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Wednesday, July 23, 2025
The Good Ole Summertime!
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Halloween: PRAY OR PARTY??
Readers I am opening my heart to you today!
Are you aware of the horrible child and animal sacrifices that are taking place now with Halloween all over America and the world? Christians must be at war, not only for the election, but for the lives at stake during this season of ungodliness celebrated by witches and Satanists and even churches trying to sanctify the holiday. Did you know that dressing up in costumes goes back to the evil teachings of the Druids? Halloween is the night before All Saints Day. It’s the night when evil spirits roam the earth. It is the night of necromancy, the conjuring of evil spirits. It’s the devil’s night, the Black Sabbath. How can we party?
In Charisma magazine, researcher, revivalist, Rev. John Burton warns: “If you participate in Halloween at any level, you are at risk. There is nothing innocent about it and no way to sanctify it. The level of demonic activity around the world on this night should result in millions of Christians gathering to pray with fire and passion. Abstain from all appearance of evil. (I Thess.5:22). Children in costumes celebrating a night of candy and fun is not innocent. It’s a dangerous affirmation of the evil spirits of this age. Lives are truly at stake. The key role for us Christians is to expose darkness. And do not have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; instead, expose them. Eph. 5:11. I propose we eliminate all supposed Christian Halloween alternatives and instead make it clear as Christians we will have nothing to do with such a demonic celebration. “ https://burton.tv/2016/10/29/
Instead, we should see Halloween is a prime opportunity for Christian parents to teach their children about consecration and opposition to multi-billion dollar wickedness in our culture. Hold a late-night prayer meeting for the entire family or church. Prayer walk your neighborhood. Pray in the Spirit. We have and must USE the power to counteract the released demonic activity of Halloween (Luke 10:19). It must be a night of intercession, not a party. Have you ever considered that Halloween comes only a few days before our American election each year? Consider how much we may have lost in conservative causes in recent years as Halloween has grown to front and center stage in America as a multi-billion dollar business?
JOIN ME IN PRAYER:
“Father God, we come to you in the Name of Jesus and we worship you as the One and Only True God. We ask You to show us, Your church, how to pray about this great evil that has deceived and gained such a foothold in our nation. First, we repent and confess like Nehemiah 1:6: “Both I and my father’s house have greatly sinned.” We cry out for Your mercy and forgiveness and for a Great Awakening.
We stand on Your promise in Luke 10:19 and right now we receive “power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy,” and we declare “that nothing shall by any means harm us.”
In Jesus’ name, we take the sword of the Spirit and enter in hand to hand combat! We bind all demonic spirits being loosed in Jesus’ name! And any demonic powers released to stop the godly being elected in America’s coming election.
We cry out for every human, adult or child, and animals that are set for sacrifice in tonight’s Black Sabbath. Lord, reveal their secret meeting places and deliver the innocent. Cause SOMEBODY who knows the plans and location to come forth and expose them. Send in law officers (and godly judges) who are not involved and can’t be paid off. “Break the arm of the wicked. (Psalm 10:15). Release angels to fight in this battle as we pray!
Lord, forgive and cleanse us of apathy, deception. Have mercy on us during Your judgment against this wickedness and do not destroy the righteous with the wicked. Open the eyes of America and Christians who are joining in this pagan celebration. Raise up a great army and ministers of the gospel who will preach the truth about this and take their stand. We can have victory! (Our law officer son has had to investigate reported satanic rituals in Greenville County. In our battle in Anderson to close the Hwy. 28 nude club, a group of us prayer warriors had to go to all known sites where occult rituals had taken place, according to our solicitor, and bind those devils and sing hymns to help defeat the nude club--which WAS DEFEATED PTL!)
Lord, we believe You are hearing our prayers and moving mightily to save, deliver, and wake up many right now. So we praise and worship You. You are our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, the Faithful and True who rides the White Horse with eyes as a flame of fire and many crowns upon Your head. And written on your thigh a name is written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS! Hallowed be thy Name. THANK YOU ANGELS BATTLE THE FORCES OF EVIL AS WE PRAY. Amen.”
