Seasons of Prayer

This, the Christmas season, is a call to pray. But then, every season is. Albert Richardson says it very well in his book, The Kneeling Christian. "Do we really believe that our Lord never made a promise which He could not, or would not, fulfill? Our Savior's three great commands for definite action were: Pray ye. Do ye. Go ye."

"... without obedience to the Pray ye, it is of little or no use at all to Do this or to Go. ... In fact, it can be shown that all the desires of success and all the failure in the spiritual life and in Christian work is due to defective or insufficient prayer. Unless we pray aright, we cannot live aright. This may appear, at first sight, to be gross exaggeration, but the more we think it over in the light Scripture throws upon it, the more convinced we will be of the truth of this statement."

"For, after all, prayer is not just putting into action good resolutions to pray. Like David, we need to cry, Create in me a clean heart, O God, before we can pray aright (Psalm 51:10). And the inspired words of the apostle of love need to be heeded today as much as ever before: Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight (1John 3:21-22).

Let us make this holiday season and every season of our lives a season of heartfelt prayer.

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Annie's Uncle

In my new book releasing on Friday (12-5-25), Cody Taylor's brother and sister-in-law tragically pass away in Alaska, and he suddenly becomes the guardian of his young niece. He's determined to give her a safe and loving home in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, but Annie's first year in the new school is marred by relentless bullying. Cody hopes this year will be better, and he will work to make it so.

Greta Branstetter arrives in Coeur d'Alene, eager to begin her new role as the town’s schoolteacher. She’s surprised to learn she must live in homes of some of her students and navigate the school board’s strict rules for teachers. Despite the limitations and a group of unruly boys intent on bullying, Greta is committed to making the school year a success for herself and her students. As Greta and Cody’s path intertwine, their shared mission to help Annie and end the bullying blossoms into something deeper. Annie’s Uncle is a heartfelt journey of hope, healing, and the transformative power of love that often finds you when you least expect it. It is a heartwarming story of resilience and the unexpected bonds forged through courage and determination.

The novel also has a strong connection to Christmas. In fact, the heart of the Christmas season shines through the faith and families of these characters. Cody’s sudden role as the guardian of his niece reflects a deep commitment to family, while Greta’s courage to stand against injustice in her schoolroom embodies faith in goodness and redemption. Together, they nurture Annie through grief and bullying, showing that love and resilience can heal even the deepest wounds and affecting others in the process. Much like Christmas itself, the story reminds us that hope often arrives unexpectedly, binding people together and offering redemption through compassion and courage. It’s a celebration of the season’s true spirit—light breaking through darkness and love winning in the end. Order your copy of this special book today. Click here.

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We Gather Together

One of the beloved Thanksgiving hymns, We Gather Together, traces its roots back to the late 16th century in the Netherlands. Written in 1597 by Adrianus Valerius as Wilt heden nu treden, it commemorated the Dutch victory over Spanish forces at the Battle of Turnhout. At the time, Dutch Protestants were forbidden to worship openly under King Philip II of Spain, so the hymn became a powerful expression of both faith and freedom. Its words celebrated God’s providence and protection during persecution, offering hope to believers who longed for the right to gather in worship.

The hymn was originally set to a Dutch folk tune and later translated into English by Theodore Baker in 1894. Over time, it found its way into American hymnals, where it became closely associated with Thanksgiving. While the text itself never mentions harvest or gratitude explicitly, its opening line, “We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing,” resonated deeply with the spirit of the holiday. By the early 20th century, it was a staple in Protestant worship services, often sung at family gatherings and church celebrations during the Thanksgiving season.

Today, We Gather Together remains a cherished hymn across denominations, symbolizing unity, resilience, and divine guidance. Its history reminds us that worship is both an act of thanksgiving and also a declaration of faith in times of trouble. The hymn’s enduring popularity lies in its timeless message: that God is present with His people, guiding and sustaining them through every challenge. Below are the lyrics that continue to inspire generations of worshippers.

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing; 
He chastens and hastens His will to make known; 
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing. 
Sing praises to His name; He forgets not His own. 
 
Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining, 
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine; 
So from the beginning the fight we were winning: 
Thou, Lord, wast at our side—all glory be Thine! 
 
We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant, 
And pray that Thou still our Defender wilt be. 
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation; 
Thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free! 

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Bridging Fact and Fiction

Over the ten years I've been publishing, I've developed several methods to improve my writing. One of the most effective is using a real town in the same general location as my fictitious town for research. That way, if I want to know how many churches might have existed, I can look up the real town. This approach gives me more creative license, reduces the heavy research required when using an actual setting, and still makes the book feel authentic. 

For example, the new series I just started is set in Nevada in 1882. I'm using the mining town of Austin, located in the high desert, as the counterpart to Summit Reach. I lived in Roswell, New Mexico, for two years, and it's also in a high desert, so that experience helps as well. But it is convenient to google Austin's history when I have a question about Summit Reach. I could just invent the details, but then I risk getting important facts about the region wrong. Accuracy matters to me, and I strive to be as historically precise as possible.

