Timothy J. Pruitt's Blog, page 434
January 25, 2015
iPainting: A Successful Voyage
Voyages on the sea, as in life, can be filled with peril, but that doesn’t dictate the success of the journey. Perhaps you’re going through something this afternoon, know this, The Lord knows how to navigate troubled waters. He’s proven it in the lives of everyone from David to the Apostle Paul.
To, we hope this iPainting, “A Successful Voyage” will encourage you today to stay in the boat.
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January 24, 2015
The Sea Horse: Ambush
The Sea Horse had left the Wonzu’s headquarters when he was attacked. He was traveling across the rooftops when High Society tackled him. “Sea Horses don’t usually live up here. Aren’t you supposed to be shriveled up in a tank somewhere?”
Sea Horse’s only answer was to throw the villain backward with a kick. High Society answered with a summersault blow. The two battled for several minutes, each time High Society attempting to chide Sea Horse into speaking.
In his mind, Sea Horse remembered his training. As Nicholai would say, ‘What is his strategic objective? He wants me to talk because he has a voice analyzer. He’s trying to get a sample of my speech patterns to figure out who I really am.’
The Sea Horse had equipped his suit with a built in voice distorter, but with an added feature. It was also capable of mimicking any voice he might need to imitate. So the only response High Society received was a perfect rendition of his own voice back at him.
“Nice try, but not tonight. As for the shriveling in a tank bit, you’ll find out before I will.” High Society laughed, “Neat trick, do you do parties? I don’t plan on visiting our jails anytime soon, but maybe you’d like too!” He grabbed Sea Horse from above and the two flew off the building.
High Society intended to drop the Sea Horse from a hundred feet above the Oceania police headquarters. “Society, have you heard of Pegasus? … You’re not the only one with wings.” The Sea Horse activated his short range flight rockets in his boots.
They weren’t designed for long flights, just emergency landings. He was able to fling the villain off of him and against the side of the nearest building. High Society’s initial response was to retort, until his system gave him a warning.
“Why do you think it was so easy for you to pick me up? It’s because that was the only way I could get close enough to sabotage your tanks. You have about five minutes before they blow up. I suggest you change jackets.”
Society slipped out of his trench coat and harness, and onto the fire escape. The Sea Horse grabbed the device. he attached one of his rocket boots to it, and aimed it toward the ocean. The people in Oceania would think it was a simple light show.
High Society had used the time to escape, and now the Sea Horse was minus a boot. Fortunately, he had repositories all along the city. Within no time, Dr. Aaron Matthews was getting into a cab, fully dressed, ready to return home. A phone call would change his plans…
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January 23, 2015
iPainting: Woolworth Impressionist
It’s an impressionist #CollageFriday from #PruittWrites with this iPainting collage of the Woolworth building in our “Great Building” series.
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January 21, 2015
S.T.A.R.T. III
A is for assembling, in this month’s article in particular, it’s about assembling your social media presence. Now that you have a website, you have somewhere to point to, a place to invite people to view. That invitation will play out mostly through social media. The way you handle social media will affect your traffic. It is your advertising and marketing campaign outlet.
Most of us have limited budgets, so view your social media presence as your pitch man. Let’s pause for a moment, perhaps what you’re sharing is not commercial. As a Minister, I firmly believe that anything we do should be founded on our principles. This however doesn’t mean silence anymore than it means shameless promotion.
Your message needs an eloquent messenger. The Lord Jesus promoted, not Himself, but His Message. He wanted all men to know that He offered Salvation to a lost world. Remember, you’re not promoting yourself, you’re promoting your message. If it’s a noble one, then don’t be hesitant for the wrong reasons. Be cautious, but go forward!
With that in mind, you’ll approach the diverse outlets differently. There are multiple resources that can help you with this. One of the greatest is the website of MichaelHyatt.com. Another is SethGodin.com. They have been an invaluable source to myself and others.