In His Majesty's Special Ops,
Elva
Elva Cobb Martin is a retired school teacher, a mother, and grandmother who lives in South Carolina with her husband, her high school sweetheart, Dwayne. She grew up on a farm in South Carolina and spends many vacations on the Carolina Coast. Her southern roots run deep.
A life-long student of history, her favorite city, Charleston, South Carolina, inspires her stories of romance and adventure. Her love of writing grew out of a desire to share exciting love stories of courageous characters and communicate truths of the Christian faith to bring hope and encouragement. She always pauses for historic houses, gardens, chocolate, and babies of any kind.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
A Well-Layered Opening --Guest Post
The Essentials of a Well-Layered Opening
by Terri Reed When I first started on this writing journey, I attended many workshops where the speaker said to start your openings with dialogue. Other speakers touted that opening with action was best, while still others said setting is the way to go. Personally, I’ve opened books, scenes and chapters with a variety of different approaches. I don’t believe there is one perfect way to open a book, a scene, or a chapter. Each story is unique and has its own needs, which is the beauty of reading more than one book from different authors. No two stories have the same needs, just as no two authors have the same voice. How boring would it be if all books started the same and had the same author’s voice? I shudder to think about it. When I’m asked about the best way to begin a book, scene, or chapter, I say use whatever works for your story. However, with that said, there are certain criteria that I try to make sure I include in my openings, but how you do that is up to you. Here is my essential checklist for the openings of a novel, a scene, and a chapter.
As you can see, the openings of books, scenes, and chapters have many layers. What the reader sees in their mind’s eye, physically feels, smells, or tastes in response to the descriptions all depend on what words you put on the page. Don’t forget to make them impactful!
*** Howdy dear friends, I hope you writers enjoyed the above. I print such articles and study them to hone my writing craft, even after 8 novels! And if you've missed it, my Book 6 in Charleston Brides released in September. Grab it today from Amazon and escape into Gideon's and Helene's Charleston plantation life for quite an adventure and ROMANCE.  She fled from a gilded cage, only to find herself trapped in a marriage of obligation. As we head into the election, I am praying fervently for America to return to God. Here are the two signs I designed for our front yard:  Hugs and Onward, Elva  Elva Cobb Martin is a retired school teacher, a mother, and grandmother who lives in South Carolina with her husband, her high school sweetheart, Dwayne. She grew up on a farm in South Carolina and spends many vacations on the Carolina Coast. Her southern roots run deep. A life-long student of history, her favorite city, Charleston, South Carolina, inspires her stories of romance and adventure. Her love of writing grew out of a desire to share exciting love stories of courageous characters and communicate truths of the Christian faith to bring hope and encouragement. She always pauses for historic houses, gardens, chocolate, and babies of any kind. Link to her books on Amazon https://amzn.to/3jdvHFu Connect with Elva Website: http://www.elvamartin.com Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/elvacobbmarti |
Terri Reed’sSunday, September 1, 2024
SEPTEMBER 2024 NEW CHRISTIAN FICTION RELEASES!
