The Breastplate of Righteousness

. . . having on the breastplate of righteousness" (Ephesians 6:14b).

A Roman soldier wore a sleeveless piece of armor that covered his front chest and his back like a full vest. It could be made of leather, metal, or chainmail. This part of the armor protected many of his vital organs, such as the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, stomach, and intestines.

The breastplate of righteousness refers to the righteousness of Christ. We take on His righteousness when we accept Him as our Savior. In essence, we trade our sinfulness for his righteousness. We can do nothing to save ourselves other than accept Christ and submit to Him. We are saved by grace as a free gift from God. And when we allow Him to, the Holy Spirit will help us make righteous choices in our daily lives.

This breastplate also represents guarding our minds and emotions against sinful thoughts and feelings. In Hebrew culture, the heart represented a person's mind and will. The guts or intestines stood for the emotional side of a person. When we put on the breastplate of righteousness, it will protect both. We can hardly live a Christian life without it. So, let's make sure we have our breastplates of righteousness in place as we start off the New Year.

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Publishing Plans for 2022

I have my tentative writing/publishing plans done for the next two years, through 2024. However, as I well know, some of these are likely to change along the way. For now, I just want to share my plans for the coming year with you. Because I will be doing another five-book series and there will be two MAPS (multiple-author projects), I don't expect these plans to vary much. 

From February through August, I will be publishing the Idioms and Cliches series: A Bird in the Hand, Going the Extra Mile, A Few Bumps in the Road, Got Your Goat, and Taking Stock. A Bird in the Hand, the first book in the series, is set in Colonial Pennsylvania and is already available on preorder (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09JWMLYSP). Going the Extra Mile is about the first couple's grandson who gets caught in a blizzard in the Appalachian Mountains. In A Few Bumps in the Road, Judith and Robbie, children from the couple in Going the Extra Mile, move to Kansas for Judith to become a mail-order bride. Robbie becomes the main character in Got Your Goat when he goes home with his friend from the Civil War and meets Emily Rose Howard in the Appalachians. His granddaughter marries a lawyer and moves to Washington, DC, until the Great Depression hits, and they're forced to return to the Appalachian Mountains in Taking Stock.

My second MAP novel is scheduled to release on October 25, 2022. Forget-Me-Not-Cookies by Fern is another book in the Old-Timey Holiday Kitchen series. This one is set in Big Lick, North Carolina, in 1898. I enjoyed writing and publishing Walnut Cake by Wylene in 2021 with this group of authors so much that I decided to also join their project for 2022. Then, on December 12, 2022, I will publish my third MAP, Candace, in the Runaway Bride series. Candace Joyner runs away from the unscrupulous man she's supposed to marry and ends up spending the winter in the Rocky Mountains. Watch for more about this book and series, including the cover reveal, at a later time.

I have the rough drafts of all these books already written, and they're moving through the editing process. The covers are also ready, but I'll need to wait for the go-ahead to show those in the MAPS. I am considering the idea of publishing one more book in September before Forget-Me-Not-Cookies by Fern comes out in October. Both the Old-Timey Holiday Kitchen series and the Runaway Bride series have a September slot open right now, and I'm not sure which one I would prefer. I'll make that decision soon. I like working ahead like this. It gives me plenty of time to tweak the stories as needed, and I never have to push to meet a deadline. It makes the writing even more fun for me.

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 Shod with the Gospel of Peace

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 6:9).

Peace is highly valued on earth and in heaven. This is why Christians should be shod with the gospel of peace, so they spread it wherever they go. Luke tells us in 2:13-14,  ^"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." When the angels appeared to the shepherds, they spoke of peace on earth. In fact, Isaiah called Christ the "Prince of Peace" when he foretold of His coming in 9:6. Jesus came into the world to bring us a way for salvation, and it's only through Him that we can find true, lasting peace.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3).

For the Roman soldier Paul talks about in Ephesians 6, his footwear was crucial, and without it, he wouldn't be able to carry out his duties. Soldiers normally wore a type of toeless boot with spikes on the bottom for better traction in slippery places or on steep inclines.  Having peace in our hearts will keep us from sliding into sinful reactions when the path gets rough.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).

We both need to be at peace with God and to have the peace of God before we can spread it to others. This is where we find our joy. "Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy" (Proverbs 12:20). Hebrews 12:14 tells us that without peace, no man shall see God, and Matthew recorded Jesus saying, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God (5:9). This is one of the reasons Jesus came to earth to be born in a manger all those years ago. As our Savior, He is our peace, and He wants us to help others find that special peace that passes all understanding.

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 A Slight Change of Plans

In my last blog of 2020, I wrote about my writing plans for 2021. At that time, I planned to finish the Cactus Creek, New Mexico, series of five books: Second-Choice Bride, Sterling Orphans, Poor Relation, Returning Neighbor, and Southern Belles, and then finish with a Christmas book, The Sweetest Christmas. For the first time, I had a whole year planned out in advance for my writing and publishing.

