A New You


And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2).

Do you need a makeover? I'm not talking about losing weight, a new hairstyle, or a better wardrobe. I'm talking about making changes where they really matter - in your spiritual life and in your relationship with God. Have you been putting Him first in your life, high above anything else? Have you completely surrendered?

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (Romans 12:1).

No matter where you are along your journey of faith, there's likely room for improvement. This will be true for as long as we remain in this world. We all need renewal from time to time because we have a sinful, selfish nature that we must battle, and we're made righteous only by God's grace through Christ.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

But we serve a loving God who's always ready to forgive a truly repentant heart. Once we accept Christ as our Savior, we have the Holy Spirit living within us to be our mentor and guide. We don't have to do any of this on our own. In fact, that would be impossible. All we have to do is turn to the One with unlimited power and ability, the One who specializes in the impossible. Let's make this the year that we truly give it all to God.

It can be a new beginning!

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Word Is Getting Out

I expected It All Started at the Masquerade to be released in November, but that didn't happen. Publishing was delayed, and it came out right before Christmas. I can't decide if this was a good or bad time to release it. I guess time will tell. The book is out now on Amazon, online stores, and bookstores can order them. I'm to get my copies on January 10th.

I like what I'm hearing about the book. Readers are telling me it might just be my best one yet. It is sort of a Beauty and the Beast story set in the eastern part of North Carolina in 1795. That was always my favorite fairy story. For more about the plot and characters see the blog for November 1, 2017, or go to Amazon. You can also read the beginning of the book there. Although I'm hearing lots of good comments about the book, no reviews are forthcoming. I don't know why my fans are so reluctant to leave reviews.

The novel was fun to write and gave me several surprises. When I conceived the idea, I had no idea the main characters would be from the wealthy class. I originally thought I might set it in Bath or Edenton, two of the earliest towns in North Carolina. However, I decided to set it closer to where I live because of the research needed, so I put it in the Winton and Colerain areas. But the main characters sail down the Chowan River to go to a masquerade ball in Edenton, and that starts the journey for Melanie and Lucas that will bring them to the conclusion.

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Christmas

Of course, Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus - the Son of God who came to earth, taught for three years, and then went to the cross as the ultimate sacrifice to save sinful man. The first recorded celebration of Christmas didn't occur until 336 A.D., and this was in Rome. Instead, the early church celebrated Easter as the main holiday.

No one knows why 4th-century church officials chose the date as December 25th, because the Bible doesn't give a date. Some suggest the actual date was more likely in the spring or summer, or else the shepherds wouldn't have been tending their flocks out in the fields. However, no one knows for sure.

Throughout history, the holiday has varied in popularity. In the United States, the early Pilgrims banned its celebration, deeming it too worldly. However, the settlers at Jamestown embraced it. Christmas didn't become a national holiday until 1870, although it was celebrated in the colonies and then the states much earlier. How do you celebrate the day?

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Shepherds Chosen

The next day John seeth Jesus coming to him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:27).

Shepherding is one of the oldest occupations in the Bible. Adam and Eve's son, Abel, was a shepherd. Other biblical shepherds include Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Moses, Amos, and David. It started over 5,000 years ago in Asia Minor; and sheep became a mainstay of the region, providing meat, dairy products, and wool.

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young (Isaiah 40:11).

At first, shepherds were respected. However, the Egyptians hated shepherds, and after 400 years of slavery in Egypt, this idea stuck with the Hebrews. After all, shepherds were rarely able to follow all the Jewish rules and regulations. For example, they couldn't properly keep the Sabbath and be out tending their flocks. The sheep depended too much on the shepherd for him to leave them, and he would usually have to travel beyond the forbidden distance on the Sabbath.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid (Luke 2: 8-9).

So by New Testament times, shepherds occupied the bottom rung of society, along with tax collectors and dung shovelers. Yet, shepherds are mentioned often in the Bible, and Jesus is called "The Good Shepherd." And it was to these lowly people that God chose to first announce the birth of His Son - the Messiah and our Savior. The angels appeared to the shepherds in their field and they hurried to see the Christ child for themselves and worship Him. Then they went about telling everyone they saw the glorious news: "For unto you is born in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord!" 

 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep (John 10:11).

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How Long Does it Take to Write a Book?

I make a conscious effort not to wince every time I'm asked the question, and it's actually the question I'm asked most often. I feel like answering, "Much too long," but I don't. I answer it quickly and hope to move on to other topics about my books or writing because I do love to talk about both.

I really have no idea the total number of hours I put into writing a book, and it's probably better I don't. In addition, the writing times vary so much for me. I can write quickly if I can find the time or just figure the actual contact hours. I wrote a 101,000-word rough draft in only three weeks because I had the block of time to give it. However, most of the time, I have too many starts and stops because of other obligations, and the weeks it takes me to finish the story stretches out. I don't think it's ever taken me more than three months to finish a rough draft, though.

