Janice Cole Hopkins's Blog, page 9

Mind Your ThoughtsA double minded man is unstable in all...

 Mind Your Thoughts

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8).

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Several noted philosophers and speakers have said something to the effect of "You are what you think," and there is some truth in that. Our thought process has a lot to do with who we become. Letting your thoughts run astray can lead to dark places. 

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

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5).

Every sin begins with a thought. If you allow those improper thoughts to continue they can lead to sorrow for you and others. The process of getting rid of rogue thoughts and imaginings is a type of spiritual warfare that you must fight with intent.

Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established (Proverbs 16:3).

Yet, it's a battle that you don't have to and shouldn't fight alone. Christians have the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide, direct, and help them. They have God's Word to recite or read to distract them from unwanted thoughts and prayer to strengthen them. Even doing good works in service to God can keep us busy in a positive way and help. And remember, God can deliver us from anything.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:8).

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

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2025 Is Here!I always have my publishing schedule in plac...

2025 Is Here!

I always have my publishing schedule in place for at least two years ahead. Of course, there might be minor changes to come, but some of the books are locked in. Right now, I have ten books scheduled for 2025.

After writing nothing but MAPs (multiple-author projects) for the past two years, I break that string in 2025. I have six MAP books publishing this year and four of my standalones, one of which is Christian nonfiction. I'm excited about the lineup and already have most of the rough drafts written. I like to stay ahead of the deadlines, and it takes time to get the Audible editions ready. 

Jan. 10 - Willa's Woes (Westward Home & Hearts)
Feb. 12 - Writer's Rescue (Rich Man Takes a Bride)Mar. 1 - The Miner (Men of the West)Apr. 4 - Mistaken Bride May 2 - Satan's Wiles Jul. 8 - Daphne's Determination (Westward H & H)Aug. 1 - South to FreedomOct. 3 - Heather, Hot Springs Bride (Nat'l Park Brides)Nov. 10 - Morrow's Mishaps (Westward Home & H)Dec. 5 - Annie's Uncle  
I'm writing the rough draft of Heather right now. I'll be sharing more information about the individual books throughout the year. It promises to be a good one.
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Faith, Our FoundationBut without faith it is impossible t...

Faith, Our Foundation

But without faith it is impossible to please him (Hebrews 11:6a).

Faith is a substantial belief put into practice. Once you plant God's truths deep within your heart, you begin living your life differently. Faith is the foundation for the Christian life, and we need a solid one that can't be shaken or weakened.

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4b).

The groundwork for faith is God's Word. It does no good to build a strong foundation on shaky ground because it won't stand firm. Christians who don't take time to read their Bibles daily are doing themselves and their families a disservice. Even a short time in the scriptures will make a big difference in your life.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth (Romans1:16a).

The gospel is the heart of our faith. We should understand it, cherish it, and share it with others. It is through the atonement of Christ and His sacrifice for us that we are reconciled to God and can approach Him. There is no other way. This is the message we need to be sharing, but we must never come across as holier-than-thou. None of us are worthy, and it's only by God's grace that we can move forward in faith.

And Jesus said unto them . . . for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you (Matthew 17:20).

You need both offensive and defensive faith. In one of his books, Denver Cheddie explains it this way: There is a faith that moves mountains, and there is a faith that gives us the strength to climb the mountains. There is faith to walk on water, then there is faith [to] keep your head above water. There is faith to heal the sick..., then there is faith to remain faithful to God when He chooses not to heal. May our faith be strong and true.

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MAPs Have Been GoodYou may remember me mentioning MAPs, ...

 MAPs Have Been Good

You may remember me mentioning MAPs, multiple-author projects, where several authors publish in the same themed series. I've been heavily involved in them for the last couple of years. My first one came in December 2021. Walnut Cake for Wylene was followed by five more in 2022: Sauerkraut by Sophie, Forget-Me-Not Cookies by Fern, A Christmas Snow for Sadie, Candace, and Aida. Beginning with  Sauerkraut by Sophie , I published nineteen straight MAPs running through Andrea  this month. I have three more coming in the first three months of 2025: Willa's Woes, The Writer's Rescue, and The Miner. That will make twenty-three MAPs in all.

But I'm not through yet. After publishing some non-MAP books in 2025, I have three more MAPs scheduled in the last half of the year, making twenty-six. Daphne's Determination, Heather, Hot Springs Bride, and Morrow's Mishaps. I already have eight books scheduled for 2026, but so far, none of them are MAPs because good opportunities haven't presented themselves. However, I'm hoping that might change, and I do have at least two slots open.

MAPs have been good to me. They've been inspiring, helped build my readership, and been good with marketing. I just got an email from an enthusiastic reader who discovered me through a MAP. I've also found collaborating with the other authors helpful. I need to slow down on the number of books I'm publishing each year, but I would still like to include two or three MAPs. Hopefully, this will work out.

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Wise MenThe second chapter of Matthew is the only biblica...

Wise Men

The second chapter of Matthew is the only biblical account of the wise men or magi, who came to visit Jesus. They had seen the strange star in the eastern sky and had come to investigate. The journey must have been a long one. Just who were these men who had come from the East? 

