Closeness to the Lord

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2)

It is only in Jesus that we find satisfaction; it is only in Him that out souls are content, Christ should be our beginning , our end, and everything between. Everything we do should have a reason that eventually traces back to our Savior. If He wouldn't approve, we shouldn't be doing it.

Set you affection on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:2).

"One thing that is sorely lacking in the lives of many, many Christians today is a daily, continual sense of awareness of the presence of God. Busyness of life, the allure of the world, and undisciplined lifestyles all serve to desensitize us to the Lord's presence. Learning to focus on Christ in the midst of daily life is a challenge all face."

... and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us (Matthew 1:23b).

Being in the presence of our Lord brings immense sweetness into our lives. Once a person experiences this unique closeness, it's hard to live without it. He becomes the center of our whole being. We begin to truly sense His great love for us, and it can be overwhelming in a good way. How close is your relationship with the Master? Pray for Him to draw you closer and He will. Seek and ye shall find.

... I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10b)

Quote and some ideas taken from The Lost Art of Practicing his Presence by James Goll.

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An Interview with Emma

Today I want to do something a little different. I've decided to interview Emmaline Cagle Moretz about what happened in Cleared for Planting, the first book in the Appalachian Roots series. Emmaline and her family were in the middle of their move to the Linville River area in North Carolina's Appalachian Mountains when readers first meet her. She's an important secondary character in Sown in Dark Soil and is also  part of Uprooted by War.

Emma, what were some of the hardships you faced in that move up the mountain?

There were many. Obviously, the conditions in the Appalachians in 1804 were a challenge. I wasn't used to those rugged winters, Uncle Roy's cabin wasn't the best, and our nearest neighbors were a few hours away. The Cherokee were still a threat to settlers, which my capture by the four braves proved. And Papa started helping Uncle Roy make moonshine and drinking again. He sure was mean when he got drunk.

Speaking of being captured by the Cherokee, many readers tell me they cried when Hawk walked away from his sister's cabin that morning. How did you feel at the time?

It was hard for me too. I would even miss his mother, who had taught me about herbs and medicines in the Cherokee village. If you remember, I cried, knowing that Hawk was hurting because I couldn't stay. This strong Cherokee man had been so good to me. But I knew what I had to do, and I did it. It had to be this way. However, tell those readers that Hawk comes back in Uprooted by War, and I think he's better than ever.

If you could go back to your younger days, what would you do differently?

Oh my, that's hard question to answer. I wish I would have accepted Christ into my life sooner. I think the beauty in those mountains made me reflect on God more, but I was trying to make sense of everything. I tried to understand all about God and his Word first, when it would have been much easier to accept Christ first and let the Holy Spirit guide, direct, and teach me. Edgar Moretz helped me see this.

Even though your faith was pretty new, it never failed you during the time you were forced to live with the Cherokee. However, Edgar's faith began to falter and he started to question things after you were captured. How do you explain that?

Well, in a way, it was harder on Edgar than it was me. Papa had gotten drunk again, killed a man, and forced Mama to leave with him and Uncle Roy. I refused to go and was waiting for Edgar's visit when the braves captured me, so he had no idea what had happened to me. He later guessed what might have happened, but he didn't know for sure and didn't know if he'd ever see me again or not. I don't think his faith had ever been tested this way before. Yet, he worked through his misgivings and came out stronger on the other side. We both did from our experiences. Troubles often do that. As someone once said, "They'll either make or break you."

I think everyone could see how much you loved Sarah, Hawk's niece, when she and her parents came to visit you. Tell us about her.

Sarah was a sweetheart and just about the prettiest thing you ever saw. She had a heart of gold, and I was delighted when my son Clifton took an interest in her. Their road wasn't easy either, though. That red-headed Belinda tried to stir up trouble and did a good job of it. Then, when Sarah moved down the mountain, some people treated her badly because she was half-Cherokee. Things finally worked themselves out, however. They usually do when we trust them to God.

