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My Partner

Her name is Ashley Dawn Pruitt, she is my Wife, my Soulmate, my Partner, and my Friend. I love her so much! I wanted to take a few minutes and share how extra special that she is. While it will not surprise you to know that, next to God, she is my life, there’s something our readers may not know.

Of course she is the inspiration to much of my writing, but she is also my first Editor. If she is within ear shot, before it goes on the page she hears it. When I can’t ask her first, she’s the first one I ask when I see her. If she doesn’t like it, something gets changed, and not because she asks either. She is my biggest supporter, if she has issues with it, then I know our readers will.

The story L.O.C. And Key happened as a means to entertain her one night. Prevot Said No began the same, as did some others. If it wasn’t for this beautiful lady, there would be nothing of mine on amazon today.

I owe her so much more than my writing. Our love story is one that I think is a best seller. At least I recall it’s history regularly. I won’t take the time to share it all here, but I will say this. God and Precious Friends brought us together, and one hundred years worth of treasure couldn’t repay them for it.

If you have a spouse that loves you, hug her today. If you don’t, do not settle for less than who The Lord has for you. I waited thirty one years, and it was worth every second. They are out there. Don’t sell yourself something worth far less than who God intends to give you. It may be old fashioned, even out of style, but the right one partners with you to fulfill your destiny.

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Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving. While we should be thankful every day, it is important to take time to reflect, not on problems, but blessings. Too often, worries fill our days, many times making us numb to more important feelings.

Our concerns are real, our trials, are battles that must be faced. However, I watched this morning, a base of soldiers. They were armed, and ready, having already been attacked recently. What they were not, was jaded, or laden with sadness. These faithful volunteers were smiling, playing games, and celebrating. Even though their closest contact with a loved one is a video screen.

This year, we have faced, and are facing a number of situations, but this morning tears of joy flowed. I was reminded how wonderful our God is, how ardent and how faithful. He reminded me, through Scripture, that He always supports His soldiers. Men and women who were facing insurmountable odds were reinforced by an invincible God. One who understands everything, except the definition of the word impossible.

Today, we are thankful. Thankful for things? Yes, but also simply Thankful. For The God we serve, the family and friends that embrace us, and the future that stands before us. Jesus loved us enough to embrace the cross for one reason.

Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

God forgive me. For forgetting that The Cross wasn’t easy, that this world was never meant to be anything but hard, and that most of all, our joy will always outweigh our sorrows. Thank You Lord for being faithful, for being kind, and for giving us the opportunity to make this day better for someone in need. Lord, may all that love you today, minister to someone in need, and to give them a new reason to be thankful this Thanksgiving!

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Focus On The Baby

We are blessed to attend the Church, Point Of Mercy in Nashville, Tennessee. Pastor’s message last night was so incredible. It was something that I needed to hear. Lately, I’ve been provided opportunities to overcome. I didn’t realize it as much until the lesson last night. I should have, but too often I tend to panic in the midst of a battle.

We see trials as giants, whereas God sees them as contractions. Struggles cease, but the character they give birth to grows throughout our lives and Ministry.

Too many times, I discard the child and fret over the birth pains. It would be very easy to allow my trial to en-grain itself into my destiny. Instead, I must focus on the baby produced, not the means that brought her to birth.

God reminded me that Joseph didn’t name his trial, he named his sons. One was Manasseh, the other was Eprhaim. When referring to his firstborn, Joseph said that God had made him forget his toil. When the youngest was born, he stated that God had made him fruitful in his affliction.

Joseph raised his sons, not his sorrows. When he left Potiphar’s house, he left it completely. After leaving the prison, he washed, changed his garments, and left it behind. His children produced generations because he refused to allow the germs of past struggles to infect his future.

Lord, help me to focus on the permanent, and to let go of the temporary! We have been blessed with a God, and a Man Of God, that helps us grow the results of our trials. Their goal is to inspire us to release our tears when we hear the baby’s first cry!

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Sailing Stones

Isaiah 32:1-2
1 Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.
2 And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the
tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.

1 Corinthians 10:4
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

It is a scientifically recorded phenomenon, they are called “sailing stones.” They occur in an area of Death Valley National park, called Racetrack Playa. Stones as large as 80 pounds leave visible tracks across the desert plain. In the 1970’s, one stone was recorded to move 659 feet in a single season. It was one of thirty stones to move in a seven year study.

For years it was a mystery. Now scientists believe that it is a combination of wind and small pockets of ice which form to move the rocks. Others believe water lifts them during the winter season. I don’t know which theory is accurate, but I do know this, stones are moved across a desert land, leaving visible signs in their wake.

Lead Pastor Denny Livingston of our Church, Point Of Mercy, spoke recently on Christ being our rock. I couldn’t help but think of the verses he referenced as I read of the “sailing stones.” Pastor Livingston refreshed my soul by reminding us how completely Christ protects, shades, comforts, and strengthens us. As Christians, we talk of Jesus captaining our vessel. Some non-Christians may wonder how He can be our rock, our captain, our shelter, and our light.

These “sailing stones” illustrate it so very well. In the desert of my trial, He not only sails through, blazing a trail for me to follow. Many times in my life, I’ve arrived at a victory, only to discover something even more wonderful. God had orchestrated certain events years earlier to cause me to succeed In something I never knew that I would face.

The Lord Jesus doesn’t only go ahead of me, He follows me on my journey. The Bible talks of a Shepherd, not only leading, but following His sheep great with young. Christ has confidence in us, but ensures we give birth to the message He placed in our hearts.

Jesus follows my every move, protecting and guarding me, like an army of soldiers. The scriptures called it a rereward. In the daytime, when the heat of life is scorching down, He shades me. When I’m so thirsty I can’t go on, He’s the water that flows from a miraculous source to flood my weary soul.

<em>1 Peter 2:5
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Through Simon, He calls us “lively stones”. It is fitting that it was the Apostle Simon Peter, the man referred to as Petros, a rock. How do we sail through life’s problems as a Christian we ask? Especially when our burdens feel heavier than we are? The same way that 80 pound boulders leave trails in a desert. The Water Of Life, and a Rushing Mighty Wind propel us forward. Perhaps God had that image in mind when He said this through David.

Psalms 23:4
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

I always viewed this as God and man walking through a great valley. If you view it as wind and water navigating a stone through a desert, it adds to its impact. So take heart, as He brings us to our planned location. For it’s not the destination that is the witness, it’s the journey. Scientists weren’t amazed by where the sailing stones stopped, but by the trail they left behind.

Our journey is not in vain, or unnecessary! It is a roadmap to sinners along the way. Lifeless souls who need a Savior to lift them up, and carry them from where they are, to where they never thought they could be!

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A Testimony

The Screwdriver

Today, roughly three miles from the Church, we heard three noises and stopped on the side of the road. The tires, and everything else, seemed to be fine. We went on to the Church to unload some supplies.

When you step out of the side door of the fellowship hall, you’re on an elevated concrete stoop. It was then that I saw something amazing. Underneath the car, between the driver’s door and back door, was a screwdriver. It was lodged under the car.

When I pulled it out, it had not punctured anything. We let the car run for a short while to be sure. The screwdriver itself was also free from any liquid.

The Lord had His hand on us once again! It could have broken a belt or, at the very least, punctured a tire. Thank You Lord for Your provision and protection! I intend to keep this screwdriver as a reminder that God always watches over His children!