It’s also good to keep up with the most relevant websites, not only about your interest, but the technical aspects of site design. You don’t want to appear out of date because you’re behind on a technology change. It only takes me about five minutes a day to get the current tech news. I also listen to two weekly podcasts which help as well.
Let’s look at each social media channel separately. First, let’s look at Twitter. Twitter is one of my favorite channels, you can access important information quickly. Twitter is a favorite for input, but as far as output, you want to be selective with its use. Your viewers will get annoyed when you over share. At the same time, you want to have a balance. It’s not a good idea to under share either.
As in life, everything must be balanced, especially marketing. If all of your Twitter posts involve selling something, then you may need to rethink your strategy. However, that is different than announcing your blog post, or something you’re giving away for free. Free items add value to people, and they welcome those types of posts more readily.
A good rule of thumb when promoting something, is to tweet once in the morning, and once in the afternoon. Other posts, like personal reflections, quotes, etc. can be more frequent. You have to find what works for your audience of people.
Twitter is like a highway, Facebook is more like an interstate. This allows a higher volume of sharing, as long again as it is balanced. It lends itself to more visual promotions, such as graphics and video. Here caution must be used, you do not need a huge budget to produce quality graphics, so it’s not about the money. What it is about, is high quality. If you don’t have the time to create a high quality graphic, or video, then I would wait until you could produce a high quality product.
Facebook also is a wonderful vehicle to interact with your viewers or readers. Construct your posts that they’ll be able, should they choose, to highly interact with you. This is also true of Google Plus. In many ways, the use of both of these social networks would mirror each other. They are both high trafficable venues.
Quality work is the only type worth attempting….
Tweet This
Instagram is a wonderful outlet for anyone that can provide high quality, interesting images for their viewers. If you can produce quality images, they will follow multiple posts a day. Your audience will most likely be as varied as any other, meaning some will be attracted to more of one than the other. This is why the more outlets you provide quality content for, the more people you’ll reach.
Lastly, Pinterest is also a personal favorite of mine for consumption. It is also a wonderful tool for distribution. Whether your medium is visual or written, audible or video, it can be pinned. Your followers can easily view all four through the medium of Pinterest.
Two important things should be mentioned here. Even though your social media presence reflects what you’re doing, it must not be self-centric. In other words, before you share anything ask yourself, will this add value to someone else? This also relates to sharing content other than your own. If you’ve read, watched, or listened to something that made you better, pass it on. Create a hub of value for your viewers, and they will frequently return to it.
Ecclesiastes 9:10
“10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might;…”
Secondly, it starts and ends with quality. Quality in the sense that it is well thought out, entertainingly explained, and visually pleasing. These three are essential to anything you will do. It goes back to a principle found everywhere from the Bible to any civilization that produced anything still standing, quality work is the only type worth attempting.
When you start with social media, at least from the viewpoint of sharing something, it can be overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be. No one is saying that you have to do all of these at once. You can start one at a time and add them over time. However, it is important to open up to as many outlets as you can without wearing your content thin.
Your content will dictate where it will and won’t fit. You may stretch yourself, but don’t force it into a setting that it can’t be sustained. Try a few things, experiment, and if it doesn’t work, discard it. Even in completing your overall vision, not everything you start will you finish. Part of completing isn’t doing everything, but doing the right things well.
Assemble what works for you, what makes your adventure better. Like David, you’ll find what doesn’t fit will only weigh you down. Over time, you’ll uncover tools that you’ll grow into. David couldn’t use Saul’s armor, but he could wield Goliath’s sword. At the right time, you’ll step into the arena that works for you. Just do not allow fear of failure to keep you from making a S.T.A.R.T. .
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January 19, 2015
God’s Dreamers: Honoring Dr. King
Today we honor Dr. King, and in so doing, we honor his Father. A man who instilled in his son, a dream of equality, and never even a kernel of violence. If you’ve ever studied the life of Martin Luther King Senior, you know that he modeled hope to his children.
