Timothy J. Pruitt's Blog, page 456

The F.L.O.P. – Your Eyes Only Mr. President

Every writer has at least one flop in their notebooks. That story that didn’t work, or the character you love everybody else hates. So, with the encouragement of my Wife, I decided to purposely choose my flop story with a character who’s code name is known as the F.L.O.P. .

It was this play on words that I loved about this character. PruittWrites had a contest to decide who would be the star of our 140 Mile Stretch serials, and this one lost. As you hopefully know, the action star of it is Cameron Taylor. My choice, Edward Sandstone didn’t win. I hope you enjoy the introduction of one of my Wife’s favorite characters, The F.L.O.P.!

If you are reading this, then you either set behind the resolute desk, or work for the man who does. It is with respect that I begin this way. In the situations that I find myself, I’ve chosen to write the rest of this, as if this was a journal, it simply makes recording this easier.

It was 4:00 am when the alarm went off, I wanted to throw it, but I knew I couldn’t. By 5:00 am I was at the office, in my boss’s office to be exact. It doesn’t sound impressive, until you realize that he’s the President of the United States. He wasn’t scheduled to be there until 7:00 am, but he walked in two minutes later.

As you know, there are no records that I’m anything more than a Secret Service agent. I’m just one of many agents, who never officially leave the residence without accompanying the President. Of course, I had only seen the White House twice this year, once after a visit to … project Porter.

For the record, I’m Edward Sandstone, here is my bio.

Edward Sandstone, is a second generation American on his Mother’s side. He speaks at least 10 languages, and is a diplomat as well as a soldier. His Mother, a famous South Korean author, married a member of Silicon Valley’s technical elite. Raised in an innovative and imaginative home, he uses both of these gifts to operate “special” missions under the direction of only the President himself.
He looks more like a professor than an agent, but that is intentional. Hiding his physique in slightly oversized suits, he attempts to cause his opponent to underestimate him intentionally. His nickname reflects the President’s sense of humor, “The F.L.O.P.”, It stands for “Friend and Liaison Of the President”.

Your Predecessor Mr. President had an interesting sense of humor, so I became the Flop. It’s a name you seem to be fond of as well. Anyway, your predecessor and I met with you, at that time the President Elect, to explain my real position. He also explained the mission that I would find myself on for the next four weeks, which is why I missed your inauguration.

As I recall, you were as interested in the answers to some questions as he was. Which is how I found myself two nights later, on a boat to a certain island in Canada. I wish you both would have let me drive across the border, but I understand why it wasn’t possible, given my cargo.

Jean Luc and I arrived four days after that, neither one of us was happy about the partnership, but we had resolved to a silent, mutual distrust. Our contact was late, probably due to the fractured leg that he had just experienced from Meyersmith. It was going to be a long week, and my allergies weren’t helping, but then neither was my partner.

Serial Contest

Sky Bridge is aiming to a close. When it ends, we intend to introduce our readers to “The F.L.O.P.” and at least one other serial, when 140 Mile Stretch ends. This is where the contest comes in. The two candidates are Cambridge’s, and Mrs. Withers’ Dress Shop.

Mrs. Withers Dress Shop is a comical look at a family planning a wedding. While it centers around a loose fitting on an engagement ring, you watch as nervous family members slip into comical pieces. Watch as Mrs Withers fights to hold everything together for the big day.

Cambridge’s is nestled in the a cozy little shop in England, where nothing happens at 4:00. Of course that is before it does. Watch as the surprises unfold in a store filled with memories, and promise for the future.

Our question to you is this, Which would you rather read first, the “Cambridge’s”, or “Mrs. Withers’ Dress Shop?” It’s also our Weekly?, and we can’t wait for your answer!

Sky Bridge: A Cure

Jerry wasn’t moving, the team had expected either an explosion, or an escape at this point. They never even considered silence. Carter felt like he should say something, but he didn’t know what to say. He hadn’t been involved on one of these missions for a long time.

Isaac was used to the unexpected, even on these missions. He and his crew had a plan, everything was in place, and then something totally unplanned happened. He had learned that this wasn’t coincidence, it was Divine intervention. Isaac knew this was the case, because of the results that followed. He was experiencing one of those moments right now.

Finally, after two minutes, Jerry spoke. “Mr. Rosen, if I agree to speak to my Mother, will you help me with something else?” Isaac nodded, and didn’t ask for an explanation. Instead, he replied, “What do you need me to do?” “We need to get Mr. Gold to a hospital, I can save his hands.” Carter just looked at him.

