Chilling Words

The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish (Proverbs 10:28).

Isn't it amazing how the Bible often speaks to us and our times just as it did to the prophets and their times? All through the books of the prophets, such as Ezekiel, Amos, and Hosea, God gave warnings as to what would happen if His people didn't turn from their increasingly wicked ways and seek His righteousness. Many of these speak directly to our country and our world today.

"Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way . . ." (Hosea 10:13). How much does this address the situations we see around us today? How many lies are being perpetuated? How much wickedness is growing throughout society? Think of how much is accepted today that would never been tolerated in our grandparents' time. How many things do you see happening go against God and His Word?

It concerns me that more Christians aren't taking a bold stand against sin and wickedness and declaring God's truths. But if each of us would do that in our own lives, in our own families, we could make a difference. We need to make sure we are bringing up a new generation that will love, worship, and follow God. We need to be Christ-centered, Christ-focused followers no matter what is going on around us. Let's stand solidly on our Rock.

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Instead of a Newsletter

Most writers have a newsletter they send out periodically to inform readers of new books or what's happening, but I've never established one. Instead, I've chosen to share the same information through blogging and social media posts. I began doing this and haven't changed the method since it seems to be working well for me. Besides, I've become so busy with my writing I haven't wanted to add another task.

Readers often delete newsletters without reading them, especially if they're pushed for time. I know because I do the same thing. On social media, they are more likely to be exposed to a graphic with preliminary information, even if they don't choose to read about it. And, by the number of likes and reactions I get, many do choose to read them. Plus, social media picks up new readers more easily than newsletters do.

I post information about my books, writing, and me as an author on my author Facebook page, Reflections - Author Janice Cole Hopkins. You'll also find my blogs there as well as on other appropriate pages. I have over a thousand followers on this page, and many are avid fans. I appreciate these people tremendously. Their support and encouragement keep me writing. 

Link to my author's Facebook page   (Please like or follow.)

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Fly as an Eagle

For thus saith the Lord; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings... (Jeremiah 48:40).

The eagle is a large bird with an expansive wingspan, and they make big nests to accommodate their young. The babies are born with wings, but they have to learn to use them. When the time is right, the mother pushes a baby out of the nest, knowing it's going to fall. However, she swoops beneath it, catches it on one of her wings, and carries it back to safety. She continues to do this again and again until it learns to fly. The eagle is a powerful flyer. It can fly about 45 mph when soaring and reaches speeds of 75 - 100 mph when diving, but it has to be trained to fly.

Christians get their spiritual wings at rebirth, but they need training in how to use them. The Lord puts us into situations where, although we might fall a few times, we'll learn. While we're learning, our confidence might falter, we might feel helpless at times, and we may grow tired, but God never leaves us. He'll spread His arms to catch us when we fall and stand with us to give us His strength when we need it.

Even though the young eaglets don't like leaving the security of their nests, their mother knows it's best for them. As we learn to depend on God, Christians learn that He has their best interests at heart. The more we allow Him to take over our lives, the more our trust in Him will grow, and the more we'll see His work in us, through us, and all about us. Step out in faith, and let God show you what great things He'll do.

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up on wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).

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The Book That Didn't Want to End

Because I write character-driven novels and don't do a lot of pre-plotting on paper, I can't always tell when my books will end. Recent ones are generally running between eighteen and twenty-one chapters. However, the last manuscript I finished became more uncertain than most.  Set in the West, I had no idea where or when Grandmother's Match for Garrett in the Grandmother Knows Best series would end.

As I continued to write, I kept expecting to draw near to finishing, but the conclusion never came. I don't remember this ever happening before. Normally, my books come to a natural end, and that's what I wanted for this one. However, every time I thought it was getting to a good place to conclude it, I saw another loose end that needed tying up. But I finally did get to a place where I could end things without dropping any threads. And no, it didn't turn out to be unusually long.

Another very unusual thing is that I didn't know how the book would conclude until the last moment. Typically, I know how the story will end by the time I start writing, and then I write the story to get there. In this novel, Wren had a choice to make, and I didn't know which way she would choose. Because of the genre of the book, I almost wish she'd made the other choice, but her decision made the best sense, so I went with it. I hope you'll want to read how all this plays out. It will be on preorder soon and out on January 16.

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Jars of Clay

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us (2 Corinthians 4:6-7).

We know we're imperfect, flawed people in a fallen world. Paul calls us "earthen vessels". Isaiah talks about the potsherd striving with the clay (see Isaiah 45:9). Others have referred to humanity as jars or pots of clay. In fact, Genesis 2:7 tells us that God made man from "the dust of the ground," the same place we get clay.

But clay vessels are fragile and easily broken. However, if we have Jesus' light within us, He can shine His light into the world even better from a cracked, chipped container. He can use our brokenness for good if we let Him. We can be more understanding of other broken people, and extend His grace and love to them. We can help pull them to Him. Through our brokenness, He can show His power and glory for we realize the strength within us is not our own.

In biblical times, what gave a clay jar its value wasn't the vessel itself but what it contained. We are precious to Jesus; He gave His life that we might live with Him in eternity. He loves us unconditionally and sees our potential. When we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, He comes to live inside us in the form of the Holy Spirit. We are His treasures inside jars of clay.

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 Reading Reviews

I've heard some authors say they never read their reviews. That's not true for me because I read every one, often more than once. I want to improve my writing, and knowing what readers think helps. I can't imagine why other authors wouldn't feel the same. I wish more readers would write reviews instead of just rating them. 

Recently, I had a reviewer say my book left her feeling encouraged. That's one of my goals with all my books. By the time readers finish a novel, I want them to be uplifted, inspired, and encouraged. I've read books that left me with a bad feeling, and I don't want that. I read for entertainment, and I want a happy ending. I think readers deserve to have a brighter day after reading one of my books.

Perhaps more readers would leave reviews if they knew how important they are. I buy books, in large part, based on the reviews as do most readers. Amazon also gives more promotion time to books with more reviews, and the reviews don't have to be long. Just write what you think. Two or three sentences are fine, and they reward the author for a good book you enjoyed.

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 Matters of the Heart

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23).

Jesus taught that matters of the heart, our attitudes, are more important than trying to keep a long list of rules. The Pharisees tried to be rule-keepers, and it didn't work. Jesus had to come to earth and die on a cross as our sacrifice because we couldn't keep the Law without breaking some part of it. Being a Christian is more about having a loving relationship with Jesus and letting Him be our Guide.

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17).

Jesus presented a new way of keeping the faith. We're to allow Him to come into our lives and change us. Having a changed heart will lead to a changed life, but we can't do this without Jesus as our Lord and Savior. It's not about keeping the rules but about an intimate, personal, relationship with our Creator. It's about wanting to please Him more than anyone else, not for what might be in it for us but because we love Him above all else. He's the top priority in our lives.

Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven (Matthew 7:21).

Too many people try asking Jesus to be their Savior without changing or allowing Him to be their Lord. They might call themselves Christians, but they don't really belong to Him. On Judgment Day, He'll say, "Depart from Me. I never knew you." Where do you stand with Jesus? It's not too late to make changes. You just need to be willing and surrender. Jesus does all the work, and His grace will give you a fresh start.

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