His life hadn’t been easy, but he worked to make the lives of others better. In so doing, he and his wife instilled this principle in their children. The result was a man who faced solitary confinement twice for his principles. Because they dared to dream, like Jacob and Rachel, they produced a dreamer.
An as it was with Joseph, because of Dr. King’s dream, a nation was transformed. Israel and America would face struggles after the triumph of their dreamers. Yet, both now had an example of what was possible when men pursued God’s vision.
Like Joseph, Dr. King would echo the fact that their dreams of freedom were made possible by an even greater Dreamer. They knew that man could seek a better life because of Christ’s sacrifice. God had brought life to our souls, and now man could truly live.
Today, we celebrate the sacrifices of men like Dr. King and his Father. Men who would want you to dare to follow your dreams. They may seem impossible, but God proved even that was no boundary when it came to our rescue. Dr. King’s dream of equality for all was no easy task, and yet, he changed the world.
Today, in the shadow of greatness, dare to dream, and seek God to change your world. I know it may be daunting, even scary. I imagine even Dr. King was nervous looking out at that crowd at the Lincoln Memorial the day of his speech.
Still, he knew what you and I should know. We have an even greater emancipator than our sixteenth President standing behind us. We are not alone. The Creator gave us this vision burning in our chest. With His help, our dreams can transform both our lives, and the lives of others.
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January 18, 2015
January 17, 2015
The Sea Horse: Mutual Enemies
He could have taken them out, but that would have been considered an act of war. Instead, he sent a “card” first. It was actually a ball dropped on the lapel of one of the Wonzu’s lieutenants. The ball, set on a ten minute timer, projected a holographic message on the biggest flat surface it found.
“Wonzu, this is The Sea Horse. I am in your building, I come in peace for a meeting. It’s about the hospital.” Most of the Wonzu’s inner circle reacted angrily, she didn’t move. After they had quieted down, she spoke. “Show yourself, you have a ten minute truce.”
The Sea Horse descended from the rafters to stand within five feet of her. “Your ‘friends’ are trying to take the hospital. You know first hand what a mistake that would be. How many lives would be lost. There’s also the fact that it’s one of the few neutral areas of the city, every side can go there for medical attention. Put that under one’s control, and groups will start taking this facility and that until all of Oceania is a powder keg.”
“Explosions clear away things, why would I want to stop that?” “They also shut off the power, at police stations, City Hall, and in ‘organizations’ too. Can you run the risk of losing power in an explosion? Even for a few minutes? Plus, an innocent doctor twenty two years ago helped …” “Silence! Everyone leave us!” All of her people filed out.
She drew her weapon to her, “Where did you get your information?” “From a dying man who had no reason to lie. I have no purpose here but to secure a hospital. This is all I ask, or will ever ask of you.” She relaxed slightly. “It is all I will ever give you. The next time we meet, it will be as combatants. Today though, we have mutual enemies. The hospital will be spared, you have the promise of the Wonzu.”
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January 14, 2015
You Versus The Volcano
Isaiah 32:2 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.
Last night I watched a show about building houses in Hawaii. They talked about building on top of the aftermath of a volcano. They told of how to build on lava rock. The man said that you can never get the ground completely even, instead you build pathways that are walkable. In a very real way, even after the disaster, it’s you versus the volcano.
The thing that destroyed homes, the exploding mountains that ended civilizations, can still be built upon. It was the island survivor’s choice, either relocate or reinvent. It’s your choice today.
Perhaps you’ve faced a disaster in your family, your spiritual walk, or in your life. Now that it’s over, the temptation is to run as far away as you can. The other option, is to clear a path, and to build again. It’s not easy, it’s not without obstacles, but it’s possible.
Our fiftieth state is proof of that! When we think of Hawaii, we think of a tropical haven. On one island, those born after January of 83 haven’t known a time when Kilauea’s volcano wasn’t active. For them, it’s become a way of life.
