Timothy J. Pruitt's Blog, page 402

He Hears Us

Psalms 34:4

I sought the Lord, and he heard me,

and delivered me from all my fears.

I love this Scripture! Prayer means a Merciful, All Powerful God, cares enough to listen, and act. Prayer at its core is a relationship. It’s the opportunity for every Christian to enter the throne room of Christ, and not only petition, but communicate with Him!

Everyone Asks Questions

Everyone asks questions. The difference is the reason why. As children, we ask questions because we want to know the answers. When we get older, as we struggle with our insecurities, we ask questions to prove that we know the answers. Teachers ask questions to make sure their pupils know the answers. All purposes generate questions.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, at the right time, in the appropriate way. First, know who you are talking with. Will it be beneficial to both them and yourself? A mistimed, or misdirected, question can be as detrimental as the answer. Know who you’re asking something of.

Second, know when to ask. Judge the attitude, and atmosphere of the room. If you’re teacher is tired, it may be the wrong time. If they’re angry, wait. If their hearts are sad or broken, dry their tears, and wait for a better time.

Third, know why you’re asking. Do you have an agenda? Is it born out of a need? When you’re hurt, it can formulate questions that generate expected results. When this happens, you’re not obtaining a response, you’re making a statement. One that may be inaccurate, or skewed at best.

Fourth, know what you’re planning to do with the answer. Students ask to learn, teachers ask to instruct, and Doctors ask to heal. Will the answer add to your knowledge? Will it teach others something good? Will it heal you, the other person, or a situation? Know what to do, once you have the why.

Ask questions, but ask the best ones. If your request doesn’t add value, change the question. For example, we all say it, but the phrase, “Are you okay?”, can be improved. “How can I help?” This tells the other person, I know something is wrong, you don’t have to explain, and I’m here for you.

Never stop seeking answers, just know how to properly find them. You don’t have to have all, or even most, of the answers to make an impact. Ask kindly, with the right spirit, with innocent intentions. When you do this, you’ll leave a legacy that no one can question.

Tools ‹ PruittWrites — WordPress

Source: Tools ‹ PruittWrites — WordPress

Alaskan Silver Figures

“Wynton, are you sure of these figures?” “Here’s the report Mayor, see for yourself.” Carl looked at the proposal that Wynton had presented him. For some reason, it didn’t feel right.

Yet, Carl trusted his advisor, not knowing his real agenda. Still, he couldn’t pull the trigger on it. “Let me sleep on it Wynton, this is a big move. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

Strand turned to leave. “All right sir, but if I might say this. This proposal will not only bring jobs to Alaska, it will enable you to help people on a higher level. If you don’t do it, another Mayor will, and that man will one day be Governor, at least.”

“I know you have my best interest at heart. I just want to think on it a bit.” Wynton smiled and left. Carl sat at his desk pouring over the report. He couldn’t understand what looked wrong to him, ‘maybe I’m just tired’, he thought.

He was so engrossed that Pin had to knock twice. “What’s wrong Mayor, daydreaming?” Carl smiled. “More like day worrying I guess. What can I do for you Pin?”

“I received this note this morning.” ‘Sgt, I know all about the Pick Axe business. I’ve been one of them. Now, I want out. Meet me tonight at War Ridge, and we’ll talk.’ “Do you think it’s real, or a trap?”

“I’m not sure, but either way, I could use someone that I trust for backup. I still have a little problem on the force that I can’t deal with just yet.” Carl nodded. “Let’s go.”

Find out if which it is, in next week’s “Alaskan Silver War Ridge”.

Productive Sessions

The last week or so, my creative time has been rare. Partially due to sickness, a busy schedule, and a tired mind. A wise man and friend, our Pastor Denny Livingston, has taught me to know the season I’m in.

He also taught me to plant for the next one. This is true in every area of our lives, including writing, or other area of interest. When I’m in a slump, I try to follow a three step process. First, no matter how small, I try to write my idea down. I may never use it, or I might use it in another form, but I’ve learned this. It has to be recorded to remembered, and it had to be remembered to be developed.

Second, when I do feel an idea kick in, I take a few minutes and expand on it. It may be anything from a sentence to a few paragraphs, but over time they form a post, a story, or a book. Don’t try to do a final edit on a first draft, there will be time for it.

The idea may seem stupid, weak, or a rehashing, but it’s a fuse. That’s where number three comes in. Find time, when no new ideas spark, to reexamine old ones. Two post ideas may actually be parts of one blog. A plot idea may not work in that tidbit you wrote two weeks ago, but it may fit something you jotted last month.

Don’t be afraid to reevaluate an idea. You’ll be prepared for constructive criticism when you practice it yourself. Ideas, no matter how much they entertain us, are not people. They are building blocks, and like them, you can turn a house into a bridge with a few changes.

