Jesus told His disciples they would be His witnesses "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." So . . .

1. Start locally in your own Jerusalem. Contact your pastor, local women's groups, local organizations, service groups, etc. Build your reputation there.

2. Move out to Judea and Samaria. When you start having success locally, you'll be recommended to leaders at district and state levels of those groups and organizations. It's all about networking and working with people who can help you to the next level. And don't say no to an egagement outside your comfort zone. (Remember, when Jesus gave His disciples their marching orders, no good Jew would be caught dead in Samaria!) I never dreamed I'd be teaching for three weeks in India.

I wouldn't waste money on a slick promotional package, but I would have a Web site that would include endorsements from leaders where you have spoken as well as your favorite topics. Also include your bio sheet and smiling face in several photo formats.

3. On to the ends of the earth. The keys, I think, are to pray and prepare for the local Lions Club as you would for a stadium event. Network with those who can take you to the next level.

I started out speaking to my local writers' group. This winter I'll be a keynote speaker at Jerry Jenkins' "Writing for the Soul" conference along with Max Lucado and Philip Yancey (I am so way out of my league). The point is I've met wonderful people along the way who have helped me move up the levels of speaking. It's taken over twenty years, but I've been able to speak all across North America as well as overseas.

If you're faithful in Jerusalem, then perhaps God will open up opportunities in Judea and Samaria. And once you've proven yourself faithful there, perhaps on to the ends of the earth. (And never get too "big" for Jerusalem. I recently spoke on using humor in business to the local Rotary Club. Great fun.)

August 7, 2009



Government offers "Cash for Flunkers"

With the government's "Cash for Clunkers" program being so popular, watch for Washington to propose that federally supported colleges and universities offer "Cash for Flunkers." Students get a $4,500 scholarship if their high school transcript lists three Fs or more.

Remember, you read it first at "Jim Shorts"!

Comment: An alert reader noted that there's already a program "Cash for Dunkers" (basketball scholarships).

August 3, 2009



The most and least prestigious jobs in America

Yikes, I qualify for having one of the most—and least—prestigious jobs in America.

According to several studies compiled at BillShrink.com, here are the most and least prestigious jobs in America:

Most prestigious
Firefighter
Scientist
Teacher (Me)
Doctor
Military officer
Nurse
Police officer (Son-in-love)
Minister/Priest/Clergy (Wife)
Farmer
Engineer

Least prestigious
Athlete
Business executive
Journalist (Me)
Union leader
Stock broker
Entertainer
Accountant
Banker
Actor
Real estate agent



July 16,2009



Thanks, Mallard!

Mallard Fillmore perfectly sums up my thoughts on recent news:







June 29, 2009





Click pic for larger view

Caption this!

Win a free copy of Squeeezing Good Out of Bad by e-mailing the best caption for the pic above. And the nominees are . . .

"Someone belongs in the witness protection program!"
"Look! It's a Christian book store on wheels!"
"Transformers 3: Salvation"
RabidRiter@hotmail.com

"WWJD? What would Jesus drive?"
Rhonda Rhea

"Holy crap!"
n.ransil@sandycove.org

"From the new Christian version of the TV show, Pimp My Ride."
"Arrested for DUI: Discipleship Under the Influence"
Tim Bete

"Something in the Transformers DNA goes terribly wrong"
"Transformers' Optimus Prime gets saved!"
alspeegle@sbcglobal.net

And the winner is . . .

Al Speegle's "Transformers' Optimus Prime gets saved!" Check out his hilarious Web site.

June 25, 2009



Theme song from Barney used to torture Gitmo prisoners

The Wall Street Journal has revealed the torture techniques used on terrorist suspects at the detention center at Guantanamo Bay: 24 hours of "I Love You," the theme song from that annoying purple dinosaur, Barney!

An interrogator for the U.S. Army's 361st Psychological Operations Company explained, "They can't take it. If you play it for 24 hours, your brain and body functions start to slide, your train of thought slows down and your will is broken."

June 22, 2009

Jon and Kate plus fate TLC is teasing Jon and Kate Plus Eight viewers with non-stop ads proclaiming "Jon and Kate Gosselin have an announcement." Kate reveals, "Recently, we've made some life-changing decisions—decisions that will affect every member of our family, ones that we hope will bring each of us some peace." When asked by producers where their

relationship stands after tabloid reports of both having affairs, she replies, "I wish I knew." Jon promised on this season's premier, "We will always love our kids. We will come together for our kids."

This is reality TV at its worst! I hope the big announcement is "This exploitive show has ruined our family and we're putting an end to this video voyerism right now to work on our relationship in private!"

So, until tonight at 9, here's some advice for the couple:
Top ten secrets to staying married
Top ten reasons I'm not divorcing my wife
Top ten signs you're watching too much reality TV

5:30 pm EST: People magazine is reporting "Gosselin Divorce Papers Filed" in the Bucks County Pennsylvania court room today.



June 22, 2009



My second most important article ever

I've written over 2,000 articles, but if I had to pick the most important ones, my latest feature article in Rev. magazine would probably rank number two. (Number one would have to be Looking for love in all the right places.)

So, coming in a number two—a drum roll, please—A case for women in ministry! Important because 1) it so deeply affects the Church of Christ and 2) I'm married to one.



