Month: November 2022

Thankful for My Intercessor

On By vickleaIn Scripture3 Comments

Many years ago, my husband and I attended a Bible training school called Youth with a Mission. I don’t recall a lot that we studied there, but at least one truth we learned and book that we studied stuck with me through the years. The title was THE INTERCESSOR by Norman Grubb and it relates how to be an Intercessor like Rees Howells, a man of God who made a difference by praying for others. If you want to perhaps purchase the updated version, here is a link to do so:

Christian Book

The reason this book made such an impact and stayed with me is that this true story of a man who believed in prayer and made a difference with his petitions to God was amazing to me. Since then, I have strived to be an Intercessor for others, but I have never reached the heights of Rees Howells, not even close.

Today in my devotional, the verse that jumped out at me was about Jesus’s being my intercessor.

I cannot imagine Jesus sitting at God’s right hand and speaking up on my behalf, but that is what the Holy Bible says that he does. The tense used is one of the present ongoing tense, not past, not done, but rather still happening. I remember when I was a child that my father was my mediator with my mom. She had a heavy hand of punishment and I seemed to be always in trouble for one infraction or another. It was my father’s soothing voice that calmed her down and prompted her to think before she dealt out severe blows to my legs. I still got punished, but the punishment was not half as severe as when daddy wasn’t there to intervene. Now, I can put that into the context of Jesus speaking to God on my behalf and letting the Father know that I am His and the price has already been paid for my salvation. Yes, I still mess up, and there are consequences to actions, but Jesus’s intercession is there and the Father has shown me mercy and grace over and over again.

If you get a chance to read THE INTERCESSOR, remember to put it into the context of Jesus interceding for you, on a daily basis and every time you need it. He is right there, always ready to go to bat for each of us because He loves us so much. Yes, He is the King of Glory, He is the Lion of Judah, and He is also the Great Intercessor who speaks to the Father for us, always operating with unfailing love and forgiveness. I want to be like Jesus, in Intercessor for others, and I am thankful for His example and His sacrifice that makes Him the Intercessor for me and for each of His children who know Him as Savior.

May you be blessed today with the knowledge of how dependable an Intercessor Jesus is for you and be confident in His love, grace and mercy.

Thankful for God’s Refreshing

On By vickleaIn Scripture3 Comments

Sometimes I just get tired, long before my normal bedtime and before I really want to retire. My brain gets kind of foggy and I stumble a little as I walk, so I know that it is time to rest. Every time this happens, God provides me with total rest, a night in which I sleep peacefully without constantly awakening. My mind has its own way of dealing with stress and at times it just won’t stop whirring. That is when I call on God to give me the rest and peace that I need.

It is in resting that my mind and body and most especially my soul are refreshed. I wake up ready to tackle the new day, with energy flowing from deep within me. That is no small feat for someone who is in their seventies, but it happens each time I honestly admit to God that I need Him to provide a restful night for me, one without insomnia and constant wakefulness. And each night, He gives me rest and I awaken refreshed, with a clear mind and thoughts that are organized and orderly. It is so much easier to walk on the right path when I am guided by the Lord!

I am so thankful for God’s refreshing me when I sleep. But He also refreshes my soul when I am fully alert. He gives me His Word to read that provides water to my thirsty soul, like a fountain in a desert place. God is always willing to refresh me, but most times I get too busy with life to take the time to sit quietly and wait for the refreshing. After all, one does not go to the soda fountain, order a nice big soda to quench one’s thirst and then walk away. I have been guilty of doing that in the past. I tell God that I need refreshing and then I get busy, my thoughts wander and I walk away before He has provided the refreshment. I am so thankful that He doesn’t give up on me and my pettiness but continues to provide for me when I come back to His fountain and tell Him that I am ready to sit, listen and receive.

May you have a wonderful day filled with God’s blessing and refreshing!

Review of SUNDOWN by Susan May Warren

On By vickleaIn Book ReviewLeave a comment

About the Book:

Former Delta Operative Colt Kingston knows when someone is lying. He may not know the truth, but he sure doesn’t trust Tae, the woman who is caring for his ailing father at Sky King Ranch. Behind those beautiful blue eyes, he can tell there is a troubled–and smart–woman.

