But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing. – James 1:22-25

Once in a while I’ll link this blog to one of my “professional” writing venues, and today I’d like to highlight two.

ALL-PRO-DAD: First, today’s “Play of the Day” at AllProDad.com features an article I wrote about identity. Who Am I Really? explores the sobering thought that “some of us find ourselves deep into adulthood and we still don’t have a clue” about who we are.

“Literally millions of American men,” the article goes on to say, “fall victim to a kind of identity theft. It’s the loss of a clear sense of self, and it happens so easily because most of us simply don’t know that we don’t know…  Who am I? is a question we should all ask, and all begin to understand.”

WAKE FOREST TODAY: Next, please take a moment to check out my page at Wake Forest Today, our town’s online news-source. My weekly column is called Reading Between the Lines and continues the “opinion columnist” Op-Ed tone of my work for The Brandon News and The Tampa Tribune.

Writing for a local publication is one way I have been able to develop a voice in our community, so I’d like to invite my WordPress readers to take a moment and give Wake Forest Today a few clicks.

HOME SWEET HOME: Finally for today’s short post, Rebekah’s very expressive spray-painting, and my tedious handrail detailing seem to have yielded positive results.

My “two hours, tops…” project took closer to six, and then Rebekah’s time involved probably 90% prep and 10% actual power-spraying. Rebekah is done with her painting, but I’m still looking at a whole new coat of finish after our carpenter comes out one more time.

The process reminds me of how much work is involved – constant work – in maintaining a home. Sometimes it seems like a lot, but we’re always glad we’ve done it because we’re actually living in the results of our efforts.

Spiritually, we also live in the results of our efforts. As James put it, if we are doers who act, then we will be blessed in our doing.

Both physically, and spiritually, we live in the results of our efforts…

So then, be blessed, my friends – DEREK