June 18, 2009



Internet preferred source of news 5 to 1 over newspapers

Seth Godin is predicting that printed newspapers will vanish by 2012. A recent Zogby survey seems to confirm that prediction. According to Reuters:

The Internet is by far the most popular source of information and the preferred choice for news ahead of television, newspapers and radio, according to a new poll in the U.S.

More than half of the people questioned in the Zogby Interactive survey said they would select the Internet if they had to choose only one source of news, followed by 21% for television and 10% for both newspapers and radio.

The Internet was also selected as the most reliable source of news by nearly 40% of adults, compared with 17% who opted for television and 16% who selected newspapers and 13% for listened to the radio.

Almost half of 3,030 adults questioned in the online survey said national newspaper Web sites were important to them, followed by 43% who preferred television Web sites.

Keep in mind that it was a online survey, so it was skewed in favor of the Internet.

My greatest concern is for pets. Without newsprint, how will owners line bird cages and house break puppies?!



June 15, 2009



Is 'twitter' just for twits?

I was talked into joining Twitter.com, the hot social networking site, by writer friends who convinced me I needed to "tweet" to build my writing and speaking "platform." I had resisted thinking it was just for twits. Well, now that I've joined (twitter.com/jameswatkinscom), it appears Twitter is not so hot.

The Internet marketing firm HubSpot says more than half of all people who signed up for an account never posted a tweet (55%), aren't following anyone (56%) and have no followers themselves (53%). Nielsen Online reports the same: most new users (60%) bail on Twitter after creating an account. And Harvard Business School says the average Twitter user tweets once and never again.

And the stats just get worse: Mashable reports that during the month of May, Twitter's visitor growth suddenly "flatlined," growing only a 1.5%.

TechCrunch claims the 80/20 rule applies to Twitter: 20% of Twitter users are creating 80% of the activity.

But what is most damning is that a survey from Pace University and the Participatory Media Network found that only 22% of people between the ages of 18 and 24—the Holy Grail of marketers—use Twitter while virtually all are on other social networks.

Tweet! Tweet! Chomp! (Sound of Sylvester swallowing Tweetie)



June 10, 2009



One-fourth of 'church goers' believe in astrology

An interesting Harris Interactive poll reported today at ChristianPost.com
reveals that . . .

80 percent of Americans believe in God
71 percent believe Jesus is the Son of God
71 percent believe in angels
68 believe in the survival of the soul after death
62 percent believe in hell
61 percent believe in the virgin birth of Christ
59 percent believe in the devil
44 percent belive in ghosts
31 percent believe in witches
31 percent believe in astrology
24 percent believe in reincarnation

The general results were not that different from "church goers" (those who attend religious services at least weekly).

34 percent believe in witches
28 percent believe in astrology
18 percent believe in reincarnation

Hmmm? Click on the links above for my two-cents worth on those issues.



June 1, 2009



Killing unborn wrong; killing those who kill unborn wrong

Anti-government and anti-abortion advocate, Scott Roeder, is being charged for allegedly killing late-term abortion doctor George Tiller Sunday. I strongly believe killing the unborn is wrong, but I believe just as strongly that killing those who kill the unborn is wrong, so some thought on:

• Abortion

• Pro-pro-life

• Overcoming evil with good

Dr. Tiller is the fourth abortionist to be shot and killed in the United States. I pray it is the last—and that we will soon hear of the last of abortion as well.

Comments

Just read your website piece on abortion, very well done. Here is some added info. There are physiological reasons for women who've had abortions to become "pre-occupied" with their aborted child. Mothers inherit traits from their children: click here. Loretta Oakes (June 2009)

May 27, 2009



Requiem for the magazines

Sally Stuart, of The Christian Writers' Market Guide, reports:

Hearing all the reports of periodicals being discontinued or taking no freelance is discouraging at best. In today's economic climate I have expected some of the smaller publications to fall, but at this point it seems to be the largest and best that are taking the tumble. Today's Christian Woman, Ignite Your Faith, Marriage Partnership, Discipleship Journal, and Pray! were among the best publications out there. Not sure where it is all going to end.

Meanwhile, ChristianPost.com quotes the CEO of NavPress:

"It is no secret that we are all in the midst of some very challenging times in our economy and the publishing industry," announced Michael D. Miller, president of NavPress and senior vice president of The Navigators, on Monday.

"Magazine publishing has been hit hard," he added. "The Internet has been dealing a blow to print media for years. Then the economic downturn - it was like a one-two punch."

The general magazine market is faring no better. According to MediaFinder.com:

The downturn in the economy continues to impact magazines, with 525 magazines ceasing publication in 2008. In 2009, 40 publications have already folded.

On the positive side, ChristianPost.com continues:

Notably, however, 335 new magazines were launched in 2008, and in the first quarter of this year, 110 new magazines have been launched, including the Purpose Driven Connection, the joint venture of megachurch pastor Rick Warren and the Reader's Digest Association Inc.

"We are encouraged to see 110 new magazine launches this year, showing the continued value of magazines," commented Trish Hagood, president of Oxbridge Communications, which owns MediaFinder. "This figure compares favorably with new magazines launched in 2008."

Still, that's a net loss of 190 magazines in 2008. That's why I've been warning for the last few years that writers need to think beyond magazines and books. Here are twenty-five alternative markets for those of us you cannot not write.



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