Maryland and the Civil War

April 29, 1861, is the day the state of Maryland made its decision and voted on whether or not to secede from the Union at the beginning of the Civil War. Maryland was a slave state, but it sat on the dividing line, and the citizens were especially conflicted when the Civil War came. It even bordered the nation's capital of Washington, DC. Sentiments ran high on both sides of the issue, and the first fatalities of the war came at the Baltimore Riots on April 18- 19, 1861.

Baltimore Riots

After tempestuous debates, the Maryland legislature voted not to secede from the Union, but that didn't end the controversy or the divisions. About 85,000 men would sign up to fight with the Union Army, and about a third of that number joined the Confederacy. Southern sympathizers had only to go across Maryland's southern border into Virginia to join the Confederate Amy.

Battle of Antietam 

Just like the debates, the fighting in Maryland grew fierce. The Maryland Campaign saw the Confederacy invade Maryland. Battles, like South Mountain, raged, and Antietam became the bloodiest day of the whole war. Even as the war ended, peace didn't come easily. Marylander, John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Lincoln, showing the bitterness some still clung to would remain for much too long across the nation.

Confederate dead at Antietam

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The Character of God

Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee (Psalm 143:8).

Faith and trust go hand in hand and build on each other. For the Christian, they should both grow as we begin to better know and understand God and His Word. This growth should be a lifelong process. Faith and trust are also the keys to encouragement and perseverance. 

Trust the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Faith and trust are the reasons problems don't lay us low, and stress doesn't play a meaningful role in our lives. Prayers are always answered because we pray for God's will above our own. Even when the miracles we so fervently pray for don't come, we trust in God because we know His character, His goodness.

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is (Jeremiah  17:7).

God is our Heavenly Father. He always wants what's best for us, and he knows what that is. We can't see the broad, complete picture, and we don't have all the information, but He does. He knows all and His Spirit will guide us. If we totally surrender to Him, our future will be bright. No matter what darkness the world throws our way, our faith and trust will bring us into the light of His presence.

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Non-Fiction Audio-Book

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1724172379/

I'm happy to announce I've just added another Audible book to my collection. On the Road to Jericho is my only non-fiction book so far. It discusses Jesus' last journey from Galilee, through Jericho, and into Jerusalem and His teachings along the way. I am excited to share it with both readers and listeners.

This one is narrated by Jennifer Groberg, the same reader who produced Mountain Mishap, which is both my bestselling ebook and audiobook. I love Jennifer's expressive, upbeat voice that draws listeners in. She is also very professional and conscientious. We will be working together on another project soon.

As a special gift to the readers of this blog, if you'll email (janicecolehoplins@gmail.com) or message me your email address, I'll send you a code to receive a free copy of On the Road to Jericho from Audible. I would love for you to leave a review on Amazon if you enjoy the book, but this is not a requirement. I just hope to share God's messages and my excitement.

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National Jelly Bean Day

April 22 is National Jelly Bean Day. The sweet treat is believed to have been developed by William Schrafft, a Boston confectionery. They were mentioned in 1861 when Schrafft encouraged everyone to send his jelly beans to soldiers during the Civil War. But the war and its aftermath may have slowed their popularity because there's been no other recorded mention of them until an advertisement in a Chicago newspaper in 1905 where they sold for nine cents a pound.

Jelly beans are made mainly from sugar and include other ingredients, such as tapioca or corn syrup, flavoring, and starch or pectin. They may also have lecithin, an anti-foaming agent, an edible wax, salt, and confectioner's glaze. Varying fruit flavors are the most common type of jelly bean, but others have been developed, including licorice, soft drinks, mint, and spices. They are usually sold in assortments of about eight different flavors, but rarely customers might find packs with a single flavor.

Jelly beans became associated with Easter sometime in the 1930s, perhaps due to their egg shape and the need for different varieties of candy for Easter baskets. Their array of bright colors only add to their appeal. Some estimate that about 17 million jelly beans are sold each Easter. Most people either are fans or don't like them at all. Former President Ronald Reagan enjoyed them so much he kept a jar sitting on his desk.

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Love and Grace This Amazing

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

God is too great, too magnificent, for me to completely understand. When He created man, He knew what a disappointment we would be, how we would sin and be separated from Him. Even then, He had a plan to save us at the right time. He would send His beloved son to die on a cross for us. 


For it is the life of all flesh; the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul (Leviticus 17:11).

Sin demands a price, a blood sacrifice, for forgiveness. Jesus would become that sacrifice for all mankind for all time if they would just accept Him as their Lord and Savior. Then, God can accept us as saints because we've traded our sinfulness for Christ's righteousness. That allows us to be in the presence of holy God who cannot be in the presence of sin. We are no longer separated from Him and can have a close personal relationship.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: and the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5).