Although the Bible doesn't name the foreign visitors, legend and tradition give their names as Caspar, Balthasar, and Melchior. Neither does the Bible tell us how many came, but, because the plural is used, we know there was more than one. We get the idea there were three because they brought three gifts: frankincense, gold, and myrrh. These were gifts commonly given at the birth of a king.
These men were apparently of noble birth, well-educated, wealthy, and probably influential. Because of how they handled Herod, we can assume they were upright men of integrity. They had likely studied the Hebrew Scriptures and knew of the expected Messiah. 

I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel... (Numbers 24:17).

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel: whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting (Micah 5:2).

From Daniel, they may have surmised that the time for the Messiah was near. (See Daniel 9:25-26.) For whatever reason, they decided to go and search for this Messiah, and the guiding star led them. People today would be wise to search for Him, too. The saying is so true. "Wise men still seek Him." If you don't know Him, look for Him today, and, if you do, share Him with someone else.______________________

It Was a Good Year2024 has been a good year for me as an...

 It Was a Good Year

2024 has been a good year for me as an author. I didn't publish sixteen books as I did in 2023, so it wasn't quite as rushed. However, I still published eleven, which is a lot for one year. The only month I didn't publish a book was May, but my April book came on the 20th, so it was later in the month. The one before it published on March 5th, and the ones following on the first of the month. Here is the schedule:

Jan 16, 2024 – Grandma’s Match forGarrett 

Feb 1, 2024 – A Match forSilas

Mar 5, 2024 – A Journeyfor Jillian 

Apr20, 2024 – Zoe 

June1, 2024 – Beckett’s Brides 

Jul1, 2024 – A Match for Merle 

Aug 5, 2024 – Carmen’sWedding Dilemma 

Sep 2, 2024 – A Match for Milton 

Oct3, 2024 – Noah’s New Bride 

Nov1, 2024 – A Match for Reece 

Dec 6, 2024 - Andrea

A Journey for Jillian was my best-selling book of the year. Beckett’s Brides was the one I went to Deadwood, South Dakota, to research in 2023. I've had it in the back of my mind to write about gypsies for a long time, and I finally got to do that in Carmen. Noah’s New Bride, about a lumberman, reminded me of my father who grew up working in his family's sawmill business and could name and describe almost any tree. A Match for Reece concluded my six books in this series set in Pinyon Falls, Texas. All of the books listed are special to me. It was a good year.

Right now, I have ten books planned for 2025, but that could certainly change. My writing schedule always fills up fast. I will talk more about those books in an upcoming blog. I hope the new year is as good for me as an author as the last three have been. Let me close by wishing each and every one of you a very merry Christmas and the happiest New Year.

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Why Mary?Read Luke 1: 26 - 38.There were several reasons...

 Why Mary?

Read Luke 1: 26 - 38.

There were several reasons Mary didn't look to be the best choice for the mother of the Messiah. For one thing, she was young. Biblical scholars don't think she was more than sixteen years old. She doesn't seem to have a good support system. Elizabeth, a distant cousin, appears to be her closest relative. Yet, God chose her. Why?

One reason is that Mary had a heart for God. We can see that from her conversation with the Angel Gabriel. Even though she was stunned and confused by the news, when he told her that nothing was impossible with God she answered, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."

Mary was surrendered to the Lord. Whatever He asked of her, she would do. She depended on Him. That's what made her fit to be the mother of the Savior of the world. What about you? Are you surrendered to God and willing to be led by the Holy Spirit? Do you depend on Him for everything? If not, you can change that now. This can be the season you let Christ fill your heart and take over your life.

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Trusting God’s Best: How Faith Shapes My Writing Journey...

 

Trusting God’s Best: How Faith Shapes My Writing Journey

Guest Blogger & Author
Heidi Gray McGill

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight"  (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV).

 As a Christian author, I share how prayer, faith, andtrusting God’s direction led to my debut novel, Desire of My Heart, and how Hecontinues to guide my writing.

The Role of Faith in Writing
As an independently published author, the journey to create a story that fusesfaith and fiction is one of trust and growth. God has taught me invaluablelessons along the way, not only in writing but in life. Through prayer, seekingHis guidance, and embracing His plan, I’ve learned to let go of my desires andfollow His perfect will. Today, I’m excited to share a bit of my heart and howit connects with my debut novel, Desire of My Heart the first book inmy Discerning God’s Best series.
A Heart for Christian Historical FictionAs a Christian author, my passion lies in writing Christian HistoricalFiction that reflects faith's challenges and triumphs. I strive to show howGod works through our struggles and joys with every character I create. Thehistorical backdrop is more than just a setting; it’s a way for me to exploreGod’s timeless truths within a specific historical moment. In Desire of MyHeart, set against a pre-Civil War community backdrop, the characterswrestle with love, loss, and faith in the same way we do today.

