In Times Like These

Bayou Writers Conference

2009-11-14T18:04:00.000-08:00

The Importance of Attending Writers Conferences

I attended the Bayou Writers Conference today in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Attending the conference brought many rewards. I met other writers, editors, and publishers--all with good advice.

Some of the things gleaned from the conference are:

Networking with people is very important. You can learn from others; you can sell books to others. Charles McGrew, an editor and publisher, said that internet contacts helps, but it is better to speak to groups and make personal contact with people.
Don't expect your book to sell itself. A sucessful author understands that work just starts once your book is published. You should seek places to sell your book such as clubs, sighings at book stores, and tv interviews.
Covers are important in selling a book. Several of the speakers mentioned the importance of the cover. This is the first thing that a potential buyer looks at before making a purchase. The cover should grab attention and say to the customer, "Buy me."
Always follow submission guidelines when submitting a manuscript.
A good agent will not charge you any money to look at your manuscript. One place to look for agents is the acknowledgement section of books.

These above are just a few of the things I learned at the conference. I will add more later.

Songs For The Soul Radio Station

2009-11-10T18:33:00.000-08:00

My apologies to all the faithful listeners of Songs For The Soul radio station on Live365.com. Recently the station was down for a few days because of an error in the billing department at Live365. The station is back up and running, and we have a lot of new songs to add such as songs from Dottie Rambo's last recording, and songs from the Statemen Quartet.

To go to the station, click this link: Songs For The Soul

God Bless America

2009-05-06T12:24:00.000-07:00

I have just added the song God bless America to the radio station Songs For The soul located on live 365.com. I have added the song in the hopes listeners will pray for America as this song is playing.

America is in stormy waters. We face the dangers of terrorists who plot to destroy America while we are at sleep. President Obama has sent the word down to those he has appointed to not use the word "terrorist." We are no longer fighting a war against terrorists. During his trip to Europe he apologized for America's actions. Remember to pray for President Obama and for America.

America is in danger of losing its system of checks and balances. The three branches of government-- executive, legislative, and judicial-- are in danger of being controlled by one party only. The Congress can rubberstamp anything that President Obama wants passed. Also, President Obama will appoint liberal judges to the Supreme Court so that they can rubberstamp anything that the Liberals want. Remember to pray for our government and for America.

In Russia, they have also lost their system of checks and balances. Prime Minister Putin controls the Duma which is the legislative body of Russia. Mr. Putin also controls the appointments of judges. Remember to pray for Prime Minister Putin and for Russia.

Blogging With Speech Recognition Software

2009-05-04T19:01:00.000-07:00

Today I'm testing my new speech recognition software by speaking into my computer microphone instead of typing on the keyboard. So far so good. I bought this new software Saturday and it is called Dragon Naturally Speaking version 10. It is supposed to be over 99% accurate, and it seems to be just that accurate.

I bought this software to improve my productivity. It is another tool that I will use to improve my writing, to improve my research notes. For example, the other day I looked at some of my notes from the archives at Southeastern University. It took me a while to decipher my own handwriting. When I took these notes, the university would not allow me to use a ballpoint pen, only a pencil. The reason for this is that they do not want important papers marked up with a ballpoint pen.

In the future, I will transcribe notes while they are fresh on my mind using this new speech recognition software. I find the software to be extremely fast. Will I use this new software exclusively? No. It is just another tool in my tool bag to help me. At times, I will use a legal pad to write, and I will still use Microsoft Word to write, but the more I use this software, the more I like it. This whole blog today has been written by speaking into a mic, and very few words were incorrect. I will keep you updated with new ways for using this software.

Southern Gospel Music

2009-04-10T14:55:00.000-07:00

Thank you listeners for placing Songs For The Soul in the top 10 in both the Southern Gospel and the Traditional Gospel genres. I've noticed that many new listeners are being added daily. With the bad economy and the bad decisions being made from the White House, people are turning to the Source that will always be there. Of course, that source is the Rock of Ages.

If you haven't listened to the old gospel songs of yesteryear mixed with the hits of today for awhile, just click the link above. It will take you to the station page located on Live365. At the station page, click the Play icon. Every 20 minutes, you will hear an advertisement. I do not make anything on these. The advertisements are used to pay royalties to songwriters and artists.