This is the story of Easter - how we can have a new beginning in Christ. It's almost too all-encompassing, too magnificent, too amazing for us to comprehend. Some of us have heard it so often that it's become commonplace, and we don't stop to really see it for what it is, but it is anything but common! It's the greatest thing that ever happened for us. 

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemation; but is passed from death into life (John 5:24).

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Motives for Writing

Authors write for many different reasons, but there are usually fewer for the Christian writer. Many of us feel that it's a gift from God and His calling on our lives. Writing becomes our ministry. With this in mind, let's take a closer look at some of the issues involved with this.

When God calls people, he has a specific purpose in mind, and our job is to fulfill that purpose. I'm almost certain all authors would love for their books to be best-sellers, but that might not be what God has in mind. He might want the books read by certain people who need the message they'll find there. I've had that happen with my books, and I'm sure it's happened many more times than I'm aware of.

God will also most likely grow the writer's faith along the way. This may be why they were called, or He may grow them while they achieve other goals, as well. It's easy for us to get caught up in the pressures and stress of the writing process, including promoting and marketing, so that we try to handle things on our own without surrendering it all to God. We know better.

We should measure success in biblical terms and not in the world's eyes. Jeremiah preached for forty years and only had one convert, his servant, but he was successful because he was obedient to God. As Christian writers, as long as we follow God's plans for us, we are successful, we are victorious!

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Unusual Museums in North Carolina

North Carolina is blessed with many museums spread across the state. Here are some interesting ones you may not be that familiar with. And if these aren't convenient for you, they may give you ideas for finding ones in your area.

The Cryptozoology and Paranormal Museum
328 Mosley Avenue, Littleton, NC 
631-220-1231
This is one of the most unusual museums I came across. By its own description, it is "dedicated to the study and display of creatures and phenomena not recognized by traditional science." This includes Bigfoot, haunted dolls, UFO sightings, ghost hunting, etc. The museum is normally open 1-7 pm, Monday-Sunday.

The Taxidermy Hall of Fame
156 NW Broad Street
Southern Pines, NC
910-692-3471
Oddly enough, this museum is housed in a Christian Bookstore, stating that its purpose is to emphasize the creation account from Genesis. It has around 200 displays of about every stuffed animal from North Carolina that is legal for them to have. There's also a section of antique tools. In fact, its name is "Taxidermy Hall of Fame of NC/Antique Tool/Creation Museum." With such a variety, most people should be able to find something of interest.

The Country Doctor Museum
7089 Peele Road, Bailey, NC
252-235-4165
This is the oldest museum in America dedicated to the plight of the country doctor of bygone eras. It has over 5,000 artifacts and numerous books on the subject. Visitors come away with a much better idea of what historical health care was like and how taxing being a country doctor could be.

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Our Advocates

But this man [Jesus], because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:24-25).

We Christians have two perfect advocates for us who are beyond reproach, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Jesus not only took our sins to the cross and died that we might live in eternity with Him, but He is even now making appeals on our behalf when we need them. He is our personal intercessor, as well as our Savior.

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:26-27).

The Holy Spirit is also our advocate, interceding for us in all things, even in our prayers. Dwelling within us, He is the righteous, saintly part of us. It is His job to guide us in becoming more like Christ. When we grow in this direction we produce more and more fruit of the Spirit, showing that we belong to God.

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith... (Ephesians 3:15-16a).

No matter the problems that come, no matter the temptations we face, no matter the hardships that befall us, we have a support system that will never fail us. We have the best heaven has to offer on our side as long as we don't turn away.

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Using Profanity as Authentic Language

I recently saw a post by a Christian author who was writing a secular but clean book set during WWII. He wanted to know if he should use some mild profanity in this military setting. It is a debate I hear often among Christian writers. I talked with one writer who insisted she was going to add profanity because it was "true-to-life."

To the first author, I suggested he mention the cursing but not actually use it. He could write something like, "Joe answered with a string of curse words." Since he has published in the Christian market, his fans are likely to be very disappointed if he chooses to use profanity in dialogue. I also doubt that Christian readers will like the second writer's (she hasn't published anything yet) insistence on using foul language. I hear over and over again that's one of the main reasons readers choose to read Christian books, and I agree.

I think relaxing guidelines on profanity is just one more way society is pressuring the Christian to compromise biblical values and moral attitudes. In a time when these qualities are no longer appreciated by the vast majority like they once were, I think we need to stand even firmer to prevent them from vanishing altogether. If our novels really reflected true life, they would be very boring. Since we fictionalize other parts of our stories, why would our writing need to include profanity?

