God of Deliverance

Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses (Psalm 107:6).

Elijah and the widow's son at Zarepath

Over and over in the Bible, God delivered people from dire situations. He delivered the Israelites from Egypt; Rabab from destruction; Joseph from his brothers' evil intentions and then from prison; Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace; Daniel from the lion's den; David from the giant, Goliath; the widow of Zarapath's son from death; and Jonah from the big fish. And these are only a few from the Old Testament. The list could go on.

Raising of Lazarus

And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer (2 Samuel 22:2).

There were plenty in the New Testament, too, such as the madman of Decapoles from unclean spirits, Peter from prison, Paul from numerous disasters, Lazarus from death and his tomb, the lepers from their disease and sure death, the thief on the cross from going to hell, and numerous others.



The righteous cry, and the Lord, heareth, and delivereth them out of their troubles (Psalm 34:17).

And the good news continues. He still delivers today, not only from desperate situations but also unto salvation, so that we can be with Him in eternity. Just as He has done throughout history, He is waiting for you to call upon Him, to surrender, and to make Him Lord of your life. Don't delay. Aren't you glad He is the God of Deliverance?

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me (Psalm 50:15).

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Off the Streets Audible  

https://www.amazon.com/Off-Streets-Another-Chance-Book/dp/B088RDLDRK

Off the Streets is now available in the Audible version, as well as in print and on Kindle. Set in Charlotte, Gwen McAllister is attacked in the parking lot of the soup kitchen where she volunteers. She thinks the worst is about to happen when a shadow comes out of nowhere and sends her two attackers running. The shadow turns out to be Hunter Nash, a former Army Ranger who is now living on the streets. She talks him into going to her house for supper, but she can't convince him to let her help him more. However, circumstances bring them together again, and although Hunter wants to protect her, he knows she doesn't need the baggage he carries from his past.

I went back to Jennifer Groberg to narrate Off the Streets since she's done such an excellent job in the past, and listeners seem to love her. She has produced Mountain Mishap, It All Started at the Masquerade, Deceitful Matters, On the Road to Jericho, Past Storms, and now Off the Streets for me. When I need a female narrator, I ask her first.

Off the Streets is the first book in the Another Chance series of two books. Without a Dream, the second book, is in ACX's approval queue now and should be out in a few weeks. It is about Brandon, Gwen's son. ACX's approval process is now taking over six weeks. Jennifer can produce several books in that amount of time. She's that good.

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Remembering Those Who Died in War

The last Monday in May is Memorial Day, the day the United States has set aside to honor those who gave their lives to protect our nation and its interests. The holiday was established in 1868 but first called "Decoration Day" because the day was meant to be used to decorate the soldiers' graves. 

Here are the rounded numbers of fatalities from all the major wars:

• Revolutionary War - 5,000
  
• War of 1812 - 2,000
• Mexican War - 13,000
• Civil War - 500,000
• Spanish American - 2,000
• World War I - 117,000
• World War II - 400,000
• Korean War - 54,000
• Vietnam War - 90,000
• Persian Gulf War - 2,000                                 
•  *Statistics from the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans' Affairs

As you can see, more died in the Civil War than any other. That's because both sides were America. But let's remember all the brave men and women and their families from all military services who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Let us never take that lightly and never squander what's important by bickering over things that don't really matter.

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Church Fellowship

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us:    and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ (1John 1:7a).

Jesus emphasized that believers should fellowship with one another and with Him as He fellowships with the Father This establishes a triangular exchange that edifies, teaches, and supports us. It's the way Christ designed His Church from the very beginning because it grows our faith and makes us stronger.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another  (1John 1:7a).

Matthew records Jesus telling us, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20). Christian fellowship pleases the Father, draws Jesus into our midst, and causes His Holy Spirit to move among us. This is illustrated in the fellowship the apostles experienced and in the early churches they and their contemporaries started. It was God's plan and Christ's design from the beginning.

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:25).

In these troubled times, it is even more important that we gather together in love, encouragement, and support as Jesus taught us. We cannot get the same experience or the same benefits from distant churches, although they can be a blessing, too, and certainly have been during our semi-quarantine. As we begin to return to normal (although it might need to be a new normal for a while), it doesn't need to be an either/or situation. We can learn from and enjoy all types of Bible study and worship. But let's not forsake ourselves from gathering together in Jesus' name.

