Thoughts on Perseverance...
First, I am struggling (still about the Bible Study)...so I am asking for your prayers.
I really want to do the right thing and not create chaos and bad feelings, but perseverance seems to be the overarching message. I have such intense feelings about the cover and title that I am teetering towards some pretty drastic decisions. But to me, accurately reflecting my thoughts, my heart and reaching the audience I hope to reach is drastic business in the realm of Kingdom work. No wonder I am up against opposition. Please pray that I have the courage and strength to stand behind my convictions, which are original title, bold cover or no deal. I would walk away from the contract, return my advance and any money they paid to edit the MS. I truly feel this is the decision I am called to abide by. This will take perseverance on my part, and that's where the prayer comes in...so I thank you in advance!
I opened up the book of James this morning. Our pastor just finished a set of messages based on James, and it is just such practical wisdom and timely, not only in our times, today almost 2,000 years after it was written, but timely in my life right here, right now. I love how the Bible meets me where I am with sage comfort, (and sometimes harsh directives!). My job then is to take a deep breath, know that God is with me, believe that God is with me (which sometimes is harder) and go forth and walk as closely as I am able (and believe me, sometimes I am staggering...) to what he says. As my friend Lorianne would say, Oiysh Kabibbles (as in Kibble from Kibbles and Bits).
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" (James 1:12).
So I am being tested. Will I have the strength to hold to my beliefs with a publishing board who wants to tame the message? Will I lose friendships based on this perseverance? That thought distresses me... But am I here to please man (in this case the men of the committee) or God, who I feel has called me to really get thinking about who Jesus us and being the church rather than going to church.
I just received another endorsement for the study and cover and title feedback from a leader at Granger Community Church in Indiana. She took the time to read the study, write an endorsement and then send a long, honest email with her thoughts. I have been running my own quasi focus group and the results are prompting me to say this is not over. So please pray as I am sure that nasty devil thought he could dismiss me as a wimp when I more or less caved last week when the committee of gentlemen who I respect tremendously called and surprised me with a conference call to talk about titling and cover art when I was one foot out the door to pick up the girls for swimming. Now I am sure he will be back causing more chaos wherever possible. He has bugged my kids enough, I would prefer to have them left out of this round.
How come no one talks about this kind of stuff at writer's conferences? Uh-oh, pop there goes the light bulb, another idea...reconciliation (a wonderful Jesus and Mennonite belief) in the publishing world.
Have a wonderful day.
I really want to do the right thing and not create chaos and bad feelings, but perseverance seems to be the overarching message. I have such intense feelings about the cover and title that I am teetering towards some pretty drastic decisions. But to me, accurately reflecting my thoughts, my heart and reaching the audience I hope to reach is drastic business in the realm of Kingdom work. No wonder I am up against opposition. Please pray that I have the courage and strength to stand behind my convictions, which are original title, bold cover or no deal. I would walk away from the contract, return my advance and any money they paid to edit the MS. I truly feel this is the decision I am called to abide by. This will take perseverance on my part, and that's where the prayer comes in...so I thank you in advance!
I opened up the book of James this morning. Our pastor just finished a set of messages based on James, and it is just such practical wisdom and timely, not only in our times, today almost 2,000 years after it was written, but timely in my life right here, right now. I love how the Bible meets me where I am with sage comfort, (and sometimes harsh directives!). My job then is to take a deep breath, know that God is with me, believe that God is with me (which sometimes is harder) and go forth and walk as closely as I am able (and believe me, sometimes I am staggering...) to what he says. As my friend Lorianne would say, Oiysh Kabibbles (as in Kibble from Kibbles and Bits).
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" (James 1:12).
So I am being tested. Will I have the strength to hold to my beliefs with a publishing board who wants to tame the message? Will I lose friendships based on this perseverance? That thought distresses me... But am I here to please man (in this case the men of the committee) or God, who I feel has called me to really get thinking about who Jesus us and being the church rather than going to church.
I just received another endorsement for the study and cover and title feedback from a leader at Granger Community Church in Indiana. She took the time to read the study, write an endorsement and then send a long, honest email with her thoughts. I have been running my own quasi focus group and the results are prompting me to say this is not over. So please pray as I am sure that nasty devil thought he could dismiss me as a wimp when I more or less caved last week when the committee of gentlemen who I respect tremendously called and surprised me with a conference call to talk about titling and cover art when I was one foot out the door to pick up the girls for swimming. Now I am sure he will be back causing more chaos wherever possible. He has bugged my kids enough, I would prefer to have them left out of this round.
How come no one talks about this kind of stuff at writer's conferences? Uh-oh, pop there goes the light bulb, another idea...reconciliation (a wonderful Jesus and Mennonite belief) in the publishing world.
Have a wonderful day.
Labels: book of James, perseverance, prayer, spiritual attacks, titling and cover art
posted by www.kathypride.com at
6:29 AM
2 Comments:
Stick to your guns, Kathy. You know in your heart and soul what you want and it's YOUR book. Remember that: YOUR BOOK. The insides of your book will grab a lot of people, but the outside needs to reflect that too. They say, "Don't judge a book by its cover," but you know perfectly well that people do. Just as they judge people by first impressions. Not that either of these things, but I believe it is human nature.
Oh yeah, and remember to breathe.
Love,
Katy
oops! I meant to say, Not that either of these things is right or just, but I believe it is human nature. Makes a little more sense than what I just posted.
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