I did finish the Cactus Creek series as planned. I also published the book I had planned for Christmas, but it changed from what I had originally thought. That change came through a MAP (multiple-author project). A new opportunity came when I had the chance to join a team of authors in the Old-Timey Holiday Kitchen series. Each author would write one or more novels in the series. The guidelines said it must be historical, set around the holidays, and feature a food with the recipe coming at the end of the book. Guess what? I had the manuscript already written.

Yes, The Sweetest Christmas fit all that criteria. I only had to change the main character's name from Alana to Wylene to conform with the pattern of the titles and include my Mom's walnut cake recipe at the end. Therefore, The Sweetest Christmas became Walnut Cake for Wylene. I saw the fact that this completed manuscript fit the project so perfectly as a good indication that I should join this project, and I've been very happy I did. Walnut Cake for Wylene was fun to write, has been very well-received, and quickly became one of my best-sellers. It's available in Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, print, and Audible. You can get your copy from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0964JF3P9.

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 The Belt of Truth

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth. . . (Ephesians 6:14a).

The Roman soldier had a loose tunic under his armor. He used a wide leather belt to gather it to his waist and hold his sword, etc. The belt was actually the first part of the armor to be put on. In a way, it held everything else together. Without it, the soldiers were not ready to stand and fight. 

In much the same way, truth is vital when Christians are faced with spiritual battles. The belt of truth accepts Christ with total commitment and zeal. Knowing the truth of who He is changes everything. "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). You know the truth by studying God's Word and relying on the Holy Spirit. But knowing the truth is just the start. We must live it out in our lives. To be satisfied with a half-hearted, lukewarm faith is not to be armed with the belt of truth. We must seek it, cherish it, and make it ours.

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A Comedy of Elopement Audible 

A Comedy of Elopement is now out on Audible. Set in Florida and Italy, 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 continue, reaching all the way to Italy when Fanny, Aimee, and Lennox meet in Venice, along with a greedy family bent on causing trouble.

Link to A Comedy of Elopement Audible - https://www.audible.com/pd/A-Comedy-of-Elopement-Audiobook/B09NC9G1NV

Written by Christian Reid in the 1800s, this delightful 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.

I have a new narrator on board for the Audible version, and I think you'll be as impressed as I am. Shelby Evanoika is a veteran stage performer from Colorado. She has been in countless productions, including plays by Neil Simon and Shakespeare. She began opera training at the age of twelve and has spent much time in musical theater. Wait until you hear her sing the song Lennox performs for Aimee in the book. This may be her first audiobook, but she handles it like the pro she is. She says she looks forward to recording many more, and I certainly do, too.

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The Shield of Faith

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked (Ephesians 6:16).

The Roman soldier often carried a large shield almost two and a half feet wide and four and a half feet high. It was designed to protect as much of the soldier's body as possible. Being made of wood and covered in either metal or leather, it wasn't lightweight. The soldier would also commonly dip it in water before battle to further protect from flaming arrows.

Our enemies also use hot arrows, such as criticism, lies, anger, fear, doubt, depression, greed, lust, and every other problem or temptation. However, the shield of faith will deflect all these because our true Protector is God Himself. We must trust in Him and run to Him when problems come our way, when life is wonderful, and at all times in between.

God has also given us the body of Christ, a church congregation, to have our backs. In early Roman times, a line of soldiers could interlock their shields, forming a solid wall, and march toward the enemy. We, too, can present a united front. We have the Holy Spirit and other Christians with us. God never intended for us to be in this battle alone. 

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 It's Here!

Walnut Cake by Wylene has just been released on Amazon. This was a fun book to write, and I feel readers will like it just as much. In the book, Jackson Young brings the woman he wants to marry home to Kentucky to meet his parents, but Helen doesn't act like the same woman he knows away from Boston. He's stunned by her selfish ways, snobbish attitude, and shrewish behavior. As he reacquaints with people he hasn't seen in five years,  he notices Wylene Ward, the girl he saved from a group of bullies when they were in school. She's turned into an attractive, caring woman who bakes the best walnut cake in the world. Suddenly Jackson finds himself courting one woman but thinking about another. How can he find a resolution and a position as a new lawyer? Will it be in Boston as he had originally planned or in Green Knoll, Kentucky, the place that still feels like home?

Link - https://www.amazon.com/Walnut-Cake-Wylene-Holiday-Kitchen-ebook/dp/B0964JF3P9

And for the first time ever, I've managed to get all three versions of the book (the ebook, print, and audible) to release at the same time. I have a new narrator for the audible version. Well, James R. Cheatham is new to my books, but he's not new to the field. He already has 92 audiobooks to his credit. The novel has already gathered a lot of interest, and the preorders have gone great. In addition, it is quickly rising on Amazon's rankings, and I expect it to be near the top soon. I'll be ordering my copies to send out to all my fans who buy directly from me as soon as I can. Perhaps you can sense how excited I am about this book.

