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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Is God Always Fair?

Well, it depends in how you're using the word "fair." God is certainly fair when it comes to judgment. He is the epitome of goodness and always right. He knows us inside and out, knows our motives and very thoughts.

However, he doesn't always give us what we deserve. That's where His love, mercy and grace come to play.When we accept Christ as our Savior, what He did on the cross washes us clean. We get to trade our sinfulness for Christ's righteousness, because he took our sins on Himself, and they died with Him. Then God can look on us in love, mercy, and grace, and we can approach holy God.

I've heard Adrian Rogers say and read where Warren Wiersbe wrote something to the effect that mercy is not getting what we deserve, but grace is getting what we don't deserve. We don't deserve God's favor, because we are guilty. However, through grace, He blesses us anyway because of what Jesus did on the cross. Thank goodness He's not always fair in this regard.

What blows my mind, what I can't understand, is why anyone wouldn't want to accept this great gift. The greatest gift you'll ever receive is free for the asking. No one knows what real living is all about until they live with Christ in their hearts. His love truly completes and makes us whole. How amazing!

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My Bookshelf Grows

I got the copies of my first published book in March, 2015, a year and a half ago. I feel truly blessed, because from then until now, I have published six novels, and will be starting on my fourteenth unpublished manuscript next week. I actually write them faster than my publisher can publish them.

With this last one that's just coming out, I've now published all the historical novels in my Appalachian Roots series. They are Cleared for Planting, Sown in Dark Soil, Uprooted by War, and Transplanted to Red Clay. In addition, I've also published When Winter Is Past and With

Summer's Songs as indies.

Right now, my publisher is considering the next manuscript, Through the Wilderness, set on the Oregon Trail. I'm also thinking I may start publishing my contemporary trilogy of the Farmers (the family name) in November. These will be Promise, Peace, and Pardon. I'd like to bring them out about two or three months apart. So conceivably, I could publish eight or nine books in two years.

If Ambassador International accepts Through the Wilderness, I will likely send them my other historical standalone, In from the Storm, set in Wyoming. From there, I should have the Cactus Creek, New Mexico, series ready, and there will be five books in it. I like to have a whole series written before I start publishing them so that I can make any needed changes along.


In addition, I still have the contemporary manuscript with a bit of a mystery, Deceitful Matters, and two Christian non-fiction, On the Road to Jericho and From the Top of the Mountain to the Bottom of the Sea. I'll see where God leads with them. I'm having the time of my life with all this, while learning to leave it all in God's hands, which takes the stress and worry away.  May God receive the glory and my readers be inspired, encouraged, and entertained!

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

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The Battle of Harper's Ferry 

Harpers Ferry

The Battle of Harper's Ferry, then part of Virginia but later to become West Virginia, began on September 12, 1862, as part of the Maryland Campaign. Confederate troops under Major General Stonewall Jackson surrounded and took the Union garrison at Harpers Ferry with relative ease. This allowed General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia to advance through the Shenandoah Valley into Maryland and secured supply lines.

Stonewall Jackson

Major General George McClellan followed Lee, taking his time but outnumbering him more than two to one. Still, Lee decided to take the risk of dividing his army and sending part of them to attack Harpers Ferry. By the morning of September 15, Stonewall Jackson had nearly 50 guns positioned on Maryland Heights and at the bottom of Loudoun Heights. The Union officers saw how hopeless their situation was and raised the white flag to surrender. After taking more the 12,000 prisoners, Jackson and his men rushed to Sharpsburg to rejoin Lee for the Battle of Antietam.

In my Civil War Novel, Uprooted by War, Luke doesn't fight at Harpers Ferry. He didn't join the army until early summer in 1862, and then he trained in Eastern Tennessee. He participated in some skirmishes and small battles there, but Antietam is the first major battle he was involved in. See the blog of July 18 for more on this - http://janicecolehopkins.blogspot.com/search?q=antietam .

(As always, all my profits go to a scholarship for missionary children.)

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Time Passes Faster and Faster

My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle...(Job 7:6).

Many of you have probably already discovered how much more quickly time seems to pass as we grow older. Warren Wiersbe was discussing this in his book, The Bumps Are What You Climb On. (Isn't that a great title?) The following ideas are taken from chapter nineteen:

Since our lives are like a weaver's shuttle, there's a pattern and purpose involved. God controls the shuttle and God has a pattern for each of our lives. But you and I are still on the loom; God isn't finished with us yet. As you and I look at the progress, we see the shuttle running swiftly through the warp, and we see a pattern developing, but only the Weaver can see the finished product. Never judge a weaver by the unfinished product. Don't get angry with God because you don't agree with His choice of colors or patterns. You and I cannot see the total picture; only God can see that. And don't get disgusted with life because the pattern isn't what you want. The Weaver knows best. Some people try to improve the pattern, and they end up making it ugly instead of beautiful.

We should also be reminded never to judge another too harshly or give up on them. We shouldn't worry over the bad choices of others, let the Master Weaver handle the situation. What looks to us today as a marred product, can, in Christ's hands, become a beautiful weaving. He can untangle the threads, untie the knots, and weave lives so that the finished product brings honor and glory to His name. Just keep praying and trusting and let the Weaver do the rest. He will manage all our time.

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Balancing the Details

I find that so much of writing requires a balance between two opposites or two sides. Take the details in a novel, for example. Although they're certainly necessary, too many can slow the story and make it boring. I recently read a novel that did this. It would have pages of description of mundane things like preparing a meal, chit-chat like "How are you?" "Oh, I'm doing fine," and unnecessary scenes that did nothing to move the story.

Novels need to be believable and realistic but not too much like daily life. If you wrote about a day in your life, giving all the details, it would usually be a boring read. Authors don't need to include everything a character might do, like brushing their teeth every night and morning, unless there's a purpose for it being there that will tie into something else.

I've read books that give the reader very little credit. They almost talked down to me, assuming I could figure out very little on my own. Most readers have a good imagination or they wouldn't chose books over television or movies. It's okay to let your reader fill in some of the details. Do give enough to set the stage for each scene and build character images. However, don't weigh the story down with so much description that the action and story themselves get lost. Your readers will let you know how you're doing. Listen to them.

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Labor Day History

First Labor Day Parade - NYC, 1882

In the United States and Canada, the holiday is held on the first Monday in September to honor the American worker and the contributions their labor has made to the success, strength, prosperity, and well-being of the nation. In the beginning labor unions help promote the day. The first Labor Day parade in the United States was held in New York City on September 5, 1882. Yes, Labor Day came on September 5th that year too.

Matthew Maguire, a machinist, is thought to have introduced the idea of celebrating Labor Day in the U.S. in 1882. At the time, he served as secretary of the Central Labor Union of New York. Oregon became the first state to make it an official public holiday in 1887. It became an official federal holiday in 1894.

Labor Day is seen by many as the end of summer, and this has culturally been accepted. Many stores have Labor Day sales to move out the remaining inventory of summer goods. Traditionally, schools waited until after the Labor Day weekend to start a new year, and some still do. Many of the fall sports also begin their season then. In addition, it's often the last vacation of the year for families. So, hope you had a happy Labor Day everyone!

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