We all go through busy times in life when we wish we could do a,b, or c. Don’t get discouraged. Whether it’s a matter of time, or a struggle for ideas, seasons change. Live the season you are in, and plant for the season that will naturally occur in your life. When prepared for anything, productive sessions occur in every area of our lives. Even if we don’t always recognize the form they take.

iPainting Spring

We hope you enjoy our new Sunday Afternoon Art Post, “Spring”.

Alaskan Silver Artemis

[image error]When an animal is running out of n the woods, being hunted by a ferocious wolf, something never occurs to that frightened creature. That, at home, this big fierce animal with vicious teeth, has a bigger, and meaner older brother. In Wynton’s case, the bigger and meaner Strand, was Artemis.

Big brother Strand was over six feet tall, with steel gray hair and eyes. He trimmed his salt and pepper mustache, and wore the finest suits. The muscles underneath had experience though, breaking any man who stood in his way.

They were different, in their approach, but equally cold blooded. Artemis wasn’t interested in politics, he built his own little criminal empire under the guise of business. He took what he wanted, bought what he had to, and tripled his profits anyway possible.

Along the way, he picked up a collection of specialists. Men and women who could do anything from burning a structure to the ground, to building it back in a hurry. One of these assorted skills was why Wynton called on family.

“You want Ortega little brother? Happy to help, for a price. (Laughs) Add about 5,000 to that and you’ve got him. Well, if you can’t afford him… I thought you’d see it my way. He’ll leave tomorrow, and Artemis, see to it he doesn’t get hurt. He’s the best numbers guy in the business.”

What scheme does Wynton need a numbers expert for? What’s so important that he ‘borrowed’ one from the one man he never wanted to owe? Find out in next week’s Alaskan Silver!

More Than Enough

[image error]The solidarity of love divine, even before man could comprehend it. Christ prepared to die so we could live. Hope’s birth meant the Savior’s suffering. Yet, in spite of the pain, Bethlehem was planned, so Calvary could happen.

Why did it take The Messiah’s death? Because only a spotless life could span the gap. Sin had so blackened our record, that only Perfection could eradicate it’s stain. We rejoice because He was willing to shed, not mere tears, but blood for us.

Only unconditional love, only a selfless God could, or would go that far. His willingness to pay the price, knowing the cost, is why we are in awe. When in disgrace, before Adam’s feet had left Eden, mentally, Christ had entered Gethsemane.

Yes, we shout for joy at an empty tomb, but we kneel at the feet of a resolute God. He willingly walked to Jerusalem knowing there would be a Golgotha to climb. Jesus our Savior, loved us beyond and above measure. We worship, because He loved us enough, even when enough meant beyond anything we could have ever imagined.

Alaskan Silver Calls To Action

When men get anxious they can make slips, in St Louis’ business slips can get you killed. His was slight, but he knew it as soon as he made it. It was only two words, but it worried him.

He had called to report the accident to his government contact. Procedure was to disguise it as a call to his insurance man, “Mr. Arthur Fields”, and most of the call went fine. Right until the end, when St Louis said goodbye Joe.

He looked around the lobby of the hotel to see if anyone had heard. He wasn’t sure, but it worried him. St Louis didn’t make slips, he was off his game.

Edward’s mistake was that he hadn’t used a coded call. One of his Uncle’s staff members had walked in on a call to Harriet. Now the man wanted money, he was trying to blackmail Edward to keep silent.

He couldn’t pay him, but what could he do. The man was threatening to go to the newspapers with his story. He didn’t care that lives were at stake. Edward’s solution was a drastic one, he was going to confide in his Uncle.

He reasoned the man would threaten him, but not his Uncle. If the staffer hoped to have a future in politics, he wouldn’t cross someone who had the support of his party. It would quench the current problem. However his Uncle might disapprove of his actions, that endanger Edward’s entire operation.

The last phone call was Wynton Strand’s. I mentioned Strand didn’t like asking for help, being at the mercy of others. That was true of everyone, but especially true of one man. A person that Wynton never wanted to involve. Men like the Octopus view other predators as threats, even when their your own brother.

Meet the Octopus’ brother in next week’s Alaskan Silver!

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Celebrate

  In the World War I era, men who argued up until the voting booth, fought in the trenches together.  From our first to our latest conflict, opposite sides have been brothers in arms.  Even after the terror of the civil war, men hung up their blue and gray, and carried the red, white, and blue together into the Spanish American War.

Thomas Jefferson didn’t like Alexander Hamilton, and the feeling was mutual, but they helped found a free nation.  I’m not telling you whether or not to be angry or excited about your candidate.  Just reminding you that for over 200 years we’ve had the right to argue about it.

Regardless of who your candidate is, and which party you support, but enjoy our system. The past option was the birth order of a monarch. In the midst of an election battle, let’s not forget how men with opposing views gifted us with a ballot box.

So vote for whoever your choice is, but celebrate that you can.  America may have issues, but we have the ability to do something about them.  Every political platform is made up of planks from a free forest.  Supplied by men who alienated themselves from a quiet life, so we could have these unalienable rights we have today.

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