Janice Cole Hopkins's Blog, page 8

Love Covers...for God is love (1 John 4:8b)God doesn't l...

 Love Covers

...for God is love (1 John 4:8b)

God doesn't love because of how we act or who we are. He loves us because of who He is. It is His nature to love. Paul put it well when he wrote, "... that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:17b-19).


Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself (Matthew 22: 37-39).
Love is powerful. It is the most important commandment. In fact, if we could love like the Great Commandment tells us, we wouldn't have to worry about anything else. We'd have it all covered and live an obedient, Christian life. As John Calvin said, "Whatever a person may be like, we must still love them because we love God."

And now abideth faith, hope, charity [love], these three; but the greatest of these is charity [love] (1 Corinthians 13:13).


Love is a gift from God. He gave us love, and the world has love because of Him. In talking about the great gifts (faith, hope, and love), Paul tells us the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13). And Peter said that love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). In this Valentine's season and throughout the year, let us have a renewed spirit of love for God and our fellow man. 
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Blogging UpdateI used to post updates on my blog two or ...

 

Blogging Update

I used to post updates on my blog two or three times a year, but it's been a while since I've done that. In reviewing the statistics, I recently noticed that I just reached over 500,000 page views. Since I consider that a milestone of sorts, I thought this might be a good time for another update.

The ten most popular blogs of all time are:
1. Running From God (Jonah) - 21,100 page views2. Cranberry Bread - 7,3203. Mother Teresa - 2,6404. Where Has Our History Gone - 1,2605. The Legend of the Dogwood - 1,080My biggest single day of page visits came on August 31, 2023, when I had 60,707.

I find the locations these visitors come from also very interesting. They are as follows:1. The United States - 267,0002. Singapore - 106,0003. Hong Kong - 31,3004. Russia - 13,2005. Germany - 8,7606. France - 8,0907. Canada - 6,0408. United Kingdom - 5,3809. India - 2,72010. Other - 51,800

I now post a blog on books, writing, or research every Monday and a Christian message on Thursdays. A big thank you to all my blog readers. Here's hoping the next ten years are just as good and maybe even better._____________________

Asaph If you've read much in The Book of Psalms, you've s...

Asaph 

If you've read much in The Book of Psalms, you've seen the name Asaph because he wrote twelve of them. Just who was Asaph? He was a musician, poet, scribe, and prophet under both David and Solomon. He must have been talented because at least three Levites were assigned to this leadership position, including Herman and Ethan (Jeduthum). However, Asaph was the only one who had psalms attributed to him in the Bible. His duties are detailed in 1 Chronicles 16. Even many years later, people were still singing the songs of Asaph and David (see 2 Chronicles 19:30).

Read 1 Chronicles 15: 16-17.

The Bible only tells us a little about Asaph. His father was Berechiah. The sons of Asaph are mentioned in 1 Chronicles 25:1, 2 Chronicles 20:14, and Ezra 2:41. Ezra says Asaph had 128 sons. Some writers take this literally since men during David and Solomon's reigns had wives and concubines, but others believe these were students of Asaph.

As a man of many talents and one of the writers in the Bible, Asaph has influenced many. Even more importantly, he recognized where his gifts came from and used his talents to praise and glorify God, sharing God's Word with a world desperately needing it. We should do the same.

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A New Series and a New BookI'm pleased to be part of a n...

 A New Series and a New Book

I'm pleased to be part of a new multiple-author project, The Rich Man Takes a Bride. Each standalone story takes place west of the Mississippi River after the Civil War but before 1900. The men all have issues that make them poor candidates for marriage, but in each case, a special woman comes to his rescue.  The Inventor's Rescue will be the first book in the series. My book, The Writer's Rescue, will be released on February 12, but it's on preorder now. 