The music is my gift to the Christian community. Enjoy!

Publishing Industry in Turmoil

2009-03-30T14:53:00.000-07:00

Not only are newspapers slashing jobs and going under, but magazines and book publishers are heading in the same direction. Why? The Internet and Print On Demand.

Why buy a paper when you can now read it online? Many no longer buy newspapers. I do because I like the feel of the paper, but I also read newspapers online. I hope most newspapers will survive. We need newspapers to keep government and politicians in check.

In the book publishing industry, Print On Demand is turning things upside down. Now there are printers that can spit out over 800 books in less than minute. Of these 800 books, some will be for orders of a hundred while another order may be for just one book. These books are printed on demand. For example, a customer may order a book on Amazon. That book will then be printed and sent to the customer.

No longer does a publisher have to keep thousands of books on hand. This is a godsent to the smaller publisher. He can use a printer such as Lighting Source to keep electronic files of his books on hand, then print a book or books on order.

Also, no longer does an author have to depend on a large publishing company to publish his book. He can now use Print On Demand publishers such as Xulonpress, Lulu, Booksurge, and others.

My website: songsforthesoul.org
My radio station at Live365: SongsForTheSoul

Is Obama God's Will For America?

2009-01-26T17:21:00.000-08:00

I do not believe that the election of Obama was God's perfect will for the United States of America. I am happy to see an Afro-American elected. It shows the greatness of America. I am not happy to see Barack Obama as the elected Afro-American. Why? Because he will lead this nation down a trail of moral destruction. Obama has many anti-christian beliefs, and he will institute these beliefs into national and international policies.

Someone said, "God is still on the throne, so it must be God's will for Obama to be President." Yes, my friend, God is still on the throne and is still observing what man does on the earth. It is God's will that man has "free will." This nation used it's "free will" and elected Obama; this nation shall reap the policies of Obama. Within days of his inauguration, he has already signed executive orders to: (1) allow tax-payer money to pay for abortions in other countries, (2) to shut down the prison at Guantanamo Bay, and (3) to strictly use the army field manual as a guide for interrogation of terrorists. The intelligent community asked him not to do this.

Dutch Sheets, a well-known prayer warrior and author, has said this: "I am quite confident what took place on Tuesday, November 4th, was not God's will. America was offered a very clear choice between moving further toward protecting the unborn or further away...between a Supreme Court that would move toward honoring God, life and morality or away from it. The stakes couldn't have been higher nor the cost greater. As a nation, we put on blinders concerning Barack Obama's background, associations, beliefs and practices. In doing so, we took another step away from God and His plans for America and another step toward judgment." --Christ For The Nations, Jan. 2009

Someone said to me, "The Bible commands us to pray for our leaders." I agree. In fact, you better double your prayers, and pray as never before. Pray fervently for this President that he will see the light to not allow the murder of innocent babies while still in the womb, that he will see the light to not open up the doors for terrorists to destroy this country, that he will see the light about the need to support Israel, and I could continue on about some of his other anti-christian policies.

I believe that we will see the first terrorist attack on the soil of the United States since 9-11. This will happen on Obama's watch. It will probably happen on the Gulf Coast. This is where all the refineries are located. One dirty nuclear bomb could contaminate a large population area and refineries with radiation. Because of this, America will go back to their knees and pray. Our churches will fill up again, and we will see revival in America. This might be the last great revival before the coming of the Lord.

My website: Songsforthesoul.org
My radio station at Live365: SongsForTheSoul

My Thanks To God

2008-12-30T20:24:00.000-08:00

Well, another year has come and gone, and so, I look back in a reflective mood with thanks in my heart to the Lord. He has given me health which is far greater than wealth. He has given me friends and loved ones, near and dear. He has given me the promise that one day I will have a great reunion with those who have gone on to be with the Lord.

And the Lord has given me a home. I call it Mattaniah, for it is a gift from the Lord. Before I ever found and moved into it, the Lord graciously showed it to me in a dream. To some, it may not be much, but it is my "little house on the hill." And one day, He will provide me a helpmate to go with the home.

