Is God in first place?

Hey, friends! I hope each of you is doing well and keeping Jesus first. Speaking of that, I shared a scripture today, and if I’m being honest, I didn’t know this scripture was in the Bible. Or, if I did, I forgot it. It’s so blunt and so very important that I will never forget it again. 

“Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” 1 John 5:21 NLT 

Whew! I doubt I have to explain what that means, but I will say this, anything that takes the place of God in our hearts is an idol. An idol is anything we worship or devote ourselves to more than God. Do you love your car? That’s fine, just don’t love it and devote yourself to it more than you love and devote yourself to God. It’s great if you love and devote yourself to your job, just don’t put it before God. Remember, your car or job can’t do what God did through Jesus dying on the cross or what He can do for us each day. All I can say is just don’t let anything take God’s place. . .ever! 

So, in May, I had two book signings. The first one was at Green Frog, a local coffee shop. That was fun. Most of the people who came were friends from church who could not make the book celebration in April. I signed their books and we chit-chatted, which I enjoyed. Someone I didn’t know, a junior in high school bought a book, and after we talked for a few minutes he sat and waited for his take-out order. Shortly, he came back to the table. His mom’s birthday was coming up, and he wanted to buy her a book too. So that was cool.   

The second signing was in Savannah, Tennessee. Wesley’s mom and dad are from Savannah so there are several family members in the area, and with Jackson being an hour and fifteen minutes away, we thought we would go to them. That was a real treat. We set up in Selah Coffee on Main Street. Sweet little coffee shop with great staff and super kind owners. What I loved most about the Savannah book signing was that, since it’s a smaller town, the people would come in and buy a book and stay awhile. We like to “visit” here in the south. It was real chill.  

Thank you to each of you who purchased Banderidge. I hope you enjoyed the story, and if you did, would you be sure to tell your friends about it? Share your book if you need to. I would like as many people as possible to read it before book 2 comes out. 

And yes, book 2 will be going to Shelley’s Editing Service next month! I am so excited to start this process again! I am a little more familiar with it this go-around and know what to expect. I can’t say this is my favorite part of the process, but it gets me closer to the end, and that’s a good thing. Also, just a little secret between us: we have started talking book covers. Whoo-hoo! 

Remember, keep up-to-date on the process by following me on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and my website.

That’s where I am. I am staying quite busy but remind myself I am only one person.  

Til next time. . .