The Birth of Desire of My Heart
Writing Desire of My Heart was a long journey. I didn’t set out to writea novel—it started with a calling, a story that had been quietly forming in myheart. I wanted to create a work of Christian Historical Fiction that entertainedand encouraged readers to trust God’s plans, no matter how uncertain life mayseem. The book explores themes of healing, redemption, and the beauty of God’sgrace. Whilewriting, I reflected on my life, the challenges I’ve faced, and how God hasshown up. This book is deeply personal, especially since it marks the beginningof the Discerning God’s Best series. The lessons from my ownexperiences—trusting in God’s best, discerning His will, and having faith inHis timing—are woven into the characters' lives while I fleshed them out in myfaith walk. Throughout the writing, God taught me to surrender my timeline and trust Himwith the story He had planned. It’s easy to get caught up in our ideas of success,but when we hand our work over to Him, He shapes it into something far greaterthan we could imagine. Onekey lesson that resonates through Desire of My Heart is that God’stiming is perfect. While the characters in the novel must wait for God’sprovision and healing, I also learned the same lesson in my own life. Patienceisn’t always easy, but it’s in the waiting that we learn to rely entirely onGod.
Looking Ahead: The Discerning God’s Best SeriesI’m thrilled to share that Desire of My Heart is the beginning of the DiscerningGod’s Best series. The next book, With All My Heart , continues thejourney of discerning God’s will for our lives. It reminds us that God’s bestis always worth waiting for and that He has a purpose for each one of us. Eachbook in the series features different characters, but the underlying message isalways the same: God is in control, and when we trust in His plan, we discovertrue fulfillment and peace. I hope my story and the journey of Desire of My Heart resonate with you.Whether you’re a reader or a writer, the message is clear: Trust God’s timing,follow His direction, and allow His story to unfold in your life. Writing thisbook was an act of faith, and I believe it will encourage anyone seeking to discernGod’s best for their life.

Also on Audible - 

About theAuthor 
Heidi GrayMcGill writes impactful Christian fiction, blending faith, hope, and love withhumor and depth. Despite blindness, she has authored twelve books, includingthe Discerning God’s Best series. Heidi lives near Charlotte, NC, withher husband of over 30 years. She enjoys family, cooking, games, and findinginspiration daily.
Connectwith Heidi Gray McGill (links)Heidi GrayMcGill invites you to stay connected and explore the stories that inspire herheartfelt writing. As a special gift, she’s offering her free prequel, Deepin My Heart, available in both eBook and audiobook formats. Thiscaptivating journey from South Carolina to the Midwest sets the stage for Desireof My Heart. Visit https://heidigraymcgill.com/free_book/to join her mailing list and embark on a path of faith, hope, and inspirationalongside Heidi.

You can alsoconnect with Heidi on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHeidiGrayMcGill

https://www.youtube.com/@authorheidigraymcgill/?sub_confirmation=1

https://twitter.com/HeidiGrayMcGill

https://www.instagram.com/AuthorHeidiGrayMcGill/

 

 

 

InnkeepersAnd so it was, that, while they were there, the...

Innkeepers

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:6-7).

Being in labor and not being able to find a room in the inns must have been an uncertain time for Mary. The first baby always brings more apprehension anyway. But she and Joseph had a strong faith in God. An angel had appeared to them both on separate occasions, and they knew this child was to be special. God would take care of them.

We all go through times of uncertainty and problems. They are a part of life in this fallen world. But like Mary and Joseph, we should trust God and look to Him for all our needs. He will see us through. If we follow His guidance, He will lead us to the place we need to be.

Innkeeper after innkeeper had no room for them. They never considered that this baby about to be born might be the Messiah they had been waiting and longing for. They didn't even have compassion for a young soon-to-be mother. Instead, they informed the couple there was no room.

What would you have done if you were in those innkeepers' places, not having the prior knowledge you have now? Well, we all have to make that decision. We are all innkeepers of our hearts. Will we let Jesus in? Will we let Him stay, or must He leave?

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Some of My Newer Christmas BooksMany of my 77 books incl...

 Some of My Newer Christmas Books

Many of my 77 books include Christmas somewhere in them, but I have quite a few where Christmas plays an important part, and I would like to share some of them with you for your holiday reading. 

My five books in the Old-Timey Holiday Kitchen, not only give a heart-warming story, but they also share the recipe for the title treat. Books in this series are:

Walnut Cake by Wylene
Sauerkraut Cake by Sophie Forget-Me-Not Cookies by Fern Upside-Down Cakes by Dana Fruitcake by Fran
In A Christmas Snow for Sadie , Sadie Alexander needs to leave the household when her employer dies. Mrs. Ludlow's son is making improper advances, so she travels to California as a mail-order bride. When she gets there, Mr.Laird is out of town with his construction business, and his older friend meets her. What kind of groom will he be if he can't even find time to welcome her?

I also have two books in the Christmas Quilt Brides series: Lily and my latest publication, Andrea. In these two very different books, both Christmas and their quilts play an important part in them finding their happy ever afters.  So, here are eight wonderful books for your holiday reading enjoyment. They are all on Kindle, KU, print, and Audible. Check them out. I'm sure you can find some that will bring you joy this Christmas season.



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