Christian - T&R Independent Bookstore

Posted on July 2, 2024July 2, 2024 by Ronald Riddle — Leave a comment

Blog by Ron – Remember the 4th

Let’s celebrate and remember the 4^th of July. Do it safely but also with pride. Pride?

Yes. America has fallen on hard times due to its turning away from God. Pundits deny it but real history reveals it. The government with the media’s blessing has done much harm to our legacy.

Remember it was Founded as a Christian Nation.

Some will deny that fact. But when you look back at the history books that recorded the events of the time, you know it is true.

Benjamin Franklin, usually identified as a Deist, on June 28, 1787 at the Constitutional Convention proposed its meetings be opened in prayer. In fact, he offered a prayer that most of us would have no problem using. While his proposal was never voted on, it led to the practice of opening the meetings with prayer. Remember that.

The Pilgrims

Today we have revisionist history that tries to eliminate God’s influence in our country. But fortunately, we have archives of documents that tell the truth. One such truth is that the pilgrims did not come here looking for wealth, they came here because they wanted to worship God. These people were persecuted for their faith. No matter where they went they were persecuted. But this was their chance to build a home, a society where they could worship God the way they believed. Remember that.

Our Nation has a History of Christian Involvement

Today we have secular colleges and universities that were originally founded on Christian principles. But they lost their testimony when they turned away from God. But originally they were founded by Christians. Remember That.

Remember George Washington

Revisionists have decried that stories about George Washington were myths. In some cases, this was true. But others did happen such as the Battle of Monongahela where he had two horses shot from under him and later found four musket-balls in his coat. Did he survive because he was brave, tough, and resilient? Or is it possible God watched over him?

Another factor about Washington is that he was a man of prayer. Praying to a holy personal God is not a practice of deists, but George Washington was not a deist. He was a man of prayer, and he studied the Bible. Remember that.

Remember the Revivals.

There were major revivals throughout our history until after World War II. Oh, we have revival meetings, we had great preachers, but when we kicked God out of our schools’ revivals were diminished.

We are still a Christian nation, but it is being torn down by those who hate God. But there are still millions of Christians who love God, who worship Him, trust Him, and work to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In them we still find the fires that burned in our forefathers’ hearts. In them, God is doing a work, and this country is and will be blessed. Remember that.

Remember Why We Celebrate the 4^th of July.

The 4^th of July is more than fireworks, marching bands, and political speeches. It is a time when we can remember what God has done for America. It is a time when we can truly worship Him. Remember that.

___

R. Frederick Riddle is an author, teacher, publisher, and the owner of T&R Independent Books. The website is at Home – T&R Independent Bookstore (trbookservices.com).

Posted on September 26, 2023September 26, 2023 by Ronald Riddle — Leave a comment

Blog by Ron – Ministry Publishing

Ministry Publishing is a new venture that I am personally and professionally excited about. Over the years I have noticed that evangelists must carry a ton of their books with them or have them shipped to a church they will be in to preach.

I have also personally seen a pastor have to buy 5,000 copies of his book and store them (usually at the church).

Times have Changed

The need to carry with them books or have books shipped ahead is still common practice. Hopefully they don’t have to order a minimum number of books.

Times have changed with the advent of print on demand. I believe that pastors, evangelists, missionaries, and those in Christian Education should be able to benefit from print on demand technology.

To a small extent, they do benefit. But it is the same benefit that the rest of us get. Shouldn’t men of God get a better benefit?

Enter Ministry Publishing

Ministry Publishing is just that. It is a service that is provided to men in the ministry as pastors, evangelists, missionaries, and Christian teachers. It is also a ministry to women who minister to women and children.

It is a ministry that publishes books. For a small fee (compared to other publishers) Ministry Services will provide editing, proofing, formatting, just about any service you can think of, plus publish the book.

In addition, at no extra cost to the customer, we do offer marketing that pays for itself. The cost of marketing is included in the book’s retail price, thus offsetting the printing cost.

Ministry Publishing Helps the Ministry

In my experience, evangelists most often support their ministry by selling their books. This is a time-honored tradition. But it also represents a major financial burden to buy many books, store them, and transport them. The profits they receive go to the ministry to pay for the travel expenses, housing, and much more.

Because the marketing cost is included in the purchase price, it results in no out-of-pocket costs to the evangelist. Most publishers that I am aware of charge a marketing fee and sometimes require a minimum purchase. But by having a per book price that is included in the base cost, the ministry can order as many or as few as needed.