I especially like the opening chapter when Wylene and Jackson are still in school before it jumps ahead to them as adults in Chapter Two. Wylene touches my heart in this scene. Here is  an excerpt:

Wylene Ward squeezed her eyes shut and wished she could close her ears.

“Sugar! Sugar! Give us some sugar,” the older boys taunted. Their laughter rumbled around her after each comment.

She didn’t look to see who said what. She wished she could run away, but they had her cornered.

“Show us your sugar sacks, sweet thang.”

She grimaced, and fear coursed through her as she listened to them move closer. They wouldn’t pull up her dress, would they?

“Go away. Leave me alone.” The words came out weak and shaky instead of commanding and firm the way she wanted.

How did they even know her mother had made her drawers from sugar sacks? The ones she had on were new, and the washing and scrubbing hadn’t bleached the black lettering from the cloth yet.

But she knew the answer as soon as the question ran through her mind. The stairs. The older students went to classes on the second floor of the schoolhouse, and the younger students sometimes played games on the outside steps designed as an escape in case of fire. Someone had no doubt hidden in the shadows beneath the open steps to look up the girls’ dresses.

When she sensed someone close enough to feel his breath upon her neck, she opened her eyes. She didn’t take time to figure out what he intended to do but opened her mouth to scream when hands jerked the bully away from her. She looked into the face of Jackson Young.

“What do you think you are doing picking on a young girl like this?” Jackson shook the bully a little with each phrase he spoke. “What is wrong with you?” The other boys had run for their lives, but Jackson held this one with a firm grip.

“We didn’t mean nothing by it, Jackson.” The boy almost whined. “We were just having a little fun.”

“And you think harassing a young girl is fun?” Jackson sounded completely disgusted. “You need to adjust your way of thinking, and if you bother Wylene or anyone like this again, I’ll give you an adjustment you won’t forget.”

Wylene almost gasped. Jackson knew her name. Did he remember her?

“Do you understand me?” Jackson gave the boy another good shake as if he could shake the answer from him.

“Yes, I understand.”

Jackson looked as if he didn’t think that answered his question thoroughly, but he gave a decisive nod. “See that you don’t bother her again.”

He gave the bully a shove, and the boy took off running.

Jackson turned to her. “Are you all right?” The softness in his voice brought tears to her eyes.

Ugh. She hadn’t cried at all during the harassment, but now that it had ended, the tears flowed down her face. She didn’t want to cry in front of Jackson. At fifteen, he had the respect of teachers and students alike – unlike her. At ten, Wylene didn’t get much respect because her father had been killed in the war, and she and her mother barely scraped by. They were too poor to matter to most people.

“Ah, don’t cry.” Jackson kneeled beside her and wrapped her in his arms. “It’s going to be all right. I’ll see that no one bothers you again. Once it gets out that I took up for you, I’m hoping that no one will dare mistreat you.”

She burst into sobs and cried even more because it embarrassed her to be crying on Jackson’s shoulder. He held her gently and stroked her back as he tried to comfort her.

She wanted to stay in his arms forever, but she knew she couldn’t. She pulled back, hoping the water from her tears would disguise what ran from her nose.

“Here.” He gave her a tender smile as he handed her his handkerchief. “You keep that in case you need it later. I don’t need it back.”

“T-thank you.” She wished she had more words to tell him how much she appreciated his help. She wanted some eloquent, fancy words to let him know the emotions that warmed her heart, but she couldn’t locate any.

“You know, some people are jealous of you.”

“Of me?” She looked down at her faded, worn dress. What did he mean?

“I see you in church now and then, and I saw you in the schoolwide spelling bee. You’re a smart little thing – much smarter than most. I expect you’ll do great things when you grow up. Now, you’d better go. Your class has already gone inside.”

She nodded and turned to go, although she didn’t run the way she should have. Instead, she had to fight with her feet to get them to move in the right direction when they wanted to follow Jackson.

She didn’t look behind her because that would make leaving his side even more difficult. He’d made her feel so safe and protected in his arms, even more so than when Mama held her. Jackson Young had just become her hero.

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The Helmet of Salvation

And take the helmet of salvation... (Ephesians 6:17a).

The Roman soldier's helmet in Paul's day protected most of the head. It usually had a part that protected the forehead, extensions that covered the cheeks, a section that dropped in the back to shield the neck, and the main covering over the top of the head. Basically, only the eyes, nose, and mouth remained exposed. The metal helmets were heavy and therefore lined with sponges or felt to make them fit more comfortably. Not many weapons could penetrate such a helmet -- just perhaps hammers or axes.

Capping off a Christian's armor, Paul places the helmet of salvation in the topmost position on the head. Salvation is the first thing a Christian needs to serve the Lord. In battles, the enemy often attacks the head. The helmet of salvation should represent assurance to a Christian and help him or her remain strong. And after we accept this salvation, it's important we let others know of our Lord's free gift to them if they'll just open their hearts to Him. It's the main reason He came to earth all those years ago. Because we know God's people will win in the end and have a glorious, eternal future awaiting, we can carry on with confidence.

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