In history, we hear of a town called Pompeii. It was completely destroyed by a volcano, Vesuvius. What we don’t hear about is other towns that were also destroyed. One was Herculaneum, at some point, people returned to the rubble, and built on top of the rock that covered the ruins.
This life is filled with obstacles, with hurt, and with pain. A brave woman I know, has seen plenty of that. She faces things still, and yet, she clears a path and goes on. She knows that Our Rock covers the remains of the attacks that tried to destroy her. She doesn’t see it, but she is brave, for she keeps on building.
Whatever you’re facing, whatever horrible thing you’ve went through, take comfort in this. Every path you clear, every new timber you build on, is a step closer to turning your heartbreak into a haven. You can get there.
With God’s help, you will rebuild, and you will succeed. In the end, you’ll stand on the deck of your new situation, built on Him. All the things that tried to destroy you, will be rubble under your feet.
The result of building on lava rock, you end up building higher. The views from your personal success, will inspire others that they can overcome the things that tried to smother them. You will look and see a battle won, a volcano conquered, and they will see a paradise of hope.
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January 12, 2015
Although … Elvis
Last week was Elvis’ birthday, and a thought hit me that I never remembered having before. What did the name Elvis mean? It turns out that people aren’t really sure. They do know that it is the anglicisation of the Irish Bishop’s name Ailbe of Emly. The latin for Ailbe is Albeus, which means although.
Isn’t that something? One of the most famous entertainers in history, and his name references “although”. In a way, it’s quite fitting.
Other singers had become famous, Crosby, Sinatra, although there had never been an Elvis before. A lot of singers were considered heart throbs, although no one went crazy over anyone quite like they did with Elvis.
For years it’s been debated whether or not Elvis faked his death. The facts seemed to always be followed up with an although. “Although it would be easy for someone like Elvis to succeed at it.” In the end, I don’t know, I doubt it, but that isn’t the although I’m thinking of.
Fans last week celebrated Elvis as if he was young, and they were still teenagers. Two young people in our family love Elvis, although he would be older than their grandparents. I don’t have a problem with that, you see my whole life is built on a much more precious although.
Although Adam sinned I’m forgiven. Although death reigned, you and I breathe. Finally, although hope searched Heaven and Earth for a sinless man, and came up empty. Still, I live, because although hope didn’t find a man, God became one. Christ was what we could never be without Him. He was sinless, selfless, and The Only Savior.
2 Samuel 23:5
5 Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.
Our Pastor Denny Livingston preached a beautiful message from this verse. David looked at his life, remembered his mistakes, and still he found mercy. He had hope, not because of his mistakes, but in spite of them.
God loved Him enough to forgive Him, and He has done the same for you and I. We have Salvation, although we are so unworthy, He rescued us! Although we have made countless mistakes, He forgave us!
This world is filled with strife and heartache, it can hit us like a brick wall. Although we face problems, we don’t face them alone. Although, at times, we face an uphill battle, Christ mounted Calvary. He conquered through the pain, and so can we.
Habakkuk 3:17-18
17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom,
neither shall fruit be in the vines;
the labour of the olive shall fail,
and the fields shall yield no meat;
the flock shall be cut off from the fold,
and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
Although is considered a different point of view in an argument. Many times, a mind is made up, a course of action is decided on, until someone says although. They offer a different perspective, a lifeline, a ray of hope.
Maybe your today has started off badly, maybe you’re facing something that looks settled. Before a baby was named a conjunction in Memphis, Christ was a game changer in Bethlehem. Let Him be your Although this day.
Let God have your situation, and watch as He works. Soon, you’ll see hope where there wasn’t any. Mercy where you couldn’t see it before. His love will take you through a new door. An that fearful thing that held us, although its grip was so tight, has just left the building!
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January 11, 2015
iPainting: Grammar
This iPainting isn’t directly an image of the actor Kelsey Grammer, but it’s inspired by him. So, we used a play on words, and named it “Grammar”.
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