Janice Cole Hopkins's Blog, page 6

How to find ContentmentContentment is a good indication o...

How to find Contentment

Contentment is a good indication of how strong our faith is, how close we live to God, and how much we trust in Him. Do you really believe that God works all things for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose? Do you live knowing that, since God is for you, your enemies don't stand a chance? Do you know that He loves you beyond comprehension and that He wants the very best for you?

If you understand all these things, you will be content. By focusing on heavenly things more than worldly things and surrendering everything to God, you prevent worry and are able to live a joyous life, no matter the circumstances. You'll join Paul and be content in whatever state you find yourself.

As we age, we realize how brief this earthly life is, and we look forward to eternity with Christ. This life becomes less important and the next one more so. As Thomas Watson wrote, "In just a little while, we will be with Christ, bathing ourselves in the fountain of love. We will never complain of needs and injuries anymore. Our cross may be heavy, but one glimpse of Christ will make us forget all our former sorrows."

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The Livery in Western TownsThe livery was an essential p...

 The Livery in Western Towns

The livery was an essential part of old Western towns. They rented horses, wagons, and carriages and boarded horses for those without a stable or barn or just passing through. A few were attached to hotels or boarding houses, but many were separately owned businesses. It wasn't until the automobile became common that liveries declined.

1880 Town in Midland, South Dakota, like most Western towns, had a livery. A privately owned business, it had a stable section for horses as well as wheeled vehicles, including wagons and different kinds of carriages. I can imagine the liveryman in an active town stayed busy and worked long hours.

Liveries have appeared in several of my novels. In Carmen's Wedding Dilemma , the hero owns a livery. When Holden goes to a horse ranch to buy some new horses for his business, he meets Carmen, who has a Spanish and secret gypsy heritage. You can imagine some of the problems that ensue, especially with his prejudiced mother. It has a 4.9-star rating on Amazon. Check it out.____________________

From Hosanna to Crucify HimOn the next day much people t...

 From Hosanna to Crucify Him

On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord (John 12:12-13).

"Hosanna" is a word of praise, joy, and adoration. It's what the crowds lined up and shouted as Jesus entered Jerusalem after His teaching trip through Jericho and into the city. At that moment, they were filled with awe, reverence, and hope, but they didn't hold onto those emotions.

About five days later, many who had welcomed Jesus with such exuberance now shouted at Pontius Pilate to "Crucify Him!" Of course, they now had Pharisees and enemies of Jesus among them leading the condemnation. Many were apparently crowd-followers. But whatever the reason, they now asked for His crucifixion. 

Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. But they cried saying, Crucify him, crucify him (Luke 23:20-21).

Too many Christians do something similar. When they first come to the saving knowledge of Jesus and are baptized, they are enthusiastic about their faith, and their joy is evident. However, a few years later, their passion has waned, and they've become stagnant when they need to keep growing in their faith. They no longer put the Lord first in their lives. A worldly focus and carnal things are creeping back in. As the Ephesian church in Revelation, they have forgotten their first love.

Spring is a time of new beginnings. Easter is a good time to remember what Jesus did for us and His great sacrifice on the cross. It's a good time to renew our faith and commit to putting Him first in our lives -- far above everything else. He is and should be the most important thing. Let's make it so.

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The Telegraph in Western TownsThe telegraph brought a mu...

 The Telegraph in Western Towns

The telegraph brought a much-needed form of communication to the West. It enabled them to get in touch with those across the country much faster and easier than ever before. Samuel Morse sent the first message by telegraph on May 24, 1844, proving that it could be done. On October 24, 1861, the wires connected the entire country. However, this contributed to the demise of the short-lived Pony Express.

The service could be expensive. Senders tried to keep their telegrams short because they paid according to the length of the message. In 1880, a short message would cost from twenty-five cents to a dollar. A dollar in 1880 would equal around thirty-one dollars today in spending power. If the message was long, the expense could mount up quickly.

