Listening for Direction

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10).

We Christians have a remarkable, supreme power available to us and in us - the Holy Spirit. He will equip us for carrying out God's plans. But too often we're like belligerent children and want to do things our own way.  As Dwight L. Moody reminds us in The Secret Power or the Secret of Success, "Some people seem to think they are losing time if they wait on God for His power and so away they go and work without unction; they are working without any anointing; they are working without any power." He goes on to say:

Do what God tells you. There is no use in running before you are sent; there is no use in trying to do God's work without God's power.

The fact is, we are leaky vessels, and we have to keep right under the fountain all the time to keep full of Christ, and so have a fresh supply.

Oh, may the God of Elijah answer by fire and consume the spirit of worldliness in the churches, burn up the dross, and make us whole-hearted Christians.

"It would have saved us from a great many dark hours if we had only been willing to let the Spirit of God be our counselor and guide." We all have examples of this in our lives, and the Bible is full of them. Abraham would have never taken Hagar to his bed, and think of all the grief down through the ages that would have been avoided. Lot wouldn't have settled in Sodom. David would not have commanded that Bathsheba spend the night with him. Sampson would never have fallen to Delilah's wiles. The list goes on and on.

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (1 Corinthians 2:9).

We show our love of God by studying His Word and being obedient to Him. "It is folly for a man or woman to think that they can get through this evil world without the light of God's Word and the guidance of the Divine Spirit. God sent Him to guide us through this great journey...." God has great plans for us for He wants to give us only the best, but we need guidance to grow. Let's decide here and now to turn to Him for everything and not look to our own understanding.

Deceitful Matters

My new book, Deceitful Matters, just released. It is set near Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and has more mystery to the plot than most of my books. The only other one that has some mystery is When Winter Is Past, but it's a historical, and Deceitful Matters is more contemporary.

In the new novel, Amy Duncan and Seth Conners were just starting to connect in high school when Seth was arrested, Amy’s parents died, and everything changed. They don’t see each other again for ten years, but now someone is trying to make sure they never become too serious about each other again. Who would do such a thing, and will their love survive or will they be torn apart permanently?

Due to several unexpected delays at the publisher, this one has been a long time in coming. This particular publisher uses print-on-demand and normally has a book out in a month to six weeks. However, Deceitful Matters has taken nearly six months. But I believe it has been worth the wait. I think readers will, too. Remember that all my profits go to a scholarship fund for missionary children.

Check out the book on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Deceitful-Matters-Janice-Cole-Hopkins-ebook/dp/B07DVTZWZW) or other online sites or order directly from me (see the Direct Orders tab on this blog site).

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The Battle of the Little Bighorn

Sitting Bull

The Battle of the Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand, occurred on June 25 - 26, 1876 along the Little Bighorn River in Montana Territory. Many of the Plains Indians call it the Battle of Greasy Grass. The Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Dakota Sioux banded together to fight the U. S. 7th Calvary Regiment. Crow and Arikara scouts were also involved. Important Indian leaders included Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and Chief Gall.

The fight resulted in an overwhelming victory for the Native Americans against the 7th Calvary, including the 700-men battalion led directly by Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer. Five of the 12 companies were completely annihilated, along with Custer and four of his family members. At the end of the battle, 268 soldiers and scouts lay dead, and 55 were critically wounded, of which six later died.

George A. Custer (1865)

The public initially responded with outcries and sympathy. When the rage and sentiments faded, Custer and the 7th Calvary were first regarded as heroes. This continued until the 1960's when people began to develop a more critical view of the event. Over the decades, Custer and the battle have been widely studied and written about, and it's become an interesting page in American history.

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Your Agenda

"We ought to obey God rather than man" (Acts 5:29b).

From my many travels, I came to realize Americans are much more time-conscious than most of the rest of the world. We stay so busy we often have to make schedules so we can keep up with it all. And most of us are much more likely to frequent fast food restaurants than to sit down for a leisurely meal.

"Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established" (Proverbs 16:3).

Christians sometimes approach their faith the same way. They schedule in the time they plan to give to God. He usually gets Sunday mornings and perhaps some other slots for special programs or events. But when He's not on the agenda, He gets very little thought. This is not how God created us to live. We should feel God's presence wherever we are and whatever we're doing. 

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Years ago, I had the privilege of spending a summer in India on a Fulbright-Hays Scholarship. Although India is a predominately Hindu nation, it spoke to my Christian faith. One thing I learned is that our faith should be a part of everything we do. It's not to be put into slots and pulled out when we think it's needed. It should make up the core of who we are and permeate everything. Whatever we do should be done with God, to God, and for God.

"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).

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An Odd Novel Connection

There's a definite connection between my historical best-seller, When Winter is Past, and the contemporary novel, With Summer's Songs. Tara in With Summer's Songs inherits the stone farmhouse from When Winter Is Past, and Sean finds Beth's journal for Tara to read. The journal helps her see the mistakes she's made and correct them. But since the tie between the two is so thin, I don't call them a series or consider With Summer's Songs to be a sequel.

In With Summer's Songs, Tara Kildare’s sister gives her a cruise so she can escape her troubles for a while. Her husband had become abusive but was killed in Iraq. Now his parents are trying to gain custody of her son, Ricky. On board, she meets Officer Sean Murphy, an optimistic Irishman. Her lawyer is telling her a husband might help her keep Ricky. But with her trust of men so low, does she dare give Sean the chance he seems to want?

Not only is With Summer's Songs in print and e-versions, but it is also on amazon audible. When Winter Is Past will likely be the next book I put on audible after The Farmers Series comes out. Promise is finished and will be out as soon as amazon approves it. My narrator only lacks two more chapters in completing Peace, and I've selected the narrator to produce Pardon. I plan to start When Winter Is Past as soon as Peace is released. I find that keeping two audibles in the works is about right for me. The process is slow.

If you've read and enjoyed When Winter Is Past, you'll need to read With Summer's Songs. If you haven't read When Winter Is Past, you may want to do so. The two novels, although so different in many ways, have a unique connection that most readers will enjoy.

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National Go Fishing Day

June 18th is National Go Fishing Day. Even as a sport, fishing is old. The earliest known writing on recreational fishing was published in 1496, and without a doubt, it existed even earlier. The sport gained popularity in the 16th and 17th century with Izzak Walton's book, The Compleat Angler or Contemplative Man's Recreation.

I grew up fishing in the Roaring River that bordered our farm and a pond on my grandfather's property. One of my earliest memories is catching about fifteen sun perch, more than either of my parents. Three of my grandsons and their dad also enjoy fishing, and one is an enthusiast, preferring it over many other activities.

 Today there are events, like tournaments, that encourage recreational fishing. Here, rules and restrictions must be followed. Of course, the type of equipment and bait will vary according to the type of fish and the preference of the person fishing. It also helps to know the habits of the fish, but no matter the level of expertise, fishing is something the whole family can enjoy together. So grab your tackle and bait, invite some family or friends, and let's go fishing to celebrate the day.

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Union with God

...but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20.

In order to really love someone, we need to feel close to them. By the very nature of what it is, love seeks union - oneness. Many divorces could be avoided if the couples would understand and apply this. But the same thing is true of our relationship with God. A close, intimate, personal relationship is good, but it's not the best. In such a relationship, each party maintains his or her own selfish interests. In marriages, this can still lead to problems just as it can in our Christian walk.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me (John 15:4).

Jesus is united with the Father so that They are One. He also unites with us if we let Him. At this point, we realize nothing we do in this life has anything of lasting value, except what we do with Him, in Him, and for Him. The most important part of Christianity is our relationship with the Lord. God created us for that relationship and to glorify Him. Our Christian service should stem from our love for and union with Him. This is truly the abundant life.

Be still and know that I am God... (Psalm 46:10).

