All or Nothing

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death (Proverbs 16:25).

When we make the decision to become a Christian and accept Jesus as our Savior, we can't just accept part of Him or choose to act like a Christian when we think it's convenient. Yet, that's exactly what some of us have tried to do, and then we wonder why being a Christian wasn't all we thought it would be.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

Too many people trust themselves more than they trust God. They look to themselves to handle things and may turn to God if things get desperate enough, but they basically depend on themselves. We need to understand how weak and frail we really are and how much we need the Lord. It's only when we see our pitiful state of brokenness that we can become strong in Jesus.

O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps (Jeremiah 10:23).

If we surrender to Him, He will use life's trials and triumphs to mold us into the people He designed us to be, but we must give Him complete control. When we give Him our all - all that we have and all that we are - He will become our All in All. That's when we'll realize what living a Christian life is all about. That's when we realize He is all we need.

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Writing Christian Fiction

Several people have asked me why I choose to write Christian fiction when other genres are more popular. The answer is more multi-faceted and  complicated than it would first appear. It is intertwined with who I am and what I see as important in my life.

One of the main reasons I write Christian novels is that I see my writing as a gift from God and a great blessing. When I look at my roots and where I came from, it's a miracle that I learned to like language, love writing, and be able to publish books. Since God gave me this love of writing, I want to use it to glorify His name and further His kingdom. This is also why I donate all my profits to a scholarship fund for missionary children. May God use my writing according to His will and I always write what is pleasing to Him.

I would like for my books to touch people in a special way. I want them to come away encouraged, enriched, and feeling they've discovered or been reminded of some important truth. I cringe at some of the books I see. I don't know how someone would want their name on a book filled with profanity; steamy, explicit sex scenes; or blood and gore. I want to write books that I can be proud of, even when my grandchildren read them.

I write Christian books, because my faith is a big part of who I am. At this point in my life, I think it would be far harder for me to write a secular book than a Christian book.  God has blessed me in so many ways and been with me through all the valleys and over all the rough terrain. He means everything to me. The better question is how could I not write Christian fiction?

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The First Movie Theater

The first movie theater in the U.S. opened on June 26, 1896, in New Orleans. Called "Vitascope Hall" after Mr. Edison's motion picture machine which had only been out for about three months, it cost 10 cents to get in.  New York businessman, William "Pop" Rock started the movie house, and he was quoted as saying "We packed them in." At this time, motion pictures were in their infancy and often considered a novelty. Few imagined such a popular future.

Rock refurbished an empty store for the opening. He basically covered the windows with black canvas and brought in around 400 chairs. He paid $2,500 for the projector, which was an exorbitant sum in that day, and the movies were short, only lasting a few minutes. Of those first films, The Kiss seems to have been the most popular with audiences, despite the fact that many clergymen didn't approve of showing kissing passionately.

Rock chose to keep Vitascope Hall open for only a few months, closing it in October 1896. For one thing, he planned to return to his home in New York. First, however, he would continue to give exhibitions at other locations in New Orleans.  In the meantime, other similar movie theaters were planned and opened quickly in the larger cities to take advantage of the new fad, a fad that would become a very popular form of entertainment.

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Slow Down, Be Still

Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth (Psalm 46:10).

Most of us live a hurry-up, rush-rush life. There's fast food, automated teller machines, convenience stores, drive through windows, and other measures aimed at customers with busy life-styles. New inventions and technology advertise they make life easier but they often also make it more hectic.

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought of the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself,... (Matthew 6: 25 & 33-34).

Stress is at an all time high. The American Stress Institute tells us that 44% of Americans say they feel more stressed today than they did 5 years ago, and that's with all the baby-boomers retiring. One out of five people admit to having extreme or debilitating stress. Three out of four doctors' visits are for stress-related illnesses. It increases the likelihood of heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. It causes overeating, insomnia, and shrinks the brain. It's estimated that stress costs our country $300 billion dollars each year in medical bills and lost productivity.

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower (Psalm 18:2).


Maybe this is one of the reasons waiting on the Lord seems so hard to us. We're not used to being still. In fact, if we think we might have to wait, most of us pull out our smart phones, pads, or e-readers. But God tells us to do just that - to wait on Him. He also set a day aside each week to be a day of rest and worship, because He knew we would need that.

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the Lord (Psalm 27:14).

Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord...(Exodus 31:15).