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National Zoo Lovers' Day

April 8th is National Zoo Lovers' Day. Zoos actually have a lengthy history. The first known one was uncovered in Egypt and dates back to 3500 BC. The Assyrians had a zoo in the 11th century BC, and the Chinese had them about 9 centuries later. King Solomon, King Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander the Great, Henry I of England, and the Aztecs also had such menageries. 

The number of zoos has grown greatly over the years. Counting them can be problematic, however, because one must determine what constitutes a zoo. Several years ago, National Geographic estimated there were over 2,000 zoos in the United States, but I'm not certain what criteria they used to define "zoo." I know of many small animal collections open to the public in my area, and not all of them label themselves as "zoos."

In the United States, any collection of animals is supposed to be licensed and inspected. There are also laws and regulations dealing with specific animals, especially endangered ones. Historically, there have been concerns about animal welfare, but for the most part, conditions have gotten better with the emphasis on natural habitats and larger spaces. The American Zoo Association also has an accreditation process. Yet, the AZA estimates that out of the almost 2,500 recognized zoos in the U.S., only about 10% of them are accreditated.

Most of us enjoy seeing a variety of different animals, and this appeals to all ages. So, if you can, why not take a trip to the zoo to celebrate? In April, you're unlikely to have to contend with crowds, and you can relax more and really enjoy the day.

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God's Plans for Us

For I know the thoughts I have for you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an unexpected end (Jeremiah 29:11).

God has plans for each one of us, but it is up to us whether or not we follow those plans. His first plan for all of us is His plan of salvation. Once we accept Christ as our Savior and our attitudes, desires, and lives begin to change, He has other purposes for us to fulfill. He created us for this so that we glorify him and help further His kingdom on earth. We were given abilities, talents, and skills to fit a certain role in God's plans, and no one else has that exact combination of skills. Therefore, it matters greatly what we choose to do.

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).

Following God's plans is a matter of trust. Our all-knowing, all-powerful God loves us with a love so great we can't even imagine it, and He only wants the very best for us. Once we understand this, we will want to follow Him in obedience above all else. We may not understand everything He asks us to do, but because we know the One who asks, we can obey without question. This is a freeing way to live.

I like what T.D. Jakes says about this in his book, Loved by God:

The Lord has crafted and formed you and made you and shaped you, He has molded you and made you. He knows your strengths, your weaknesses, your characteristics, and He has caused you to be a perfect tool for a very precise and important role in His plan.

But what happens when God's people fail to follow His plans and fulfill His purpose? A chaotic mess. Can you see it happening?

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Short Stories

There seems a trend in self-publishing to put out very short books. I recently saw a well-known author lamenting the low reviews for her new book with 10 pages. The reviews on Amazon averaged a little over two stars - very low indeed. I can't imagine publishing 10 pages, sticking a cover on it, and calling it a book. That's barely a chapter in a book. What was this seasoned author thinking? At least put a collection of them together.

Some of the novellas do seem to work for readers, but these have 75 or more pages, and over 100 appears to be better. It's hard to get any depth of characters or plot in less than 50 pages. Actually, it's hard to even get acquainted with the characters in so few pages. I'm afraid decisions like this discredit the author and make the profession look bad. There may be some places for such short stories, but published as a standalone novel is not one of them.

I always check the number of pages before buying a book. Personally, I prefer books between 125 and 275 pages. However, a few books fail to list the number of pages. I find I don't enjoy books without enough depth to develop the characters and plot. Likewise, I find books that go over 325 pages usually have too much extra, unnecessary material to hold my interest. Readers have the final say, however, and they will speak, just as the reviewers for the 10-page "book" did.

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April Fool's Day

Today is April Fool's Day (also known as All Fool's Day), the day when traditionally harmless jokes, pranks, and hoaxes are played upon those forgetful of the day and the unexpecting. If the victim fails to fall for the prank, however, then the prankster becomes the "April Fool."

Oddly enough, no one is sure when or where the day originated. Of the many versions, most have the event beginning somewhere in the Middle Ages, although at least one account goes back to biblical times and another moves forward to the 17th century. 

Subway April Fool's prank in Copenhagen, Denmark

Regardless of when the day started, it has spread with many nations having their version. Some countries recognize it as a public holiday and some do not, but the day is often still celebrated. In more modern times, even institutions like newspapers or magazines have joined in the fun with fake stories or something similar. An internet search will reveal many ideas for jokes that can be used to celebrate the day.

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