The Writing of a Book

Although I mainly write Christian fiction and have 77 novels published on Amazon, about three years ago, I felt God calling me to write another non-fiction book. This has happened twice before, and the results were On the Road to Jericho and From the Top of the Mountain to the Bottom of the Sea: Lessons from Elijah and Jonah. However, this book was different because I struggled with it. That's why it took me so long to write it. I normally write the rough draft of a book in about 17 days and have my first 3 rounds of edits completed about 2 weeks later. From there, I send it to the professional editor. As I said, this one took 3 years to write the rough draft.

I started and stopped writing several times, finishing many novels between the attempts. I think one of the problems was that Satan tried to stop or delay the writing as much as possible. The title of it is Satan's Wiles. Eventually, I decided I just needed to push forward because I knew in my heart that God wanted it written.

Satan's Wiles will publish on May 2 and is on preorder now. It is an easy-to-read book that heavily uses what the Bible has to say about our main enemy. My pre-readers have been impressed, with one person saying how well-organized and laid out it was. The ancient Chinese general, Sun Tzu talked about how important it was to know one's enemy. That's especially true for Christians when it comes to the devil. He is more prevalent in the world than most people give him credit for. Don't miss checking the book out. It's encouraging as well as informative.

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How to find Contentment

Contentment is a good indication of how strong our faith is, how close we live to God, and how much we trust in Him. Do you really believe that God works all things for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose? Do you live knowing that, since God is for you, your enemies don't stand a chance? Do you know that He loves you beyond comprehension and that He wants the very best for you?

If you understand all these things, you will be content. By focusing on heavenly things more than worldly things and surrendering everything to God, you prevent worry and are able to live a joyous life, no matter the circumstances. You'll join Paul and be content in whatever state you find yourself.

As we age, we realize how brief this earthly life is, and we look forward to eternity with Christ. This life becomes less important and the next one more so. As Thomas Watson wrote, "In just a little while, we will be with Christ, bathing ourselves in the fountain of love. We will never complain of needs and injuries anymore. Our cross may be heavy, but one glimpse of Christ will make us forget all our former sorrows."

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 The Livery in Western Towns

The livery was an essential part of old Western towns. They rented horses, wagons, and carriages and boarded horses for those without a stable or barn or just passing through. A few were attached to hotels or boarding houses, but many were separately owned businesses. It wasn't until the automobile became common that liveries declined.

1880 Town in Midland, South Dakota, like most Western towns, had a livery. A privately owned business, it had a stable section for horses as well as wheeled vehicles, including wagons and different kinds of carriages. I can imagine the liveryman in an active town stayed busy and worked long hours.

Liveries have appeared in several of my novels. In Carmen's Wedding Dilemma, the hero owns a livery. When Holden goes to a horse ranch to buy some new horses for his business, he meets Carmen, who has a Spanish and secret gypsy heritage. You can imagine some of the problems that ensue, especially with his prejudiced mother. It has a 4.9-star rating on Amazon. Check it out.

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 From Hosanna to Crucify Him

On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord (John 12:12-13).

"Hosanna" is a word of praise, joy, and adoration. It's what the crowds lined up and shouted as Jesus entered Jerusalem after His teaching trip through Jericho and into the city. At that moment, they were filled with awe, reverence, and hope, but they didn't hold onto those emotions.

About five days later, many who had welcomed Jesus with such exuberance now shouted at Pontius Pilate to "Crucify Him!" Of course, they now had Pharisees and enemies of Jesus among them leading the condemnation. Many were apparently crowd-followers. But whatever the reason, they now asked for His crucifixion. 

Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. But they cried saying, Crucify him, crucify him (Luke 23:20-21).

Too many Christians do something similar. When they first come to the saving knowledge of Jesus and are baptized, they are enthusiastic about their faith, and their joy is evident. However, a few years later, their passion has waned, and they've become stagnant when they need to keep growing in their faith. They no longer put the Lord first in their lives. A worldly focus and carnal things are creeping back in. As the Ephesian church in Revelation, they have forgotten their first love.

Spring is a time of new beginnings. Easter is a good time to remember what Jesus did for us and His great sacrifice on the cross. It's a good time to renew our faith and commit to putting Him first in our lives -- far above everything else. He is and should be the most important thing. Let's make it so.

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 The Telegraph in Western Towns

The telegraph brought a much-needed form of communication to the West. It enabled them to get in touch with those across the country much faster and easier than ever before. Samuel Morse sent the first message by telegraph on May 24, 1844, proving that it could be done. On October 24, 1861, the wires connected the entire country. However, this contributed to the demise of the short-lived Pony Express.

The service could be expensive. Senders tried to keep their telegrams short because they paid according to the length of the message. In 1880, a short message would cost from twenty-five cents to a dollar. A dollar in 1880 would equal around thirty-one dollars today in spending power. If the message was long, the expense could mount up quickly.

1880 Town in Midland, South Dakota, had a Western Union office so close to the train station that it almost seemed an extension of it. Businesses and law enforcement often relied on telegraphs, as well as citizens with a need to contact someone fast. Remarkably, considering the proliferation of telephones, Western Union didn't close its last office until January 27, 2006. 

In my upcoming novel in the Westward Home and Hearts series, Morrow's Mishaps, Morrow uses the telegraph when she needs to communicate with the matchmaker and then with her intended. She found the service invaluable to making quick plans and not having to wait the weeks it would take to send a letter and get a reply. Morrow's Mishaps won't publish until November, but in the meantime, check out my two other books in the series. Willa's Woes published in January, and Daphne's Determination will be released in July and is on preorder now.

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 Why Did Peter Deny Jesus?

Read Matthew 26:47-75.

I believe one of the main reasons Peter denied Jesus was that, at the time, he wasn't in Christ's presence. As a result, Peter put his focus on the circumstances and began worrying about whether he would be arrested and tried too. Just a few hours earlier, he had boldly cut off the ear of a servant of the high priest, trying to protect Jesus, but Jesus had been right there then.

Peter was always bolder when he was with Jesus, sometimes too bold. But he had some pivotal moments, like when he declared, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Yet, at other times, he lacked understanding, such as when he tried to argue with Jesus that He would not suffer and die. Then Jesus rebuked him saying, "Get behind me, Satan."

Peter was also bold enough to get out of the boat during the fierce storm and walk toward Jesus on the water. However, when he took his eyes off the Lord and watched the storm, he became fearful and began to sink. Now, in the courtyard, he again views the circumstances and ends up denying Christ three times. Then, when the rooster crows and he realizes what he's done, he goes away sickened with grief. Later, Jesus will restore him to the fold, and he will go on to be bold with the gospel message.

We should learn much from Peter and know to always keep our focus on Jesus. It is a freeing, joyous way to live.

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Houses in 1880 Town

The mainstay of any town is the homes. Without them, there would be no town. Many are scattered through the Western 1880 Town in Midland, South Dakota. As in any town, some are better-looking than others, but many of them would be considered small and basic by our standards.

        

In my latest release, Mistaken Bride, Danielle lives in an apartment over the general store. Cullen, the sheriff, has his own two-bedroom, white clapboard house. Both were adequate with more room than these smaller houses in 1880 Town. However, people often made do with what they had and could afford. When finances improved, they would upgrade.

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