The Lord has provided a church for me to attend, a place for worship, for joy, for tears, and for comfort. David expressed my sentiments when he said: "I was glad when they said unto me...Let us go to the house of the Lord." And whenever the doors are open, you will find me there.

Most of all, I am thankful that God has given me His Holy Spirit. From the day I first met Him as a little boy, He has never left nor forsaken me. He has been my Friend, my Comforter, and my Guide. As a guide during this past year, He gave me a warning before the stock market crash. And so I was able to preserve my capital. The Lord is the captain of my ship; He is the pilot of my soul.

And so, when the church doors open for our "watch night" service on New Year's Eve, I will be there, thanking Him once again for another year, knowing He's there for the new year too.

A STRANGE ENCOUNTER

2008-11-13T21:43:00.000-08:00

After visiting Rowan Oak, the home of the late writer William Faulkner, then strolling around the courthouse square in Oxford Mississippi, I decided to stay in Oxford for the night and get an early start in the morning for home. It had been a long day. I had attended a conference that morning in Jackson and was a little tired.

Driving in dense fog on Interstate 55 towards Jackson the next morning, I noticed the gas tank was a little low, and it would be three hours before I would be in Jackson, then on to Interstate 20 towards Louisiana and Texas. Why hadn't I filled up Saturday while in Oxford?

When I saw an Exxon sign, I turned onto the exit. Pulling into the station, I noticed an Afro-American lady of about 30 walking back and forth near the door entrance. I got out of my Cambry, looked at the pump prices--$3.29 for regular. Wow. Then I heard a barely audible lady's voice.

"Sir, can you help me?"

I turned around and saw this old beat-up car next to the station. The Afro-American lady sat there with the window rolled down. I hoped she was not an alcoholic or drug addict looking for a handout. Thinking about the need to be careful, I walked slowly towards the car.

"Where you going? I asked, looking into the car. Clothes and other odds and ends were piled up to the windows in the back seat. She didn't look like a drug-addict.

She said, "I am going to Jackson. I am coming from Chicago, and ohh...it's been rough trip. My baby's in the back."

Hearing the anxiety in her voice, I looked quickly into the back seat. A baby lay there in the clothes. Probably everything she owned was in that car. Compassion filled my heart, and I felt an unction to give her something. I pulled out a ten dollar bill and gave it to her."

Then I said, "No, give it back."

She looked puzzled.

"I want to give you a twenty instead."

"Oh...bless you," she cried.

"No problem."

I walked back to my car and began filling up. I heard her car as she parked near a pump to get a little gasoline. Bad muffler. I went into the station.

While getting coffee, I thought, "She is going to need more. It's over a hundred miles to Jackson." I paid for my coffee. The clerk said, "Bless you." She must have known of the woman's plight.

The Afro-American woman was in the store getting a little food for her and the baby. I gave her another twenty and walked out.

Driving back onto Interstate 55, I shed a tear as I prayed for the women on her journey to Jackson and her journey in life. I wandered what awaited her there. Then I shed another tear as I thanked my Heavenly Father for the many blessings He has given to me.

Two strangers had told me, "Bless you." I felt in my spirit that another stranger would say those same words, and it would be a confirmation from the Lord that this woman was in need.

At the very next station I stopped at, as I paid for my coffee, the clerk looked at me and said, "Bless you." He knew nothing of the strange encounter, nor of the women's plight.

A Prayer: Father, forgive me when I whine, and for being selfish. Teach me to be sensitive to the needs of others, and help me to live to bless. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Can The Election Be Stolen?

2008-10-14T11:41:00.001-07:00

ACORN, a dangerous organization
As we near the last several weeks of the election, reports of voter registration fraud is rampant. The organization, ACORN, has been investigated in all of the key states for illegal voter registration. The Obama campaign has given ACORN $800,000 to help his campaign win the election.

In Ohio, a homeless man registered 73 times. The sectatary of state, who is a democrat, has done little to stop the illegal registrations. As a communtiy oraganizer, Obama worked with ACORN and was also the lawyer for ACORN.

Because of these critical times, we need a fair election. We need someone who will defend the rights of the unborn. According to Chuck Todd, political director of NBC, Obama believes in "abortion on demand" which means that a woman can abort her baby up to the ninth month for any reason. Obama has stated that a fetus does not have any human rights.

