Need a Do Over?

On May 16, 2023 By vickleaIn Scripture1 Comment

Do you recall when you were a child and playing a game and something happened to cause you to perform badly? Maybe a leaf blew across your field of vision or a small child was yelling on the swing set and distracted you. So, when you tried to kick the ball, you missed because you were not paying attention. That’s when you would call out loudly that you needed a “do over.” Usually, because you were playing a game meant to be fun and with friends, they would grant your wish and you would get to do the whole thing again, this time with better results.

Sometimes, in our Christian walk, we need a “do over.” We need to press into God and appeal to His mercy and grace, deeply and sincerely repentant for messing up and asking for the grace to do that thing you messed up again. Maybe it was the opportunity to speak to someone about the Lord and you blew it. Maybe it was the chance to be kind to someone in need and you ignored the whisper of the Holy Spirit to reach out. Whatever you missed out on, God is the God of second chances. He is the God of the “do over” , not because we deserve it but because of His great love and mercy for us. He shows us grace, His unmerited favor, and allows us to try again, and again, and again. We just have to be willing to admit that we have blown our chance, missed an opportunity or sinned once again when we really didn’t want to. Distracted by the things of this world, it’s hard sometimes to stay focused on the important things that God has for us to do and the changes He wants to make in us so that we become more like Him. But when we straggle behind or go in the wrong direction, God is right there, waiting for us to request a “do over” so that He can lead us back on the path He wants us to be on.

Just when we think that God cannot possibly still love us and continue to forgive us, He does. We confess, repent and He is always faithful to His promise to forgive. Even better, He grants us a “do over” so we may get the chance to see that person again and tell them about Jesus or do participate in a ministry that we neglected previously. Whatever it is, God is in the business of providing grace to His children. It’s one of the ways He instructs us and expects us to extend that same grace, mercy and forgiveness to others.

I don’t ever want to get to the point where I cannot receive instruction from God and His Word. I have had a lot of “do overs” in my lifetime, but none has been as important as the ones when I know for sure that I have disappointed God and I need to go back and try again. I have learned a lot from those experiences, mostly about being more aware and striving to do things right the first time. Nevertheless, because I am still a disciple in training, I still need His grace and mercy every day. I need a “do over” more frequently than I would like, and I am always thankful that God graciously provides those opportunities for me.

Watching Over Me

On May 15, 2023 By vickleaIn Scripture, Song2 Comments

When I was a new mother, I found myself frequently just sitting and watching my new baby breathe, assuring myself that she was indeed okay. As she grew, I continued to watch over her, guiding her away from cars that she didn’t notice or other possible dangers. Now my children have all arrived safely at adulthood and no longer live close to me so I cannot watch over them as I once did. However, my prayers go with them wherever they are and Someone much more capable than I am watches over them and over me.

God is always watching, always attentive to what is happening in our lives. He knows when our hearts need to be strengthened and when we need encouragement and He sends it, at just the right time. It may be a call from a friend or a note from someone new. This week, after months of medical tests and no real answers, I got an Encouragement Card from a new online friend. With a poem that is meaningful and scripture verses encouraging me to persevere. How did Sara know that I needed this? Because God is watching and He whispered to her heart.

We need to be as attentive to others and their needs as God is to us and our needs. We need to listen carefully when He calls. He may not be sending an answer to our prayer, but He may want to use us to help answer the prayers of someone else. Fully committed to God? Yes, with all of my heart and mind and soul! And I know without a doubt that He is watching over me, saw my discouragement and decided I needed a push back into positivity. Sometimes I encourage others and sometimes others encourage me. That’s how this Christian walk of faith works. God is leading and we follow His lead.

Watching Over Me-Jason Upton

A Tribute to Mothers

On May 14, 2023 By vickleaIn Quotation and Citations, Scripture5 Comments

My hope is that we all have a mother somewhere in our lives, whether it is our biological mom or someone who nurtured us. May each of us remember to honor that special person today.

The best thing that can happen to a mother is to have her children appreciate her. Show your appreciation today for all of her sacrifices. My mom was sometimes harsh and not always loving, but she was my mom and even twenty years later, I miss hearing her voice. I know that she would have loved meeting all of her grandchildren because she did love little ones. If your mom is still alive, cherish your time with her because one day, when you least expect it perhaps, she will no longer be here on earth with you.

Be a mom first so that you can be a good friend once your children are adults.

Review of THE SECRET TO HAPPINESS by Suzanne Woods Fisher

On May 13, 2023 By vickleaIn Book Review1 Comment

About the Book:

The Secret to Happiness

Series: Cape Cod Creamery, Book 2
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Revell
Publication Year: 2023
ASIN: B0BLW62NCR
ISBN: 9780800739485

Escape to Cape Cod–where you just might find the secret to happiness

Callie Dixon had the world by its tail . . . until it all slipped away. Fired from her dream job after making a colossalmistake, she’s escaped to her aunt’s home on Cape Cod for time to bounce back. Except it isn’t a home, it’s an ice cream shop. And time isn’t going to help, because Callie’s bounce has up and left. There’s a reason she made that mistake at work and she’s struggling to come to terms with it.