A few of her stories prove true–he’s found the crashed plane and the dead body inside. Still, her story of survival seems too incredible to believe . . . until the thugs she claims to be hunting her show up and threaten Sky King Ranch. Now Tae must disappear, along with her secrets.

But Colt’s not about to let her go it alone. And when they discover that her secrets include the antidote to a plague that threatens the world, it’ll take all three Kingston brothers to save the country they’ve vowed to protect.

Susan May Warren brings her Sky King Ranch series to a climactic close with this high-stakes race against the clock.

Details:

Author: Susan May Warren
Series: Sky King Ranch, Book 3
Genres: Contemporary Romantic Adventure, Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Tag: Epic Romantic Adventure
Publisher: Revell
Publication Year: 2022
ASIN: 0800739841
ISBN: 9780800739843

My review:

Oh, my! This book and this series had me captivated from beginning to end. I must admit that I missed the first book in the series, but I have since purchased it and plan to definitely go back and read Dodge’s story. This third book in the series wraps everything up well as it tells the story of Colt Kingston, a man who has yet to feel worthy or accepted in his life. He is still carrying the guilt of being with his mom when she died and blames himself for her death. Enter on the scene a young woman named Tae, a brilliant scientist working on a vaccine against a bio-weapon that is as deadly as it is useful to enemies. The danger that Tae is in is presented so realistically that I thought I was watching a movie in my mind. The action was fast paced and non-stop, changing settings from ice in Alaska to the sunshine state of Florida, with the bad guys always right there. Colt has tasked himself with keeping Tae safe and that is no small chore since he has to almost sacrifice himself to secure her and her vaccine. I enjoyed the way the story unraveled, with lots of layers and plenty of brilliantly written dialogue. The relationship between the brothers is a central theme since they need to find out each other’s strengths and weaknesses in order to work well together. I enjoyed reading about the themes of forgiveness, acceptance, self-discovery and coming to a feeling of self-worth. This is a story that made me tear up a few times, gasp others and even chuckle sometimes. This book had everything that clean romantic suspense should have and the addition of high intensity action that made it a compelling read. This book can be read as a standalone, but my recommendation is to read the series of the Sky King Ranch and the heroes who call it home.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley as part of the Revell Reads Blogger Program. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

This book has some really intense scenes in it. It is a clean read but it is also scary at times, so I would rate it a PG-13.
Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and RITA award-winning novelist of over sixty-five novels. An eight-time Christy award finalist, a three-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award.
A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: The Story Equation.
She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, and Novel.Academy, a school for aspiring novelists. You can find her online at www.susanmaywarren.com.

Links to purchase SUNDOWN:

Baker Book House

Audible

Google Play

Amazon Kindle

Amazon

Nook

Barnes and Noble

Christian Book

Indie Bound

The Revell Reads Blogger Program introduced me to this author when she wrote the second book of this series. I have been a fan since then and look for all of their books now. Much appreciation to this Blogger Program that has kept me reading good Christian fiction and allowed me the opportunity to introduce authors to the readers of my blog.

Thankful for Those Who Served

On By vickleaIn Scripture4 Comments

It is Veterans’ Day and I would be remiss if I did not mention how grateful I am for each soldier, sailor, marine, coast guard or air force member who served. My husband spent over 22 years in service to our nation and although I missed him terribly each time he was deployed, he was committed to fulfilling his promise to serve our nation, no matter the cost. Before he even knew the Lord and His call to be a servant, my husband, and many like him, were already serving.

It is always good to encourage each other, but there is no better time than today to say an encouraging word to a veteran. My husband always goes out on November 11th to a local restaurant that offers free meals to veterans. He is not going for the food, but rather he is going for the camaraderie, the spirit of belonging to an elite group that knows what it is to leave loved ones behind and to head into dangerous situations that may require the ultimate sacrifice. They share stories together and reminisce about friends they made and places they served.