September 1, 2024
ACFW New Releases: September 2024
Kristen by Dawn M Klinge — In this heartwarming tale, discover the extraordinary potential that lies within embracing the present and opening one’s heart to the unanticipated blessings of life’s sweetest surprises.(Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
Escape to Whispering Creek by Barbara M Britton — Can a gregarious office manager and rehabilitating business owner find love while fighting accusations of white-collar crime (Contemporary Romance from White Rose Publishing [Pelican])
Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter — A temporary position at a rustic resort leads Lauren to the love of her life and a drastic career change. But on the eve of her engagement, an unfortunate fall leaves her unable to remember any of it. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)
The Farmer and Adele by Candice Sue Patterson — Second chances aren’t for the faint of heart. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published [ACFW QIP])
Historical:
Patriot at the River by Jayna Baas — With the help of some unlikely allies, a young Patriot militiaman must save his settlement from the man who had a hand in his father’s death. (Historical, Independently Published)
New Star by Lana Christian — You may know about the Wise Men’s part in Jesus’ story—but do you know the Wise Men’s story? (OR) How far would you go to protect what you believe in? (Historical from Scrivenings Press)
Historical Romance:
Virginia by Shannon McNear — Return to the “what if” questions surrounding the Lost Colony and explore the possible fate of Virginia Dare–the first English child born in the New World. What happened to her after her grandfather John White returned to England and the colony he established disappeared into the mists of time? Legends abound, but she was indeed a real girl who, if she survived to adulthood, must have also become part of the legacy that is the people of the Outer Banks. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)
A Token of Love by Carrie Turansky — In this heartfelt dual-time tale, bestselling author Carrie Turansky weaves a story of two women whose lives intertwine through their shared pursuit of love, truth, and justice (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])
Freedom Through the Narrow Gate by Mark David Pullen — Follow Jacob as he leaves the safety of the mouse village for a taste of blackberries and a daring adventure, only to come face to face with the menacing Swamp Rats and their vicious leader, Caine. (Middle-grade/Chapter Books from Morgan James Publishing)
Road Trip Return by Becca Wierwille — A twelve-year-old boy must save his brother from making the biggest mistake of his life—even if that means embarking on an international adventure to the last place in the world he wants to go. (Middle-grade/Chapter Books from Beloved Chronicles LLC)
Romance:
A Journey for Amy by Diane Craver — As the feelings between Amy and Joe grow deeper, can they overcome their dissimilar faiths, or will their differences pull them apart? (Romance from Vinspire Publishing)
A Lancaster Amish Christmas by Anne Blackburne, Amy Clipston, Amy Lillard and Mindy Steele — Four Stories of Romance by Four Authors set in the Heart of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania’s Amish Country. (Romance Amish from Barbour Publishing)
Lethal Standoff by DiAnn Mills — A female negotiator and a male investigative journalist work place their lives in danger to seek the release of undocumented immigrants hostages from kidnappers who harbor desperate secrets. (Romantic Suspense from Tyndale House)
K-9 Ranch Protection by Darlene L Turner — Police constable Izzy Tremblay knows her father’s death was no accident, so when she finally discovers a lead and is immediately attacked, her suspicions are confirmed. For protection, she takes refuge with her ex-partner, Austin Murray, on his K-9 ranch while she races to uncover the truth. But with danger still lurking, can they stay alive long enough to take down a killer? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])
No Forgetting Providence by Lee Wimmer — Running from faith led DR on a path of untold success, but also put crosshairs on him, is it providence, or is it something else? (Romantic Suspense from Hightower Publications)
Western:
Heidi’s Faith by Jill Dewhurst — God uses a painting and a young man helping his neighbors to strengthen a young woman’s faith and enable her to overcome debilitating fear following a traumatic event. (Western, Independently Published)
The Immortal Abyss by Katherine Briggs — Nations rise and fall in the aftermath of war over the Eternity Gate. The corrupted desert throne stands empty, and the Immortal Abyss awakens. Drought ravages the continent, and people long for the rebirth of a star palm, who will rise from among mortals and end their judgment. (Young Adult from Enclave Publishing [Oasis Family Media])
A life-long student of history, her favorite city, Charleston, South Carolina, inspires her stories of romance and adventure. Her love of writing grew out of a desire to share exciting love stories of courageous characters and communicate truths of the Christian faith to bring hope and encouragement. She always pauses for historic houses, gardens, chocolate, and babies of any kind.
Saturday, July 13, 2024
America's Covenant with God!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!
Did you know our nation made Covenant with God?
MY JULY FRONT DOOR PRAYER FOR YOU!
Elva Cobb Martin is a retired school teacher, a mother, and grandmother who lives in South Carolina with her husband, her high school sweetheart, Dwayne. She grew up on a farm in South Carolina and spends many vacations on the Carolina Coast. Her southern roots run deep.
A life-long student of history, her favorite city, Charleston, South Carolina, inspires her stories of romance and adventure. Her love of writing grew out of a desire to share exciting love stories of courageous characters and communicate truths of the Christian faith to bring hope and encouragement. She always pauses for historic houses, gardens, chocolate, and babies of any kind.