Things go from bad to worse when Callie’s cousin Dawn drags her to a community class about the secret to happiness. Happiness is the last thing Callie wants to think about right now, but instructor Bruno Bianco–a curiously gloomy fellow–is relentless. He has a way of turning Callie’s thoughts upside down. Her feelings, too.

My Thoughts:

This is the second book in the series but can easily be read and enjoyed as a standalone. This is the story of Callie Dixon, a master chef who finds herself unexpectedly unemployed. So she flees to hide out in Cape Cod with her Aunt Marnie and cousin Dawn. Dawn and Marnie are running an ice cream shop and barely making ends meet because it’s winter and all of the tourists have disappeared. After days of watching Callie malinger in bed, Dawn decides that she needs an intervention to her depression and insists that she go to a class called “The Secret to Happiness.” The instructor is a forbidding, non-smiling and stern man names Bruno Bianco, a man who is wise beyond his years and very intuitive about what is actually happening in Callie’s life. He begins to advise her in subtle ways that make her think and when she starts reading his book about finding happiness, she ultimately discovers what her problem is and what she needs to do about it. This book was brilliantly written, with a sub-plot (Dawn’s wedding plans) and a book within a book (as Callie reads Bruno’s instruction manual and shares with the readers). I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Callie and the way she was talented and determined but not very self-confident. The way the author weaves the story around the dynamic changes in Callie and her attitude is amazing and so engaging! The characters were all well-developed and totally realistic and relatable. The messages are loss, redemption and ultimately hope for the future. This is a book not to be missed because it is entertaining as well as thought-provoking, causing me to think about what I would do if I had one goal in life and that one goal was suddenly taken away. How would I respond to that change, and would I still be able to find happiness? This is a book that held me tightly in its grasp and did not let me go until I discovered what Callie found, her own secret to happiness.
Disclaimer
Discloure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley. I also purchased my own copy to enjoy again and again! I was not required to write a positive review and 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.”

Meet the Author:

Purchase Links:

Out of the Land of Egypt

On May 13, 2023 By vickleaIn Scripture3 Comments

I have been praying a lot lately about the circumstances in our nation and all of the rampant sin. This morning, in my devotional, God directed me to this verse. Egypt represents the sin that God took us out of, the salvation He freely offers to all through His Son Jesus Christ. But instead of moving forward with God, our nation as a whole has turned from God. We are worshipping other gods: money, technology, success, pleasure and self. So when we look around and see all of the problems in the United States, it is because we have sinned and have refused to repent. I, personally, do not think that God will be mocked forever and I am waiting for Him to act. I don’t know when that will be, but I do know that we need to repent and get out of Egypt and back to the Promised Land of hope, restoration and forgiveness.

The ACTS Prayer Pattern

On May 12, 2023 By vickleaIn praise, prayer, Scripture, Song4 Comments

“A” stands for “adoration.” I believe that every prayer should start with adoration for God for Who He is.

Praise Ye The Lord

“C” is for confession. There should never be a time when you have not willingly confessed your sins to the Lord. All of us are sinners saved by grace and we need to remember where we came from, what He brought us out of.

Forgive Me, Lord

“T” is for thanksgiving for what the Lord has done in your life. Everything we have and all that we are is from Him.

Thankful Heart-Petra

Finally, “S” is supplication. This is telling God what you need and most of us usually start and end and even have this part of prayer as our entire prayer. It is the last thing that we should be approaching the throne for. After adoration, confession and thanksgiving, then we tell God what our needs are, the ones that only He can meet.

Hear My Cry-Maranatha

I generally end my prayers with thanksgiving again, but the pattern above is one that is easy to remember and to follow. I am not saying that all should follow this pattern because I am not a legalistic. I am just suggesting that whatever you pray and however and whenever, you need to remember to include praise, confession and adoration along with your requests. God is your Father, not Santa Claus who brings all the goodies your heart desires. He is your Father who wants what is best for all of us. He may not answer our prayers right away, but His timing is always perfect.

On May 12, 2023 By vickleaIn Re-blogLeave a comment

ettingerwriting.wordpress.com/2023/05/11/very-heavy-new-testament-teaching/

Please go to the original post and follow David. He has a great deal of wisdom that he shares.

