Happy Resurrection Day! God does not fear honest investigations and questions. He welcomes them, for in our curiosity, we approach an empty tomb and find that Jesus is indeed alive. His Spirit lives inside us while He is preparing a place for us in Heaven. Rejoice! He is alive, just as He said!
Month: March 2024
Trusting God
www.bible.com/reading-plans/13952/day/13
As usual, this devotional spoke to me right where I most need it. This last week has thrown me for a loop, and not in a good way. Hearing that Isaac likely had cancer last month, well, to be honest, I handled that news pretty well. I prayed and trusted God to take care of him. After all, the surgeon was confident that they could remove it all and he could go on with his life. Then, the surgery happened. Same reaction, same report from the surgeon. Unfortunately, the news at the follow up was not all sunshine and flowers. In fact, our family is still reeling over the report that Isaac has to have bloodwork to check for the cancer spreading into his circulatory system, he is getting a CT scan to see if it has spread to other parts of his body and then he is getting a referral to an oncologist and going to talk to that specialist about chemotherapy. Wait! What just happened? My mind nor my heart can keep up with the changes. From, “It’s all fine” to “You need to undergo treatment for aggressive cancer.” All at the ripe old age of twenty-two. So, I have gone through some real rebellion and pouting this week. Yes, I confess. I got mad at God, but He is big enough to take it and loves me enough to understand it. I ranted and raved at the unfairness of it! I told God that I would rather the growth that they found and removed in me be cancer than that my beloved grandson be stricken in such a way. “Unfair,” I cried. And God patiently waited for me to calm down so he could speak to me. This devotional was one way He spoke to my anxious heart. Things are not better physically, but I am calmer and more willing to listen to God’s Spirit speak words of comfort and encouragement to me. Am I happy about everything? No, of course not. Do I understand why this is happening? No, of course not. But I am CHOOSING to trust God in spite of my feelings and the circumstances and trusting that God will come through and fulfill His will for Isaac, even in the middle of bad news that keeps getting worse. God says to fear Him. That means to me that I need to let Him be God and I will just be the loving Nanna, standing by and praying, and crying some, too, of course.
By the way, I do have a prayer request/favor to ask of you, my readers. If you or anyone you know has the capability of videotaping the eclipse next week and sending me a copy, I would be very grateful. Isaac and his dad planned for two years to go to northern PA (where my daughter lives) and see the eclipse. But because of his new health problems and medical appointments, they can’t go. I just want something to give to Isaac so he can see the miracles of God in the heavens and believe that same God is working in his life. He can’t even see the 85% eclipse in VA because he has an appointment at that time to get a referral for an oncologist. If you can help, thank you in advance. If you cannot help, would you please remember to pray? God bless you.
In the Throne Room
I am not worthy to stand before God, but Jesus makes me worthy and He is waiting for me there. In these troubled days, I find myself crying out to God, not for an explanation of what is happening, but for some relief from the heartache of the unknown. Every day brings more questions, yet God is patient and continues to answer with patience and kindness. He wants me just to be still, trust and wait. Jesus knows exactly what I need and He is providing it in His time…not according to my demands. We can go boldly into the throne room because the door is open to us, and once we get there, we need to be willing to be completely honest. My frustration at feeling helpless, I am laying at the foot of His throne. My anger at a disease that does nothing but destroy, I am laying at the foot of His throne. And the pain I feel for my young grandson, I am laying at the foot of His throne. May God do with it all as He will, but may He know that I am committed to not turning away from Him for guidance and help. He is the only one I can turn to, and I am thankful that He welcomes me into His throne room, even when I’m an emotional wreck.
Keep Preaching
www.bible.com/reading-plans/13952/day/11
What a challenge this is to keep preaching when it seems none are listening! We live in a world in which so many things grab people’s attention, and unfortunately, God is not usually their attention grabber. In a world of Apple, Microsoft, Google and Tik Tok, we are called to be an “Isaiah,” one who does not let people bad choices dissuade us from sharing the truth. We never know when one might turn to God, and after all, isn’t one soul worth all of the effort we put into going and telling. We are being obedient; God is waiting. Maybe this is our time to step out, accept the challenge and tell until there are no more left to hear.
Amazing Grace
There is nothing better than knowing that God’s grace is there for each of us, His love reaches out to us from an empty tomb, and we can rest assured in the fact that God has a plan for each of us. Part of His plan is to make sure that we spend eternity with Him by asking Jesus to be our Lord and Savior. Life doesn’t always make sense, but God’s plans for eternity do. During this Holy Week, let’s take time to reflect and thank God for His “Amazing Grace.”
Note to My Blogger Friends
For several days now I have been unable to comment on your posts. I am still reading them, but I cannot comment. Please know that I am still enjoying your posts and will comment again as soon as WordPress decides what is wrong and how to fix it.
I also want to ask that those of you who pray please keep our grandson in your prayers. He saw his surgeon for his follow up visit today and was told that the cancer he had is very aggressive. They will do a CT scan next week and then he has to talk to his regular doctor about getting a referral to an oncologist and possibly beginning chemotherapy. We are all devastated by this news since we were told that the surgery would take care of the problem and he would be fine once he recovered from the surgery. Please hold him up in your prayers. He is only twenty two and wants to be able to live his life, but there’s a pause here. Thank you for praying for him, his parents and me and his grandfather. We want to be encouragers for him if I can talk to him without crying.