In union, we become so attached that life without Him would be impossible. We need Him more than shelter, food, water, or air to breath. Without Him, we would lose ourselves in the mundane things of earthly nothingness. Death has no threat, because it means that we go to be with Him forever. None of this is difficult, however, because this is what the Lord desires for us. We simply have to want it, too, and give ourselves to Him.

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breath, and length, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:17-19).

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Balancing Tension

Like so much in writing, getting the tension right in a novel can be a balancing act. Too much tension and readers become exhausted and turned off, but too little tension and they just don't care about the characters or what happens. The best way to get the tension right is to pay attention to what works and what doesn't as you read.

Last week, I read a novel that had almost no tension. The plot was good - the heroine had to flee for her and unborn child's lives after her husband died and his younger brother didn't want any heirs to usurp his new position. Both main characters were likable. However, I found myself not really caring what happened, because there was no tension between the hero and heroine. All deliberations were internal and the plot never put anyone in actual danger.

I have also read books that had so much tension I couldn't read it for long. It was just too exhausting, almost to the point of torment. You want to produce page-turners, not turn the reader off. The best books fall somewhere in between these two extremes. Thankfully, more writers get this right than get it wrong, because there's a wide area between the two extremes. However, be aware that the author who said keep pouring on the worst you can think of for your characters got it wrong. Throw in some of the worst but give breaks along the way, too. Let some good things happen now and then, even before the conclusion. You want your readers to care enough to keep turning those pages but not be in agony most of the book.

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National German Chocolate Cake Day

Today is National German Chocolate Cake Day, one of my favorite kinds of cake. However, despite its name, the cake is not from Germany but the United States. The recipe came from a chocolate developed for the Baker's Chocolate Company in 1852 by Samuel German, and the cake gets its name from him. Apparently, the recipe first appeared in print on June 1957, so it's a relatively modern recipe. 

Because it's not the easiest cake to bake from scratch and get right, only about half the general or cake cookbooks out there has the recipe, but of course, it's readily available online. Here is a basic one:

German Chocolate Cake
2 1/4 c. all-purpose cake flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 stick softened butter or margarine
5 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
7 oz. milk grated milk chocolate
1 c. firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 c. buttermilk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray two round cake pans with cooking oil. Sift together flour and baking soda and set aside. Cream together butter and sugar until blended. Add eggs and stir. Add vanilla and chocolate. Alternatively, add the flour mixture and buttermilk, stirring until smooth. Pour into pans and bake for 35-40 minutes or until done. Cool before frosting.

German Chocolate Icing
3 egg yolks
1 c. evaporated milk
1 c. light or dark brown sugar
1 stick butter or margarine
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flaked coconut
1/2 c. chopped pecans
Combine egg yolks, milk, butter, and sugar in a saucepan and cook over medium heat until very thick (about 12 minutes). Take off heat; stir in vanilla, coconut, and pecans and mix well.

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Not Enough of God and His Word

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

In a recent Wednesday night Bible study, the pastor said something that has still left me shaking my head. He said statistics show that people today, even Christians, are very weak in Bible knowledge, and much of the fault lies with preachers who don't preach the Word. Although there is a grain of truth in that statement, half-truths are dangerous. Satan uses these all the time.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105).

In my opinion, even if the pastor delivers Bible-based sermons and God's messages, it isn't enough to give listeners the knowledge of God and the Bible they need. Christians should be compelled to read and study God's Word for themselves, not from a sense of obligation, but because they love God and want to know Him and His Word. This is how we build a close, personal relationship with our Heavenly Father, something that will sustain us through anything.

Thy word have I hid in my heart mine heart, that I might not sin against thee (Psalm 119:11).

I've heard many of the excuses, the main one being that there's just not enough time in the day. Remember, that everyone has the same amount of time. The crux is in how we prioritize. We tend to make time for the things that are important to us. How much television do you watch, time do you spend on your cell phone, or focus do you give to hobbies or special interests? If we can't find time for God, something is wrong.