Thank you for talking with me today, Emma. We'll plan to do it again sometime soon. I'd like to ask you some questions about Leah, Ivy, and Luke from Sown in Dark Soil, but we'll save those for another day.

You're most welcome. You know me -- one thing I can do is talk, unlike Sarah who tended to be too quiet. You come on back anytime now. I'd love to answer your questions about those three. That was a trying time too for a while.

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The Telephone

April 25th is National Telephone Day. The first U.S. patent for the telephone was granted to Scottish immigrant, Alexander Graham Bell, in 1874. It's debatable who invented it first, and many others also worked to perfect it. But this device was the first one in history that could carry sound over long distances. Telephones soon became popular and then nearly indispensable. 

Of course, the first telephones were directly connected to each other by lines from one place to another, but soon they were operated from a switchboard. The telephone itself evolved from a device with a hand crank to a rotary dial, which lasted until the 1970's in many locations. These were followed by push-button dials and touch-tone.

Telephone technology is forever changing, however. The first mobile phones for personal use were introduced by Motorola in 1973, but they were large and cumbersome next to today's cell phones. The smartphone improved the cell phone and added new features. It will be interesting to see what tomorrow's phone will be like.

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One Request

Most of you will remember the story of Solomon. God appeared to him in a dream and told him to ask what he wanted God to give him. Because he asked for wisdom, God granted him wisdom, and Solomon became the wisest man that ever lived. In addition, he was also given riches and long life.

Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so there is none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.   (1 Kings 3:12).

I clearly remember a writing assignment in elementary school. We were to write about what we would ask for if we could have any wish. I thought long and hard about it, and the story of Solomon crossed my mind, because I had been blessed to grow up in a Christian home.

Solomon didn't always make wise choices.  Later in his life he was influenced by his foreign wives and built temples to other gods. He even attended some of those temples with his wives. I used to wonder how he could be so wise and do such things, but knowing what is right does not always mean doing what is right. If we're honest, we all can cite examples of this from our own lives.

I decided if God were to grant me my heart’s desire, I would ask that I always be pleasing to Him.  That way, I might not be wise, but I would tap into His wisdom and avoid making the same mistakes as Solomon. What would you ask for? What is the thing dearest to your heart?

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The Solitude of Writing

Writing is largely a solitary task. Most accomplished writers tend to be introverts or at least have a side of them that way. I recently had a conversation with an aspiring writer. She said she had the hardest time finding time to write and staying on task when she did. Come to find out, she was an extrovert. She loved being around people, and she was always being pulled away from her writing.

Today I had a chat with a group of writers on a facebook page for Christian poets and writers. The question was asked about ways we, as Christian writers, helped and encouraged others in their faith. I said, "I think just encouraging others is important. Writers need that more than most, and encouragement in the faith is especially important." I love the answer that Mary Harwell Sayler sent back: "Yes! Thanks, Janice. To get any writing done, we have to work alone, so it's wonderful having this group understand and be hospitable to one another. Also solitude can breed negative thinking, so as we share uplifting Bible verses, poems, praises, or devotionals, we may help a writing peer over a hard time."

I feel blessed that I'm both an introvert and an extrovert. I turn to my introverted side when I write, and I can sit in front of my computer for hours and not get antsy. But when I give presentations, do book signings, or meet people, I turn to my extroverted side that loves people and enjoys being around them. This has worked well for me as a writer.

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The San Francisco Earthquake

San Francisco, April 1906

A little after five in the morning on April 18, 1906, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck San Francisco. It severely shook an area from Eureka in the north to the Salinas Valley, a farm area to the south of San Francisco. The infamous San Andreas Fault was the culprit. The rupture in the fault ran for almost 300 miles. Although it came before the Richter scale, most scientists think 7.8 is close to accurate, although calculations have gone from 7.7 to 8.3. The epicenter was two miles offshore near Mussell Rock. A broad area from Los Angles to Oregon to Nevada felt it.