1880 Town in Midland, South Dakota, had a Western Union office so close to the train station that it almost seemed an extension of it. Businesses and law enforcement often relied on telegraphs, as well as citizens with a need to contact someone fast. Remarkably, considering the proliferation of telephones, Western Union didn't close its last office until January 27, 2006. 

In my upcoming novel in the Westward Home and Hearts series, Morrow's Mishaps, Morrow uses the telegraph when she needs to communicate with the matchmaker and then with her intended. She found the service invaluable to making quick plans and not having to wait the weeks it would take to send a letter and get a reply. Morrow's Mishaps won't publish until November, but in the meantime, check out my two other books in the series. Willa's Woes published in January, and Daphne's Determination will be released in July and is on preorder now.

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Why Did Peter Deny Jesus?Read Matthew 26:47-75.I believe...

 Why Did Peter Deny Jesus?

Read Matthew 26:47-75.

I believe one of the main reasons Peter denied Jesus was that, at the time, he wasn't in Christ's presence. As a result, Peter put his focus on the circumstances and began worrying about whether he would be arrested and tried too. Just a few hours earlier, he had boldly cut off the ear of a servant of the high priest, trying to protect Jesus, but Jesus had been right there then.

Peter was always bolder when he was with Jesus, sometimes too bold. But he had some pivotal moments, like when he declared, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Yet, at other times, he lacked understanding, such as when he tried to argue with Jesus that He would not suffer and die. Then Jesus rebuked him saying, "Get behind me, Satan."

Peter was also bold enough to get out of the boat during the fierce storm and walk toward Jesus on the water. However, when he took his eyes off the Lord and watched the storm, he became fearful and began to sink. Now, in the courtyard, he again views the circumstances and ends up denying Christ three times. Then, when the rooster crows and he realizes what he's done, he goes away sickened with grief. Later, Jesus will restore him to the fold, and he will go on to be bold with the gospel message.

We should learn much from Peter and know to always keep our focus on Jesus. It is a freeing, joyous way to live._______________________

Houses in 1880 TownThe mainstay of any town is the homes....

Houses in 1880 Town

The mainstay of any town is the homes. Without them, there would be no town. Many are scattered through the Western 1880 Town in Midland, South Dakota. As in any town, some are better-looking than others, but many of them would be considered small and basic by our standards.

        

In my latest release, Mistaken Bride , Danielle lives in an apartment over the general store. Cullen, the sheriff, has his own two-bedroom, white clapboard house. Both were adequate with more room than these smaller houses in 1880 Town. However, people often made do with what they had and could afford. When finances improved, they would upgrade.

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Wet or Dry?For as the rain cometh down, and the snow fro...

 

Wet or Dry?

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the heart, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led by peace . . ." (Isaiah 55:10-12a).

In his book, The Art of Divine Contentment, Thomas Watson writes, "... the word must not fall only as dew that wets the leaf but also as rain that soaks to the root and makes it bear fruit." We need to be sponges that soak up God's word and obey His will. However, our free will gives us the option to accept or reject it. 

He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth (Psalm 72:6).

I'm afraid too many Christians use an umbrella to deflect the rain from heaven. They don't mind to get a little damp now and then, but they don't want to become too wet. Practicing a little religion is fine, but there's no need to get carried away with it. Yet, they want to be carried away to heaven when their life is over.

Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down rightness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the Lord have created it (Isaiah 45:8).

Others accept a little more. The dew wets them, and thereby they receive a little refreshing but not enough to cause them to grow much. They remain stunted in their faith. Then there are those who want all the nourishing rain God will send their way. They pray to be soaked through and through to their roots so that they can produce much fruit for the Lord.

Where do you fit? As long as you're alive, it's not too late to make any needed changes.

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RedbudsThe redbud tree is native to the United States, es...

Redbuds

The redbud tree is native to the United States, especially to the eastern half. It's sometimes called the Judas tree because of the legend that Judas Iscariot hanged himself on one of the European varieties. The tree is noted for its eye-catching spring blossoms. It's the state tree of Oklahoma.

