C.E. Wilson's Blog, page 51

Sha’al Proof Copy

I ordered proof copies of Sha’al today, with a bogus cover. I’m hoping they’ll get here by Friday. After they arrive I’ll be doing a proof copy giveaway to a lucky Facebook Follower – details on how to enter forthcoming.

It’ll be fun to see how the interior turns out. I hand-drew a very rugged map of Israel, scanned it, and placed it on the opposite page of the Prologue.

Sha’al is 498 pages long and will cost $10 (signed) from me or $13.95 from Amazon.

The ebook will cost $3.99

I’m still unsure as to the exact release date. This is all in God’s timing.

Sha’al

Tomorrow I start the final edit of Sha’al. Feels good knowing I’m nearing the end of this project and excited to start the next  story. I think I’ll name the short story, “Bitter”.

Many thanks to my first readers and everyone who has left me an uplifting comment

The Spirit

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? – 1 Corinthians 3:16

God resides in me? First of all, this is amazing. We need take the time to bask in the fact that our Creator resides within us. Isn’t it hard to believe? Honestly, there are many times I doubt it myself. I am a messed up man struggling against my sinful nature.

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. – Romans 8:26-27

He prays for me? This is too hard to believe.

He intercedes for me? Impossible. I’m not worthy to be loved.

And yet God loves me. God chose me and I chose Him. His Son, my Lord and my God, Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins.

This morning is a good morning to bask in the sovereignty of God and enjoy His presence within me.

Roll

Commit your works to the LORD And your plans will be established. – Proverbs 16:3 

The original word we translate as commit is galal. Gala means:

to roll, roll away, roll down, roll together, (Qal) to roll, (Niphal) to roll up, to flow down, (Pilpel) to roll, (Poal) to be rolled, (Hithpoel) to roll oneself, (Hithpalpel) to roll oneself, (Hiphil) to roll away – BLB Lexicon

An image that comes to mind when I read “roll” is that of a giant stone. Like a millstone. It easily stands 8 foot tall, too tall for me to see over and can barely see around

I personalize the Scripture in this way:

“Roll my millstone, my burdens, my hopes and dreams upon the Lord, and my plans will be established.”

Working for God feels like a millstone. The books I write feel like that. A burden He’s put on my heart. And, if day by day, I roll them upon Him, He will give me what I need to accomplish the task he has laid upon my heart.

When you get time, I’d encourage you to read the book of Nehemiah, study it, and expect God to reveal is plan for you and put it on your heart.

Baqash – Seek

If I had to boil life down to as few words as possible, I’d have to say: Seek and love God, then share the Way(Hodos) with others.

You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. – Jeremiah 29:13

Only you can seek Him. Sharing the Way with others is loving them. How can they know how to seek God unless they are shown the door?

‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. – Revelation 3:20

Great Banquet

C. E. Wilson, Lafayette Great Banquet #122 table of Luke! 

Long weekend. Lots of food. Let me say that again, lots of food. Did I mention that there was lots of food? The leftovers had leftovers, holly cow! 

The Banquet wasn’t so much about phsical food as it was spiritual food. We were unplugged from the world for 3 days. No watches, no cell phones. Everything was taken care of so we could focus on God. 

There were 28 or so of us men as guests. 14 table leaders. Spiritual leaders, chefs, cooks, volunteers and more. Wow. 

I had a great time. Learned a lot about God and I know there is a lot more to learn about Him. 

Running a little tired this morning. But feeling great, centered back on God. Thanks to John, my beautiful bride, and to everyone who participated.  

First Readers

Sha’al is going out to my first readers. I’m looking forward to some input. This book is taking about 6 months to come to fruition. I’ve had to read a few books about Jewish culture and have even picked up a weekly newspaper, Hamodia, so I can be current on the news in Israel. 

Ideas for the next short story and book are floating around in my mind. But they will have to wait. I’m taking a week off.

Sha’al Update 09/30/2017

First re-write is complete

How Long Does it Take?

I’ve been asked that a couple of times. So, here’s a breakdown(times approximate):

Rough Draft:

1.5 hours per chapter

1st Rewrite:

30 minutes per chapter

2nd Rewrite:

15 minutes per chapter

Final Edit:15 minutes per chapter depending on how much needs fixed…lol

2 Hours Final Formatting Paperback

1 Hour Final Formatting Kindle

1 Hour uploading and cover editing 

Sha’al is going to be around 50 chapters.

Best case scenario for Sha’al:

130 hours spent writing, fixing, and fixing some more. 

That’s just over 3 forty hour work weeks

Or

43 minutes a day, 7 days a week, for 6 months.

Phew.

Sha’al Update 09/24/2017

I’m sorry it’s been awhile since the last update. Life has been crazy. 

The rough draft is done.  I’m currently 2/3rds of the way through the first re-write. I hope to have it finished next week and then I’ll start the second re-write. I hope to have the Reader’s Copy out to my first readers by the second week of October. 

When will it be ready? I had originally hoped for the end of October. Realistically, I’d guess by the second week of November. If God wants it done sooner, everything will fall into place.