“The company that I worked for found a cure for what I’m guessing is a degenerative never condition. Dr. Spencer Frankola just got Government approval on the medication. It’s not an instant cure, but it will work over time.”

Isaac laughed, “Dr. Spencer Frankola is an old friend, but I had no idea. He also is a member of a practice. One of his fellow doctors is looking for a transplant donor for your cousin. This transplant could save his life, and I believe, it may be the next step in salvaging yours Jerry.”

Poster From The Road

Newest iPainting, “Poster From On The Road”, is in memory of one of my favorite comedies. Bing Crosby and Bob Hope were at their best in “Road To Morocco”.

In The Order Of His Course

Luke 1:5-8

5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife [was] of the daughters of Aaron, and her name [was] Elisabeth.

6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were [now] well stricken in years.

8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,

He was “of the course of Abia”. This is something that I had skipped most of my life. However, as we have been taught, The Word Of God has a reason for everything within it’s pages. Years before, King David separated the Levites into twenty four courses, one under Abia. This family of priests, showed no record of returning from Babylon in the captivity.

In Nehemiah’s days, the remaining families of Priests were separated to fulfill the twenty four courses. This meant that Zacharias was a substitute for a family that no longer had a record of existing. It may not seem like much, until you view it this way. God appointed a man to serve at His altar in a substitute capacity for someone who no longer had rights to the altar.

Aren’t you glad that God sent a High Priest to intercede at the altar when sin had cost us our place? The difference is this, there is no record of Abia’s family ever returning.

The Lord Jesus didn’t come to Earth to adapt to our sinful ways, but to graft us in to Him through His blood. So that we could triumphantly enter with Him into glory one day. The name Abia means My Father Is God. We can come before the altar because God has adopted us into His family. That is what makes the next verse so rich as well.

8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,

The word order in Luke 1:8 comes from the Greek word taxis. It means a fixed succession, observing a fixed time. It’s no coincidence that this was when God chose to reveal the coming of Zacharias’ son. Zacharias was the son of a priest, who had been the son of a priest, and so on.

So many times, I allow myself to become overwhelmed by my current problem that I forget all the answers to the ones behind me. Zacharias longed for a child, and it didn’t seem possible. Then again, it doesn’t seem possible that a nomadic people who were slaves in Egypt could be liberated. It doesn’t seem possible that a people who were given a promised land by God, and lost it due to sin, could ever have come back to it.

How often we forget that our God is The God Of The Impossible! That, just as ordinary is common for us, impossible is His daily routine. What is amazing about our God isn’t that He performs the impossible. It’s that for thirty years on Earth, He would choose to limit Himself to the ordinary.

When you view God through this thought, giving an old couple a baby isn’t hard for Him. After all, that’s how this people started to begin with. How often we forget Abraham when we’re facing a trial. Isaac was just the first of many children of Israel produced in a miraculous way.

James 1:4

4 But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Notice, Patience is referred to as a female, and it references maturity. Much like the picture of a Mother giving birth to a baby. Tribulation worketh patience, just as contractions produce a child. Trials are the contractions of a Christian. They are used to give birth to the Ministry that God has placed in us, for a specific time.

Our Lead Pastor, Pastor Livingston, from Point Of Mercy in Nashville recently shared an incredible message on Hannah. In it, he brought out a life altering point, Samuel was given at exactly the right time. Years earlier, and he would not have been in time to anoint and train two kings, one of those kings was David.

Hannah had to wait for an appointed time. Zacharias and Elisabeth also had to wait to have John when they did. Years earlier, and he could not have been the forerunner. He would have missed the very purpose of his existence, had he have been born sooner.

Whatever battle you face today, ignore your clock. We look at second hands, and panic. God takes His hand and stops time to bring His people out of a valley. It’s all done when we serve, before God in the order of His course.

Tony

Our latest iPainting is called “Tony”. It’s inspired by Tony Bennett’s two passions, art and music. Notice the two portraits, one in watercolor at the piano in his painting smock. The other on the easel from a performance. As a little something extra, notice a certain city by the bay in the background canvas. We hope you enjoy.

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!

The Guardian

You and I have a very real Invisible Guardian in The Lord Jesus.

