The God Who Draws Near

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near (Isaiah 55:6).

From the beginning of Scripture to the final “Amen,” the heartbeat of Christianity has always been God’s desire to dwell with His people. While many belief systems emphasize rules, rituals, or philosophical systems, the Christian faith centers on a real, personal, transforming relationship with the living God. His presence is not an accessory to the Christian life; it is the Christian life. Nothing He gives compares to the joy of knowing Him, walking with Him, and experiencing His nearness in the everyday moments of our lives.

And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them (Exodus 25:8)

In the Old Testament, the ark of the covenant stood as a vivid reminder of God’s desire to be with His people. Inside it were symbols of His care: manna that testified to His provision, Aaron’s rod that declared His miraculous power, and the tablets of the law that revealed His holy standard. Even after humanity’s fall in Eden created distance between God and man, the Lord never abandoned His plan to restore fellowship. Every detail of the tabernacle whispered the same truth—God longs to dwell with those He loves.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (John 1:14).

That longing reached its fullness when Jesus stepped into our world. God did not merely send a message; He came Himself. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, the barrier of sin was torn down, giving us access to a closeness with God that humanity had not known since Eden. We were created to know Him, to walk with Him, and to reflect His character so that others might come to know Him as well. In Jesus, God’s presence is no longer distant; it is personal, available, and life‑changing.

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you (James 4:8).

Christianity is not built on cold doctrine or distant duty. It is built on the God who comes near. From the ark in the wilderness to the Savior in the manger, from the empty tomb to the Spirit dwelling within us today, God’s message has remained the same: He wants you close. May we seek His presence above every blessing and treasure the relationship He freely offers.

___________________________

Following God's Call and Leaving the Results to Him

Some Christians like to wait for certainty, to know God's plan in full, before answering His call. But that's rarely how God works, and it doesn't show faith. Faith is taking one step and then the next as He leads, even when we don't know where we're going. Abraham did this, and I've lived it myself. I can look back and see how God took a poor mountain girl whose culture butchered proper grammar, gave her a love of language and books, and somehow made an author out of her. Looking back, I can see He was grooming me to eventually publish books, but I had no idea at the time. He often delights in doing the impossible, so there's no doubt who deserves the glory.

Others try to earn God's favor by doing an enormous amount of work, hoping to prove how capable they are. As one author put it, God doesn't need us to be impressive; He needs us to be obedient. If God wants one of my novels written and it only reaches a single reader, but that person is touched, taught, or drawn closer to God, then the book was a huge success. Yet if I write a bestseller that brings in large royalties but touches no one in any meaningful way, then the book is a failure.

I've seen many authors complaining about the recent decline in sales that so many of us are facing now. It's understandable to want to do well. After all, the more books we sell, the more Christian stories we place into circulation. And for me, it also means the more scholarships I can offer, since all my profits go to a scholarship fund for missionary children. But at the same time, I keep reminding myself to put everything in God's hands. He's a much better manager than I am. I might not understand what's happening, but He does. My job is to answer His call and follow His will.

Whatever happens, to Him be the glory!

__________________________

 

The Power of "God Said"

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light (Genesis 1:3).

From the very first page of Scripture, God reveals Himself as the One whose Word brings reality into being. In Genesis 1, creation unfolds, not through effort or struggle, but through the sheer authority of God speaking. Every time “God said,” something new appeared—light, land, life, order. His voice is not passive; it is creative, decisive, and powerful. By verse 28, that same voice shifts from forming the world to blessing the people who will live in it. What God speaks is always good, always purposeful, and always final. His word stands as the ultimate authority over all creation.

In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God (John 1:1).

The New Testament reveals something even more astonishing: the very Word that shaped the universe stepped into the world He made. Jesus Christ, the living Word, came not only to create but to redeem. In Him we see truth embodied, grace revealed, and God made knowable. Scripture becomes more than ink on a page; it becomes the meeting place where we encounter the heart of God. When we open the Bible, we are not merely reading ancient stories; we are engaging with the same divine voice that spoke galaxies into existence.

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you (James 4:8).

Because God’s Word is alive and active, it calls us not just to study but to seek Him. Reading Scripture should always lead us into prayer, into conversation with the God who desires relationship, not ritual. Before we close our Bibles, we should pause and invite Him to shape us, guide us, and walk with us. Christianity has never been about information alone; it has always been about presence. The God who spoke creation into being and who came near in Christ now invites us to know Him personally, daily, and deeply. Welcome Him in.

______________________

 A Writer's Retreat in Blowing Rock

An advertisement for a writers' retreat came across my screen, and I thought, I could use one. But as I read the details, I saw the author was charging $1,200 for a three-day, two-night weekend. I didn't need it that much. The following week, however, I received an invitation from an author-friend to join her and two other authors I knew, but had never met in person, to a writers' retreat in Blowing Rock, located in the North Carolina mountains. The fee was minimal, just barely enough to cover expenses. I believe God had a hand in all this, one of His many quiet blessings.

The retreat was wonderful: a magazine-worthy place to stay, plenty of peaceful time to write, brainstorming sessions on the business of writing, walks in the refreshing mountain air, and great meals from Heidi or Lynne. And best of all, the four of us got to know one another better.  It was just what I needed. Writing is such a solitary task that those moments of connection become all the more meaningful.

Heidi Gray McGill, Heather Branton, and Lynne Lanning are very special ladies. I came home to my usual busy schedule that included my grandson's wedding, family time, housework, car trouble, trying to write a chapter a day on my current manuscript, walking two miles a day, blogging, online events, and more, but I came home with a thankful heart, renewed energy, deeper friendships, and long-lasting memories. 

_________________________

 

Words and Wonders

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light (Geneis 1:3).

How did God create everything? With a word. Scripture tells us that at the beginning, God spoke, and light burst forth, waters separated, land appeared, and life filled the earth. His voice alone shaped galaxies and commanded order out of nothing. Creation unfolded at the sound of His authority, proving that when God speaks, reality obeys. “And God said… and it was so.” His words carry power, purpose, and life.

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life…(Genesis 2:7).

But when it came to humanity, God chose a different approach. He didn’t speak us into existence. He formed us. With His own hands, He shaped Adam from the dust and breathed His own breath into him. This was intimate, intentional, and deeply personal. God wanted a hands‑on experience with the ones who would bear His image. We were not merely spoken; we were crafted. That alone tells us how treasured we are. We were created to have a personal, intimate relationship with our Maker.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue… (Proverbs 18:21).

If God’s words hold such power, and we are made in His image, then our words matter too. What we speak can build up or tear down, bless or wound, bring peace or stir trouble. When we align our words with God’s truth, we reflect the One who created by speaking and formed by loving. May we choose words that encourage and give life, just as His words gave life to the world.

_____________________________

Ava

My new release, Ava, published last week. As the first book in the Disabled Daughters trilogy, it introduces Ava Walsh, a young woman who has learned to hide her doubts behind a steady smile. Her father believes that moving to her aunt and uncle’s Nevada ranch will give his three daughters the future he fears he won’t live to see, and with the doctor’s grim warning echoing in her mind, Ava refuses to challenge him. If this journey west brings him peace, she’ll endure it, no matter her misgivings.

But the wide‑open frontier offers no escape from the truth she carries. Her injured back leaves her bedridden far too often, and she’s convinced no man would choose a wife who can’t do her share of the work. As her family uproots everything familiar for a land of dust, strangers, and uncertain promises, Ava wonders whether hope can truly be found in such a place. Yet the West has a way of surprising those who least expect it. When new possibilities and new affections begin to stir, she must decide whether to cling to her fears or risk the uncertainty new relationships bring.

Ava’s middle sister, Jo, will publish on July 3, and Chloe, the youngest, will release on August 4. Ava is available now—and all three books will be offered in print, Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible. If you enjoy heartfelt historical stories with courage, family loyalty, and a touch of Western adventure, this is a wonderful time to begin the trilogy. I hope you’ll meet the sisters, follow their journeys, and perhaps even share the books with friends who love a good story.

__________________________

 

Mustard Seed Faith

“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matthew 17:20).

Like many believers, I used to read this verse and assume Jesus was telling us our faith wasn't big enough. But recently I came across a perspective that gave me pause. One commentator suggested that when the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us, He brings all the faith we will need. The issue isn't the amount of faith we possess; it's whether we use it or not.

Faith is a little like the muscles in our bodies. They grow stronger by being exercised. In the same way, faith deepens and matures when we put it into practice -- when we trust God in uncertainty, obey Him when it's costly, and lean on His promises when circumstances try to shake us. Each act of trust stretches us a little. stengthens us even more, and prepares us for the next step as we follow God.

I'll let you study and decide for yourselves what you believe Jesus is teaching in these verses. But regardless, let's make the intentional choice to exercise our faith. Let's speak God's truth over the mountains in our lives, even when they look unmovable. Let's step forward in obedience even when the path isn't fully clear. And let's remember that the power behind our faith doesn't come from us. It is the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. When we use the faith He has already placed in our hearts, we'll find that nothing God calls us to do is impossible.

And the Lord said. If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you (Luke 17:6).

__________________________

Disabled Daughters 

I've carried the idea for the Disabled Daughters trilogy for a long time, waiting for the right moment to bring it to life. In fact, the covers have been sitting in my files for nearly four years. This spring, everything finally came together. Now, all three books are written, edited, and available for preorder on Amazon.

The series follows the Walsh family after a tragic carriage accident that claims the mother's life and leaves the daughters with lasting injuries. Ava has a bad back, Jo's leg was shattered so she has a permanent limp, and Chloe can't use her right hand. Their father's health continues to decline, something that the doctors can't explain. When they tell him to prepare for the end, he makes the decision to take his daughters to Nevada to stay with his sister on her ranch. He believes his girls will be able to find husbands there, settle down, and raise a family, giving him peace in his final days. Read to see what happens.

Ava releases tomorrow, June 2. Jo follows on July 3, and Chloe will be available on August 4. This means readers won't need to wait long between books, and as always, each story can be enjoyed as a standalone. Ava is available now on Kindle, KU, print, and Audible, and the others will be.

I'm excited to share this new series. These sisters have lived in my imagination for years, and I hope their courage, resilience, and hope will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

_________________

 Running the Good Race

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air. But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: (1 Corinthians 9: 24-27a).

When I taught school, I used to coach my students who volunteered to run in a mini-marathon relay sponsored locally. Five runners would each run a leg and then hand the baton off to the next one, except for the last one, who crossed the finish line. They would return, panting, exhausted, and sometimes, holding their sides, but they would run again the following year. 

Paul talks about running a good race, too. He understood the discipline, the strain, and the perseverance it required. He reminds us that everyone runs the race of life, but only a few receive a prize, so we should run in such a way as to obtain it. Paul wasn't urging competition among believers; he was urging commitment. He wanted Christians to run with purpose, giving it their all for Christ, not half-heartedly or distracted by other things.

Later, near the end of his life, Paul could look back and say with confidence, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). That wasn't the boast of a man who ran perfectly, but of one who ran faithfully. He stumbled, he suffered, he faced opposition, yet he never quit. He kept handing the baton of the gospel to the next generation, and he kept pressing toward the finish line Christ had set before him.

We can learn from Paul's steady determination. The race God gives each of us may look different, but the call to endure is the same. We don't run in our own strength; we run in His. When the path feels long, or our steps grow weary, we remember that Christ runs beside us, strengthening us for every mile. And when we finally cross the finish line, it won't be our skill or speed that matters. It will be our faithfulness. May we run with confidence, keeping our eyes on Jesus, and finish well, knowing that He is with us all the way.

____________________________

Traveling with Books

We talk about readers getting to travel the world through books, but the same is true for authors. Writing lets me time-travel, be immersed in different cultures, and watch new landscapes unfold before me. I've always believed that serious authors can write about anything that inspires them. That's why, alongside my many historical novels. I've also written contemporary and even three Christian non-fiction books.

Most of my novels have been set in the United States, but that still gives me a wide canvas, and I've been in at least thirty-five states through my writing so far, and still counting. I also have five set in England, and I'll be starting another one in the next few days. I just finished a story set in the Great Smoky Mountains, and since I grew up with an Appalachian heritage, it felt like coming home. I had such fun with the book and that unique Appalachian dialect I know well. Now I get to step into a small Victorian-era town near Harrogate, England, and into a whole different world. But most of my books have been set in the Old West, and it continues to call to me, with more Western novels already in the works.

Every new setting inspires me as a writer and reminds me of why I love this work so deeply. Whether I'm wandering the rugged West, climbing the ridges of Appalachia, or strolling the cobbled streets of Victorian England, each story becomes its own journey -- one that I'm appreciative to travel and even more grateful to share. Wherever my next books lead, I hope you'll enjoy traveling there with me.

___________________________

 Catching on Fire

Early Christians were on fire for Jesus. They went forth with a boldness they'd never experienced before. They knew the importance of their mission, and they would not be extinguished. They hit the streets to deliver the gospel message and tell the good news of Jesus. The Apostle Peter preached, and 3,000 men were saved (Acts 2:41). It also happened earlier to the prophets. Jeremiah became discouraged and wanted to quit preaching, but he wrote that God's Word " was like a fire in his bones and he could not be silent (Jeremiah 20:9).

 The fire of God brings holiness. 1 Peter 1:16 tells us, "Be ye holy, for I am holy, says the Lord." We are called to pursue holiness, letting the fire of God purify us. When Isaiah saw the Lord, he recognized his sinfulness and cried out, "Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts" (Isaiah 6:5). An angel took a hot coal from the fire on the altar and touched it to his lips to make him clean.

The fire of God brought about many miracles. Ailing, afflicted people were healed because the apostles were empowered to do the same miracles that Jesus had done. But miracles didn't end in biblical times; many have occurred since then. One often-forgotten example happened in the 1920s and 30s. Missionaries and Chinese Christians shared the gospel message and experienced what became known as the Santung Revival. In one year, about 3,000 people were saved. One church went from 50 members to 1000. Six hundred girls and 900 boys from the mission school accepted Jesus. Revival spread.  A missionary's eyes were healed as a result of prayer and the anointing of oil. A woman paralyzed for 28 years was healed. A man who knew he was dying had already purchased a coffin and grave clothes, but after being healed, he sold them and donated the money to the church. When their sponsor back in the United States became skeptical and sent someone to investigate, the report came back urging them to leave the missionaries alone and let the fire of God continue its work. Books are full of other accounts where God worked great miracles through his faithful, fire-filled servants.

What about today? Is it still possible to have the fire of God? A pastor I know well reports on a missionary couple he personally knows who have a growing ministry. In 2025, over 360,000 people accepted Jesus through their work, and more than 1000 new house churches were opened.

So why don't more churches in the United States see this kind of miracle-working power? Is it that we are too skeptical? Do we really believe in the power of God working through his followers today? Do we fail to receive because we fail to believe? Perhaps we need the fire of God to heat us up from lukewarmness and set us ablaze again, sending us out to spread the gospel message and tell others about Jesus. What a difference we could make then!

___________________________

Blogging

Some people have a knack for sharing personal information and experiences and making it interesting. I don't. Give me an imaginative story or article to write any day. Therefore, when I first began publishing novels, I decided to forego the usual newsletters and start a blog instead. I knew I would be burdened with having to write regular newsletters.

For me, it was a wise decision. Although the growth of my blog has seemed slow, it's been steady, and it has ended up being phenomenal.  Since I began in 2014, I have had over 1.3 million page views. Last month, I had 220,289, and so far, this month has reached 157,779. I post twice a week. Monday's posts are always about books, writing, or publishing. On Thursdays, I share a Christian message. I invite guest blogs if any fellow Christian authors are interested. You can message me on Facebook.

Ranking in the most read blogs (in order) are: "Running from God" (about Jonah), "The Legend of the Dogwood," "Jesus' Journey to Jerusalem," "The Shepherd's Staff," "Hiding Like Adam and Eve," "Me Do It" (humbling yourself before God), "The Cornerstone," "Being Relevant," and "Grace and Obedience."

The blogs reach all around the world. It varies, but right now my top readership comes from (in order of the most readers first) Brazil, the United States, Iraq, Bangladesh, India, Argentina, Chile, France, Spain, and others. I'm truly amazed and pray that God's message is reaching those who need to hear it. I give Him all the credit, praise, and glory. I could do none of this without Him.

_________________________

Rooted

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving (Colossians 2:6-7).

God's creation is amazing. Take the redwood forest, for example. These towering giants can reach heights of  400 feet, and some have stood since long before Christ. Scientists estimate that one tree, known as the President, may be over 3,200 years old. A few are even wide enough to drive a car through.

What surprises many people is that these majestic trees have roots that only reach down about 7-8 feet, remarkably shallow considering their height. How do they stand upright for so long? Their roots are interwined with the roots of neighboring trees, giving them added strength. If they stood alone, they would have been destroyed long ago. And from a single cone, containing about 200 tiny seeds the size of a tomato seed, the next generation begins.

Christians could learn from the redwoods. We, too, must be rooted—firmly planted in God’s Word, grounded in His truth, and deeply connected with Him. We also need one another. When our lives are intertwined in Christian fellowship, we stand stronger against trials, temptations, and the storms that inevitably come. In addition, we should sow seeds of faith, hope, and truth wherever God places us. This is especially important in our own families, where we have the responsibility of passing on the faith to the next generation.

__________________________

He Leadeth Me

I am loving writing for the multiple-author series, Hymns to Stir the Heartstrings. There are so many possibilities, and the story ideas just keep coming. It's exciting to be part of something that blends beloved hymns with heartfelt, faith-centered fiction.

Each book title in the series is drawn from a traditional hymn. My first one, He Leadeth Me, just released. In it, widower Joseph McBride has resisted long enough. His little girl needs a mother, and the congregation expected their pastor to have a wife. Reluctantly, he writes to his aunt for help. A few weeks later, Christine Hanna steps off the train—lovelier than he imagined, but beauty alone won’t ease the burden of life in a parsonage. Could she withstand the constant scrutiny, the endless duties, the weight of being a pastor’s wife? As Joseph and Christine navigate faith, family, and the expectations of a small-town church, they discover that tests include facing the unpredictable, whether she can fill the role, and if their hearts can find a home in each other.

I just ordered the cover for my next book in the series, I Am Thine, O Lord. This story follows Jessica Blair, a young woman who has spent years performing in her father's medicine show and warming up the crowd so they will buy his elixirs. It will come out in February, and I can't wait to share more about it as we get closer to its release.

He Leadeth Me is now available in print, Kindle, KU, and Audible, and I hope Joseph and Christine's story blesses you as much as it did me to write it. More hymn-inspired tales are on the way, and I'm thrilled to share them, one song, one story, and one heartfelt moment at a time. 

_______________________