Ultimately, blending fact and fiction is what makes novel writing both challenging and rewarding. By grounding my stories in real places, using my background in history, doing extra research, and allowing logic to fill in the other details, I create worlds that feel believable without being bound by strict documentation. This balance keeps the research manageable, the creativity flowing, and the reader immersed in a setting that feels alive. For me, that’s the heart of storytelling—building a bridge between history and imagination that readers can walk across with confidence.

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Paul Changes Course

Philippians 3:4-8 & 13-14

Paul's background was one of prestige and promise. He was not only a Pharisee, deeply committed to the traditions of his people, but also trained under Gamaliel, one of the most respected rabbis of the time (Acts 22:3). This education placed him among the intellectual and spiritual elite of Judaism, giving him credibility and influence. His zeal for the law and his rapid advancement in Jewish circles (Galatians 1:14) suggest that he was destined for significant leadership within the religious establishment.

Yet, Paul chose to walk away from all of this when he encountered Christ on the road to Damascus. In that moment, the course of his life changed forever. What had once been a source of pride--his heritage, his education, his status--became insignificant compared to the value of knowing Jesus and serving him (Philippians 3:7-8). The very things that had defined his identity became secondary to his new calling as an apostle to the Gentiles. His surrender of worldly honor highlights the radical transformation that takes place when someone encounters the living Christ.

Paul's story reminds us that following Jesus often requires letting go of worldly ambitions and an emphasis on material possessions. He could have pursued power, recognition, and comfort among the Jewish leaders, but instead chose a life of hardship, persecution, and service for the sake of the gospel and His Savior. His example is a blueprint and inspiration to believers today. He reminds us that true greatness in the kingdom of God is not measured by prestige, power, or positions, but by faithfulness to Christ and the willingness to serve in His name.

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Stepping Up for South to Freedom 

I had never hit such an impasse when it came to writing and publishing. After exhausting all avenues and resources, I couldn't find a narrator for my new book, South to Freedom. I had spent hours upon hours searching through the talent listed on ACX, listening to sample narrations, and messaging those who sounded promising. I had some auditions, but no one worked out. I decided I'd rather not offer an Audible edition than to have one not up to my standards or listeners' expectations. 

You see, South to Freedom was going to be a difficult book to narrate. It's the story of slaves escaping from South Carolina in 1739, headed to freedom in Spanish held Florida. I needed someone who could do an African accent as well as a British or American one. Knowing how impossible it might be if I also added Spanish voices to the mix, I wrote around that by not having any direct dialogues with a Spanish character. For the most part, living at Fort Mose isolated the former slaves, so all the Spaniards were such minor characters that it wasn't hard and didn't limit the book too much. 

Then during one of my morning devotions, an idea came to me. I would email many of the narrators I had worked with, past and present, and ask them if they knew of anyone. I figured that, like in the writing community, they must also develop friendships and acquaintances. I was overwhelmed with the kind responses, but most of them didn't know of anyone.

Then I got a reply from James Cheatham, the narrator who produced Going the Extra Mile and Walnut Cake for Wylene for me. The only reason he hadn't done more is that he stopped doing royalty share and went to pay per finished hour. He said he didn't want to tackle the slave voices, but if I was open to dual narrators, he knew of a black narrator he could partner with. At the end of my options, I jumped at his kind offer. I had never heard of Shamaan Casey, but I trusted James, and it turned out to be a good decision. I'm very thankful to these two talented men and happy with the finished Audible. I think listeners will be, too. Click on the book title to check out the Audible that almost didn't make it. South to Freedom is available now in Audible, Kindle, KU, and print.

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Waiting on God

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord (Psalm 27:14).

Waiting on God can be hard. For one thing, there's often so much uncertainty involved. And then, we just don't like waiting on anything, do we? "But God's clock doesn't tick like ours. ... God isn't slow. He's patient. Patient with the world, patient with us. Waiting isn't punishment; it's preparation."

"... biblical trust means we anchor ourselves to God's character when His actions confuse us." We know His goodness, His almightiness, and we trust that He always does what is right and good. Even though we don't always understand, we know who God is, and that's enough.

"Waiting invites anxiety like moths to a porch light. The unknown pokes at our fears. ... But here's where biblical counseling shines: it reminds us that anxiety is not solved by prediction. It's calmed by presence." God's presence in our lives. "Waiting exposes what we want more: relief or relationship. If we only want God to fix things fast, we'll miss Him. ... But if we lean in, we'll see that the wait has drawn us closer."

"Waiting doesn't mean doing nothing. It means doing the right things with a surrendered heart. Here's what waiting looks like:

• Pray consistently: Not just for outcomes, but for endurance 

• Stay in community: Isolation grows doubts ...

•  Immerse in Scripture: Let God's promises shape your expectations

• Keep serving : Be faithful where you are "

Waiting teaches us patience, dependency, and faithfulness so that we really mean it when we pray, Thy will be done.

But they that with upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31).

(Quotes in the text taken from A Biblical Guide from Overcoming Anxiety by Good Books & Faith Beacon Publishing)

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