What motivated America's Founding Generation to lay everything on the line for independence? Today's podcast is a tribute to them on this 230th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution. I hope this story inspires you.

Just click on the Podcast icon or go to Anchor.frm/rebeccapricejanney

There's been a lot of chatter in recent weeks about the Betsy Ross flag and what it symbolizes. This week I'm dedicating my podcast to her story. To listen, click on the podcast icon on this page, or visit Anchor.fm/rebeccapricejanney

What happened this past Sunday was like something out of a dream, the very best kind of dream. There I was at the Golden Scroll Awards banquet in suburban Nashville, TN with my dear husband, my editor/publisher Deb Ogle Haggerty, and three other Elk Lake Publishing authors. Oh, and we were entertained by none other than Michael W. Smith! (The night before I bumped into him in the lobby and resisted a Fan Girl impulse to ask for a selfie.)

The event was being taped for broadcast by TCN, and the emcee, Monica Schmelter, began the awards ceremony. Up first was Historical Novel of the Year. I had a horse in that race, and I didn’t know what to expect. I sat there, barely able to breathe, staring at the remains of my lunch, hoping for at least a runner-up prize. Then I heard Monica say, “The Historical Novel of the Year Award goes to Rebecca Price Janney for Easton at the Crossroads!” I shot up from my chair as cheers and applause erupted all around me. I moved as if in that dream I mentioned earlier, and when I got to the platform, Linda Evans Shepherd, founder and president of AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) handed me a beautiful plaque. Then she said, “And Rebecca also won second place for Morning Glory.” As she gave me a second plaque, I heard more applause and cheers and managed to glance at Michael W. Smith, sitting just a few feet away. I saw his mouth form a “Wow!” What a thrill!

These awards mean so much to me, and truly, they are not all about me. They are about God, who gave me the gift of writing, about my husband and son who sacrifice so much so I can do this, about my family and friends who encourage me, about my readers, who love my characters as much as I do.

So, my thanks to all of you!

When there's a major news event, we often don't see what's happening behind the scenes. Sometimes those backstage stories don't come to light until years later. Back in the early 1970s, President Richard Nixon desired to bring about a more open relationship, to establish dialogue or "detente," between the U.S. and two countries from which we were estranged, the Soviet Union and China.

The news media captured the visits in words and photographs, but God was also at work to use these occurences for His purposes. To hear the story, click on the podcast link on this page, or visit Anchor.fm/rebeccapricejanney

When we think of the dropping of the atom bombs that ended World War II, we tend to focus, quite understandably, on the tens of thousands of deaths, and the destruction of two cities. It's difficult to believe anything good could have come out of the horror. We wonder why it took that much devastation to end a ruthless regime.

Here, however, is the story of two men's lives that were utterly transformed by what happened around those events, and the way in which God brought life and hope in the aftermath of war. I hope their stories inspire you, especially if you're walking through difficulties.

Just click on the Podcast icon to hear the account of Jake DeShazer and Mitsuo Fuchida.