A New You


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).

Do you need a makeover? I'm not talking about losing weight, a new hairstyle, or a better wardrobe. I'm talking about making changes where they really matter - in your spiritual life and in your relationship with God. Have you been putting Him first in your life, high above anything else? Have you completely surrendered?

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (Romans 12:1).

No matter where you are along your journey of faith, there's likely room for improvement. This will be true for as long as we remain in this world. We all need renewal from time to time because we have a sinful, selfish nature that we must battle, and we're made righteous only by God's grace through Christ.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

But we serve a loving God who's always ready to forgive a truly repentant heart. Once we accept Christ as our Savior, we have the Holy Spirit living within us to be our mentor and guide. We don't have to do any of this on our own. In fact, that would be impossible. All we have to do is turn to the One with unlimited power and ability, the One who specializes in the impossible. Let's make this the year that we truly give it all to God.

It can be a new beginning!

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Word Is Getting Out

I expected It All Started at the Masquerade to be released in November, but that didn't happen. Publishing was delayed, and it came out right before Christmas. I can't decide if this was a good or bad time to release it. I guess time will tell. The book is out now on Amazon, online stores, and bookstores can order them. I'm to get my copies on January 10th.

I like what I'm hearing about the book. Readers are telling me it might just be my best one yet. It is sort of a Beauty and the Beast story set in the eastern part of North Carolina in 1795. That was always my favorite fairy story. For more about the plot and characters see the blog for November 1, 2017, or go to Amazon. You can also read the beginning of the book there. Although I'm hearing lots of good comments about the book, no reviews are forthcoming. I don't know why my fans are so reluctant to leave reviews.

The novel was fun to write and gave me several surprises. When I conceived the idea, I had no idea the main characters would be from the wealthy class. I originally thought I might set it in Bath or Edenton, two of the earliest towns in North Carolina. However, I decided to set it closer to where I live because of the research needed, so I put it in the Winton and Colerain areas. But the main characters sail down the Chowan River to go to a masquerade ball in Edenton, and that starts the journey for Melanie and Lucas that will bring them to the conclusion.

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Christmas

Of course, Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus - the Son of God who came to earth, taught for three years, and then went to the cross as the ultimate sacrifice to save sinful man. The first recorded celebration of Christmas didn't occur until 336 A.D., and this was in Rome. Instead, the early church celebrated Easter as the main holiday.

No one knows why 4th-century church officials chose the date as December 25th, because the Bible doesn't give a date. Some suggest the actual date was more likely in the spring or summer, or else the shepherds wouldn't have been tending their flocks out in the fields. However, no one knows for sure.

Throughout history, the holiday has varied in popularity. In the United States, the early Pilgrims banned its celebration, deeming it too worldly. However, the settlers at Jamestown embraced it. Christmas didn't become a national holiday until 1870, although it was celebrated in the colonies and then the states much earlier. How do you celebrate the day?

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Shepherds Chosen

The next day John seeth Jesus coming to him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:27).

Shepherding is one of the oldest occupations in the Bible. Adam and Eve's son, Abel, was a shepherd. Other biblical shepherds include Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Moses, Amos, and David. It started over 5,000 years ago in Asia Minor; and sheep became a mainstay of the region, providing meat, dairy products, and wool.

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young (Isaiah 40:11).

At first, shepherds were respected. However, the Egyptians hated shepherds, and after 400 years of slavery in Egypt, this idea stuck with the Hebrews. After all, shepherds were rarely able to follow all the Jewish rules and regulations. For example, they couldn't properly keep the Sabbath and be out tending their flocks. The sheep depended too much on the shepherd for him to leave them, and he would usually have to travel beyond the forbidden distance on the Sabbath.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid (Luke 2: 8-9).

So by New Testament times, shepherds occupied the bottom rung of society, along with tax collectors and dung shovelers. Yet, shepherds are mentioned often in the Bible, and Jesus is called "The Good Shepherd." And it was to these lowly people that God chose to first announce the birth of His Son - the Messiah and our Savior. The angels appeared to the shepherds in their field and they hurried to see the Christ child for themselves and worship Him. Then they went about telling everyone they saw the glorious news: "For unto you is born in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord!" 

 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep (John 10:11).

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How Long Does it Take to Write a Book?

I make a conscious effort not to wince every time I'm asked the question, and it's actually the question I'm asked most often. I feel like answering, "Much too long," but I don't. I answer it quickly and hope to move on to other topics about my books or writing because I do love to talk about both.

I really have no idea the total number of hours I put into writing a book, and it's probably better I don't. In addition, the writing times vary so much for me. I can write quickly if I can find the time or just figure the actual contact hours. I wrote a 101,000-word rough draft in only three weeks because I had the block of time to give it. However, most of the time, I have too many starts and stops because of other obligations, and the weeks it takes me to finish the story stretches out. I don't think it's ever taken me more than three months to finish a rough draft, though.

The problem is that when the rough draft's done, the novel is still a long ways from being finished. The edits and rewrites are tedious and demanding. However, I like every step in the process. Writing is truly a labor of love for me, and the reward comes when readers tell me they love it, too.

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Woolly Worms, Fact and Folklore

A sure sign of fall and the impending winter is the woolly worm. Folklore says that the more black the woolly worms have on their bodies in the fall, the harsher the winter will be. The brown tells of a milder winter. This is especially watched in regions, like the Appalachians, but it's not limited to there. In fact, it can be found across the United States. 

The woolly worm's official name is the Banded Woolly Bear, and it's the larva of the Isabella Tiger Moth. The larva emerges from the egg in the fall. It survives the winter because it has a protective substance that allows it to be frozen and still live. When spring comes, it will pupate and come out as a moth. Then, it only has a few days to find its mate and for the female to lay eggs. Only in Arctic regions, the larvae might survive over more than one winter before turning into a moth. It feeds on many different types of plants.

I've talked with people who've kept records each year and vow that the woolly worms predict the severity of winters quite accurately. I haven't kept records, but I have noticed that the woolly worms in any given year do have similar amounts of black and brown. Could the folklore be true? If so, what does that mean for this winter?

The woolly worm is also celebrated. Banner Elk, NC, has a Woolly Worm Festival each year when the small town bulges with visitors to buy crafts, taste the food, run in races, and listen to music. Other woolly worm festivals occur in states like Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and New York. 

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The Legend of the Candy Cane

You may have heard the story of the candy cane, but it bears repeating. It's a good reminder of what Christmas is all about and provides an opportunity to share the good news of Christ with those around us.



Many years ago, a candy maker wanted to make something special for Christmas that would be a testimony to his Christian faith and symbolize Jesus. He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy, because he thought white would symbolize the virgin birth, and the hardness would remind everyone that Jesus could become their rock-solid foundation. He added red stripes to show the scourging, beating, and blood that Jesus shed for mankind.

The candy maker fashioned the stick of candy in the shape of a "J" to stand for "Jesus." If turned the other way, it also represents the Good Shepherd's staff that He uses to reach down into the ditches and ravines of the world to rescue those who call on Him.


Over time, the candy cane has lost much of its original meaning. Too many see it as nothing more than a sweet treat or a piece of decoration. But the sweetest part of all is when it is used to witness to the wonder of Jesus' great sacrifice and love.  

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).   


  

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