The Promised Land 

The Promised Land was the geographic location that God promised Abraham He would give to his descendants. It was an area in ancient Canaan on the eastern side of the Mediterranean Sea. Numbers 34:1-12 gives more details about the location. Prior to going to Egypt and then eventually becoming slaves there, the Jews had been nomads, wandering sheepherders. 

Having the land as a permanent possession was a real blessing to the Israelites. Here they could build solid homes and have inheritances to leave to their children. However, this blessing came with responsibilities. God told them in order to keep the land they needed to trust and follow Him, being faithful and worshipping nothing else. He would not bless those who turned to idolatry.

God kept all His promises, but through the years, Israel did not. When they fell away from God and into idol worship, God sent prophets to point out their failures and lead them back to God. If that didn't work, they often succumb to conquering armies. But the greatest promise was fulfilled when Jesus Christ went to the cross to offer us salvation and a relationship with God that sin had severed. We have the greatest promise of all to offer us an eternal, glorious home.

Our society today is more like the wayward Israelites than we'd like to admit. We turn from our Maker who offers us marvelous promises for the asking. We worship idols (ourselves, wealth, power, success, or a myriad of other things) other than the only One who deserves any worship at all. We allow Satan to lead us astray with his lies and deceit. But God gives us every opportunity to change and choose Him above all else. He wants us to come home to Him and our true Promised Land.

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Returning Neighbor Audible

The fourth book in the Cactus Creek series is now available on Audible. In the book, Laura Holt goes home to Cactus Creek to care for her ailing father whose health is failing after years of drinking. She's longed for her desert home for fourteen years. To her surprise, her childhood infatuation with Logan King has not faded as much as she'd thought. But Logan is struggling with problems of his own after losing his first wife in a fire, and her father is pushing her to marry the saloon owner she'd rather avoid. Soon, Laura finds herself going to her favorite fishing spot to find peace, but it's still Logan's favorite spot, too.

Again, my dual team does an excellent job of narrating the novel. I knew when I started to put this series on Audible that I'd need to do something different with so many characters in this five-book series. It was unrealistic to expect any one producer to vary his or her voice that much. Douglas Birk and Jennifer Groberg, who have recorded other books for me, have teamed up on this series to bring the characters to life. Listeners are telling me that they really enjoy the dual narration.

The team is already scheduled to produce the last book in the series, Southern Belles, and should begin work in the next few days. I hate to see this series come to an end. However, I have another five-book series (Idioms & Cliches) scheduled for next year. The generations in this one are more spread out, and it will likely require a different narrator for every book since each one is set in a different location with different characters. They are all written but not yet completely edited. At least my fans and I have something to look forward to.

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The Walls of Jericho 

(See Joshua 6)

Jericho was one of the first strongholds the Israelites needed to conquer in order to possess the land across the Jordan River that God promised to them. The city was one of the oldest settlements, dating back to 9,000 B.C., and it had the oldest wall in the world built for protection that we know of. Nearby springs made it appealing -- an oasis in the desert area. 

In the early settlement, the wall around Jericho was almost twelve feet high and six feet thick at its base. It had a twenty-eight-foot tower that was thirty feet wide at ground level and surrounded more than seventy homes. However, the city was abandoned several times and later reestablished. The Amorites had it in 2,600 B.C., and the Canaanites occupied it in 1,900 B.C. It was destroyed by an earthquake and fire in 1573 B.C., but again, it was rebuilt.

The Israelites came to Jericho around 1400 B.C. Two spies were aided by Rahab, a harlot, and escaped capture. The Israelites followed God's directions through Joshua and marched around the wall for seven days carrying the Ark of the Covenant. On the seventh day, they blew their trumpets made from rams' horns, called shofars, and shouted. The walls fell, and the city was taken. Rahab and her family were saved and taken into the Hebrew culture.

There are many lessons from what happened at Jericho. God can break down the strongest walls. Our God is a God of miracles, things often turn out for the best when we follow God's plan, no person is beyond God's reach, and anyone can put aside his or her old life and enter into a meaningful new life through faith. How great is our God!