Wherefore comfort one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

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The Different Facebook Pages I Manage

As I've become more involved in writing, publishing, and social media, I have come to manage or co-manage several Facebook pages. The first was Janice Cole Hopkins, my author's page. This is a good place to keep up with what is happening with my writing projects and in my career as an author. I don't post much of this on my personal page. https://www.facebook.com/JaniceColeHopkins/

The Appalachian Roots page came from the first series of four books I published  (Cleared for Planting, Sown in Dark Soil, Uprooted by War, and Transplanted to Red Clay), set in the Appalachian Mountains in the 1800s. However, this is the culture where I grew up, and the page has broadened to reflect that culture and region.  
https://www.facebook.com/Appalachian-Roots-1560747940894713/

There are two church pages I started and still administer or co-administer. These came from my husband pastoring there -- Powellsville Baptist Church and Palmerville Baptist Church. Regrettably, I don't have the time to devote to these pages that I once did, but I still post regularly, at least once a week.
 https://www.facebook.com/PowellsvilleBaptistChurch/   https://www.facebook.com/Palmerville-Baptist-Church-109380113920495/

Three pages saw my blogs and asked me to become an administrator for them -- Southern Plantations, Haywood County History and Events, and North Carolina Authors, Writers, Readers, Book Clubs, & Literary Org. Then, I saw a page I liked, Christian Book Lovers, becoming less and less active, and I offered to help with it. 
https://www.facebook.com/SouthernPlantations/
https://www.facebook.com/Haywood-County-Events-and-History-276474499226291/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/northcarolinaliterarygroup/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/314211825413566/

With Free Promo Codes for Christian Audible Books, I saw a need and created a page to fill it. There were pages for promo code giveaways, but these also had all genres, including those with explicit sex and profanity. There were a few pages for free Christian audiobooks, but these mainly featured YouTube and other venues. I wanted a page just for free Christian Audible promo codes, so I created one.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2797241590334924/

My newest page is The Greatest of These Publishing. This is my publishing company, organized when I began to publish my books independently. I originally thought I might eventually branch out to publish books by other Christian authors, but I've stayed too busy managing my books to do much with it. The idea is there, however, should I ever want to expand.
https://www.facebook.com/The-Greatest-of-These-Publishing-101010351324547/

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National Visit Your Relatives Day

With the social distancing stemming from COVID19, visiting our relatives may be more challenging this year, but it's no less important. Families are a special part of our lives, and it's important to stay in touch. Depending on which state you live in, this may be more difficult for some than others, but we can a least pick up the phone and call family members. This is a good day to do that since May 18th is National Visit Your Relatives Day.

However, the restrictions due to the virus are easing in some states. There's a push to begin resuming some of our normal activities and let businesses get back to work. In addition, it is usually still in compliance if there are ten or less present. So, even with the semi-quarantine, we can still get with family members. Some think staying outside is safer, so perhaps a small family picnic or an evening sitting around talking in a backyard or park.

Whatever method you choose, this would be a good day to reach out and check on relatives, especially the elderly, have a long chat, and do some catching up. One good thing about our situation is that many of us have more time now. Let's take advantage of it.

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Changes from the New Covenant

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah (Jeremiah 31:31).

Although Jesus said that he came not to destroy the law but to fulfill it, His birth, life, death, and resurrection certainly changed some things. A big one is that believers no longer need to offer blood sacrifices for their sins. Jesus' blood became the ultimate sacrifice that covers all who ask. And the sins of the fathers no longer fall to their children as happened in Moses' day (Exodus 34:7).


Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19).

Now, God's people include not only the Jews but all others who accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. This encompasses all nations. One of the reasons Christ died for us is to make it possible for us to again have a close, personal relationship with our heavenly Father. We can be restored.

But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of the spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter (Romas 7:6).

Our main assignment as Christians is to love God and love others. By doing this in the way Christ commanded, we have all the Ten Commandments and laws of God covered. Christ has freed mankind from the shackles that previously bound him because he could not keep the full law. But we are to use this freedom for God's glory and to fulfill His purposes.

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy souls, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment, And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets (Matthew 22:37-40).

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Pricing Books

Since I have started publishing independently, I have debated how to price my ebooks. Largely, I have gone by page numbers for my novels. Less than 100 pages, I price at 99 cents. If the page count falls between 100 - 250 pages, I've priced it at $2.99. And if a book is over 250 pages it is $3.99. I have skipped $1.99 because Amazon gives a much lower percentage for books under $2.99. I also use the print book to get the page numbers because it is more accurate than the estimated page count for the Kindle version.

At one time, I considered lowering the $3.99 books to $2.99, but I was unsure. At that time the $2.99 books were selling much better than the others. But right now, price doesn't seem to matter. I have 5 books that are selling so well that I am amazed, and they are at differing price ranges. Therefore, it would seem that as long as it's not outrageously high, price really doesn't matter that much.

I know by comments I've seen that other authors also struggle with this issue. However, readers seem to understand how much work goes into all the steps of writing a book, and they don't mind to pay a reasonable price for one. For now, I will continue the pricing the way I have. If the situation changes, I will reconsider the issue.

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Signs in Early America

In early America, so many people couldn't read that businesses often put out signs with painted pictures showing what they made or sold. Picture signs even continued to be popular long after the literacy rates improved. After all, they were eye-catching and interesting. I guess it's the same reason today that a book, movie, or music cover is designed by a graphic artist and tries to have wide appeal.