That is the benefit for evangelists, but for ministers of the gospel it helps them in a slightly different way. With all the costs included in a per book basis the pastor or his church are not dealt a devastating blow.

For example, if a pastor hires Ministry Publishing to publish his book, the upfront cost is $500 (or $83.33 per month for 6 months), no matter how many pages long it is. The pastor’s book is published and the pastor orders 10 copies (number varies depending on pastor’s needs or plans). Let’s say the basic cost is printing plus T&R publishing fee is $4.85. At 10 copies, the pastor would pay $48.50. The pastor sets a retail of $12.99 for the book and sells all 10 for $129.90. His per book profit would be $12.99-4.85=$8.14 per book or a net profit of $81.40 for all 10.

Or the pastor might give them away with a total cost of $48.50.

Either way, the pastor has accomplished his goal and either reaped a profit for the ministry, or expended a small amount of money on the project. The customer has been in control for the whole process.

if you want to know how to learn to be an author, you should visit my article titled Whats-the-Truth-about-Best-Sellers.

To visit our bookstore, go to TR Bookstore and look around. You’ll find books by my late wife Tess, plus books by me, including Hurricane Ian Winds of Providence & Provision.

Posted on April 19, 2022April 14, 2022 by Ronald Riddle — Leave a comment

Blog by Ron Do You Need a Coach?

Do you need a coach?

You are the final authority on that question but let me provide you with a few reasons you may need a coach. Here is a partial list: You are

new to writing
hitting a wall
Unsatisfied with the book
thinking about quitting
dejected because your book has been rejected
in need of direction
not seeing your books sell
frustrated
are aware of what’s wrong with the manuscript but you don’t know how to fix it.
experiencing other reasons

I have written over 12 books over a 19-year period. Do I need a coach? You might be surprised at my answer.

The answer is yes.

Why?

There are a number of reasons, but the primary reason is that when left to myself I get very critical. I have a lot of knowledge regarding writing, editing, and publishing, but not all of it is good or agreeable.

That produces anxiety which in turn causes temerity, hesitation. I determined several years ago that I needed help. I didn’t like the way my career was going nor did I know how to change it. Thus began a repeated prayer, Dear Lord, I need a mentor. A short prayer but a correct prayer.

Earlier this year I came in contact with another author who is also a coach. We connected and he started coaching me. Someday, perhaps soon, I will go in to the many ways he has coached me, but right now I just want you to see that though I had written over 12 books I still needed a coach.

Coach Assets

Does he know more than I do about writing? Perhaps, but that is not necessary.

Does he know more than I do about editing? Perhaps, but that is not necessary.

Does he know more than I do about marketing? Perhaps, but you get the picture.

When you watch a football game or a basketball game or any sport, your eyes are focused on the athlete. But if it is a professional sport then you can bet there is a coach involved. Is he more talented than the athlete? Most coaches of professional sports that I have seen are out of shape.

But his skill set is to draw the best out of the person he is coaching. And that is what a coach is for a writer.

Christian Coach

So, it can be argued that we all need coaches. Speaking as a Christian, I recommend that if you are a Christian, you should have a Christian mentor. Please note, I did not say Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, or any other denomination. It helps if you and your coach are of the same denomination. But the primary thing I am emphasizing is that your coach be as committed to Christ as you are at a minimum.

That can be difficult to learn, but if the two of you are talking to one another, then you should determine the fit rather quickly. I knew nothing of my coach’s denominational connection or his spiritual maturity. But as we talked about writing, I learned a great deal about his spiritual maturity simply by talking to him. I have since learned we are not the same denomination, but it doesn’t matter. What matters is that he loves the Lord Jesus, is committed to serving Him, and operates within biblical boundaries.

Coach’s Advice

Another facet about an author is the advice he or she provides. I have greatly benefited from his advice. In case you are wondering who he is, his name is Tom Blubaugh and Christian Authors Community is the writers club he founded.

I will write more about the organization in the future.

VISIT MY AUTHOR’S PAGE TODAY: amazon.com/author/rfrederickriddle.

Don’t forget to comment below. We are always interested in your opinions. And to make sure you get our blogs, simply check the box that says, Notify me of new posts via email.

Company information:

T&R Independent Bookstore is a division of T&R Independent Books founded in 2014 by R. Frederick and Tess Riddle. TR Ministry, aka Ministry Services, is both a charge and an exciting outreach to the Christian Community.