A SENSE OF RELIEF

          In the wake of my father's passing I find a sense of relief.  I have run this portion of the race successfully and I am at peace with all that has transpired over the last couple of years.  God has been very gracious to me.  He has allowed me to write many words in an effort to bring honor to His name.  My third book is to be released imminently and I have no regrets as to how things have turned out.  God has used me to encourage and bless more folks than I probably realize and I humbly say that I am grateful for the charge that He has placed within my heart.  Be blessed my friends.  God is on our side and shall carry us when we can no longer stand.  Until next time, walk with the King today and be a blessing!!

LOUIS HENRY KELLER; b. July 6, 1924 - d. February 27, 2014

          Here's where reality sets in.  My father passed away earlier this morning.  While we were't all that close we had a good relationship, though it was always on his terms.  He was a bit selfish in that it was always about him.  I do, however, have very fond memories of things we did together and places we went.  While he wasn't necessarily a Dad to me, he was a father.  He always had a job and as a result always was able to provide for us.  He was honest and loyal, both qualities he passed on to me. He loved music and listened to it all the time.  He introduced me to Classical music when I was in my teens; music I love to this day. He wasn't particularly sociable, preferring to keep to himself and his family.  When my mom and then 30 some yrs later, my step-mom passed away, he remained alone.  A solitary figure doing as he pleased, though doing as he pleased meant only sitting watching TV or listening to music.  He went nowhere and knew no one.  I was his only companion the last couple years of his life.  He seemed content with that.  So he lived as he chose and died with dignity, peacefully in his bed at Kensington Court, where they took very good care of him.  May he rest in peace. rlk 

LIFE'S HARSH REALITIES

          The next few days are going to be tough ones.  There's a lot going on.  Most importantly, my 89 yr old dad who has dementia, renal failure and is simply not doing all that well has begun what I was told was the "active stage of dying".  Could take up to 3 days for him to pass.  The shock of his sudden nosedive caused all sorts of emotions within me.  That plus something I ate caused me to have a very rough night.  I am still not 100% but am feeling somewhat better.  

          I may receive an offer to work with an online company as a vendor specialist.  I interviewed last week and should hear one way or the other next week sometime.  

          I will be embarking on an email campaign in the attempt to secure a meeting with pastors in the area.  My hope is that there will be some interest in having me come to speak to their congregations.  

          My third book will be released shortly.  Not sure what the hold up is.  So you can see there are many things going on.  That's all for now ... until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! rlk

BRANDING MYSELF

Trying to make a name for yourself or "branding" as I believe it is called in the publicity world, is difficult for me.  While I don't want to stand in a crowd and 'toot my own horn' I know that to get picked up by a traditional publisher I will have to learn to get my name out there so people want to read what I have written.  I know God can enable me to accomplish this in such a fashion as to not lose my true self and yet 'toot my horn for God' so to speak, as my publicist Helen Cook put it.  God knows what He's doing; I'm trying my best to follow His lead.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!  rlk

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY

          Today is a beautiful day.  Sunny, semi-warm temps.  It's a day when I meet up with a minister from Millville, NJ. He has a radio/TV ministry.  At the suggestion of my publicist, I contacted him to do lunch. He interviewed me last October re: my first book and was more than willing to meet up with me.  The weather has caused some delays but we are finally hooking up today.  Let's see what the Lord has in store.  I need to leave within the next 15-20 min to head south down the Parkway.  As I always do, I ask that the Lord's will for my life play out before me this day.  His plans for me are kingdom centered, while mine can tend to lean toward the SELF-centered.  God knows what He's doing and I put my complete and total trust in Him.  He's never let me down and I know He won't now.  Have a super blessed day my friends.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

THE 3 R's

Striving for things that are of little consequence becomes time wasted.  We can never retrieve this time.  It's gone ... history.  But we can make better choices starting right now.  God provides a standard of living that is fair and gracious.  Wanting to do your own thing will satisfy for a time, but when the satisfaction wanes, what then?  Complete contentment based on lasting fulfillment is found in God alone.  It's all based on faith and trust.  It's time for Christians to reassess, reconnect and recommit.  God is the answer to any and all of the burning questions.  Let the mockers continue on with their mocking.  They are the ones who will be dumbstruck in the end.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!  elk

BEING SUCCESSFUL BY GIVING UP

          Life is good.  God is great!  God never changes.  He is constantly the same.  Peoples moods and dispositions change all the time.  We allow situations and circumstances around us to dictate how we feel.  That's being human for ya.  When will we ever learn to let God have His way in our hearts, minds and LIFE.  The struggles we face don't have to bring us down.  I am speaking from a position of knowing, for I allow the winds and waves of uncertainty to rock my world too.  We are but dust and to dust we shall return.  God knows this.  He knows we need His help.  The problem is that we haven't figured that out yet and are still peddling along under our own steam.  Give it up to the Lord and allow Him to give you all you need to be successful in His eyes.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!  rlk