In The Writer's Rescue , Wade Easton became a recluse after a bull gored him on the ranch where he worked as the foreman. Crippled, scarred, and unable to work the ranch anymore, he became a recluse in Abilene, Kansas. He started writing Western dime novels and, to his surprise, became successful and wealthy. When yet another housekeeper quits, his only friend brings a young woman who's stranded and works out chaperones for her to take the job. With misgivings, Wade agrees. What choice does he have? But he sets down some rules to keep from being disturbed. However, he finds the pretty woman disturbing in other ways and almost regrets his list of rules.

This was a fun book to write. I've always been fascinated by dime novels and the men and women who wrote them, so this was my chance to delve into the research. It's always fun to watch my characters' relationships develop slowly, too. The more I see of this MAP, the more excited I become. I hope readers will be as well.

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Tug-of-WarLove not the world, neither the things that are...

Tug-of-War

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world (1 John 2:15a).

Most Christians are in a tug of war, even if they don't realize it. The world is on one side, and faith and spiritual life are on the other. The world has a strong pull, but it doesn't usually win immediately. Instead, it inches opponents in its direction with a tug here and a tug there or by applying steady pressure that moves them gradually.

A person might begin by skipping church a few times, and it gets easier each time. Soon, the person isn't going much at all. When people quit attending church, their focus strays from God. Next, they stop reading their Bibles or praying if they ever did. They might let a little profanity begin slipping into their speech "for emphasis." It sounds cool, and what does it really matter? Movies, television shows, and music they once avoided now seem fine and even enjoyable. The world is gaining momentum and winning.

From there it's an easy slide into much more harmful things: drinking too much, a few drugs, lying, cheating, underhandedness, selfishness, greed, etc. And strange, as their priorities change, they never realize what is happening. They still don't consider themselves backsliders or sinning more than they once did.

They never stop to think this world is temporary. In the end that comes much too soon, wealth, possessions, power, or social status won't matter at all. The only things that matter are what we've done with Jesus and for the Lord. Those will be all that follow you into eternity. Hold fast to your faith and rely on the strength of the Lord to win this important tug-of-war.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye might prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2).

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To Deadwood AgainA year and a half ago, my husband and I ...

To Deadwood Again

A year and a half ago, my husband and I drove the long trip from North Carolina to Deadwood, South Dakota, to research a book I was planning to write set in the old Western town. That book, Beckett's Brides , has now been published. Little did I know at the time that another book would also be set there. The Miner will publish on March 11 and is ready for preorders now.

In the new book, Lorne Merritt, a mine foreman, finds a lost-looking young woman roaming the streets of Deadwood. Since Deadwood can have some ruthless characters, he steps in to assist her. It turns out that Addie Shea came to find her father, but he's been killed after he found gold on his claim. When someone starts taking shots at her, the situation gets even more difficult, but Lorne refuses to abandon the newcomer who has no one to help her.

Will there be another book set in Deadwood? I honestly don't know. Part of the fun and excitement of writing is the unexpected. I don't have any definite plans to do so right now, but it's certainly a possibility. I love seeing where the writing journey takes me.

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A Successful LifeHave you noticed a pattern of success i...

 A Successful Life

Have you noticed a pattern of success in the Bible? Whether one individual, an army, or a nation, God gives them instructions, and if they obey, they come out victorious. If they don't, they end up defeated. Although there're many more, here are just a few examples:

Noah was instructed to build an ark in the desert. He followed God's directions, although all his neighbors thought he was crazy, and his entire family was saved in the flood while everyone else perished.When God called Abraham to leave his homeland and everything he knew to journey to some unrevealed location, he went and became the father of a great nation and a founder of the faith.Moses might have been reluctant when God first called him to go back to Egypt to set the Israelites free, but he went, and despite the challenges, he did what God said and successfully led them to the edge of the Promised Land.Joshua took over when Moses died and led his people to be victorious in battle after battle because he allowed God to guide him.David also won many battles and became the most noted king in Israel's history because he listened to God most of the time. He came to regret the few times he didn't, and he humbly repented.When Solomon became king, he asked God for wisdom to rule, which God granted. As a result, God led him in a reign of peace and prosperity. He even built the great temple in Jerusalem.God called Nehemiah to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem. Despite opposition, he followed God's plan and successfully completed the task in record time, restoring the city's protection and the people's morale.