Looting

There was a foreshock and then aftershocks followed by minor earthquakes which lasted for decades. Some believe that the hydraulic mining in the later years of the California Gold Rush also help weaken the fault line in California. The earthquake was bad enough, but the fires which broke out from it continued to devastate the city for days. Then, looting followed.

Displaced people

San Francisco was the 9th largest city in the United States at the time with a population of 410,000. Although the city rebuilt quickly, much of its trade was diverted to Los Angles for a time, and all of it never returned. Almost 300,000 people were left homeless. In Monterey County, the course of the Salinas River even shifted. The disaster left around 3,000 people dead and over 80% of San Francisco destroyed. The death toll from it remains the worst from any natural disaster in California history and also ranks high nationally.  

The earthquake caused fires to break out

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Standing Strong

Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually (1 Chronicles 16:11).

God is not looking for strong people with great abilities that He can use. He wants followers who realize how weak they are and know they must rely on Him. This is where the weak become strong, but the strong will falter. If we allow God to be our strength, we'll be amazed at what He will do through us.

...for by strength shall no man prevail (1 Samuel 2:9c).

I'm constantly amazed at how God touches people through my writing. I can look back and see God's hand grooming me to be an author all along, but it's only with hindsight that I can see it. I'm so grateful He gave me this gift I can use to glorify Him, but I'm also humbled by it. I pray that I will always be humbled and know that it's all about Him and not about me. That's why I donate all my profits to a scholarship fund for missionary children.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; (Isaiah 41:10a).

What abilities have you been blessed with that you can use to serve God and bring Him glory? All of us have them. Are you using them in the way He wants? The more you recognize how much you need Him, the more you'll surrender to Him; and the more you allow Him to be your strength, the more meaning your life will have. That's when you'll be the strongest and most satisfied you've ever been - not because of you but because of Him.

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart; all ye that hope in the Lord (Psalm 31:24).

God is my strength and power and he maketh my way perfect (2 Samuel 2:33).

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Put Your Best Work Forward

In the uncertain times of writing and publishing, I see many writers putting out substandard work, especially when self-publishing. A couple of years ago, I worked with one such author. Her stories were interesting, and I could see talent, but her grammar and mechanics were horrible. When I taught fifth grade, ninety-eight percent of them did much better. She indicated she couldn't afford to hire an editor, so I edited three or four of her novels for free. It took a long time, because there were many mistakes. After I began publishing, I became too busy with my own work. I regret that its so easy for a few mistakes to slip through my novels, but they aren't laden with errors, and I do try hard, as do my editors.

I also read well over 200 books a year. One of my favorite Christian authors, who is very well-known, has become a great disappointment to me. It's like she still pumps out books, but the joy has gone out of writing for her, and it shows. I won't buy any of her newer novels. Her first works are great.

I strongly believe readers deserve our best. I have heard of writers getting tired of reading through their manuscripts and books again and again. I know I have read through some of mine over thirty times, but I have never become bored with one yet. I can pick up any one of them now and still enjoy them. If the writer gets bored with a story, I suspect many of the readers will too.  So, I encourage all writers to keep their standards high. This is one way to make our craft strong and to keep readers coming back.

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National Pet Day

April 11 is National Pet Day. Most people keep a pet for companionship, although some are kept to help protect their owners. Usually working animals are not considered pets. In 2013, the number of pets outnumbered the number of children in U. S. households four to one.

No one knows for sure when man began keeping pets. Historians believe that dogs were the first animal to be domesticated and kept in this capacity. All of this happened prior to recorded history, so it's hard to trace.

Of course, the most popular pets are dogs and cats. However people have been known to keep a variety of animals for pets, including rabbits, gerbils, hamsters, ferrets, mice, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles, aquatic creatures, spiders, and hermit crabs. Today there are nearly 80 million dogs kept as pets in the United States and almost 90 million cats. Which pet do you prefer?