My new book, Mistaken Bride , is set in the fictitious town of Redbud, Arizona. The town got its name from a large redbud tree the founder planted to celebrate the town's fifth anniversary. Here is an excerpt:

They walked by the green area the town used for specialevents. “Have you seen the redbud tree? It’s what the town was named for.”

Danielle took in a breath of air before she answered, or hadshe been discretely sniffling? “No, I haven’t.”

“Come, it’s not far.” Cullen led her down the trail cut by somany people using the same path.

He didn’t want to take her back to the hotel to sit alonein her misery. Perhaps this would cheer her and make her afternoon morepleasant.

“What do you think?” Cullen asked.

“It’s quite the spectacle with its rosy exhibition.”

“Come, let’s sit on this bench, and I’ll tell you howRedbud got its name.”

“An Irishman with a head of red hair founded this town,”he began his story. “In fact, most people called him ‘Red,’ although hisreal name was Fion Walsh. In honor of the town’s fifth anniversary, he had atree-planting ceremony and planted this redbud. The town has pampered it eversince.”

Mistaken Bride publishes this Friday for Kindle, but it's already available in print and should be on Audible soon. I hope the novel does well, and the fans I've gained by publishing in multiple-author projects over the last few years will want to read this one, too, even though it's one of my standalone Westerns and not part of a MAP. I promise it's just as good as any I've published before.

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Internalize God's WordMy little children, let us not love...

Internalize God's Word

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18).

How many Christians sit in church pews on Sunday morning, agree with everything the pastor says, but make no changes in their life as they exit the doors? They don't internalize God's message to the point that it makes a difference in how they live their lives or how they interact with others. Knowing isn't enough. We've got to put that knowledge into practice. We need to let God's Word change us.

As a former teacher, I was taught Bloom's Taxonomy for higher thinking/learning skills. Knowledge is the first level, comprehension second, and application next. We wanted our students to get to at least the application level. They would soon forget what they'd learned if they didn't go beyond knowledge, and it would do them no good if they didn't understand it. They needed to put it into action in some way. As Thomas Watson wrote in his book, The Art of Divine Contentment, "You may have heard a thousand sermons but not learned one."

James tells us in 1:22 that we are to be doers of the word and not hearers only. We won't grow in the faith unless we study, learn, and apply. There is nothing as important as your spiritual life, and you need to set a good example for your children, the rest of your family and friends, and all those you come into contact with. Our lives should be living testimonies, witnessing to others.

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A Redemption StoryWhen I accepted the offer to write my ...

 A Redemption Story

When I accepted the offer to write my first book in a multiple-author project in 2021, I had two rough drafts completed. Remarkably, one already fit the MAP's category I was writing for. All I had to do was change the heroine's name and entitle it Walnut Cake for Wylene . I haven't been able to use the other one in a MAP, but it is a wonderful standalone Western story set in Redbud, Arizona in 1895 and has the themes of not judging others, redemption, and the power of faith.

DanielleGregory grew up in the saloons, where her mother worked, and she has never beenable to escape that lifestyle. However, she’s promised herself never to workupstairs the way her mother did. When she goes to Redbud, Arizona, to work in asaloon that doesn’t have soiled doves, the sheriff mistakes her for hismail-order bride. She would have liked to marry him and have a normal life, butshe’s too honest to deceive him for long. As she expected, he has problems withher past. But when a godly pastor and his wife accept her, she has hope for thefirst time. Now that she's become a new child of God, what will her futurehold?

Mistaken Bride publishes on April 4 and is on preorder now. The print edition is already out, and it will also be on KU and Audible. I love stories of how God works in lives to bring about healing. Remembering the woman at the well, the adulteress caught in the act, and the harlot who washed Jesus' feet, we should treat others the way Christ indicated, with love. I hope you enjoy Mistaken Bride as much as I did writing it.

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