Be Strong

On May 11, 2023 By vickleaIn Scripture, Song2 Comments

How does one go about getting strong so you can be strong? The physical trainer will say that exercise is the solution. Lift weights, use a bike or a treadmill, or join the latest fad on a Peloton. What does being strong mean? Does it mean that your brain and other faculties are working well, in sync with each other, so that you feel well and healthy? Some of the health gurus would tell you which vitamins to take and foods to eat and what you should avoid to make your body stronger. But my focus is on our spiritual body. How does one get strong in the Lord?

There is really only one way that I know of and that is to spend time with Him, reading His Word and talking to Him. God speaks to us through His Word, inspires us to personalize His Word through His Holy Spirit and makes us stronger in Him as we grow closer to Him. It’s important to spend time with God every day, not neglecting to strengthen our spiritual body, the part of us that will live forever with our Father in Heaven. Many train for marathons and long bicycle races with hours of endurance runs or rides. We are training for a race that will take us into the presence of the King of Kings, so we cannot grow weary and give up in the middle. We have to keep running that race, keep picking up our Bible daily and looking to His Word as our source for wisdom and strength. God’s power is endless, infinite as He is. In our finite minds, it is hard to conceive of a power that created the world from nothing and rules it with sacrificial love. But it is that power, that strength that we need to tap into and hold on tightly once we do. It is only in being plugged into our source of power that we can then be a source for others to get plugged in and come out know our Mighty God.

Be Strong in the Lord

An HD Life

On May 10, 2023 By vickleaIn Scripture3 Comments

Some of us have been saved for many years but we are still not claiming all that is ours and living as if we have eternal life awaiting us. We trudge through life’s daily struggles and challenges, complaining some and wishing for the day to be over. Why are we doing that? I think that it’s because we were meant to have an HD (high definition) life and we are still using rabbit ears and getting a fuzzy picture.

When I was young, we had rabbit ears on the television in our den. We could see the picture on some channels better than on others and the picture came in better at nighttime than during the day. Then, we progressed and my dad put an antenna on the roof, with a little box on top of the TV that controlled it. That brought a much clearer and more stable picture, unless the antenna was being moved around a lot by wind or a storm. The picture was still in black and white but we could see Lucy, Desi and Lawrence Welk much more clearly.

A couple of years ago, our television that was a huge box suddenly quit working. It was old but we couldn’t afford a new one while it still functioned, and as long as it worked, we were okay with it. Sometimes the picture wasn’t as great as the ones we had seen at our children’s houses, but we just wanted a TV that would work so we could enjoy news and a few shows together. When it quit, I was upset but not desolate by any means. However, my generous brother decided to gift me with a new HD smart TV for my birthday. We couldn’t stream shows because we were on satellite at the time, but the picture that the TV has is amazing! Clarity, brightness and just really looks like the people can step off the screen into the den with us. A few months ago we got a fiber connection out here in the woods (amazing to me) and now we can stream. (I love the Pure Flix channel, by the way. Lots of movies about faith and all totally clean shows.) Streaming is like having a direct connection to God. Did you know that is exactly what we have? We can talk to Him anytime, anywhere and about anything. Jesus made that possible as part of our HD life.

We have been gifted with an HD life when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. He has a plan for us, a purpose for us to fulfill. But we have to tune in to that HD life and stop living like we still get fuzzy pictures with rabbit ears. We can only tune in when we stay focused on His Word and listen to His voice as we spend time with Him. It does us no good to have an HD receiver and not to plug it in!

We need to start living like we have a promise from God for eternal life and a destiny to fulfill in Him!

Our connection to God is through His Only Son Jesus who died for us. Our HD life starts with accepting His sacrifice for us.

Like I said, some of us are still using rabbit ears and God has provided an HD life for us. Fuzzy picture in black and white or color, clarity and fulfillment? Not a hard choice, is it?

So, choose the HD Life…let God help you to be all He created you to be. Shine in a beautiful array of color into a world that is living in fuzzy, gray areas without purpose or a sense of direction. I choose the HD life that God wants me to have…filled to the brim and abundantly living for Him.

Patient God

On May 9, 2023May 9, 2023 By vickleaIn Scripture2 Comments

Those of us who have been Christians for many years have waited with anticipation for the return of Jesus. We look at the signs around us and compare them to Matthew 24, telling each other that His return to reign on the earth must be soon. But God has a plan and His plan is salvation for as many as possible.

So while we wait impatiently, demanding that God do something about the condition of the world and all the rampant sin, God is patiently waiting for more to repent so that they don’t face eternal destruction. I’m thankful that God is patient, aren’t you? He patiently waited for me and there are others He is calling to, others who need to come and confess and repent. God is a God of justice, but He is also One of love and He wants the best for all of us, not just a few. Although waiting is hard sometimes, it will be worth it when we see God and all the souls He has saved worshipping Him around His throne. While we wait, our task is to tell others about His love, sharing our testimony and the difference He has made in our lives. Each one tell others…until He returns triumphantly to take us home.

Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner

Month: May 2023