The problem is that when the rough draft's done, the novel is still a long ways from being finished. The edits and rewrites are tedious and demanding. However, I like every step in the process. Writing is truly a labor of love for me, and the reward comes when readers tell me they love it, too.

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Woolly Worms, Fact and Folklore

A sure sign of fall and the impending winter is the woolly worm. Folklore says that the more black the woolly worms have on their bodies in the fall, the harsher the winter will be. The brown tells of a milder winter. This is especially watched in regions, like the Appalachians, but it's not limited to there. In fact, it can be found across the United States. 

The woolly worm's official name is the Banded Woolly Bear, and it's the larva of the Isabella Tiger Moth. The larva emerges from the egg in the fall. It survives the winter because it has a protective substance that allows it to be frozen and still live. When spring comes, it will pupate and come out as a moth. Then, it only has a few days to find its mate and for the female to lay eggs. Only in Arctic regions, the larvae might survive over more than one winter before turning into a moth. It feeds on many different types of plants.

I've talked with people who've kept records each year and vow that the woolly worms predict the severity of winters quite accurately. I haven't kept records, but I have noticed that the woolly worms in any given year do have similar amounts of black and brown. Could the folklore be true? If so, what does that mean for this winter?

The woolly worm is also celebrated. Banner Elk, NC, has a Woolly Worm Festival each year when the small town bulges with visitors to buy crafts, taste the food, run in races, and listen to music. Other woolly worm festivals occur in states like Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and New York. 

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The Legend of the Candy Cane

You may have heard the story of the candy cane, but it bears repeating. It's a good reminder of what Christmas is all about and provides an opportunity to share the good news of Christ with those around us.



Many years ago, a candy maker wanted to make something special for Christmas that would be a testimony to his Christian faith and symbolize Jesus. He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy, because he thought white would symbolize the virgin birth, and the hardness would remind everyone that Jesus could become their rock-solid foundation. He added red stripes to show the scourging, beating, and blood that Jesus shed for mankind.

The candy maker fashioned the stick of candy in the shape of a "J" to stand for "Jesus." If turned the other way, it also represents the Good Shepherd's staff that He uses to reach down into the ditches and ravines of the world to rescue those who call on Him.


Over time, the candy cane has lost much of its original meaning. Too many see it as nothing more than a sweet treat or a piece of decoration. But the sweetest part of all is when it is used to witness to the wonder of Jesus' great sacrifice and love.  

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).   


  

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It's Not Just the Numbers

It's easy for authors (and others) to get caught up in the numbers game. We find ourselves doing things like maintaining all kinds of records on how many books are sold and keeping tabs on how many reviews each book has. At a recent book signing, I was reminded again of how my books can have an impact, and if it's just one person, that's enough.


Cindy came near the end of the book signing, and her enthusiasm was contagious. I still have trouble believing readers are so excited to meet me. She'd read Promise on the recommendation of a friend and loved it. The thirty-something mother had three adopted children, and one was bi-racial. Promise spoke to her heart. She bought the rest of that series and three others and even left an additional donation to the scholarship fund.

I've had many other readers who've told me what a difference my books have made in their lives - reminding them of God's truths, delivering God's messages, inspiring, and encouraging. However, Cindy sent me a strong reminder of why I write, and that it's not about the numbers.

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The Northern Lights

The first recorded sighting of the Aurora Borealis in the North American colonies came on December 11,1719, in New England. The light show wouldn't have been totally shocking, however. The lights were actually noted about a century earlier by a French scientist.

These swirling lights are caused by billions tiny charged electrons from space striking oxygen and nitrogen atoms and causing them to flare. They accelerate due to energy from the sun. The surface of the earth is protected by its magnetic field, but the Northern Lights can be seen from here.

These lights can show a differing array of colors. At higher altitudes, the oxygen atoms are more spread out, emitting a longer wavelength and giving off a red light, which was often viewed as a bad omen in ancient history. At lower altitudes, the wavelength of color is shorter, releasing a blue light. Intense solar activity can cause the rings around  the earth's poles to swell, and the lights look green, often with a red outline at the top. Green is the most common color for the lights we see.

Regardless of reason for the lights or the  varying colors, however, they are a wonder to hold. A picture just doesn't do them justice. If you ever get a chance, stand and watch this amazing light show of nature.

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Father Knows Best

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil to give you an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11).

There was an old television series by this name, "Father Knows Best," but it's always true only when we're talking about our heavenly Father. Most Christians would certainly agree, but do they live their lives like it, or do too many try to push their will on God rather than the other way around? Too often we approach God like a vending machine or a doting grandparent, expecting Him to give us what we want.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not to your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5)

This all comes down to a matter of trust. Do we really trust that God has our best interests at heart, that He loves us unconditionally and wants to bless us?  What's best for us, however, is not always what we want. God knows the future, and we don't. We should surrender and depend on Him, but do we?

