December 2007 Newsletter

Ron Kervin   

Writer/Author, Motivational Speaker

Noteworthy news:

The long awaited release of the latest installment of my action adventure series

has been met with great reviews from the readers. Thus far, all reviews have put the

latest installment of the Lee Kenzer action adventure saga categories ahead of the

initial book in this series. Hope you have your copy by now.

Upcoming events:

A redesign of the book Between God & Warriors is almost complete. My graphic arts designer, Leslie Crowley has done an excellent job with the new cover and I am very excited about getting it on the market and into book stores. Editing on the manuscript is in progress and should be completed by the end of this year.

Quote for the month:

Absence of proof is not proof of absence.

Anonymous

Scriptures for the month:

Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

John 20:29

For Your Consideration:

There are certain things in this life that are so potent and meaningful that unless we take the time to really digest what is being said, we often miss the true message being delivered. This is the case with the quote of the month. “Absence of proof is not proof of absence.” I know, I know! You may need to chew on this for several passes to really let the meaning of these few simple words sink in. It took me several times to really understand what is being said here.

I was working on my renovation project a few weeks ago building the foundation and flooring for my new cabana house out behind my main house. I had gotten all the work done and was sitting on the edge of the new flooring system enjoying a cold iced tea and thinking about the items I had just completed. In my mind I could account for all the hurricane clips on the foundation except for one in the right corner.

Hurricane clips are pieces of metal that are used to ensure that the flooring system is properly anchored to the foundation piers. They are so named because of their required usage in the state of Florida and other hurricane prone areas. I guess they should be named tornado clips in my part of the country, but that is another story.

As I sat there replaying my previous activities and work on the foundation and flooring system, I knew I could actually see the ends of all the hurricane clips except that one in the right corner. My mind would just not let me convince myself that I had put it into place unless I could see it. I also knew that I would not be able sleep at night until I could verify the clip was there. With a lot of grumbling and kicking loose lumber around, I tore down the entire corner of that flooring system until I could see that one clip. Of course it was there and even though I could not see proof that it was there, the reality of it being there did not change.

This is the case so many times in our lives when it comes to God. We are just not happy or satisfied unless we have proof that God exists and is listening to our problem at the time. In times of extreme hurt or loss, we tend to require proof that he is not only there but is helping us through those problems.

It has been no different in my life. I can recall one particular period of my life, fifteen years ago, when I had lost everything in this physical world that meant anything to me. I had lost my family, my homes, my vehicles, my business, my bank account, those who I thought were my friends and even suffered depression. Every physical item I valued was gone and I sank into a dark abyss so great that I would flounder even trying to describe it to you. I struggled with the same problem of needing proof that God was with me, listening to my pleas for help and acting upon them. Like that flooring system, I wanted to tear down everything that crossed my path in life until I could determine if God was really there and was helping me.

Now, looking back on that period of my life from my vantage point, I see that God was closer to me in that time of need than ever before. I now refer to that dark period of my life as the casting period, the time when the fires of adversity caused the temperatures to raise high enough that the mold could be tempered into a lasting character. I know now that I would have never obtained the desirable character I now have if not for that period of casting in my life.

If you find yourself in such a period of your life, try to hang onto the fact that absence of proof is not proof of absence. It is at the darkest times and highest needs that God walks closer to you. Just because you can’t prove he is there does not change the fact that he is there and willing to help those who are obedient to his will. About the only thing that needs proving is “are you obedient to his will?” So, whatever your situation or problem, God can solve it and we should never doubt it or demand proof of it.     

On the lighter side:

In the book of life, the answers are not in the back.

Charlie Brown

Parting Thoughts:

If you know someone who would like to receive my monthly newsletter, please let me know their email address. If they would prefer to view my newsletters online, they may go to my website at (www.RonKervin.com).

If the word be good, then spread it! 

I can use all the exposure I can get. I appreciate your telling your friends about my work. I also appreciate your support and encouragement.

Until next month, may God bless your pilgrimage! May you live long and prosper!