God never meant for us to join the rat race, and we don't have to when we find our rest in him. If we surrender to Him, He will direct our paths, and they won't turn into race tracks.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:6).

Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path...(Psalm 27:11).

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Writing Sales' Gimmicks

I'm not a fan of the gimmicks some authors use to try to attract readers or up sales. I consider some of them to be manipulative, underhanded, and unethical. I think the best way to attract and keep readers, thereby building a fan-base, is to write a wonderful story and be sensitive to the readers. Gimmicks might increase sales short-term, but I don't think they'll keep readers long-term.

Putting a cliffhanger at the end of a story is one such gimmick. Authors do this thinking they'll have the reader hooked, and they'll want to buy the next book in the series to see what happens. I think this is despicable. I feel the author has an unwritten contract with the reader to present a complete story, and to not do so without being upfront about it is dishonest. Thankfully, I've seen a few authors who do say that their book leaves things hanging at the end, and I have no problem with this. However, I will never buy the next book when an author does this without forewarning.

Giving away free books is another way many authors hope to lure readers. This is more ethical and doesn't affect the readers in the negative way a cliffhanger does, where they buy a faction of a book thinking it's complete. However, I question whether or not free books are effective or if they might actually hurt authors in the long run. I've offered my books on sale for as low as 99 cents, but I've yet to make them free. However, I am monitoring this and may experiment with it down the road. Right now, I'm too skeptical.

Drawings for books or free prizes, especially through Rafflecopter or some other such engine also bothers me. For one thing, it takes a long time to do all their little tasks. For another, it gives away my information and usually signs me up to a newsletter. Although there's nothing wrong with all this for those who choose to participate, it's not for me. I see it as a waste of time, and I'd rather spend my time writing or reading.

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The Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty arrived in New York from France on June 19, 1885. Designed by French sculptor, Frederic Barholdi and constructed by Gustave Eiffel, it was a gift to the United States in honor of the liberty the two countries now had. The statue was shipped disassembled in crates and erected on then Bedloe's Island (now Liberty Island) in the harbor of New York City.

France would provide the statue and the United States was to provide the place for it, but fundraising came slowly for the project in the United States. Publisher Joseph Pulitzer finally began a donation drive and had more than 120,000 contributors, most of them giving less than a dollar. The statue's dedication was marked by New York's first ticker-tape parade. President Grover Cleveland presided over the ceremony.

The copper statue is of a woman wearing a robe and holding a torch above her head. She represents Libertas, the Roman goddess. In her left arm she carries a tablet inscribed with the date, July 4, 1776, in Roman numerals. A broken chain lies at her feet. The statue has become a symbol of freedom and welcome. May those values continue to stand.

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Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen in Our Country?

A friend recently sent me this answer Anne Graham Lotz, Billy Graham's daughter, gave in an interview. Like me, you may have heard some of this before, but in light of recent events, it bears repeating. Here is a large part of what she said:

"I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government, and to get out of our lives." God will not force Himself on us. "I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone? In the light of recent events - I think it started when Madeline Murray O'Hare complained she didn't want prayers in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school - the Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK. Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK. Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with WE REAP WHAT WE SOW." 

"Funny  how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to" Hades. "Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar, and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace. Funny we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us. No nation or people can ever survive or succeed without Jesus Christ."

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Readers' Pet Peeves

Those of us who are chain readers develop a list of things that annoy us in a novel, often because they are so overused. What was charming the first time just doesn't have the same effect the hundredth time. I can look at this from both a writer's and reader's perspective. Here are seven flaws that readers mention over and over again:

Amnesia as a plot ploy - I read at least one book a month that has a main character develop amnesia, and this seems especially true in westerns. The last one I read, I almost put it down, because I didn't want to read any further. Please authors, use your creative thinking and come up with some alternatives.

Just telling instead of showing - This is one of the no-no's of good writing. It leaves the reader on the outside looking in. Good writers pull the reader into the story so  they live it with the main characters.

Lenghty backstories or pages about the characters' backgrounds - I have done workshops where I showed how to work this into the story bit by bit without whole sections telling about it. This is a much better way to present the needed background information.

Overdescribing - This is one of those tightropes authors have to walk. It's necessary to describe important people and scenes so the reader can picture them, but over-describing turns readers off and makes them start skipping sections. Never give descriptions that aren't necessary to the story, and trust readers' creativity to roll the film of what's happening in their minds. These can also be worked into the story without requiring paragraph after paragraph of nothing but descriptions.