Jesus set the example for service and we owe Him our lives for all of eternity. I am so thankful for Jesus showing the way and for the others who have followed. Not all veterans are Christians, of course, but as the saying goes, “You don’t meet many atheists in a foxhole.”

So, as you go out and about your daily routine today, pause to thank a veteran. They usually wear a cap on their heads with their branch of service or the ship they served on, something that helps them to remember their time in the military. Thank them for serving honorably and sacrificially. Yes, they returned from the battle, but many bear scars that we cannot see, and all were willing to die so that we could continue to be free. Taking a few seconds to express heartfelt gratitude is the least that we can do.

Happy Veterans’ Day to all who served! I am thankful for your service.

May you be blessed to be a blessing!

Thankful for the Power of God

On By vickleaIn Scripture4 Comments

The treasure that we carry in our hearts and souls is the message of the Gospel. Only God could have planned the salvation of all via His Only Son and only God could have been willing to see His Son sacrificed on the cross for all mankind. Only God could raise Jesus from the dead, His resurrection pointing the way for us to one day also have eternal life. This is all the power of God. There is nothing I can do to save myself, so the treasure that I have is in this earthen vessel that God created for my soul to inhabit until He calls me home to be with Him forever.

It is only by God’s sacrifice and power that you and I are being made holy. This is an ongoing process, one that will not be finished until we go to be with Him in Heaven. Thus, I thank God for His power that is working on me to help me to be more like Him.

I feel weak a lot spiritually. I mess up and have to go back and confess, repent and apologize to those I have offended. But God’s grace is always sufficient. He shows Himself powerful on our behalf when we are willing to confess that we need Him because we are weak. It’s not a bad thing to admit weakness. The bad thing is not being willing to admit it and ask God for His power to help you through whatever situation it is that requires His power and strength. When we let pride get in the way and like the toddler declare to God, “I can do it myself,” He steps back and lets us try. Let me tell you from experience that my efforts alone do not usually work out for me; it is only when I acknowledge that I need help from a Higher Power that I can receive the assistance that God has been able and ready to offer all along.

May you be blessed with the knowledge of God’s power and His loving kindness that wants to help you in all situations.

Review of A NANNY FOR THE RANCHER’S TWINS by Heidi Main

On By vickleaIn Book ReviewLeave a comment
Welcome to the Blog + Review Blitz for A Nanny for the Rancher’s Twins by Heidi Main, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the book

Title: A Nanny for the Rancher’s Twins

Author: Heidi Main

Publisher: Love Inspired

Release Date: October 25, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Returning to small-town Texas was her fresh start.

She never expected a ready-made family.

What could be better than running a rustic wedding venue? Event planner Laney Taylor has it all laid out…except for the serious renovations her inherited property needs. Rancher Ethan McCaw will help—but only if she’ll nanny his toddler twins. Laney’s all about planning weddings for others and shielding her own heart, but Ethan, Zoe and Tori might be just the ones to change her mind…

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | Christianbook | BookBub

My Review

This is a sweet romance with just enough drama to keep me engaged and interested in reading. The story of the rancher who needs a nanny for his twins and the events planner who wants help with renovating the property she has inherited is a friends to lovers trope that is well-written. Although it is predictable, it is also an enchanting love story with characters who make flawed assumptions and who have to understand what is really happening in order to form a romantic relationship. The twins were absolutely endearing and so adorable in their insistence to get into mischief in the cutest and most amusing ways. Laney and Ethan have to both discover how to trust again while also continuing to guard their hearts from getting hurt once more. The story is rich with realistic and believable details and sparkles with characters that are lovable and warm. I enjoyed the fast-paced plot although I was sorry to see the story end since I really liked getting to know Laney, Ethan and the twins. This is a delightful and clean romance that includes humor and a charming story of self-discovery and the resulting romantic love.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book via the Just Read Blog Tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Rated G. This is a clean and captivating romance!

