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Daily Work

April 13 – A Time for Prayer

rockyfort

The events of tonight, the bombing of Syria, have put a lot of people on edge. This may be a one time “don’t use chemical weapons again” type of bombing, or it could be a spark that ignites the powder keg. Russian, China, and Iran are supporting the current Syrian government. France, Great Britain, Israel, and the US are concerned about the current Syrian government. The USA worked diligently to be sure they didn’t bomb Russian positions. Still, an errant bomb, some poorly chosen words, and that place could explode. The interlocking alliances that touched off World War I are in my thoughts now. I mentioned that it was time to pray for World Peace. One of my friends, the mother of one of my former students, pointed out that even more so, it was time to have Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Very true! If you want more information on how to do that, contact me, I’d love to talk about it with you.

On the writing front today, I got my devotional done, about 430 words, and then spent a lot of the day editing. I finished ten days worth of devotionals, bringing the second book in the series close to printing. Not much else happened today.

Today’s Devotional (430 words) – April 13 – Living Genuinely

Reading: Continuing in The Venom Protocols about halfway through. It’s well written with lots of action. From a Christian perspective, the violence level is high and the language is rough. Considering the business of the people involved, that’s not surprising, but I wish we could get away from that kind of usage.

Daily Work

April 12 – Limit Reached

rockyfort

Some days, I reach my limit and just have to go to bed. Yesterday was one of those days. I got my devotional written and took some needed me time, walking along the bayfront. There’s something about water that’s calming. I got home in time to make a grocery list and go shopping. I began editing, but needed to stop to cook dinner when my wife let me know she was coming home after a terrible day. (Very busy day, then some issues) Then I tried to catch up on my editing. I need to work on one thing for the May/June edition while I keep on editing the March/April edition for my devotional books. In case you’re new to this blog, I had tech difficulties that kept me from getting the March/April book out on time. All this to say that by the time I finished my editing, I was too tired to even look at the computer without my eyes tearing up from tiredness…so I waited until this morning (April 13) to write the post.

Devotional (491 Words) – April 12 – Is Jesus Calling You Out?

Daily Work

April 11 – Burning Up the Day

rockyfort

The devotional today was almost 500 words. Then, I took care of trash. Showered and headed to my old school for day two of testing. I noted yesterday that we feed those kids who are testing in their rooms. We met and discussed the plan in the parent room and were just about to head to the cafeteria to pick up lunches when the fire alarm went off. This obviously wasn’t a drill – not during state testing. I wondered if a student who might have been struggling with part of the test had seen to it that he got an extra long break. Turns out some wiring in an AC unit above the cafeteria was sending out smoke. Kids left the cafeteria and the alarm went off. While we were waiting outside, 7 fire trucks and 2 ambulances showed up. Some, were waiting just in case they were needed, but it was heartwarming to see the Fire Department respond to a possible school fire like that.

Everything got pushed back a half an hour. Students who had to leave their lunches on the table got served another plate. We fed the 8th graders with no hitch, and it was home to do laundry. We’re having problems with our appliances, so it was off to the laundromat. Things went well, it just took a lot of time. Then it was time to go home and get ready for church. After church, I needed to pick a couple of things from the grocery store, and then finally got a chance to relax before I started my challenge. I only edited 3 days worth of devotionals for my book.

Today’s 488 Word Devotional – April 11 – With Him or Against Him: The Choice is Yours

Today’s reading – a couple of chapters of The Venom Protocols

Daily Work

April 10 – Yes, I’ll Wear Pink

rockyfort

Today began, as usual, with the devotional. It ran longer today – about 603 words. Then I got ready to go to the school I retired from and volunteer. Today was the beginning of State Testing and I go there to help serve lunches. They feed the kids in the classroom on testing days to cut down on opportunities to converse – because conversations at lunch might naturally gravitate towards the test. They had a shirt for the volunteers. A Pink shirt. They asked me if I’d wear pink. Pink is used for breast cancer awareness. I have no problem wearing pink! Teachers have a difficult time during testing. They can’t help, they can’t give hints, they have to walk around and monitor. It may sound easy, but it ain’t. If you know any teachers, give them some extra love during state testing time. After testing, I got ready for a chess lesson…but we had a bit of miscommunication and I wasn’t needed to teach today. This student is sharp! He discovers things on his own, he remembers the concepts I teach. He’s probably close to the point where he’s beyond my ability as a teacher. I should have used the extra time to write, but I decided to play instead.

When my wife got home, I cooked supper and THEN did my editing. I need to work on the May June Devotional book and get the final formatting done for that one.

I haven’t mentioned this in a while, but Driftwood Coffee Company is trying to help us get to Rwanda. They’re dedicating profits from web sales this month to help us go on a teacher training trip working with Africa New Life Ministries. If you buy from them, you can help us. If you want to make a tax-deductible donation, then you can go to The Africa New Life donation site and click on Mission Team Members. Scroll down and look for Lucy and Bob James. This organization does an amazing work in Rwanda.

Today’s Devotional – 603 Words – April 10 – Be a Neighbor…But Wait! There’s More!

Today’s Reading: Began looking at The Venom Protocols.

Daily Work

April 9 – Staying Focused

rockyfort

I think the title is more admonition than testimony. After the devotional, I had a hard time staying focused. I wrote the rest of the devotional I’d skipped that day, that year. I only needed 200 words, but it took a lot longer. I spent a lot of time networking and sharing information with other authors. There are a lot of new books that have just come out or will be coming out soon. Then I began editing, but was very restless as I tried to work. I took a power nap. I couldn’t stay focused. I went to chess clubs and worked with them, then stopped at the grocery store before heading home. I had to pick up some medicine for my daughter. She had ordered it last night with a delivery time around 2. I got there around 6, and it wasn’t ready. 30 minute wait because….well…because. Then tonight, I kept trying to stay awake to write….finally gave up after four days of edited material.

Today’s devotional (460 Words) – April 9 – You Can Be An Answer to Prayer