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A Comedy of Elopement

The Greatest of These Publishing has released another book by Christian Reid. A Comedy of Elopement is set in Florida and Italy. In it, Fanny Berrien sends her younger cousin to tell Lennox Kyrle she won't elope with him as promised and sets off a series of events that none of them could have anticipated. These situations begin at once and continue, reaching all the way to Italy when Fanny, Aimee, and Lennox meet in Venice, along with a greedy family bent on causing trouble.

This delightful nineteenth-century novel is reminiscent of Charlotte Bronte, Louisa May Alcott, Jane Austen, and other authors of this period.  However, it has a charm all its own. Christian Reid is a pen name for Frances Fisher Tierman, an American author who penned more than fifty novels. She was a native of North Carolina but also lived in New York and Mexico for a while.

This edition is very lightly revised to appeal to a wider inspirational audience. However, much of the text reads just as it was originally published. It is available now in print and Kindle editions, and work on the Audible edition is underway. I think it will touch readers' hearts the way it has touched mine, and I'm glad to be able to share it with readers that may not know of this gifted writer.

Get it at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Comedy-Elopement-Revised-Christian-Reid-ebook/dp/B09J5F1QXR

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 Crossing Jordan

Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession (Deuteronomy 32:49).

Can you imagine the excitement as the children of Israel stood on the mountain and looked down on the Jordan River and the land they'd been promised just beyond? They'd spent forty long years in their journey, and all those over twenty years of age when they left Egypt had died because of their hard-hearted disobedience, except for three people, Moses, Joshua, and Caleb. Now those left were about to possess that land "flowing with milk and honey" their forefathers had lived in -- Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jacob's sons (the heads of the twelve tribes).

Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel (Deuteronomy 32:52).

Because in a moment of weakness and anger, Moses had disobeyed God, he would not be allowed to cross the Jordan with his people, but he would watch them from Mount Nebo. By now, he was a very old man and near the end of his life. He had fulfilled his purpose, freed the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, and brought them to this promised land.

And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan (Joshua 3:17).

In a miracle reminiscent of the parting of the Red Sea as the Israelites began their journey, the Jordan River parted, so they could walk across on the dry riverbed. The Ark of the Covenant led the way, symbolizing how we should always follow God. The men carrying the ark stood in the middle of the river until the last person made it safely to the other side. Then, they carried the ark over. As soon as they stepped up the banks, the river resumed its swift flow, driven by the melting snows in the mountains.

Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers, Abrahan, Isaac, and Jacob,  to give unto them and to their seed after them (Deuteronomy 1:8).

Although the Israelites had come home, their struggles hadn't ended. They would need to take back the land from the people who had taken possession of it. But as long as God's people followed Him they would be victorious. It was only when they tried to do it their way or on their own that they got into trouble. That teaches important lessons all of us need.

(Above photo credit  - By Davidbena - https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=89266504)

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Series Take Over

Although I've published plenty of both, to date, I've published seven series and nine standalone so far. Those seven series have twenty-five books among them. In fact, the first four books I published were part of my Appalachian Roots series and remain popular. Here's what I've published so far:

The Appalachian Roots series -

Cleared for Planting – book one

Sown in Dark Soil – book two

Uprooted by War – book three

Transplanted to Red Clay – book four

(Slight connection but not a series or sequel) -

When Winter Is Past

With Summer’s Songs

The Farmers trilogy -

Promise – book one

Peace – book two

Pardon – book three

 

Standalones –

Mountain Mishap

It All Started at the Masquerade

Deceitful Matters

On the Road to Jericho (nonfiction)

Through the Wilderness

Unexpected

From the Top of the Mountain to the Bottom of the Sea (nonfiction)

Maneuvers

Buy the Book

In from the Storms Trilogy –

Mountain Storms

Past Storms

Dust Storms

 

Time-Told Tales –

Time Told Tales, Volume One (print and audible only)

Roselyn’s Rescue (Kindle only)

Glenda’s Gold (Kindle only)

Time-Told Tales, Volume Two (print and audible only)

Patricia’s Prison (Kindle only)

