James 2:8

My Father, help me to love my neighbors as you love me.

“Judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.” James 2:13

Father, forgive me of my sins. Help me to forgive others with the same forgiveness you use with me.

I Have Labored to No Purpose …

“I said, ‘I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with my God.'” ~ Isaiah 49:4

My Father, you are my provider and strength. My purpose is found in you.

“I will make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” ~ Isaiah 49:6

May I be a faithful beacon to others. Help me to shine YOUR light. 

“The children born to you will say, ‘This place is too small for us; give us more space to live in.'” ~ Isaiah 49:20

Lord, expand my boundaries. Enlarge my area of influence for you. Keep me from harm. Keep me from sin. Keep me healthy and focused on hearing your voice and calling.

Readers are Leaders, Buy a Boy a Book

Dead Calm, Bone Dry Curse of the Black Avenger

Are You Writing to the Jews or Gentiles?

Are Your Authors Writing to the Jews or Gentiles?“I will keep you and will make you a light for the Gentiles, to open the eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison, to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.” ~ Isaiah 42:6-7

At the Florida Christian Writers Conference I asked a group of writers why they write Christian fiction.

“We need to support each other,” “there’s not enough good Christian fiction out there,” “write what you know – I know about Christ and what he’s done for me.”

Great answers but if we ONLY write to the saved we leave the blind, deaf, imprisoned, and lost to the schemes and words of the enemy.

From the beginning I felt God called me to write and publish INTO the general market. I read general market fiction. I watch general market movies and TV shows. More than ever I’m convinced our mission is to share God’s light with the Gentiles.

Tough market, sure, but it’s also a lucrative market. For example, here’s the monthly market revenue for the top 100 titles in three popular Kindle categories.

Religious Women’s Fiction? $90,000
General Women’s Fiction? 7.5 million

Religious Romance? $265,000
General Romance? 2.5 million

Religious Suspense? $440,000
General Suspense? 6.7 million

We already have plenty of examples of how to weave God’s moral truths into story.

The Prodigal Son – a story of a parent’s unconditional, long-suffering love. Themes: trust, hope, and the importance of home and family and forgiveness.

The Good Samaritan – a story of inclusiveness. Themes: tolerance, institutional pride, religious hypocrisy, service, and generous giving.

The Hidden Treasure – a story of one individual’s journey to find his purpose. Themes: Passion, perseverance, risk and commitment to a noble cause.

Not once will you find the words, “God, Pray, Prayer, Salvation, Repent, Jesus, Christ,” in those stories and yet God’s love is shown throughout. You will also see how a lost son seeks guidance (he doesn’t pray, but he contemplates), turns from old habits, and hopes of forgiveness. We see how an individual gives everything he has in pursuit of a God-given treasure (or passion). (The theme of the movie La, La, Land.) God owns the copyright on these ideals. He created them. His moral truths challenge readers to change.

Look, I’m not saying we should abandon the Church and Christian fiction. I am saying that we need to reach beyond the walls of the temple and take His message into Samaria and beyond. God knows the rest of the world needs His light.

Readers are Leaders, Buy a Boy a Book

Dead Calm, Bone Dry Curse of the Black Avenger

Hezekiah’s Prayer

Hezekiah's Prayer“Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, “Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.” ~ Isaiah 38:2

Lord, today, someone faces a death sentence. I ask that you hear their cries for help and mercy. If they walked with your faithfully and devoted their life to you, consider their plea for help. Heal them and extend their years. 

“My word will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” ~ Isaiah 55:11

My Father, help me to accomplish that which you sent me to do. Help me achieve my purpose in your kingdom.