What is God's Will?
A Christian recently said that "voting is not important because God will put in who He wants." Well, it is God's will that man has "free will." Don't be like the man who jumped off his roof, broke his leg, then said, "Look what God did to me." God will let man and nations sow to good or evil. Nations will reap what they sow. Read my article about "free will," Is Your Fate In the Cards? The article is at: http://www.songsforthesoul.org/

What can the Christian do?
As Christians we need to do two things. We need to vote, and we need to vote for the candidate that does not have "antichristian" views. Obama has many "antichristian" policys.

The second thing we need to do is to pray fervently for this election. The Bible teaches that "we have not because we ask not." God will intervene in the affairs of a man or a nation when prayer goes forth. Pray that this election will be fair, regardless of who wins the election.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. --2 Chronicles 7:14

The Stockmarket Crash

2008-10-09T21:27:00.000-07:00

Massive stock sell off.
As I write this blog, there has been a massive sell-off in the stock markets around the world. The U.S. Dow average tumbled below 9000. Millions of people are losing their life savings. Some are beginning to call this a market crash.

Where should my money be during this time?
If you are young and invested in the stock market, you should not panic. In time, most of the value of your portfolio will return. If you are 50 or older, you should have very little in the stock market. Your money should be in money market funds, CDs, and bonds. However, if you do have a large amount in stock, it may be too late to sell. You may be able to ride it out. Once you sell, you lock-in your losses. The stock market will likely fall again tomorrow. At some point, it will reach a bottom, then start a slow climb back up. The U.S. is resilient and will rebound. So you should get some of your money back in time.

There is hope.
During the 1929 crash, the government did nothing. Because of that policy, the people of the U.S. went through a very difficult time with massive unemployment, and bread-lines. While the recent unemployment figures rose, it is nowhere near the 25% figure of 1929 and 1930. This time the U.S. is using every tool available to get money into the banks which will then get to large and small businesses. This will help the economy. By the way, the next several years is not the time to increase taxes or to have big social programs such health care for everyone. A tax credit to be used to buy health care would be beneficial.
The G-7 countries will be meeting in Washington on Saturday to try to find a solution. China, who is not part of the G7, has pledged to do everything it can to help. It owns over a trillion of U.S. bonds, and if it signals that it will buy more, this will show their faith in the U.S. economy. That, in turn, will help the stock market.

Where is my money?
About 90% of my money has been in money market funds for some time. I have been advising to get out of stocks for several years. I have only a few dividend-paying stocks. When the market reaches the bottom, I may buy a few more.

There are several MM funds I can recommend. The best one is Vanguard's Federal money market which is invested only in treasuries. The next best one is Vanguard's Prime money market which has about 56% invested in treasuries.

Remember, the darkest moment is just before daylight. It will get dark and look bleak for the near future, but the United States will lead the world out of this crisis.

Where to put your trust.
I leave you with the words of David from 20:7: Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

There is only one place to put your trust in times like these. It is not in the stock market, or the government; it is in the name of the Lord Jesus, the messiah.

The Purpose Of This Blog

2008-10-09T16:54:00.000-07:00

Because of the times that we live, I have started this blog. As Dickens said many years ago: This is the best of times and the worst of times. We live in a world that has advanced technologically like a rocket, but the soul of man has not kept pace. The good news is this: The Holy Spirit is moving upon the hearts of men as never before, and many are obeying the gospel, making Jesus the Lord of their lives, and being filled with His Holy Spirit.

Since I watch world trends closely, I shall try to keep you informed of the trends in the news, in investments, in the political world, in the gospel music world, and in prophecy. While I will make some predictions, I will never predict the "hour or the day" when Christ shall return, for no man has that information, only God.

There is an old song that is so relevant to these times.

In times like these...You need a Saviour,
In times like these...You need an anchor,
Be very sure...Be very sure,
Your Anchor holds and grips the solid rock.

That Rock is Jesus...the solid Rock,
That Rock is Jesus...the only One,
I'm very sure...I'm very sure,
My anchor holds and grips that solid Rock.