Posted on 12/03/2022 3:42:28 PM PST by OneVike
I've been a Freeper for 25 years come next February, and I must admit that my knowledge and understanding of things has been immensely effected by the many great minds who are part of this great forum. Whether it's about politics, science, history, or religion, FreeRepublic has been to me, what many Colleges used to be. I have witnessed many a great mind debate other great minds, and I have witnessed my share of knock down, drag out, leave no prisoner, fights between Freepers who would die on their cross of beliefs. Probably the biggest was the battle of the long-knives. This is not an insult, but rather a compliment to the way this forum has truly effected me, and many like me, in our understanding of the world throughout the last 25 years.
It's been an somewhat unorthodox education, but it has enabled me to gain the knowledge, experience, and courage to write the book I published this past week. My book is titled, “Sleuthing The Scriptures.” It is a Christian book that contains many commentaries I have written over the years. Most deal with topics I have dove deeply into for the purpose of helping others understand GOD’s Word. It has long been my passion to open up the Scriptures and explain them in a way most Christians can understand. Too often theologians write in a way than only seminary students and other theological professors can grasp.
Many who have read my work, understand that I try to write in such a way that it makes it easier for Christians who are still drinking milk to understand. I try my best to explain things in a way where the reader will not need a lexicon or dictionary handy to understand what I am conveying. If something needs a deeper explanation, I will do so with proper notes to help bring the point to a solid understandable conclusion.
As I do with all my writing, I try to emphasize the importance of doing one's own investigation by reading the Word to be sure I am not taking Scripture out of context just to force a point I wish to make. I'm only human, so I pray for guidance to keep me humble, and above all, I fear leading others astray more than I desire recognition for my writing. Too often wolves in sheep’s clothing will twist Scripture to sway gullible young Christians away from Christ, because they are children of the devil who only wish to destroy one’s faith.
In the book I just wrote I have added some devotional Psalms I have written over the years along with a short story I pray will bless the hearts of those who read it. As a bonus, I have included something I have never published before. It is a theory I have pondered for many years about the day our Lord visited His father’s House when He was 12 years old. If I am correct on my theory, then this a portion of Jacob’s was fulfilled on that very day Jesus was baffling the religious scholars in HIS Father’s House.
This theory is one I have been working on for 35 years. I do plan on writing a separate book on this, but I offer my theory as it is in a 29 page chapter near the end of my book. There are a quite a number of good friends I have shared my theory with, some are Freepers, along with some pastors from various different denominations who have weighted in on my thesis. Its these well respected men who have suggested I expound upon my thesis in a book so I can offer a more in depth explanation than a mere chapter can offer. Which I am in the process of doing.
I share the information below as a way to thank FreeRepublic and my fellow Freepers for my success, because if FreeRepublic never existed, well then I never would have reached the point where IU could write, let alone get a book published.
As of this morning when I woke up, my current paperback book was ranked #34, while my Kindle e-book was ranked #17 on Amazon's New Releases for Christian Education. They were ranked lower at #9 and #13 respectively, but Amazon numbers change quite frequently, and the sale of one or two books can make a big difference in the ranking of the competition. When I consider the millions of books listed by Amazon, I will accept my ranking in this category. Over all on the actual best seller list, I have been as low as 145,000, and as high as 490,000 . This only 5 days after I published my book, a new book is eligible to be ranked in the new release categories for 30 days, so that's free advertising as long as I can stay in their top 20 list which is on their first page. True, it's a niche category, but hey, I get the free advertising.
Ancestors were homesteaders in MT migrated from MO, and SC in the late 1800s, grew up in Northern MN.
Ancestors fought in every war since the revolution.
Looks like I will be getting buried in East Idaho where I live now. Payette.
God bless you and yours, and have a great Christmas Season.
Add me to the “interested” thread!!!!
Well maybe we should, because now that I wrote my first, I have started working on another, and I plan on writing till I can’t write anymore.
No problem
Congratulations.
🎉🎊✨🎇
May fame and fortune fall into your lap.
Seriously, congratulations.
I am on your ping list, but I do not recall saying anything inspiring. There is a feeling of accomplishment, though. I was a professional magazine writer in my college days, but nothing other than advertising copy, letters to the editor, and comic strip content since then. I did have a short attempt at being a publisher, and have done some editing, but no long form writing. Good for you for sticking to something that comes easily for few who practice it well (Rex Stout and P.G. Wodehouse are among those few).
Much success!
Best wishes. I hope your book is a success.
I lurked for a number of years too. I’ve had people call me on things I said I remembered that were before my mint date.
At first it bothered me. That was long ago.
Wonderful...sounds interesting
Heartiest congratulations! Can I say that’s a hella lot of work for a book about Scripture?
This appears to be a physical book. Have you (or your publisher) considered making this into an ebook? Maybe after physical sales die down? Or before? I’ve only cursorily examined the ebook world, so I am not offering advice and your publisher might hate the idea; just pointing out the idea as I’m working on a book I’d publish in ebook form. My understanding is that about 7/10 of AMZNs’ bestseller book sales are ebooks, there are vast numbers going on in that space.
Geeeez, delete my reply, your last few sentences went right over my memory buffer.
Still hearty congrats!!
Congratulations OneVike... thanks for pinging me.
I have both a paperback and an e-book available.
So yes, that was the first thing I did after I published it. So it’s available in both forms.
Thanks for the inquiry.
LOL, no worry,
..Ignore my first response.
LOL.
I’m sitting here laughing silly :)
Quite the contrary. Glad to be pinged. And if in some small way I helped, then I am thrilled.
Thank you. Blessings to you and yours.
Well done, FRiend. Bump!
Dear Humble gunner,
I started with FR back in the days of DITHF.
My computer crapped out and I forgot my password, so I created a new account.
Not surprising that someone would have a different start date.
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