About the Author

Heidi Main writes sweet inspirational romance novels set in small towns. Though she lives in central North Carolina’s suburbs, she dreams of acreage and horseback riding, which is why her novels include wide-open ranches and horses. Before starting her writing career, Heidi worked with computers and taught Jazzercise. A perfect Saturday is lounging on the deck with her husband and watching the many birds in their backyard.Connect with Heidi by visiting heidimain.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and a print copy of A Nanny for the Rancher’s Twins.

(1) additional winner will receive a $10 gift card and a print copy of the book.

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 9, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 16, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

Thankful that I Am Accepted

On By vickleaIn Scripture2 Comments

Many years ago, I sent out various applications to colleges that I desired to attend and then waited anxiously to hear about whether I was accepted or not. I did not get into my first choice, a college that was way beyond my financial capabilities anyway, but I was accepted into Mary Washington, graduated from there and went on to teach. It was during the weeks of waiting for the acceptance letters when I was overwhelmed with the thoughts of what would happen if no one accepted me.

Less than a year after my graduation, I was invited and accepted into the family of God. No anxious waiting, no thoughts about a plan B or even any idea that I would not be accepted. Why not? Because acceptance is a gift from God and He does it well.

There is no favoritism with God, no “show me the money and I will accept you” kind of pseudo-acceptance. God truly accepted me because He shows absolutely no favoritism. I had to confess my sins and repent, true, but that is what everyone who calls on the name of Jesus as Savior has to do. There is no magical formula for acceptance with God, no letters of application to complete and no anxious waiting to see if God will allow you into His family or not. He already has…you have to accept the invitation He sent out long ago when He sent His Son to die for you, and then His acceptance of you is automatic. As someone who struggled most of my young life with being accepted, this is the most amazing gift and one I hope that I never take for granted. And I pray that you know the same acceptance and loving grace that He has shown me. It’s free to you although it cost Jesus dearly.

My prayer of blessing for you today comes from the Holy Bible. Accept His blessing on your life as you read and meditate on the Scripture below.

Thankful for God’s Comforting Presence

On By vickleaIn Scripture2 Comments

As everyone knows, today is Election Day in the United States and I hope you are all doing your civic duty and voting. My husband is working at the polls as a poll watcher. He enjoys getting out into the public and talking to folks who come to vote. I already voted since I knew that he would be at the polls all day today.

I awakened this morning with a headache and I attribute it to the weather change (the high today is in the 50’s and it has been almost 80 degrees for the last three days) as well as just a little bit of stress. What could cause that stress? Well, other than the election that is so important for our nation, but that isn’t really why. Our grandson has to go see the surgeon again on November 21st about his broken clavicle. It seems to be healing, but it is doing so very slowly. We are going to Maryland for Thanksgiving so I get to see family there. Grandchildren! Our fiftieth anniversary is coming up in April and we have been working on plans for a train trip across the U.S. Christmas is coming and I need to shop. And my youngest sister in Florida has a Cat 1 hurricane headed her way. So, why the stress? All of the above but not all at the same time. Anxious thoughts seem to wait until I am having a quiet moment and then, boom! They start attacking from all sides. Yes, I have my armor on and my helmet of salvation is firmly in place. But I need more and I find it in the comfort of God’s presence. That is what I am thankful for today. When my heart is rocketing around like a space ship out of control and the pain in my head is forcefully letting me know that I need to relax, then God shows Himself strong on my behalf, speaks calming words to me through His Word and the praise music that I listen to and gradually, my focus changes from the problems and task list to the Almighty God who is worthy to be praised.

God knows just the right words to speak to my heart to keep me focused on His goodness and not on the problems. He is so merciful and gracious to me and I sincerely appreciate His always being there, right on time!

No matter what you are facing today, remember that God is in control…of elections, trips, money issues, and even hurricanes. May you have a blessed and peaceful day!