A 180 DEGREE TURN

         Something danced through my mind this morning.  The concept of doing a 180 when it comes to sin. Doing a 180 is turning from the sin and then walking away from it.  The devil is not our friend.  He wants to trip us up any chance he gets. This is why scripture tells us in Ephesians 4:27 to not give him even the slightest foothold.  Don't even let him get his big toe in the door.  You are asking for trouble.  Turn from evil and do good always.  If you are unsure of the path you should take, ask God to guide you.  He always has your best interests in mind.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

          

I'M NO DIFFERENT THAN YOU

          Today's devo at minidevos.blogspot.com talks about being Christ-like.  I look at myself on a daily basis and realize that I write one thing for others yet don't practice a lot of what I preach.  I suppose that is to be expected since I'm human, but it bothers me.  Who am I to say one thing and then not do it myself?  I reflect on my own inadequacies and have come up with this conclusion:  I'm learning just like you are.  If God truly is using me as a conduit to minister His word to the brethren as a means of encouragement and edification, then it stands to reason that I will be encouraged and edified as well.  I haven't arrived spiritually speaking.  Not even close.  Does that make me relatable to the masses of people who feel they can't live up to the standards set by God?  I believe it does.  I write and speak from a position of imperfection.  I am no different than you.  I have some of the same problems and put my pants on one leg at a time just like you.  My hope is that something I say will help someone in some small way to feel better about themselves and their walk with God.  We are in this thing together.  Let's shoulder each others burdens and continue on down the narrow path to heaven.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

God's in control

Still waiting for my book to be published.  I approved the printing of the sample copies.  

We survived another round of snow with only a couple inches ... then rain washes away some of it.  It's not doing anything right now.  Warming up.  Temps supposed to be in the mid to high 30's today and go up into the mid to high 40's the rest of the week.  We'll probably lose a lot of our snow.  

God is good all the time.  He just is.  It's a decision to believe that.  We could mope about wondering why things suk so bad or we can dig down deep, count all the blessings God has given us and move on knowing that God is watching over us and will never fail to provide for us.  Trials and tests come to strengthen our faith.  A cable can't be tested for strength if it's never stretched.  A boat can't prove it's sea worthy unless it goes through the storm.  We must stand tall in Christ each and every day, knowing that God is in absolute and complete control of all things and will not let anything harm us.  I believe that ... do you?? rlk

President's Day

       It's a National Holiday.  It used to be two holidays when I was growing up.  It was Lincoln's Birthday & later in February it was Washington's Birthday.  Now it is simply Presidents Day.  I think it's sad when we minimize the exceptional accomplishments these two men did throughout their lives by clustering their special days into one all inclusive day where there is no mail delivery and every store known to man has a mega-sale.  Is that truly all our history means to us, BIG sales and another day off from school or work? 

          My third book is supposed to be going to the printer.  That means it will be available to the public shortly.  My special offer to get all 3 of my books for the price of the 3rd one is still on.  Take advantage of this deal cuz it will be ending soon.  Hope y'all have a super blessed day!  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Yucky weather & God's will

          Worst winter I can remember, but I have only been back in NJ since October of 2011.  Mucho mucho snow.  Oh well, it is what it is.  Before we know it it'll be close to 100 degrees and we'll complain about that too. lol. I'm alive and breathing … that's gotta be worth something.  Actually, that's worth an awful lot.  Another day to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.  May His perfect will be done in my life today.

          I'm working on a teaching that will be linked to my first book, There Are No McDonald's in Heaven: Waiting on God.  The teaching is called (drum roll please) WAITING ON GOD.  I have already put together teachings on THE NAMES OF GOD and WHAT IS LOVE?  I am hoping to be invited to some Jersey churches to share one of these teachings.  That's my goal.  

          It's interesting how we all fall into the same trap, no matter what we believe to be true.  Even though I know God has my best interests at heart and even though I know He will reveal His will to me at the perfect time, I get antsy.  I'm sure none of you experience this phenomenon, but I do.  I wonder what the hold up is.  I question whether what I am doing is of God or my own idea.  I can be so silly at times.  Oops, there I go again, showing that I'm human.  

          My hope is that someday I will not even flinch when there are delays.  Until that time I will fritter away precious moments being nervous as a cat wondering when the manifestation of His will is to take place.  In the meantime Lord, use me for Your glory.  In Jesus name … amen.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Waiting ...