The same week that he had his surgery, I had a precancerous large tumor removed from my colon. I cried on my husband’s shoulder tonight and told him that I would rather have cancer than for our beloved grandson to be suffering this way.
I trust God even when I don’t understand.
Just As I Am
During this Holy Week, let’s remember the sacrifice that Jesus made. He was the pure and holy Lamb of God, perfect in all of His ways. Yet He became sin for us so that we could live forever with His father in heaven. Focus on the great love that Jesus had and refresh yourself in the water of His love and abiding presence.
Review: NEVER FALL AGAIN by Lynn H. Blackburn
About the Book
ISBN-13:9780800745363. Publisher:Baker Publishing Group. Publication date:03/12/2024. Series:Gossamer Falls , #1. Pages:352
Landry Hutton has spent three years rebuilding her life behind the secure gates of The Haven, an exclusive resort on the outskirts of Gossamer Falls, North Carolina. As the artist-in-residence, and with her pottery prized by The Haven’s guests, Landry is finally ready to settle in permanently. She wants to give her daughter, Eliza, a safe home to grow up in and hires former Marine Callum Shaw to handle the construction.
Cal grew up in Gossamer Falls and always knew he would someday join his family’s business. He longs for a family of his own but has almost given up on that ever happening. Landry is funny, gifted, and everything Cal could ever want in a partner, but he vows to keep his distance. Landry has a daughter and a past. Cal has been down that road before and barely survived when the woman he loved left, taking her two sons with her. He can’t bear to lose like that again.
Before construction on the house can begin, Landry’s pottery is destroyed in a suspicious fire. It soon becomes clear that Landry and Eliza are in grave danger—but because of whom?
My Thoughts
This book transported me immediately to the beautiful setting of Gossamer Falls, captivated me and would not let me go. The story of Landry, a single mother who is threatened from an unknown source, and Cal, a hero who just wants to stay away from women, is one of the best I have read in romantic suspense. The suspense builds methodically as I was introduced to the characters and got to know more about the danger Landry and her young child Eliza faced. As the danger became more real, my heart was in my throat and this book was absolutely unputdownable. The characters were dynamic, relatable and lovable, if somewhat mysterious. One of my favorite characters is Mo, a man with a lot of secrets and a talent with technology that gets him into secret places with little effort. I also enjoyed meeting Landry, the young woman burned by love who is guarding her and Eliza’s hearts from being hurt again so she is not looking for a new relationship when she moves to Gossamer Falls. The developing friendship between Cal and Landry is realistic and engaging, with my cheering for them to step out and take a chance on love again. The process was fascinating to read and completely entertaining. I loved the suspense that was built into the story, with some really big surprises as Landry’s life and livelihood are attacked. This book is a fast-paced and well-written introduction to what I am sure will be an enthralling series. The author always does a wonderful and thorough job of research and I especially enjoyed the information about Cal’s contracting business and Landry’s pottery. All of the facts from their backgrounds contributed to my fascination with the edgy and brilliantly written tale with its clever twists and complex intrigue that kept the plot moving to a satisfying conclusion.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley. I also purchased my own copy because I enjoy this author’s books tremendously and collect them. 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 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
About the Author
Unknown Threat, the first book in her Defend and Protect series, was a 2021 Christy Award finalist, and her previous titles have won the Carol Award, the Selah Award, and the Faith, Hope, and Love Reader’s Choice Award.
She is a frequent conference speaker and has taught writers all over the country. Lynn lives in South Carolina with her true love and their three children. You can follow her real life happily ever after by signing up for her newsletter at LynnHBlackburn.com and @LynnHBlackburn on Bookbub, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Purchase Links for this Amazing Book:
Bearing Fruit
www.bible.com/reading-plans/13952/day/7
As you read the devotional and Isaiah 5 today, consider that the vineyard can be any nation that the Lord has called to serve Him and to bear fruit for Him. Yes, the verses are applicable to Israel first, of course, but are they not also applicable to the current nations of the world? God has blessed the United States for many years with abundance, prosperity and a reputation as a world leader. As I watch our slowly losing all of this because of our great determination to go our own way and against God, I am not surprised that the vineyard is not producing fruit. We who are Christians need to produce fruit, pray for God’s mercy on our land and give the fruit that we produce to others so that they, too, may know of God’s goodness and provision. We are not producing fruit to consume it ourselves; its purpose is to feed others so that they may live an abundant and God-fearing life.
The Church: A Signpost to God
www.bible.com/reading-plans/13952/day/6
Do we as members of God’s great church here on earth attract people to Him or chase them away? Do we get so involved in the sins of the world and our attempts to add our opinions and try to correct them instead of fulfilling our purpose of drawing people to God? This is definitely food for thought. May the church be a signpost pointing to God, not the judge of evil. That is God’s job and He does it perfectly. Our mission is one to lead people to reconciliation and restoration to a relationship with our Creator. As much as we want to condemn, shake our heads and walk away, that is not our purpose.
Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner 