Thanksgiving Proclamation

On October 3, 1863, in the middle of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that the last Thursday in November would be celebrated as Thanksgiving Day in the United States, and it's been celebrated on that day since then. However, the idea of Thanksgiving Day has a much longer history in the country.

Many date it back to 1621 when the Pilgrims in Massachusetts held a feast to celebrate and give thanks for the good harvest. Berkeley Plantation in Virginia was the site of prayers and thanksgiving by settlers even before that, as early as 1619. Individual clergy and church leaders continued to proclaim days of thanksgiving in the colonies in the following years.

George Washington was the first to announce a national day of Thanksgiving. He designated November 26, 1789 "as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favours of Almighty God." However, President Lincoln set the continuing holiday in place.

In my historical novel set in the Civil War, Leah decides to wait until the war is over and her husband comes home to celebrate. Supplies are already beginning to be hard to get, she hasn't heard from Luke since the Battle of Gettysburg, and she's struggling to keep her hopes up. Here is a paragraph from the book about it:

            In October, they butchered a hog on the farm and used the rest of their hoarded salt in preserving the meat. Lincoln also proclaimed the last Thursday in November a day of Thanksgiving. Leah felt thankful to God, but she would wait to hold a big Thanksgiving celebration until Luke came home.

(All my profits go to a scholarship fund for missionary children.)

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Experiencing Jesus

Many people in our churches today aren't experiencing Jesus. Some might have been more passionate about Him as new Christians, but they've lost their enthusiasm and zeal somewhere along the way. If you ask pastors today what the number one problem among their congregation is, many of them would likely say apathy. It's hard to get any response from many who attend church services on Sunday mornings. As a pastor's wife, I hear this all the time among ministerial groups.

However, the majority of these lukewarm Christians have never been fired up. They've never had a close personal relationship with the Lord. Once a person experiences this, he or she is rarely satisfied living any differently. Nothing else can compare; nothing else makes life worth living or as fulfilling. I believe that most church-goers in this neither hot or cold category grew up in the church. At some point in their lives they did what was expected of them - confessed their sins and were baptized. But they never had or wanted a change of heart. They think they've done what was needed for them to get into heaven, and they're not interested in doing any more. Only God can judge, and He will.

But the great news is that it isn't too late. Ask Him, and the Lord will gladly help anyone get to where you need to be. He wants to have a close, intimate relationship with all His children. He wants to richly bless, not necessarily with worldly possessions but in the richness of His presence. How wonderful it is to rely on Him. How much are you experiencing Jesus?

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Book Covers

The first books I published, I published with a traditional publisher, and I loved the work their graphic designer did in designing the covers. However, since the publishing process is slow, I decided in order to get all my manuscripts in print, I'd also give independent publishing a try. When I did, I discovered that I also love designing book covers.

I designed both the covers for the two indies I've published so far. Now, when I write a new manuscript, I also design some possible covers for it, just because I like graphic design so much. I should have known, since I've always loved and dabbled in arts and crafts. However, I never thought about it before. Designing covers is just another blessing that came from my writing.

I don't have the program to do the print covers with the spines and back covers, but my designs work great for e-books, and I can get someone to make the print cover for me using what I design for the front. Here are some more of my covers, and I have more samples. Since they haven't been published yet, I've included a watermark so they can't be copied directly and used. I would design a cover for $50 if I furnish the photo or graphic or $25 if the author furnishes it. Now, that's a deal!

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National Pancake Day

September 26 is National Pancake Day. The pancake is a flat, thin cake usually containing flour, eggs, milk, and butter. It's normally fried, using an oil or butter. The English variety is often unleavened, while the American and Scottish varieties typically have baking powder or some other rising agent. In the United States, they're traditionally considered a breakfast food.

Archaeological research suggests that pancakes were likely one of the earliest and most widespread grain-based foods eaten in prehistoric times. However, the details of the food differs from country to country and sometimes from region to region. The ancient Greeks had several kinds of pancakes. The earliest known references to them came from poets in the 5th century, B.C. Ancient Romans also had a type of pancake.

Today there's many varieties and flavors of pancakes, even within the United States. They can be used with meats and vegetables, but it's more common to have a sweet topping. Fruits, nuts, chocolate, etc. can be added to the batter for flavored pancakes. Toppings widely vary too. My husband likes maple syrup or honey on his. I prefer fruit toppings or fruit syrup, perhaps with a spoonful of whipped topping. However you like yours, I bet a stack of pancakes is sounding good right now, so let's go celebrate with some.