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Blogging for Jesus

When I published my first book over three years ago, the publisher told me I needed to start a blog. At first, I blogged every day, but a social media expert I met at a writers' conference suggested I change that to three times a week, and I did. I started out blogging a Christian message on Sundays, but when I went to three days a week, I changed that to Friday since I now blog on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Little did I know when I started, that this would turn out to be a calling in itself. By the comments I receive, I know these weekend blogs are touching people's lives, and it is awesome to see how God uses them. First of all, He gives me the message. And then, He uses them to reach people. I am humbled by the whole process. Knowing that he can use me in this way should be a testimony that He can use anyone.

The young man who helped me set up my blog suggested that I change the title. He thought I would limit it and have fewer readers by adding "with God." I didn't listen, because this is an important part of who I am and what my goals are. All my books are strongly Christian, and anyone who has a problem with that wouldn't like them anyway. I plan to stand boldly on my faith, not deny it in any way.

The blog has grown to have followers from all over the world. Of course, most of the audience comes from the United States, but I have many readers from Russia, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Brazil, Ireland, Ukraine, and Australia (in that order). Surprisingly, after the United States, my biggest audience comes from Russia. Isn't the Lord amazing?

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Help for Arthritis

Photo by James Heilman, MD - 

Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

Arthritis affects millions of people. In the United States, it affects more than 20% of the population. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling, warmth, and decreased motion. There're over a hundred different types of the disease, but the most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

There are many common remedies used to treat the symptoms. Some people take pain relievers, especially ibuprofen, but this should be used with caution. Prolonged use can cause kidney failure, as my mother found out. She was on dialysis the last years of her life. I also have arthritis, but I've been able to manage mine without medications so far. In the process, I have collected some suggestions. Be sure to consult your physician before implementing anything that can affect your health.

First of all, reduce stress and lose weight if needed. These two conditions will adversely affect your health in many ways, including aggravate arthritis. Cinnamon and ginger often help. I drink some ginger in my hot tea most days and it does seem to reduce stiffness and keep the pain down. Some people say that eating gelatin helps. Others take 1 tsp. of vinegar and 1 tsp. honey in 8 oz. water. I haven't tried this. Fish oil is also supposed to help. My doctor recommended that I take a fish oil daily for general health, but I haven't been able to tell if it's helped my arthritis or not. Other sources suggest reducing red meat, coffee, and sugar. Take vitamin D3 and eat more vegetables, especially raw ones.

We are all different, and what works for one may or may not work for another. However, I want to cope with my arthritis for as long as I can without taking pain relievers or invasive medications. So far, I've been able to do this for years.

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Prayer Has Great Power

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not (Jeremiah 33:3).

I think Christians who have been long-time church-goers, like me, often overlook the tremendous power prayer carries. If someone asked us if we believe in the power of prayer, we'd likely answer, "Yes, of course," but do we really? I wonder if most of us really expect our prayers to be answered. Do we actually believe if we ask in faith, our prayers can move mountains?

All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive (Matthew 21:22).

It's almost as if we have grown up hearing prayers and even praying ourselves, but we say them as something we're supposed to do and almost take them for granted. Yet, prayer is one of the greatest assets a Christian has, and it strengthens us. It welds a powerful force and gives us an awesome advantage. Prayer is the greatest tool a Christian has and the most effective weapon against the enemy. Coupled with trust, it is invincible. 

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it will be done unto you (John 15:7).

Did you get this? The closer you stay to Christ, if He abides in you and you in Him, then your prayers will be answered. You put all your trust in Him, knowing that whatever happens will be the best for you, no matter how it appears, because you rest totally in Him and trust Him without reservation. When you get to this point, you begin to recognize more of the many blessings He sends your way each day. As you have this thankful heart, your eyes are opened to what really matters. How wonderful it is to feel this close to Almighty God! Pray about it.

Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full (John 16:24).

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