 

Hilary was nervous, she had ten minutes to come up with something.  It wasn’t a whole campaign, just the pitch.  Normally, she would have had this finished days ago, but the baby had been sick.  Last night she was up until four am with Brook.  Marin Crandall, the CEO, was understanding but expected something today.

She sketched an idea on her notepad, or so she thought.  When Hilary looked down at it, she saw a picture of her holding the baby at four in the morning.  She started to frown, an unexpected smile surfaced instead.

Hilary quickly called Marin and pitched her idea. She loved it.  Marin added a few sentences to her pitch and they were ready to go.  Hilary walked into the Conference Room  more confident, and much less tired than she was a few minutes ago.

Looking at the client, John Waller of WBS Intl, she asked, “Mr. Waller, if I may, what went wrong for you today?”  Mr. Waller, not sure, but accommodating thought a moment.  “I dropped my medication on the floor.  I hadn’t put my contacts in yet, so it took me about 15 minutes to find it.  I say to find it, my Wife actually found it for me. Why do you ask?”

Hilary’s pitch had started.  “For me, it was a sick baby at four in the morning and a pitch meeting at seven am.  For Marin, it was a coffee cup, a pot hole, and a stained coat.  Thankfully my baby had me.  You had a wonderful spouse, and Marin had an Aunt twenty years ago.  Her Aunt Jean suggested keeping a second set of clothes in her office.  All these unexpected problems were resolved by people watching out for someone.”

“That’s what your company does for your clients.  An overseas market would cause their portfolio to drop by a million dollars while they were sleeping.  It would, if your brokers in that country hadn’t sold before hand.  An identity thief may take off with someone’s nest egg, if it hadn’t been for the safe guards that secured their account.”

“What you offer your clients is more than a series of financial services.  You offer a guardian, someone that watches over a person’s assets, even in dire situations.  We feel that the perfect advertisement for your firm is that of an invisible guardian.  Someone who watches over their valuables day in, and day out.  For the valuables they safe guard, aren’t the dollar signs, it’s more than that.”

“Your company safe guards the tools that empower your clients to provide opportunities for others.  Whether its ensuring that a Grandfather can give his grandchildren the money he saved for their college fund, or that middle aged executive finally buying his Wife their dream house.  You secure and increase their chance to make things possible for their loved ones.  We call it ‘The Invisible Guardian Of Opportunity’ campaign.”

Mr. Waller smiled, “Of course I love it. Marin, this lady is priceless, I would give her a raise.”  Hilary smiled, “Thank you sir, but she did when my daughter was born.  She called it an investment in the future, and I will never forget her confidence in me.”

Hilary really had two guardians in this story.  Her invisible one, and a visible one in Marin.  You and I have a very real Invisible Guardian in The Lord Jesus.  He moves in so many unexpected ways in our lives. He moves especially in the things that look like obstacles to us.  God also uses visible guardians, those people He places in our lives that protect and cherish us.

My hope though, is not only to rely on my Guardian, and guardians.  My hope is to allow The Invisible Guardian to work through me, turning me into a visible guardian for someone else.  How can I show the Love Of God you ask?  Simply by loving, sharing, and caring for others. 

Feeding the hungry doesn’t have to involve a food drop half way across the world.  It can start with a meal for our neighbor.  In and of myself, I can’t heal the sick, but I can visit and pray for them.  God’s business is the impossible, He doesn’t ask us to do that.  He asks us to do what is possible, providing Him the opportunity to do the rest!

The Story Of Prayer

This is the story of a King and one or more of His warriors going into battle.

Prayer is not a passive activity, it is a heart felt activity committed to saving souls and lives. Prayer is the story of a King and one or more of His warriors going into battle. The warriors approach the Throne Room Of The King. They bow in honor, and then submit their request to the Sovereign. He draws His sword, and the three of them journey into battle against a common foe.

The warriors are not concerned for their own safety, they are focused on The King, and on each other. The members of this unit do not worry about their individual safety, they watch each other’s backs. In the end, once the mission is successful, they return to the safety of the Throne Room victorious, filled with praise for their King.

This is the story of a King and one or more of His warriors going into battle. This is a story about unity, and a story about caring for each other. This is the story of an adventure, this is the story of a life changing event, this is the story of prayer.

Pencil Sketch “Steve Jobs”

Sometimes, you just go old school, and grab a pencil. Which is ironic, when your subject is Steve Jobs.