Review of SECLUDED CABIN SLEEPS SIX by Lisa Unger

On By vickleaIn Book ReviewLeave a comment

Reading this book was like entering a labyrinth or maybe a tangled spider web inside a spider web and I felt like the fly. I was captured from the beginning as I dove deeply into this intricate story of family relationships and unknown darkness. Wow! Just wow! Hannah and Mako are siblings and both have secrets. One of them has a secret that can kill. Together with their spouses and two friends, they go to a cabin in the middle of nowhere just to get away. But they soon find out that you can run but you can’t hide. The premise of this book is clever and intriguingly original with so much happening that it held my attention the entire time I was reading. I could hear the sound effects portrayed and jumped when the thunder roared, just as I’m sure the characters did. The theme of good vs. evil was definitely a part of the story, but it is mostly a story of accepting your family and knowing that you are an individual and cannot change where your roots are. I especially liked the characterization and how there seemed to be two different story lines that were flowing down different rivers, but they seamlessly merged into a giant waterfall at the end. The imagery was fantastic, creating an environment that was perfect for the story and for my mind to go wild as I built up the scene visually. The characters were well developed but a bit confusing until I caught on that there were two storylines and dual time as well. I didn’t have a favorite character since I enjoyed getting to know all of them. Some, of course, are more likable and relatable than others, but they all realistically portray human actions and reactions. Buckle up for a wild ride and prepare for a long night when you pick up this book because it will hold you in its grasp until the final satisfying sentence. Dynamic, energetic and twisty spellbinder that every fan of thrillers should read.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. (I also preordered my own copy because I love Lisa Unger’s books.) I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Rated a definite PG-13, with violence depicted as well as grab-your-throat scary kind of scenes
Photo and Bio from the author’s website at http://www.lisaunger.com

Today is release day, so if you are in the mood for some creepy thrills and chills, you can enjoy this new book from Lisa Unger. Purchase Links:

Apple Books

Target

Bookshop

BAM!

Barnes and Noble

Google Play Store

Powells

Amazon

With thanks to Netgalley and Park Row Books for the ARC to read and review!

Thankful That I’m Not Lonely

On By vickleaIn Scripture4 Comments

When I graduated from college almost five decades ago, I was able to find a teaching job about five hours away from my hometown. For the first time ever, I was going to be living on my own! I was thrilled, filled with adrenaline spikes and scared. That was for about the first week or so. Then, I was lonely. Not at school, of course, because there was plenty of action and lots of other people there. No, I was lonely at night, alone where I was living. At first, I lived with an elderly lady who was very kind but she was also an alcoholic so she spent her evenings imbibing while I spent mine alone. After a few months there, an apartment became available and I moved in, happy to have my own very small space but taking my loneliness with me. My fiancé was stationed a couple of hours away, so we saw each other on weekends when he could get away. But the weeknights were dark and I was totally alone. I was delighted when the neighbor next door introduced herself and started a short conversation daily. She is the one who told me about Jesus, gave me a Bible to read (“THE WAY”) and who once and for all offered a solution to my loneliness. I read the Book of John as she suggested, confessed my sins, repented and started going to church with my new friend. I became part of the family of God, a family more loving and kind than I thought was possible.

Not only did God give me fellow believers as brothers and sisters, he also led me to get married a few months after Harry and I became Christians. Again, more reason not to be lonely. Except my new spouse traveled with the military a lot and I stayed behind. Once more, God showed me the importance of my church family. We moved a lot while Harry was on active duty (25 times in 23 years), so I got accustomed to finding a new church each time we moved and plugging myself into the fellowship and camaraderie there. I’m so thankful that after years of being lonely and feeling like there was no place that I felt accepted and as though I never belonged, I found a family with the people of God and have been with my family ever since. God sent that neighbor to me and He established me in His loving family. He saw my heart and reached out to me before I even knew what I needed.

God is always one step ahead of us if we allow Him to take the lead. I’m thankful that before I knew Him, He knew me and extended His mercy, grace, forgiveness and love to a lonely young woman in a new place. I am so thankful for Verna, the kind neighbor, who was obedient to the Lord and befriended me. I was never truly alone because God was there, but I didn’t know that. Now I do, and because I know that, I have never been really alone since that night in February, 1973 when the Lord became my Savior and my best friend forever.

May the Lord bless you with friendships, love, peace and joy. He is only a prayer away.