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Age Doesn't Matter

Age really doesn't matter when it comes to serving God. If He calls you, He will equip you with what you need for the task, and it doesn't matter how young or how old you are. I often hear people saying something like, "I'm too old to do mission work," and I internally shake my head. I serve a God can do the impossible. He won't call someone to something and not enable them to do it. Our attitude should be "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).

The Bible is filled with examples of both the young and the old being called by God. David was young when he faced and killed the giant. Mary was just a teenager when she was chosen to be Jesus' earthly mother. Abraham was somewhere between 75 and 135 (depending on which source you use) when he left Haran with all he owned to go to wherever God led him. Moses was 80 years old when he stood before Pharaoh and said, "Let my people go," and then he wandered 40 more years in the desert. The apostle John was 100 when he penned "Revelation," his vision from God, while imprisoned on the island of Patmos.

Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come (Psalm 71:18).

Have we Christians done a good job of revealing God to the younger generations? In looking at the values of modern society, the answer is likely "no." What are we going to do about it? It's never too late as long as we have breath left in us. So, no matter your age, turn to God and let Him direct you. Never think that you can't do something. Know that you can do anything God calls you to do through Christ. Go forth!

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Writing My Stories

Last week, I had a wonderful visit with Madelyn's Book Belles in Locust, North Carolina. In the question and answer portion of my presentation to the book club, someone asked me an interesting question. I had made the comment that, even with all my writing, I still read over 200 books a year. She asked, if I read so many books, how did I keep from copying story ideas from them.

The answer is that I never go looking for story ideas to write. Someway, the ideas seem to find me. At any one time I have four to six ideas for stories rolling around in my head. My problem is finding the time to write all the ideas, not figuring out what I'm going to write next. The characters become close friends and scenes play in my mind like a movie before I start writing.

Even using two publishers, I'm writing the novels faster than I can get them into print. I publish in both e-formats and print copies, because over half my readers still prefer a traditional book they can store on a shelf, hold in their hands, and turn the pages. Right now, I see no end to this process, because the story ideas just keep coming. Although, some portions of a novel come easier than others, I have never experienced writer's block or been at a loss for words. To me, writing is a blessing and a joy.

When I pick up a book or my kindle, I read to enjoy someone else's story. I'm never looking to find a story idea then. I have too many of those rolling around in my mind already. I don't think it would work if I tried to write another person's idea anyway. My ideas seem to come from somewhere deep within me; they're a part of me. That's why my writing flows so easily. Perhaps God put them there.

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Old Bill Williams

Born in Rutherford County, North Carolina, in 1787, William Sherley Williams became a legendary mountain man in the Old West. He was the epitome of Hollywood's stereotypical mountain man - tough, disheveled, rough, and a bit on the wild side. He had red hair and an abundance of freckles when he was young.

While still in North Carolina, it's believed his father fought in the Revolutionary War and was at the Battle of King's Mountain, along with 22 of his wife's cousins. For some reason, however, the family sold their land, packed up, and moved to St. Louis in 1797. 

Bill was fascinated with the Indians in the area and learned as much from them as he could. He learned quickly, had a quick wit, liked to talk, and developed a strong self-confidence. He married an Osage woman and carried messages for the government for a while. In 1825, after his wife died, he headed west with George Sibley's surveying party. He arrived in Santa Fe at age 38. From here it becomes more difficult to separate fact from legend.

He entered the lucrative fur trade with vigor, after all he already had all the necessary skills. He also lived among the Apache, Ute, Navajo, and Pueblos for spells. He became well-known for his abilities as a trapper, hunter, marksman, and horseman. He also led many expeditions and scouted for others. This was to be his demise.

In 1847, Fremont was looking for a scout. Numerous mountain men tried to tell him his plans were too dangerous and it was too late in the season to venture across the Sangre de Cristo Range. Finally, Fremont talked Bill into leading his group. Out of 32 men, 11 froze to death, and only 21 stumbled into Taos. Bill went back to get their baggage and met a band of Utes who killed him before they recognized him. When they realized who it was, they gave him a chief's burial. The mountain man died at the age of 61. From North Carolina to California, he had led an exciting life and became one of the legends of the Old West.

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