It is the same for us. To have the best life, we need to follow God's instructions. Only he can see the future and know what we need to do. Why wouldn't we choose to follow One who is all-knowing and perfect in every way?
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall make direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).___________________________________

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Why "The Greatest of These" You may or may not have notic...

Why "The Greatest of These" 

You may or may not have noticed that my books are published by The Greatest of These Publishing. This isn't a title boasting of being great. It refers to 1 Corinthians 13:13. "So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love (ESV).

All the books I publish have love in some form: romance, the love of a parent, God's love, etc. It really is an essential part of life -- some would say the most important part. Look at how many songs are written about it, even hymns like "Love Lifted Me." Science has proven it's hard to survive without it, and no sane person would want to.

So far, The Greatest of These Publishing has only published my books, but who knows what God has in store for the future. I just pray that all the books will bring God glory and fulfill His purposes. Without Him, there would be no love.

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Some Ancient Biblical HistoryRemember the days of old, c...

 

Some Ancient Biblical History

Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders and they will tell thee (Deuteronomy 32:7).

I enjoy studying biblical history. I guess it's the history buff in me and the fact that my undergraduate major is in history. Recently, I came across some interesting facts I would like to share with you. Some of it I knew, some of it I had forgotten, and some of it, I had never heard before.

I knew the Edomites had descended from Esau, Jacob's twin brother who married two Hittite women, Judith and Basemath. A third wife, Mahalath, was the daughter of Ishmael (Abraham's son by Hagar). Their descendants became known as Edomites, and they have a history of conflict with Israel.

NinevehThe Canaanites came from Canaan, the son of Ham and the grandson of Noah. They were also enemies of the Israelites. The Amorites, another contentious group, also descended from Canaan and are a branch of the larger Canaanite group. Rahab, who aided the Hebrew spies in Jericho was a Canaanite. Nimrod, Noah's great-grandson and Ham's grandson through Cush, established the two great cities of Babylon and Nineveh, part of Assyria. 

The Moabites were descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew. The lineage can be traced back to when Lot and his two daughters escaped the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and hid in a cave. The women, thinking they were the only three people left in the world, got their father drunk and slept with him. The older daughter had a son named Moab, and the Moabites descended from him (see Genesis 19:30-36). The younger daughter had Ammon, and the Ammonites descended from him. 
If you remember, Ruth was a Moabite who left Moab with her mother-in-law, Naomi, to travel back to Bethlehem where she met Boaz. Ruth is in the earthly genealogy of  Jesus and probably Rahab, the Canaanite, also. These accounts are reminders that poor choices can have far-reaching effects. However, God can bring some good out of even them, like with Rahab and Ruth. Can't ancient biblical history be interesting? It's just one more reason to read and study the Bible.

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Westward Home and HeartsI'm excited about writing for a n...

Westward Home and Hearts

I'm excited about writing for a new multiple-author project this year. Well, the series isn't new because it began in 2022, but it's new to me.  Willa's Woes just published on Friday, and it's the 54th book in the series. I'm scheduled to have four books in this Westward Home and Hearts Mail-Order Brides MAP, three this year, and one in 2026.

Willa's Woes is set in the Dakota Territory in 1880, the winter that deposited record-breaking snow accumulations and low temperatures nationwide, but especially in places like Fargo. Willa has had a string of hardships in her life, and she hopes when she goes to a remote farm in the Dakota Territory as a mail-order bride, things will get better. Will it? Willa's Woes is available now on Amazon in print, Kindle, and Audible.

Here are the books I'll be publishing in the Westward Home and Hearts Mail-Order Brides series:

Jan. 10, 2025 - Willa's Woes Jul. 08, 2025 - Daphne's Determination Nov. 10, 2025 - Morrow's MishapsFeb. 10, 2026 - Melissa's Match
I hope you'll watch for them.
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