Some of these have been considered to be among the first artwork in the British colonies. The sign was usually painted on both sides of a wooden board and hung perpendicular to the building. Today these are highly collected as folk art, and even reproductions are popular.
Whether you visit Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia; Old Salem in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Historical Philadelphia; Colonial Boston; or some other preserved colonial area, you'll likely find some painted signs with a picture advertisement.

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Salt of the Earth

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men (Matthew 5:13).

We are told we should be the salt of the earth. What does this mean? Salt is found naturally upon the earth and has some unique properties. Its discovery is believed to be instrumental in the development of civilization. Life has come to be dependent on salt for survival. In Matthew 5:13, Jesus used some of these ideas to encourage his followers to share His teachings with the world. Jesus Christ is essential both living a blessed life on earth and an eternal life with Him.

Salt helps prevent food spoilage and keeps meat from rotting and decaying. Sharing the Good News will do the same for a person's spiritual life. It will keep souls from rotting and decaying into Satan's hands, and preserve the good that comes from knowing Jesus as our Savior. Christians are to be the salt of the earth, sharing the Lord's love with all we meet. And salt not only prevents spoiling but also enhances flavor, making the food taste better. Jesus enhances our life and makes everything better. Problems will still come, but because of Him, they don't have the same sting they once did.

Salt does create a thirst, however, but this, too, can be a good thing. We need to hunger and thirst after righteousness, and when we do, God promises that we will be filled. Yes, we are to be the salt of the earth, preserving the good, sharing Jesus, enhancing the lives of everyone we meet. And in the process, we will be fulfilled in Christ.

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Kindle Unlimited Sales

At the present time, I have four of my books on Kindle Unlimited, and so far, I've been disappointed in their performance. My regular Kindle sales are doing great, both in continuous sales each day and remarkable growth. However, the number of pages read on KU has been lackluster, trickling in several days apart and even flatlining once.


I know there are authors out there who've found success with Kindle Unlimited, but I wonder how many have experienced the slow sales I have. Perhaps in our busyness, it makes more sense to pay per book for what we read instead of paying for a reader-service. I guess it depends on how fast and how much you read. Quite a few books can be purchased each month for the cost of KU.


One of the reasons I don't have more of my books in the KU program is that I just recently began to publish solely on Amazon, which is a requirement for enlisting in the program. However, given the fact that KU does subtract some from direct sales, I'm wondering if it is worth it at all. So far, it doesn't seem to be for me, but that could change.

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Farming in the Middle Ages

Farmers in the Middle Ages used more advanced techniques than most people give them credit for. Of course, these practices would vary from region to region and even village to village. There were often common fields for each village, but each croft would also have their own lands. A croft was a farm owned by the nobility but let to a farmer and his family for a certain rent or part of the crops.

Medieval farmers liked to plant in three fields. Two would be planted each year with the third lying fallow, and these were rotated from year to year. The same crop was never grown in the same field the next year. They often plowed three times. The first time would cut the soil, the second broke up weeds and turned the soil, and the third would end with a field ready to plant.

Fertilizers were also used. Manure, especially from cattle, was preferred, but it was not always available in large quantities. Then, marl (a mixture of seaweed, lime, and clay) was applied. Wheat, barley, oats, and rye were the main grain crops. Grains were sown or scattered over the fields. Vegetables were usually dropped into holes or furrows. Beans, peas, and lentils were also planted. There were often spring and fall plantings. 

Farmers stayed busy the entire year. He would begin plowing and preparing the soil in February or March and plant in April or early May. He would spend the summer weeding and trying to keep the animals and pests out of the crops. Fall brought the harvest, and winter was spent willowing grains, making needed repairs, and perhaps spinning and weaving. Then it would all begin again. Sometimes, there would also be a fall planting and that made things even busier.

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Have You Been Made New?

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The Bible tells us once a person repents and accepts Christ as  Lord and Savior, they are made a new person. If you haven't been made new you won't be in heaven. This transformation comes from Christ, but the choice is up to you. Salvation is not about saying the right thing, doing the right thing, or being baptized. Salvation is about accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior, making Him the Lord of your life, and allowing Him to transform you.

So then because thou art  lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth (Revelation 3:16).

Too many people go through the motions to be a Christian, but they allow few if any changes, and they don't make Christ the Lord of their lives. They try to control everything themselves and usually try to achieve worldly success. In reality, they are some of those lukewarm "Christians" He will spew out. They are the ones who will hear, "Depart from me for I never knew you" because they were never really saved. They had no change of heart.

Trust in 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).

Our main goal as Christians should be to do God's will, not our own. We should seek His will instead of telling Him ours and expecting Him to do what we want. Knowing His will requires Bible study, prayer, being attuned to Him, and listening. The good news is that it's never too late to begin. Christ is the King of second chances, and renewal is an important biblical principle. Accept  Him into your life today if you have never done so. Rededicate yourself now if that's what you need. You will not regret it. The rewards are great.

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