"Released a breath he or she didn't even know they [sic] were holding" - Like amnesia, this is so overused I feel like gagging every time I read it. Don't copy such phrases. Come up with something better.

What appears to be a novel turns out to be a collection of short stories - This is the newest annoyance to make the list. It's occurring more and more often, especially in mail order bride series. In fact, both camouflaged short stories and mail order brides are becoming all too common.

What is your pet peeve as a reader?

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National Red Rose Day

June 12th is National Red Rose Day, so it's a good day to take a closer look at the beauty. The plant is millions of years old with some saying it dates as far back as 35 million years. The rose has been one of the world's most poplar flowers for a number of years, and red roses are seen as special, since they symbolize romantic love. An English revolution was named after them (the War of the Roses) between the House of Lancaster (represented by a red rose) and the House of York (represented by a white rose). The House of Lancaster with the red rose won.

There are over a hundred species of roses and many more varieties with a wide range of colors. Most of them were original to Asia, but some were also found in Europe, North America, and northwestern Africa. Today they are cultivated nearly all over the world, and gardeners work to develop new species all the time. In fact, the majority of the ornamental roses we use today are hybrids.

The rose plant is related to the berry family, and therefore, their leaves resemble that of blackberries. A rose's fruit is known as rose hips, which are used in perfumes, creams, medicines, flavorings, and can even be made into jams and jellies. However, the primary use has always been a rose garden or a beautiful vase of the flowers. They rarely fail to bring a smile.

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The True Treasure

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith. and pierced themselves through with many sorrows ( 1 Timothy 6:10).

Too many Americans have become obsessed with the idea of getting rich. Get-rich-quick schemes abound, and I can't even begin to recount the number of times some scam has come across my computer or telephone. I see "Christian" men and women working through church services in a effort to make more money and own more things. I even had a Christian friend whose goal in life was to become a millionaire. Do they not realize they've let material things become their gods?

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24).

The most precious treasure of all is free for the asking - freedom from sin and guilt - not because we are good or that we will ever be perfect while in this world, but because our Savior is. He traded our sinfulness for his righteousness on the cross, so all we have to do is accept Him. Then we are headed for an eternity in Paradise with Him; can give Him all our burdens; are able to turn to Him for guidance; and live a blessed life because of His love, grace, and mercy. Nothing will ever come close to being as valuable.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:19-21).

It is all too easy to get on a worldly highway before we realize it, and Satan is all too eager to direct us there. But it is also easy to get back where we need to be once we realize it. All we need to do is ask our Lord for help and guidance. Once we realize there's a problem, we can put our focus on what is really important. You see, material things in themselves are not the problem. God will even bless us in that way at times. However, valuing anything more than God is terribly wrong, and therein lies the trap. Take a serious look at what is most important to you. Does your life's choices reflect how much you value the things of faith? If not, drop to your knees and make the needed changes today. Nothing is more important.

Sell that ye have and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth (Luke 12:33-34).  

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Ending a Series

My readers are always telling me they hate to see my series come to an end. In fact, I've had some of them beg me to pick up and continue writing more novels to go into my Appalachian Roots series. I did give it consideration, but I haven't felt the pull to do that yet. However, I can understand and appreciate their thoughts.

I, too, hate to see a series end. I get to know these characters well, and they become close friends and family. I know each one's nature and their every thought. Sometimes ending a series is almost like losing a loved one, in that I realize I won't likely have new contacts with them again.

My first series, Appalachian Roots, contains four books. In Cleared for Planting, we meet Emma, Edgar, Hawk, Clifton, and Sarah. Sown in Dark Soil features Luke, Emma's grandson, as well as Leah and Ivy. Uprooted by War shows how many of these same characters deal with the Civil War. And Transplanted to Red Clay finishes up the series as the family's story comes full-circle with Luke's daughter.

I have just finished my second series, The Farmers. Book 1, Promise, mainly tells Isaac's story as he tries to make the best of foster care, prejudice, vandalism, and a new-found faith. Peace gives more of Isaac's story, as well as his sister's. Pardon is just coming out and concludes the trilogy with Kevin, the younger brother, who's always been the problem child.