Jack’s Jewel (Kindle only)

 

Another Chance –

Off the Streets

Without a Dream

Cactus Creek –

Second-Choice Bride

Sterling Orphans

Poor Relation

Returning Neighbor

Southern Belles

Old-Timey Holiday Kitchen (MAP) –

Walnut Cake for Wylene

(Forget-Me-Not Cookies by Fern - coming later)

I am now to the place that I'm able to plan far ahead. I have a five-book series coming out in 2022, plus two books that will be part of a multiple-author project where several authors write one or more of the books in a large series. In 2023, I have two or three more MAPS, a standalone western, and a three-book series that moves to the West. 2024 will begin with a MAP, but then, I'm not sure. I have a list of ideas and even some book covers for them, but they're not firmed up enough to be sure when I'll bring them to life. 2022 is set, but there could be some slight changes in the other schedules. 

However, the series seem to be taking over. Readers tell me they prefer them, and I enjoy writing them. The books flow from one naturally into the others to get the stories told, usually of a family and sometimes of generations. Still, each of my books has a definite ending, so any of them can be read as standalones. But to get the full story, you'll need to read them all, and you should read them in order if you get more than one. Any way I look at it, my writing future looks good, and I'm excited about what's coming.

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Joshua

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest (Joshua 1:9).

Joshua began his life as a slave in Egypt and left when the onslaught of plagues eventually convinced Pharoah to let the Israelites go. He stubbornly put his trust in God through all circumstances and kept his focus on God and not on the situations. 

And Joshua the son of Num, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land (Numbers 14:5-7).

He was one of the twelve spies Moses sent out to assess the land of Canaan and bring back reports. Ten of the spies came back with negative reports, telling of a land filled with giants and people who were too strong to fight against. Only Joshua and Caleb supported entering the land, believing that God would be with them.

Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it (Numbers 14:22-23).

Most of the Israelites sided with the ten naysayers, and there was a movement to elect new leaders and go back to Egypt. Because of this, they would wander in the wilderness for forty years until all of the hard-hearted, unbelieving generation died. From that generation, only Joshua and Caleb would enter the Promised Land.

And the Lord said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thing hand upon him (Numbers 27:28).

Joshua became Moses' second in command and took over when Moses died. When needed, he led the Israelites into battle. His strong faith has stood as a testimony to many generations. Today, we need to learn these lessons -- to stand firm in our faith, knowing that God can handle any situation, keeping our focus on Him, and trusting in Him to do what's best.

. . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15c).

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Christian Reid

Christian Reid was a prolific novelist in the 1800s. Her real name was Frances Fisher Tierman, but she chose to use a male pen name during a time when women writers weren't as readily accepted. She writes much in the style of other 19th century authors, such as Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë, but she writes Christian romance. Perhaps that's one reason many readers aren't as familiar with her.

Her books often have a theme. For example, Fairy Gold teaches that wealth and worldly pursuits never have lasting value and don't satisfy. A Comedy of Elopement shows that honesty and integrity are more important than what others think. In all of them, love as the Bible teaches is an enduring theme to be sought and treasured. Although she never considered herself a poet, Frances wrote some poetry for her own benefit and to practice finding exact words as many authors do today. Some of her poems were also published.

Fairy Gold - https://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Gold-revised-Christian-Reid-ebook/dp/B083PMQ586

Frances Fisher grew up in Salisbury, North Carolina, and published about 50 novels. She considered Morton House, published serially in a magazine, her favorite. She married James Tierman of Maryland and accompanied him to Mexico where he had business interests. Two of her novels are set there. When she became a widow after 11 years of marriage, she lived in New York City for a while but eventually moved back to Salisbury to live in her family home.

The Greatest of These Publishing (referring to 1 Corinthians 13:13) has published two of her books, Fairy Gold and A Comedy of Elopement. They've revised them to make them appeal to a larger Christian audience instead of a particular denomination but left the books much as she published them otherwise. Fairy Gold is available on Amazon in print, Kindle, or audible formats, and A Comedy of Elopement will release in two weeks in print and Kindle editions. Audible will follow soon. Check them out.

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