          Waiting on God can be very difficult no matter how long we've walked with the Lord.  We think we know exactly what God is going to do and when it doesn't quite work out that way we are confused.  We were so sure we knew.  If the truth be told, our finite intellect could never figure out the vast blessings God has in store for us.  It would exhaust us in our attempt to know.  God knows exactly what He's doing and needs to be trusted in and relied upon to work on our behalf.  His timing is impeccable.  His decision are always perfect for any given situation.  When will we learn to simply do what we can do and leave the details to the Lord?  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! rlk

Seeking direction …

          I am an unknown author trying to glorify God with my writing.  Sales have been very slow.  My third book is on the way and should be available to the public within the next several weeks.  I don't really know how to get the word out any better than I already am, but there must be things I'm not doing.  God knows what He's doing.  While I wasn't a one-trick pony, perhaps I was a three-trick pony and the show is coming to a close.  Only God knows that.  I am relying on Him to show me the way.  His will for my life is far more important then my own.  Let's see what the day brings.  I could use some good news.  I am a firm believer that ONE WORD from Almighty God can change the entire landscape.  May His will be done.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!  rlk

A Tuesday of seeking …

          My devo today's at minidevos.blogspot.com talks about waiting on God.  You should check it out.  

          I am struggling with knowing what to do.  I need a job, yet am waiting to see if God will open a traditional publishing door for me.  Even if He does, will it bring in enough income to sustain us.  The faith is being stretched once again.  I must be clear headed, look diligently for work and watch for God's open door, wherever it may be.  His will in my life is far more important than my own.  God's knows all about our situations as they unfold each day.  If we seek His face regularly we will begin to tap into the realm of the spirit where growth can take place and maturity can take root.  

          Until next time, walk with the King today and be a blessing!

WAITING ON GOD

          Monday morning we have another 2" of fresh snow on the ground.  The light, fluffy stuff … not the heavy, wet stuff.  You can really just brush it away with a broom. And that's just what I did.  :  )

          Ever notice how things never seem to go as quickly as you would like them to?  You would think after I wrote my first book on the topic of 'Waiting on God' I would have learned my lesson, but I am painfully human and get antsy just like anyone else when things seem to have gridlocked.  I am the one who says all the time 'ONE WORD FROM GOD CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING' and I honestly do believe that.  It's just when the clock seems to be moving backwards and time drags we can tend to lose our composure sometimes.  God knows what He's doing.  He has a perfect will and plan for each one of His children.  Our job is to stay in tune with His Holy Spirit and not fret.  Easier said than done at times.  Things WILL be alright and they will be alright exactly when God knows they need to be.  Trust and reliance are to be fleeting things.  We are to do all we can and then wait.  Keep an eye out for God's will to unfold before you.  It's coming!  rlk

Sunday is the best day!

          Church was a blessing this morning. Pastor spoke about our need to be a blessing to those we encounter.  I couldn't agree more.  A specific prayer of mine happens to be "Lord, bless me … not just so I am blessed, but so that I might use it to be a blessing to those around me."  I'm a frail mortal just like anyone else and I fail in my attempts to be like Jesus regularly, I'm sad to say.  But you know what I found out?  God loves me just the way I am and is willing to mold me into all He knows I can be if I will only let Him.  Have your way in me Lord.  May Your perfect will be done in my life today.  Have a super Sunday!  rlk

Working on a fourth book

          My special offer has begun: 3 books for the price of 1.  Don't miss out.  Even if you have either or both of my 1st two books, you can give the book stub away to someone you know who may need to read what is written in their pages.

          I just finished my Saturday devotional entry at http://minidevos.blogspot.com.  It's about self-control.  Sometimes we speak when we should be quiet.  God can teach us how to keep our mouths closed at all the appropriate times.

          I am slowly piecing together a book titled Divorce Through My Eyes.  I'm not sure if it will be my next book or not.  I am currently working on the second chapter.  For those who may not know, I have experienced the sting of divorce not once, but twice.  Nobody wins.  This book wouldn't be bashing any past associations, but rather examining my life, my mistakes and how folks might be able to avoid those mistakes in their own relationships.  I try to focus on me and not my former spouses.  That would only come across sounding bitter and I am not.  Anyway, that's what I working on at the moment.  That along with some hour long teachings that I will be looking to share at area churches should the Lord open the doors.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

3 BOOKS FOR THE PRICE OF 1 !!!

          I wanted to start off my brand new author's blog by presenting a special limited time offer.  Go to my website to read all about it.  It's regarding my new book that will be coming out very soon. It's title is MAN'S REJECTION OF GOD: WHO'S RESPONSIBLE?

          My current publisher, WestBow Press, is pushing for me to be picked up by a traditional publisher so I can continue to write for the Lord.  WestBow Press is the self-publishing division of Thomas Nelson and Zondervan, two globally recognizable and well-known Christian publishing houses.  Pray that I get picked up if you like my writing and feel so inclined.

           I write a devotional blog you might be interested in.  The link is in the right column with my most current entry title listed.  The blog is called BREAD OF LIFE. My devotionals are obviously based on a scripture and run approximately 200 or so words, so they are a quick read.  I have received much positive feedback regarding my devos.  It is humbling to hear such things, but at least I know God is using the devos to encourage and bless folks.  That's the reason I do it to begin with.  
          That's all for now.  Keep coming back to see what else I have to say about life, the Lord and whatever else I feel led to write.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!  rlk