Both of these series have a special spot in my heart and readers tell me in theirs as well. It's both sad and exciting to turn away and move on to write of new friends. I have a New Mexico series of five books in the works, a series of two set in Wyoming, and what I thought would be a standalone is just ending with me needing to write a followup. However, I never forget about the ones already published, even as I move on to work on new ones.

You can read the first two chapters of any of my books free on amazon, and all my profits go to a scholarship fund for missionary children.

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National Moonshine Day

June 5th is National Moonshine Day. Moonshining became a tradition in many locations early in the nation's history. Colonists brought the know-how from their mother country. Details might vary but the basic principals were the same.

Also known by terms like white lightning, homebrew, white whiskey, hooch, and mountain dew, moonshine was the usual term used to describe an illegally distilled, high-proof, corn liquor. The word "moonshine" is believed to have been coined in the Appalachian Mountains and derived from the term, "moonrakers," used to denote early English smugglers. 

I grew up in Wilkes County, North Carolina, one time known as the "moonshine capital of the world." Although my family was never involved in making it, even as a small child, I could have told someone where to buy it. Everyone knew. I assume the local law enforcement had to have been paid off or at least willing to overlook the practice. Stills used to be tucked into remote spots all through rural areas, especially in the South. That's also where NASCAR got it's start, from men out-running the cops while hauling moonshine. Later on, many moonshiners began adding chicken manure to their mash to make it ferment faster, a rather disgusting idea. I suggest we celebrate the day with only a little reading on the subject.

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Is Our World Becoming More Like Ninevah?

Remember when Jonah refused to go to Ninevah and ran from God. When he took God out of the picture, Jonah had good reasons for fearing the Assyrians. They were a fierce, cruel people bent on conquest for much of their history, and their history is long. Assyria remained an independent country from about 2500 BC until 605 BC. The land-holding upper crust of their society consisted almost entirely of military commanders, because that’s what they valued. They were obsessed with invasions and war, and they were overly cruel, because they saw the benefits in making their enemies dread and fear them. Torture became second nature to them. They were known to cut out tongues and skin men alive, and I’d rather not mention what they did to the women they captured. They executed people at will and stacked their skulls to make mammoth pyramids outside the city walls, hoping to intimidate any opposition. They split open torsos, beheaded people, and forced close relatives to carry severed heads in parades. In addition, they were known for burning children alive as a part of their pagan worship. The list of atrocities goes on and on, but the details become overwhelming. The Assyrians were vicious early terrorist, and they were technologically advanced for their time, because this gave them access to better weapons. All this worked, because the Assyrians were usually unstoppable.

When God told Jonah to go and witness to Nineveh, I don’t think he had to think about it very long. Impulsively he must have thought, Oh no, I’m not! He can’t really be asking me to go to Ninevah. It would be like God asking us to go to Iraq before the war or into the stronghold of the Taliban, Al-Qaeda, or ISIS and tell them God's message. What would you say? I doubt if many people would be eager to go. Do we let fear of the unknown overrule our obedience to God? We need to cling to God’s Word, and let Him have the greatest control over us. We need to be influenced by Christ more than anything else.

Nineveh was the capital of Assyria at this time, and some believe its suburbs spread out in a sixty-mile circle. At some time, its thick brick walls stood nearly a hundred feet high to fortify the city. Evidence has been unearthed of walls so wide that three chariots could be driven side by side on top of them. This city was so spread out that it took about three days to walk across it. The wall had 1,500 towers that stood 200 feet high. There is some controversy over exactly when Nineveh was at its height, but it was surely a large, foreboding city even in Jonah’s day. In the Book of Jonah, it’s repeatedly called “a great city.” We know that it likely had around 120,000 inhabitants (Jonah 4:11), but some give the number as many more. For the most part, its residents seemed to live without many moral boundaries; and paganism, carnal behavior, and lawlessness abounded. Much like Sodom and Gomorrah, just about anything seemed to go.

God wanted Jonah to enter Nineveh’s darkness and shine His light for the people. This lets us know that God cares about all people, not just the believers and faithful. It shows us the extent to which God will go to change lost lives. God hates sin and wants to give people a chance to turn from it. He wants to show them the better way. His way brings peace, contentment, and joy as nothing else can come close to doing. Living outside of God’s will brings heartache, dissatisfaction, and misery. Even when things seem to be going fine, there’s always a feeling of something missing. In a world that's looking more and more like Ninevah, Christians should be more committed to God than ever. Where do you stand?

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