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Spiritual Spring Cleaning

Not so long ago, spring cleaning was a yearly household tradition. Historically, women not only thoroughly cleaned the house, but they also did extra things, like wash windows, wash or sun bedding, redo mattress and pillow stuffings, and often scour the rooms with hot, soapy water to get rid of bedbugs.

Perhaps spring is also a good time to do some cleaning-up in our spiritual lives. Is there anything we need to get rid of, because it isn't pleasing to God. Have we drifted away from Him? Have we made Him the top priority, and does our life reflect that? We all need renewal from time to time. That's why the Great Awakenings were so important in America and why churches have revivals.

However, if you see areas where you need to improve, don't try to take care of them on your own. This is always a mistake. Christ is more than happy to help you clean house and draw closer to Him. Let His Spirit within you guide you to a refreshing new place where you can find peace and comfort in a new awakening to the Lord's great love for you.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).

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Misconceptions about Writers

Many people have the misconception that writing is an easy way to get rich. They plan to write that best seller and live on easy-street for the rest of their lives. They'll make a few appearances on national television to promote it and maybe travel the world when they choose. Perhaps they'll need to write a follow-up or two to keep the lifestyle of their dreams. I'm amazed at how many beginning writers think this way, and many readers do too. Reality is far different.

Such a scenario is so rare it's almost non-existent, given the fact that only about 1% of writers today can even make a living from their writing. Most either depend on a spouse's income or work another job and write on the side. Those who stick with it, beyond writing a book or two, are the ones who love to write. Writing is such a part of who they are, it helps define them, and they find it satisfying.

Writing isn't the easiest job in the world either. From the conception of the idea, through all the writing and editing, then working with the publisher on the necessary steps there, and all the promoting and marketing, it can be overwhelming. But, the more you love about it, the more joy it brings. I will forever be thrilled by the reader who tells me he or she stayed up all night to finish my novel, because they just couldn't put it down, or that God touched them in a special way through something I had written.  I know God has truly blessed us both, and I hope it's brought Him glory.

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Indentured Servants in America

At times in the 1600's and 1700's, about half of the people coming to the American colonies were indentured servants.  The indentured system sought to relieve the shortage of labor in the colonies. The time of service could range from 4 to 7 years, but most contracts were for 7 years. The death rate among these servants ran much higher than the general population. Penalties for those who ran away ranged from being put to death in some areas to having their servitude doubled in others.

These men and women became the property of their master until their indenture was over. They could not marry during this time or do anything without the master's permission. He had absolute power over them and could rent them out or sell their indenture to someone else. For all intents and purpose, they were slaves, except their servitude would end, while the slaves' and their children's didn't. 

A person usually agreed to become indentured in order to pay for his/her passage to the colonies. The price for an indentured servant was about 17 pounds, while a similar slave sold for around 35 pounds. Of course, the slave was purchased for his or her lifetime, while an indentured servant was bought for only a specified number of years. The system slowly began to decline after the Revolutionary War.

In When Winter Is Past, my historical novel set in Pennsylvania in 1737, Stanton Klein has indentured servants to help on his farm. Some work out better than others. Here is an excerpt:

“You need any help in town today?” Ralph McCarthy asked Stanton.

He looked at his indentured servant. Oftentimes he didn’t feel comfortable leaving the young man at the farm by himself, but he had nothing firm to base that on, and he shook off the feeling.

“No, you best stay here today. The fields are always in need of weeding, and I won’t be hauling that much back.”

Ralph nodded, almost losing the hat from his fiery-red head in the process. The sun seemed to make his freckles multiply by the minute.
           Stanton had bought Ralph’s indenture after Frank Coddle had served out his bondage and left. Frank had been indentured while his grandfather still lived, and the old man had no longer been able to work. Stanton had liked Frank. In fact, he’d paid Frank wages to stay on for a while, but the man had saved some money and set out to make his own way. He’d married well, had a farm of his own in another county, and had sons to help him.  

(Profits from all my books go to a scholarship fund for missionary children.)

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