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

I don't think any of us would say that God is fallible, but that's exactly how we act sometimes. Otherwise, we would trust Him implicitly. We give him human characteristics that we know very well, because we've been disappointed by people, but He is far above this. He is our perfect God!

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Giving Away Books

I find the idea of author's giving away free ebooks in order to generate more sales intriguing, but I wonder if it really works. Supposedly, it shows new readers what wonderful stories this author creates, and they'll buy others to read by the same author. However, considering how many free books I see each day, I have my doubts.

I've been a reader longer than I've been a writer or marketer. As a reader, I appreciate getting books free. In fact, I have over 5,000 books on my Kindles, and 96% of them have been free. There are newsletters that come to my email inbox notifying me of some of these. Many of them are by well-known writers, and I've seen their books go back to $9.99 or more after a couple of days. On average, I consider from ten to twenty free Christian books each day,and this is not counting those whose prices have been reduced.



With this high volume of free books, my guess is that most of them go into a slush pool, hopefully to be read at sometime in the future. However, most of them will probably never be read. I know with all the ebooks I've gotten free, I would't be able to read them all if granted another lifetime.  In fact, I doubt if I would ever get them all read as I continued to receive free offers. They could stretch into eternity. 


I wonder if authors and publishers aren't devaluing their books when they offer them for free. If readers can get all the reading material they need for free, then why buy any.  Although I understand these giveaways are trying to increase interest in their books, maybe those who offer their books for free are decreasing their market in the long run. Perhaps readers quit buying books, since they can get so many for free. I know very well how much goes into writing and publishing a book. Surely all that is worth something. Most ebooks only cost $3.99 or less. That's hours of entertainment and a bargain at that price. 

However, maybe I should give it a try with an open mind. I have never offered a book free. If I put one on sale for 99 cents, that seems low enough to me. I'm thinking about giving a free one a test run, however. If I do, it will probably be the first one in a series to see if it stimulates additional sales. Since all my books always have a definite ending, the reader won't feel cheated in any way. They will still receive a complete book. 

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National Cookie Day

December 4th is National  Cookie Day, so what better time to get out the cookie sheet and bake some holiday treats. Historically, it's believed the first cookies were actually small test cakes to see if the batter was right. Persia, one of the first countries to have sugar, is believed to have developed these cakes in the 7th century, A.D. With the Crusades, this cooking technique was brought back and spread throughout Europe. A 1596 English cookbook gives a recipe for tiny cakes that hold quite a resemblance to cookies.

English, Scotch, and Dutch immigrants brought cookie recipes to the United States. In fact, the word, "cookie," likely comes from the Dutch word, "koekje," meaning "little cake." Although in America, cookies were called by that name, they weren't given a separate section in cookbooks at first. Instead, they were still included in the cake section.

Today, there are hundreds and hundreds of different cookie recipes. The chocolate chip has remained a favorite since it's conception in 1937. In 1996, it became the official state cookie of Pennsylvania. (Who knew there was such a thing?) So, in celebration of the day, let's have a cookie or two. You can either buy your favorite from the store or pull out your favorite cookie recipe and get to baking. Here's one of mine:

Nutty Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

2 1/2 sticks margarine or butter softened (or 1 1/4 cups)
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar                                    

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 egg
1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup raisins
3/4 cup cropped pecans or walnuts
3 cups rolled oats (oatmeal)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Blend margarine and sugars. Beat in egg and vanilla. Mix in flour and spices. Add oats and stir well. Fold in raisins and nuts. Spoon dough onto ungreased cookie sheets and bake 8 minutes for a chewy cookie and 12 minutes for a crisper cooker. Cool for a minute before removing from cookie sheet. Makes about 3 dozen.

Leftovers

Do you get tired of the leftovers from big holiday meals? The choice pieces of turkey vanished quickly, those special side-dishes didn't last long, and the delectable desserts are long gone by the time you've had enough. What's left just doesn't look appealing. But how often do we give God our leftovers? Think about it.

How many Christians pay their bills before they tithe? And if they're running short, the church will just have to wait until they get their budget caught up. They might attend church but just go through the motions, counting the minutes until they can get back to what they plan to do. With working, commitments, and family, there's just not enough time in the day for Bible study and prayer. They can do that when things slow down some, maybe when they retire. Yet they're likely to spend more time in front of the television than they do giving God their undivided attention. God doesn't want our leftovers. He wants us to put Him first. 

I like what Mac Brunson says about this in his book, The God You've Been Searching For. "When we commit our hearts and lives to the Lord, we commit ourselves to giving Him our very best. Not out of a desire to pay Him back for what He's done for us - we could never repay Him in a million years - but out of gratitude for Him giving us His very best and out of deep love for Him" (p. 133).  How about you? Are you giving God your best or your leftovers?

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